Taming The Villainesses-Novel

(EP-204.1) Summer #2

204 – Cold Summer #2

According to Mirna, there were three very good reasons for me to stay at their villa.

“First, Sir Theo has many enemies. While serving under Queen Aira, you have undoubtedly made foes.”

At Mirna’s words, I thought of the enemies I had made. There were many rebels who tried to usurp Aira.

“Rumors of being dismissed by the Queen will spread quickly. Then there will be many who will target Sir Theo. Wouldn’t a dependable shade be necessary for Sir Theo’s safety?”

Mirna confidently presented her argument as if it were the most reasonable and obvious thing. However, Elga, who was listening, crossed her arms and frowned.

“Hey, isn’t it better for him to be with me than to be at your villa? Having the Lioness family’s protection is better than the Draco family’s dining room, with just a signboard left.”

“Fufu, as expected of Lady Lioness. You never stray from my expectations, do you? This is where the second reason comes in.”

“And what might that be?”

“Second. Lady Lioness’s dormitory is in the Single digits’ Platinum Hall. If you stay there, you’ll definitely run into the Queen, surely….”

Whether it was intentional or not, Mirna paused and swallowed briefly. Even in that moment, with half of her face concealed behind the fan, her alluring crimson eyes were fixed on my face.

As if urging me to imagine, to envision staying in Elga’s dormitory and encountering Aira in the hallway or somewhere else.

It would be dreadful, that much was certain…

With experience as a college CC, I knew how awkward it could be to bump into an ex-girlfriend in the corridor or lecture hall.

Of course, Aira wasn’t an ex-girlfriend but you get the idea.

“In that sense, our villa is the ideal place for a quiet stay. It’s peaceful and, besides, it’s impossible for a man to stay in Lady Lioness’ dormitory in the first place.”

“Then what is the third reason?”

“That….”

Mirna, who had been explaining meticulously, suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Soon, she fluttered the fan that covered her face and asked insistently.

“Is that really important now? Isn’t it enough for Lady Lioness to understand with just the first two reasons?”

“You ƅitch! You said there are three without even thinking about it!?”

“B, ƅitch? How vulgar! Take that back!”

Elga and Mirna started bickering, which gathered attention towards us. Seeing such, I cleared my throat and grabbed their attention back towards me.

“Thank you for your suggestions. However, I think I need some time alone.”

My head and chest were complicated, so I wanted to have time to sort them out. Men sometimes needed their own time and space, and be in their mancave.

With that in mind, I left the worried gazes of Elga and Mirna, and headed to my own space which was my dormitory.

As I opened the door and stepped in, Keongkeong stopped spinning the wheel and stretched its body against the glass wall.

━Keongkeong!

It seemed curious if I had brought some acorns from outside.

Looking at it, I suddenly remembered that it was Aira who had gifted me the glass enclosure. Didn’t they get along quite well back then?

“How hard I’ve been trying for so long.”

I felt a spark of anger. Did she even know what I had done? Was it right for her to kick me out just because I expressed some concern for her health?

━She’s probably just overwhelmed right now and doesn’t even know what she’s saying.

Elga’s voice echoed in my head. It was a plausible explanation.

Aira was always unpredictable and erratic. Perhaps, she simply lashed out at me as a way of venting her frustrations.

Regardless, even if she called me back later, there was no guarantee that today’s events wouldn’t repeat themselves. Maybe for her, in the end, I just amounted to that much…

Well then, let’s see how well you could do without me.

* * *

The next day.

I left the dormitory at around late noon, after having trouble sleeping with complicated thoughts.

Part of me wondered if Aira had changed her mind and was calling for me. Whenever I hear something at the door, I would wonder if it was her.

I even thought of a passing bird at the window to be a messenger pigeon she sent to me.

But there was nothing of the sort.

Really? Was this how it was going to be?

The sun was relentlessly blazing down the earth. The weather forecast said that it was probably the hottest of the month, yet my heart felt as cool as the shade in the courtyard.

Before long, I noticed a gathering of people bustling in the park. Among them sat a woman with a familiar face.

“……!”

I was startled and hid in a corner like some guilty criminal. It would have been really awkward if our eyes met.

As I hid in the corner, I stole a quick glance through the crowd.

There was Aira, with bare legs exposed to everyone without wearing stockings. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, and her clothes seemed a bit wrinkled.

She looked far from the perfect Queen she usually portrayed herself as.

That was right, of course.

I somehow felt better. Aira might have a sharp mind, but she was clumsy in unexpected ways. Was she uncomfortable without me?

Was she starting to miss me now?

As I smirked with such thoughts-.

━So, where is my court secretary?

Aira glanced around at the people nearby and spoke as such. A court secretary? It was clear she was looking for me. Indeed, Aira couldn’t do without me. I felt a slight sense of pride.

━Your Majesty the Queen. I have brought everything you requested.

━Yes. Good job.

Suddenly, someone approached Aira and knelt before her. My brow furrowed in confusion. Who was this?

I wasn’t familiar with them. Despite being in the sweltering summer heat, they were draped in all-black fabric, and their face was covered with a spider-like veil.

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