The Villain Bought the Heroine

Chapter 17

“You’ve been through a lot. With your current self, there should be no lack in achieving the first goal.”

“It’s all thanks to Lord Doryun’s grace.”

It had been a month since the tumultuous events in Rubid Village had ended for Alicia.

Alicia kneeled with her head bowed, as respectful as a knight would be to a king.

Her long hair flowed down her back. There was no tremble in her still posture.

“I received excellent guidance in both magic and swordsmanship from my teacher, and Lord Doryun provided all the support. I will show results that live up to your expectations, Lord Doryun.”

“That’s how it should be.”

It’s a week away.

Alicia and I met the admission requirements without much difficulty and successfully enrolled.

And soon, the entrance ceremony marking the beginning of our time at Academia will commence.

I will lead all the changes and firmly establish that entity at Academia. Will the characters from the novel respond as I expect or will they pleasantly surprise me with an unexpected turn?

“Lord Doryun…? Have you thought of something interesting?”

Rising from her seat, Alicia asked with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, it’s nothing special. I’m just feeling pleased with your remarkable progress.”

“I’m embarrassed… I still have a lot to improve.”

A humble Alicia. There may be a significant gap compared to her prime as seen in the novel, but with a start like this, one can anticipate great results upon completion.

“Humility is a good virtue, but for you, it’s rather poison.”

Because you lack confidence in yourself or have low self-esteem. Only recently has your self-esteem, which had been slowly crumbling as you acknowledged your own worth, started to recover, but there’s still a long way to go.

“You’ve been working hard all this time. You’ve actually shown good results. This isn’t just due to talent alone.”

“Thank you.”

Alicia’s ears started to turn red like autumn leaves. Perhaps she’s quite weak to compliments, as she hasn’t heard them much before.

“So today, I want to reward you for your hard work. This wasn’t originally planned, but it’s in recognition of your excellent results, so don’t refuse.”

“……”

“If you don’t answer, know that a hole might appear on your forehead.”

Flinch.

Her body trembled for a moment.

“I will gratefully accept your intentions.”

Yes. This is quite a significant change. Comparing her now to when I first met her, it’s a remarkable transformation.

“Well, let’s not waste any more time. Let’s go.”

“Oh, are we going somewhere else?”

“Yes, we need to go out to shop.”

“Shopping… you mean?”

“I don’t feel like explaining, just follow along.”

***

A bustling crowd and a variety of goods on display. The world seems noisy like a festival is taking place. Alicia is showing her astonishment at the crowd.

“Y-Your Highness…! There are so many people! It’s even more crowded than when we went to City Rose! I’ve never experienced anything like this…!”

“…Stop widening your eyes like that. Didn’t you say you’re from the prestigious Shugenhardt family?”

“Ah…! I’m sorry. I unknowingly showed a pathetic side of me. I will return to normal.”

Smack⎯!

Alicia slapped her own cheeks hard. The sound was quite startling and the pain must have been considerable, but she acted as if she didn’t feel it and firmly said, “I’m fine!”

“…It was meant to maintain dignity, but you’re doing strange things. …But well, it’s done now.”

Bargan takes Alicia’s hand.

Considering his demeanor and usual behavior, his hand might feel as cold as ice, but sometimes she felt that he was just like her during moments like this.

She follows him as he leads the way.

Passersby naturally make way for them. They know from his attire and conduct that he holds a high position.

It’s her first time seeing so many people, but at the same time, it’s also the first time so many people are paying attention to them.

Yes.

But….

Too fast!

This person, walking way too fast!

Does he have long legs? Or is it because of his fiery temperament? It’s not a metaphor at this point, it’s like being dragged along for real.

Alicia stopped her inner monologue and voiced her thoughts. Her cautious demeanor remains unchanged but is now urgent.

“Y-Your Highness…! Could you please slow down a bit?”

“Time is money.”

“…I’ll try to pick up the pace.”

Alicia often ran beside him, matching his pace. Alicia walked with Vargan. There was a slight difference due to the height gap, but they shared the same sense.

As the pain in her hands disappeared, the warmth and texture of his hands were transmitted vividly. His large, elongated fingers tightly wrapped around her hand.

Huh? Wait a moment.

Doesn’t this feel like just holding hands and walking…?

Alicia suddenly sensed something strange.

With a shift in perception, sweat began to trickle from her hand, and her heartbeat accelerated. It wasn’t a sweet story of being nervous because she liked him.

The crucial point was that she was holding a man’s hand. The sensation of a man’s large hand, which she held for the first time in her life, shook her.

Walking hand in hand with a man.

All eyes were on them.

Thinking about it made her feel somewhat embarrassed. At the same time, her mind couldn’t focus and became confused.

What… What is this! Just a moment!

It feels like my temperature is rising?!

Am I maintaining composure now? I hope my embarrassment isn’t obvious. My face isn’t turning red, right?

As the situation grew more complicated, her body temperature rose. She could feel the heat around her neck.

Her breathing quickened, and it seemed like her blood circulation was speeding up.

Despite wanting to release his hand to calm down, it was impossible because he held her hand so firmly. But she couldn’t just push him away.

She sneakily glanced at the man’s face. Due to the significant height difference, she had to look up. And then…

“This is….”

At some point, Vargan, who had been watching Alicia, met her eyes. He stopped walking and released the grip on her hand.

Alicia touched her freed hand and accepted his sharp gaze. Vargan had the same cold expression as usual, showing no intention of avoiding the situation.

“Since the fantasies keep going on endlessly, I can’t continue dragging this on. I told you not to lust after my owner. No, this is my owner’s fault. I should educate her again.”

“Yo, young master?! That’s not it at all! Lusting… I have never harbored such impure thoughts… never…”

‘I have never harbored such thoughts!’

Alicia screamed inwardly.

There was absolutely no infatuation on her part. It was true that she was nervous when she held a man’s hand for the first time… Huh? But then it would mean she was trembling around him. It was a kind of… something that couldn’t be denied but also couldn’t be admitted. How should she respond!

“I’m sorry….”

When in doubt, it’s best to apologize.

It was true that she was nervous. It felt unfair, but she should apologize.

Deciding that, she took the posture of apology, which was her most common behavior. Lowering her waist with perfect composure, she stopped trembling. She displayed a flawless posture.

“…Always lusting after me, even secretly peeping at the owner who trains me, you perverted servant.”

“…Th-that is… disgraceful.”

It’s always like this….

It’s too unfair…!

***

“Oh my~ You look so good together! You’re so beautiful that you look good in anything~!”

“Thank you… Ugh.”

Definitely.

Perhaps because she was the heroine, her beauty was exceptional. So far, she had only worn dull clothes or servant’s attire, but when dressed up, she could easily outshine most high-ranking noble ladies.

“You have a good lover who buys you clothes like this. You must be pleased~”

“That… he’s not my lover.”

“He’s my end. Don’t blow unnecessary hopes.”

“Ah… I see. You two look good together, so… I misunderstood.”

The owner of the clothing store tried to evade the situation with a surprised look on their face. Quickly bringing another outfit, they insisted that this one was also very popular these days and suggested trying it on.

“Come, come. Hurry and try this on. It will definitely suit you.”

“Yes, yes… Is it alright, Sir?”

As I signaled for him to come over, Alicia, pushed from behind, went to change clothes. She looked like this every time she changed.

Since it was a reward, it would be nice if she could relax a bit and enjoy it.

“How many outfits have you tried on so far?”

I asked another shop assistant nearby. It had been about an hour since we arrived here.

“Including the one you’ll try on next, it’s a total of seven outfits.”

“Seven outfits…”

I don’t understand how much clothes women need. It’s a matter of individual preference, but as long as there are essential clothes, this should be enough.

“Was the dress recommended just now suitable for a formal occasion?”

“Yes, it was. It’s a piece made by the most popular designer these days. Even the Count’s family members come here often to shop.”

“I see.”

Since the clothes I’ve tried on so far have mainly been casual, I need to buy a suit. In fact, buying a suit was the main purpose of coming here.

Clack, clack.

Alicia, who had changed into another outfit, approached with the sound of her heels. This outfit was a bit fancier, making her expression even more awkward compared to the others.

Her white face looked like a ripe peach.

“What do you think? Isn’t it beautiful? When I look at it, I feel a sacredness as if an angel has descended in summer.”

The shop owner spoke proudly with a bright face. Yes, she seemed eager to sell this slightly expensive outfit.

“…I’m embarrassed.”

Alicia’s voice crept in. What’s the use of a great appearance if the content is lacking?

I scanned her from head to toe.

Hmm… but the fancy packaging makes the content seem valuable too.

“Alicia, do you like the outfit?”

“I’m… so pleased that there’s no sign of worrying about the price. Among all the clothes I’ve worn so far, this dress seems to be the most beautiful. I mean it.”

Although it was an unsatisfactory answer, it didn’t seem like she was lying. She’s someone who can’t hide things well.

“I’ll take it.”

“Yes, yes~! Which outfit would you like? I’ll recheck all the clothes you’ve worn so far.”

“No need for a recheck.”

I’ve seen enough.

“So… which outfit would you like?”

“All of them. All the outfits I’ve worn so far.”

“Sir…! Even if you say that…!!”

The woman, who had a slightly awkward expression, quickly finished calculating in her head and then showed the most sincere smile I had seen today.

“Thank you⎯⎯!”

Darkened streets before long.

Various store lights illuminate the streets.

Exiting a clothing store, Alicia is bearing the weight of her belongings. Her eyes are busy. She looks at me, then at the clothes, and back at me.

“Didn’t I say I’d compensate for your trouble? I thought you’d buy just one outfit. That’s disrespectful to your master.”

“I’m sorry… but… no. I will gratefully accept it.”

Though her eyes seemed eager to speak, she hesitates, remembering what I told her before we departed.

As her busy eyes pause, Alicia’s slender fingers, holding the clothes, fidget nervously.

Her thoughts always seem to manifest physically. Perhaps I can’t fathom all of them.

It seems necessary to divert her attention.

“Finally, it’s next week.”

“Yes…? Oh… yes, that’s right. Next week is the day of the Academia’s entrance ceremony.”

Everything that could be done in these six months has been accomplished. To ensure smooth progress in the future. As planned.

“I didn’t buy those clothes for no reason. Though you are a commoner, you are a Schugenhardt’s person going to the Academia in that capacity.”

“Yes.”

“That’s why I provided appropriate attire. Even though the Academia has its uniform, you can’t just wear that alone. It would tarnish the family’s reputation.”

It’s a reminder that my actions are not merely out of kindness. Ultimately, everything I do is for my benefit.

“I will show the results expected of a gentleman.”

“That’s only natural.”

A brief rest for the impending battlefield that will soon begin. Thinking about the upcoming climax makes me smile.

“All preparations are complete.”