Chapter 9

We had confirmed that other people could perceive Yuri, but they couldn’t see her true form.

I’d somewhat hoped that maybe mother would have been able to see or hear her.

Alas.

Still, progress had been made there.

The only issue now was-

“Lady Victoria’s relationship with her fiancé is getting worse.”

Yes.

Ever since that day, I’d been spending more and more time with Victoria, but her fiancé had been spending less and less.

Of course, this was partly by my design but there might have been some small miscalculations, such as how much Victoria would write and ask to meet.

I was happy to oblige, but Yuri looked at me a little suspiciously from time to time. Thank the Gods I didn’t go ahead with my original plan.

…Again, I care more about how Yuri-

“Hey, Raena, I’m happy that Lady Victoria seems happy, but-”

“I know, Yuri. If she drifts too far from Lord Michael, it’ll impact our plans and whatever trifling knowledge you actually possess.”

“Hey, did you just indirectly insult me?”

“If you can’t even figure that much out, then you’ve only proven you are what I said.”

“You-!”

I sighed and slumped onto the desk. “Based on what you’ve told me, any attempts to contact Lord Michael would likely make things worse.”

Yuri nodded. “He’d probably try to destroy you.”

“How reassuring.”

“What happened when you went to-?”

“We just got to talking and became much closer.”

“So much so she’d abandon her favourite play?”

“Maybe she values real human connections more than satisfying her lust.”

“Heh, unlikely for that pervert.”

“That’s my friend you’re insulting there.”

“What does it matter? It’s not like anyone but you can hear me.”

Ever since that day two months ago, Yuri had acquired a new bad habit - she would often say things like that as a joke, at first, but then her own words would greatly depress her.

I’d arranged a few more tea parties with mother where I’d communicated on their behalf to one another, though I didn’t repeat a lot of the nonsense Yuri sprouted.

Still, it did not seem to be enough for Yuri.

She really desperately wanted to speak to other people.

Maybe I should try and link her to Yui?

No, I can’t do that.

I can’t let Yuri tell Yui something stupid about a potential future or let my little sister discover this side of me.

But who-?

“My lady.”

“Teles? What’s-?”

“Lord Michael has come to visit the estate.”

“Yabe!”

Another strange word.

I didn’t know what it meant, but I could understand its meaning.

***

Lord Michael Wessex was a famous man.

Even without learning of his name and role in the future from Yuri, I would have learnt of him either way.

Ruthless, cunning and with a sharp mind, he had made a name for himself politically already and there were rumours that he'd been setting up a big conglomerate of businesses in various industries.

I always knew the future lord of Wessex would be an issue, especially if I wanted to avoid my bad ends.

However.

“Thank you for your unexpected visit, Lord Michael.”

He had appeared, without warning, with an expression that screamed, “How dare you.”

So, I returned his platitudes.

“I apologise,” he lied. “I had some urgent business to take care of nearby, but I hadn’t intended to drop by the Armina estate. Not until a big problem was brought to my attention.”

I smirked. “I’m sorry to hear that. How close to the duchy is the problem? Perhaps we could-”

“It’s very close. But I wouldn’t want to impose such an impossible task on your family’s knights.”

“A shame.”

“Yes, it-”

“Victoria speaks of you in such wonderful, pretty words so imagine my disappointment when I finally got to see you in the flesh.”

I saw Yuri panicking wildly beside my head, stammering and her lips flapping wildly without making any words.

Admittedly, I hadn’t intended to antagonise Lord Michael, but his face and demeanour pissed me off.

Oh dear, using such vulgar language to use, even in my mind.

It would be best to kill him now before I got any angrier.

Lord Michael remained unfazed, but I could tell I’d struck a nerve by bringing up Victoria.

“To think the man she loves so deeply is just a-”

“Did she tell you that?”

I deployed my fan to cover my sadistic smile. “Why?”

He wanted to know what Victoria had said to me, but his pride wouldn’t let him ask.

“…I’m only going to give you one warning because Victoria considers you a friend.” He stood from his chair and walked imposingly towards me. “Don’t try and deceive my fiancé. She is mine and isn’t allowed to look at anyone else. Got it?”

I laughed softly. “Wow, how scary. How I pity Victoria if-”

He slammed the wall beside me and leant in close, an angry, handsome scowl on his face. “I’m the only one allowed to call her name without using a honorific. Got it?”

“Victoria gave me permission.” I snapped my fan close and used my ‘oni-face’ on him. “You aren’t worthy of breathing the same air as me, let alone putting your disgusting face this close to mine.”

Clearly, despite all the stories going around about me in the social world, Lord Michael had underestimated me.

Perhaps he’d never encountered an opponent who wouldn’t submit to his pressure, but I was not a normal opponent, let alone a normal lady.

“Damn right you aren’t.”

The Yuri in my head dared insult me.

I’ll punish the real one later.

“Why?!”

Lord Michael had not broken eye contact but he would eventually give, because my parents or Yui would come looking for me.

He was now in enemy territory and all I needed was a good excuse to take him down.

The game was in his hands and he got to decide how the next round would go.

He snorted and stood up straight. “You know, I saw something interesting on my way in. There was a girl in the courtyard swinging a sword around without much skill, besmirching the Armina name. Though.” He chuckled. “I guess she doesn’t have the Armi-”

I slapped him.

Hard.

Hard enough to break the fan I used in two.

Before the stunned Lord Michael could process what had happened, I threw a glove at him.

“Petty threats are one thing, but you will not insult my family and the ones most precious to me.” I thrust my finger at Lord Michael. “I, Raena von Armina, heiress of the Armina Duchy, challenge Lord Michael, heir to the Wessex Duchy, to a duel!”

“…Are you insane?”

“Are you insane?!”

You both said the same thing at the exact same time, but in very different ways.

And my answer might be - yes.

Why did I forget al my dignity and grace befitting of a noble lady and lash out so extremely?

It was rash, foolish and-

Befitting of a villainess.

I nearly spun around to see who had said that, but I caught myself before I did.

I couldn’t afford to look weak now and the situation could still be twisted to my favour.

Hopefully.

“I’m perfectly sane,” I said calmly, regaining my grace. “You barge into my home without permission, tell me to stay away from my dear friend and then dare to insult my beloved Yui?” I huffed and folded my arms. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you had come to my house to cause issues and pick a fight. I’m only entertaining your immature whims. Of course, you’re welcome to refuse my invitation.”

“Do you think I’ll go easy on you because you’re a woman? You’ve disrespected me and are trying to use my fiancé and turn her against me.” He picked up my glove. “I’ll accept your challenge and then you’ll never see Victoria again.”

“You may wish to check those terms over with sweet Victoria first before you get-”

“Heh. Once I’ve told her about today, she’ll never want to speak to you again.”

“Even when you include the part where you threatened me, insulted her friend Yui and tried to intimidate me into never seeing her again?” I chuckled. “I do wish I could see her face when you tell her.”

“Once she sees your true self, she’ll-!”

I grabbed his tie. “You can tell her whatever you like, but I’m not responsible for the consequences.”

***

Once Lord Wessex was gone, I returned to my bedroom, ready to be screamed at.

Yuri, however, just looked dead inside.

“Do you want me to be alone forever? Ah, that must be it, right?” She mumbled. “Why did you throw away your life at such a young age? So soon before the main story even starts? You must have been dropped on your head as a baby and the brain damage has only just caught up with you. That must be it. It has to be it.”

“…For the record, I did not intend to behave in such a manner.”

“So, why did you?!”

“Don’t yell in my face.” I let out a small sigh. “I had only meant to trade barbs. I lost control.”

“That’s not like you.”

I agree - what is happening to me?

“How skilled is Lord Michael in combat?”

“He’s good, but I think you’re better.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“It’d be more reassuring if you hadn’t decided to pick a fight in the first place.”

“Maybe this will be good for Lord Michael in the long run?”

“How?”

“Well, perhaps after his arrogance has been checked, he’ll-”

“Ah, shit! I completely forgot about it!”

“What, Yuri?”

“Lord Michael’s trauma!”

“…I thought you said you never played his route?”

“I didn’t, and that’s the problem!” Yuri screamed. “What if this makes it worse and-?!”

“Yuri.” I held up my finger and she perched upon it. “Don’t worry. We’ll still reach our ultimate happy ending. It’s just we’ll have to make some changes, okay?”

If push comes to shove, I might have to remove Lord Michael from the equation altogether.

I hope it doesn’t come to that.

I don’t want to break the faith Yuri has in me.