Taming The Villainesses

━A trial by combat? How long has it been?

━That sounds interesting. Yeah, that’s how trials should be!

━A fight? Perhaps, one to the death!?

“Order, please, order.”

Hynax slammed the gavel and looked at Aira.

Of course, Aira wouldn’t be able to tell because she was only looking at her fingertips. So I spoke to Aira instead.

“Aira-nim, the defendant is demanding a trial by combat. How shall we proceed? Will you refuse?”

“A trial by combat? That sounds fun~.”

Then, for the first time, the bored Aira finally showed some interest. For Aira, her whims were more important than the facts and outcomes.

Aira looked around with sleepy eyes.

“Who is fighting whom?”

… Uh, it was your trial.

Of course, I didn’t word it that way and calmly replied.

“It’s Aira-nim’s trial, so I think it’s only fitting for the Queen to decide.”

There were various ways for the parties in a trial to fight directly, but given a high royal status like Aira’s, it was more common to have champions fight on their behalf.

But who would be Aira’s champion?

Hopefully not me…

At that moment, I felt a slight surge of tension thinking about it.

“Very well. I approve of this trial by combat…!”

Aira shouted loudly at the people, and cheers erupted from everywhere.

* * *

“I watched it all. A trial by combat sounds fun.”

It was lunch time after the trial concluded.

Elga said to Aira, who was eating at a luxury buffet only available to Gold Rank students or higher.

Elga had a bunch of vegetables on her plate. I was not sure why she only chose those. Was she vegetarian?

“Aira, who are you thinking of nominating as your champion? Do you have anyone in mind? You’re not planning on fighting yourself, are you? I can fight for you, if you want.”

The belligerent Elga seemed itchy for a fight. But Aira, who was nibbling on a carrot like a rabbit, merely made a long “Hm.”

“Have you not thought about it yet?”

At Elga’s urging, Aira swallowed the carrot in her mouth and considered.

“Shall I fight-.”

The image of Aira directly participating in the duel came to mind.

On the opposite side, it would be either Miriam or the Hunter himself that would be fighting.

Though the sight of either of them clashing against Aira would surely leave a lasting impression, still, the Queen would be risking herself.

If anything went wrong due to the variability of the main characters, my plans would all be in vain.

“Aira-nim, you are not a mercenary. You need not directly participate in the duel yourself.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Aira nodded her head with a somewhat disappointed air. Just as she was about to take a well-prepared bite of steak—

“You’re all here?”

Mirna Draco appeared with a plate.

“Seems like you’re discussing the trial by combat?”

“Now what brings you here, Mirna? You don’t usually come here at all.”

Elga growled at Mirna, but she simply slid past Elga and elegantly sat down next to me.

“It’s not a bad idea to dine with everyone sometimes.”

Despite being in the same dormitory, Elga, Mirna and Aira getting together was rare.

“…….”

“…….”

Elga and Mirna just silently stared at each other.

Soon, they averted their gazes and began to slowly eat their meals. Since they were all noble ladies, not a single noise was made from the utensils.

Their noble mannerism made the meal seem more like a religious ritual.

Even the usually hot-headed Elga was dining gracefully.

Was it just bothersome for her to act refined, and therefore, didn’t care?

Dalgak, dalgak.

Only I was struggling to cut a particularly tough piece of meat with my knife. Elga probably couldn’t stand such a sight, as she swiftly took the plate and knife away from me.

“Are you trying to cut through the plate?”

Then, with skillful cuts, she neatly sliced the meat into appropriate sizes.

“There, all good now?”

Her attitude was somewhat like that of a caring older sister toward her younger sibling. I felt a bit embarrassed, and wondered why she suddenly acted this way.

Tak.

Mirna put down her silver cup with wine on the table.

Unlike her previous silent actions, it seems that she deliberately wanted to draw attention.

“It’s improper for men and women to engage in idle chatter during a meal. It’s disrespectful. Meals are a form of prayer. Don’t you know they should be conducted solemnly?”

“Jeez. Hey, Theo. You’re being messy. Be careful, will you? Are you acting like a Half-Fairy? You’re like a child.”

While Mirna was speaking, Elga simply took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of my mouth.

I had no idea what got on my lips. Though it sounded quite discriminatory towards fairies, which made my eyebrows twitch momentarily.

Then I realized Elga’s aim.

Elga was provoking Mirna. After all, in a month’s time, the one I choose would be the victor.

“…….”

However, Mirna continued her meal with a serene expression. Of course, it was only on the surface. Beneath the table, her legs were slightly trembling.

She was like a swan diligently paddling underwater to maintain its graceful exterior. Coincidentally, their colors were quite similar.

Then Mirna downed her glass in one go. With a loud clink, she placed the glass back on the table and said.

“So, have you decided on the champion for the trial?”

• Edited by: faker