(MTL)For some reason, the villainess who went backwards lost her magical

chapter 60

2-12

Celebrations begin today. His Highness Ricardo managed to find time out of his busy schedule, and it was decided that he would teach me only for one hour in the morning.

　――I really have nothing but gratitude for His Highness Ricardo. Even if it's not just kindness, for me right now, what His Highness Ricardo is teaching me is everything.
　Besides, I was able to get some tips from what you taught me all day yesterday. That's why I'm grateful to be able to teach you even if it's just for a short time.

　On the way to the same room as yesterday with His Highness Ricardo and Theodore, I found a person walking with a lot of knights in front of me and stopped.

"This is the Holy Maiden of Darkness. I was looking forward to meeting you."

　--He is the first prince Faust...

　After all, because they are twins, they look a lot like Prince Ricardo. The difference is that His Highness Faust's hair is trimmed on his chin and his eyes are slightly raised. And that expression with a somewhat mean-looking smile.

　While looking at Prince Ricardo, Prince Fausto snorted like he was making a fool of himself.

“Ricardo, were you there too? Apparently, the saint-sama has been getting along very well with my younger brother.”
“His Highness Ricardo has kindly taught me about this country since it was my first visit.”
“Is that so?
"... Brother, isn't it about time? Mother is waiting for you, isn't she?"

　His Highness Ricardo, with his usual smile on his face, took a step to the side and gave way.
　On the other hand, His Highness Faust passed in front of me while muttering "Kuh, that's ridiculous" in an irritated way. However, he immediately stopped and turned only his face towards me.

"Saint-sama, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am the one who knows the most about this country.

　When I returned with a smile, His Highness Faust ruffled his hair in satisfaction and left with a light step. After Prince Ricardo threw a cold glance at such Prince Fausto, he said 「Come on, let's go too」 without looking back behind him and stepped forward.

　In the same room as yesterday, when I was putting magical power into the magic tool just like yesterday, His Highness Ricardo, who was sitting on the chair in front of me, put his hand on the desk and rested his chin on the palm of his hand as he stared into the distance. It looks like it's not here.

"is there something wrong?"
“Ah, I’m sorry.
"No... not like that."

　Having succeeded in changing the magic tool of the third size from red to blue, I moved the magic tool in front of me to the edge of the table and waited for His Highness Ricardo's words.

"I'm trying to kick him down, my twin brother. I'm arrogant too."
“But you are thinking about the future of the country, aren’t you?”

　With a self-deprecating smile, His Highness Ricardo let out a small sigh.

"I haven't been that kind of person since a long time ago. When I was still young... until about the age of 10, I was really close with my three brothers. My mother hated me, but even so, Faust said, ' I will become the king in the future, and I will protect this country and all of you.”
"That's right."

　I was a little surprised by His Highness Ricardo's words as he smiled while looking at his hands as if he was nostalgic. Judging from the state of Prince Faust and Prince Ricardo just now, she had assumed that the feud began when they were young, but was there a time when they were on good terms? in that case…….
　--How painful the current situation is for both of you, and also for your brother, His Highness Isaac.

“But at some point… I was able to win more easily than Faust, whether it was studying, magic, or swordsmanship. At some point, I stopped trying.I was a disgusting child, and in that state, rather than feeling sorry for Faust, rather than my sense of responsibility as a member of the royal family... First of all, look at my parents. I felt like
"why?"
"I was the most distant among my brothers, but I'm the best. Is it an insult to my mother? A sense of superiority that your beloved son lost to the son you hate. So, I wanted to put more effort into my studies and see more of my mother's frustrated face... That's how I continued to hurt Faust, who understood me, with my own hands."

　I don't know how I feel either way. Still, you can imagine.
Despite the expectations placed on him by those around him and his efforts to become the next Crown Prince himself, His Highness Faust was not blessed with talent.
　On the contrary, His Highness Ricardo, who was endowed with talent, despite being disliked by his immediate family and not expected of him.
Neither of them wanted to hurt each other, but maybe they couldn't protect themselves if they didn't.

“Suddenly, I realized that my relationship with Faust, who had always been by my side, had become irreparable. He was avoided and hated…it’s only natural, wasn’t it?
"That's why His Highness Faust will cling to the throne?"
“Yeah, he was always expected to become the next king by his mother. As a result of abandoning efforts and attempts on his own, he probably doesn’t think about anything other than that future. No way.If Faust becomes the crown prince, the country will collapse.If I become the crown prince, I will have to remove Faust, the disturbing element, from the front lines.If that happens, both he and my mother will continue to hate me. I guess"
"If neither path leads to happiness, then choose a future that will bring happiness to more people...is that what you mean?"

　At my question, His Highness Ricardo lowered his eyebrows and smiled. I didn't get a reply back, but I can easily understand that silence and expression meant affirmation.

“Without me, my mother would not have been criticized by the nobles.

　――It's a plague god...
　
　How should I respond? Her chest hurts when she thinks of His Highness Ricardo's feelings, and she is at a loss for words.

　But then.

"That's not right."

　A dignified voice echoed in the silent room. When I turned around to hear that voice, there was Louis-sama approaching me with his shoes clacking.
　Louis-sama lined up next to me and gave me a soft smile. And with his powerful eyes, he looked straight at His Highness Ricardo.
　His Highness Ricardo was also surprised by Louis-sama's sudden appearance, so he forgot to smile and made a blank expression. However, without worrying about the state of His Highness Ricardo, Louis opened his mouth.

“If you don’t do anything, this country will slowly decline just as you fear. I can't help but bite my lip."

　The longer a period of peace and development continues, the less likely it is that there will come a future in which it will not continue. But when you notice it, the ground collapses in no time and everything collapses and it's too late.
　…… Do you notice that? Whether or not we can work in the right direction to do something about it will change the country's appearance 50 years from now, or even 100 years from now.

　--That's why His Highness Ricardo approached us to somehow increase the number of collaborators.

“The people have nothing to do with the troubles of royalty and nobles.
"... No matter how ugly and dirty your heart is, you are only required to illuminate the people with honest politics."
“Yeah, even I don’t have a personality that deserves praise.”

　Louis-sama put her index finger on her lips as if to jokingly tell a secret, as if to completely change the tense atmosphere.
　Realizing that intention, I also relaxed my shoulders. As if following Louis-sama, I secretly told him, "...Me too."
　Then, His Highness Ricardo looked at me in a daze while his eyes widened for a moment. However, he quickly shrugs his shoulders amusingly, and he lets out a giggle.

“Haha, I see.”

As if he had come up with something, His Highness Ricardo raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

“Then, will you lend me a hand?”
"What about that?"

　In response to His Highness Ricardo's provocative words, Louis-sama smiled with a similarly unreadable expression.