The Villainess Is Too Difficult

Needless to say, my proposal was rejected. Even for family relations, was it too much to suddenly go in with an axe? No, why? I’ve always heard that an axe is an excellent means of communication.
Then how about a sword instead of an axe? No, you can’t break down a door with a sword. And I can’t use magic either. No matter how I think about it, an axe is the best.

“Think of something more normal.”

Even if you say normal, things like just visiting, writing a letter, or ambushing him on his way back from the Imperial palace… they all seem unrealistic. It’s not just frustrating, it feels hopeless.

Why unrealistic, you ask? Those are too mild. They’re so ordinary and mild that they’re easy to avoid. They’re full of things Father can easily avoid if he sets his mind to it. I’m trying to have a showdown, not just reach some half-hearted agreement.

As the saying goes, if a man draws his sword, he should at least cut grass. It’s time to move with only some regard for means and methods.

“Then Brother, if an axe won’t do, how about a club! I won’t use it on people…”

“Are you trying to make me work against you?”

He’s asking if I want to get arrested, but in a roundabout way. Come to think of it, Brother is part of the Imperial Knights. In modern terms, it’s like an organization that’s a mix of police and military.

My mouth, which had been moving non-stop, clamped shut as if it had been sewn together. I don’t want to be in handcuffs just yet.

“But there’s no other way…”

If you rule out this and that, all that’s left are extreme measures. Why are extreme measures extreme? They’re extreme measures because they’re that effective. I said it extremely because it’s important.

“Of course, Father won’t budge for just anything.”

Brother readily admitted this point as if he couldn’t help it either. After all, this stubbornness has lasted for over ten years, not just a day or two. It’s not going to change so easily.

If ordinary methods would work, ‘Ariel’ would have used them countless times in the past. But they were all useless, I’m sure. It’s obvious without even looking. Then, the only thing left is to barge in, but…

“You need to calm down a bit first.”

For some reason, Brother’s eyes had become colder than before. Why is he looking at me like that? I don’t understand.

In the end, the conversation with Brother yielded no particular results, and I had to be dragged to the dining room without resistance. I was about to take action right there, but when he said to eat first, my resistance melted away.

Meal time is a crucial matter. Of course it is. It’s certainly not because I’m looking forward to the autumn special.

“I heard you visited the chef recently.”

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about?”

I don’t know anything. Really, I don’t know. With that kind of feeling, I casually averted my gaze, and I could sense Brother’s exasperation. I can feel it even without seeing his face.

But I won’t give in. If I show any sign of guilt here, I might get a look like ‘This kid’s causing trouble again.’ I don’t know anything. I don’t.

“I’m not trying to scold you. The chef was actually happy about it. He said it gave him motivation.”

Motivation? All I did was start by asking what the next menu would be and say I was looking forward to what food would come out…

“You still don’t understand… It can’t be helped.”

What don’t I understand? Tell me too!

But Brother didn’t explain the meaning of what he just said until the end. How mean.

Theodore was desperately trying to calm the corners of his mouth that were twitching inwardly as he watched Ariel eating to the extent that it didn’t violate etiquette.

Thinking about the conversation just now, it’s really laughable. He had no intention of saying anything about her going to the chef in the first place. What’s wrong with that? If there’s something she wants to eat, she can say so, and if she wants to praise or criticize, she can do that too. She was in a position where she could do that.

Moreover, what he heard from the chef wasn’t much. Just that she said she was looking forward to the next meal. Hearing that, the chef became motivated and cooked more enthusiastically than usual.

Whether Ariel herself knows it or not, she was already receiving affection from the servants in many ways. She always treats them with courtesy, immediately addresses any discomfort she notices, and has become incomparably more docile than before she collapsed. There’s no way she wouldn’t be popular.

Ariel was transparently honest, unlike a duke’s daughter. She doesn’t hide her inner feelings at all and expresses them honestly.

When faced with delicious food, her eyes light up. When something bad happens, she becomes dejected. When something good happens, she smiles brightly.

To be honest, she’s so innocent that it’s worrying to send her to the Academy. Can she survive safely in the social world full of schemes and intrigues with that attitude? Theodore was inwardly worried about that.

For Ariel’s future, it’s right to send her to the Academy. Initially, it was because Reinhardt was going and she said she would just follow him, but even apart from that, going to the Academy would only benefit her, not harm her. There’s no better place to learn and build social connections.

But can Ariel, that innocent child, survive safely there? Ariel’s status is not just that of a simple noble, but the daughter of Duke Walpurgis. There would be countless wolves trying to get any scraps they can from her.

“Brother.”

Ariel’s personal safety wouldn’t be in danger. No fool would dare touch her knowing her status, and she has more than enough ability to protect herself. But what about her mind? What if she suffers because of the riffraff that will flock to her?

“Brotherrr!”

Clang clang clang!

Theodore snapped back to reality at the irritating noise.

“I’ve been calling you for a while… Why didn’t you answer?”

Something’s strange.

“Finally you look this way. Hehehe…”

Ariel giggles with a somewhat silly laugh. Of course, she often shows silly behavior normally, but today it was particularly severe. The way she’s moving strangely, swaying, and her eyes completely unfocused…

‘Wait.’

Theodore’s gaze turned to a bottle placed on one side of the table. That’s definitely the fruit wine prepared as a palate cleanser. Although it doesn’t taste much different from juice, its alcohol content is not to be taken lightly, and even Theodore with his high tolerance only enjoys a few glasses. Could it be…

“Ariel.”

“Yesh?”

“Did you drink this?”

“Yes!”

Seeing her proudly raising her hand and shouting, Theodore unconsciously grabbed his forehead. Just as he thought.

Ariel is 17 years old this year. There’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol. But she has never tasted alcohol before. And she drank such high-proof alcohol, so her body couldn’t possibly handle it.

“One more glass…”

“No.”

“Aww, why not!”

As he quickly snatched the bottle away, her hands fluttered, losing their target. Checking the contents of the bottle just in case, he found that a considerable amount had decreased. It seems she had been drinking continuously while he was lost in thought.

Damn it. If he had known this would happen, he should have put it away separately. He had let his guard down because Ariel usually showed no interest in alcohol. Whether she mistook it for juice or was just curious about the taste of alcohol for once, one thing was certain.

The ominous feeling that Ariel might cause some trouble if left like this. This thought wouldn’t leave Theodore’s mind.

“Ariel. First, go back to your room. It would be good to take a nap.”

“I don’t wanna!”

“What?”

Theodore unconsciously hesitated when Ariel, who usually obediently followed his words, suddenly shook her head. Surely her old temperament isn’t coming out because of the alcohol? No, even so, the current Ariel is grinning broadly. She’s probably just talking randomly because she’s drunk. Her pronunciation is slurred too, as if her tongue is loose.

“Ariel. You’re drunk right now.”

“I’m not drunk from this much!”

“Anyone who sees you now would think you’re drunk.”

“If it’s not me, then it’s not!”

Ariel, who was speaking as if she was pretending to be upset, suddenly got up from her chair as if some thought had struck her. At that sudden action, Theodore reflexively stood up too, and at that moment,

“I’ll be back!”

“Stop right there, Ariel!”

Ariel ran out of the dining room too quickly for anyone to stop her. It happened in such a brief moment that Theodore couldn’t react instantly and had to let her go.

“Damn it.”

Theodore was usually known for being flawless even within the Knights, but he had become particularly relaxed in front of Ariel. Who knew it would come back to bite him like this.

“This is not the time.”

Theodore hurriedly chased after Ariel. The thought of what his drunk sister might do was dizzying even to imagine.