Flag-Breaking Villainess: The Story of How Breaking the Romance Flags of the Otome Game's Protagonist Ended Up Creating New Flags Between the Reincarnated Villainess and the Heroine - Chapter 9.2

As I lay down, I feel my body being gently shaken.

Still groggy, I sit up.

“Good morning, Liel. Are you still asleep?”

“Mmm… hmm…”

As I sway slightly, I feel cool hands on my cheeks.

“It’s already morning. Wake up.”

My face is kneaded, like dough for bread.

“Uugh… nyah, nyah…”

Liel’s little hands feel so nice.

Liel is becoming bread today. Liel bread.

“If you don’t wake up, we won’t be able to go on our uniform date.”

“Good morning!”

Liel bread will become a human from today.

After having a light breakfast with Urs and the two of us, we change into our uniforms.

When Lady Lilia invited me on a uniform date, I thought I might pass out from joy. But when I asked, I learned that a “uniform date” didn’t mean a romantic outing, but just wearing uniforms and going out together… What a disappointment. But I’m still happy I get to go out with Lady Lilia.

First, we visited the morning market. It was lively, with both the shops and customers bustling. There were all sorts of products and food I had never seen in the town where I grew up. Just looking around was fun. Also, Urs, even though she had just eaten breakfast, was snacking on something. How does she not gain weight?

After leaving the market, we arrived at the fountain square where I first met Lady Lilia. We sat on a bench together to take a break.

“It’s already been over a month since I met you, Liel. Time flies.”

“Every day is so fun, and it feels like time passes really quickly. It’s all thanks to you, Lady Lilia.”

Since meeting Lady Lilia, every beginning and end of my day has felt swift. If things continue like this, I feel like graduation day will come before I realize it. The thought of graduating and saying goodbye to Lady Lilia makes my heart ache with sadness. I wish time could just stop somewhere.

“Hehe, my days are brighter because you’re here too, Liel.”

Lady Lilia gently stroked my head. While she was doing that, I couldn’t help but smile in contentment. I want her to pet me more…

Even after the beloved petting session ended, I remained in the afterglow.

…Ah, that’s right! If I’m going to give it to her, now’s the perfect time.

“Wait a moment!”

I hurried over to Urs, who was munching on some food from a stall. Before I could speak, she handed me a basket of cookies and a water bottle. I bowed lightly and returned to Lady Lilia.

“Lady Lilia! Please, have some!”

Lady Lilia stared at the contents of the basket.

“Did you make these, Liel?”

“Yes! When I was at the orphanage, I used to make cookies for the children. I wanted to thank you for everything… I secretly made them after you went to sleep last night.”

Last night, I made the cookies in the large kitchen intended for the butlers and maids that Urs uses. There’s a kitchen in my room too, but if I made them there, the smell might have woken Lady Lilia up. Plus, all the necessary ingredients were conveniently in the kitchen.

“I’ll have one.”

Lady Lilia’s beautiful fingers picked up a cookie and brought it to her mouth. It might not be as fancy as Urs’s treats, but I hoped she would like it.

“It’s really delicious.”

I felt both relieved and happy at her words.

“Really!? I’m so glad!”

“I’m sure the children at the orphanage will be happy too. You put your heart into them.”

“Hehe…”

My heart warmed knowing that the cookies I made with love were enjoyed by Lady Lilia.

As Lady Lilia continued eating, she suddenly mumbled, almost as if she just realized something.

“I’ve been eating them all by myself.”

“These cookies were made only for you, Lady Lilia, so please don’t worry about me.”

After thinking for a moment, Lady Lilia picked up a cookie and offered it to me.

“Liel, you should eat too.”

“Eh, but…”

“Don’t hold back. Here, open up.”

Lady Lilia smiled gently as she brought the cookie to my mouth. I shyly opened my mouth, trying to avoid touching her fingers.

“Thank you… ahh.”

However, no matter how I tried, Lady Lilia’s fingertips brushed my lips, making my heart race.

“Things that are delicious taste even better when shared with someone, don’t you think?”

With the feeling of her fingers lingering, I chewed the cookie. The simple, familiar taste spread in my mouth.

“…Yes, it’s really delicious.”

—It’s so sweet.

We became part of the lively atmosphere of the fountain square, eating cookies and chatting happily.

At one point, I secretly licked my lips where Lady Lilia’s fingertips had touched. It felt naughty, and my heart raced.

After leaving the fountain square, we walked a little further to a restaurant for lunch. When Lady Lilia tried to pay for my meal, I hurriedly stopped her. Since I could sell magic stones at the academy, I had enough money in my wallet, and I didn’t want to owe Lady Lilia more than I already did. Of course, I still haven’t been able to repay her fully.

Afterward, we went to a flower shop to choose flowers to decorate the room and visited a store with Urs to look at tableware and cooking utensils.

We then walked away from the hustle and bustle of the town and arrived at the entrance to the city walls. The sun had begun to set, and it was already evening.

We paid the entrance fee to the soldier at the gate and started climbing the long staircase… climbing… still halfway? The goal felt so far away. My legs were starting to tremble, but somehow, I made it to the top of the city wall.

Under the sky painted with red and orange gradients, the buildings and houses around the town shimmered as they caught the light from the setting sun.

Unable to contain my excitement, I spread my arms and joyfully spun around.

“Wow… amazing!”

Standing side by side with Lady Lilia, we gazed out over the royal capital. In the distance, I could see the fountain square where my new happiness began and the academy where we were living a happy life.

At that moment, Urs jumped onto the edge of the city wall. I instinctively called out to her, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“I’m not dumb enough to fall. Besides, with this height, I wouldn’t even get hurt.”

“This height…?”

I leaned forward and looked down. It definitely didn’t look like a height that was safe. As I peered over, Lady Lilia suddenly pulled me back toward her.

Ah, the soft feeling of her chest.

“It’s dangerous to lean forward like that. And don’t worry, Urs will be fine.”

“Ah, yes…”

I wanted to enjoy the feeling, but Lady Lilia pulled away quickly.

Ah… how unfortunate…

“The royal capital is so vast when you see it like this.”

“We’ve only seen a small part of it.”

In this vast royal capital, it felt like a miracle or fate that I had met Lady Lilia so soon after arriving. I wanted to thank the gods. I’ll thank them now. Thank you!

“How about we go somewhere else we don’t know, just like today?”

Lady Lilia’s words made my heart leap.

“Yes! I’d love to see all sorts of different views with you, Lady Lilia.”

She gave me her usual soft, quiet smile. It was more captivating than the view from the top of the city wall, and it stole my heart. It was the expression I loved.

After enjoying the view, we descended the stairs, and it turned out to be much harder than I expected. My knees were shaking. On the other hand, Lady Lilia and Urs didn’t seem bothered at all. I was just naturally weak. I’d have to build up more strength, or it might be troublesome the next time we go out together. I’ll have to try harder.

Lady Lilia called a town carriage, and we paid the fare and got on.

I sat to Lady Lilia’s left, with Urs sitting across from us. As the carriage started moving, the gentle rocking soon lulled me to sleep.

I was woken by Lady Lilia, and before I knew it, we had arrived at the academy. When I got off the carriage, the sleepiness and fatigue made my legs unsteady.

As I struggled to walk, Lady Lilia suddenly hugged me, and before I could even be surprised, I was swept up in a princess carry.

“Eep! Oh no…”

“You’re swaying too much. I’ll carry you like this.”

A mix of shyness and happiness rose within me, but there was also worry. I had carried children from the orphanage to bed in a princess carry before, but even the weight of a child was tough. Lady Lilia is a bit taller than me, but carrying someone my age like this must still be difficult.

“Ah, um, is it not too heavy for you?”

“You’re as light as angel wings.”

Her words made my face burn. In reality, Lady Lilia walked as if it was nothing, carrying me easily. I couldn’t say anything as I noticed the gazes of students who passed by or were standing farther away.

“Lady Lilia… everyone is watching…”

Her red eyes stared at me for a moment before she smiled.

“I’m showing it off.”

“~~!!”

I barely managed to stop my mouth from opening. It was a close call. I almost let out a shy scream or a gasp. If I had opened my mouth, I was sure my soul would have flown out along with my voice. My heart couldn’t handle it.

In the end, I was carried all the way back to our room. We were seen by many people.

Lady Lilia told me that taking a bath while exhausted would be dangerous, so we agreed to bathe together in the morning instead.

I’m glad we didn’t go straight to the bath. If I had gone to the bath in this state with Lady Lilia, I would have exploded.

I was worried about whether I could sleep with all the excitement, but the fatigue was so strong that my consciousness quickly slipped away.