The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 6

Suddenly, my mind was filled with exclamation marks. Could this be an attempt to apologize?

Really? Is he trying to apologize?

“Why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?”

“No, that’s not it!”

That’s it! I think that’s it!

Although I noticed, I kept quiet, pretending not to know, because his fidgeting fingers were cute, and his embarrassed look was adorable, and I wanted to keep watching.

“Sheesh. So… what I wanted to say was… I didn’t know…”

“Didn’t know what?”

“…that I shouldn’t push you into the lake…”

His mumbling voice was so small it seemed like it would disappear, but the content was clearly conveyed.

I expected it, but I didn’t think he’d actually apologize. Objectively speaking, I was the one who did wrong first, and it was my own fault whether I lived or died. Maybe that’s why. Actually receiving an apology from Luwen made me feel strange.

He grew up to be this kind, cute, honest, and good-natured thanks to Irene, right?

I had a fleeting thought about what if I ruined the child by raising him. But knowing the predetermined future, it doesn’t feel right to just leave it be…

‘No. Even if his personality gets a little damaged, I’d like Luwen to live.’

I want to see Luwen’s future that I haven’t seen. A life where he feels more emotions, tries various things, eats, does everything he wants, and lives dynamically with vitality.

“…And thank you. For not letting me become a bad child in front of the Duke.”

Huh? Wait. What did he say? Thank you?

It was a shocking enough statement to pull me out of my reverie. No matter how good a child Luwen is, isn’t this a bit strange? Did Irene tell him to say this?

Hmm. If it’s Irene, she might. But it doesn’t sound forced. This means Irene explained it step by step to match Luwen’s level of understanding.

This is actually quite appreciated. Since she’s set the stage, I should make good use of it. It’s a perfect topic to break the ice. Although the expected answer isn’t pleasant, it’s better than the conversation dying.

“Do you like Father, Luwen?”

“Yes! I’ve never met anyone as kind and wonderful as the Duke. I want to be recognized by the Duke and become Miss Irene’s guard!”

…Hearing Father’s evaluation made me feel dirtier than I expected. It felt like I was doused in sewage. Maybe it’s because Luwen is beaming with a bright smile.

“I see. That would be nice.”

I hid my true feelings and smiled with a clean face. Luwen’s eyes, radiating a bright smile, were filled with dreams. How beautifully and brightly they shone. Even though his wish was to become Irene’s guard, I felt like helping him.

But no. If you find a different dream, then I’ll help you.

No, if you fall in love with someone else, it’s okay to become Irene’s guard. Until then, it’s not allowed.

“But for now, you’re my personal attendant, so you’ll have to help me a lot. Understood?”

“I know that without you telling me. But I still want to see Miss Irene occasionally. I want to pay my respects and see how she’s doing.”

That’s troublesome. How should I refuse this? The problem was that there was no proper justification. If I say no, he’ll ask why, and if there’s no valid reason, he’ll suspect my intentions.

I want to avoid my image getting worse.

To tame a person, you need both carrot and stick. But since I’ve already used the stick dozens of times, now it’s time to give a handful of carrots. So I know I should allow it now, but… what if Luwen falls for Irene again?

I want to prevent it from following the same flow as the original story, but how should I do this…

“…Is it not allowed?”

But my deliberation was brief. Because Luwen looked up at me with moist eyes like an abandoned puppy…

“Alright. If that’s what you prefer, you can do that.”

I found myself giving permission without realizing it.

Damn it! It should be fine since he’s still young. To prevent any possible situations, I can go along with him.

“…Really?”

“Yes. Do you doubt me?”

“Young master, have you really changed? It’s strange because you’re so different from usual.”

Luwen’s eyes were filled with confusion. Although I’m not thrilled, it seems I’ve taken the first step towards my goal of making him see me differently.

It can’t be helped. I’ll have to keep pretending to be a good person. Luwen, I’ll continue to treat you well from now on. I’ll become someone you can rely on more than Irene, someone who’s there for you.

As I slightly raised my hand, he flinched. Come to think of it, Luwen must have been hit by me a lot since he was always by sister’s side. I’m sorry… But it’s not like that this time.

I gently patted Luwen’s head. Luwen stared at my arm, tensed up, probably suspecting when my hand might suddenly come down to hit his head.

Young Luwen was truly beautiful. Black hair and eyes. Delicate, cute features. He’s so adorable, why did I hate him so much and beat him in the past? I was crazy.

To think I made him fear me like this. I wanted to chop off the hand that did such evil deeds and offer it to Luwen as an apology, but if I did that, he’d run away without looking back, so let’s refrain.

Luwen, let’s get used to each other slowly. I will never hurt you again from now on. I’ll make you realize that I’m someone who protects you.

After the brief contact, I removed my hand, and only then did Luwen relax, looking relieved. Pretending not to notice, I lowered my hand and spoke while maintaining a calm smile. I must always smile in front of Luwen. This face looks cold when expressionless.

“Let’s have dinner together.”

“Why me?”

You won’t be able to resist eating, you know? I’ve specially requested your favorites, as advised by Irene.

“You’ll want to eat, I bet.”

There’s no need to give a victorious smile to the little one who’s looking at me as if that’s impossible. I’ll smile at him a little later.

As discussed, when the appointed time came, the dinner setting began to be laid out on the table. I leisurely sat in a terrace chair, watching Luwen rather than the servants.

The child was standing uncomfortably, flinching as he watched the servants busily coming and going. He seemed to be debating whether to help or stay still.

The person who helps when you’re uncomfortable is a good person, right? It’s my time to step in.

“Luwen. Would you like to come here?”

When I called him, he seemed embarrassed about just standing still and slowly approached my side. That’s right. You should stick close to me like this. That’s how I can protect you.

Luwen looked at me, silently asking if there was something I wanted him to do, but I just smiled at him. He rolled his eyes around and then slightly turned his head towards the garden.

He must feel awkward. He’s so adorably cute, really.

“Young master, the preparations are complete.”

“Ah, good work. You may go.”

I made eye contact with the servant who looked at me with a puzzled face. Especially Merin’s expression change, who had served me for a long time, was quite entertaining to watch.

Yes, I understand. It’s the first time you’ve heard me say ‘good work’, right? I know.

Merin’s poker face was excellent. She quickly bowed politely and withdrew with the others.

“Gulp.”

I can hear him swallowing. The table was set with mostly snacks, almost embarrassingly so for a dinner. I asked for the main dish to be seasoned sweetly to match the taste of the child who likes sweet things, so it should be delicious.

“Luwen.”

“Yeah.”

He responded without taking his eyes off the cake, as if mesmerized, then suddenly realized he had spoken informally and showed a startled expression.

“No, I mean, yes, young master.”

“I told you you’d want to eat, didn’t I? You can sit down and eat. It’s all prepared for you.”

This time, he sat down quietly in the chair without objecting, perhaps because the temptation of the cake was too strong.

I watched expectantly, thinking he would start eating deliciously right away, but Luwen stopped as he reached for the cake plate. Then he lowered his arm under the table and looked at me cautiously.

“Why? You can eat.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. You can eat it all.”

But he just stared without readily eating. I wonder what’s bothering him?

I picked up the cake plate that Luwen had been staring at, and he immediately looked at me intently. Judging from his betrayed expression, he must have thought I was going to eat it all. Cute kid.

“Here.”

I moved the cake plate in front of him. He looked at the cake placed in front of him with wide eyes, then glanced at me, then looked back at the cake. His black eyes sparkled as if they held stars.

Hmm. I can almost see Luwen’s affection level. Right now, I must be below the cake. Well, whatever. You can’t fill your stomach with the first spoonful, right?

“Would you like to try this too?”

While I was at it, I picked up a pretty-colored macaron for him.

It’s fortunate that he’s still young. Because his love for sweet snacks is greater than his dislike for me at this age.