The Childhood Friend of the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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“Sorry for troubling you both like this… making you worry.”

“Don’t worry. It’s only natural as a friend.”

Amelia replied to Adele’s words.

While horses were relatively large animals, they weren’t big enough for two people to ride comfortably. Besides, most saddles were designed for a single rider, not two.

Thus, if two people had to ride together, they’d inevitably sit close, with the person in the back pressed tightly against the one in the front.

Adele’s figure, while not as impressive as Amelia’s, was still quite prominent. As expected of a protagonist, perhaps? It was a little odd when you thought about it—how Amelia, in a story centered on “original romance fantasy,” had a better figure than Adele. The idea that the antagonist might outshine the protagonist was certainly unusual.

But upon reflection, the concept made sense in a way. Overcoming someone of a higher status made for a compelling narrative. Regardless of body shape, both women were undeniably beautiful. If someone with a few shortcomings could win a love battle, wouldn’t that make for an exhilarating story?

“…”

I tried to distract myself with other thoughts, but my gaze kept drifting toward Adele, pressed so closely against Amelia’s back.

It couldn’t be helped. Tight space or not, it was I who had suggested this arrangement in the first place.

I had cornered Amelia, hoping to sway the mood in my favor, though I eventually gave in to her suggestion, feeling a bit guilty about my intentions.

Pretending to be broad-minded, I went along with it. But honestly, I couldn’t deny my discomfort.

Come to think of it, even though I had shared a bed with Amelia, I’d never openly embraced her. Sure, we’d danced before, but that was different.

In this era, women’s clothing was designed to provide firm support, making physical contact less noticeable. But in such close proximity, it was a different story. It’s inevitably to feel everything, down to the shape.

By the time we reached the edge of the forest, I was already regretting my decision to switch places.

“We’re here.”

“This place is….”

Adele murmured, looking a bit startled at Amelia’s words.

It was understandable.

We had brought Adele to the edge of a dimly lit forest as the sun was about to set. Even with prior explanation, the reality of the scene was different.

“Let’s begin the riding practice before the sun sets.”

However, Amelia spoke so matter-of-factly that Adele could only comply. It wasn’t as though she had the means to object, given her inability to ride a horse alone.

…Thinking about it, this situation wasn’t too far removed from a villainess tricking the heroine into following her to such a place.

Though Amelia’s intentions were nothing but pure.

*

“We couldn’t practice much today because we arrived so late.”
“Since we left so late today, we couldn’t get much practice done.”

“Oh no, it’s fine. This is more than enough…”

With the sun having set and the surroundings darkened, Adele still seemed bewildered.

In truth, we could have visited a nearby ranch. The demand for horses was high in the royal capital, and naturally, there were ranches nearby to meet that demand.

But most of those ranches were associated with other nobles. Some were even operated by nobles, and their clientele were often nobles as well. Visiting one risked running into other aristocrats.

And if they saw the daughter of a knightly house unable to ride a horse, Diane or the nobles in her circle would have a field day mocking her.

…I couldn’t understand why, despite trying to befriend Amelia, Diane was so harsh towards Adele, whom Amelia openly supported.

Perhaps Diane was trying to nip any potential rivalry in the bud?

“Don’t worry too much. We’ve been here at this hour before.”

Amelia reassured Adele, whose face still bore signs of unease. But Adele didn’t seem to find solace in those words.

It was only natural. The courage to venture into such a place at this hour was a rarity among nobles, something perhaps only Amelia, raised in the Grand Duchy of Grattanmount, or I, who grew up in the Barony of Delkis, could muster.

Besides—

“Oh, right.”

As I gave Amelia a glance, she then muttered as though she had genuinely forgotten.

…Is that so?

Had the horse-riding lesson been that enjoyable? It seemed Amelia had forgotten one of the reasons they came here was to check on the wolves.

Scratching her cheek with an unusually sheepish expression, Amelia turned to Adele and said,

“Well… we have some business in the forest. Would you mind coming with us for a moment?”

We left the horses behind. Since we’d need them for the return journey, it wouldn’t do for the horses to panic upon seeing the wolves.

After all, we couldn’t ride wolves back to the city—I wasn’t the crown prince.

“Ah… Well, um…”

Even for the heroine, venturing into the forest at this hour seemed like a tall order.

Amelia was holding a light created by the tower of magic, illuminating the area around us, but still the forest appeared eerie even to me.

The shadows between the trees were so dark that it was almost impossible to see our surroundings.

On top of that, given our noble status, it might have added to the unease. Perhaps Adele wondered if she had been tricked into coming here.

Even though she had just learned to ride a horse moments ago, she was barely at the level of walking with it. Even if she tried to steal one of the two horses and flee, it was doubtful she could achieve any speed.

“…Elsie, perhaps—”

Noticing Adele’s expression, Amelia glanced in my direction, seemingly realizing that today might not be the best day.

Was she thinking of postponing the visit to another time?

But seeing the unwavering look on my face, Amelia clamped her mouth shut.

This outing wasn’t planned. I hadn’t intended to check on Gray and Snow today.

But Amelia, considerate as always, suggested we check on my wolves periodically. Despite our friendship, there was still a hierarchical dynamic, and I generally followed her lead to maintain that dynamic.

Still, there were lines I wouldn’t back down from.

Amelia decided on today’s visit, and she also invited Adele. Even letting her carry Adele on the horse was something I conceded to.

So, shouldn’t I at least be allowed to meet my wolves here?

I wasn’t willing to compromise further.

“…”

Amelia seemed to grasp this after a brief moment of silence.

After pressing her lips together, she glanced at Adele, and with a slightly apologetic tone,

“I’m sorry for bringing you all the way here just to ask this, but could you stay with us for a bit? I can assure you, no harm will come to Lady Carlins.”

At least she wasn’t considering leaving me alone here and returning with Adele.

“…….”

Adele looked back and forth between Amelia and me, swallowing nervously.

“I trust both of you.”

Then, after a moment, she forced a faint smile.

Well, if I were in her position, I wouldn’t want to follow either—but honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to sympathize with Adele right now.

…Wow, I really am awful sometimes.

*

“Awwooo!”

As I howled, an identical cry echoed from the distance in response.

And then,

“Ah!”

Adele gasped and stepped back in fear.

It was only natural for someone to be startled upon seeing wolves, taller than a person, emerging from the dim forest. I had been just as frightened when I first saw wolves while hunting with my father.

At least now, the wolves weren’t gnawing on a moose’s innards.

“It’s alright, Lady Carlins,”

Amelia’s voice came from behind, attempting to calm Adele.

I, meanwhile, boldly stepped forward.

Snow approached me, and I extended my hand toward her.

Her soft, velvety nose touched my palm.

I gently stroked Snow’s nose, running my hand along the bridge of her snout. The warmth of her body radiated into my hand.

Taking a step closer to Snow—

Chomp.

Snow opened her mouth wide, lay on her side, and promptly clamped her teeth over my head.

“Kyaaaaaaa!?”

……

It had been a long time since I felt this way.

As the familiar dog-like smell wafted from Snow’s mouth, I stared blankly, lost in thought.