The Villainess Wants To Be A Sidekick - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Senephin, Why Did You Apologize?

Lumins suddenly posed his question to me out of nowhere, catching me off guard. I could only manage to stare blankly into his golden irises while my brain struggled to formulate some kind of response.

Why had I apologized?

Well, the events between Senephin and Velkina thus far were not my fault, but they became my responsibility once I inhabited Senephin’s body.

Moreover, I was confused as to why he was even here and asking me such a question. This type of situation was light years away from happening when compared to the events I recalled in the original game.

How many times did the game even have a scene where Senephin and Lumins spoke properly to one another like this in the first place?

I continued to stare nervously at him, unsure of how to answer, but then the doorbell rang at the opportune time.

“Miss Senephin…!”

Our newest visitor was one whom we had already been expecting. Velkina ran to my bedside as soon as Lumins opened the door and gazed anxiously into my eyes as if to confirm for herself that I was really alright. Her crying face looked so pretty that my heart fluttered a little. As expected of the heroine…

“Wow, calm down, Velkina. You’re visiting a patient while you yourself also haven’t fully recovered. It won’t do you any good to rush at her like that.”

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as Lumins lightly scolded her, and she meekly shuffled away from the bed to give me some space.

“A, ah, umm… There’s nothing to worry about, Lady Velkina. I’m okay now. Really, I’m just glad that you’re safe.”

Otherwise, without Velkina, the future of this continent will be doomed. For the sake of this land’s survival as well Lumins’, her presence was indispensable. I was just glad I was able to save her in time.

“Also, I told you yesterday to drop the honorifics, Lady Velkina. I don’t want to be a mean person anymore.”

“Miss Senephin… Ah, no, Senephin also shouldn’t make things hard for me! Lumins is the same age as us, too. Why don’t we talk casually to one other? You agree, right, Lumins?”

Lumins smiled angelically, affirming her words.

Ahh… Our Lumins’ smile is so dazzling that… the halo…

Let me fan myself… Let me do a happy dance on my bed… Oh, my mental state is at its limit now… Until when do I have to keep maintaining this image…?

Completely unaware of my inner anguish at being unable to express my love for his unrivaled beauty, Lumins nodded.

“Yes,” he beamed, “I felt uncomfortable because I thought I was being treated unfairly while you two were on such friendly terms.”

Oh, wait. You want me to relax? I had hoped to ease tensions between us, but the atmosphere shouldn’t have become this laid-back.

“That’s… I’m comfortable talking like this!” I laughed. “Ho ho! So you don’t need to worry about me.”

I tried to put on an affable demeanor, but I still worried over how interactions would change if I were to start speaking to Lumins and Velkina on friendlier terms. If I were to take off my Senephin Cromwell mask, then there’s no telling what I will do or what will happen to the story later. In other words, placing distance between us by using honorifics in front of their names was my last defense to preserve my persona in accordance with the game’s intended plot.

But…

“So… how about you call us by just our names instead of putting honorifics like ‘Sir’ or ‘Lady’ in front of them?”

Velkina stared hopefully at me with her wide, sparkling eyes. Ugh, when she looks at me like that… Plus, it looks like Lumins is even agreeing with her… Unable to avoid the pressure, I finally answered them weakly.

“W, well, let’s do it then… Velkina, Lumins.”

Upon hearing my words, Velkina’s expression visibly brightened, and she smiled cutely at me. I still questioned whether agreeing to be on friendlier terms with them was the right decision or not.

No matter what, I have to preserve myself and better maintain my image from now on…!

◇◇◇

After exchanging a few more words, both Velkina and Lumins headed back to their respective quarters. Velkina left the room first, and Lumins stayed behind for a bit to pack up the magical instruments he had borrowed to conduct my treatment.

Once Lumins leaves, I’ll finally have some time alone to sort my thoughts. But it was still really hard to control myself from being too excited in his presence.

“Well, take care of yourself,” he said as he checked whether he had gathered all his belongings. “If you notice your condition worsening, you can reach me via crystal ball.”

“Will do, Lumins. Thank you for today. I’m sure you were busy.”

If you’re done here, hurry up and follow Velkina out there! Talk to her and build up the affection between the two of you, Lumins.

As I cheered internally for him, Lumins opened his mouth as he finished putting away all the magical instruments he had set up.

“Senephin, can I ask you again about the answer to my question that I didn’t get to hear from you earlier?”

“Pardon? What are you…”

“Why did you apologize to Velkina?”

Velkina had interrupted us earlier when she burst into the room anxious over my condition. Now that she was gone, he was asking me again. Was it really so important for him to hear my reasoning?

I felt like I was being interrogated. Well, at the very least, I’m glad that I’m being interrogated by my favorite character.

“Hmm, why, you ask? if I had to explain myself, then I would say… Isn’t it natural for a person to realize their wrongdoings and apologize for what they did?”

“It is natural for people to do so…”

His golden eyes squinted as he smiled at me with his usual, serene expression. But just now, even under his angelic countenance, I sensed he seemed a bit different than usual.

“Senephin, do you believe that people can suddenly change?”

“Well, it depends on the situation, but I guess I would say I don’t believe someone can change abruptly.”

“I see. So do I.”

He picked up his magical instruments and started walking toward the door. Just as he was slowly pushing the door open, he paused and turned back toward me.

“So I thought I’d keep an eye on them.”

His gaze was not at all cold as he uttered those words, but still, I felt strange. I had never seen him make such an expression in the game.

“Pardon?”

But his peculiar look only lasted for a brief moment, and then he smiled as usual.

“If you rest well tonight, you can return to work as usual tomorrow. So, see you then.”

After his parting remarks, he closed the door behind him as he left my chambers. I got up from my bed and crept toward the door, where I could hear him and Velkina chatting.

Hmm…

Hmmm…

“As expected of Lumins! You’re worried that I’m only pretending to be nice and that this change is temporary before I stab Velkina from behind again! You’re indeed a good guy!”

As if to represent the passion I had endured, I punched the mattress with my fist and reflected on Lumins’ words from a different perspective. From fan mode, to be precise.

“Don’t worry, Lumins! Your big sis in on your side! Velkina, too, will be on your side and be with you soon!”

So don’t worry about me and just think about how to increase your intimacy with Velkina!

Phew. From Lumins defeating the lake monster to his treating me, I was able to see such amazing things today… In addition, my mind and my eyes got a feast. By encouraging Lumins and Velkina to be friendlier, I ended up doing something great after all.

I’ll have to make another plan for getting them together again tomorrow!