Taming The Villainesses-Novel

(EP-203.2) Summer #1

203 – Cold Summer #1

Aira’s hair sharply stuck out in all directions, akin to spider legs.

At the same time, my skin stung like pickled cider.

Such menacing aura…

Even something as simple as anger could stir up mana to this extent. Was this what a Rank 7 Archmage was?

Seuk.

Aira extended her exposed leg from under her gown toward me. Its meaning was all too clear.

“Theo Gospel, show your loyalty. And apologize for canceling my schedule without permission. Apologize for not listening to me!”

She was telling me to kneel on all fours and kiss her foot like a dog – a submissive beast.

It didn’t really matter that much since it’d always been like this back in Angmar’s court.

“Aira-nim, prostrating before your presence is something I can do anytime, anywhere. However, when it comes to matters that might threaten Your Highness’s health—”

“Tsk.”

The sound of a slight tongue-click echoed loudly in the spacious room. Swiftly, the leg retreated back into the white gown.

“You are crossing the line.”

“…….”

“How dare an unknown half-fairy dare to stand on top of my head, the Queen of Angmar. You were just like them in the end.”

“…….”

“Scram.”

“Aira-nim-.”

“Scram! I won’t say it three times. And never—.”

Aira looked like she was about to say something, but quickly decided to purse her lips.

“Never….”

There was a momentary hesitation.

Aira seemed to swallow back the rest of her words, but even without fairy ears, anyone could understand what she meant.

“… Then I shall take my leave.”

Leaving Aira alone in the room, I had no choice but to walk out into the hallway.

Among the myriad of emotions swirling within me, the most prominent feeling was emptiness.

It felt as if all the struggles and hard work I’d done were all swept away by a single wave, like a castle made of sand.

Among all the time and effort expended, it all seemed meaningless.

“There you are, Sir Theo. How is it?”

Mirna and Elga were waiting for me outside with their arms crossed. As I stepped out, their faces brightened, asking me various questions.

“How is it? Is Aira awake? Is she hurt anywhere?”

“She’s awake now.”

“Well, that’s a relief. But why do you look so grim?”

Perhaps because the soundproofing was good, but it seemed like the events in the room didn’t reach the hallway.

I was unsure of what to say, so I hesitated on how to explain this. Anyway, they would soon find out the truth, so I might as well just tell them as it was.

“I, got kicked out…”

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‘Kicked out.’

As I said it aloud, reality started to sink in.

Until now, it was just a conversation between me and Aira. But now, it would spread as an ‘incident.’

In the quiet campus cafe on a late afternoon as the sun was setting,

Elga and Mirna didn’t believe me.

That Aira had dismissed me. It seemed shocking and impossible for them to believe such.

“… Hey, you must be mistaken or something. Did Aira really kick you out? She probably just wants some space and cool off a little-. Isn’t it like that?”

In response to Elga’s question, I recalled my final moments with Aira. As much as I wanted to think otherwise, there was simply no mistaking it.

Beside her, Mirna, hiding her face with her fan, let out a small sigh.

“Wasn’t it already a well-known story that Queen Tarantera is such a person? Swallow when sweet, spit when bitter. A foolish tyrant who kicks out loyalists as she pleases.”

“Hey, Mirna. Theo was just kicked out. Why do you look so happy?”

“… Am I? That’s just what you’re thinking. Sir Theo got kicked out by that capricious Queen. Now he’s left with nowhere to go. Why would I have any reason to be pleased?”

Mirna chuckled behind her fan, her demeanor reminiscent of a villainess from some story. It was oddly fitting, more than I had expected.

Jirit-.

After giving Mirna a thorough glance, Elga put her hand on my shoulder.

“Hey, anyway. Well, you know, Aira’s fickleness isn’t something new. She’s probably just overwhelmed right now and doesn’t even know what she’s saying.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yeah. It’s just between us, but honestly, Aira… She’s so pampered, she can’t even put on stockings properly by herself.”

“…….”

“Aira can’t even eat alone in the student cafeteria, what can she do without you? She’ll probably look for you soon enough. A week, no, three days will be enough!”

Elga’s words made sense. Aira was a fickle person, so she might call me back soon. However, Mirna interjected from the side.

“If she calls you back like that, are you going to obediently follow? Sir Theo, don’t you have your own pride and dignity?”

“Hey, Mirna. Are you trying to drive a wedge between Theo and Aira right now?”

“I just stated the facts. Besides, it was bound to happen someday. Being cast aside by whim, being called back by whim. It’s not easy to endure under such a Queen for years.”

“…That’s true, but it’s oddly annoying when you say it. Ah, I don’t know anymore.”

Elga finally gave up, leaning back in her chair with both hands on the back of her head. Seeing how her rival Lady Lioness got silenced, Mirna, now more pleased, added.

“So, Sir Theo. What are you going to do next?”

“…….”

I never thought about it.

My mind was truly blank, as if all the plans and paths I had built up until now had disappeared overnight. And indeed, they had.

“If you have nowhere else to go, how about coming to our villa?”

“Hey, even if he has nowhere to go, why would Theo go to your villa?”

“There are three very good reasons.”

Chuck-.

With those words, Mirna proceeded to raise three fingers.

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