Although Katarina continued talking at the door, I buried my head in the pillows, curling up into a ball on my bed. To begin with, I was all but used to living alone in a small room... So I would continue living like this on my own, and thus never hurt anyone important to me ever again.
After a while, I could no longer hear Katarina’s voice. I suppose she gave up on me, and I deserved it, after not having once responded to her voice. That was all I could think about as I remained alone in the darkness.
“...Keith. Step back from the door.”
I had thought she had given up — but there was Katarina’s voice again. In spite of myself, I turned to look at the locked door, only to see it suddenly splinter and fall to pieces before my very eyes.
At the entrance, silhouetted by the light, was Katarina, with a resolute expression and an axe in hand. Again, I was stunned. Katarina had destroyed the door to my room... and had now stepped into it.
And then...
“I’m sorry for yesterday!!” Katarina was on her knees before my bed, and had lowered her head so deep that it touched the ground. “I’m really sorry for forcing you to use your magic, and for being unreasonable...! And for not listening to your warnings about not touching the golem!! I’m so so sorry for having worried you!!”
I slowly got off from my bed, kneeling next to Katarina. “...Why? Why are you apologizing, Big Sister...? I... I am the one at fault...”
“What are you talking about?! I am the one who was wrong! I asked you to do something you didn’t want to do, Keith!!”
Why did this person approach me again? Why was she saying what she did? I had thought that she would be afraid of me, as I had hurt her with my magic. Even so...
“...A-Are you not... afraid of me, Big Sister...?”
“Afraid?”
“...In my previous abode... I ended up hurting my brothers with my magic. This time, I hurt you, Big Sister... Even though I have strong magical aptitude, I cannot control it well, and I end up hurting people... Even so, are you not afraid of me, Big Sister?”
I told her of the incident that had happened before. With this, I was sure that Katarina would never show herself before me again.
I was... scared. That I would hurt Katarina... but even more so, the possibility that everyone would stare at me with those eyes again. Those eyes filled with fear — just like my previous family’s.
I was... scared. Afraid... of being labeled a monster once more. This was why I refused to meet Katarina’s gaze, even as she stormed straight into my room. If her eyes were filled with fear, I...
I held my breath, awaiting Katarina’s next words.
“Ahh. You meant it that way, I see...”
Those were not the words I was expecting. Confused, I slowly raised my head. My eyes met with hers — Katarina’s aqua-blue eyes.
“If you can’t control your magic... you just have to work hard from now on, right? Soon, father will appoint a magic tutor, and we can be adequately taught! We can even practice our magic together!” Katarina did not have the slightest hint of fear in her eyes. Instead, it was filled with a gentle warmth, accentuated by her slight smile.
“...You will... stay by my side, Big Sister?”
“Of course! I’ll stay with you forever!”
Being alone was painful and sad. I wanted... to be with someone. But no one would stay by my side. If I approached them, they would shout at me, calling me “son of a whore” or “monster.”
I had all but given up and thought that no one would want to be with someone like me.... But there she was; the face of a smiling young girl, saying that we’d be together forever.
“So... even if anything bad happens from here on out, you can’t lock yourself in your room— Keith! What is it?! Does it hurt somewhere?!” Katarina raised her voice in alarm as she looked upon my face.
Wondering why she was so worked up, I raised a hand to my cheek... only to find that it was wet. Tears were streaming from my eyes. Ah, I’m crying. Like I did before, silencing my voice as best as I could, cooped up in those tiny rooms. The tears would flow when things were difficult, or when I was lonely. As they did, my chest would hurt, and I would continue to suffer.
But then... what were these tears? The more I cried, the more my heart was filled with a deep warmth. For the first time in my life, I discovered that people could cry when they were happy, too.
Katarina, apparently worried about me, started to pat me on the back. Such gentle, warm hands. That was all I could think as she continued to console me.
I want to be stay by her side — by Katarina Claes’ side. If possible... I would like to stay forever.
I resolved to master my magic, and be able to control it well — and then I would stay by Katarina’s side and protect her with all my might.
Chapter 3: My First Tea Party, and Some New Friends
And so the seasons passed — soon, it was summer. I, Katarina Claes, was now nine years of age. For my birthday, I received a cute-looking dress from father and a bouquet of flowers from Keith. From my mother, however, I received a mountainous pile of books on manners and social etiquette.
Jeord, for his part, came to me bearing a luxurious gift — a necklace with all sorts of expensive-looking gemstones in it. Of course, there was no way I could accept something like that, and so I refused it as best as I could.
The prince then asked what I would want instead, and after some thought, I decided to ask for watermelon saplings. It would be most fitting for my fields to have some fruit.
As usual, Jeord froze up and remained unmoving momentarily after hearing my request for saplings, but true to his word, did deliver quite a few impressive-looking plants the very next day. Not wanting to waste any time, I quickly had the saplings planted. If the watermelons did bloom and bear fruit, I would be sure to share some with Jeord.
On another note, my father, who doted on me as usual, suggested holding a lavish birthday party for me. Personally I did not want the attention, and so I refused. My mother, agreeing with me on the grounds that I would make an embarrassment of myself, convinced my father to listen to me... for once.
Even so, a party did have to be held when I turned fifteen — a social debut of sorts to maintain the family’s reputation.
My mother, claiming that she would “do something about me by then,” seemed a little too enthusiastic about the process. The very thought of my mother’s already spartan etiquette lessons struck fear into my heart.
I had started training with my long-awaited magical tutor, who claimed that “communicating with one’s origin” was not quite what I was imagining. With that, I realized that tilling the earth and planting fruit was not going to increase my magical powers. Even so, I continued my fieldwork as a hobby.
A few months into our magic training, Keith began to develop a greater sense of control over his magical powers; as expected of my adopted brother. My Earth Raiser, on the other hand, had improved from a two to three centimeter bump. It was now as tall as seven to eight centimeters.
Yes, yes. A great achievement, at least for me. Perhaps I would soon be able to control Earth Golems, just like Keith.
While not exactly perfect, my life continued on peacefully, until...
“...Ahh. Why is it, I wonder?” I said, kneeling down on the field.
I was flanked by Keith, my cute adopted brother, and Prince Jeord, who was now visiting the Claes manor once every three days or so.
“What is it, Big Sister?”
“What is wrong, Katarina?”
Keith and Jeord both piped up, apparently curious.
I pointed out a corner of the field to them in response. “Look at that.”
The plants in that specific corner were terribly wilted, to say the least. Soon, it would be harvest season — the plants in that corner, however, didn’t seem like they would make a very good harvest at all.
“I’ve been taking care of the plants in that corner over there...” I sighed once more, feeling
somewhat down at what I had seen. Why did the plants I care for, and those alone, wilt and die?
To tell the truth, I was not that good at taking care of plants in my previous life either. From morning glory flowers to cucumber plants, anything I touched would eventually wilt.
Even so, I had been reborn! Surely I would be able to raise plants perfectly this time... or so I thought. I gazed upon the plants sadly.
“Big Sister, are you not tired from your field work? Perhaps you should rest here for a while...”
“Yes, yes. It is best that you rest your body, Katarina.”
Both Keith and Jeord spoke to me as I hung my head, both extending their hands, offering to help me up. Their gazes met.
“Prince Jeord. I will lead my Big Sister to shelter — also, it is quite all right if you do not show up for social visits so often.”
“I am Katarina’s future husband, Keith. I will lead her to shelter. In fact, it is quite all right if you do not insist on sticking to Katarina all the time.”
While the two never did meet in the game, both Keith and Jeord now got along very well. They were both smiling, and seemed to have quite a bit of fun throwing the occasional jibe at each other. At the sight of these two cheerful boys before me, I looked towards the corner and sighed once more.
“Oh, my Katarina. We have received an invitation to a tea party. Would you like to attend?” my father asked.
“Tea... party?” I asked, responding while stuffing my face full of bread.
My mother, however, shot me a murderous glance — and with a big gulp, I swallowed the bread as quickly as I could.
“Yes, a tea party. You are now nine, a good age for attending such a function, I would think.”
It was apparently common in this world for nine- or ten-year-olds to attend tea parties, in preparation for their eventual social debut at age fifteen. The main aim, of course, was to let the children of nobles intermingle.
“I suppos—”
“Out of the question! My dear husband, Katarina is hardly armed with the prerequisite manners for such an affair!” my mother snapped, seemingly agitated by my response.
“Well... there is a bit of that, yes, but would she not learn a little if exposed to it? Also, the invitation comes from a relative of mine, you see. They are not exactly outsiders — I think it is a good opportunity for Katarina,” my father said as he shot a sideways glance at me.
Hmm? Did you mean what you said, father? Why the sideways glance?
“...Yes, I suppose you are right... Perhaps she would learn the importance of it all, should she see it in person...” my mother said, turning to me as she did so. Her eyes were blank and hollow.
Why the eyes, mother?!
“Yes, Keith shall attend the party with her as well. We can all rest assured if Keith is with her,” my father said, nodding his head in satisfaction. His expression seemed to suggest that he had come up with a breakthrough of a solution.
My mother readily agreed with him. “...Yes. Yes, that’s right. It’ll be all right if Keith is with her...”
Come to think of it, my adoptive younger brother, who had been working hard at bettering himself, now had great favor with my parents.
“Keith, would you go with Katarina to the tea party?”
“Yes father. I will be most pleased to go with Big Sister.” Keith responded, a refined smile on his face.
Eh? But... But I’m the Big Sister here! Why am I being treated as a no-good problem child who has to be babysat by Keith?
And so, while I had quite a few things to say about these developments, I ended up going with Keith to my very first tea party.
After even more lessons on manners and etiquette with mother, and an endless barrage of tips and warnings, the day of the tea party finally arrived. On this day, my father had me wear a newly-tailored dress. I accompanied Keith to the home of Marquess Hunt, the host of the party.
“Lady Katarina, Master Keith. Thank you very much for attending our family’s tea party today.”
These words were delivered unto us by none other than Lillian Hunt, the eldest daughter of the Hunt family. With her honey-colored hair and eyes, she was a young girl of fourteen, almost ready for her social debut.
Standing behind her were three young girls, whom I assumed to be her sisters. If memory served, there were four daughters in the Hunt family roster.
Lillian’s sisters introduced themselves in order of seniority — the second, then the third. Both of these two girls resembled their oldest sister. I returned their curtsies and bows as best as I could, recalling what my mother had so desperately taught me.
After three of the four sisters had greeted us, a fourth girl with a somewhat shy and hesitant demeanor came forward. “...H-Hello... It is n-nice to meet you. I am the... fourth sister, M-Mary Hunt...”
The girl introduced herself with an impossibly soft voice. Unlike her sisters, her hair and eyes were a deep shade of red — almost a burnt sienna. She was, however, beautiful in her own right — with her big eyes and well-shaped pink lips.
Mary did her curtsies and bows, prompting me to respond in kind. Immediately after, however, she retreated behind her sisters, disappearing from view.
...Is it because of my face? Because I look like some sort of villainess? True, perhaps I do look like a villainess, but that doesn’t mean I should be treated in such a fashion!
I felt a slight tinge of sadness in my heart as the Hunt sisters excused themselves, apparently off to greet their other guests.
A few rules for this tea party had been drilled into my mind by mother. For starters, I was not to talk too much, and should instead maintain a slight smile at all times. In addition, I was also not supposed to stuff my mouth full of snacks and candies, nor should I make uncouth slurping sounds when drinking my tea.
That wasn’t all — above all else, I could not hike up my dress and run about, even if I could not execute any of the above. My mother made it a point to stuff as many of these rules as she could into my ears.
This was why I, on this day of all days, tried to smile as elegantly as possible, and to sip my tea in a most ladylike fashion. After all, this tea party was a simulation of the formalities involved in the great social debuts we all had to eventually attend.
The Hunt sisters, still making their rounds and issuing the appropriate greetings, did not sit down for tea. Similarly, Keith and I had to do the same thing — before I knew it, we had walked around the room in many, many circles, and I was starting to get somewhat tired. Only then did we stop for tea.
Personally, I felt like I had put in quite the effort, so surely a single cookie would not hurt? I reached out to the tray.
Oh? What is this? This is a most delicious cookie.
Hmm. One more wouldn’t hurt.
And another.
Oh ho? Do I spy a muffin on that tray?
I shall try one.
In fact, there seemed to be quite a lot of snacks left — the other guests, seemingly lost in conversation, had hardly touched these trays of treats.
What a waste! I should have brought along a small box of sorts, so that I may take home some of these snacks with me. Perhaps I could borrow one from the Hunts?
“Big Sister.”
“...K-Keith?!”
Out of nowhere, my adopted brother materialized behind my back. Adequately surprised, I jumped in response. We had become separated while making our rounds, but before I knew it, Keith was standing right behind me.
“You surprised me, Keith! Are the introductions all over now?”
“Yes, they are mostly done. More importantly, Big Sister... why are you just standing here?”
“Umm...”
“You would not, perchance, be thinking of bringing back these leftover snacks in a small box of sorts, would you?”
“?!”
How is he so amazing?! What are you, some sort of esper? A psychic perhaps? Truly amazing. How did he know exactly what I was thinking?!
&nb
sp; “That’s amazing, Keith! You know me so well!”
“...It is not a matter of me knowing you well, Big Sister. If you really went and did something like that, the class and upbringing of the Claes family would be severely called into question... Also, Big Sister, mother would surely ban you from eating any and all sorts of snacks for quite a while in retaliation.”
“...Ugh. You’re right...”
In fact, my mother had reacted this way a few days ago, when I picked up a fallen cookie from the ground and promptly ate it during an etiquette training session, citing the three-second rule. My mother, of course, prohibited me from eating any and all snacks for three entire days.
With that in mind, I could only imagine what would happen should I ask the Hunts for a box and come home with leftovers — a week-long ban, perhaps?
That... would be most regrettable. As unfortunate as it was, I had to dismiss the idea of taking these snacks home. In response, however, I stuffed my face full of whatever snacks I could get my hands on, having long forgotten the promise I had made with my mother.
Keith did try to warn me many times. Each time, however, the exchange went the same way. “Have you not had enough, Big Sister?” — “Oh, just a little more...” I would say as I continued gorging myself.
After all, it would be a tremendous waste to simply leave these snacks sitting around. And they were such delicious snacks!
Ah, truly delicious. This one over here too, just one more...
Predictably, a familiar pain soon invaded my abdomen — a telltale sign that I had eaten way too many cookies, candies, snacks, and the like. After reassuring the worried Keith that I was fine, all the while with a laughable expression on my face, I took off running to search for the washroom.
Upon locating a servant, I asked them for the location of the washroom. I had to turn down their offer of guidance, however, running off in another direction on my own. I would never make it in time if I were elegantly guided by a servant.
While I was relieved that I had located the washroom in time, my mad dash towards it had left me not remembering the way back to the reception area. Although the Marquess Hunt’s manor was nowhere near as large as my father’s, it was, for all intents and purposes, a large dwelling. It didn’t take me long to realize that I could not possibly hope to return by my own ability.
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, Volume 1 Page 8