Reincarnated As Both The Villainess And Heroine...?

Aftermath

"Rin!" the wind was briefly knocked out of me as my mother gave me a tackle hug.

"...Mother," to be honest, I wasn't in any strength to respond much after all that.

"It's okay, it's okay. Let's just go home, okay? Their questioning must have been tough," my mother gave me a forced smile.

Of course, after that entire mess a couple of days ago, I was immediately taken into custody by the lord of this city, subsequently the daimyo of this region...then later on even officers from the capital were dispatched.

Causing such a scene was no laughing matter. Rather, it was no longer a scene, and more of diplomatic crisis. Killing a duke's wife from the neighboring country? Nations went to war over less matters. Normally, I would be handed over to the kingdom without a second thought.

However, this was a special case. I, a peasant of all people, had managed to take control of a noble treasure through recognition alone. Not to mention I was also depriving the kingdom of a noble treasure, a tool useful in both political and violent events.

You could imagine where this was heading, huh? I want to shout and retort something, but I wasn't all too surprised...

As my mother carried me home, I fell asleep...at least, I pretended to. I had to contemplate things, after all. Besides, for some inexplicable reason, I didn't want to be only conscious as Elizabeth. That body...well, let's just say it was an emotional mess.

"Dear, you can come out now," my mother murmured. "I think they aren't following us anymore."

Wait, what? There were people following us!? I mean, it was to be expected if you thought about it, but...just who in the world are you, mother?

Although I couldn't see, but my father's voice sounded out, "How troublesome...This is turning out to be something extremely bothersome."

"Even before that, shouldn't you be worried about our daughter's safety!?" mother raised her voice, although it still remained on the level of a hushed tone due to the day being the evening.

"I know, it's just...quite surreal, I suppose. I can't quite believe Rin was capable of that, much less sneaking out."

"The boy already came to apologize every single day already, so would you stop making that face as if you're about to cut him in half?" my mother sighed.

"Yeah, sure," my father replied halfheartedly. "Whatever the case might be, how do you think we should proceed from here on out? They've smelled blood in the water, and they're going to come biting."

My mother groaned, "I know. I know too well. I don't think I'm too worried about the assassins, but..."

Wait, shouldn't that be the thing you should worry about the most!?

"The politics of it all, huh?" my father finished for my mother. "I'm not good with that kind of thing. There's you, but if you like that sort of thing, then you wouldn't be here."

My mother snorted, "Don't underestimate me, dear. If it's for our daughter, I will do anything."

"I won't allow you to be caught up in the crossfire of this. There must be a way other than to go head to head against the warmongering Emperor or the mad King in their court."

"It really is a headache, huh..." my mother sighed. "Still, no matter what, I will not allow this girl to be denied of her childhood and happiness."

I'm sure I'll be okay, mother. You know, I was fated to be a heroine. Even if I somehow screw up, I could probably deus ex machina my way out of things. Unlike Elizabeth. Poor Elizabeth me.

"Well, for now, there is a brief moment of respite. We will be under the protection of the Emperor, but it will only last until Rin is of age. It can't be helped, I must  start teaching her the path of the blade, hm?"

"Save that for tomorrow, dear. She's afraid of the sword, so try not to make her more nervous by saying that in front of her," my mother laughed, sending a chill down my spine. "She's probably already confused from hearing us adults talk about incomprehensible matters, so let's just leave things at this."

Scary. My parents were way too scary. Wait, hold on. Did you two realize I was fake sleeping in the past too!? Then why did I even bother!?

***

"My lady...do you want to hear about the recent news regarding the accursed murderer?"

For some reason, Lily has come to refer to me as "my lady" recently, even though she had called me "young mistress" in the past.

"I don't really mind," I replied as I gazed at the setting sun.

That accursed murderer was me, after all. I had all the information in the world on her. I could tell you her motives, her idiocy, and her plights. Really, this was like skipping to the end of a detective novel, you know?

Swallowing hard, Lily said, "She...she's released from custody. Nothing is done to her, and the Sakura Empire refused to hand her over."

"...I see," how else was I supposed to respond to that!?

"Even though she committed such a heinous crime...unforgivable."

Please stop, that was making me feel guilty too! I got over the death of my mother already, so won't you please stop getting angry for my sake? It was making me feel extremely guilty, you know!?

"Not to worry, it seems your father the master has sent assassins after her. We will surely capture her alive."

Wait, what!? So it was actually my side when my parents mentioned "the assassins"!

"We will have our revenge...!" a strange but dangerous fire blazed within Lily's eyes.

No! No, no, no! I promise you, that isn't a very good idea!!! And since when did you turn so fanatical, Lily!? I'm sure I haven't conditioned you into the villain you were in the future, did I!? I didn't, right!?

W-was my Rin body going to be fine...? This whole assassin thing was unheard of in the game, so I'm not sure if this was going all according to the canon. Well, if my father was an overpowered warrior, things should be fine, right? I really hope so.

In the meantime, won't you please calm yourself, Lily? The emotion of hatred reflecting in your eyes was scaring me, you know.

How did things went off the rails so fast...? It was still fine as of now since it was something minor, but I was sure Lily acting like that was way too fast. Shouldn't it be, I don't know, a couple more years before Lily was fully brainwashed by the villainess Elizabeth?

Ugh, my stomach hurts just by thinking about it all...