The Villainess is Tired of Everything-Chapter 61

Soon, food to accompany the tea was served in turn. An afternoon tea set was placed on a lavish plate adorned with floral patterns.

We continued our conversation over sweet desserts.

The first topic, of course, was about Darcy.

"I heard you both left together. How romantic…."

"Prince Darcy is truly a beautiful sight to behold."

It was as if the time I spent chasing after Ryan had never existed. They all continued to shower Darcy with praise.

Comments on how well we suited each other also came forth repeatedly.

‘…How should I define our relationship?’

I didn’t mind their misunderstandings. Darcy even said it was fine to leave things as they were.

But I couldn't help the unease gnawing at me.

‘Because it’s not true.’

He and I were not lovers.

Just then, Lady Wernar, who had been silently enjoying her food, spoke up.

"So, how did you two meet?"

The prince known as an illegitimate child and the young lady rumored to be a villainess—their meeting was the most curious topic, yet everyone had been avoiding it.

Lady Wernar, however, seemed indifferent to such concerns and attempted a direct approach.

"I developed an interest in various items while in seclusion… and happened to meet him while interacting with merchants. He has a deep appreciation for various art pieces and music."

I skillfully embellished the story of how Darcy and I met. Praising him while recounting our first encounter was just a bonus.

Though our tastes differ, Darcy did listen to music, and if you consider magical devices as works of art, then my words weren't entirely false.

"Oh, an appreciation for art."

"With a face like that, it seems like he’d only need to admire himself…."

Hearing them praise Darcy brought me a sense of satisfaction.

I wanted more people to know just how remarkable Darcy was.

"And to get to the point."

Lady Wernar took a moment to survey the surroundings before locking eyes with me.

There was a noble grace in her gaze that was hard to dismiss.

"Have you two promised each other a future?"

Her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity as she asked.

I stared at Lady Wernar in bewilderment.

“…Pardon?”

It was a question I hadn’t expected to hear today.

"Or are you in a relationship?"

"…."

"You’ve been seen together quite often, but then again, Prince Darcy is someone no one knew about. So, it made sense that you two would stay together."

What on earth is she talking about?

"The time when Lady Etwar began going out alone coincided with Prince Darcy’s appearance, so it could just be a coincidence."

"…."

"And Prince Darcy hasn’t officially acknowledged your relationship, has he?"

…She had quickly grasped points that others hadn’t noticed.

"And earlier, Lady Etwar’s expression was quite telling."

I was about to correct her words.

"It’s only natural for friends to worry this much."

That is, until Darcy’s words came to mind.

His reluctance to let our relationship progress contrasted sharply with Lady Wernar’s confident demeanor.

It was only after reflecting on Darcy’s voice echoing in my mind that I realized how much his words had hurt me.

‘And it’s not like she’s wrong.’

As she said, we haven’t officially acknowledged anything.

I smiled bitterly and looked at Lady Wernar, who was patiently waiting for my response.

There was only one answer I could give.

"We haven’t promised a future, but I am the closest to him."

Lady Wernar’s eyes gleamed.

"Thank you for answering my rather bold question, Lady Etwar. Let me explain why I asked."

Lady Wernar continued, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

"I am very interested in the prince."

"Darcy… the prince?"

Out of habit, I was about to refer to him by name alone, but quickly added the honorific. Lady Wernar nodded.

"Yes, both the heterochromatic eyes and that silver hair… It’s rare for such a look to suit someone so well."

Her confident expression was quite different from the Lady Wernar I thought I knew.

"I want to meet him… but he doesn’t meet any noblewomen. The only way was through you, Lady Etwar. Among the high-ranking noblewomen, you are the only one who has interacted with Prince Darcy and spent time with him."

Hearing someone else speak about my relationship with Darcy felt both pleasant and strange.

She was directly asking me to introduce her to him.

Lady Wernar quickly got to the point.

"I would like to meet Prince Darcy."

Once again, I was plunged into deep thought.

Darcy had said he didn’t need anyone but me.

‘But is it right to isolate him?’

And the person asking was no less than a noblewoman.

After pondering for a long moment, I spoke up.

"It’s not for me to decide. However…."

I couldn’t force Darcy’s decisions.

That would be akin to betraying him. No matter what choice he made, it was only right to respect it.

"I will ask him."

But I couldn’t help but sound firm. Lady Wernar’s words had struck a particularly sensitive chord.

"Thank you, Lady Etwar!"

Lady Wernar beamed, seemingly unaffected by my tone.

"But."

"But?"

Lady Wernar raised an eyebrow slightly at my follow-up.

"Could you write a letter in advance? I’m concerned I might not fully convey your sincerity."

It was a mix of a small spite and genuine sentiment, a way of asking her to introduce herself.

Lady Wernar must have known Darcy didn’t want to meet her.

What reason could there be for him to meet her, even if it meant bending his will?

Until I knew what she could offer and how she could support Darcy, she was no different from the other noblewomen who claimed to support him.

I didn’t want to weed people out, but if it was for Darcy, I became more calculating.

Though I might seem harsh on the outside, I knew how fragile he was inside.

Lady Wernar let out a soft laugh, her expression one of amusement.

"It seems I didn’t know Lady Etwar as well as I thought. Seeing you now… it feels like I’m discovering many new sides of you. I mean that in a good way…."

She wouldn’t have known, having never paid attention to me before.

I responded with a bright smile.

"I’m glad I can show you a good side of myself…. I suppose I’ve changed after dealing with people who refused to believe I could."

"Lady Marceau…."

"Lady Wernar…."

The others, listening to our conversation, were visibly anxious.

There was an almost audible crackle of electricity in the air around us.

"…Very well. Then, shall we meet again? Words can be misunderstood."

"Yes, feel free to proceed as you find comfortable. I’ll be waiting."

Though we were smiling, one couldn’t help but notice the tension.

The noblewomen seated nearby anxiously observed us, their eyes darting back and forth.

Finally, one of them shut her eyes tightly and rose from her seat.

"That reminds me, I heard you’ve been helping Pitol’s theater troupe! There’s been a lot of speculation since you haven’t revealed how yet… could you give us a hint?"

Her desperate attempt to change the subject succeeded. Coincidentally, I had been planning to discuss that anyway.

I nodded and turned my attention to the noblewoman.

"Ah, it’s still in the preparation stages."

"What do you mean by ‘preparation’?"

"Well, I’m planning quite a revolutionary change."

I swept my gaze over the people gathered and smiled.

"Much like Prince Darcy."

It was a subtle question of whether they would follow Darcy’s lead.