The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Married Life in a Former Enemy Country in Her Seventh Loop

“You are a guest of honor. Even if it is a matter of form, there is no need for you to kneel.”
“…Well, well.”
Raul narrowed his eyes, smiling pleasantly.

“His Highness Arnold is far more of a devoted husband than I had expected.”
(Wh–why would he say that, from this exchange…?)
It was clearly a barb, but Arnold’s expression did not shift in the slightest.
Though he gave no outward reaction, his calm gaze carried some unspoken intent.

“To be considerate of one’s wife is only natural.”
“Oh? I had heard this was a marriage of political convenience, and yet you treat your fiancée with such great care? How splendid.”
“Um… both of you…”

When Rishe glanced between them, Arnold let his eyes turn disinterested.
“…You must be weary from your long voyage, Prince Curtis. We shall arrange for a tour of this city beginning tomorrow. For today, I suggest you devote yourself to rest.”
“Your consideration humbles me. The sound of the waves here is quite soothing; I believe I shall pass the day in leisure.”
(So, His Highness Arnold and Raul plan to move separately today.)

No doubt that was Arnold’s aim, but Raul would surely use the opportunity as well.
Their true objectives remained unknown, yet Rishe was on Galkhein’s side now. She might not reveal that “Curtis” was an impostor, but she would keep her guard up.
As she looked up at the man beside her, her eyes met Arnold’s blue gaze.
“…!”

His handsome face was so near she instinctively caught her breath.
Arnold, as calm as ever, bent slightly and whispered at her ear.
“…Forgive me, but I’ll ask you to attend to the princess.”
“!”

His husky breath brushed her ear, startling her with a ticklish shiver.
Careful not to show it outwardly, Rishe gave a slow nod.
“Since Prince Curtis remains in the castle, security will be tight. If you encounter any inconvenience, speak up without hesitation.”
(So—he means Raul is to be watched as well.)

It was likely as much a quiet explanation to her as it was a formal declaration. He understood what she wanted to convey without her having to put it into words.
Rishe resolved to focus on the task entrusted to her.
“Lady Harriet.”

“!”
She smiled and addressed the woman hiding behind Raul.
“Though my duty as your escort has ended, I would be delighted if we could talk today. May I join you?”

“E-ehh?! Th–that’s… that’s far too much! I, someone like me—it would be an imposition, or, or…!! I’ll just stay quietly somewhere out of the way, please don’t trouble yourself, really…”
“I was hoping we might speak of books as well, Lady Harriet…”
“Y–you would… truly be willing…!?”
Harriet’s face lifted in a flash, then she ducked her gaze again, flustered.

“Ah. B-but still…”
“Go on. Take her kindness to heart, Harriet.”
“Brother…”

Urged by “Curtis”—Raul in disguise—Harriet gave a timid nod.
Whether she had noticed his impersonation or not, Rishe would have to probe further.
“Well then, let us begin…”
As Rishe tried to move the conversation forward, Harriet shrank back even more.

 
****
“An honor to meet you, Princess Harriet. I am Cain Tally, president of the Aria Company.”

“Y–yes…”
Tally, entering the reception room with his usual grin, introduced himself.
The scruffy beard he so often left untrimmed had been shaved clean.
In formal black business dress, his sun-browned skin gave him the look of a first-class merchant.

(As expected of President Tally.)
Facing her former superior, Rishe was inwardly impressed.
The items displayed around the chamber were all top quality. Yet they were not gaudy; there was a wide variety suited to every taste and mood.

Mature jewelry, dainty lace ornaments, gauzy veils of mysterious sheen, and bright shoes that seemed to lift the spirit.
It had been after deciding to accompany Arnold that Rishe had asked Tally to set up a traveling sale.
Despite the short preparation time and the journey to this city, he had gathered such an array of goods. It was no ordinary feat.
“Princess Harriet, please take your time in selecting whatever pleases you.”

“Do leave everything to us.”
“Eep…!”
While Harriet shrank back in fright, the company’s executives pressed eagerly, and behind them her head lady-in-waiting nodded in satisfaction.
Casting a glance at them, Tally gave a showy bow.

“Well then, Lady Rishe, shall we resume our usual business discussions?”
“…President, I always ask this, but could you please stop being so overly formal?”
“Heh.”

Amused, Tally drew out several documents.
“No need to be so stiff. I’m in high spirits lately—ventured into some interesting trades, and my sister’s health has steadied.”
Those words made Rishe exhale in relief.

“I’m glad. Aria-chan is doing better, then?”
“All thanks to you. …Which is why, though it’s not nearly enough for thanks, I’ve brought the goods you requested.”
With exaggerated flourish he handed them over, and Rishe accepted with a sigh.
Scanning the contents, she raised her fingers to her lips in astonishment.

“…Incredible. I never imagined you could collect them with such precision.”
“Does it please you?”
“The freshness—yes, noted in the right column. Oldest from half a year ago, the latest last month?”

“Exactly. You can sort by the numbers. Do you see how delayed the Western data is?”
“Yes. And for judging sources, I should use the third sheet?”
“Officially, yes. There are other pieces, not public but shared here for your reference.”

Their discussion moved swiftly, without need of clarifications. After she checked the third sheet, Tally chuckled.
“W-what is it, President?”
“Oh, nothing. Just that you’re far too quick on the uptake. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) Feels like I’m talking with one of my subordinates.”

(Well, once upon a time, I was exactly that…)
Her analytical skills had been honed under Tally in her first life.
(With the president on our side, it really is reassuring.)

The data Tally compiled included coded sections to prevent leaks, but to those who knew the system, it was visually clear and easy to read.
“I’ll make careful use of this information. I promise never to misuse it.”
“I trust you. Just don’t use it in the wrong place.”

When Rishe nodded gravely, Tally smiled in satisfaction.
“Well then, the extra orders for the wedding goods are in hand. My business with you is done.”
Then he cast a glance to the side of the room.

“—So, shall I intervene over there?”
“…”
He nodded toward Harriet, flustered before the heaps of goods, and her lady-in-waiting, standing over her with a fearsome glare.

“No, Princess Harriet, I told you, didn’t I!? His Majesty ordered you to shop freely in Galkhein! To scrimp here would be shameful! They even provided Galkhein gold, and yet you would make only such paltry purchases? Unthinkable!”
“I–I’m sorry…!!”
As the head lady-in-waiting thundered, Harriet shrank smaller and smaller.

Watching, Tally shrugged in exasperation.
“What a waste. That head maid—she’d be a fine woman if she’d just hold her tongue.”
“President Tally.”

“Don’t glare. And that princess there—hiding her face behind her hair. The dress she wears is of fine make, but out of season and outdated.”
Stroking his freshly shaven chin, Tally narrowed his eyes.
“And that fabric—wasn’t it from a country that stopped exporting ten years ago?”

“…So you think so as well, President?”
“You’ve got a good eye too. I won’t say using old cloth is always bad, but…”
Rishe glanced at Harriet, murmuring softly.

“She hides her face… as if her hair were a shield.”
Cracking his neck, Tally muttered back.
“To me, it looks more like a cage.”

“….”
In other words, it imprisoned her.
“President, forgive me, but could I trouble you later to speak with my maid Elsie? And perhaps also have a word with the head lady-in-waiting.”

“Done. Madam, would you like to look at the goods as well?”
“Wha!? No, thank you!”
The sudden approach made the head maid bristle with suspicion.
But Tally only smiled warmly.

“It seems the princess found nothing to her liking today. I’ll return tomorrow. Perhaps you might advise me what would best suit her.”
“W–well, if that is the case…”
Tally sent Rishe a quick glance; she answered with grateful eyes before turning to Harriet.

“Lady Harriet. Was there truly nothing that caught your eye?”
“Ugh…”
She faltered, then suddenly looked up in a panic.

“Ah! N-no, that’s not it! Everything was beautiful—too beautiful. It’s not that I was dissatisfied, not at all…”
Her voice trembled, and Rishe widened her eyes.
(Is she… frightened of something?)

Harriet had just been scolded by her lady-in-waiting.
That might explain it. Yet the feeling didn’t sit right.
(Could she be afraid of shopping itself…? No, surely not.)
“…From the dress’s point of view, it must be thinking, ‘I’d rather decline this buyer.’”

At that odd remark, Harriet drooped further.
“Even if I am human, to think I was in any position to choose a dress—that’s a mistake…”
“L–Lady Harriet?”

“In truth, it isn’t me choosing the dress. It’s the dress choosing me. Just because I happened to be born human, I can’t say, ‘I don’t need it.’ I’m so sorry… so sorry…”
Sinking lower and lower, she whispered at last—
“…If only I could have been a real doll…”

“A… doll?”
Perhaps she hadn’t meant to say it, for her shoulders flinched sharply.
“When I was a child, my mother told me—‘A princess’s duty is to marry for politics. To bear an heir, the next king. And for that, she must become a beloved doll, a woman adored.’”

Rishe’s brows drew together.
“But as you see, I’m human. I can’t do anything well. I irritate those who look at me. Even my face—my eyes make people dislike me.”
Covering her face with both hands, Harriet went on.

“I’m useless at everything… So at least I should keep quiet, stay still, not get in the way.”
“Lady Harriet…”
“…I mustn’t show my unpleasant face. I must look down. I mustn’t speak…”

Her small voice spilled out, surely not meant for anyone’s ears.
Rishe gazed at her, and asked gently—
“That is why you hide your face?”

“B–because if I show it, His Majesty might cancel the marriage. That cannot happen. It is the only meaning my birth has.”
Harriet’s voice shook with tears, yet her words were firm.
“I must fulfill my duty as a doll, through this political marriage…”

It was the voice of someone clinging desperately.
And it was a refrain Rishe herself remembered.
…I have to finish everything by tomorrow.
When she was young, that “education” had been everything.

Ordered sternly by her parents, she had no escape.
Tutor after tutor visited, lessons lasted from morning until late at night, and even alone she faced endless assignments.
Every day was like that, so she had no memories of spending evenings with her parents.
Alone in her room, alone in her bed, waking only to begin another day of queen’s training.
Her world was only the things she had to learn.
And facing them, she had whispered to herself—

I have to. I have to study properly…
She remembered it well—it was her birthday, the thirtieth day of the seventh month.
She was turning six.

The house was dark, everyone else asleep. Rishe sat alone.
The date was about to turn, and no one had blessed the day she was born. She had fallen behind in her lessons—so of course.
She had wanted to cry, but crying was shameful.
So instead she repeated to herself, over and over—
I wasn’t born a boy… So at least, I have to become a queen. Otherwise, my…

She remembered stopping her pen and scrubbing her eyes.
Otherwise… my being born has no meaning…
Rishe closed her eyes.
Then, secretly taking a deep breath, she clapped her hands together sharply.

“Hyah!?”
“Forgive me, Lady Harriet.”
Startled, Harriet looked up, and Rishe smiled brightly.

“Would you spare me a little of your time?”
“Eh…?”