Although I Was Reincarnated As The Villainess Of The Otome Game I Was Playing, I Only Bought It For

13 - This Hand Of Mine Burns Bright Red

I decided to host a party to celebrate Ms. Ivy’s victory, as she was probably the protagonist of the original game.

Yes, it’s been a few days since her victory, and today is the date for the celebration.

…… I feel that a much greater amount of time has passed, but I’m sure it’s all in my imagination. I think it’s been a few months, or more accurately, about five months, but it’s probably just in my head. 1

“Lady Lillie,” Karin said, “about the food at Ms. Ivy’s victory feast–”

“Yes, I think I’m going to cook something a little feminine,” I said.

Yes, I plan for just a bit of food for a small party with a handful of friends.

“Lady Lillie?!” Karin cried. “You’re actually going to cook?”

“Yes, well, it is proper grace for a lady, and though it’ll be simple fare, I can make it by myself. So you don’t have to help, Karin. Of course, I can’t let the maids help, either!”

Yes, it’s okay to dress up a bit, isn’t it? I’ll do my best with cooking.

“Understood!” Karin said. “Then, you’ll be cooking alone for all 50 invited guests, I mustn’t get in your way, so I’ll stay out of your way!”

I feel like I’ve just heard something ridiculous.

“Umm, Karin?” I asked. “Karin? What did you say just now?”

“That I mustn’t get in your way, so I’ll stay out of your way,” Karin replied.

“No, not that,” I said. “A bit further back.”

Yeah, that’s not it. That’s just niceties.

“Understood!” Karin said.

“You went back too far?!” I yelled.

I can’t help but think she’s doing this on purpose since we’re going through a classic comedy act.

The fact that she’s not the type to do this sort of thing makes me more confused.

“50 people, did you just say 50 people?” I asked.

“Yes, I did say that, didn’t I?” Karin asked.

Funny, according to my plan, it should just be me, Karin, the two Princes, and our guest of honor, Ivy.

It’s increased 10 times without my noticing it. It’s not like you see 1 then you think there’s going to be a 100, but isn’t that a strange multiplication factor?

“… How, how did this happen?” I asked.

I was confused and couldn’t guess, so I’ll ask Karin.

“Lady Lillie, you’re from the highest family of the aristocrats, the two Princes, are, of course, royalty to begin with, and Ms. Ivy, who is a commoner but enrolled in the school for a long while now and because of everything that’s happened, it’s only natural the guests will increase because they want to come.”

I was proud to be a villainess, but I did not expect such a development.

I was proud to be a noblewoman but I should have always taken into account my position in that social hierarchy.

… Or rather, that the ingredients would be sufficient.

“We’ve prepared the ingredients properly, so good luck with that, then!” Karin said cheerfully.

… If I have enough ingredients, then there’s nothing else I can do… or is there?

I remember something from my previous life.

The solution is there, my intuition says so.

“I can do it that way,” I said.

I have found the answer.

The venue was outdoors for one reason or the other because I can’t do what I want indoors.

And shortly before it was time, many people had already gathered in my family’s garden.

As far as I can see, it’s probably more than the planned number of 50.

“There are a lot of people who want to look good, and they’ve gone through the trouble of bringing their boyfriends and girlfriends, too… I’ve never done this before,” I muttered.

If it’s time, then this is it–

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the gardens of House Rivale.”

With the application of a bit of technology, my voice echoes in the venue.

“I will be the hostess of this party–”

I could see the people who came looking at me and then hear their murmuring.

Yes, that’s probably expected, anyway–

“Lillie Rivale, so please excuse me for speaking from such a lofty perch right now,” I continued.

I’m riding my Sacred Machine, Whore of Babylon, I would like to change the name of my favorite robot sometime. My voice transmits from the cockpit.

“Now then, I’m sorry I haven’t prepared any food for you beforehand. But for today, I still would like to serve a meal with my own hands.”

""

It seems that my friends and the other guests both seem surprised by what I said. I guess that’s expected because everyone can predict what’s going to happen next.

I am sure you can guess what it is since I’m in a Sacred Machine.

“But, my small hands cannot cook for everyone.”

If it’s impossible with your small hands, it’s okay to use your bigger hands.

“So, I will make full use of my beloved machine to cook for all of you!!”

In the history of Sacred Machines, this is probably the first time that any of them had been used for cooking.

“Now then, my hands are burning red, I will cry out as I cook you delicious food!!”

The Whore of Babylon, Hero of Steel, stands not on the battlefield but out in the outdoor kitchen!!

Footnotes

It’s been 5 months since the last update to the raws.