The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 21

He probably didn’t like me since childhood. When did his feelings change? I can’t pinpoint it even when I try to recall, as there’s no particular situation that comes to mind.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

With a smile that the 5th Prince surely didn’t often show, he headed towards the greenhouse. While I was freezing, the Prince’s face and ears were all flushed as if he was welcoming summer.

Wow, how did I not notice this? It’s so obvious. So, did the 5th Prince just help me? Did he like me that much?

It’s a plausible hypothesis, but something felt off. The 5th Prince is fundamentally a good and righteous person. Even if I wanted to kill my sister, he might try to stop and comfort me, but he’s not the type to join hands and say, “Let’s kill her together.” I’m certain of his character after spending quite some time with him.

More fundamentally, I’m not careless enough to conspire to commit murder with someone like him.

At this point, I was curious about the process omitted in the original work. There must have been a reason why I decided to kill Irene. Surely, it wasn’t without any reason. Even though I’ve tormented people to the point of death, I’ve never actually thought about killing anyone.

Suddenly, my eyes met with the 5th Prince, who was grinning at me like a fool. The Prince’s smile deepened like a ripe peony.

It’s dripping with sweetness. I’m grateful that he likes me, but…

‘It’s awkward.’

For now, it seemed necessary to distance myself from the 5th Prince. It would be too much to string him along when I probably won’t be able to accept his feelings later.

Surprisingly, the fact that we’re the same gender didn’t bother me. It’s probably because of the memories of growing up in this world where same-sex relationships are common.

Rather, my own issue of not being able to trust someone else’s love was more significant. Because I can’t shake off the suspicion that they’ll eventually abandon me. Even my mother tried to love me, but ultimately rejected me. So there’s no way someone could love me unchangingly.

In my previous life, I was always alone. One experience of abandonment was enough, so I lived by drawing lines with people. If someone tried to dig in and climb over, I pushed them away. That way, my mind was at ease.

A life without pain, but also without joy. My emotions were as still as a frozen lake, and I considered that to be peace. That’s why I couldn’t help but consider Irene and Luwen, who shook me without the worry of getting hurt, as special.

As I avoided the 5th Prince’s gaze out of discomfort, I caught sight of Luwen’s small figure, constantly exclaiming in admiration as he looked around at the splendid scenery. Perhaps due to being lost in memories, the feeling of wanting to protect him became even clearer.

It was while I was feeling this tenderness alone. Luwen turned around. The moment I saw his bright smile full of sunshine, someone else’s image overlapped.

‘From now on, live selfishly. In a safe place, only protecting your own well-being.’

At the same time, I recalled the pleasant baritone voice of a man whose face I couldn’t remember.

But something felt strange. The voice I imagined while reading the novel about Luwen was the same as the voice I just recalled.

‘No, there’s no way I could have met Luwen in my previous life. Who is it?’

Rationally thinking, it would be reasonable to assume that I had substituted the best voice I had ever heard as Luwen’s voice. In other words, I must have known him before encountering the book.

But why can’t I remember the face of the voice’s owner? The impression that he was an unforgettably handsome man is clear, though.

‘He was someone with a somewhat sad atmosphere.’

It was puzzling how that person’s image overlapped when I saw the bright Luwen, as the man’s atmosphere was completely opposite.

‘I really don’t know.’

I was aware that there were gaps in my memories of my previous life. However, I thought it was the same kind of thing as not being able to accurately remember the distant past due to the passage of time.

But now. I was confused by the contradictory memory of a person who was both clear and vague.

Moreover, the words I heard from the man were strange too. I always lived selfishly, thinking only of my own well-being and keeping my distance from people. It means it’s not the kind of thing I would typically hear.

“Young Master.”

Luwen, who had approached me at some point, called me in a small voice.

“Yes?”

“If Miss also goes to the greenhouse together, what about the gift?”

When I heard the word ‘gift’, suddenly a clear scene popped into my mind. It was the moment when that man handed me a book.

When I showed a lukewarm response due to lack of interest in novels, he showed signs of impatience. He emphasized several times that I must read it. I wondered how much he liked the book to recommend it so desperately, so I opened it out of curiosity. That was the beginning. The beginning of everything.

‘And what happened after that?’

I think we met a few times after that. But I could only guess with a foggy, opaque feeling. Everything was blurry to an unusual degree.

“Young Master?”

“Ah.”

Oh no. I got lost in thought with Luwen right in front of me. I forcibly pushed the constantly distracting man out of my mind. There’s no use in recalling him anyway, since I can’t even remember clearly, and it’s a connection from my previous life. I can’t meet him anymore.

“Sister has another appointment, so she won’t stay long. We can prepare secretly then.”

Luwen, who had been glancing at Irene nervously, nodded with a broad smile.

The greenhouse was not far. We headed towards the small artificial waterfall in the center. There was a table as splendid as the flowers in full bloom in the greenhouse in front of it.

As soon as we sat down, various snacks, fruits, and black tea were served. The conversation was mainly carried by the 5th Prince talking alone, with Irene responding. Of course, he kept asking for my thoughts, but I was busy passing snacks to Luwen.

“Do you want to try this too?”

“Um, Young Master…”

“Yes?”

Luwen stood on his tiptoes and whispered close to my ear.

“Is it okay to keep giving me things?”

Who’s making our child feel self-conscious? Right in front of me.

“Your Highness, perhaps…”

Was it you who made Luwen feel self-conscious, 5th Prince?

“Hm? Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“It seems Luwen enjoys the cookies, I was wondering if we could have more.”

“O-Of course. If that’s what Fei wants, as much as you like.”

At the 5th Prince’s signal, his aide immediately moved. Orders were given, and plates piled high with cookies were promptly placed on the table. It was quite fast.

Come on, eat without feeling self-conscious. Eat a lot.

“He seemed to enjoy the fig cookies the most, but there aren’t many.”

“Bring fig cookies immediately.”

At this solemn command, the servants’ movements became busy again. It didn’t take long for fig cookies to be placed on the table. I smiled as I filled Luwen’s hands with plenty of cookies.

“You can eat a lot. Eat as much as you want, comfortably.”

“Thank you…”

Perhaps because of the palace setting and the 5th Prince right in front of him, he didn’t look entirely comfortable, but Luwen munching away was just like a squirrel. With the greenhouse garden full of flowers as a backdrop, he also looked like a fairy.

A flower crown would suit him well, wouldn’t it?

I was about to make one on the spur of the moment, but suddenly Luwen looked somewhere and scurried off. As he headed towards Irene, I watched closely and saw a pink ribbon had fallen under her chair. The child wiped his hands on his pants before picking up the ribbon and gently tapping Irene’s arm.

“Miss!”

“Hm? Oh my. When did my ribbon fall off? Thank you, Luwen.”

“Shall I tie it for you?”

“Luwen, you know how to tie hair too?”

“Yes!”

…Why did I suddenly recall Luwen’s voice telling me about a dropped quill pen before we came to the palace? I quietly watched as his small hands diligently worked to make a ribbon.

* * *

Irene left when it was time for her appointment with the 2nd Prince, leaving only three men in the greenhouse. As a result, I had to deal with the 5th Prince alone.

I was engaging in small talk, responding appropriately, when Luwen kept glancing at me meaningfully. Smart kid. He hasn’t forgotten. If he keeps looking at me like that, I can’t pretend not to notice.

‘I wonder if he’d remember a promise made for my sake.’

No, he probably wouldn’t even make a promise to do something for me in the first place.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to gift my sister with a fragrance, so I was wondering if I could have some flowers from the greenhouse.”

“Of course. You can pick as many as you’d like. Shall we choose together?”

It seems he wants to walk together. While doing so, he probably wants to show off the flowers and show me the new roses he’s brought in. Normally, I would have reluctantly agreed, but now that I know the 5th Prince’s feelings, I don’t want to go along with it.

“Luwen was originally my sister’s attendant. If we leave it to the child, he’ll choose well.”

“Is that so? Then let’s do as Fei wishes.”

The 5th Prince’s smile lost some of its strength, seeming a bit disappointed.

I’m sorry. But I’m not a good person. In the end, you’ll be disappointed in me and leave too. So wouldn’t it be better for you to meet someone better than me?

The only way I could respond to the 5th Prince’s feelings was to create a future different from the original work. At the very least, to ensure he doesn’t die because of me. So from now on, I decided to distance myself from him.