The Villainess Is Shy In Receiving Affection

Chapter 180

* * *

“For me?”

“Will you meet with me?”

And as if worried, he added an explanation he wasn’t even asked for.

“Of course, I’m proposing it with the purpose of courtship.”

“Ah, I know.”

Melody stammered and barely answered. In case he thought she wouldn’t know.

“I’m glad you knew.”

He smiled just like usual, but to Melody’s eyes, it somehow looked like he was teasing her.

“…In ten days.”

“What?”

“I mean, the day Father leaves. The Hatfield family is holding a concert.”

“Hatfield, that Hatfield?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Melody had been invited to the music room of the Hatfield mansion before.

Although it wasn’t left as a pleasant memory, she still didn’t think badly of the young nobles she met at that time.

“Yes. I was barely able to make time that day.”

While the Duke was focusing on matters related to Prince Samuel, Claude had to fill his absence.

“It would be nice to have a meal at a fancy place after enjoying the concert. If you happen to dislike crowded places.”

He slightly tilted his head and lightly smiled.

“We can also go to Jeremiah’s herb garden. As autumn approaches, the scenery has changed again, so you’ll like it too.”

His suggestion was very attractive. To the point where the usual Melody would have immediately nodded and made the promise.

But wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous to have a meeting with Claude with the purpose of ‘courtship’?

Even now she was this confused, if she were to have such memories too, Melody would definitely…

Moreover, in ten days. Isn’t that the same day Isaiah mentioned a little while ago?

“Any answer is fine. Think about it slowly.”

“Young Master, you see. That kind of thing.”

Melody clasped her hands together and barely opened her mouth.

“I’m sorry, Melody.”

But he gently interrupted her words.

“What?”

“I feel like I just pretended to be relaxed a moment ago while bringing it up.”

“…”

He closed his eyes, then carefully lowered his head.

“Please slowly… please, generously think about it.”

Words of a whisper that trembled.

He must be desperately conveying all the sincerity left in him, scraping the bottom.

Without even bringing the usual composure or style he kept close by.

Faced with his vulnerable side she encountered for the first time, Melody couldn’t bring herself to say words of rejection.

So for now, she had no choice but to promise that she would slowly think with plenty of time, as he wished.

“…I will.”

At her short answer, he finally raised his head.

The moment their eyes met again, Melody somehow turned her head obliquely and ended up avoiding him.

Partly because her face had gotten hot… anyway, it was a bit embarrassing.

In the midst of that, she was worried he might resent her for turning her gaze away, asking why.

Fortunately, such words didn’t come.

Mustering a bit of courage and carefully lifting her head, Claude was also blankly staring at the curtain that had fallen beside them for no reason.

Without looking at each other or conversing.

They stood facing each other for quite a long time.

* * *

It was when the mail carriage arrived that Claude returned to his room.

Finally left alone in the room, Melody sprawled on the sofa.

‘What a strange day.’

She thought of the two men who had come to see her.

Isaiah and Claude.

They asked for her time on the same day. Each with their own reasons.

Melody could shake her head at both their requests, but she couldn’t nod.

Especially since she vaguely realized their request wasn’t about the ‘meeting’ itself.

‘But…’

Melody groaned while resting her head on the fluffy cushion.

“It’s not the time to be worrying about such things!”

It was a very important period for Loretta right now.

A period that would determine whether the male protagonist who would help her could be placed under the protection of the ducal family or not.

‘…Still, it keeps.’

That thought wouldn’t leave her head, so what should she do?

‘It’s frustrating.’

As she was groaning, there was another knocking sound.

It seemed mail had arrived for Melody.

Wanting to be alone a little longer, she spoke towards the door.

“I’m sorry, please leave the mail in front of the door.”

But contrary to her wish, the doorknob turned on its own, and soon the door opened.

“I don’t want to?”

And at the nasty voice she heard, Melody sat up in despair.

“Ronny!”

“What’s with that ugly face?”

“That’s because you come in without permission. Even though we agreed not to do this.”

“As if I care. I’m so busy I could die.”

He walked in as he pleased and plopped down next to Melody.

“You’re busy?”

“Yeah.”

He even fully reclined his body comfortably against the backrest and closed his eyes.

“Since Father and Brother can barely do outside activities, I’m attending a few events in their place.”

“Ah, I see.”

“It’s really annoying I could die.”

Even though he said that, he seemed to be secretly boasting.

“That’s not all I have to do, I’ve also been looking for a painter who can draw realistic pictures lately.”

“Why realistic pictures?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Ah.”

Melody suddenly recalled Ronny’s tendencies set by the original work. A ‘little sister fool.’

“It means you’re looking for a painter who can express Loretta’s cuteness as it is, right?”

“Yeah, and I’ll have you drawn too while I’m at it.”

“I don’t want to be drawn realistically. I need to be beautified. Like other people.”

He opened his eyes for a moment and slightly glanced at Melody.

“Ha, how much prettier can you get here…”

“It’s better to be pretty if possible. The cost of painting a portrait is expensive.”

“If you want to be that picky, you choose the person to paint your portrait!”

As if it worked out well, he sat up straight.

It seemed he had a favor to ask.

“Several portrait painters will come with their works, do you want to see them together?”

“To the mansion?”

“Yeah, they’ll take turns showcasing their works one by one.”

“That sounds fun.”

As Melody readily nodded, Ronny pulled his upper body forward and gave a very bright smile.

“Right? It’ll be fun!”

Actually, there was a purpose to Ronny visiting Melody’s room.

Casually bringing up the topic of paintings was to invite Melody to choose a painter.

After seeing all the paintings, they would surely have trouble deciding who would be good, and the two of them would spend several days discussing it together.

While taking walks and drinking tea.

If lucky, he might be able to monopolize Melody’s time until the day the painter was decided.

“So.”

He carefully started talking with an expectant expression.

“The painters will come in ten days…”

But the moment he said the word ‘ten days,’ Melody’s face turned pale.

‘Huh.’

Thinking he might have seen wrong, he repeated the same words for no reason.

“Ten days.”

Then this time, she flinched in surprise, her shoulders trembling.

Of course, he couldn’t just let such an interesting phenomenon pass, so Ronny said it one more time.

“Ten days?”

Now Melody’s brow furrowed. Her expression looked somewhat resentful, which was a bit funny.

“Ten days!”

“Stop it!”

Realizing he was teasing her, Melody hit him hard with the cushion she was holding.

“No, no!”

Even as Ronny was hit on the shoulders with the cushion, his laughter only grew louder.

“Your face was funny! Every time I said ten days, it looked like you were being dragged into hell!”

He started giggling while holding his stomach, and Melody now hugged the cushion with a sullen face.

“That’s too much.”

“What’s too much is your face. I’m telling you it was really funny. If there’s a painter who can draw that expression as it is, I’d really pay a fortune.”

“Hmph.”

“So, what’s going on?”

He sat crookedly, resting his chin, and asked.

“…”

“Why are you acting like the world is ending in ten days?”

“I wasn’t doing that. First of all, you said the painters are coming in ten days, right?”

As Melody seemed to be trying to change the subject, Ronny quickly waved one hand dismissively.

“I’ll take care of that appropriately, so tell me.”

“But.”

“Do you think I can’t even choose a painter to draw my sister?”

“That’s not it, but.”

“Then it’s fine.”

He forcibly took the cushion Melody was holding and asked again.

“Tell me. What’s going on?”

“…”

“Is Brother too busy to take you on a date?”

“What…?!”

“No, is it the opposite? Hmm, that must be it.”

Melody couldn’t even say no and just stared at him with her mouth open.

“Ah, come to think of it.”

Ronny laughed as if something else came to mind.

“Isaiah might have invited you to the blessing of his sword too.”

“H-How do you know that too?!”

“Is there anything I don’t know about the people in this mansion?”

He boasted and tapped Melody’s forehead with his fingertips.

“So you were worrying about the two of them here?”

“N-No.”

“Don’t say no. You made a face where worries were pouring out just from me saying ten days.”

“I’m telling you, that’s.”

“Why don’t you just meet both of them?”

At Ronny’s surprising conclusion, Melody lost her words again.

“No, it’s like this. If you meet Isaiah at the temple in the morning and meet Brother in the afternoon… Hey, stop looking at people like that.”

“Wh-What?!”

Melody touched her eyes with both hands. She hadn’t particularly frowned, so she wondered why he was saying that.

“You were giving a gaze as if misunderstanding someone as a playboy.”

And he hugged the cushion deep against his chest and grumbled in dissatisfaction. ‘It’s crazy how pure you are.’

However, such a small voice didn’t reach Melody’s ears.

“I wasn’t looking at Ronny like that. I was just a bit surprised, that’s all.”

“Why? Because I know about you too accurately?”

Melody pondered for a moment, but soon slowly nodded.

“What’s so difficult about that? Is there any man with eyes who doesn’t like you?”

“Th-There are many, right?”

“Then those bastards must have eyes in a weird place. Besides, I…”