Gomen ne, Oniisama Chapter 2 part 1

-Dance of the Villain and the Side Cast- Before

Wearing a copper red dress to match her pupils and hair, the girl kneeled before the king sitting on his throne.

In order to justify her status, honor, and responsibility with her small body, she knelt alone on the cold marble floor.*

“The Ruzil present head, Origa Emelda Ruzil offers her greetings. Here to report that the ceremony for the change of leaders.h.i.+p proceeded without a problem.”*

Words that flowed smoothly; though the voice was high like a child’s, it gave none of the feeling that it was a child speaking. Her eyes with red colored pupils, did not even shake even in front of the king himself while pledging loyalty. The girl, still like a doll, sat there quietly on the hard floor.

“Although I have heard of your talent, I did not expect you to come as the family head at such a young age. I am very impressed by your ability.”

“In regards to your statement, my position as the the family head is unimportant. I only earnestly desire to contribute to His Majesty and the country.”*

The eyes of the king as he viewed the girl and expressed his appreciation, contained not even the slightest trace of affection.

The words of the girl that spoke of love and affection for the king, also felt as though they meant nothing of the sort.

“Then dedicate your life to the country, and swear to burn away the plots of the other countries.”*

“As my king says.”

They watched each other without showing any emotions, and continued to exchange only ceremonial words.

Without even a little bit of feelings like affection.

And he who supervised the country, to those who protect the country, clearly showed the position of the other.**

“I’ll antic.i.p.ate great things from you. Daughter of fire.”

The harsh sound of the King’s staff hitting the floor signaled the end of the meeting.

“Well, I’m sure this will help with the security of our country.”*

“Such a lovely appearance, and so intelligent too…”

“As expected of the blood of the king… it’s quite excellent.”

Ugh… Today, I heard these lines way too many times. It could be said that most of the work today, was to force my face into a smile all day. My face is definitely going to have muscular pain; because of the height of children I feel like crying when enclosed in a row of intimidating adults.

In the morning, attend the audience with His Majesty, from noon go around greeting the castle’s residents earnestly, and dance after sunset! After many years secluded in the mansion in planning, and suddenly pulled into a social debut, for sure, I’m feeling my limit.*

Since after all I’m the villain, even though social relations.h.i.+ps are awkward, they’re something essential for me to form. Also in order to instill a good impression somehow, although it makes me feel a little disgusted… *

Since I can’t afford a slip of the tongue, even with just one word, it’s far more mentally exhausting than normal talk.*

“Everyone. Since I am still a young person, I appreciate your guidance in times to come.”

Sloppy salutation at the end! And my cheek twitched from being forced into a smile.

At this time, moving between the people, the cross dressed girl, Keika, came to my side.

Oh, let me a.s.sert that cross dressing isn’t her hobby; she’s dressed like such because I asked her to fill the role of my escort today. Originally, if a lady comes to a formal occasion, an escort is required by the head of the family or another close male. However, my father is no longer staying with the family.

Although of course there was talk that I just need to take a man of the family as a subst.i.tute, such a presence would be considered to be my fiance, and right now I would still rather not think about such a troublesome thing, just for now at least. And so, I asked her to dress as a boy, and such are the circ.u.mstances behind this situation.

Perhaps partly because the women stand on the battlefield alongside the men in this country, the cross dressing wasn’t too much of a problem, which was very fortunate for me.

“Excuse me for interrupting your chat. Origa-sama, we should leave to prepare for the masquerade.”

I think Keika is worried about me― this is probably an excuse for a break.

At this point, it would be very unfortunate to have a slip of the tongue and to ruin my debut into society.

While involuntarily doing the guts pose in my mind, I make sure not to show it, smiling to attract the attention of the people.**

“Thank you. Everybody, because we have more business in the evening, I will be leaving to get ready.”

Although the wife seemed a little surprised that the one with the escort role is a woman, she said nothing and only looked over with cold eyes. Her husband looked over the girl dressed as a man from top to bottom with a lecherous gaze, and cleared his throat.

What….

Although it’s possible that this is a rare case, society is slightly more brutal than I thought it was. I mean, I am aware that such a situation is unconventional here. Outside, I wonder if I should be more careful of things other than the conspiracies in the novel.*

“Already so late? I’m sorry I had to you hold back. Origa-sama, would you like me to deliver the presents for the celebration later? And, you are?”*

“I forgot to mention my name. I stay by Origa-sama’s side; my name is Keika.”*

It is fortunate that Keika is excellent.

Because I wanted to resolve the situation with Onii-sama quickly, to avoid dealing with an engagement I panicked and quickly chose a replacement.

So, to be honest, I didn’t expect such ability and manners.

It was a gamble when I chose based on the origin of her father; I can use her to solve the problem with my Onii-sama….. Hopefully she ends up being an excellent pair of hands for me.

She’s talented as a magician, attentive, skilled at imitation, able to do office work flawlessly, her basic manners are perfectly schooled for social relations.h.i.+ps, and above all, she is an adult.

Due to the adverse effects of my many years of studying indoors I was not able to cultivate the necessary social skills, so I decided to copy her.

“A new representative of the Ruzil family. She seems quite new, I give my best regards.”

“……Keika. This is the Earl who governs the land of Suja.”

“I am glad to have the pleasure of meeting you for the first time, Earl. Speaking of Suja, we have heard rumors that a new company was founded recently?”* (I feel uncomfortable with how the Earl is being referred to. It seems to be a form of polite honorific speech that I’m not sure how to translate to English.)

Though there are words mixed with thorns, Keika continued the flow of conversation without hesitation.

However, when Keika’s words which tried to continue the conversation that way is heard, the middle-aged Earl showed a somehow disgusting smile.

“Oh. Last week, about this matter was also inquired by your predecessor and replied to… is the council of aides of the predecessor I am acquainted with, not listening to you?”

―Finally, it came out. The aristocracy that emphasizes the connection with the father, and looks down on upstarts.

The conspiracy of the high society, probably.*

As I thought, like always, there was the need to steel myself.

Usually, there are strong connections from the beginning from the predecessor, made for the new family head. However, thinking about the future, since I would like to be attached to n.o.body but also avoid creating enemies, it is best to cancel relations.h.i.+ps as gently as possible.*

Even if they are willing to build relations.h.i.+ps up again, I am not, because those of the generation of my father will be obstacles in the future.*

Even so, an inquiry from my moody father, huh. If it’s a good that the strangely perceptive【Old Family Head】 had cared about, it’s probably not just any company.*

However, the report in the study I inherited did not have such a feeling.

There seems to be a slight problem.

―Glancing, as if giving a signal to Keika through eye contact, she started saying words of apology in a heavyhearted voice.

“We have no excuse. He is receiving medical care and not in a state to verify such information. I will make sure to check the facts at a later date.”*

Currently, my mother is unwell, so she went to a nursing home as a sitter to the father. That they are staying there to recuperate, is the public pretext. The actual situation concerning the aides, is that they are not cooperating with me, and I can’t do anything about them.*

As for my father, he was allowed to survive because he is married to a royal princess, which can be considered to be some kind of power. Hence, my hope to form a relations.h.i.+p with my father has not yet ended.*

But, in order to make it as easy is possible for me to lead the clan in the future, I am trying to eliminate as much external interference as possible.

That’s right, even interference of the task of serving His Majesty the King to defend the country.

Although now there are a dime a dozen people who say that they would like to work to become my hands and feet, that I was able to discover a talent that does not have anyone’s finger marks at such an early stage was fortunate. This situation is not something of an outsider, even if that outsider can help with my problems.*

Nevertheless, if this situation which has already formed is arranged sufficiently it is probably perfect.

Ruzil who【Overthrew the incompetent predecessor, a talented person】is the family head.*

With this, I can call the old aides who are linked with my father incompetent for this miscommunication and pinning them with a crime, and later, I can also claim I have no relations.h.i.+p to this Earl.*

To begin an actual friendly relations.h.i.+p, it is necessary to investigate him.*

I am either going to build a good relations.h.i.+p with this person now, or go back and investigate some more.*

Perhaps he noticed my intent to break ties with him; the Earl’s face has quite a bitter expression.

Choosing Keika was probably the right decision.**

―The air seems to have gotten stiff.*

“Oh dear, so it was true. It seems I should gift you some get well presents as well.”

“Although it can be said that you have the talent to become a close aid, can a young person like your master handle the role of a magician properly…”**

The wife, with a pretty voice whose harmony could cause you to feel relaxed, out of nowhere, with quiet words of irony, filled the area with a feeling of heat.*

While I suppress panic, Keika steps in front of me.**

She stopped and breathed in deeply, her face becoming pale.**

“I’m sorry for causing you to be bothered by my awkwardness. I am still inexperienced, as I am still young. But, unlike my awkward self, my Lord is a young and talented mage. Therefore, you don’t need to worry too much. My lord will not cause the Earl any trouble. I am sure that Suja will be managed by the Earl excellently, and there will be no need for the use of fire.”*

“Tsu…” (I believe this is the sfx for an exhale?)

Aaaaaaaa I messed up…

As a magician I’m expected to help protect the country.**

She really cut right to the point.**

“Regarding the military situation, we will do your best to help wherever possible. In protecting the peace of these lands, we greatly appreciate the good management of the Earl, which lightens the burden upon my master. It is our intention that in the case of any emergency, we will help for the sake of our honor as a main family, and we will watch carefully for anything that occurs.” (Keika, I believe. I also believe she included a threat to the Earl somewhere in her words which I missed.)

The Earl protects his territory and I will go help in emergencies because I’m the family head? Kind of the truth.. Err.. wait a sec.* (Don’t really like how I translated this, but couldn’t come up with anything better.)

This way of describing it favors me a bit too much.. Well, after all, I’m a strangely talented girl, but also kind of a disappointing human. Generally the people of the family tend to try to attract the bigger and more influential people, and she’s definitely doing at least a little of this. Rather than picking a fight from the small insults, threatening a life is rather extreme.

The man who can talk glibly and politely completely sunk into silence. As for the wife who had been sending an amiable gaze until now, her smile and gaze both became stiff.

Words of the subordinates are the responsibility of the boss.

Such words float in my head as I look up at the sky, but my escape from reality is blocked by a regal and solid ceiling.

I tried to avoid any slip of the tongue, and yet from the very first day of my debut I’ve somehow made an enemy.

Well, in the end, I’m a villain so I guess it’s fine.**

I think I didn’t do too poorly in my debut, but I’m not sure if that’s just overconfidence. …..Did I seem like a final boss?

Well, although I was prepared for the life of a villain, ending up like this from the beginning was a bit out of my expectations.

I feel a bit sick to the stomach…*

“Keika.”

“Yes. Please excuse my impolite words.”** (Rather than yes, this is more of a confirmation that instructions have been received, but not sure how I can translate it better than this.)

I’ve had enough inappropriate comments for today!

With some perfunctory closing remarks to the Earl, we quickly separate from him and his wife.

I snort. The standing figure of a crossdressing girl proudly escorting me is not even a little reproachful. Walking next to her lord, she also shows no signs of expecting any punishment from her master. I’ll look at her proudly for now, but later I’m definitely giving her a sermon.**

When words are spread, the fact that the one who said them was the retainer won’t matter to anyone. “The new family head of the Ruzil is like this”, such rumors will quickly travel. By the time of the dance in the afternoon, my image as a brash, domineering fire family head will be rooted.

Like this, I seem to have ended up as the【Princess of the Inferno Origa】of the novel.

I wanted to gently and amiably deal with the threads of conspiracy… but it seems like fixing this is impossible….. Is it not…..?

Mini-TL Note: Phew, this took a lot more time than I expected. I have a new appreciation for other machine translators.