Her Past
At last, Franche's long-awaited command arrived. I smoothed out my rumpled uniform and brushed my messy hair. After strapping the standard-issue sword to my waist, I was fully prepared. Looking in the mirror, I didn't look half bad. I hadn't realized there were uniforms designed to cover the neck so completely, though.
"Time to head out."
I opened the door and stepped outside. Passing the training grounds, I headed toward the main gate of the estate, where a luxurious carriage stood waiting. I stood there waiting for a brief moment before Franche stepped outside.
Her skin looked even fairer than usual, almost translucent. Ornate jewelry adorned her ears and neck. She wore a black dress that perfectly complemented her fiery red hair, its intricate design studded with glittering gems. She really is beautiful when she dresses up. Well, she was already beautiful, but this was on another level.
Franche spoke. "Escort me."
"Ah, yes, My Lady."
...I had never escorted anyone in my life. I figured I just had to walk over to the carriage and offer her my hand. Hurrying over, I took my position beside the carriage steps. Franche took my hand and stepped inside.
But how am I supposed to get there? If I were the real Jin Barenberg, riding a horse would be second nature, but I was just me. I didn't even have a driver's license back on Earth, let alone know how to ride a horse. Would Jin's muscle memory carry me through? As I was worrying over this, she spoke.
"What are you doing just standing there? Get in."
"...Pardon?"
"Hurry up and get in."
"Am I riding in the same carriage as you, My Lady?"
"Of course. You are my personal knight. Did you expect to travel separately?"
I nodded and climbed into the carriage, still a bit dazed. The door clicked shut. Outside, fully armed knights rode alongside us on horseback. The coachman waited for the lead knight's signal. A moment later, a voice called out:
"We're moving out!"
With a slight jolt, the carriage set off. Thanks to the plush, cushioned seats, my rear end didn't suffer at all. However...
"..."
"..."
The awkwardness was palpable. A heavy silence filled the carriage. Looking up, I saw Franche staring at me, her head tilted slightly. I forced the corners of my mouth up into a faint smile. There was no reaction. My awkward smile dissolved into an unspeakable, suffocating silence. This is so uncomfortable...
But I couldn't afford to let my discomfort show. Franche was still staring intently at me. I maintained a neutral, composed expression, pretending everything was perfectly fine. Then, out of nowhere, she spoke.
"Aren't you curious about how things ended up like this?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked if you aren't curious about why I am treated this way."
What was she talking about all of a sudden?
"What do you mean, My Lady?"
"You've seen how I am treated in the ducal house. Aren't you curious as to why?"
Well, I was curious, but I also didn't want to drag the mood down.
"I merely follow your will, My Lady."
Tell me or don't, it's up to you. I know I don't have a choice anyway.
"Right... Well, I think you might be curious, so I shall tell you."
Franche took a long, deep breath, as if trying to steady her heart.
"My mother passed away the moment I was born."
And?
"...It seems the Young Duke and Lord Line believed I was the one who killed her."
What kind of utter nonsense was that? My brow furrowed slightly at the sheer absurdity of it.
"When I was very young, they merely ignored me, so it wasn't too bad... but everything changed when I turned eight."
Meeting Franche's eyes, I nodded silently, offering nothing but a quiet ear.
"They told me that I killed Mother. Back then, I didn't even understand what that meant."
Franche rested her chin in her hand and gazed out the carriage window. Her eyes were filled with a profound weariness.
"That was when the abuse truly began. Every time the Young Duke saw me, he would hurl insults at me, and physical violence was a regular occurrence."
Wow, Eden is a complete psychopath. To an eight-year-old sister...
"Line would leave animal carcasses in my room or lock me away in solitary confinement. He even ordered the servants to bring me rotten food."
So the servants looked down on her because of Line Descartes. Why is everyone in this family so utterly depraved? Just listening to this is making my blood boil.
"I tried speaking to Father... to the Duke. But his only response was to tell me to handle my own affairs."
Like father, like sons. The Duke is just as insane. If this were Korea, they would have been thrown in jail for domestic abuse long ago.
"Are you listening?"
"I am listening, My Lady."
"At least nod your head. It feels strange, like I'm talking to a brick wall."
I nodded. Only then did Franche continue.
"And so, from the age of eight, I became hated by everyone in the ducal house. The Head Butler used to show me some respect... but that was short-lived. Now, he simply stands by and watches."
I knew that old man was no good. I nodded again.
"Isn't my life a joke? It's not as if I asked to be born. I never wanted to see this world at the cost of my mother's life, yet everyone blames me."
A tear escaped from the corner of Franche's eye. It was the sorrow she had bottled up for so long finally spilling over.
"It's so unfair... No one takes my side. No one will ever be my ally. Forget being an ally, no one will even listen to me..."
Listening to her story, a heavy weight pressed down on my chest. A mix of emotions welled up inside me—cheap pity that anyone could feel, a deep sadness born of empathy, and a burning rage toward her merciless family. I suppressed my emotions and quietly nodded.
"The harassment only grew worse over time. The only time I could eat a proper meal was at breakfast when the Duke was present. But even that was too much for them, so they began tampering with my food."
I asked, "What kind of tampering?"
Franche let out a hollow laugh.
"Dumping excessive amounts of salt into my food, mixing in strange oils to make the smell nauseating, leaving it completely undercooked... things like that."
They really are a bunch of lunatics. Messing with someone's food is the lowest of the low... This ducal house is crawling with absolute scum. Their sheer malice is almost impressive.
"I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to engrave it into their minds that I was a madwoman, so that no one would dare touch me. So, I asked the Duke to allocate me an allowance. Surprisingly, he agreed. I hadn't expected a single thing from him."
Hmm. So the Duke is just indifferent, but he did let her spend money. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Judging by how he acts, he's definitely still a bastard.
"From then on, I began to indulge in luxury. I bought all kinds of dresses, collected jewelry, and flaunted them at parties. At the very least, it kept them from touching me when we were in public."
I didn't offer any grand reaction; I simply nodded as I looked at her. She probably wasn't looking for simple words of comfort or pity. It was just a past she needed to unburden herself of, if only to find a sliver of peace. So, I simply listened. I resonated with her pain and empathized with her. Because right now, I was the only person in the world she could let her guard down around.
"By constantly attending parties and shifting my standing, I finally found a way out of this dreadful ducal house. The young Lord Persia."
...I'm sorry to say this, but that was probably the worst decision you ever made, Franche Decartes. Knowing the original story and having seen every ending except the hidden routes, I knew the common thread in all of them. And I would soon see it with my own eyes at this party.
"I will meet the young Lord Persia at this party. I even knelt before Duke Decartes, stubbornly demanding that he arrange our engagement. I faced quite a bit of criticism for it, but I believe it was worth it. He is my only escape."
Franche smiled faintly. Unlike her weary expression from earlier, her face now held a glimmer of hope. ...And she has no idea what kind of future awaits her. Perhaps it was because I knew everything that was about to unfold, but my chest tightened once more. I felt sick to my stomach.
"Your expression is grim. Don't tell me you're pitying me?"
Franche glared at me, clearly displeased. I quickly spoke up.
"...Pity is a common emotion. While such a cheap sentiment does hold a small place in my heart, the sadness born of empathy is far greater."
"..."
"And I also feel rage toward those who showed you no mercy."
Franche stared at me with a complicated expression, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes.
"...Pity and rage aside, can you truly empathize with my feelings?"
I forced my expression to soften.
"To claim I can completely understand would be a lie, as I have never lived such a life. However, my heart was moved by your words, so I believe that is empathy."
Franche parted her lips. She seemed to want to say something, but I could feel her hesitation as she struggled to find the right words. Finally, she managed a single sentence.
"You certainly have a way with words."
Of course. You don't get to be a MeTuber with a million subscribers for nothing.
"I hear that often."
"Is it because you were royalty, accustomed to diplomacy and high society? I feel... somewhat comforted."
"I am glad I could be of help."
A genuine smile finally graced her face, which had been downcast for the entire ride. I didn't know exactly why, but I wanted to help her. Perhaps it was a protective instinct, or perhaps my modern moral compass simply couldn't tolerate the injustice of her situation. Franche, whom I had initially planned to use solely for my own survival, now appeared in a different light. She was no longer just a simple villainess to me. She was merely a victim of the story's design. At least, that was how she looked in my eyes.
In that moment, my mouth opened of its own accord.
"No matter what happens, My Lady, I will always be on your side."
The words slipped out before I could stop them. I just felt like she needed to hear it. After all, she had never had anyone in her life. Franche blinked in surprise, her eyebrows arching.
"Yes, you must. After all, that is my command."
She laughed. That alone made the words worth saying.
"I am glad to be of service."
Franche rested her chin in her hand again and looked out the window. Her expression was far brighter than before. The gentle curve of her lips and the newfound spark of life in her eyes filled me with a sense of pride. Yet, a strange sense of dissonance lingered. Is this the influence of Jin Barenberg? As I sat there in deep thought, staring at Franche, it happened.
"Ambush!"
Whoosh!
Thanks to my heightened senses, I heard the sharp sound of tearing wind. Instinctively, I pulled Franche into my arms.
Crash!
An arrow shattered the carriage window, piercing straight through.
"What?! What's happening?!"
"We are under attack, My Lady."
"An attack on a noble's carriage?!"
"They do not seem to be mere bandits."
Franche's eyes widened, her hands beginning to tremble violently.
"Stay inside. And do not worry. Everything will be fine."
I stepped out of the carriage. The knights of the ducal house were surrounded by assassins clad in black robes. Hmm. I don't recall this happening in the game. Well, this was my first time experiencing the story from the villainess's perspective, so it made sense that there would be things I didn't know. I drew the sword from my waist. The prince of a fallen kingdom, now reduced to a slave. It was time for the Sword Master to show his hand.