010 Cynthia Violetta

"Is something the matter?"

Cynthia had a smile on her face, but I knew better. Beneath that graceful mask, she likely harbored a loathing for me so deep it was a miracle I hadn't dropped dead on the spot.

I desperately scoured my memories, mapping out the timeline in my head. I needed to know exactly what our relationship was at this point in the story.

Then, it hit me.

...Oh, god. This is the absolute worst.

"It has been a long time, Lady Cynthia," I managed to say. "Since… that incident, hasn't it?"

"Yes, it has."

By "that," I meant the laundry list of misdeeds I had committed against her.

Even before they had enrolled in the Academy, Weiss and Cynthia had been on terrible terms. The reason for that was simple: my predecessor’s predatory personality. At a previous noble ball, Weiss had invited Cynthia to dance. Up to that point, it hadn't been an issue—it was actually quite gentlemanly.

The nightmare began afterward. He had tried to force her into a private room to make her his "possession." He had even used his higher family rank to coerce her into coming with him. According to the game’s script, he hadn’t gone all the way to the end, but he had apparently showered her with vile verbal abuse and laid his hands on her.

In other words, there was only one thing for me to do.

"I haven’t forgotten what happened back then—"

"…I am truly sorry, Cynthia."

I bowed my head deeply.

I had committed an act utterly unbecoming of a nobleman; an apology was the bare minimum. I knew this wasn't the right time or place for such a gesture, but I needed to convey to her that I had reflected on my actions.

Of course, I hadn't actually done any of those things, but the "me" of the past had. I didn't quite understand the metaphysics of it all, but it was my mess to clean up regardless.

"…What’s going on? Is Weiss-sama actually bowing his head?"

"What happened?"

"Did he offend Lady Cynthia? No, that’s impossible…"

The onlookers who noticed our interaction began to buzz with hushed excitement. Cynthia tried to get me to raise my head immediately, but I maintained my sorrowful expression and apologized again.

"I was immature. Everything was my fault. I won't be so bold as to ask for your forgiveness; I simply wanted to show you my sincerity."

"…I see… But I can’t forgive you completely. Not after what you did."

What did I do, exactly? I couldn't exactly ask that.

However, her anger seemed to have subsided at least a little, as Cynthia now looked somewhat apologetic herself. I was the notorious "trash-tier villain noble," and I had just bowed to a woman in public. In the context of this world, that was a massive scandal.

If I could just make a quick exit now, everything would be perfect. As long as she didn't actively want me dead, the probability of my eventual ruin would plummet.

"Weiss-sama, why were you bowing?"

Naturally, Lilith made her triumphal return at the absolute worst possible moment.

"…I caused Lady Cynthia a great deal of trouble in the past. I was just apologizing for it."

"Is that so? Well, if Weiss-sama says so, then I shall apologize as well. Lady Cynthia, please accept my sincerest apologies."

"Lilith, you don't need to—"

"Nonsense. I am Weiss-sama’s maid, after all."

Lady Cynthia looked stunned. Her image of me was likely that of the lowest, most atrocious, bottom-of-the-barrel noble in existence. Seeing someone like Lilith so devoted to me must have been a massive shock to her system.

I tried to leave before the scene grew any larger, but for some reason, Cynthia reached out and grabbed my arm.

"…Won't you dance with me?"

"Huh?"

At noble parties, impromptu dances break out all the time.

Unfortunately, even with all my training, Teacher Milk hadn't taught me a single thing about dancing. I mean, I wouldn't have minded dancing with Teacher Milk, but if I ever tried to hit her with a "Shall we dance?", she’d probably kick me into the middle of next week.

As I fumbled through some clumsy steps while trying to mimic the other guests, Cynthia actually looked… happy?

This was wrong. What on earth was happening?

"Your dancing has become much worse than before, hasn't it?"

"O-Oh, uh, do you think so?"

One, two, three… I could feel Lilith’s gaze drilling into me from the sidelines, and it felt incredibly sharp.

But seriously, what was with this change in atmosphere? I knew I’d apologized, but could her heart really change this quickly?

"Do you mean to say you want me to let everything from the past be water under the bridge?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah. That’s the idea."

I must have done something truly heinous for her to finally let it go, I thought.

"Does that include the fact that you said you loved me?"

"…Excuse me?"

"Don't play dumb with me. You told me you fell in love with me at first sight, remember? It was far too sudden back then, and I was quite annoyed because your phrasing was so prickly and your attitude was so arrogant… but I’m not entirely unwilling."

"I… beg your pardon?"

I forced my brain to work at maximum capacity. Wait, did I really say that?!

But even so, would someone really forgive a person that easily? No, wait. Think. This world might be real now, but it was originally a game. And she was a heroine. Heroines in these kinds of stories often had a very specific, innate trait…

They were "Choroins"—the easy-access heroines.

Looking at Cynthia’s face again, her cheeks were flushed a deep red. She was wearing a perfectly natural, beautiful smile.

I see. When you really think about it, the speed at which girls fall for the protagonist in games and anime is usually lightning-fast. In other words, she was no exception.

Wait, does this mean that by changing my attitude, I’ve accidentally triggered a plot flags?!

Just then, the music stopped.

"Oh, it seems the dance is over."

"U-Uh, Lady Cynthia, what I meant was—"

"My father is calling for me. To be honest, I had heard rumors that you had changed. I was curious, but it seems they were true. You really have reflected from the bottom of your heart… We shall have to meet again, just the two of us."

Cynthia swept away gallantly. I had a sinking feeling that things had gone horribly wrong. There were supposed to be countless events where the protagonist and Cynthia got close. If those were all… no, I didn't even want to think about it.

And what did she mean by "just the two of us"?

Right then, I felt a heavy tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Lilith standing there, her face a mask of cold, expressionless void.

"Weiss-sama… did you have a fun time?"

"Y-You’re scaring me, Lilith."

If I got too close to Cynthia, the protagonist's events would vanish, and the world would deviate even further. I decided right then and there: I wouldn't meet her again. No matter what happened, I would avoid her at all costs.

My son, Weiss, had wasted no time in finding a lady to his liking.

The two of them had looked so happy dancing together. His partner was the famous Lady Cynthia; if I recalled correctly, they were the same age.

Perfect. I think it’s time I lent the boy a hand.

Weiss was always so timid when it came to these things, after all. Perhaps I would set up a formal dinner party for them soon.

I was sure he’d be delighted.