Taming The Villainesses-Novel

(EP-195.2) Break #4

195 – A Short Break #4

“This is the last shop in the Eastern zone. However, there are still inspections of the West, South and North zones.”

“Miss Mirna, would you like to rest for a while in the shade? There’s a bench over there.”

“Sure.”Follow current s on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt

We decided to take a break on a nearby bench. Mirna had been working hard. If I hadn’t suggested this, she would have spent the whole day continuing without rest.

━Oi, Mr. Go, what are you doing? This should be painted red, not blue!

━Gorgor took a lecture on modern art and comprehension. Nymph Blue complements the beautiful Baroque style-.

━Seriously? I’ve never seen such a smart ogre before…

Kung, ttuktak tuktak.

Mirna furrowed her brow slightly, perturbed by the noisy surroundings, as people run around and created giant festival floats.

“It’s noisy and chaotic. This is why I don’t like festivals.”

Despite saying that, Mirna’s arms were full of bags, dolls, headbands and balloons, like someone who had bought a lot of souvenirs at an amusement park.

“…….”

I had plenty to say, but decided to keep quiet.

Some items were won as prizes, others were bought directly, and there were also bribes by the shop owners.

This festival was a rare opportunity for outside merchants to trade in Ark. Everyone was desperate for success.

Girick, girick.

Then we saw something like a long placard through the trees in front of us.

Written on it was a fervent praise, 「The Jewel of the Desert, the Second Coming of the Wise Queen Shiva, Long Live Serazade Tanak-!」 

Seeing that, Mirna clicked her tongue.

“Looks like Serazade, that cunning woman, is already launching her offensive.”

“Are you talking about the preparations for the Queen’s selection?”

“Yes. I heard she’s prepared various events from signings to handshakes. How could an Empress be so frivolous….”

Mirna Draco snorted disdainfully at Serazade’s placard. She didn’t like Serazade’s political maneuvers, which displayed a variety of showmanship.

But there was something else that bothered her more…

“What is Queen Tarantera doing right now? With the opponent being so active, shouldn’t she do something? I heard that Empress Tanak has already finished her admission procedures.”

It was Aira’s turn to move.

Several days had passed since Aira’s declaration. While Serazade had already started various underground operations, Aira…

“Ahem-.” After clearing my throat, I asked Mirna.

“Are you worried about Queen Aira? I didn’t think you two were that close.”

“I’m not worried about Queen Tarantera. It’s just that, one way or another, she represents Angmar. I don’t want to see Angmar, our kingdom with a deep history and legacy, lose to a firefox.”

‘I see.’ That made sense. It seemed she didn’t like the idea of Angmar being perceived as losing because of Aira’s defeat.

It was like a strategic alliance formed by common interests. 

If treated well, I could use this to manage these bickering Young Ladies. After all, nothing united a nation or a group better than a common external enemy.

“Sir Theo, is there a way? How could Queen Tarantera get more votes than the Tureuki Empress?”

At Mirna’s question, I thought of Aira, whom I had met recently.

Aira had said, “Visit the shops? People’s experience? Theo, I don’t need to do that. Everyone will choose me~.” She was overflowing with confidence.

Even without resorting to ostentatious performances, Aira seemed to believe without a doubt that the people would vote for her rather than Serazade.

But. 

The gap between Serazade and Aira wasn’t as significant as Aira might have thought.

Although Serazade had a polarizing extroverted personality, she still had girlish beauty and had the regal elegance and taste of an Empress.

Furthermore, as a natural-born politician, she enjoyed overwhelming support from many enthusiastic followers.

If Aira did nothing about it, she could really lose like the sleeping rabbit.

“Sir Theo, you must have thought of something, right?”

Mirna asked. It seemed like she believed that I had devised a winning strategy for Aira’s victory, but…

“First.”

“First?”

“First, we need to target those with the votes. Approach them, build rapport, and establish even a small connection.”

I recalled politicians mingling with the common folks and their people’s livelihoods during the voting season.

It seemed to have some effect.

“For starters, we reach out to Ark students. For that, we have to…, well, attend classes and lectures.”

“The always sleeping Queen Tarantera attending class?”

Pffft-.

Mirna burst into laughter as if she had heard a funny joke. It was a charming yet mocking laughter, like a faint breeze. 

With her face behind the fan, she apologized, “Excuse me. I heard something amusing.”

Her demeanor reminded me of past events.

That was right, it was the same back when everyone caught wind of Aira admitting to Ark. But, Aira did get into Ark. 

Though, she really just got ‘admitted’…

She didn’t do anything student-like. In fact, I’d never even considered asking anything more from Aira than just enrolling.

Was this the outcome of neglecting Aira?

Should I give it a try?

Student stuffs, I meant.

Prev