The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 56

“Quiet. Just go to sleep.”

Master handed me a green pill. It had a familiar smell, like the medicine I used to take when I caught colds in winter. It was a mixture of herbs to help with fever and sleep.

“Thank you.”

As I quickly swallowed it, I heard a disapproving click of the tongue. As I hesitated, holding the empty water glass and looking around uncertainly, Master pushed my forehead firmly, forcing me to lie down on the bed. Then he took the empty cup away.

As always, the medicine worked well. Not long after closing my eyes, my consciousness began to fade. I thought that when I woke up, my condition would probably be much better. Just as I was about to fall asleep, in a half-conscious state, I felt a gentle voice and touch.

“At my age, should I be running here worrying about my disciple’s life?”

So Master came here for me.

“Thank you again for responding to the request.”

The two people I liked were having a quiet conversation. However, it sounded muffled, as if I was hearing it underwater. It felt comforting, like a lullaby, and I fell into a deep sleep in an instant.

* * *

I woke up and fell back asleep several times. I thought I would be perfectly fine the next day, but it seems I was sicker than I expected.

Why does this body, which isn’t even fully formed, make me suffer so much? I didn’t know it would be like this when I was taking the poison from my mother. If I could go back to the past now, with all my current memories intact, would I still drink the rose tea my mother offered?

…Hmm. I probably would. Because when I drank the tea, she would smile at me with her full attention. I’d do it just to see that smile.

‘Could I prevent my mother’s death? Would she… love me then?’

The wind seemed to be blowing quite strongly, making the tent flap threateningly. Thanks to that, I snapped out of my meaningless thoughts and sat up in bed.

But why was no one here? Luwen, my sister, Master, even Taran weren’t around. They’re not the type to leave me alone.

Feeling uneasy for no reason, I got out of bed. Perhaps because I had been lying down for so long, my legs suddenly gave out, and I collapsed before I could even take a step. I reflexively pressed my palm against the bed, and it stung. I didn’t even realize it hurt when I actually got injured.

Well, I guess it made sense since I was desperately trying to help Luwen then.

I stared at my bandaged palm for a moment, then put strength back into my legs and stood up. I staggered slightly, but after standing still for a bit, I was able to walk reasonably well.

When I went outside the tent, I understood why no one was by my side. The Second Prince had arrived. And he had brought the families of the kidnapped Kans with him. The knights were busy taking care of them.

Ah, there’s Taran. He seemed to have had a happy reunion and was crying among the people. Women holding children were comforting Taran and smiling.

‘That’s good.’

I wonder what happened to the leader.

To find out, I need to find Irene. They’re probably gathered in my sister’s tent to greet the Second Prince, but I don’t know where it is. It seems I’ve been given the most luxurious tent, while the rest all look similar. My sister must have given up her tent for me.

With no other choice, I approached a knight guarding a tent entrance.

“The Prince has arrived, right? Where’s my sister’s tent?”

“I’ll escort you there. Would you like me to support you?”

I was about to refuse, saying it wasn’t necessary, but realizing my body wasn’t in normal condition, I nodded. I thought he would naturally take my arm, but his hands just wandered in the air around me. Puzzled, I looked at him, and he awkwardly extended his arm.

“Do you want to escort me rather than support me?”

“Th-that’s not it…”

The knight’s ears and neck turned bright red. He even flinched when I sighed.

How does he manage to be a knight with such a timid nature? Isn’t he scared when facing monsters? I was scared.

“Never mind. I’ll go by myself, just tell me where it is.”

“But if they find out I let you go alone, I’ll be in trouble. I’ll escort you.”

“Then stop treating me like a lady.”

“Am I allowed to touch you, young master?”

What’s with this guy’s way of speaking? I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, and he stammered in a fluster.

“Oh, I mean! To, to support you, I’d need to touch you, so, I wondered if that would be okay…”

“No. It’s not okay.”

“Then how should I…”

“Just tell me where it is, like I asked.”

Why is he making me more tired when I’m already not feeling well? As I snapped at him, the knight took a rigid stance and froze up.

Fine, just stay like that. It would be better to ask someone else. After swallowing a sigh, I started walking away from the troublesome knight, but he hurriedly followed.

“I’ll guide you. If I let you go alone, I’m dead…”

“Where is it?”

The knight told me the direction from half a step behind. It would be good if he just did that, but his hand kept hovering around me.

Why is he acting like this when he didn’t even catch me when I staggered?

“It’s here.”

The knight’s forehead was drenched in sweat, even though I was the one who had struggled to walk here. After glancing at him, I lifted the tent flap at the entrance.

“Fei!”

My sister, who spotted me first, gave me a broad smile.

“Young master. Let me support you.”

Luwen, who immediately approached, took my arm and supported me. His complexion looked good. It seems his condition has recovered.

However, I needed to greet the Second Prince first, so when I turned my gaze, I caught the Second Prince glaring at me. But as soon as our eyes met, he quickly managed his expression and put on an annoying grin.

What’s that about? He has no reason to glare at me.

“Fei, are you feeling alright?”

My sister came closer and asked while caressing my cheek. Looking over my sister’s shoulder, I noticed a slight crack in the Second Prince’s smile.

‘Hmm…’

Others might not notice, but I can tell. I wear a mask like him too.

It seems he doesn’t like my sister paying too much attention to me. Talk about being the epitome of jealousy. I probably don’t need to worry about the Second Prince’s petty jealousy. He should know better than to mess with me carelessly, lest he incur my sister’s dislike.

“Yes. I’m feeling much better. But I should greet His Highness first.”

As my sister stepped aside, I put on an innocent smile as if I knew nothing and greeted according to protocol.

“I pay my respects to His Highness, the Second Prince.”

“You recovered quite quickly- no, never mind. I’m glad you’re alright.”

Why try to reprimand me while keeping an eye on my sister?

“Thank you for your concern. May I ask what happened to the Kans who took me?”

Are they safe? Did they arrive on time?

“My brother’s knights have returned to the Imperial Palace. Sir Dedric has arrested all the Kans who kidnapped you. They should be on their way here by now.”

“That’s a relief. How did you manage to bring the Kans’ families?”

To be honest, I’m quite curious about this. Even as I ordered it, I wondered if it would be possible. I thought the male protagonist would handle it well, but I didn’t expect him to do it so perfectly. He was certainly reliable when it came to getting things done. Especially when it was something he needed, he handled it nearly flawlessly, just like a true male lead.

“I told them I’d negotiate a hostage exchange. Said I’d cut off their heads one by one if they didn’t hand you over.”

“Pardon?”

I thought I must have misheard his words, which he delivered with a bright smile. But the Second Prince just looked at me with an expression that said, “What’s wrong with that?” and continued to act smug. Only when Irene sighed and shook her head beside him did he clear his throat, put on his prettiest smile-mask, and speak again.

“Just kidding.”

“I see…”

“I came up with a good story and persuaded them.”

Irene added with an amused face. She explained that they disguised the Kans group as an innocent group of hunters. They even put a child at the forefront of the story. The plot was that the Second Prince had coincidentally met a child who came crying, begging to save their mother.

Although the First Prince tried to interfere, he was officially uninvolved in this matter, so the existence of the child presented by the Second Prince moved the Emperor’s heart.

Come to think of it, absolute monarchy was quite ridiculous. If you could persuade just one emperor, even the most absurd statement could be turned into truth. There were laws and trials, but the emperor could overturn any result, which said it all.

‘That’s why it’s even more important that the First Prince doesn’t become the Crown Prince.’

Even if I didn’t like him, the Second Prince had to become the Crown Prince and inherit the country. At least that guy would act within reasonable bounds. Above all, he had Irene as a powerful standard of goodness. He would never do anything my sister would dislike.