𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖: 𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲?

As the carriage stopped shaking, I became aware of the commotion outside and regained consciousness.

When I snapped my eyes open, I was startled to find Cid’s handsome face right in front of me.

“Ah!”

I had been sleeping in Cid’s arms, cradled like a child, with my legs crossed. 

The moment I woke up, my heart nearly stopped. Uh-oh, seeing a handsome face as soon as I wake up is shaving years off my life.

“Miss, good morning.”

“G-Good morning. . .”

We were apparently hidden behind wooden crates and barrels loaded onto the carriage, out of sight from the outside.

In the dim light, this close proximity made my heart race with tension and excitement, making it hard to breathe.

Unable to bear his gaze staring at me, I pushed against his chest and tried to sit alone, but he told me, “Don’t move.”

Just when I thought I had avoided the death flag related to the prince, now I was about to be killed by the guards.

But if I could die from this overwhelming excitement, then I guess I would welcome it.

This person whom I thought was a guard might be a death god who will take me to heaven.

Beep. . .

―

“!?”

“Well, it seems like you don’t have a fever.”

Cid pressed his cheek against my forehead as he held me close, checking my body temperature.

My face and head were boiling to the point where it felt like there would be a “bonk” sound!?

Ah, come to think of it, there was a time in the past when I fell asleep like this after hitting someone with magic for the first time.

Back then. . . who did I hit again?

I don’t remember much, but when I woke up, I was in bed, and Cid was looking down at me with a face that seemed on the verge of tears.

The innocent beautiful boy has grown into such a reliable handsome man. . .!

It seems he has managed to avoid any animation inconsistencies. I’m really glad about that.

Lost in my thoughts with a bright red face, I was startled when he whispered in my ear, “This is a bit unexpected.”

“Miss, officials and soldiers are wandering around. It’s possible that our attempt to flee the country has been exposed.”

“Eh.”

Isn’t that too fast? We returned from the church to the mansion thirty minutes ago, and it’s been only about thirty minutes since we left in the carriage.

I asked Noah-sama to buy us some time, but I wonder if Noah’s efforts to delay them didn’t go well.

Could it be the pressure from the original novel that they won’t let me escape? Is the villainess surrounded?!

“What should we do. . .!”

If we continue like this, Cid will be captured. Galius, the bald coachman who is helping us, will also be in trouble if he gets caught.

As I twitched my eyes, Cid smiled reassuringly.

“Let’s give up on the ship and travel by land.”

“Um, aren’t we going to Nice instead of Fumble?”

“That’s right. It takes six hours by ship to reach Nice, but if we continue like this, we might be subjected to inspections before boarding the ship.”

Cid easily suggested traveling by land, but it takes several times longer than by ship.

If we take a ship, it’s a straight path and takes about six hours, but if we travel by land, we have to go all the way around the “U” shape of the continent, which takes a little over four days. 

If we take a ship, we can reach there in about six hours by going straight, but if we go by land, it will take about four days and a little longer as we go around the “U” shape.

This four-day estimate is for camping, and if we stay at inns in towns, it will take five to six days.

By the way, if we go by land, we will pass through Fumble on our way to Nice.

“Hey, shouldn’t we stick to the original plan and go to Fumble? We can reach there in two days even by land, right?”

“Eh.”

What’s with the “eh”?

Originally, I intended to go to Fumble.

Because Obaa-sama (my mother’s sister) is married there, it’s not a country where I have no acquaintances. I’ve been there once when I was little, and it’s more comfortable than Nice, which has no connection or ties with me.

But Cid insists on going to Nice.

“Fumble is not a good idea. It has been a bit suspicious lately.”

“Suspicious atmosphere?”

“A new king ascended the throne three years ago, and since then, it’s been a bit more inclined towards warfare, you could say.”

I know that the king changed. However, I haven’t heard anything about the reputation of the new king yet.

“Does that mean there’s a war? That’s a bit troublesome. . .”

I just want to live in peace if possible!

“Right? Right? That’s why we should go to Nice.”

Hmm, Cid’s reaction is different from his usual self. It’s as if he doesn’t want to go to Fumble for personal reasons.

As I stared at him, he suddenly averted his gaze.

Suspicious! 

But it’s a waste of time to talk about it here. The journey is long, so I’ll ask him about it later. I wrap up the conversation.

“Anyway, it seems like taking a ship is not feasible. Since we have to pass through Fumble to go to Nice anyway, we can decide after we arrive. Let’s go by land and bypass the inspections.”

“Yes!”

Ah, such a happy face. . .!

Even though it’s going to become more dangerous from now on, why are you smiling so happily?

“I will definitely take you safely.”

“Thank you. I’m counting on you!”

I’m relieved.

I’m really glad that Cid is here.

If I were trying to escape overseas alone, I might have been at a loss by now. No, there’s no doubt about it.

Thank you, God!

I had thought that being reincarnated as the villainess was the end of my luck, but with Cid by my side, I can feel grateful for being born as Viara.

Feeling overwhelmed, I almost cried and buried my face in his robe, tightly gripping it.

“Oh? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

Somehow, I have to get through this situation and convey my feelings to Cid.

I’ll tell him that I’ve loved him for a long, long time.

There’s no need to sit apart anymore, and we can confidently hold hands.

Because I’m just Viara now.

“Miss, as much as I would love to take advantage of this situation, let’s hurry.”

Too many words! How can you say something so embarrassing?!

“I’ll ask Galius to prepare the carriage, and we’ll travel by horse. We only need a single bag for our belongings, right?”

“Of course.”

It seems that Onii-sama has loaded various supplies for me in this carriage.

Since I can’t take them all, they will be returned to the mansion while still loaded in the carriage.

We passed through the streets a little away from the port and stopped the carriage by a secluded mountain path with few pedestrians.

I choose one of the three horses there and bid farewell to Galius before departing.

I sat sideways in front of him, leaning my back against him. I tightly wrapped my arms around his arms holding the reins, feeling an incredible sense of security.

“Miss, what should we do?”

“What?”

“You smell really good.”

“. . .”

I heard a sexual harassment remark, but I completely ignored it. Strange. Cid saying such a thing. Since I broke off the engagement today, things have been getting stranger and stranger.

“Since I can’t stand it anymore, won’t you fall in love with me soon?”

“Don’t say stupid things and let’s get going!”

When he flirts with me like this, I can’t be honest!

I had planned to say “I love you” when I woke up, but I missed the timing to say it. And why does he keep making light-hearted remarks? Does he really like me?!

As the speed gradually increased, my pale blue hair flowed in the wind through the gap in my coat’s hood.

If only a bear would appear here, I would pour all this indescribable frustration and embarrassment into my fist and strike it with all my might. . .!

Lost in my thoughts, I hear Cid’s voice from above. 

“If we run for about an hour, I think we’ll reach a place where there are no demon beasts or wolves, so hang in there until then.”

“Got it.”

Just when I thought his behavior was strange, he suddenly became serious. I’m constantly being played with by Cid.

Still, I’m genuinely happy that we can be together now.

I hope we arrive safely in Nice.

Finally, I can say goodbye to the fate of being a villainess. And to be taken away by the person I love, it’s quite a rewarding ending.

“Hehe. . .I feel like a kidnapped princess.”

Ah, my face is beaming with a smile.

But Cid remained calm.

“Miss, there is no princess who punches enemies and escapes on her own.”

“It’s just a mutter to myself!! Stop pointing out reality every time!”

Reality can be cruel, huh?

But it’s okay. This is my story as the heroine.

The villainess who can’t stop grinning during the escape with the person she loves is heading towards the border!

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