A Third-Rate Villain Tries Her Best Today 25

Chapter 25

“I ended up here after talking to Grand Duke Antique about some things.”

Grand Duke Antique referred to Antique Fritz, Fritz’s father. It seemed Enzhe, who had left with a cheerful smile to meet Duke Fritz, had finally returned.

“Then I saw you here, so I came over. Was I bothering you?”

“Not at all! I’m grateful!”

Grateful? Hardly.

But that’s what she had to say. She was Sue’s master.

“I have nothing else to do here, so I’ll be heading home.”

“Then I’ll escort you to your carriage!”

Enzhe shook her head firmly at Sue’s offer.

“No need. Shina will take me.”

“Oh my, is that so? As expected of Lady Enzhe.”

Sue wasn’t sure what was so ‘as expected of Lady Enzhe’ about it, but she said it anyway. Judging from the way Enzhe’s shoulders straightened, she had said the right thing.

“Hehe. Well then, goodbye, Sue.”

“Yes! Please be careful on your way back!”

Sue waved vigorously until Enzhe’s black hair disappeared from sight.

“Sorry, Noel. Lady Enzhe suddenly…”

Sue turned back to Noel, rubbing the back of her neck, which had gone cold, but she couldn’t finish her sentence.

“Noel?”

“….”

She called out to him cautiously, but there was no response. Sue looked at him with a worried expression. It must have started when Enzhe suddenly appeared before them.

Noel’s eyelids were lowered, and he was staring at the spot where Enzhe had walked away.

“…Noel.”

“….”

“Noel!”

“…!”

He finally snapped out of it when she called his name forcefully.

“Noel, I need to talk to you.”

Sue finally spoke the words she had been holding back.

“…You, what happened between you and Lady Enzhe?”

She had to ask. She had to know what he was thinking, what his intentions were. If it was something else, it had nothing to do with Sue, but if it was related to Enzhe, she had no choice but to question him.

It was her job.

“…Byron.”

Noel bit his lip slightly. He was hesitating. Sue didn’t know what it was about, but if it concerned Enzhe, she had to know.

“Your expression always hardens when you see Lady Enzhe. No, even when her name is just mentioned. I have to ask when you do that. So…”

“…Actually, I’m in love with Lopetrefer.”

“The reason I’m asking is… What?”

“….”

“…Wait, Noel. Say that again.”

Sue strained her ears, hoping she had misheard. Hoping that was the case.

“I said I’m in love with Enzhe Lopetrefer.”

But what followed were Noel’s words of love, even clearer and more distinct than before.

“….”

“….”

“…You’re lying.”

Sue asked, her body frozen like a doll, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“…Don’t believe me if you don’t want to.”

Noel sighed wistfully, his face flushed, running his fingers through his hair.

“Why?”

Sue continued to stare up at him, her eyes wide. She didn’t have the energy or strength to move any other part of her body.

“Why what?”

“Why… why.”

Noel tilted his head, confused. Sue, overwhelmed by a surge of absurdity, frustration, and incomprehension, finally let it all out.

“Why, why, why?! That’s what I want to ask! Why do you like Lady Enzhe?! Why?!”

A sudden, sharp pain shot through her head. She clutched her head with both hands.

“Byron, are you alright?”

“No… Just answer my question first. Please.”

Sue, who had been sharply questioning him, suddenly pleaded in a low, desperate voice.

“Is there… a reason? I’ve known Lopetrefer for six years too. Everyone knows she’s beautiful and elegant.”

“Ah… Well, that’s true. Yes, that’s right… That’s the reason.”

Sue pressed her forehead with her hand and looked up at Noel. His face was flushed all the way to his neck.

‘Wait, is he serious?’

Sensing his genuine feelings, Sue couldn’t help but accept the realization that suddenly struck her.

“…Is that why you’ve been acting so friendly towards me?”

She hadn’t meant to, but the words came out in an accusing tone.

There was no answer. Which meant it was the truth.

The reason why Raines Noel Delpheman had suddenly declared ‘friendship’ with Sue Byron Chiqmefriar. It was because he was secretly in love with Enzhe Lopetrefer Kel.

Sue slowly replayed the events in her mind. Noel’s expression changed noticeably every time Sue mentioned Enzhe, and it became even more pronounced when Enzhe appeared in person. But it was never a look of fear or hatred.

“Actually, that’s why… I didn’t come to the academy for a while.”

“Huh?”

Noel covered his mouth with his hand and started speaking hesitantly.

“I realized I was in love with Lopetrefer, but she’s engaged. And she’s the Grand Duke’s daughter. So I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.”

So his rebellious phase was just a teenage crush?

“…Sigh.”

Sue sighed deeply.

“Sorry. Um… I thought it was because you talked to me that day.”

This is anticlimactic.

She felt a mixture of disappointment and relief.

“Well, Lady Enzhe… is beautiful.”

Sue finally nodded slowly, agreeing with Noel.

There were quite a few students at the academy who liked or admired Enzhe. Her wickedness was carefully hidden, and she had shields like Sue and Melaine to protect her.

Noel was just one of them.

“…Noel.”

Sue called his name softly. Noel looked at her intently, his expression serious.

“I won’t deny your feelings. But it’s pointless to cling to me. Even if I wanted to help you… I can’t really do anything.”

She smiled wryly, her voice laced with self-deprecation. Not only could she not help him, she might even end up reporting him to Enzhe. Sue didn’t want to ruin her relationship with Noel.

“But don’t give up hope. You never know what might happen. You might be able to pull it off.”

Even Enzhe is clinging to an unrequited love.

Sue swallowed her words and offered words of comfort. Or were they just words to make herself feel better?

“Okay. Thank you. Byron, you’re kind.”

He smiled. It was a genuinely kind smile, not his usual cheerful or refreshing one. The smile made Sue feel a pang of guilt.

Maybe I would have helped him if it was Melaine instead of Enzhe.

“…Oh, right, I almost forgot. There was something I wanted to give you.”

“Something to give me?”

“…Yes.”

Noel rummaged through his inner pocket.

“What’s this?”

Noel handed her a clumsily folded parchment. Sue stared at it blankly. Noel watched her for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

“It’s a letter.”

***

“Sue, let’s do our best.”

“Yes, Lady Melaine!”

At the Ribbon Race starting line, Sue adjusted her gloves and boots, listening to Melaine’s encouragement, and steeled herself. The time for the Ribbon Race had finally arrived. It was an event she had been forced to participate in by Fritz, but she didn’t want to end her two weeks of persistent effort on a sloppy note.

“Good boy, good boy, it’s alright…”

She stroked the Cribon as usual and mounted it.

Bang!

The race began the moment a magic bullet fired by a mage exploded in the sky. Five Cribons started racing through the air, each at a different speed. The Black Eagle Team, who had been practicing diligently every day, was in the lead.

Sue was the third runner. She had to be in the air by the time the second runner started. Ains, the first runner, successfully crossed the finish line, and Vercia, the second runner, pulled the reins down sharply. Sue injected magic power into the Cribon’s back. The Cribon soared into the sky at her brief command.

Sue, waiting for Vercia on the rail, looked down as usual. The countless spectators staring up at them looked like a swarm of ants. She looked straight ahead and took three deep breaths.

Just don’t get overtaken.

She gripped the reins tightly, making a silent vow.

Will Fritz be angry if I fall or get overtaken?

No, he probably wouldn’t be angry. But he would be disappointed.

But Sue wasn’t participating in this event to appease him. Probably.

“Lady Byron!”

Vercia called out to her, her voice strained with effort. The moment she crossed the finish line, Sue pulled the reins down sharply.

“Run!”

She injected magic power, imagining herself coloring in the lines of a drawing. She still hadn’t mastered the sensation, but she ran with all her might.