The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 21

“Wow…!”

Primelia’s face lit up with a youthful, innocent smile as she gazed at the rows upon rows of diverse products lining the store shelves. Adorable.

I wished she would direct that smile at me as well… but that was probably too much to ask.

The moment she noticed my gaze, her smile vanished as if paradise itself had been lost.

Ouch. That hit me hard.

But I had endured three years of being mercilessly ridiculed by Heliotrope.

My mental resilience had already maxed out.

This level of pain? Merely a light fatal wound.

“Primelia, would you like to shop around while I finish my business here? You can pick anything you like.”

“Eh? But, while you’re working…”

“Heliotrope, Laps.”

“”Leave it to us.””

For the kind-hearted girl who was about to refuse, there was no escape.

A forcibly arranged shopping trip under the guidance of two determined maids.

Three women together—by all means, may their chatter be lively and enjoyable.

“Ventz, sorry for keeping you waiting. Let’s get to our meeting.”

“Not at all. This way, please.”

Leaving Primelia flustered between the two maids, I followed Ventz into the reception room at the back of the store.

…Hmm.

Even though I had three beautiful women with me, here I was, sitting alone in a room with a cool, handsome guy.

If a certain type of person saw this scene, things could get problematic.

No, I am NOT a “shota uke” or a “perfect husband” character, thank you very much!

“Now, about the books scheduled for delivery to the orphanage…”

“Right.”

Right.

That was a stupid thought.

Ventz was in full work mode, so I also switched gears.

I wonder if the others were enjoying their shopping?

◇

SIDE: Primelia

Kraut-sama disappeared into the back of the store with Ventz.

Meanwhile, I was left standing between two beautiful maids.

For some reason, they had firmly locked their arms around mine.

“Now then. Since it is our master’s order, we must ensure that you fully enjoy your shopping trip.”

“Indeed. As servants of the next Duke, we must obey his commands without question.”

Despite their words, both women sounded far too enthusiastic.

Before I knew it, they were dragging me toward the display shelves.

As expected of Kraut-sama’s favorite shop, the merchandise here was incredible.

I saw so many things I had never even imagined before.

Ah—this!

It was the same decoration from my room!

Wait… this is expensive?!

“Did something catch your eye?”

“Ah, um… this was in my room, but… I didn’t realize it was so expensive…”

“Oh, I see. Please don’t worry about it. Everything was purchased using our master’s private funds.”

“Eh…?”

Don’t worry about it? That’s impossible.

After that, I continued browsing while chatting with the two maids.

There were a few things that caught my attention… but I hesitated.

I had never bought something just because I wanted it before.

I couldn’t bring myself to make a decision.

And before I knew it, the two of them had started deciding for me.

“Considering the future, she should have a few dresses tailored.”

“Indeed. Our master is also preparing for his debut in high society.”

D-Dresses?! High society?!

Each word that came out of their mouths was more shocking than the last.

I was already wearing high-quality clothes, yet now I needed dresses too?

And on top of that… I would be attending social gatherings?!

After living in such humble conditions for so long, I could barely keep up!

“Ha-hawa…”

“Oops. My apologies, Lady Primelia. We may have moved a bit too quickly.”

My head spun, and I nearly lost my balance—only for Heliotrope to steady me with her firm grip.

I wish I had even a fraction of her composure.

“Thank you, Heliotrope-sama. I should have caught her first.”

“I was entrusted with her care as well. …Fufu, unlike my master, Lady Primelia is truly adorable.”

“Fufu, isn’t that a little unfair to our master? Although… I suppose you’ve had the hardest time dealing with him.”

“…Huh?”

Hardest time dealing with him?

Who?

With whom?

The question must have been written all over my face because Heliotrope glanced at me and let out a soft chuckle.

“Lady Primelia, you still seem rather nervous around our master. So, if I may be so bold, I’d like to offer some advice.”

“Y-yes! Please do!”

I had barely been able to speak to Kraut-sama, let alone look him in the eye.

If I could get advice from his personal maid, it would be priceless!

“That man is not a prince.”

“Huh?”

For a moment, I didn’t understand what she was saying.

Because Kraut-sama was, in every way, like the prince from my mother’s bedtime stories.

“I can understand why you would think that way… if you didn’t know him in the past.” (Muttering)

I caught something in her tone—had she just whispered something?

But her voice was too soft for me to hear clearly.

And more than that, what she had just said was shocking.

“He is a man who fights, struggles, and works tirelessly to seize the results he desires.

A mere prince, shining like a polished gem, could never compare to him.

You must have felt it too, Lady Primelia—the texture of his hands.”

…His hands.

I recalled the moment he first held mine.

I had never touched another man’s hand before, so I hadn’t realized it at the time.

But Kraut-sama’s palm had been rough, his skin hardened from years of effort.

Finally, Heliotrope lifted a single finger to her lips, an impish smile spreading across her face.

“I’ve told you quite a bit, but—this is a secret, alright?

It seems someone always wants to look cool in front of Lady Primelia.”

“…………”

I had been captivated by Heliotrope’s elegant, mature demeanor.

But now, I found myself completely mesmerized by her playful charm.