Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 4.5

N-No, I know hiding is pointless at this point…

As expected, I heard footsteps approaching—followed by a voice speaking close by.

“Lady Kishtaria.”

Ugh… While I was incredibly grateful that he had stepped in to defend me, how was I supposed to face him after hearing such cruel gossip? And on top of that, I had clearly failed in my choice of dress again…

Hesitantly, I lifted my gaze. Lord Siegvard stood before me, leaning lightly against the wall, looking down at me.

“A-Ah… Thank you… um…”

Flushing, I instinctively brought my hands up to cover my stomach and chest.

“I… I’m sorry… Once again… I must be… an eyesore…”

“What?”

Lord Siegvard’s eyes widened slightly.

Then, with a calm smile, he reached out and lightly touched my shoulder—or rather, the ribbon adorning it.

“It’s a deep, mesmerizing blue… Truly beautiful. Just like your eyes.”

“…T-The dress is, well… It’s certainly very lovely, but…”

I mumbled, to which Lord Siegvard let out a light, amused laugh.

“Ah, my apologies. I may have given the impression that only the dress is wonderful. That is not what I meant. I was trying to say that you look stunning in it.”

“…Huh? But… that can’t be…”

Didn’t they just mock me for how ridiculous I looked in it?

Perhaps he sensed my thoughts, as his expression darkened in displeasure.

“…Ignore the words of such fools. Speaking ill of someone just to keep them from the attention of others—honestly, that’s the behavior of immature boys who haven’t even reached adolescence.”

“…Huh?”

Someone they’re interested in? What did that mean?

“U-Um…?”

“If you don’t understand, that’s fine. Just know that their words are not worth your concern.”

“O-Okay…”

I didn’t fully grasp what he meant, but at the very least, he was telling me I didn’t have to believe what they said. Instead, I should trust Lady Fiona, Claude, and Lord Siegvard.

That… That was a relief. I felt reassured.

As I let out a small sigh of relief, Lord Siegvard spoke again.

“Now then, let me see properly.”

My heart pounded as I hesitantly spread my arms, showing off the dress.

“Ah… It truly suits you beautifully.”

“T-Thank you…”

Hearing it again made me blush…

But at the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a little happy. I beamed up at him—but then, I noticed something.

His complexion… It looked terrible.

Huh…? What’s wrong? Why does he look so pale…?

“Um… Lord Siegvard? You don’t look well…”

“Ah…”

Lord Siegvard quickly covered his eyes with a hand, letting out a small chuckle.

When he had been scolding those noblemen earlier, I hadn’t noticed—but now, up close, it was obvious.

“Have you… not been sleeping well?”

Did my gift not help at all?

Of course, I hadn’t expected just one sachet to cure his insomnia, but I had hoped it would at least help a little…

“No, thanks to the sachet you gave me, I’ve been sleeping better than before.”

“But… you look even more exhausted than before.”

“Well… that’s because… I’ve been having strange dreams.”

“Strange dreams…?”

That meant his sleep was light enough for him to dream, which at least confirmed he was dozing off.

I felt a brief sense of relief—only to shake my head immediately. No, no! Even if he was sleeping, if it wasn’t truly restorative, that was a serious issue.

I leaned in closer, peering up at him.

“Are they nightmares?”

“No, not nightmares… Just… oddly cryptic dreams. Ones that linger in my mind, repeating over and over. And because of that, I’ve been feeling a little…”

“Dreams that won’t leave your mind… Is there something that’s been worrying you?”

“No, not particularly…”

Lord Siegvard averted his gaze slightly, his response vague.

Ah… He doesn’t want to talk about it.

That was fine. Even if he told me, I wouldn’t be able to analyze it for him. Dream interpretation was just fortune-telling, after all—hardly something reliable.

More importantly—

I moved even closer and lightly tugged at his sleeve.

“L-Lord Siegvard! Would you allow me to invite you to dinner? I’ve been studying all sorts of remedies for insomnia besides just coffee!”

Lord Siegvard’s amethyst eyes widened in surprise.

“I’d be so happy if I could help in any way… Um… Would it be a bother…?”

“…No…”

His gaze softened as he let out a quiet breath—and my heart skipped a beat.

Then, Lord Siegvard gently pried my fingers off his sleeve and…

He pressed his lips lightly against them.

“It’s not about whether you can help or not… If it means spending time with you, I would gladly accept.”

“Lord Siegvard…!”

To hear him say that—even if it was just out of politeness—made me truly happy.

Alright! I was going to do my best to make sure he could relax and enjoy himself!

Smiling up at him, I spoke cheerfully.

“Thank you!”

“…!”