MY SISTER THE HEROINE AND I THE VILLAINESS
Being in a tree is great.
That’s what I thought as I sat on a sturdy branch of the splendid tree in our garden.
My name is Christina Noir. I’m a genius.
At one I could walk, at three I could talk, and by five, I had exhausted all the books in the library.
The household I was born into is a Duke’s family which boasts a 300 year history. Our garden has been maintained by excellent gardeners for generations. Even this tree that I’m sitting on was apparently planted a hundred years ago.
Even after a hundred years, this tree shows no sign of withering. The branch that supported my weight was sturdy and I could feel the tree’s quiet but massive existence from the trunk that supported my back.
What was most wonderful of all though was…..
「Ojou-sama? Christina-ojousama?」
The rampant, lush foliage obstructed the woman’s view as she searched for me from down below.
Calling my name repeatedly was a woman in her mid-thirties. Slim and tall, possessing a slender, straight and well-proportioned back, she was of a strict disposition.
Mariywa Toinette.
She’s the governess employed by my family to oversee my education.
「Christina-ojousama. Where have you run off to, Christina-ojousama? It is all right. If you come out now, I will not be angry. If you come out right now, I promise that I will not reprimand you for running away from your etiquette class. On the other hand, if you do not appear right this instant, I promise you that you will experience the depths of hell.」
「Humph」
Hearing her lie, I snorted and sneered.
「A mere employee dares to threaten me with cheap lies?」
Whilst disdaining her futile search from my elevated spot, I surmised her deception.
At any rate, I’m a rarely seen genius in this world. At one I could walk, at three I could talk, and by five, I had exhausted all the books in the library. Recently at seven, my most exciting memory was when I had won an argument with my Father, causing him to seethe with teary eyes.
As I am a genius, I understood Mariywa’s real intention completely.
「….. Even if I came down and apologised, I’ll be struck with the whip」
Stealthily holding my knees, I decided to ignore the voices from the ground.
No to whips.
Ah, it hurts.
The etiquette teacher my family employed, Mariywa, always had her whip on standby. According to the person herself, she will not use it unless necessary. In reality, she would mercilessly whip me without reservation. Mariywa especially did not like my tone. On the first day, every few words spoken resulted in the whip flying about.
Even if I was the heir to the Duke’s house and were to utilise the age-old sympathetic cry ploy whenever I saw the whip, Mariywa would state, “This is education” with a freezing glance.
Absolutely frightening.
That was enough to freeze the heart of a genius such as myself. That wasn’t a look that treated another human being with dignity. It was akin to a relentless, merciless glare – that one cannot express – to a despised, poorly trained horse and cause them to shiver from the cold.
Although, to submit to such fear, as a child prodigy born into the house of Duke Noir and christened with the name of Christina Noir, it would be equivalent to weeping. Therefore, particularly today, I boycotted Mariywa’s lessons.
「Christina-ojousama? This is my last warning. If you refuse to come out after hearing this….. Your lessons today will be stricter than before」
「….. Ugh」
It….. It’s a threat after all!
In the past five minutes, I heard the whip fly once, more intensely than usual, in the remote distance. My shoulders instinctively trembled, but not attending the lessons was my victory.
Mariywa was different from the live-in servants who worked here. The time for the pickup carriage to arrive was set in stone and can’t be missed. In other words, if I hide till then, Mariywa can’t meddle with me. Consequently, I would have to wait here until it arrived.
Perfect. Not a piece lacking, it was the perfect, accomplished plan.
「…..」
「Christina-ojousama? ….. Che」
Bating one’s breath, before long, Mariywa’s resigned form disappeared from sight. Finally, I had a feeling that I heard the unworthy, ill-mannered etiquette teacher, but surely that was my imagination.
「I won…..!」
Victory. Deeply satisfied, I made a guts pose.
「Hahaha! Mariywa! After all, you’re just a lowly servant! To think that with your position that you could best me, Christina Noir, the eldest daughter and heir to the house of Duke Noir! Kukuku….. Fuwahahahahahahhaha!」
Striking a daunting pose on top of the branch, a loud laughter rang out loud. This was an excellent height to gaze from and above all, it was a position that gave a bird’s eye view of the estate. Therefore, it felt good to roar with laughter.
Of course, I had verified that Mariywa was nowhere in plain sight. Even if she had seen me standing on top of the tree laughing, it would have been difficult to strike at me with the whip due to the obstructing branches. Must not think grandiose thoughts. That big-headed governess’ discipline and her torturous tool were plainly lacking characteristics. I thought she wouldn’t dare, yet she would still strike me with absolute conviction.
With that being the case, it’s best to stay hidden. I can’t relax my guard here for if I’m found descending, it would be akin to committing a folly. After all, I’m a genius at cleverly hiding stealthily.
Just like that, I continued playing hide-and-seek.
「—e -samaaaa」
Suddenly, somebody’s call could be heard.
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