As a Villain I Really Don’t Want To Be Pursued by the Heroine

59

For the members of the Reinhardt royal family to gather at the dining table was a rare occurrence.

In the martial kingdom of Lionheart, where the royal family led by example, the eldest prince was dispatched to the “Frontline of Desolation” for his rite of passage.

Meanwhile, the second prince, Leo, was tasked with hunting down cults, leaving little time for leisure.

The king and queen, each preoccupied with their internal and external affairs, were naturally very busy.

Such a reunion, minus the eldest prince far away, was indeed not common.

But rarer than the reunion was Charlotte’s incessant chatter.

“Brave, kind, honest, graceful, modest yet unyielding in principle—ah, you should have seen how he defended that maid! Roy Einbrett is one of the few men worthy of the noble title, not at all as vile as the rumors suggest!”

The usual Charlotte, when discussing potential suitors, would either show disdain or murderous intent. Now, her spirited praise of another was almost a complete reversal of her family’s perception of her.

Her father’s mood was complex, words failing him.

Prince Leo’s gaze was dark, finding the whole affair incomprehensible.

It was Charlotte’s mother, Leysa Reinhardt, the dignified lady, who sipped her wine, her lips slowly curving into an amused smile.

“So, you fancy him, do you?”

“Absolutely…! I mean his character!” Charlotte choked on her words.

Even in front of others, Charlotte couldn’t help but feel intimidated by her mother’s penetrating gaze.

The young princess averted her eyes, twirling her long tresses, feigning indifference as she explained, “I just mean to say, he’s exceptional, unlike the dandies of this generation.”

“That’s all.”

Within a family, some things are understood without words.

Charlotte’s insistence was so forceful, it was practically an admission of guilt.

Old Father Robert sipped his drink in silence, finding it hard to say much.

In truth, he wanted to break the legs of every man who came near his daughter, but seeing her so happy, and with Roy being the cherished son of a dear friend, he couldn’t bring himself to act.

Yet, Prince Leo threw cold water on Charlotte’s face right then and there.

“Is there a possibility that he’s just acting?”

“You should know, people lie, especially those scoundrels who can sweet-talk a girl into a daze with just a few words.”

Upon hearing this, Charlotte’s eyelashes drooped slightly: “Brother, I can judge for myself, no need for your concern.”

Charlotte prided herself on her judgment of character, and besides, Leon’s assault on Alice was an unforeseen event. At least in the matter of defending their maid, Roy’s actions were undoubtedly genuine.

Challenged by Charlotte, Leo’s spirit rose. He put down his knife and fork, looked straight at the young girl, half sneering, half mocking: “Don’t you find it strange?”

“A worthless scoundrel, overnight, transforms into a valiant knight? And just so happens to reform himself before courting you? Does that make any sense?”

“Oh, it makes sense.” Charlotte rolled her eyes disdainfully: “You’re still the same, always overthinking, never believing that people can change for the better.”

Leo’s brow twitched, his embarrassment buried deep in his eyes, he said in a deep voice: “You’re the same, always clinging to the unrealistic fantasies of a young girl.”

Charlotte was never one to back down, not even to her own brother.

They were family, after all, who didn’t know whom?

With a smirk, she began to reveal his secrets: “Leo, I still remember when you first saw our family’s griffin knight, you thought he was a demon, and even cried to father about it! Was that realistic?”

At the mention of this, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, including Leo’s, and even the maids serving nearby couldn’t help but twitch their mouths, filling the room with a cheerful atmosphere.

At this point, Leo could no longer keep his composure, his face flushing with embarrassment.

“Hmph, you were the same when you were little…”

“Enough.” The old father interrupted the siblings’ bickering with a slightly stern voice.

“Charlotte believes in the goodness of people’s hearts, while Leo prefers to be skeptical. Neither of you is wrong, just don’t go to extremes. You should learn from each other,” Leisa advised the siblings in a soft voice, looking back and forth between them.

Under their mother’s kind gaze, both siblings lost their temper.

Charlotte was proud but not arrogant, knowing well the truth in these words.

However, Leo’s gaze, hidden beneath his bangs, seemed darker than before.

Leisa felt a bit helpless about this. She thought the boy’s pride was too high, not easily swayed.

“Next week is the founding ceremony. Let’s go for a picnic this weekend, a long-missed opportunity to rest well, otherwise, you’ll both be busy then.”

“Mm!” Charlotte’s mood brightened, her lips curving into a pleasant arc, clearing the gloom from her face.

The Reinhardt family sometimes left the capital for picnics in the royal gardens, their unique way of vacationing.

Being able to escape the tedious courtly interactions, freely hunting, barbecuing, and staying up late to catch up on the latest novels in the refreshing evening breeze, Charlotte’s spirits were naturally high.

But she failed to notice that Leisa’s gaze upon her was even more joyful than her own.

“And, I’ve prepared a surprise for Charlotte too!”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Charlotte was a bit eager.

Was it the royal family’s treasured red wine, the top-notch ribeye steak, or perhaps the latest knight novel?

Yet in this cheerful atmosphere, Leo let out a deep sigh.

“Sorry, I won’t be going this time.”

“Brother Wang…” Charlotte felt a bit embarrassed, wondering if he was still angry with her.

“It’s not about you.” Leo cracked a smile at Charlotte.

“Recently, cults are rampant, and magical beasts are wreaking havoc; it’s not peaceful. My journey back to the capital was already difficult, and there are some reports I need to handle.”

These matters were no secret.

“Tsk, those beasts are unusually rowdy this year,” Robert spat, his expression slightly grave.

“Go on with your duties, just don’t miss Charlotte’s birthday.”

“Of course, that’s exactly why I came back.”

Everyone felt a bit of regret but also understood. In fact, Leo spent most of his time hunting across the kingdom, and it was not easy for him to make it back this year.

“Speaking of which, Mom, can you give us a hint about the surprise?” Charlotte broke the stiff atmosphere, showing her curiosity to Leisa.

Leisa’s smile grew even brighter.

“You’ll know when the time comes, and you’re definitely going to like it.”

————————————————————

Finally, the day of departure arrived.

As Roy followed the departing caravan to the Marquis’s mansion, he realized that this would be the first time he’d be separated from the little maid. Looking at Alice’s petite and delicate silhouette, he felt an unexpected pang of reluctance.

“Alice, this is for you.”

Before leaving, Roy took out a sun-shaped golden brooch and pinned it onto her chest himself.

“Master? What is this?”

“The ‘Glorious Brooch,’ capable of blocking a fatal attack for you. I found it in our family’s treasure vault.”

In reality, it was a treasure he obtained through favorability points, a transcendent brooch from the third era’s ‘Sun God Cult’ that could withstand a full-force strike of a level 7 sequence. But to speak of its true value would alarm Karl and invite inquiry.

“You must take good care of yourself.”

A flicker of compassion crossed the little maid’s eyes, and she cherished the brooch on her chest, nodding vigorously: “Yes!”

Roy touched the girl’s head for the last time, then boarded the carriage, embarking on his journey to the capital.