NOVEL NEXT I Was Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble But I’ll Be Executed as a Traitor if I Do Good Deeds Chapter 50
50: Aligning Values
Felicia is staying with me for a while and often comes to my house. We have many opportunities to talk. She also comes to school frequently, and our relationships are developing. Mary often comes with her, and our exchange is progressing.
However, there’s still a distance between the students and Felicia’s group. Our values are vastly different, and we often don’t see eye-to-eye.
“Oh dear, my clothes are worn out. I should replace them.”
“That’s not necessary. I can mend them for you.”
This is a typical example. For nobles, clothes to wear outside are meant to be replaced frequently. If they go out looking shabby, it’s embarrassing. I don’t understand that sense, but it’s not something I can’t comprehend.
On the other hand, Julia and the others don’t have many opportunities to replace their clothes. As students, they reuse their clothes until they’re worn out. They might have worn even more tattered clothes in the past.
It’s common for our conversations to go awry because of our differences, causing mutual confusion. However, we’re trying to understand each other. That’s what I feel. It’s reassuring.
“No, I’ll give it to Stell-sama. This can’t be worn outside.”
“Are you giving it away so lightly? Won’t you need it later?”
In this conversation, we don’t blame each other. That’s a relief. If we became hostile, it would be a problem. We’re trying to understand each other, and if we don’t understand, we ask questions.
I think everyone is a good person. If they were genuinely bad, they would be more aggressive. Felicia might make a condescending remark, and Stell would retaliate. That could have happened.
“Mary, do you replace your clothes often?”
“That’s common for nobles. Even I did before I came to the Black house…”
Lana’s face clouded over. Well, if you’re struggling financially, you wouldn’t wear worn-out clothes. If that’s the case, it’s not strange to feel disgusted. In reality, Lana was taken as a hostage. If I were in her shoes, I might have hated my parents.
Thinking about it, I want to be kind to Lana. Well, not openly, but secretly. It’s troublesome to be seen as a good person.
“Hmm, you’re really rich, aren’t you?”
“Exactly. If I wear worn-out clothes, I’ll be ridiculed.”
Well, that’s true. If a noble wears tattered clothes, even commoners would mock them. It’s the same for nobles. Thinking about it, commoners are also partly to blame.
Honestly, it’s a part of human nature that I dislike. They criticize you for being extravagant if you wear expensive clothes and for being unsightly if you wear worn-out clothes. It’s hard to like people like that. My acquaintances are fine, except for my father.
“I know someone who has worn the same clothes for 10 years.”
“Doesn’t it get worn out?”
Mary’s innocent question is scary because it can be misinterpreted. If I say something wrong, it might be taken negatively. But I think it’s okay with the people here. I should probably add a follow-up statement, though.
“Mary, even if it gets worn out, we can’t prepare other things.”
“Rex-sama, you understand well. As a noble, it’s natural that you wouldn’t know.”
Julia’s words made me feel like it’s a common thing to accept. If that’s the case, it might be okay to leave it as is. However, it’s uncertain how others will react. I also need to be cautious.
“It’s because I’m the one who knows more than others. It’s only natural.”
“We’re trying to get close to you, Rex-sama. You’re someone we can trust.”
Stel’s thoughts might spread to many people, which would be troublesome. But I want her to believe in herself. It’s a delicate balance. Right now, only my father is on guard, but the head of the Violet family is also quite dangerous. Thinking about it, I can’t be too careless.
Perhaps Felicia can be trusted. She wouldn’t betray me herself. However, that’s not a reason to relax my guard. It’s not just my problem; if I’m not careful, it might involve those around me.
“Rex-sama has a deep emotional capacity, both good and bad. If I weren’t here, something terrible would happen.”
“Mary is also important to us!”
“I’m also being treated like a hostage, so…”
“Ah, Lady Lana was a hostage, wasn’t she?”
“Shh… Please don’t say that. If the story spreads, everyone will be at a loss.”
Well, it’s a scandal, after all. If the Indigo family falls, there’s a possibility of bad movements. Thinking about it, I made a mistake. Well, what’s said is said. Julia and Stel are the only ones who shouldn’t be a problem.
“If Rex-sama is also at a loss, then the answer is decided.”
“Good, Stel. From now on, I’ll have you serve me.”
She truly believes in me. That’s why I want to prepare a good future for her. Stel couldn’t use magic in the original story. But it’s not like it’s impossible. Perhaps the trigger to awaken her talent is missing.
“Of course, Rex-sama. I’ll do my best to be of use to you.”
“I’ll also become stronger with my sword skills and support Rex-sama!”
“It’s adorable. Rex-san, you’re loved by everyone. You’re skilled at flirting with women, after all.”
Felicia is always like that. She teases me every time. Well, it’s not unpleasant. It’s just embarrassing. I’m afraid of being seen as a pervert in an all-female space. It’s scary, indeed.
“Onii-sama is wonderful. That’s absolute.”
“I’ll also be watching to see if Rex-sama changes from now on.”
“That’s why I need to attend Astral Academy. If I can use dark magic, it’s like Rex-sama has already been accepted.”
Lana was weak in the original story, but she had the handicap of being ill. Maybe she can become stronger now. Who knows? The future might change.
If there are many parts that can be changed, I can believe in the original story’s power to correct itself. In other words, I think I can avoid my future death. Either way, I’ll do my best to live. That’s because it’s a harsh world.
“We can also attend Astral Academy, Rex-sama. We’ll support you at school too.”
“We’ll also work hard. We’ll become stronger.”
“Then I’ll cooperate with you, Rex-san. Yes, let’s do it.”
Felicia is willing to cooperate. That means she recognizes Julia and Stel to some extent. It’s a good trend. If things go like this, even the enemies in the original story might become allies. Then, the events in the main story might be easier to handle.
“It’s good to be together with onii-sama… Mary is also the same age, isn’t she?”
“We’re one year apart, but we can be together from now on. Let’s work hard together.”
“If any of us fall, we’ll be together with Mary-sama too.”
“Rex-sama, I’ll also help, so let’s cooperate and attend Astral Academy together.”
If we can all attend Astral Academy, it would be the best. I’ll work hard to make that future a reality.