Volume 1, Extra: Gilbert’s melancholy
Translated by Momo. Unedited.
This is an episode that happened about 5 years before the story began--
There are some people I really hate.
Basically, my parents and older brothers that I haven’t met since I came to the Silvy household. There’s also Ell, the gardener, who has clearly set his eyes on my stepsister. Hans, the soldier that was teaching her swordplay, and Donnie, the one who’s probably going to be the next steward in the mansion and has gained her complete trust. I hate him.
I also hate these adults who come to fawn and greet me, an eleven-year-old boy, at today’s aristocratic social event organized by the Royal family, just because I have been introduced as the Silvy Duchy heir. I despise these young ladies with whom I have to smile and dance. But amongst them all, the one that I can’t really stand is--
“Hey, Gilbert. You came too.”
“Your Highness.”
Oscar Abel Prospere.
The Crown Prince of this kingdom and my stepsister’s fiance. I don’t like this guy.
He makes his way around straight into my direction, with a gentle smiling face. “Cold” and “overbearing” were supposed to be his remarkable traits, but now it sounded like something from a distant past.
“It’s been three months since I last saw you at the Spring garden reception, right? How have you been doing? Are you in good health?”
“Yes, fortunately. Your Highness seems to be doing well too.”
“Well, it’s just as usual.”
I dislike how he can look down at me since he’s about one head taller. Compared to last year, it seems he grew up quite well again. Even though I’m also in my growth period…when I think about it, I still couldn’t catch up to him.
I display my best manners and put a smile on my face.
“I heard about the campaign to suppress the Melt rebellion in the southeast. It seems that Your Highness was the one who planned it, right?”
“I only came up with the initial idea, it was Marquis Girardin, who is the Chief of staff that elaborated the strategy plan for it. I’m still inexperienced and I don’t have the influence to interfere in this kind of politics yet.”
“Even though it was only a suggestion, it was such a praiseworthy idea that my father has complimented Your Highness’ performance greatly.”
“I’m really glad to hear that. But I’m sure that Gilbert would come up with an even better solution. The excellence of the Silvy Duchy's heir is a well-spread account and has also reached my father’s ears.”
“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
Even though he was exceptionally hardworking and accomplished, he always made sure to acknowledge others like this. I also dislike that part of him. If only he had stayed forever like before, an overbearing autocratic prince, that would have made it so much easier for me to hate him.
(And I thought I could break up their relationship by exaggerating about sis’ conditions...)
But as usual, life never goes as expected.
His highness approached me and asked in a low voice.
“By the way, has Cecilia been well?”
“Yes…”
“If it’s like that, can I meet her…?”
“That’s impossible.”
The main reason why I hate His Highness. It’s exactly THIS.
This guy has an unrequited love towards my stepsister. Not only that, but he fell in love with her at first sight when they were only six years old, and he has been like that since that time.
No matter how many times I tell him, he is super persistent. I really want him to just give it up…
“You... Can’t you just give up and let us meet already?”
“Your Highness must be aware that’s not up to my discretion to decide upon it, but my sister’s condition is simply not in a state that she can meet you.”
“But you just said she was doing well…”
“That’s why I’m saying it’s because she has declined your invitations so far that she’s doing good.” As I said that, he pursed his lips and retorted miffed.
“Doesn’t that mean she’s healthy?”
“She’s healthy enough to deal with her daily lifestyle.”
“In that case…”
“To meet Your Highness it would exhaust both her wellness and strength.” fre(e)webno(v)el
I deliberately make it sound as my stepsister does not want to see him. Even with that, this guy doesn’t give up.
“......Just tell Cecilia that she doesn’t have to worry about any formalities or etiquette at all.”
“Your Highness must be aware that regarding your title and position, that’s just impossible…”
“But we are in a relationship in which someday we’ll become a married couple, this sort of solemnity is unnece--...”
“As for now, you’re like complete strangers.” That voice filled with scorn was so low that it even surprised me. I won’t let them get married. I intend to crush this engagement with all my might.
Faced with my stubbornness, he withdrew. Perhaps he realized it would be meaningless to ask anything more from me.
“I understand that it’s impossible for us to meet for the time being. In that case, is it okay to ask you once again to deliver some get-well gifts to her? This time, I tried to choose some things that girls around her age would appreciate.”
“...It’s all right.”
I couldn't simply refuse a hand-picked gift from the Crown Prince, so as the social gathering finished I ended up bringing it home with me and proceeded to head to my stepsister's bedroom.
My stepsister is lying sideways on the bed, faking a temporary illness.
"Gil, welcome back!"
"I'm home."
I was welcomed with a big smile and my chest was filled with warmth. I can't even recall the unpleasant mood I had before. I handed the box I received from His Highness to her.
"This is from a noble that was worried about sis, who couldn't attend the social gathering."
It wasn't a lie. After all, the Royal family is definitely also a part of the nobility.
"Wow! Is it from the same person as before? Yaaay! Lucky!"
She looked really happy about it. That reaction annoyed me.
Every time I brought back a gift from His Highness, she reacted the same way.
"This person and I have very similar tastes."
Her cheeks slackened into a wide smile when she said that.
I also dislike this trait of His Highness. Even though he hasn't met her for so many years, he always chooses presents that my stepsister loves. And this time too…
"Wooow! It's a delicious looking chiffon cake! Gil, please thank that person for me."
It seems this gift also hit the jackpot again.
As my stepsister stared happily at the chiffon cake, she lightly pulled my sleeve.
"Hey, Gil..."
"What?"
"Can we have the cake together now without telling mom and dad? We can have a secret nightly tea party, it's definitely going to be fun!"
I unconsciously nodded at her that was foolishly smiling just like a mischievous child. But being spoiled like this without any disapproval was bad. I also have my own pride.
"...You'll get fat."
When she heard my unpleasant remark, her cheeks bulged up.
"...Fine then. Just half a piece."
"Even if you say it, every single time, sis ends up just eating everything, in the end, right?"
"Why do you have to tease me like that! Isn't it because Gil always offers me a bit more?"
"It's because sis is always staring eagerly whenever I'm eating my share...so..."
"Uuuuh..."
Maybe because I teased her too much, she pouted disappointedly. If things went on like this, she would probably be sulking for the rest of the night.
I took the box with the chiffon cake from her hands and stood up.
"Gil?"
As she looked up, I smiled towards her.
"It's fine if it's just one slice, right? I'll cut a piece for you so just wait here. Do you want the same black tea as usual?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
There's nothing else I can do when she looks so joyful like that. Things like this just ended up piling up and in the end, I became unable to refuse any of her requests. I leave her room carrying the boxed cake. I head to the kitchen with light and fluttering steps.
I dislike His Highness.
But today, I feel a bit of appreciation towards him.
Only 5 years until the destined day arrives--
afterword
First, I would like to thank everyone who has purchased this book. If you read "The villainess, Cecilia Silvy doesn't want to die so she decided to crossdress" and this work has made you laugh, gave you some heart squeeze and brought up a little excitement to your life, then that was all I hoped for! Also, I would like to thank the publishers and my editor Y who did their best to print this work. And DanMill who drew such wonderful illustrations. Thank you very much!
When I was publishing the novel, it was around the middle of GW[1]. I always visit my family during GW so I thought it would be interesting to write a story about the characters travelling together. If I used a hot spring resort setting, then I could write about the troubles that would happen while they're naked or maybe write about Gil and Oscar being honest and having a "naked talk"[2] (LOL). I would also like to write about Cecilia and Leanne having a "girl's talk".
I kept wondering how fun it would be to write those stories someday…
Well then, until we meet again, I hope you're all having a good time[3].
Akizakura Hiroro
This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com