The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 22

“Luwen, would you like to go pick some flowers?”

“Some flowers have thorns, so the child might get hurt if they go alone. It’s a gift from Fei to his sister, so it would be troublesome if there’s blood on it. Shaven, go and help him.”

The 5th Prince even sent his own aide as Luwen’s errand boy. It seemed like a somewhat rude order for a nobleman, but the aide smiled politely and bowed neatly.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I was worried that Luwen might feel burdened and was thinking of getting up right away if he signaled for help, but the child just took the basket and left.

…What is this tremendous feeling of regret and disappointment? Should I have just gotten up when the 5th Prince suggested it? It’s awkward to change my mind now.

Crunch.

“Fei?”

Ah. Without realizing it, I had bitten the teacup I was holding to my mouth. The 5th Prince looked at me with surprised eyes, as I had always been so strict about etiquette.

“I’m sorry. It was suddenly hot…”

“Are you not burned?”

The 5th Prince pushed his chair back and came to my side in an instant, lifting my chin. He stared intently at my lips and even touched them. It doesn’t seem like he’s making a pass at me, just showing concern, but the way he keeps touching is rather…

I firmly grasped the 5th Prince’s wrist and pushed it down while averting my gaze. I showed clear signs of embarrassment and gave him a look, causing him to jump in surprise and withdraw his arm.

“I, I was just trying to check if you were hurt, but I ended up being rude.”

“It’s fine. I was just a bit surprised.”

Perhaps reflecting on his own actions, the 5th Prince’s face and neck turned red as he mumbled and fidgeted, embarrassed. His voice was so low that it was hard to interpret, but it seemed like he was saying something along the lines of being sorry.

It was then that I suddenly felt the air freeze, and an unfamiliar voice spoke from behind me.

“Hmm. I heard my brother and Duke Vinter’s son were close, but I see the rumors were true.”

I couldn’t tell who it was just by the voice, but it must be a member of the royal family, so I quickly stood up. Who could it be? Perhaps the 4th Prince, who has some interaction with the 5th Prince?

However, the moment I confirmed the other person’s face, I felt the need to tighten my loosened mind. On the other hand, the 5th Prince’s voice was bright and energetic, as if he was happy to see his brother. He clearly didn’t know what kind of person this man was.

“Brother Heis!”

The 1st Prince of the Empire and the main villain in the original story who competes with the male lead for the position of Crown Prince. Heis Jin Zeint.

I’m a pathetic villain who disappears with a flash at the beginning, but the 1st Prince is a villain who even starts a war to deal with his political opponents. He spouts nonsense about how there’s no better place than a battlefield to kill people without arousing suspicion.

‘And he does that by joining hands with the crown prince of the enemy country, who is the same kind as him.’

The important thing is that because of the information this bastard leaked, Irene falls into a trap, and our Luwen ends up dying.

Eventually, the 1st Prince falls from power when evidence of selling information to the enemy country comes to light along with his past crimes. Later, he dies at the hands of the female lead, Irene, who secretly enters the prison with the help of the male lead.

This was Luwen’s future that I had to change. Of course, I won’t change everything, just slightly alter our Luwen’s future.

‘Still, peace will only come after the 1st Prince dies, so I should ensure his ending flows as it did in the original story.’

The disappointing thing is that there’s no way to do anything right now. I’m still considering if there’s a way to bring about the 1st Prince’s downfall sooner, but unfortunately, his power is currently greater than the 2nd Prince’s, so more time is needed.

Most trivial matters won’t even scratch him, and if I get caught in the act, my head will be the first to roll. This guy is an expert at quick executions. With the restrictions I have because of my father, I have no choice but to behave.

But just wait. I’ll bring about your downfall before you start the war, and keep Luwen safe. If I just pass on ‘reliable information’ to Irene, she’ll take care of it along with the 2nd Prince.

However, now was the time to be the innocent Fei Vinter who knows nothing, so I greeted the 1st Prince with a smiling face.

“I greet Your Highness, the 1st Prince.”

His shiny golden eyes scanned me quite unpleasantly. I think Irene in the original story also hated this bastard’s eyes. I wonder if his eyes are naturally like that, or if it’s our family genes that he finds appealing.

“I heard that the Vinter family only has beauties, and it seems the rumors weren’t exaggerated. But in my eyes, your beauty seems to be the most outstanding.”

What am I supposed to do with that? Knowing full well what kind of person he is, the intention behind that subtle gaze was obvious. If he wasn’t the 1st Prince, I would have stormed out of here.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Why are you looking so pleased, 5th Prince? Can’t you see he’s hitting on me right now?

The 5th Prince, smiling brightly, seemed to have no concerns. He just looks pure and innocent.

This is why it’s strange. Why did a child like this participate in the murder of my relatives? Unless he clung to my pants, begging that it shouldn’t be done.

“But brother, what brings you here so suddenly?”

“The scent of flowers stopped me in my tracks as I was passing by. So I dropped in, not knowing that Ahab and the young lord were in the middle of a conversation.”

That’s a blatant lie. The 5th Prince’s palace is located at the outermost part of the imperial palace. In other words, it’s not a place one can casually drop by while passing. However, our naive 5th Prince seemed to believe those words completely.

No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem like I would have confided in such a person about a plan that my life depends on and asked for help… Unless deceiving this bastard was the first step of the plan.

“But young lord, you seem quite different from the rumors.”

“Is that so?”

I answered briefly, not wanting to prolong the conversation, but the 1st Prince started rambling about things I didn’t even ask.

“I heard you were extremely arrogant and hot-tempered.”

Ah, that. Well, that’s true. Although I’ve never attended a ball, rumors tend to spread far and wide through the mouths of servants.

“Well, if you had shown such behavior in front of me, you wouldn’t have been safe no matter who you are.”

Why are you jumping to conclusions on your own? But it’s not entirely wrong. Originally, one should hide their claws until the very end and only reveal them when they can certainly go for the throat.

“I’ve heard another story…”

This is tedious. Aren’t you leaving?

I seriously considered pretending to be sick, something I couldn’t do at home. However, I was hesitant because the oblivious 5th Prince might confine me to the imperial palace. Just then, the 1st Prince continued.

“I heard that you don’t get along well with the Duke… They say you don’t attend balls because you can’t, not because you won’t. People really do love to gossip about others.”

It was amusing to see someone who must have listened with great interest pretending he wasn’t one of them. Besides, bringing up rumors in front of the person in question is not polite.

If that’s how you want to play it, I can play too.

“Due to my weak constitution, I try to avoid strenuous activities as much as possible.”

I answered vaguely, neither confirming nor denying. However, I bit my lower lip hard, giving a hint that the story he heard was close to the truth. It seems he’s trying to build up to making a move on me. It doesn’t seem like he just wants to get me into bed, but like he has other intentions.

‘I need to figure out what he’s thinking.’

Judging by the nuance, he’s probably trying to cloud my judgment by touching on a sore spot, then tempting me by dangling what I want most. If I fall for it, he’ll start gaslighting me.

“If I had a son as outstanding as you, I’d take him everywhere to show him off.”

Oh. He’s throwing a fastball.

I wondered if it was okay to reveal my true feelings so openly, but it was that effective. No, it would have been. If it were the old me, I would have certainly flared up.

This confirmed his purpose. Now, rather than continuing to engage in conversation, it might be better to take a step back.

“It seems that false rumors are circulating because I’ve been staying at the Duke’s residence due to my health.”

“If that’s what you say, then it must be so. If you ever need my help, feel free to come to me. You’re always welcome, regardless of the time.”

The way he emphasized ‘regardless of the time’ made me want to vomit. Coming from someone who pulls anyone into his bed, regardless of gender, it was even more unpleasant.

Just do one thing, just one. Your greed knows no bounds. You dare to look down on me?