Sir Cecil!
Wake up!
Sir Cecil! Sir Cecil!
If I don't pick you, then you're just a clever doll and nothing more!
Yes, what she said was true.
Back then, I was a living doll with no emotions.
But that's precisely why there was exactly one thing I wished for...
Someone who would spark my interest... Someone I would cherish...
I wanted someone who would draw those emotions out of me.
That was not my Tia.
The scene I just saw was shown to me, like a dream, by the light spirit.
It wasn't reality. I know that.
And yet, that vivid sensation of being emotionless, like I was then...
As I spent time with Tia, I gathered the warmth known as "emotions" to me,
and I feel as if it's being stolen from me.
I hate this! I don't want to go back to those days!
An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess
Chapter 9
Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess and a Doll.
Who could have imagined that so many would die from this epidemic?
Even though we know that luona leaf is effective against it,
it isn't something we can grow at this point in time.
Right now, there isn't anything we can do.
Your Majesty, I beg of you!
It's the only thing that can save my wife!
Please share some of the luona leaf from the royal stores with me!
Marquis Noches?
His wife has contracted the disease.
Lady Bertia wrote of it in one of her letters, didn't she?
Oh, now that you mention it...
Someone in his family has contracted the illness, yet he still approaches the king?
I wonder if he means to bring the kingdom to ruin.
Marquis, please understand.
When so many of our people are suffering,
I cannot give preferential treatment to my retainers.
Please reconsider! I'm begging you, Your Majesty!
No... Caine!
My wife... Mertia seems on the brink of death.
I'm asking not as your vassal, but as a friend. Please! I'm begging you!
I'm sorry, Douglas.
I can't give you luona leaf, but let's do everything else that we can.
Please, hold strong.
Father.
Oh, Cecil. It's you.
Father, you're doing the right thing.
If the king were to show favoritism toward a vassal,
it would breed discontent among the people.
That's true.
As the king of a nation, I believe I've made the right choice.
However...
I've lost the right to be his friend.
Being correct as the king...
Could anything be more important than that?
Mother...
Marquis Noches. Miss Bertia.
Your Highness.
My deepest sympathies.
If you would permit it, I am ready to be of use to you at any time.
Please, tell me anything you may need.
I have devoted everything to the royal family, and this is the result.
Father?
Bertia, you must become the queen, no matter what.
That way, no matter what may happen, they will protect you above all else!
To ensure that happens, I will...
My legs have turned to doll's legs?
Just now, that was the "future" we supposedly changed.
The me that was there couldn't understand my father's anguish.
She lost her mother, so I put on a sad face and offered indifferent words.
Those scenes were also no more than images shown to me by the light spirit.
But just as you don't realize you're in a dream when you're dreaming,
the current me overlaps with the me from the future that could have been.
I hate this. That isn't me.
My warmth... the emotions I finally obtained...
Bertia...
Please don't take them away from me.
What do you think, Lady Bertia?
You look quite sweet and lovely.
I don't like it.
Are you trying to make His Highness's and my debut into society fail?
I can't be seen in front of everyone like this!
What's wrong, Bertia?
Father!
That maid is just awful! She was trying to embarrass me!
Oh, was she? You poor thing.
You are finished as of today.
Never show your face in front of us again.
Whoops!
I'm terribly sorry!
Prince Cecil!
Hello there, Miss Bertia.
Something seems to have happened to your maid.
Oh, she's been careless, so we fired her. That's all.
Since his wife died, the marquis has become a different person.
Miss Bertia is the only one he shows any affection.
I heard that she grows more arrogant by the day, but...
Never mind all that. I'm just so anxious about our upcoming social debut.
But I am looking forward to you escorting me, Your Highness!
Are you?
Miss Bertia, you need not worry about a thing. Just leave everything to me.
Then I'll do just that!
Well then. I will see you some other time.
Of course!
For the moment, she's submissive to me,
so as long as she doesn't cause any major issues...
And it would be difficult to break off the engagement anyway.
There's nothing to be done.
Lately, it seems like the light is always dim.
The weather seems fair and clear today.
It does.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
But I promise you'll be able to be happy!
Your Highness, I believe it's time.
Yes.
Zeno, did you prepare the bouquet?
With no difficulties at all.
I'll likely be bored if I go,
but if I skip my fiancée's tea party, it will only create problems later.
Wait!
Please fly a little slower for me!
Honestly. You shouldn't fly too far away from me.
That's unusual.
Instead of keeping the bird in a cage, she's letting it fly free.
Are you a new student?
What?
You mean me, don't you?
Y-Yes!
You're not going to a tea party?
I've come here from the countryside, so I don't really know anyone.
That's why Pii-chan and I are exploring the school together.
Pii-chan? Is that the bird's name?
Zeno.
Of course.
Then, allow me to celebrate you.
Congratulations on your enrollment.
Th-Thank you.
For Your Highness to show an interest in someone is quite unusual.
Is it?
I simply found the bird and the frolicking young lady unusual.
But I suppose this is one type of interest.
This is a good place to pause. Shall we take a break?
In that case, what do you think of looking at the roses in the courtyard?
I've heard that the academy director's wife likes them.
I've never given any thought to my preferences regarding flowers.
The gardeners try to make beautiful flowers bloom and look after everything,
so it's only logical that they create magnificent gardens.
It's no more than the expected result.
Why is everyone always so grateful when they observe the flowers?
You there. You shouldn't sleep here.
Just a little longer.
Huh?
What?!
It seems you're awake.
A lady shouldn't show her defenseless sleeping face, you know?
It was warm and felt so nice I couldn't help nodding off.
I'm terribly sorry for such a disgraceful display!
Not at all. Thanks to you, I was able to see something unusual.
What?
A young lady scrambling backward at full strength.
Did you come to see the roses, too?
Yes! I finished going all the way around and paused to rest under the tree.
What's your name?
My name is Heronia. Heronia Inderon.
I am Cecil Glo Alphasta. It's a pleasure, Miss Heronia.
Lord Cecil? That's the same name as the crown prince!
Actually, isn't that the crown prince's full name?
Yes, that's who I am. I gave a speech at the entrance ceremony, didn't I?
Please forgive my disrespectful behavior!
Oh, she did it again.
At the entrance ceremony I was sitting all the way at the back,
so while I did hear your voice, I wasn't able to see your face.
As long as you remember it now, I don't mind at all.
But, let's see.
As an apology, will you go around the garden one more time?
What?
I came to see the roses,but it's more fun if there's two of us, isn't it?
If you'll have me, I'd love to!
I have nothing else to do here on campus anyway.
And every day here is so boring.
The two of them are locked in!
A country lady with a bird for a friend who sleeps where anyone could see her.
As a temporary plaything, she's not so bad at all.
Oh, I'm so sorry!
Did your foot get caught on something?
L-Lady Bertia...
Up until now, the marquis's house has been useful, so I've let her be...
but if she plans on breaking my new toy, I suppose I'll have to get rid of her.
You are someone who would know all about Marquis Noches's dealings, aren't you?
I'm right, aren't I, Courtgain?
I don't know anything at all.
Your Highness may be making too much of things.
If you have nothing else to discuss, I will take my leave.
I want to save you, Courtgain.
You're being threatened into helping against your will, haven't you?
If not, someone as upright and decent as you would never assist in any dishonesty.
You've been suffering because of that this whole time, haven't you?
I...
Thank you for coming, Miss Heronia.
How does the evening find you, Prince Cecil?
While I wasn't looking, you've become a splendid young noblewoman.
What?
When we first met, you were running around chasing after a bird.
And the next time I saw you, you were napping under a tree in the courtyard.
That was so long ago! Please forget all of that!
And since that's who you are, I'd like to send you a dress.
What?
At tomorrow's graduation party,
will you wear that dress and stand beside me?
But Your Highness has Lady Bertia.
No, I can't change this emotion I'm feeling.
Even if it puts me at odds with Lady Bertia...
I...
Prince Cecil, I love you!
I love you so much!
Up until now, I felt an interest, a slight affection for you.
But this sensation, something feverishly hot is welling up in my chest...
Is this what is commonly referred to as "love"?
Whatever this emotion may be, you are the toy that finally captured my interest.
Please don't disappoint me.
On this occasion, I transfer all my rights to next year's student council president!
Now, then.
Everyone, take heart. There's a young lady here who would like to make a confession.
Heronia Inderon, baron's daughter?
Will you step forward for me?
Y-Yes!
L-Last night, Bertia Ibil Noches, marquis's daughter,
nearly pushed me down the stairs!
In addition to that, I've been locked in storage rooms,
and she's used others to attack me indirectly as well!
I was wondering what you might say.
But I have no recollection at all of any of that!
At first, I only half-believed her, too.
However, I have all the evidence right here.
And Miss Heronia was not the only victim.
Th-That's right.
Like me, some have been discriminated against because of their rank,
or sadly became the victims of vicious bullying... There are so many of us!
Everyone, come! Please gather your courage!
Me, too!
Me, too. And me. Me, too!
All of you...
It's such a shame, Miss Bertia. Do you have some sort of rebuttal?
And?
Let's say that all of that proof is genuine.
What of it?
I am the daughter of a marquis and the future queen!
Those lower-ranked nobles who garnered my displeasure
have committed the far greater crime, haven't they?
Lady Bertia, you...
In that case, allow me to rid you of that.
I think I will learn from everyone else's bravery.
I, Cecil Glo Alphasta,
hereby indict her father, Marquis Douglas Ibil Noches!
Don't move.
Father!
What is the meaning of this, Your Highness?
I have evidence of the injustices committed by Count Vladir and the others.
And, of course, His Majesty is also aware of this.
Take him away.
Bertia!
Father!
And if your father is judged to be a criminal,
I can't entrust the role of mother of the kingdom to you.
Here and now, I dissolve my betrothal to Miss Bertia Ibil Noches!
This has to be some kind of mistake!
My father is innocent!
I will become queen.
No matter what it takes, I will be queen!
The person by your side will be me!
Me!
Your Highness...
Prince Cecil!
Tia...
Your Highness?
Prince...
You are...
not my Tia.
Have I finally made it out of that nightmare?
The warmth in my chest that I felt being stolen away...
it's right here.
This is the world where my Bertia exists.
I'm so happy.
That makes me so very happy.
Tia gives me so many unusual experiences.
Why don't you give up now?
No matter what illusions you may show me,
my heart won't change, Pii-chan.
But why?
His body is transparent.
He must be very close to disappearing.
If he goes, then this space will most likely go, too.
Why can't it be Heronia?
If things stay like this, Heronia will be...
Please! Please choose Heronia!
I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
Because of the things you two have done, I've come to hate her, you see?
But Heronia told me!
She said that you were her destiny, so it was natural for you to love her!
Heronia was just trying to guide you to the correct future!
Who would love someone who hurts others for the sake of granting their own wish?
But if we didn't, Heronia wouldn't be able to find happiness!
You have that wrong. Because you did it, she wasn't able to find happiness.
Translator: Elanor Sakamoto Timer: Edgar Cruz Editor: Salem Alabanza Quality Control: Alicia Ashby Final Quality Control Michelle Tymon
If she had accepted the changed future,
and worked hard to make people wholeheartedly like her,
then she likely wouldn't have stood there all alone.
And even if it wasn't in the way she'd hoped for,
happiness would have been hers.
But she never reflected on her actions,
and you only amplified her arrogance.
But I...
She has lost everything.
If you disappear here,
then she really will be all alone.
Heronia! Heronia!
This is where the path the two of you chose has led you.
I know that we caused a lot of trouble.
But can I ask for just this one thing?
Will you tell Heronia...
I don't mind. There are feelings I discovered because of you two.
Please tell her, "Even if you can't see me, I'll always be with you."
I will.
Were those... Pii-chan's memories?
That makes even my heart hurt just a little.
Zeno, please lend me your strength.
What I am bestowing is the tiny bit of hope he left behind.
The rest is up to her.
Your Highness! Prince Cecil!
This is no time to be lying around!
Wake up immediately!
Wake quickly and please do something about this situation!
Oh, I've finally made it back.
Wake up! Hurry up and wake up!
Please wake up now!
If you don't wake up, Lady Bertia will...
Chapter 10 An Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess and Cecil Glo Alphasta.
"An Observation Log of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess and Cecil Glo Alphasta."