The Villainess’ Kindergarten

When I followed Baridas out of the dessert shop, Cruid and several knights were waiting. They saluted us and then brought the carriage. Judging by the fact that the carriage Chantz and I came in was not there, it seemed like they had sent it back to the Duke’s house first. I got in the carriage with him and kept my eyes fixed on the window to avoid the awkwardness. As the sunset began to set, I saw the sunlight shining softly and the streets fully decorated for the festival. I let out a low exclamation at the beautiful appearance, like something out of a movie. Without noticing that Baridas was smiling contentedly while looking at me like that. As I was looking out the window, the carriage stopped.

 

The carriage door opened and Baridas got off first and held out his hand to me. As I held his hand and got off the carriage, I saw richly decorated statues, fountains, and people dressed up in fancy clothes. A scene more like a movie than a movie was unfolding before my eyes.

 

“Do you like it?”

 

I, who had been watching the scene blankly at his question, shouted in surprise.

 

“Yes? Yes!”

 

He burst into laughter at my answer… Come to think of it, there was a movie star here.

 

‘Male lead, your face is a movie, a famous painting, and a legend.’

 

In some ways, I could have thought he was laughing at me, but his smile didn’t hurt my feelings. Was this because he was handsome? Then Baridas started moving while holding my hand, and I started walking after him. There was a lot to see to see if it was a famous festival as he said. Sculptures decorated with flowers, fountains decorated with flowers, and even gorgeously paved flower paths. Really, it’s a flower festival. That too is a flower. I look at a sign richly decorated with flowers. I opened my eyes wide.

 

I here for no reason. I sighed.

 

I wasn’t coming to the festival with him in the first place. This festival was the festival that Baridas confessed to Leria in the original work. This festival, called the Heripia Spring Festival or the Heripia Flower Festival, had a legend. It was a legend that Heripia, the goddess of flowers, made a bridge out of flowers for a man and a woman who broke up due to unavoidable circumstances. The two met after crossing the bridge she built, and ever since, her people have held this festival every year to thank her. A similar story, for example, would be the Korean story of Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo. The only difference is that for Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo, birds made the bridge, and here, flowers made the bridge. And the central place of the festival was this square where Baridas brought me.

 

One thing I noticed later. The fact was that, except for one family, everyone was a couple. No, because they are a family, they are a couple, so they are a couple, that’s right. But why are you asking me to go to this festival with you? Besides, if I had known it was a festival, I wouldn’t have come out. It was a festival that should have been a precious memory for the male and female leads, but it seems like I stole it from them. Later, when Baridas and Leria come together, Leria asks Baridas, ‘Who have you been here with?’ Are you going to answer, ‘With my ex-fiancee!’

 

I just want to play the superficial role of a duchess, so why make me your lover?

 

‘Lady, don’t misunderstand. I’m not interested in anything other than the male lead’s face.’

 

After being splashed with water by Leria in my head, I looked resentfully at Baridas, who was holding my hand. At that time, perhaps by coincidence, my eyes met his and I, embarrassed, smiled at him. Then he smiled and I avoided his gaze. That face is really dangerous. Of course, these words couldn’t come out of my mouth.

 

‘Male lead, let’s be friends. friend. I have no intention of leaving the Dukedom, so let’s get along well.’

 

At that time, couples around me started disappearing one by one. Before I knew it, there was no one left around except for one couple. As I tilted my head at the sudden disappearance of the people, Baridas opened his mouth.

 

“It looks like the night market is open.”

 

A night market, the night market I think of? Butter potatoes, chicken skewers, and takoyaki came to mind. Thinking about food made me hungry. Baridas, who was looking at me as if that thought had dawned on him again, opened his mouth.

 

“Would you like to go sometime?”

 

I smiled brightly at his words and looked at him. The dishes served at Duke’s House were excellent, but I still wanted to eat street food for the first time in a long time. Those unhealthy foods full of seasoning.

 

“Yes! Let’s go!”

 

I shouted excitedly at the thought of eating street food for the first time in a long time, and he let out a small laugh at me.

 

* * *

 

When Baridas called a carriage and said he would go to the night market, Peter, the coachman who received his order, thought it was surprising. This was because ordinary noble ladies did not like noisy night markets. At that time, one thing occurred to Peter.

 

‘Ah, is that why?’

 

What Peter thought of was a beauty contest to select Heripia, the goddess of flowers. The beauty contest that selected Heripia was of a higher standard than expected, so it was quite famous and recognized even among nobles. Last year, one of the most beautiful women among the nobles was selected as Heripia.

 

Peter, remembering Fiora’s appearance, nodded his head.

 

‘If it’s the princess, she can become Heripia.’

 

But he wouldn’t let the duke participate in such an event. Was he really going to see the night market? Filled with doubts, Peter shook off his distracting thoughts and began to focus on driving. He thought that the person who would be the new hostess of the mansion would be an unusual person.

 

* * *

 

The carriage stopped at a corner of the night market. Baridas caught me as I was about to open the carriage door and get out without thinking. As I looked at him curiously, Baridas wrapped a cloak around me.

 

“It’s dangerous to wear such a fancy dress.”

 

But this was the plainest of Fiora’s dresses. That’s because all of her dresses were sparkling. It seemed like I needed to have one estate to buy one of Fiora’s dresses. Anyone who saw her closet would think that. I fiddled with my cloak, thinking nonsense thoughts. This cloak was also soft and soft, probably made of good quality. So the cloak wasn’t  particularly uncomfortable, but I had one question. But why is it said to be dangerous? I’m going with Baridas.

 

Having read the original work, I knew how strong his abilities were. This is a fact that ordinary nobles do not know, but he boasted of such excellent swordsmanship that he was on par with the commander of the Imperial Knights. When I looked around, I saw other nobles walking around proudly, dressed in fancy clothes, with armed guards around them.

 

Even if one of those trucks crashed in, Baridas would win.

 

“Aren’t you going to go with me, or rather Baridas? But why is it dangerous?”

 

At my words, Baridas suddenly covered my face with the hat attached to his cloak. It was dark, a cloak much larger than my body blocking my vision.

 

“…”

 

Baridas said something, but his voice was muffled by the cloak covering his face. I lifted my cloak and exposed my face.

 

“I beg your pardon?”

 

Baridas was turned to the side, and he was even wearing a cape, so his expression was not visible at all. As I tilted his head, Baridas opened his mouth.

 

“It’s because it stands out, so please understand.”

 

I guess so. I thought as I looked at my white hair, which wasn’t completely hidden even by the cape. A color like this will stand out anywhere. Although I have an excellent bodyguard next to me, there is no need to intentionally create an incident. I nodded to his words and took off my hat for a moment. Then he held his hair in one hand and lifted it upwards. Also known as poop head.

 

I removed one of the three straps that held the cape in place and tied up my long hair. And when he put his cloak back on, his hair was no longer visible. I’m sure it’s easier to tie it up. It seemed like unmarried ladies rarely exposed their necks, but I didn’t. Because I’m going to do it! I looked at Baridas and said, feeling much more comfortable than before.

 

“I’m ready.”

 

At my words, Baridas held out his hand and I took his hand. At the same time, as we approached the open space where the night market was opened, various music sounds, colorful lights, and the fragrant scent of flowers began to emerge from the surroundings. If earlier it had been a slightly calm atmosphere for a date for couples, now the atmosphere felt even more noisy. Nobles dressed in fancy clothes looking around and commoners eating and drinking were enjoying the festival together. It seemed like an imaginary version of a Western festival from the past. At that time, a familiar, no, delicious scent began to emerge among the flower scents. I knew what it was right away. It was a familiar yet nostalgic smell: the scent of chicken skewers. A chicken skewer restaurant could be found not far away. Various skewers were displayed in front, giving off a delicious smell.

 

“I want to eat that!”

 

When I shouted, Baridas hesitated, then nodded his head, and after receiving permission from him, I approached the yakitori restaurant. Perhaps sensing that I was a customer, the owner of the yakitori restaurant shouted loudly and opened the display case.

 

“Come on! What should I give you pretty girl?”

 

I burst out laughing at his words. He can’t even see my face, but I’m a pretty girl. He knows how to make money. I smiled at his witty remarks and looked at the signs, then chose chicken skewers covered in teriyaki sauce.

 

When I took a bite of the menu I had chosen, sweet and tender meat entered my mouth.

 

‘Delicious.’

 

It was the first seasoning I had tasted in a long time. I didn’t notice Baridas looking curiously at me happily eating chicken skewers. I ate chicken skewers followed by buttered potatoes. It was when I was thinking.

 

A commotion was heard from one side, and people began to gather in that direction. Baridas, seeing this, opened his mouth.

 

“It looks like the beauty contest has begun.”

 

‘Oh, I guess something happened there.’

 

I shouted, remembering that the beauty pageant from the original was quite fun.

 

“Let’s go take a look!”

 

Perhaps it was because the festival was more enjoyable than expected, but any thoughts of annoyance from earlier had already disappeared. This is what happened, let’s enjoy it!

 

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Translator Note: