The Villain Bought the Female Lead - Ch. 26
“I am truly sorry…!”
Without worrying about the gazes of others, Alicia bowed her head completely.
As more people around them began to wonder what was going on, a flustered Liam hurriedly tried to stop her.
“It’s, it’s okay! It’s okay, so please lift your head!”
“But….”
“It’s just that I feel even more sorry the longer you do this.”
Alicia still seemed regretful, but Liam was uncomfortable with her attitude.
At his insistence, Alicia straightened her back again, her gaze now directed slightly downward rather than directly at him.
Unlike the way she had shown herself before, her cautious demeanor somehow made Liam feel slightly relieved.
“It was originally my fault for trying to force things. You really don’t have to apologize like this, Alicia.”
“But… I committed violence by pointing a sword at your neck. That’s not something that can be easily forgiven.”
“No, you didn’t hurt me, and it was just a threat. Plus, I know that you had no other choice but to act that way.”
“Huh…?”
Alicia, who had been looking down without confidence, suddenly looked up, her reaction one of confusion.
Finally, Liam could properly see her eyes.
“I heard you started working for Schugenhartz. So naturally, whether you liked it or not, you had to protect that family’s people.”
“Ah… yes….”
“I think it was fair for Vargan to feel unpleasant because I was too hasty in dealing with him. After all, we were strangers to each other.”
“……”
“Alicia?”
Sensing that Alicia might be feeling slightly offended, Liam called out to her.
Alicia immediately gave a calm smile, as if to show that nothing was wrong, but her face had momentarily revealed her true feelings.
Preventing Liam from pondering too much, she continued her apology.
“I also want to apologize to Emily. I’m sure my actions must have hurt her. I sincerely apologize.”
Alicia approached Emily, who had been awkwardly standing apart from Liam.
Seeing Alicia’s pitiful gaze, Emily found it hard to ignore her any longer.
“Oh, stop embarrassing me. I’m okay too. Of course, I was angry when you tried to harm Liam, but I also threatened you, even if I didn’t insult you.”
“I can’t apologize enough for treating someone precious to you so recklessly….”
“Oh, okay! Let’s just forget about it. We’re in the same group, and it would be awkward if we kept bringing this up every time we meet.”
Emily covered Alicia’s mouth with her hands, her face slightly red as she looked at Alicia.
When Alicia didn’t seem inclined to say anything more, Emily removed her hands and extended one to her.
“We’ve been through a lot, but let’s just forget it all. I’m sorry too. And….”
She seemed embarrassed.
“That… uh… you know that thing… it might sound funny in this situation, but… you know, that thing….”
Alicia stared blankly at Emily’s extended hand, unsure of what to do.
“Uh, that thing… what is it?”
“…. oh, come on, this is so embarrassing.”
Emily suddenly grabbed Alicia’s hand. Turning her head to the side, she looked elsewhere.
“Now do you understand…?”
“Oh…!”
Alicia finally understood Emily’s gesture.
With eyes wide open like a startled rabbit, she grasped Emily’s hand and shook it.
Emily couldn’t help but almost laugh at Alicia’s innocent reaction.
“Let’s speak informally. We’re the same age after all.”
“Informally? Speak informally… right, I should speak informally, shouldn’t I…?”
“If it’s more comfortable, you can stick with formal speech. Just be comfortable.”
“… hmm.”
Alicia pondered seriously for a moment before speaking.
“… I’ve never spoken informally before. I’ll try, but for now, I’ll stick with formal speech.”
“Like I said before… you’re really impressive in so many ways….”
As Emily was marveling at Alicia’s surprising character, there was a change in the ballroom.
“Huh?”
The surrounding lights dimmed.
Noticing the change, people began gathering and looking expectantly in one direction.
“What on earth is going on?”
“It looks like it. The timing seems right too.”
Seeing Alicia’s puzzled expression, Emily answered.
“That?”
“Yeah. The ball. They said the top ten students would pair up and dance for the opening. So Vargan… Sir Vargan? Whatever, didn’t you know?”
“No, I hadn’t heard anything about it….”
A spotlight shone on the central stage on the first floor. New students stood in a group around the circular platform.
“We had a good spot. We’re right on the second floor, where we can see the stage well.”
“Indeed, Liam.”
Alicia moved closer to the stage, following the gaze of the crowd.
The ten main characters entered to the cheers of the crowd.
Five men. Five women.
The numbers matched perfectly, with no one left without a partner.
On stage, Vargan and his partner greeted the audience.
The spectators grew more excited, noting that the pairs were engaged couples, with some even calling it fate.
The aristocratic couple, looking like the most precious treasures in the world, exuded an aura that captivated the audience, making them forget Vargan’s speech at the entrance ceremony.
“He stands out even there. Not in a bad way, I mean. Don’t get me wrong.”
Emily’s attempt to explain didn’t reach Alicia.
Alicia’s gaze was fixed solely on Vargan, completely entranced.
And then.
A heavy sound from a string instrument signaled the start of the ball.
The once silent hall was now filled with exclamations of admiration.
“Oh, wow!”
“They all have such grace!”
The stars of the show moved freely across the stage.
They moved as one, as if two people were one.
Each step they took was grand, creating a spectacle that seemed as if they would collide with those next to them, but never did.
The man led his partner, and the woman entrusted herself to the flow while also showcasing her brilliance.
Just like flowers blooming everywhere. Splendid.
Vargan and his partner had a particularly good synergy.
Not coercive or arbitrary.
Firm yet gentle. Moving in a way that didn’t make the other lost or uncomfortable.
Despite the significant height difference, it didn’t bother them at all.
It seemed like the two knew how the other would react and what they wanted to do, as if they had been working together for a long time.
The two were similar.
Captivating eyes. An air of confidence.
They occasionally whispered to each other, trying to concentrate on their conversation in the noisy hall.
Vargan smiled slightly.
It was a different smile from the one he used to mock others.
“…”
Until the performance ended, Alicia felt a strange tingling sensation in a corner of her heart.
***
“Get a grip, Alicia.”
“Ouch!”
A sharp sound echoed.
Today again, a red spot appeared on Alicia’s forehead.
Emily, who witnessed the situation for the first time, was startled and hugged Alicia. She glared at me, scolding me, asking what the hell I was doing.
I responded incredulously.
“What’s wrong with me punishing my servant? It doesn’t even hurt that much, so don’t make a fuss.”
“How can you say that…!! Didn’t you hear the sound? I thought her skull was going to crack!”
“How dramatic.”
“You…!”
Emily, who was about to retaliate more fiercely, was calmed down by Alicia.
By the way, since yesterday, that girl started addressing Alicia informally and today she was doing the same to me. It didn’t matter much since it was bound to happen, but being treated this way by a mere commoner wasn’t pleasant.
“I’m sorry, Master. I was lost in thought and didn’t listen carefully to your words.”
“It’s not that you couldn’t, but you didn’t. Alicia.”
“… yes. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
I didn’t like repeating myself.
Since the most important person missed it, I had to say it again. I wondered what she was thinking about at such a crucial moment.
“I’ll say it one last time, so listen carefully.”
I spoke to the group members who were looking at me.
These people were necessary for what I was about to say.
“I’m going to form a <study group>. Naturally, you all have to join.”
“When you say study group….”
Think of it as a club at the Academia.
However, unlike clubs in the real world, it was more systematic and professional.
“The theme of the study group is <personal skill development>. Simply put, it’s a process to raise your level.”
“As I said earlier, why do we have to join this study group by force…?”
“What right does someone who is the least helpful to the group along with Finn have to speak such nonsense?”
“Well, that’s…!”
Emily, unable to retort, calmed her suddenly raised body.
At least she had the basic concept, which was fortunate.
Alicia raised her hand, seeking a chance to speak.
It was a practice she recently learned in Academia’s classes.
“Speak.”
“Weren’t you planning to join the student council, Master? I heard that those who rank from 1st to 5th in entrance scores have the right to join the student council. Ah… it seems I was mistaken. I apologize.”
As I made a face as if I had bitten into a bug, Alicia ended her words with an apology.
I received an offer from the student council.
But.
“I’m not joining such a pointless group.”
Especially not when the current leader of that group was <that person>.
Right now, it was urgent to drag the group members’ levels up by the roots, and it was also part of the groundwork for the future picture.
“I’m in! No, I’m actually grateful!! That Lord Vargan is going to such lengths for me…!”
“Ugh, there he goes again. Hey, Serena, are you going to join too?”
“…”
Emily was startled by Finn’s excessive reaction and turned her gaze to Serena, who remained silent.
Serena nodded slightly without saying a word.
“I’ll really work hard! Right now, my skills are pitiful, dragging Lord Vargan down, but I’ll definitely improve someday!”
“Finn, I understand your enthusiasm, but keep it down.”
Finn Troa Toylen.
He was a nobleman but of low status, so he didn’t receive much support. His passion was always at its peak, but unfortunately, he had no remarkable achievements, making him a sad supporting character.
Finn was in the same group as Vargan in the original story, and despite some changes in the rankings, they ended up in the same group again this time.
Moreover, surprisingly.
He was admitted at the bottom of the class, just like in the original story.
This was his first-ever rank, but for me, it was the second time seeing him admitted last.
So, did he bloom with talent and achieve greatness after struggling for so long?
No. Not at all.
Despite his immense effort, he never got rewarded. He was a truly talentless guy.
“Study group… alright, I’m fine with it. It’s a great honor that the top student is doing this for us. But let me ask one thing.”
Emily continued. Although she had to accept it, she couldn’t help but express her doubts.
“Why are you doing this? It doesn’t seem like you’re just trying to raise the level of your group members.”
“You ignorant thing, you should be bowing in gratitude instead of questioning.”
“… sorry for being ignorant. But could you answer the question anyway? Please?”
Still, she was a cheeky one.
Fine, I would tell you.
“If we don’t do this, you and Finn will die in a year.”