Otome Game Rokkushuume, Automode ga Kiremashita - Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Normally when you bet something on a match, it should be something that both people are competing for . Something both people want a lot, right?

            I have never gambled before nor have I ever bet something on a showdown before . Mariabell used her political power to get her hands on anything and everything she wanted and failed in the end . Maybe I just don’t understand gambling, though I do understand the feeling of wanting to compete for a free giveaway .

            In any case, if the winner sees no value in the prize, then the match is over automatically, right?

            Personally, I don’t want the match to happen, so I’ll try to decline .

            “Um… I think there’s a misunderstanding? I was listed as a candidate before, but it should already be cancelled . ”

            At least, Runa himself had said that it probably would be someone else . I don’t know how much influence a prince has on choosing his fiancée, but I had been denying rumors because I trusted him… Although it seems my denials haven’t spread much . Give me a break!

            “Cancelled… What happened for the favored candidate to have such a misunderstanding…”

            “……”

            That’s my line, what kind of misunderstanding do you have .

            Favored candidate? Those are words foreign to me .

            “If I’m not mistaken, there are plenty of fiancée candidates for Runa-sama and there are names that have stood out . But… no one is on the same level as you . ”

            That doesn’t matter to me at all . I certainly am of the highest level in terms of lineage, but I don’t have any talents that could be of use to the country . If I were good at something, I would first use them to do something about my destruction flags . Furthermore, Runa is a minefield of destruction flags .

            What kind of person would charge into a bomb?

            “Right now, there are two likely candidates to become Runa-sama’s fiancée . One is you and the other is… me . ”

            My shoulders suddenly felt heavy from the gravity of her words .

            I should have broken the flag long ago… The flag I had put my all into breaking was still alive . Furthermore, I wasn’t just a candidate but the favored one . Is this hell!?

            And, Christine-sama was causing mayhem with this truth right in front of me .

            There wasn’t… . supposed to be this kind of development in the game . Could it be, Mariabell forced the other candidates to yield to become Runa’s official fiancée? It’s possible . She did have the political power and the personality for it .

            Otherwise, if the heroine chose a target besides Runa then the fiancée wouldn’t be Mariabell, but someone else . In the end, the prince had to marry someone out of duty if he didn’t end up with the heroine . Part of his job is to make blood ties .

            I only know that in the future of the hero and heroine, Mariabell will be showered with misfortune . I don’t know anything else besides that .

            And, while the heroine is not here, the game won’t begin so I cannot do anything . Villainesses sure are unreasonable . Be gentle with me, I did enough work for five people .

            “I’m surprised . There have been candidates who have stood out until now, but none of them were a match for me . ”

            Christine-sama became Runa’s fiancée candidate before I was even proposed as one . Before she was old enough to understand what was happening, she was already being raised to become Runa’s fiancée . Although she was still only a candidate, her surroundings thought it was already 90% decided and that her status was just a formality . It looks like she thought so too .

            The reason why Runa had rejected me must have been because of Christine-sama’s existence .

            As I thought, Mariabell had definitely used under-handed methods to get the candidacy . How could she do things like that… If Christine-sama becomes the fiancée then I can be done with being a villainess . It’s one thing to hear about being exiled to a foreign country but it actually happening can cost you your life, okay!

            “That’s why this time also, your presence didn’t bother me . I had confidence that no matter who my opponent was, I’d be chosen in the end . There wasn’t anyone more suitable for Runa-sama than me… At least that’s what I thought . ”

            For Runa’s sake, so that she would look his equal, she had put in every possible amount of work . She has the etiquette to stand next to the prince, the future king, as a princess as well . The time she’s spent and her feelings, she had confidence that she would lose to no one . That’s confidence for you .

            The moment she has been pouring everything into for had almost come and she didn’t think it was just a dream .

            Like a comet, another favorite appeared . The rumors followed her around, Tempest family’s gorgeous daughter .

            Mariabell Tempest… Me .

            “Hearing about you, I investigated you immediately . Lineage, appearance, ability… I researched it all . I understood why you were the strongest candidate .   You certainly are an existence suitable to stand next to Runa-sama . ”

            I’m being praised, right? Christine-sama surely thinks there is no higher form of praise than what she is saying .

            But I’m not even 1 micron happy . Every word and phrase coming out of her mouth has been a brutal blow, so I’m on the verge of dying .

            “That’s why… I want to have a match . Fair and square, for the right to be by Runa-sama’s side . ”

            Her train of thought was impossible for me to understand .

            Let’s say, for the sake of argument, I was a suitable fiancée for Runa . I really don’t acknowledge that at all, but I have to to move this conversation along . I don’t actually think I am at all .

            Even if it were true, what’s the point of having a match? If I have to marry Runa, I’ll surely die . The only thing waiting for me if I become his fiancée is death itself . Isn’t that the complete opposite of happiness?

            It’s extremely unfortunate that I am somehow the favored candidate but, I will do whatever it takes to wipe that notion away . My life is literally at stake, after all .

            Honestly, for me, Christine-sama’s existence is my salvation . She’s like a goddess descending from the heavens .

            If she continues at this rate and becomes Runa’s fiancée, then I’ll have one less destruction path to worry about . With just a small step, I can go from diving headfirst towards the heroine to being completely safe .  And Runa can have a happy future . Talk about two birds with one stone . Although 90% of that is at my convenience .

            “The prize for winning Ozcon isn’t much, so having the fiancée candidacy on the line should be in your favor . It’s the best stage for our battle . ”

            Certainly in terms of appearances, it’s hard to say who is superior between the two of us . If someone finds someone beautiful then there is surely someone who thinks the opposite . Supposing the majority decided the outcome, a contest that can give concrete placements could influence a fiancée selection .

            A royalty’s fiancée should have a good face but her social status and ability, no matter how trivial the difference, can become an important factor . Although I really don’t care, I want nothing to do with this .

            “If it’s you, you’ll easily pass the preliminary judging . ”

            “No, Um… I don’t want to have a match…”

            If I am still a candidate, I can’t clearly reject being his fiancée . My words could be misconstrued to be disparagement or disrespect to the prince… People who aren’t in danger of being served a full course of destruction can throw someone else under the bus easily with little evidence . For some reason, distorted facts spread further and faster than true ones and people tend to believe the information they hear first .

            That’s why I have to be indirect, but if I don’t clearly decline, then misunderstandings will scatter . The best option is to avoid mentioning Runa, fiancée candidacy, and other delicate matters and just straight up avoid the match . A pointless fight would be born otherwise . I guess someone like me who was just a sacrifice for the heroine’s happiness has no persuasive power .

            “Are you scared?”

            “Eh?”

            “That you’ll lose and Runa-sama will be taken from you . ”

            Actually it’s the opposite you know, kidnap him right now and I wouldn’t care . Wait, he’s not even mine, I don’t need him .

            “N-no, that’s not it… I didn’t know I was still a candidate . And something like marriage… I can’t even imagine that right now . ”

            If I could, I would declare that I’m cancelling my candidacy . I’ll even sign a pledge . I want to tell the world that I won’t marry Runa .

            If I did that, my candidacy would be erased for sure but, at the same time my existence would be erased . Just like Mariabell .

            I laughed to show her I wasn’t trying to trick her and I tried to let out a bitter smile . I wanted her to think it wasn’t about Runa, but that I as an individual had never imagined being his fiancée . Honestly, I really can’t imagine something like marriage .

            “… Everyone always says that in the beginning . ”

            She said in a low voice . I could hear traces of sadness and anger in her tone . Disappointment… She wasn’t saying that to me or anyone at all but to herself .

            A wrinkle formed on her smooth brow . Her confident atmosphere had fallen . It looks like my statement made her think of something .

            “In the beginning everyone acts humble . Because they’ll be seen as pure hearted that way . They’ll act humble and modest, putting up a pure act… They only keep up that appearance in the beginning though . ”

            A prince’s fiancée . What I saw in Christine-sama, who was the closest person to that glorious position, was what I detested most .

            Before, Mariabell had caused trouble for her surroundings with her lies, selfishness, and malice . It’s not rare in the social world but just because something is common doesn’t mean it should be tolerated .

            I can understand why Christine-sama doubts me so much . It would be dangerous to accept my words without any questions . I also thought so .

            I’m not mad or sad that she doubts me .

            It is extremely bothersome for me . Because, my words really are my true feelings… No, I did sugar-coat my true feelings instead of directly declining . I want to show my true feelings—double meanings are bad . Realistically, it’ll be bad for me later .

            “But, that doesn’t concern me . Your words are lies and you want to increase your standing as a fiancée candidate . It’s a fact that you have that sort of disposition . ”

            Please stop, if you don’t understand me then the conversation can’t move forward!

            I can’t believe it . My intentions weren’t conveyed to her at all . Christine-sama steeled herself and then thrust a ticket straight to hell at me .

            “You or anyone else, I will definitely win… I’ll win fairly and I’ll be the one standing next to Runa-sama . ”