Taming The Villainesses

(EP-352.1) #2

352 – Abandonment #2

“Give up?”

I was so shocked by Aira’s words that I instinctively asked again.

I knew full well how bad a habit it was to repeat something I’d already heard, but I couldn’t help but doubt my own ears. I had to ask again to be sure.

Swish.

Aira, seated in the chair, crossed her legs the other way. Her comfortable silk negligee draped over her, revealing a glimpse of her pale legs. My attention wavered for a moment before she spoke again.

“Give up on participating in the martial festival. Withdraw.”

So, I hadn’t misheard. On the eve of the festival’s opening, Aira had come to my room and was now asking me to give up my right to compete.

“Theo, this festival isn't for you. And for you, my servant, to participate is absurd. What do you think people will say?”

“…….”

She wasn’t wrong.

I was already rumored to be the young queen’s lover. If I were to participate in a tournament meant to decide her spouse, how much gossip and scandal would follow? But I had already made up my mind.

I had long overcome the gaze of others and baseless rumors. Truly desperate people wouldn’t care how others see them.

But what puzzled me was that Aira was starting to care about such things.

Wasn't Aira the flower on the cliff, always aloof and indifferent to the eyes and words of others?

Aira spoke again.

“Give up.”

“… I don’t understand why you're telling me this. When planning the tournament, Aira-nim said you would accept any challenger, regardless of origin or gender, as long as they were prepared to face death.”

“I did. But things have changed. I am Aira Von Tarantera, the sole queen of Angmar. What I say becomes law—it is the law.”

She was right.

“If that’s not enough for you, Theo… don’t tell me you were seriously thinking of participating and winning? To claim me as your prize?”

Her blunt question caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected her to be so direct.

Now, I had to decide—what was the right answer?

Whatever I answered, it would change my fate.

Yes / No.

Standing at the crossroads of two choices, I finally reached a conclusion.

“… Yes. I believe I love you, Your Majesty.”

Thump, thump, thump.

The pounding of my heart echoed in my ears, loud and insistent, as if a furious man were slamming his fist against my chest.

I had said it.

The Queen and her servant.

But beyond that, we were a man and a woman bound by affection.

Thinking this, I became aware of Aira's slender toes and pale thighs. Her scent and enchanting breath felt unbearably vivid, causing blood to rush to my face.

But Aira's reaction was flat.

No surprise, no embarrassment, no joy, no anger. She simply wore a languid expression. Had I spoken too softly for her to hear?

I didn’t know where the courage sprang from, but I said it again, this time more clearly.

“I… I have feelings for Aira-nim. I want you to be mine—”

I couldn’t finish, as a long, drawn-out hum interrupted me.

Slid….

Aira slowly opened her narrow eyes.

How should I describe that expression? Before I could find the right words, she spoke.

“Theo, why are you stating the obvious now?”

“… Obvious?”

Suk-.

Aira placed a finger on her chest.

“Feeling affection and possessiveness toward me. That's only natural for a person. Everyone loves me. I know that too. Theo, I knew your heart long ago.”

“…….”

“As the Queen of all things, I am far too beautiful and lovable—falling for me is as natural as the moon rising when the sun sets.”

The atmosphere was quite different from what I had imagined. This wasn't the direction I had hoped the conversation would take. On the other hand, it felt very much like Aira.

Of course. To love Aira was a given.

No matter who mustered the courage to confess, it wouldn't be anything special. It was almost laughable. Was my confession going to be brushed off like this?

Just then, Aira let out a quiet sigh.

“Theo, I suppose I have no choice but to tell you the truth.”

“The truth?”

“No one will win the martial festival. I’ve spent the past few days observing the contestants around the city, but there isn’t a single person who can defeat me. I expected this outcome from the start. That’s why I held the tournament in the first place.”

“Then… was there even a point in holding it?”

At my question, Aira closed her half-lidded eyes and let out a small sigh. She looked like a tutor pitying a young student struggling to grasp a lesson.

“Theo, do you still not understand? This festival is just a facade—an excuse to gather a large number of troops in the North. They will be the army that will march beyond the wall, and reclaim Gargata.”

It felt like a small hammer had just knocked me on the head.

Truth be told, I had already suspected that Aira had some hidden agenda behind this bizarre martial festival.

I had thought it was just another one of her whims, like “because it's fun” or “entertainment for boring daily life.” But to my surprise, it had a concrete and firm purpose… I was taken aback.

“So, you’re saying you plan to use the festival participants as troops to reclaim the fortress beyond the wall?”

“Yes, Theo. I thought you, the second wisest in this kingdom, would have already figured it out. But it seems my expectations were too high.”

Aira looked somewhat disappointed—probably because I had failed to meet her expectations. But one question popped up in my mind.

Edit by: faker