The Childhood Friend of the Villainess in a Romance Fantasy

Translator: Elisia

Editor/Proofreader: TempWane

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To be honest, I had considered the possibility that the story might not unfold exactly as it did in the novel I read.

After all, this is a case of transmigration. It was, of course, my first time actually experiencing it—something that wouldn’t typically happen in everyday life—but given such a significant difference has occurred, it would be strange for the plot to remain entirely unchanged.

Even the original story I read operated on that principle.

Villainess reincarnation stories usually begin with the protagonist taking over the role of the villainess. The main theme revolves around the original plot being disrupted.

Well, if I relied solely on my memories, the “original story” itself might not have existed at all, being more of a fictional setting. Still, within Amelia’s memories, the entire narrative of that romance fantasy web novel seemed intact.

If it seemed odd to cite a novel without an original source, one could use fanfiction as an example instead.

In such cases, there is a real original work, but the characters’ personalities, settings, or even genders are altered—or, like in this story, a transmigrated character becomes the protagonist. Of course, depending on the author’s preferences, fundamental settings or developments might differ from the original. Still, the essence remains: enjoying the story as it diverges from the “original.”

Some people, without any interest in the original, begin their journey into the fandom through fanfiction. That alone demonstrates how significant the differences can be without needing further explanation.

In this world—at least from my perspective—the only difference was myself.

Therefore, if the development veered off course, the reason would naturally lie with me.

“…I apologize for saying something so sudden without consulting you.”

“No, it’s fine. Although I was a little surprised, I understand why you said it.”

A child had gone missing. No one knew what would become of that child, but no matter how one imagined it, the future wouldn’t be bright.

And, strictly speaking, I was a child as well. Although barbarians were shorter in stature, most of them were still taller than me. A year from now, I might outgrow them, but no one could predict how they might invade us during that time.

Amelia was kind. In villainess stories, the so-called villainess is often not a real villain but rather someone who mistakenly believes they are, while others admire them—a common trope in such stories.

It was only natural for her to want to take me with her. That was just the kind of person Amelia was.

“And I fully understand what you said before as well.”

“…Because the victims were all children.”

The adults had suffered only minor injuries, but the ones truly killed or abducted were children. And Amelia had been at the center of it all. She could hardly ignore that fact.

At that moment, Amelia had not only expressed a desire to take me as her escort but also made another suggestion.

She proposed taking children under the age of seven from Delkis to the Grand Duchy of Grattanmount for protection, then returning them to Delkis once they were older.

Naturally, once the northern subjugation was complete, all the children would be returned.

However, there were far more than just one or two children in Delkis, so this wasn’t a decision that could be made on the spot. Moreover—

*

“Lady Amelia, thank you for the suggestion, but that is not something we can do.”

Father firmly rejected Amelia’s second proposal.

“The children of Delkis must be raised in Delkis. If they do not learn to harmonize with nature from a young age, they may no longer be able to become ‘Delkis people’ when they return later.”

In the past, during the time when hostages were sent to the royal capital, those who had left Delkis at a very young age often struggled immensely to readjust upon their return. After all, Delkis was a place where children were taught to negotiate with moose by striking them with their fists—one could hardly expect them to adapt easily after growing accustomed to a peaceful, civilized society.

In the worst-case scenario, some might simply refuse to return. The Grand Duchy of Grattanmount’s territory was a large city, not on the same level as the royal capital but comparable to one. If the children were sent there during an uncertain timeframe for the subjugation, and many refused to return, it would create yet another problem.

While Delkis people were said to eventually long for their homeland, if that “eventually” ends up being decades later, it would be a problem. After all, the prime working age for Delkis people fell between their twenties and forties.

“In that case, Lady Elsie—”

Amelia, looking slightly anxious, responded to Father’s words.

In the original work, Harvey was Amelia’s escort.

In the “original-original” setting, Harvey was said to have endured countless abuses from Amelia while silently persevering…

It wasn’t uncommon for someone from Delkis to act as an escort for a member of the Grattanmount family. Their distant familial ties, mutually beneficial arrangements, and a clearly defined yet harmonious relationship made such roles advantageous for both parties. Furthermore, members of the Grand Ducal House were raised to treat those from the Barony of Delkis with utmost respect.

Nowhere else in the kingdom existed such an ideal relationship, like something out of a picture.

And Amelia almost ruined that relationship in the “original” setting.

“We appreciate the suggestion. However, Elsie’s swordsmanship is still lacking. Would it not be better to reconsider after some time?”

“Elsie possesses the mysterious abilities of a druid, with limitless potential. Last night, I saw her two wolves fight against the enemy.”

“…”

Father gazed intently at Amelia as she spoke.

Amelia held her ground, meeting his gaze resolutely.

“…Indeed.”

Father exhaled lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He likely understood as well. Amelia’s proposal wasn’t genuinely about wanting me to act as her ‘escort’.

It stemmed from a desire to remove me from danger, to take me somewhere safer. My father undoubtedly realized that.

“Elsie.”

“Yes.”

At Father’s words, I took a step forward.

Father turned his body toward me, looking down as he spoke.

“Your Highness has spoken her mind. What do you think?”

At his gentle question, I shifted my gaze toward Amelia.

Amelia was looking at me with a slightly tense expression.

“I…”

I paused, lost in thought.

I wanted to go with her. But… I was also a Delkis person.

Though I still retained memories of my previous life, and they greatly influenced my actions, I had also spent years living with these people, thinking of them as family.

Shouldn’t I fulfill my duties as a member of this family as well? Wouldn’t it be cowardly for me to flee alone?

“Elsie.”

As though he had seen right through me, Father placed his hand on my shoulder.

Then, kneeling on one knee, he made eye contact with me.

“Elsie. You don’t need to worry too much. We are strong. Just as we’ve done so far, we will drive out the barbarians and protect our homeland. And—”

For a rare moment, my father hesitated before finally letting a faint smile cross his lips.

“…I want you to be in a safe place.”

“…”

It was a statement entirely contradictory to the words he had spoken earlier when rejecting Amelia’s suggestion to take the children.

If this were not Delkis, and if Father were not a Delkis man, he might have dressed up his words with grand embellishments to hide his true feelings. But this was Delkis, and Father was a Delkis man.

Delkis people are always part of nature.

And nature does not lie.

“As your father, I want my daughter to be somewhere safe. And there is an opportunity right in front of us to make that happen.”

I quietly looked into Father’s eyes as he said those words.

“…Okay.”

And so, I chose to accept his words.

Father merely patted my shoulder softly without saying anything more.

*

That was how I came to leave in Amelia’s carriage.

“Don’t worry.”

Sitting across from me, Amelia spoke with a resolute expression.

“I’ll do my utmost to take care of Lady Elsie, as Baron Delkis has asked.”

“I should be the one protecting you.”

When I replied with a small chuckle, Amelia smiled faintly as well.

“But even a master must consider their escort’s well-being.”

Perhaps the reason she said this was because she was recalling the ‘original’ story she knew.

Amelia had probably steeled herself as well.

To ensure that things wouldn’t unfold as they did in the original.

“…”

I merely nodded silently in response to Amelia.