The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 30

“I’m sorry.”

This is the first time I’ve heard such a cold and unwanted apology.

“I knew what your mother was doing to you, but I didn’t stop her. That’s the only thing I’m sorry for. You may not know, but-“

I cut off my father’s words abruptly. I simply couldn’t listen anymore.

“No. You should be sorry for taking my mother away from me. If you had shown any interest, she wouldn’t have died. And what did you do after that? I had a father, but I was an orphan. I’m still an orphan, and now I’ll become a real one.”

“That woman-“

“I know. She put drugs in the rose tea. Do you think I didn’t know that it hurt every time mother offered me tea with an unusually excited face? Still, I liked her. Because she was there for me. That’s what I needed as a child.”

Most parents would willingly give their lives for their children. But children can also sacrifice themselves for their parents. Just as I, at seven years old, gladly drank the tea for my mother’s smile.

“If you know, that’s enough.”

Even as he turned away, my father’s words continued. His voice was still cold.

“I’m entrusting Irene to you. She’s innocent. Please continue to treat her as you do now, even when I’m gone.”

Consistent to the end, aren’t you?

“If you wanted to say something regretful, you should have treated me better. At least enough to make me want to grant your final request.”

I left the study with those words. I felt I could now do what I had planned without any guilt. I was almost grateful that he remained a father I could resent until the end.

* * *

Father went to the palace as usual. The only difference was that the entire knighthood accompanied him. And late at night, father’s carriage returned to the Duke’s residence.

Events were unfolding as planned. I don’t know why the timing of the poison was different, but tonight, father will die. He probably doesn’t know that an intruder will enter the mansion. If he knew, he would have evacuated Irene. If he had paid attention to politics, he might have even thought about how to conceal the poisoning.

I could see the carriage that would lose its master today slowly leaving the garden. I also saw the ordinary knights who came to guard the Duke’s residence instead of the Vinter knights, gathered in small groups with casual postures.

“Young master, I’m finished!”

Losing interest in the scene outside the window, I took the booklet Luwen handed to me.

Recently, Luwen has been learning the script of Tuaso, the great western country. He showed interest in languages, so I gently guided him, and he took to it well.

The great country was the nation we went to war with in the original story. I was teaching him their script thinking it might be of some help to Luwen if we couldn’t prevent the war.

“You’ve done a clean job interpreting, even with difficult words.”

As I praised him while patting his head, the child beamed with a bright smile.

Oh, how lovely. Whenever I see Luwen, my body and heart just melt. Well then, shall we start laying the groundwork?

“Let’s stop studying for today. Come to think of it, I think you can practice swordsmanship alone now, right?”

“Alone?”

“Why? Don’t you like that? You should have some free time too. Don’t you get bored being by my side every day?”

“I’m not bored at all!”

I burst into laughter at his whining voice. He’s grown taller and his body has become more robust, but he’s still so childlike.

Suddenly, I thought it would be nice if he could remain a child for a bit longer.

“Actually, I feel the same. I enjoy and am happy spending every day with you, Luwen.”

As I smiled while gently stroking his head, Luwen blushed slightly and gave a shy, quiet smile.

Hmm. This might be a good time to test the waters? I suddenly stiffened my face as if something had just occurred to me and lowered my hand. Seeing my suddenly dejected appearance, Luwen asked in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling ill?”

“No, it’s not that… Um. No, it’s nothing.”

I smiled awkwardly, acting a bit embarrassed.

“It’s not nothing. Do you think I haven’t known you for long?”

I stared intently at Luwen, who was looking at me with bright eyes, then burst out laughing. Then, with a sigh that seemed somewhat resigned and a bitter expression, I said:

“What could I possibly have that I can’t tell you, Luwen? Actually… you know the date we promised is approaching, right? I’m becoming sad that the time to send you away is coming.”

It was a topic I had deliberately never mentioned until now.

I quietly laughed inside as I watched the troubled Luwen. I remembered how he used to declare his desire to become Irene’s guard. It’s a dream he’s held consistently since childhood. I didn’t think it would change easily.

“Uh…”

Luwen hesitated and lowered his gaze.

As I thought, it hasn’t changed. I’ve been a good young master to Luwen. But Irene has always been a good young lady.

Still, lately he hasn’t been seeking out Irene as much as before. Maybe I can hope that this means we’re slightly deviating from the original story. That his fate of falling into a sad love is changing.

“Can I speak honestly?”

Luwen asked carefully, meeting my eyes. I imitated kindness as usual.

“Of course. Your wishes are the most important, so don’t feel burdened and speak freely. Whatever you want, I’ll help you.”

However, if he wishes to return to Irene, I’ll still stop him for now. He’s only fifteen after all. He should experience first love with someone other than Irene. By that time, Irene will probably be getting along well with the 2nd Prince, so it should be fine. Their relationship should have improved quite a bit lately.

“In the past, my only dream was to become the young lady’s guard. But now… you might think I’m greedy, but I want to protect both of you.”

Uh…? An unexpected answer came back. Three years with Irene, three years with me. The more time Luwen spends with me in the future, the less time he spends with Irene. It means the probability of falling in love is that much lower. I’d say this is going quite smoothly.

“Are you… disappointed?”

“No. I’m happy that I seem to have become someone important to you.”

“Of course! You’ve been so good to me. I’ve long forgotten about things from the past.”

“Then do you like me?”

“Yes. I like you.”

Luwen answered without a moment’s hesitation, with a bright smiling face. Although there was a slight hint of shyness, his straightforward gaze made his feelings for me and Irene seem completely identical. Goodwill or friendship based on affection.

Good, good. I smiled with the most radiant face I could muster. Luwen’s jewel-like smile as he smiled back was breathtakingly beautiful.

“I’m glad. I’ll let you have independent sword practice time starting tomorrow.”

“From tomorrow? So soon?”

His voice was loud as he raised his head abruptly, as if hearing unexpected news. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Luwen this excited. I slowly moved towards the table by the window.

I poured rose tea, still steaming hot, into a teacup embossed with rose patterns. I also filled Luwen’s separate teacup, and the child trudged over to sit down.

“We made a promise when you first started learning the sword, remember? That I’d let you practice alone when you were capable.”

“I remember, but…”

Luwen mumbled while fidgeting with the saucer with his index finger.

“Back then you were so eager to practice alone, why have you changed?”

Crazy! Look at those pouty lips! They’re like a baby bird’s beak! Or is it a chick? Luwen, do you want to be a chick?

“Always… seeing you in the same place gave me strength and motivation…”

Let’s not get excited. I need to stay calm because he might think I’m teasing him. What I’m about to say is quite important, so the atmosphere shouldn’t be broken.

I spoke while maintaining an image of calm, quiet, kind, and gentle:

“It’s not like I’m really disappearing. I’ll always be here. Always by your side, Luwen.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll stick close and protect you until you get sick of me and leave.”

“Why would I ever dislike you? That won’t happen.”

At his confident tone, I narrowed my eyes. I hope so.

Clink- I picked up the teacup and took a sip of rose tea. Come to think of it, why did father tell me not to drink rose tea? Mother is gone now. The only one who could put drugs in the rose tea now is me.

I saw Luwen following suit and drinking the tea. Sipping without any suspicion.

A few minutes later, the child started nodding off.

“Are you sleepy already?”

“…A little, yawn…”

“Let’s lie down on the bed. It’s hard for me to carry you now.”

I said as I got up first. The drug was starting to take effect, so he would fall asleep soon.