I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History

For a few moments, I was at a loss for words.

I was uncertain if I could be “Alicia Williams” as usual if I went out in front of everyone here and now.

In front of Duke-sama, I would expose my weakness.

Besides, I wondered if I could be myself in front of Victor. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to be in front of those two right now.

“Alicia-sama?”

Sheena peeked lightly at me, who didn’t respond.

She looked at me with an expression as if she were worried about a little girl. …I didn’t want to have this look directed at me.

…I didn’t want to say that I wasn’t confident enough to be “Alicia Williams”.

I should be “Alicia Williams” at all times. Even if it would lead me to isolation, I would love it.

I pulled myself together and composed my feelings. I would never let people know that I had lost someone important to me.

“Yes, of course.”

Sheena froze for a moment at hearing my assured voice, then laughed in astonishment.

“Someone else besides Kushana has eyes like these…. One person I can’t get my head around is enough.”

She blurted out, then turned her serious eyes on me.

“That strong will of yours will continue to make Alicia-sama grow in the future. However, that will be a double-edged sword.”

I was unable to understand what Sheena was trying to say, even though I seemed to understand the point she was trying to make.

Could it be that this will of mine could sometimes be a hindrance to my dreams? 

I still did not know what the future held for me. If it could be a factor that helped me grow at the moment, then I would utilize it.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I straightened my back and walked out of the room.

At that moment, I was suddenly hugged tightly by a large body. I didn’t know what was going on, and I let out a “what”?

…What’s going on? 

I looked at Victor and Leon, who were staring at me wide-eyed, while Kushana looked at us calmly without changing her expression, as if she knew what was about to happen.

It took me a few moments to realize that I was in Duke-sama’s strong embrace.

I didn’t expect Duke-sama to act like this. He was supposed to be the Cool Prince….

If I told my brothers about this, they would say, “You’re dreaming, aren’t you?” I’m sure they’d say so.

“I’m glad you’re alive.”

The words that came out of Duke-sama’s mouth made me realize that he really did care about me from the bottom of his heart.

I was confident that Kushana had told him that there was a chance that I would lose my life on that training ground. If I had lost to Uncle Will as it was, I would have died in the flower field.

I was not so bad to be loved by a prince, I thought.

“Thank you for your concern.”

As soon as I said that, Leon was staring at me and at his “Master.”

“Your eyes…”

At Leon’s words, I was released from Duke-sama’s large arms.