I will not die a Villainess's death

The more time Emma spends with Lady Dirac, the more she was convinced that the elder was an idiot. She allowed anyone and everyone to walk all over her with a smile.

Emma could not figure out if this was because Lady Dirac was just that weak or if she was playing some kind of game with everyone.

'She's so soft. I wonder how she will react if I push her along.'

Emma would never admit that she found Lady Dirac interesting and that was why she was trying to push her buttons. This was a secret she would take to her grave.

And then there was her familiar. At first, Emma had ignored him since all she saw was a child. But her perspective changed as soon as the familiar had transformed.

That huge and majestic body combined with a heavenly aura that was excluding his body was all too attractive to Emma. The feeling of power was enough to make Emma drunk on it.

'I want to possess it. I want to take it into my grasp and never let go. I want that familiar to be mine.'

Emma knew that these thoughts were wrong to have. To have her eyes on someone else familiar was taboo. But Emma could not resist the pull she was feeling inside her heart.

After all, the forbidden fruit was the sweetest one out of all.

That was why Emma tried several ways to make the familiar notice her. Some were juvenile while the others were a little too extreme for even her taste.

She could tell that she was making both Lady Elysia and her familiar uncomfortable but Emma could not back down now.

She had come too far, even insulting Lady Dirac to her face. She even tried to get the familiar's sympathy so that she would get chosen but it was all in empty hope of getting something she could not.

'But if I have this familiar as mine then I won't need to be afraid for myself. My lack of fighting capabilities would also not be something I will be mocked for.'

Emma could see it in Lady Dirac's eyes that she was going too far. The lady had not flipped yet but that did not mean that Lady Dirac would take it all lying down.

'Ok, I should back down now.'

But just as Emma thought that it happened. The monster's frontal attack happened so fast that it left Emma no room to think.

Before she knew it, she was surrounded by a dozen monsters from all sides.

"D-Don't be absurd. No monster would dare come this close to a h-human camp. It would be like death to them."

Emma tied to rationalize what had happened but her brain could not keep up with it. Why? Why was this happening to her and now of all times?

"N-No, stay away from me. Don't come close to me. NOOOOOO!"

She needed to run away as far as she could. All she could see were the monsters closing on around her and her incoming death.

But it was also then that happened. It was the second Emma felt her heart beat faster and she fell in love.

It was all because of the handsome man that saved Emma. She did not know who he was or where he came from but there he was, a lovely vision right in front of Emma's eyes.

And then that man was gone, replaced by Lady Dirac's familair the next second. That adult-human-like after-image almost felt like a distant dream to her.

The huge beast picked up Emma by the back of her dress and ran away. Emma felt the barrier fall as soon as she managed to escape.

'Lady Dirac saved me? H-Hey, this is her familiar. Her reputation would be in shatters if he returns with me instead of her. Isn't she risking too much?'

The more Emma thought about it, the more it did not make sense in her mind. Just what kind of noble was Lady Dirac to prioritize Emma's life above her honor?

Emma would have never made that choice in her life.

'And yet I want to cherish this moment. I do not want her familiar to return to Lady Dirac's side.'

Emma's emotions were all twisted up inside but her selfish desire was evident for her mind to see.

_________________________________

Sorias transformed into his human form as soon as he sat Lady White down on the ground. He could not wait around when Elysia was in danger.

"Oi Lucas, we have a problem."

Several disapproving eyes turned toward him with hostile expressions. They did not like his way of addressing Lord Dirac and many were even glaring daggers into his back.

'Too bad that I don't care for you all.'

The only one Sorias cared about was Lucas who hurried out after hearing his loud voice. Lucas's annoyed expression turned into a concerned one as soon as his eyes locked on the girl near Lucas.

"Whare's Elysia? Did she not come with you?"

There were more than a few snickers as people started paying attention to Sorias. Most of the servants were pointing toward him and then toward Lady White in a suggestive manner.

These people were too ideal to even realize the gravity of the situation Elysia was in.

"Ah, Lord familiar, is there something important you want to tell us about? Perhaps something that will go down in the history books as important?"

Lord White had followed after Lucas as well but his expression was rather suggestive.

The way he looked at his daughter was a proud but suggestive look. The way he glanced between Sorais and his daughter was vile and it made Sorias want to claw at him.

And the look was loud enough that even Lucas could not stay quiet and let it damage his sister's reputation.

"Sorias, I hope what you are about to say is worth the trouble. I am not in a good mood right now."

Lucas's eyes were glaring daggers at him. They were asking Sorais why he had left Elysia behind and brought Lady White with him.

'Ah, I will die by Lucas's hand if I did not say anything. I should hurry up and clear this misunderstanding.'

Sorias opened his mouth to tell what happened but he was beaten to it by the very girl he had saved.

"M-Monsters. We were attacked by monsters and Lady Dirac ordered her familiar to save me. W-We need to hurry and help her out."

Emma White looked confused at her words. It was clear that she had not meant to say that out loud but it was too late to take it back.

Lord White had an annoyed look on his face at the admission. Now that his daughter had made the situation clear, he could not make suggestive comments about their relationship anymore.

"Oi Lucas, don't sit around like that. We need to hurry up and go after Elysia now."

Lucas seemed to be in a trance but he snapped out pretty soon. His eyes flashed with anger and the soldiers took a step back from him.

"Hurry up and assemble. We need to go monster hunting right now."

From what Sorias knew of Lucas's powers, he would have been enough to take care of the monsters but it would be better to have more witnesses.

Not only would it solidify Lady White's story but also clear out Elysia's name. It was not a bad proposal at all.

The soldiers jumped to attention as soon as Lucas snapped at them.

"Then I should take my leave for today as well. I can see that Emma is a little traumatized by today's experience and I want her to rest and get better. I will find another day to visit you, Lord Dirac."

Lord White took a quick retreat. He did look at Sorias for a little longer than necessary but Sorias stared right back at him.

And the noble retreated as soon as he realized that the familiar had no interest in either him or his daughter.

"Sorais, lead us in. We cannot keep Elysia waiting."

Sorias nodded, his body recalling the path it had taken before. He could still smell Elysia's smell lingering but there was a weird smell mixed with her as well.

It made Sorias angry for some reason.

"Sir, I see it. I see the clearing but it looks like someone is purifying the monster corps."

"What about Elysia?"

Lucas hurried up ahead of the group. He wanted to reach his contractor as soon as possible and to make sure she was alright.

After all, he had taken a great risk in leaving Elysia behind. Even if it was on her terms, Sorias still felt guilty for doing so.

"That is…It's Victor and I think he had Lady Dirac in his hold. It looks like Victor saved our lady from the monsters."

The guard who reported this sounded relieved but the news was a little hard for Lord Sorias to swallow. His mind was hearing the fact and it made a lot of sense but somewhere in his heart, it seemed impossible.

Had that man saved Elysia today? Did he risk his life fighting this may monster at once? He had never seemed this powerful to Sorias before.

"Lord Dirac, thank god you managed to come here on time. You see, I saved Lady Elysia but she-"

"Give her here. You are dismissed for today. I can take care of things from here on."

"Ah, alright. I understand that Lord Dirac is on a little edge right now because his sister was in danger. But know that I am glad that Lady Elysia is alright. Oh, and Lady Emma as well."

Victor had a shrewd smile on his face. It made Sorias want to scratch his face out but he held himself back.

He could not just attack the man out of the blue like that or it would be bad.

"I see. Then you have my thanks. I will make sure to properly reward you for this later."

Victor had a satisfied look on his face when he handed Elysia over to Sorias. Those eyes held challenge and Sorias had to try his hardest to contain his growl.

He did not want to seem ungrateful in front of Elysia's savior but it was tougher than he had imagined it to be.

Every time Sorias saw Victor, he wanted to rip him apart.

"Not now Sorias. We need to take care of this attack first and then we can try figuring out why Victor thought he could cheat us out. There are traces of Elysia's magic all around us but none of Victor's"

"Plus, none of Victor's spells can conjure up destructive fire magic of this caliber. That man tried to take advantage of Elysia and I want to know why."

Lucas was in a bad mood and he was letting it show on his face.