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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Severing Ties
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After Darcy left, I closed my eyes and turned on some music. My favorite piano concerto filled the room.
Darcy's face suddenly came to mind. The most handsome person I knew…
An extra.
“What a strange man.”
It was true that he seemed dangerous to get close to. But it was already too late to keep my distance. Especially after seeing the performance of the magic tool he brought today.
When I pressed the button, a light emanated, showing me where it could record.
The quality of the recorded video was incredible. It was so clear and sharp it could rival a modern camera.
Not only did it capture vivid visuals, but the sound quality was excellent too. My only disappointment was the small playback screen.
“I hope he makes a screen for it soon.”
I found myself looking forward to his next visit.
My cozy confinement plan was proceeding smoothly.
***
“Marso!”
“Welcome.”
I greeted Reshuan while enduring the piercing glares of the male leads on either side of her. It had been a while, but the heroine was as vibrant and beautiful as ever.
Her platinum blonde hair shimmered dazzlingly, and her large, gentle, rabbit-like eyes naturally drew one’s gaze.
“Marso, thank you for inviting me. I was worried when I heard you hadn't been going out at all lately. I’m so glad to be here.”
Reshuan’s eyes sparkled as if she were moved, and she took a seat. The two male leads sat on either side of her on the sofa, their faces filled with what looked like contempt for me.
To her right was the blond Ryan, and to her left, the brown-haired Kaysen. Their gazes alone were rapidly draining my energy. I decided to get this over with quickly.
To get her out of here as fast as possible.
“Yes, I haven't been feeling well lately.”
“Oh my, are you ill…?”
Reshuan was genuinely worried about me. Having watched her for so long, I knew that much. It was always impressive to see.
Even before I possessed her, Reshuan had been constantly tormented by Marso. Yet, she still genuinely worried about Marso.
Though it was also true that, thanks to Ryan and Kaysen, Marso’s bullying hadn't inflicted much damage on Reshuan…
Reshuan never truly hated Marso. Not holding a grudge was one of her charms as a protagonist.
The way she approached people without hesitation, the way she was the first to extend a hand—it all made her seem so lovable.
That was why, at first, I thought we could be friends, too. Seeing how she genuinely cared for me.
But genuinely caring for someone and hurting them were two different things.
She wanted to be my friend, but she was thoughtless when it came to consideration.
Perhaps ‘indelicate’ is the right word.
“Marso, where does it hurt?”
Her words snapped me back to reality. I shook my head, my expression blank.
“I don't think we’re close enough to call each other by our first names anymore. Young Lady, the reason I called you here today is to tell you that I will no longer be visiting or meeting with you.”
“…What? Why…?”
I intended to make a show of repenting for what Marso had done.
“Because I’ve realized how wrong I was. I didn’t know that trying to befriend you was a mistake in itself. How foolish I was…”
“…”
“From now on, I plan to stay confined to my estate and reflect on my actions. Young Lady, you can rest assured that I will no longer approach or torment you.”
“But… I forgive you, Marso.”
Her forgiving Marso wouldn't change a thing.
Could Reshuan really have been unaware that I was being condemned by Kaysen and Ryan?
It was impossible for her to be completely oblivious. The rumors had already spread throughout high society.
And yet, Reshuan continued to avoid the issue.
Because she’d never had to solve such problems before.
Because everyone always did things for her.
“Don’t… call me by my name.”
I raised an eyebrow.
Of course, perhaps I couldn't expect that from Reshuan. One could even argue she’d done nothing wrong.
But when a situation becomes unbearable, you have to be the one to leave.
I was just putting that into practice.
The corners of Reshuan’s eyes drooped. Kaysen, after comforting her, protested.
“Who are you to be giving orders?”
“I’m not giving orders. I’m creating distance.”
At my words, Kaysen fell silent.
I added with a smile.
“Of course, we won’t be running into each other in high society either, so don’t worry.”
I had just announced my retirement from high society to the main characters. Kaysen asked again, as if in disbelief.
“…Are you serious?”
“You must know I haven't actually gone out at all lately.”
Ryan flinched at my words. As Kaysen scowled as if to say, *how could I believe that*, Ryan cleared his throat.
“That much is true.”
I hadn't expected Ryan to agree, so I was a bit taken aback. It was suspicious how he seemed to know much more about me than Kaysen did.
…Could he have placed someone to watch me? I’ll have to look into it later.
As I was lost in thought, a tearful voice pierced my ears.
“I thought we were friends… How can you cut ties so suddenly?”
Reshuan shot up from her seat. Tears clung to her lashes.
But for me, whose feelings for her had dried up, it stirred no emotion.
I glanced from Ryan to Kaysen and muttered.
“It wasn’t sudden. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”
…I just couldn’t show it because of the people by your side.
As I rested my chin on my hand with a bored expression, Reshuan ran out of the room, crying.
“Reshuan!”
Kaysen immediately followed her.
Just as a male lead should. He has to follow the crying heroine. Love blossoms from comfort, after all.
I fixed my gaze on Ryan, who I expected to follow them right away.
…Surprisingly, Ryan lingered. He stared at me intently and asked.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Ryan blinked. The way he slowly narrowed his eyes made him look like someone who sensed I had changed, and it felt strange.
A little late to the party, aren't we?
“People don’t change easily.”
You’re right. Looking at you, that saying fits perfectly.
I muttered with a deadpan expression.
“Since you all disapprove of everything I do, didn't I just say I'd stay home?”
“…”
Ryan stared at me intently.
For the first time, his face looked serene as he watched me.
It was amusing that I could only see this change in his expression after I’d let everything go.
Was that why?
“I hope that from now on, Your Highness suffers just as much as I have.”
Thinking this would be the last time I saw him, words I would never normally say slipped out.
Ryan scowled at my malicious words.
“I see you haven’t changed after all.”
“I think it’s amazing I’ve put up with it for this long.”
Isn't it more amazing that I haven't cursed you out?
When I asked with a genuinely puzzled expression, Ryan whipped his head away.
Watching him walk away, I shrugged.
My words about their suffering weren't a curse, but a fact.
Reshuan is kind.
Her kind demeanor leaves room for everyone, man or woman. She doesn't put up walls or push anyone away.
She has many people around her, which also means she has less time to spend with a select few.
It was the same for me.
Reshuan had forgotten her promises to me a few times, and there were times she was indifferent.
‘I’m sorry, Marso.’
She always apologized in time.
But the minor conflicts continued to pile up.
Because she never changed.
Compared to me, who, burdened by the title of ‘villainess,’ agonized over every moment and tried to speak only the truth, Reshuan always said the same things without ever following through.
‘Marso, I still like you. I want to be your friend. May I come see you again next time?’
Seeing that kind face, my hardened heart would soften.
If I was like that, how much worse must it have been for the male leads?
Reshuan, loved by all. Her conflicts were almost entirely caused by me.
If I leave the picture, Ryan and she will naturally have more time to spend together.
They’ll be happy for a while. But can they really avoid clashing even once?
So, from now on, I will watch all these events unfold from the comfort of my home.
Isn’t there a saying that life is a comedy when seen from a distance?
Now, it was my turn to escape the tragedy and enjoy this comedy.
***
Having sent away the heroine, the male lead, and even the second male lead with a light heart, I felt like I could fly.
It's thrilling, I love it!
As expected, a villainess's social circle is more comfortable the smaller it is. Getting close to others usually just ends with being framed for slander and conspiracy.
I couldn't be happier just reading a book or lazing around my room in a simple chemise.
In the midst of these dreamlike days, I dressed up in a gown for the first time in a while.
It was partly for a change of pace, but today was the day…
The day I would finally meet the theater troupe!
I wore a necklace of large pearls and neatly combed back my hair. My shimmering navy hair could put a shampoo model to shame.
My skin was fair, and I liked the moderately red shade of my lipstick. My reflection in the mirror was that of a beautiful woman with a cold, static air.
“Leticia, you did well.”
“Not at all, Young Lady.”
“Oh, right. Did you look into that thing I mentioned?”
“Uhm… I did look into it, but I couldn't find anything.”
Leticia bowed her head to me. I had ordered her to find the person Ryan might have planted, but she had failed. Considering her disposition, I was sure she had tried her best, so I wasn’t angry.
“It’s all right, these things happen.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no.”
Well, what could Ryan’s person possibly get from me anyway? He probably only had someone watching me because of Reshuan… Now that I've distanced myself from her, they'll surely be withdrawn.
Leticia, who had been looking downcast, forced a bright expression and said to me.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes.”
I left the room, taking the recorder Darcy had made for me (I had decided to call it a recorder). Everyone would be waiting for me.
The actors from the troupe had all been guided to the theater. It was a remodeled annex of our Etoile estate.
The main building was already enormous, and since there were two attached annexes, I had claimed one for myself.
Marquis Etoile, who never stood in Marso’s way, naturally granted permission.
Of course, the facilities inside were as magnificent as any public theater. I had poured quite a bit of money into it, after all.
Remembering how I used to go see musicals alone, I had even made a perfect space for an orchestra. I never thought I’d end up using these facilities only for recording, but…
I had more than enough money not to feel the sting. If you have money, you should spend it. Money has to circulate for the economy to run.
Walking down the theater hallway, I felt a fresh wave of emotion.
Leticia opened the door to the largest stage in the theater. I stepped inside gracefully.
On the lit stage, I could see people standing in a line. They all looked incredibly nervous.
Well, they were summoned by ‘the’ Marso, so what could you expect? No matter how much money they were offered, they couldn't help but be afraid…
But I am the kind of person who can spend enough money to make people overcome even that.
“Hello, everyone.”
In any case, I was in a good mood, so I greeted them with a smile.
The people bowed their heads one by one. Seeing my good mood, they seemed to start murmuring amongst themselves.
