Playing the Villain

"Coming in!"

Princess Yupe barged into the cabin attached to the carriage, striding straight to the back without a moment's hesitation.

The cabin was roughly the size of a small hall, more than spacious enough even with Princess Yupe added to the group.

Blankets and the like had been prepared, but the interior was otherwise bare.

"A spacious cabin is nice and all, but it's a bit dreary in here. And the outside was so flashy, too."

"The exterior decorations were more of a bonus, something they did for us on their end. I wasn't sure about standing out so much, but traveling in this thing actually works as a great bluff, so it's been surprisingly handy."

"Of course it does. Anyone would think some grand noble or tycoon had arrived. That's exactly why you need to put a bit more effort into the interior. Now, who among you has an eye for that sort of thing… Nobody, huh."

How rude.

Elza let out a wry laugh, while Alexia let the remark go in one ear and out the other.

In Alexia's case, a head-on response would inevitably lead to butting heads with Princess Yupe, so she'd apparently decided not to rise to every provocation.

Still, it was true that they weren't the best with art and decor.

The eye you needed for fine art was different from the one used for everyday goods.

Yohane had a fair amount of confidence in his powers of observation, but coordinating an interior was another matter entirely.

In terms of taste, Orleans probably had the best sense among them.

"Sorry we're not exactly cultured when it comes to aesthetics and art."

"It can't be helped. Art is a rich person's hobby, after all. If you don't have money, food and shelter come before art, don't they?"

"Can't argue with that."

"But here's the thing. Culture includes the arts. It's not just idle amusement. With paintings, you can preserve a king's likeness. With poetry, you can pass history down to future generations. Which is why I, the kingdom's foremost artist, will take care of the interior for you. Feel free to brag about it."

The option to refuse… didn't seem to exist.

Her eyes were already gleaming as she mentally mapped out what to do.

Even if he tried to stop her, she'd do it anyway. That much was clear.

At the very least, maybe he could consult Queen Tianis and get a subsidy.

Whatever she produced would undoubtedly be excellent, so at least he didn't have to worry about that.

"Please keep it reasonable. Money doesn't exactly grow on trees."

"I'm not a spendthrift, you know. We haven't known each other long, but surely you can tell?"

"That's true, but I'm worried you'll get carried away and forget the brakes."

"… I won't deny that."

He would absolutely be present for the renovation.

Having their funds blown to smithereens was not an option.

"Well, I'm going to rest, so Alexia, the ride back is on you."

"I know. Good work today."

Finn sat down in the corner of the cabin, hugged her knees, and closed her eyes.

She wasn't asleep, just resting her body like that.

Alexia, who had been sitting cross-legged, stood up in her place and walked toward the driver's seat.

They'd be taking turns operating the carriage.

"If she's just wallowing in luxury, shouldn't you give her a piece of your mind?"

"Nah, she's actually a decent person underneath it all. She's different from your typical idle aristocrat. High maintenance, sure, in both effort and money."

"Hmm. Well, I suppose…"

Alexia paused to look at Princess Yupe.

Her gaze held no warmth, but there was no hostility in it either.

"She's not like those scum I despise. There's no malice in her words or actions. She does come across as willful, though."

Princess Yupe, who had sharp ears, turned around at that.

She walked right up to Alexia with brisk steps.

Uncomfortably close. Close enough that their chests nearly touched. She wore a fearless smile.

"That's not exactly a compliment, is it? I've gotten close to Azu, but I don't feel like the rest of you have really warmed up to me."

"Oh, how rude of me. Your Highness, the princess who lost her claim to the throne."

"H-hey now."

The air instantly turned razor-sharp.

Alexia was a former noble, but she'd been set up by those above her and had her house dismantled.

Former noble or not, she'd been minor nobility, the kind that ran out of money and marched to the front lines alongside their soldiers.

She and someone from Yupe's world of privilege were oil and water.

The very fact that she'd once been a noble actually made things worse than if she'd been a commoner.

Alexia's killing-intent-laden eyes were genuinely terrifying.

But Princess Yupe didn't look away for even a second.

As if daring her: Go ahead and try.

"Hehe. It's fine. I'll do such impressive work that you'll do a complete about-face, and I'll show you exactly what I'm worth. Experience tells me that's the most effective approach with someone like you. Alexia, was it? You don't trust empty words one bit, do you? In fact, you despise people who are all talk and no action."

"… You do have an eye for people, I'll give you that. And to add to what you said, I absolutely loathe people who say only what's convenient and lie through their teeth. Enough to want to strangle them with my bare hands. I do hope you're not one of them. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to drive the carriage. Princess."

Alexia stepped outside.

She'd been sharper than usual, it seemed.

She was the type to speak her mind, but she wasn't one to start trouble on her own.

She knew perfectly well what would happen if she took that kind of attitude.

"She just warned me not to use you all for my own convenience. You've got a good subordinate there, haven't you? Well, I suppose someone has to balance things out, given how soft-hearted Yohane is."

"It seems like Alexia-chan deliberately played the villain for us," Elza added.

"Made her do something troublesome, huh."

So that was it. Just going along with everything would look bad to outsiders.

There was no one here but their own people, but if anyone had been watching and seen them being used at Princess Yupe's leisure, it would cause problems.

Those kinds of subtleties were tricky.

"Still, Yupe-sama, it's a little unsettling how quickly you stepped back and started analyzing the situation."

"Anyone would do this much, wouldn't they? Well, if I prove useful to you all, I'm sure you'll come around. Honestly, I find that straightforward and easy to deal with."

"I expect we'll be in each other's lives for a long time, you know. As long as that scar on your neck remains, I'd like to keep an eye on it."

"That really is a nuisance, isn't it. Well, if the good priest is willing to look after me, I'll gratefully accept. Would dealing with that man fix things?"

"Yes, without a doubt."

The carriage began to move.

The mule must have started walking.

He was relieved that they'd make it back safely, at least.

He really wanted to get some rest this time around…