The Villainess’ Beloved Plan: The Struggles to Avoid a Doomed End

　Sophia was having a relaxing tea time, looking through the glass at the swimming pool reserved exclusively for guests of the Royal Suite. The Queen Amiliana had left the port of Caesars in Verhund two days earlier. The route was the same as the one to Glastona, which took five days.

The sun shining through the glass was warm, probably because the ship was still further south from Glastona.

Sophia kept down her teacup and picked up the book on the side table.

Orion is in her room, she said she was going to take a nap, and Isolte was choosing a dress for tonight’s opera.

TL: Remember that Orion is actually a girl pretending to be a Man and also crossdressing as a man too. So sometimes I will refer to her as a woman or a Man depending on the context

After lunch, Randall started some small talk with Johannes. He had been away from the manor for a long time and will probably have a lot to do when he returns.

    When Sofia opened her book, the service staff dedicated to the royal suite offered her more tea and bite-sized baked goods on the table.

To be honest, she was a little scared of sea traveling, partly because the last time she was dropped overboard, but she really needed a ship to get back to Glastona. She concluded that it would be safer to stay in the Queen Amiliana’s Royal Suite than to use any other ship.

“Sophia, I told you not to always be alone.”

As Sophia was  reading, she raised her head when she heard a voice with a slight mixture of irritation. Sophia was taken aback when she turned around and saw Randall.

“… We are  going to be a Proper husband and wife from now on.”

It had been many days since Randall had said that, but Sophia still didn’t know what a “Proper Couple” meant, and she didn’t understand what Randall was trying to say.

But was it after that statement? Or was it before that? Sophia was not sure about that, but it was probably not her imagination that Randall seemed to have become kinder.

Randall sat down on the deck chair next to Sophia and asked the service staff for  coffee.

“I thought this would be fine here, it’s just around the corner from my room…”

Randall let out a small sigh when she answered nervously, wondering if he would get angry at her for wandering around alone.

“If you’re close by, give me a shout if you can. I’d be worried.”

“Uh, Okay.”

She was inadvertently startled by Randall’s use of the word “worried’.

Until now, she has been told not to “bring disgrace to the Dukes of Voltio” or “act selfishly”, but lately, instead of those words, he’s been using the word “worry” a lot more often.

‘Somehow, I feel… like he cares about me.’

She didn’t know what kind of change of heart Randall had. However, Randall who had been so evasive and rarely came home, recently has been paying attention to Sophia.

Sophia closed the book as Randall arrived.

“Three more days and we will be in Glastona.”

“Right. I’ve caused trouble for Kyle, so I have to apologize when I get home.”

Kyle had returned to Glastona ahead of Sophia to a report on the situation after she fell into the sea. She felt really bad for ruining Kyle’s trip and really sorry for what she did.

When Sophia mentioned Kyle’s name, Randall frowned.

‘Oh, I haven’t seen that crease between his eyebrows in a long time.’

Not long ago, Randall was always in a bad mood, but recently he seemed to be in a good mood and had a peaceful expression on his face every day. It had been many days since she had seen the wrinkles between his eyebrows.

“You care so much about Kyle?”

“Huh?”

 Sophia asked when she couldn’t catch what he said in a whisper, 

He turned away and said, “It’s nothing.”

Perhaps she had offended him?

As she was wondering if she should apologize, Randall turned his face away and blurted out again …　

“Do you like Kyle?”

The words blurted out were audible this time, so Sophia tilted her head and answered.

” Of course, Kyle, he’s a nice guy.”

Kyle is a dear friend. Randall’s expression suddenly clouded as he casually replied.

“… I see.”

‘Hey, why are is he down?’

Sophia’s head was filled with questions as Randall had clearly lost his energy. 

   Liana, the service staff member who brought Randall’s coffee, giggled as she sets the cup down on the table, and then softly chimed in to Sophia. Liana was a petite, bright woman in her mid-20s.

“Mistress. he is jealous because you said in front of your husband that you like another man.”

“Jealous?”

Somehow, that word didn’t suit Randall.

It is impossible for Randall to be jealous. But his emotions was certainly down.

When Sophia looked at Liana as if asking for help, she smiled and whispered softly into Sophia’s ear.

‘Should I say this?’

When she asked with a look, Liana showed a big nod.

Sophia tiltted her head and spoke to Randall, whose expression was dark.

“Of course I like Randall too”

She said exactly what Liana instructed her to say, which was embarrassing.

As Sophia, who was suddenly embarrassed after saying it, let her gaze wander, Randall looked up.

“…I see.”

‘Huh? Is he in a better mood now?’

She wasn’t sure, but she suspected his mood improved.

When she looked at Liana, she gave her a thumbs-up and smiled with an expression that said, “See?” 

‘What was that all about?’

Sophia, who thought that Randall would never be jealous, was still not sure, but she was glad that his mood seemed to have improved for the time being.

   She handed Randall a plate of baked goods and asked him if he wanted some.

“I heard there’s an opera tonight.”

“So I hear.”

It was really strange to be able to have a friendly chat with Randall.

‘Are we making progress towards a lovey-dovey couple uncounciously?’

Sophia had a negative start, not to mention a zero likability, but before she knew it, the negative amount had been made up and she felt as if she had gained a positive one.

Sophia was so happy that she put a pistachio macaroon in her mouth and smiled at Randall.

Immediately afterwards, she felt that Randall’s cheeks were slightly stained, but that was probably due to the sunlight.

　Watching them, Liana gave a small smile and quietly stepped back to the wall so as not to disturb the newlyweds.