The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him quickly get swept up by the crowd after exchanging greetings.

Even though today’s ceremony was his first entry into high society, he didn’t go around greeting people specifically.

Rather, the other family heads around him were trying to greet him or make an impression.

The influence of the Aiphretz family must be considerable. A fact I suddenly realized, as I had never paid attention to the reputation of other families before.

“You have a look of wonder in your eyes.”

“Yes, Father.”

“It’s not particularly extraordinary. Though they may be somewhat lacking compared to our family, he is still the son of a long-established lineage.”

Father added that the Aiphretz family had a great influence on politics and culture.

The reason their reputation began to rise was that the previous king had a deep interest in the arts, including painting and theater, so he employed them early on, and they gradually built up honor and wealth.

Hearing that, I understood why he seemed intellectual even though he didn’t particularly show off his knowledge while conversing with me.

It’s in the blood, I suppose.

Father took a sip of wine and patted my shoulder. As if wishing me good luck.

Mother, standing next to him, was watching me with a gentle smile.

Then they moved off somewhere, saying they would chat with other family heads for a while and that I should catch up with him a bit more.

‘Hmm…’

Surely, they don’t have the same eyes as I do. How can they see through me so well?

Thinking that it meant I failed to hide my emotions again, I felt my face grow hot. But I couldn’t deny it. After all, the reason I attended here was to meet him.

Not long after, those surrounding him disappeared one by one.

Ludwig, who had been smiling awkwardly, caught my eye. The hand he gently waved at me looked quite thin and slender for a man.

They’re different from my hands, which have hardened from sword training. Suddenly feeling embarrassed to show him my hands, I quickly hid them after waving back.

“I’m sorry, Emilia. Did you wait too long?”

“No, I was worried you might not be able to greet others because you were concerned about me.”

“Not at all. I’m rather thankful to Emilia for allowing me to escape.”

The words he speaks are truly fascinating. They have a strange rhythm, unlike those spoken by others.

He doesn’t use special words. Nor does he speak as though he’s reciting sijo poetry.

Why is that? Even when I asked myself, no plausible answer came. I just thought it was good as it was.

“It’s too noisy to have a conversation here. At this rate…”

Although the people around were members of noble families and weren’t as loud as though they were shouting, with so many people gathered in the hall talking, it was quite noisy. It was very strange how his voice alone was clear, gently murmuring amidst this commotion.

I wonder what expression Ludwig would make if I told him this fact.

“Shall we go out for a moment then?”

“Pardon? Go out? Where to…?”

Even though it’s a coming-of-age ceremony, it’s essentially just a time to celebrate his entry into high society and make an impression, so his role was essentially over.

If that’s the case, shall I borrow him for a moment? Of course, I should get permission from Lord Aiphretz first.

“To the garden. Since it’s been a while, I’d like to see those flowers again.”

“…Yes. Let’s do that.”

Normally, it would be proper for me to be escorted out by him.

But it can’t be helped. He’s not just a flower, but a man like the moon. I’ll snatch him to the garden, away from the others’ gaze.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Unlike the day I met Ludwig, the moon that rose this evening wasn’t particularly brilliant.

I still liked it. Rather, I was happy that I could walk in the garden with him without drawing much attention from others.

“There are quite a few people in the garden too.”

Though not as many as inside the mansion, there were more people standing in the garden than I had initially thought.

A soft laugh escaped me at the sight of his embarrassed expression as if he had made a mistake.

He’s really bad at hiding his emotions. While an advantage for me, I hope he won’t be looked down upon by others because of it.

“Do you think they came out to appreciate the garden Ludwig designed? It’s more beautiful than any garden I’ve seen before.”

“Although I didn’t design the garden alone… I’m glad you think so.”

Ludwig scratched one cheek with his index finger and smiled sheepishly. For some reason, he was very shy about receiving compliments.

He’s really like a child at times like this. But I’ll keep that thought to myself, in case it might offend him if I said it out loud.

“Hehe…”

“You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Yes, of course. How could I not be happy reuniting with a friend after so long?”

He seemed unprepared for my words, as he looked at me with round eyes before averting his gaze with a forced cough.

What a troublesome man. I dressed up like this just for you. What’s the point if the person who should be looking at me isn’t?

But I didn’t want to act coquettishly to draw his attention.

I could if I wanted to, but I had acted impulsively before, so I couldn’t let him think of me as a frivolous woman anymore.

“I wonder how you’ve been these past three weeks, Emilia.”

How I’ve been? Is that really a question to ask now?

Of course, as I answered earlier, I was fine. My sword training continued as usual, and my days were without much change.

But if you ask if I was happy, well… Rather, I sometimes felt pathetic when I caught myself counting the days until I could meet him again.

To ask me such a question now. I felt inexplicably annoyed and replied in a sulky tone.

“If you were curious, you could have sent a letter or something.”

“Ah, that… I’m sorry. I was a bit overwhelmed with preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony…”

Ludwig retreated slightly, visibly flustered. I could tell it wasn’t a lie, but I still felt a little hurt.

No, Emilia. If you get impatient over every little thing, you might lose him. Now is the time to act like a woman with broad tolerance and embrace him instead.

“I’m joking.”

“Pardon?”

“I know you were busy. I just wanted to tease you a bit, so don’t worry about it.”

“Ah, I see. But I truly am sorry…”

I’m sure you are. That was a fact I could sense even without seeing the lump floating above you.

Hmm, since he’s apologizing, there’s no reason not to accept it. Of course, I don’t intend to scold him further, but it might be okay to receive some compensation for the apology.

“If you’re really sorry, will you show your sincerity? Ludwig.”

“By sincerity, you mean…?”

I wasn’t asking for something luxurious like the moonlight rose he gave me as a parting gift.

I just wanted to tease him a little and have one more item with his feelings in it, so I came up with a small trick.

Not sure what to give, he rolled his eyes around and smiled wryly.

Should I help him a little here?

“Will you call me Emily?”

“Emily… is that a nickname?”

“Yes. It’s the name my mother used to call me when I was little. It’s been over 10 years now.”

It’s a cute nickname, though it doesn’t really suit me. I knew that, which is why I had never told anyone about this name. I hadn’t even thought about wanting to be called that by anyone anymore.

But what if he called me that? If I heard that name, which had only been in my memories, in your voice.

I believed without a doubt that it would be an incredibly precious experience.

He seemed to be pondering for a moment, avoiding my gaze and mumbling.

The moment his lips parted, I was captivated by a sensation I had never experienced before.

“Um… Emily?”

“…”

It’s truly amazing. That ticklish nickname my mother used to call me creates a different rhythm when it’s on your lips.

The sensation that blooms in my chest as his voice spreads through my body. It was something hotter and more intense than when my mother called me that.

This won’t do. If I’m called by this name consistently while teaching him swordsmanship and staying here, I’m not confident I can maintain my rationality.

Let’s keep it as a memory for just one night. I’m sure that would be better for both of us.

“S-sorry, Ludwig. I guess that name was…”

“Ah, no. I’m the one who…”

This is troublesome. He always puts me in difficult situations, from our first meeting, today, and up to this moment.

When I hear the conversations we have and see each of your actions, my life up until now gets painted with new colors and covered in an indescribable scent.

The most troublesome thing is that I don’t dislike you for making me so troubled. Ah, how many times have I repeated the word ‘troublesome’? My head is spinning.

As I was struggling to cool down the heat filling my chest and head, a deep male voice called my name.

“Emilia?”

“F-Father?”

There, with his back to the moon, stood Father, watching our secret meeting with a stern expression.

Ah, my whole body is growing cold. As if the heat from just moments ago had been a lie.

Amidst all this, I caught a glimpse of Ludwig’s night-colored eyes. In them, there was something far greater than any confusion I had discovered since meeting him.

translator’s corner

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