The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 29

The following spring. Luwen could now handle a horse skillfully and read and write without difficulty.

Meanwhile, I saw my first patient. It was my first diagnosis under my teacher’s supervision. My teacher, practicing noblesse oblige, often provided free examinations for commoners, and my first patient was one of those beneficiaries.

A farmer patient with a long incision wound gave me a lot of potatoes as a thank you gift. I couldn’t forget how Luwen looked at me with admiring eyes when I received the gift. It seemed I was smoothly becoming a reliable good older brother.

Peaceful times continued without incident. Learning deepened, and I still spent most of my days with Luwen, steadily building our bond.

Occasionally, I treated Luwen to Korean cuisine. At first, he found it a bit spicy, but now he ate it well. Unfortunately, there weren’t many opportunities. Whenever I went to the kitchen, everyone felt uncomfortable, making Luwen restless.

So, in the early summer of the third year. Fifteen-year-old Luwen, thanks to being well-fed and well-rested, had grown to be just slightly shorter than me.

And my room was filled with the scent of peonies. It was thanks to Luwen, who woke up at dawn every day to pick flowers and decorate. The child never forgot his promise.

But today, the mansion was particularly noisy. When I found out why, it was because all the family knights were to be mobilized for the 1st Prince’s monster subjugation unit.

‘Tonight, there will be an attack.’

In the original story, Luwen was injured protecting Irene, but if things go as I planned, no one will be hurt today. There will only be someone kidnapped.

However, there was one thing that bothered me.

‘Father…’

Father will die. I know that. It’s a death that could perhaps be prevented if I tell him in advance. It’s been a problem I’ve been pondering all this time, but I still haven’t reached an answer.

“Young master, what are you thinking about?”

Luwen suddenly stuck his face out and smiled brightly.

I was afraid that Father’s survival might cause a butterfly effect. That something might happen to this lovely child because of it. That I might lose Luwen in a way I couldn’t predict.

So I wanted to pretend not to know, but… I felt uncomfortable. Haven’t I completely given up on Father’s attention? Why do I keep thinking about eating a meal together now?

‘If I had just… eaten one meal with him, would I be feeling relieved now? Ah, I really don’t know.’

My head was complicated.

“Luwen. Give me a hug just once.”

“What? Suddenly?”

Although bewildered by my sudden request, Luwen obediently came closer and opened his arms.

Unlike when he was younger, Luwen had now grown enough that I could fit snugly in his embrace. The only thing that hadn’t changed was his still high body temperature. Above all, despite being raised by me, he had grown into a kind and affectionate child. I had been prepared for him to go astray. It was something to be proud of.

“It suddenly strikes me how much you’ve grown, Luwen.”

“I can even lift you now, young master.”

Where did he learn to put words into action immediately? Suddenly, Luwen lifted me up.

“Oh, you startled me…”

“How about that? I’m strong, aren’t I?”

Luwen smiled, lifting his head. Looking at me with sparkling eyes like a child seeking praise… Is this the timing to praise him? I don’t quite understand. Well, I’ll do it since he wants it.

“That’s right. Our Luwen is very strong.”

“Ah, come on. It feels like you’re treating me like a child.”

“I can clearly see the top of your head, so you are a child.”

“That’s because I lifted you!”

Luwen, who instantly became sulky, gently put me down. It made me laugh. My heart felt lighter too.

Perhaps because of that, my complicated mind seemed to brighten a bit. Then I reached a conclusion.

‘I should tell Father. I should at least do the minimum duty.’

I can’t tell him much anyway. I decided to just give a slight warning.

‘I don’t know if it will be effective.’

I don’t think Father will believe me. I might not even be able to face him. Still, I should be able to shake off the burden on my heart, guilt, and any lingering attachments.

Once I made up my mind, time felt pressing. Father will soon leave for the imperial palace. If that happens, my resolve will be meaningless, and I’ll lose the opportunity.

“Luwen. I’m going out for a moment.”

“Where are you going? Isn’t it almost time for you to go to the clinic?”

Luwen hastily asked, following me closely.

“I’ll go. But I want to ask Father something first.”

He seems to have realized what I was troubled about. The child immediately put on a stern expression and looked at me with worried eyes. In fact, every time Luwen cared for me like this, I felt as if I was buried in peonies. It was fragrant, abundant, and beautiful.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

“Can’t I come with you?”

“It’s something I need to say to Father alone, so if you come along, you’ll have to wait in the corridor, and I don’t want to leave you standing there. I’ll be back.”

I stopped Luwen from following and left the room.

Walking alone in the mansion felt really awkward after so long. The time spent with Luwen was satisfying and enjoyable, but there were side effects like this.

‘It feels so strange not having the presence of someone walking beside me.’

I stopped in front of the office, acknowledged the salute from the guard knight at the door, and then knocked. I thought I’d be nervous, but I was surprisingly calm. I guess the emotional ties binding me to Father have thinned a lot.

“Who is it.”

After swallowing once to wet my throat at the stiff voice, I answered.

“It’s Fei.”

If he tells me not to come in, that’s the end of it. I’ll just forget about it. I tried to talk. He might refuse, thinking it’s just a courtesy visit.

I was about to turn around after waiting a bit, but an unexpected answer came.

“Come in.”

Before I could mentally prepare myself, the door opened. After glancing at Father’s unnecessarily diligent guard knight, I went inside.

Click. As the door closed, the pouring sunlight disappeared, and I was swallowed by shadows.

“What is it.”

Father, who had his head bowed as if about to be buried in documents, asked in a monotone voice. Without even looking at me.

I calmly said to Father.

“When you enter the palace today, please don’t drink the wine. That’s all I have to say, I won’t disturb you further.”

The 1st Prince will offer poisoned wine. Even if I wanted to explain in detail, there was no way to explain how I knew, so this was the best I could do. With this, I’ve done my duty as a child. How Father takes my warning is up to him.

I bowed slightly and was about to turn and leave when Father stopped me.

“Wait.”

I heard the sound of a quill pen being put down, then the chair being pushed back. Unusually, Father, who had risen from his seat, moved to the sofa in the center. His gaze, staring at me as if telling me to sit opposite him, was burdensome.

“Sit down.”

I just want to leave. I’ve really done enough. I just came to live comfortably from now on, so I didn’t want to have a conversation.

But at Father’s next words, I froze, standing still.

“I don’t know how you knew, but it seems I’ve already drunk the wine you mentioned.”

Father’s fingers were trembling as he clenched and unclenched his fist.

This is strange. In the original story, the 1st Prince would have offered the wine after Father entered the palace today. Why is the content different? Could something have changed because of my actions?

“…It’s a poison without an antidote.”

The poison Father ingested uses Trevia leaves, which gradually decrease kidney function and ultimately stops heart function. Depending on the amount consumed, it can take as little as a day or as long as a week. No matter how many days, it eventually leads to death.

“Is that so.”

As I was still standing in place, Father looked up at me.

“I don’t love you.”

“I know. Why state the obvious now.”

“But I don’t hate you either.”

What nonsense is this? For the first time in a long while, I frowned, expressing my raw emotions. A sneer escaped involuntarily.

“You were proof of my failure. There’s no way I could love you.”

What am I here for, to enjoy wealth and glory… No, I’m already enjoying it, aren’t I? Anyway, I don’t know why I’m here. I’m starting to regret coming here to tell him, even if he is my father.

“If that’s all you have to say, I’ll take my leave. I’m not interested in your thoughts.”

“Then why did you come? Why did you warn me?”

“So I can live with a clear conscience.”

Always expressionless, yet now a curve appeared at the corner of Father’s mouth.

“You really resemble your mother.”

Annoyed by the pointless conversation, I turned my body abruptly. This was really the end now.

[Footnote]

1) Incision wound: A wound caused by being cut with a sharp edge like a knife or glass shard.