The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 15

Hmm. Back then, I didn’t want to show weakness to others, and I was afraid it would get back to father, so I used to have outbursts…

“Merin.”

“Yes, young master.”

“I know of some good herbs for scars… It’s not too difficult to make into medicine. You know I’ve been studying lately, right? I want to try making it, and I’m curious about its effectiveness.”

“Shall I find someone for you?”

“…Merin. I thought you were more perceptive.”

At my sulky rebuke, Merin smiled sweetly and touched her forehead. She had already figured it out. Merin, you sly fox.

“Back then… I’m sorry.”

Merin, who had been staring at me for a moment, suddenly asked:

“May I speak frankly?”

“Um, it’s a bit scary, but go ahead.”

When our eyes met, I felt the urge to look away. Something about her gaze was strange. She was looking at me in a… ticklish way.

“There’s a reason I’ve served you for five years, young master.”

“What is it?”

“Because you’re pretty. I see that face a lot. Looking at pretty people just makes you feel good, doesn’t it?”

What an odd taste. I was always angry in the past, so I couldn’t have looked pretty, right? Now I’m just smiling all the time because I need to look good for Luwen. But I guess I’m decent-looking when I smile.

Merin continued in a comfortable atmosphere:

“The closer I served you, the more I realized you didn’t want to show weakness. But I still wanted your approval, so I kept pushing. It was all my choice.”

As expected, Merin is perceptive. She must have noticed the loneliness I desperately tried to hide in the past. I continued to listen to Merin’s gentle voice.

“So I thought the scar was my fault too. I had actually forgotten about it for a long time, but life brings days like this. To receive an apology from you and even a gift of medicine. I realized when I just received your apology. I must have been really upset. Seeing how happy I am now.”

“I’ve thought Merin was capable for quite a while now. You’ve had my approval for a long time.”

“I know.”

Her confident reply left me at a loss for words. I had said it wanting to make her happier, but now I just feel embarrassed. Damn.

“…If you know, then I’ll be counting on you in the future too.”

“Of course. Leave it to me. By the way, what should we do about Luwen? Shall I take him to his room?”

“No. From today, he’ll sleep in my room. I don’t want to send him to the basement.”

I also asked her to prepare clean clothes for Luwen from now on. With the same rose perfume as mine.

“Yes, understood.”

Merin bowed deeply and then straightened up, returning to the face I knew well. The only slight difference was the faint smile she wore.

“Then I’ll prepare assuming Luwen will continue to stay in your room, young master.”

“Yes.”

Reliable Merin. Even when I’m not around, Luwen will be able to rest in my room. Merin, who understands my intentions, will surely make it happen.

Not long after Merin left, Luwen whimpered in his sleep.

“Mmm…”

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, frowning. Then he turned his head around quickly, and realizing this wasn’t his room, his eyes suddenly focused. Of course, they soon became drowsy again.

Luwen, hazy with sleep, was twice as cute as usual. His cheeks looked like they would stretch like rice cakes if pinched.

My fingers itched, but I held back and called out to the child.

“Luwen.”

“…Yesss.”

Even his drawling response was so cute! I’m dying to bite him all over.

“Remember I said I had a task for you after dinner?”

“Yesss… But can’t you, yawn, ask tomorrow? I’m so sleepy I don’t think I can… do it properly…”

“It’s something that needs to be done now.”

I deliberately didn’t tell him what it was, and his cheeks puffed up. Soon his lower lip jutted out. Look at him pouting!

“It’s not a difficult task. I’d like Luwen to warm up my bed for me. You know, it’s winter, so it’s cold when you first get into the blankets.”

Usually, Merin does this with a tool, but Luwen, not knowing that, should fall for it.

“…How do I do that?”

“Your body temperature is warm, right? Just get in and lie down under the blankets for a bit.”

“I think I’ll fall asleep…”

“It’s okay if you do. I’ll wake you up when I get sleepy. You can go back then.”

Of course, I have no intention of waking him. It’s just an excuse because I thought Luwen might refuse otherwise.

Luwen seemed to ponder for a moment, looking at my bed, then stumbled down from the chair and walked. Worried about his unsteady gait, I quietly followed behind.

The child clambered onto the bed and opened his eyes wide. Do you like the bed? Well, how nice could the bed in the basement room be? Probably a hard wooden bed.

“You need to get under the blanket to warm it up.”

I lifted the white blanket myself and tucked Luwen inside. Then I carefully covered him up to his neck, and he grasped the blanket with his small hands and buried his nose in it.

“It smells like you, young master. A nice smell, it feels goo…”

Wow, I’ve never seen someone fall asleep mid-sentence before. I guess today’s first sword training session was quite tiring. He’s usually quite lively at this hour.

I gently stroked Luwen’s head as he slept, breathing evenly.

“Sleep well. Have sweet dreams.”

Worried he might wake up in the middle, I lowered the light and tiptoed to my desk to open a book.

Time passed quietly. Around 2 AM, a servant came in silently to replenish the firewood in the fireplace, but nothing else happened. The only complicated thing was inside my head.

Actually, the real reason I started studying medicine was because of the war. If I can’t prevent the war, Luwen, who is good with a sword, will definitely be drafted. It means he’ll end up in the place where his life ends.

In case that happens, I started studying medicine to participate as a medic. The medical tents are placed in the rearmost areas so they’re safer, and I’d be able to monitor Luwen’s condition first-hand.

‘And it would probably be the easiest place for me to sneak out from.’

I fiddled with my short silver hair. I should probably grow it out. That way I can disguise myself. It’s best if I don’t have to act directly, but if necessary, I’ll have to.

As I organized, revised, and pondered my future plans, the night deepened. Due to my long-standing insomnia, my nights were longer than most people’s. I disliked lying awake unable to sleep, so when my eyes started to feel strained and my head foggy, I got up from the chair.

I took one more look at Luwen sleeping soundly, then went around to the other side of the bed. The bed was wide enough that there was space for two more grown men to lie between Luwen and me.

Inside the blanket was chillingly cold. It made me think of electric blankets.

Maybe I should build a winter villa later with a heated floor system. Then it wouldn’t be cold. I want a warm winter…

* * *

“Ahhh!”

My eyes flew open at the sudden scream. Then, with a thud, the blanket I was under was suddenly pulled away.

“Ow ow ow…”

I sat up startled to find Luwen had fallen off the bed. The blanket, tangled around the child’s feet, belatedly fell and completely covered his small body.

“Pfft.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the wriggling blanket and the occasional groans coming from inside. After flailing about like a puppy in a blanket, a face popped out.

“Don’t laugh… Tch.”

With a bright red face and lower lip jutting out, Luwen started hitting the blanket… no, trying to tidy it up? He was struggling to lift the blanket that was too big for his arms onto the bed, dragging on the floor.

“You’re unexpectedly clumsy. Falling out of bed and all.”

The adult Luwen has a serious and cautious personality. It was fascinating and adorable to see that even someone like that could fall out of bed as a child.

“It’s your fault, young master!”

“What did I do?”

“I, I woke up and you were lying next to me…”

“It’s my bed, of course I’d be lying in it.”

“Ugh. But… you said you’d wake me up! Liar. You didn’t wake me on purpose to tease me, right?”

Is he huffing more because he’s embarrassed? The walnut wrinkle clearly etched on Luwen’s chin was too cute. It would feel nice to rub it with my thumb. Though Luwen probably wouldn’t like that.

“You’re right that I didn’t wake you on purpose.”

As I helped tidy the blanket, I glanced at him and saw he was ready to chirp in protest, so I quickly continued.

“I found that having someone else around was nicer than I expected. That’s why I didn’t wake you on purpose.”

Luwen’s lips trembled, then pressed tightly shut.