I Favor the Villainess

"Ray-Taylor. Are you going to be my queen?

The inquiry was too sudden.

I didn't know what that meant at first.

From the edge, he must have looked dumb.

The first to return from rigidity was Lady Claire.

"Are you insane, Master Rod!?

The inquiry was almost screaming.

"Heh, you're saying you're adding civilians to the royal family!?

"Yeah, but?

In response to Lily's inquiry, Mr. Rod responded flatly.

I mean, did I propose to Master Rod?

If this were a normal civilian, I would be about to graduate less of a joy.

Or do you think they make fun of me for not being realistic?

Speaking of which, I wasn't either.

There's only one thing to think about.

- Where did the flag go?

I don't think I had that much contact with Master Rod.

He may have caught a little eye in the first exam of the college, but then he even deliberately lost in chess to lower his liking.

In the first place, I was mostly with Master Claire, so there should be very little event going on that would increase Lord Rod's fondness.

I didn't even know where I made the wrong choice.

"For once, I'm home, are you making fun of me?

"No, I mean it"

"Ha...... What the hell did you like about me?

"Character and... and then you're capable. I always thought you were a big guy."

Master Rod said with pleasure.

No, I don't have any verses in mind.

"Did I do something?

"Preventing a college raid, healing Sein's poison, saving the Ortho family disconnect, blowing a bubble in the manaria, and solving the ghost ship noise in Eucled"

Something was probably overrated.

I mean, are you even finding out about one of the Euclideans?

"No, that's pretty much Master Claire's handle..."

"Really, Claire?

Mr. Claire's answer to Mr. Rod's question is -.

"No, thanks to Ray's efforts."

That was the thing.

Yep......

"It was one thing about you that was decisive. You have solved the difficult questions that the Royal Palace has had for many years and you have shown them brilliantly."

"That's not my only handle either..."

"Don't be modest. I know you're the one at the center."

No, you're not being modest.

"You deserve a lady like you, not a lady in a boring deep window."

Anyway, I hear Master Rod is buying me a lot.

"So, what do you say?

"I wouldn't normally say no."

"Hey, Ray!?

When I answered what was only natural, I raised my voice as if Master Claire had wandered.

"You know what you're talking about!?

"What, you asked me to marry you, so I said no."

"Maybe I can be queen!?

"Yeah, I don't want to be apart."

From me, I don't know why Master Claire looks like that.

Master Claire looked as if she had seen something incredible.

"It's an honor you won't get even if you want it!?

"It's not an honor to me."

"Why!"

"'Cause it's Master Claire I like"

Is that it?

Haven't you passed it on yet?

That's just shocking. You know, and so on.

"Ha-ha-ha! Right! That's what you'd say!

Master Rod laughed fundamentally as he bashed his desk.

"Claire. Looks like being with you to Ray is worth more than marrying a royal family, huh?

"Don't be rude. This person is also suddenly confused. If you calm down, I'm sure you'll want to respond to Lord Rod's feelings."

"No, I'm calm."

"Please, you keep your mouth shut for a second."

Lady Claire's voice, which blocked me, was in a sad shade.

"Dear Rod. Please don't let this conversation be limited."

"Absolutely. I don't care what Ray thinks, it doesn't change my mind."

"Thank you. Then again, this story."

"Oh."

"I'm coming, Ray, Cardinal Lily."

With that said, Lady Claire took me and Lady Lily and resigned from Lady Rod's room.

"Hey, hey, Master Claire"

……

I tried to protest against Lady Claire, but I couldn't help but swallow the words with a tremendous eye.

Lady Claire opened her mouth again only after boarding the carriage home.

Master Lily and I broke up when we left the royal palace.

"Ray...... Don't be ridiculous."

When Lady Claire looked at me alone, she said to me in a blaming tone that she had never even heard of.

"I'm kidding, what is it?

"It will be decided! That's why you refused to marry Master Rod!

Apparently, Master Claire is kind of angry.

"No, because you won't be able to marry someone you don't even like."

"Marriage is not your problem alone!? If you marry the royal family, the joy of your parents is all..."

I was struck by Claire's pointer, which I never thought I would.

It's a very private matter for me to be a 21st century Japanese, but I forgot that common sense in this world is different from that.

As I've explained before, marriage is a promise to a home and a home in this world.

Political marriage is a more natural world than romantic marriage.

"But maybe, but I think my parents will support my choice, too, right?

My parents in this world have always been the ones who make my choices good.

Even if I don't marry anyone for the rest of my life, I think that's fine with you.

"That would be so. Your parents are lovely people. But are you allowed to be sweet about it? Don't you want to please your father or your mother?

"It's..."

I came here and noticed the difference in values with Master Claire.

To Claire, marriage is a contribution to the house that raised me.

Dowry to a better house is no longer equal to duty, and therefore, I guess I look dishonest after turning down Master Rod's proposal altogether.

What's wrong with this?

"But Master Claire. I don't want to marry anyone but Claire."

"Ray, listen carefully."

Master Claire's serious voice color makes her spine stretch unexpectedly.

"I see you admire me. I'm honestly glad about that. But marriage is different."

"It's nothing."

"No. You should be somewhat free to fall in love. But marriage is not personal."

"Dear Claire..."

"Take Lord Rod's proposal. Just because you're married doesn't mean you're out of touch with me. Rather, royalty and senior nobility would be more cordial than they are now."

"Dear Claire!

For the first time in a while, I blocked Master Claire's words out loud.

Claire squeezes her mouth as if she were surprised.

"To me, marriage is as personal as love... no, it's more personal than love"

"Ray......"

"Whatever they say, I'm not going to marry anyone other than Master Claire"

There are differences in values.

Master Claire may not understand.

But I wasn't really just going to give in here.

"Think carefully, Ray. You can't marry people of the same sex, can you?

"Then I will not marry for the rest of my life. That's all."

"Even if I marry someone?

"... Yes"

I really don't want Master Claire to belong to anyone.

I may have been able to push myself to death and bless myself before, but now that Master Manaria has made me realize what I mean, I'm not sure I can do the same.

Still, that's why I'm not marrying anyone other than Master Claire.

Well, I'll be with Master Rod for the house and so forth.

"... I was going to understand a little bit about you these days."

"Thank you"

"But..."

Master Claire went on like this.

"I don't understand you anymore."

That word made a deep and profound decision on my mind.