The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 17

“Coughing like you’re about to die just because of some flour…”

“That’s right! You-“

I suddenly lifted my head as I remembered the child looking at me with contempt. Luwen, not expecting my sudden movement, reflexively grabbed my hair tightly.

“Ouch!”

“Waaah!”

Our screams mixed together. Luwen clung to me, still grasping my hair.

“It hurts, it hurts. Luwen, first, my hair…”

“Oh!”

Belatedly, Luwen quickly let go of my hair.

“Are you okay…?”

He glanced at me cautiously, knowing he’d done something wrong. His black eyes looking up at me with hands politely folded in front were so beautiful.

“I’m not okay. It really hurts. Blow on it.”

“…Young master, you’re not a child.”

I almost burst out laughing at his slightly disgusted look. No, isn’t that reaction too direct? But even that look seemed pretty to me.

The more time I spend with Luwen, the more I like him. And the firmer my resolve becomes.

“I didn’t mean to…”

“I know.”

It’s fine because I’m in a good mood.

“Bend down again. I didn’t dust it all off.”

“Shall I?”

I bent down again as Luwen instructed. Swish, swish. My hair swayed. My scalp tickled, my chest tickled, everything tickled.

“But you looked at me with contempt earlier.”

“When did I do that?”

Is this kid playing dumb?

“I definitely saw it.”

“I didn’t.”

“I’m pretty sure you did?”

“I’m telling you I didn’t. I’ve dusted it all off, so stand up.”

I stared at the back of Luwen’s head as he turned away abruptly, following behind him. This is nice too. The biggest advantage was being able to look at him to my heart’s content without worrying about his reaction.

As I leisurely appreciated his small, stubborn-looking back while walking, Luwen suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Hurry up. How can I lead the way?”

“What does it matter between us?”

“We should be mindful of the master-servant relationship.”

He retorted quite smartly, but…

“You don’t really see me as your master, Luwen.”

He just pressed his lips together at my words, spoken with a slight smile, not denying it.

It’s more like an older brother than a master, right? I treat you casually. I believe you’re well aware of it. Because you’re smart. Am I expecting a bit much? Hm?

* * *

The breakfast that was brought up was quite substantial, but Luwen alone managed to eat 1.5 portions. All of it will become our Luwen’s blood and flesh, helping him grow, right?

After finishing the heartwarming breakfast, we washed up and headed straight to the desk. I was planning to spend a leisurely morning reading a herbology textbook. But Luwen kept glancing at me like a hungry puppy.

He’s full of energy from the morning. As I closed the book and stood up, his invisible ears seemed to perk up.

“Ah! Young master, your quill fell!”

“Huh? Oh.”

When did it fall? Black ink had stained the floor. After picking up the quill and putting it in the pen holder, I said what Luwen had been waiting to hear.

“Shall we go to the training ground?”

“Yes!”

Is he that happy? As I was looking for a thick cloak to brave the cold, Merin came in leading some servants.

“Where are you going? Today is the day you visit the Imperial Palace.”

Ah. Ah! Was it today? I completely forgot because all my attention was on Luwen.

Once or twice a month, I visit the palace to meet the 5th Prince. I often forget even normally, but this time I didn’t even think about his existence.

Since childhood, I’ve been frequenting the palace as a playmate for the 5th Prince. He was also the one who helped me when I tried to kill Irene. Because of that, he dies at the hands of the 2nd Prince, the male lead. The two villains are killed side by side by the main couple.

‘Come to think of it, he was the character I understood the least while reading the original work.’

The 5th Prince had the worst standing among the princes in the palace. Because his mother was of lowly dancer origin, he was often disregarded not only by his brothers but also by the palace servants. Yet he understood his position and was grateful for many things.

‘Why did such a person go along with my murder plan?’

I still couldn’t understand it even thinking about it again. He had no grudge against Irene, nor did he dislike the 2nd Prince.

…Did I corrupt him? How did I do it? Was my unknown skill that good? The past me was probably just an idiot blinded by jealousy.

No, now more than that… I was worried about Luwen, who had drooped his shoulders in disappointment.

“Luwen… would you like to come to the palace with me? The greenhouse His Highness tends is really beautiful. There are many flowers we don’t have in our greenhouse.”

“Flowers?”

He showed some interest, but still looked clearly disappointed, so I hastily added:

“Yes. If I ask His Highness, we might be able to get some flowers. I want to give them to sister as a gift, want to choose together?”

My trump card: using Irene. As expected, his mouth immediately spread into a grin.

You like sister that much? Well, of course you do. If I were Luwen, I would have liked Irene too.

“Can I really choose? Really?”

Seeing his excited face, having completely forgotten the disappointment of not going to the training ground, my feelings became complicated. But it was better than him being depressed.

“Of course-“

“Fei!”

“…right?”

That’s when it happened. Cutting off my answer, the door burst open and a bright, clear voice ambushed us.

“Young lady!”

Luwen called out happily.

“Welcome, young lady.”

Merin greeted politely. Irene ran up and hugged me in one breath.

Irene… I felt like a final boss invading a beginner’s area. Especially Irene’s energy. It was ominous. I had a bad feeling about this.

“It’s the day you visit the palace, right? Let’s go together! Father said he’d take me too.”

“Ah…”

Why do bad premonitions usually turn out to be right? It seems today is the day the female and male leads reunite. I remembered that their first meeting was at Irene’s debutante, and the second was when she met him visiting the palace with me, her younger brother.

It was because of Irene that Father, who had maintained neutrality in the power struggle for the throne, turned to the 2nd Prince. In the end, that choice leads to his death… Sigh, I don’t know. Father’s predestined death was a big worry for me.

But there’s still time, so maybe I can put it aside for now. The problem I’m facing right now is more serious. Having to ride in a carriage with Father. Haha, you’re joking, right? I really don’t want to.

“Young master!”

Just a moment ago, I was the one who coaxed him to come along, but now Luwen was the one shooting me looks saying he wanted to go. I already didn’t want to go together, and now I want to even less. Should I pretend to be sick and collapse?

Hm? That’s tempting. Isn’t it quite a good idea? Should I collapse now? Now? Right now?

“I asked Father if Luwen could come to the palace too. You were planning to take him, right?”

Irene smiled brightly, like a child seeking praise.

I… have never disliked you. Rather, I was immersed in reading the novel, cheering for you and liking you. But today’s Irene was a bit hateful.

Luwen respects Father and likes Irene. So if I collapse and lie in bed… wouldn’t Luwen just follow sister? Leaving only Merin behind, as a twelve-year-old young servant wouldn’t be able to properly take care of me.

‘No. Absolutely not!’

The thought of Luwen and Irene bonding without me there is even scarier than the carriage ride that makes me feel suffocated just thinking about it. What if things flow as in the original work?

“Yeah. That’s right. Thanks, sister.”

At least we’ll be separate on the way back, so I just need to endure for a bit.

“Young lady, the young master needs to change clothes for the palace visit. For a moment…”

“Ah! Okay, okay. I’ll go change too. See you later, Fei! Luwen!”

“Mm.”

“Yes! Young lady!”

What an energetic reply.

“Merin, please prepare some clothes for Luwen too. Not too flashy, but neat. Do we have anything that fits?”

“I’ve already prepared them.”

Merin immediately delegated my order to another servant who had followed her in.

Only after he left with Luwen did I slump my shoulders and sigh. I held it in well in front of the happy Luwen, good job me. I couldn’t show a gloomy face in front of him.

“Young master. I’ll help you change.”

“Merin. I don’t want to go.”

“My, throwing a tantrum at me won’t help.”

I took off the clothes I was wearing and changed into formal attire with vibrant colors and patterns. There was a time when I liked such formal wear, but now it just feels heavy and cumbersome.

“I’m annoyed…”

“Complaining won’t help either.”

Merin draped a cloak over my shoulders.