The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

With help from those around me, I was able to safely conclude the coming-of-age ceremony.

Some families hold long banquets for several days after the ceremony, but fortunately, our family didn’t have such a custom.

Continuing this tedious event for days… It’s a dreadful thought.

‘The problem is what comes next.’

After yesterday’s ceremony, Emilia made a sudden announcement at today’s breakfast in front of all family members from both sides.

She said she wanted to stay here for a while to help with my sword training.

It was quite refreshing to see Lord Stefan’s expression change in real-time at the words of his daughter who had rarely ventured outside.

However, I stopped smiling when I realized my own situation wasn’t very good either.

“What should I do…”

After finishing breakfast this morning, all the members of the Bayemühren family set off to return.

Yes. They left only Emilia behind.

Honestly, I didn’t think she would get permission until she opened her mouth.

But when both heads of the families readily agreed as if there was no reason not to, my grand hope crumbled.

‘In the end, I didn’t even meet Georg…’

The Rahethofen family was invited to yesterday‘s ceremony and arrived, but when I asked later, I was told that Georg couldn’t come due to a fever. That’s also why Lady Rahethofen wasn’t present.

Hearing this news, I realized how much things were diverging from the original story.

Of course, I was aware of this through previous incidents, but the fact that even the meeting between Georg, the main villain, and Ludwig, his supposed subordinate, didn’t occur meant that the divergence had become more severe.

I decided to draw lines on a piece of paper at my desk and write down the events that weren’t in the original story in chronological order.

First, my early meeting with Emilia.

Second, my failure to meet with Georg.

Third, Emilia’s failure to meet with Christian.

Fourth…

‘There’s quite a lot when I write it down.’

I tried to write down even trivial things just in case, and the amount was considerable.

This is irritating. At this rate, I won’t be able to gauge what will happen in the future…

“Sigh, I can’t keep worrying about the same thing.”

I quickly shook my head to shake off these useless worries, just like before.

As I thought recently, once things have already happened, it’d be no use to try and change everything.

Rather than dwelling on what has happened, I should think about how to deal with what hasn’t happened yet.

‘Setting aside the meeting with Georg for now… the most important thing is Christian, isn’t it?’

Since Emilia will be staying at our house for a while, arranging a meeting with him isn’t entirely impossible. But how?

I can’t just take Emilia to his family home when I’ve never met Christian myself.

And even if I invited him saying I wanted to have a chat, would that be appropriate?

Christian was quite cautious and prudent in the original story. He wouldn’t readily accept an invitation from someone he’d never met.

“Ah… I don’t know.”

I collapsed onto the desk, and the paper fluttered up into the air.

I irritably grabbed it, tore it up, and then leaned back in my chair.

At that moment, I heard a knock.

– Knock knock.

“Young Master. Lady Bayemühren requests to see you.”

“Tell her I’ll be out soon.”

“Understood.”

It seems Paula had been waiting outside the door all along.

I told her to rest, but… well, I guess it’s not as easy as saying it.

I got up from my seat, cracking my slightly stiff neck.

I’m especially tired today. When I get back, I should get plenty of sleep.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Emilia was waiting for me in the reception room.

Meeting her for the second time in the place where we first met gave me a new feeling.

Thinking she might feel uncomfortable if there were other people around as we talked, I ordered Paula to wait outside. She made a strange expression.

I wonder what she was imagining.

Emilia, sitting on the sofa, turned her head towards me. As her light golden hair fluttered, it felt like the surrounding air had changed.

I’ve seen it many times, but I still can’t get used to it.

“I’m sorry, Ludwig. You must have been resting…”

“It’s fine. I can’t stay in my room when there’s a guest.”

“A guest… Come to think of it, Ludwig, but it seems like you’re trying to keep your distance from me.”

As soon as I spoke, Emilia sharply dug in.

It’s not wrong, but I don’t intend to deliberately distance myself. I must have been acting this way unconsciously.

I protested to the slightly pouty Emilia that it wasn’t my intention, and she nodded, saying it was fine.

Still, it didn’t seem like her mood had completely improved.

“Although it might not be my place to say this… we’re friends, right? So I’d like it if you didn’t try to be so formal with me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“See? You’re doing it again.”

Hmm. So, she’s dissatisfied because it feels too polite despite us being friends?

Even when trying to act as friends, I start to self-reflect on whether this behavior is appropriate.

I was worried what might happen if I hastily tried to become closer with her.

Moreover, knowing that she has a predetermined partner set in the story made me even more cautious.

‘This is difficult.’

Since I couldn’t explain my situation to her, there was no way to specifically excuse my behavior.

From Emilia’s perspective, it must seem like the friend she finally made is distancing himself for no reason.

It’s really troublesome considering our different circumstances.

“It might just be my selfishness… but I wish you’d treat me more casually. As a friend.”

As soon as Emilia finished speaking, I felt like I’d been hit on the head with a hammer.

I see. I think I understand the mistake I’ve been making.

Living in this world for 12 years, I was aware that this world is from a book, but at the same time, I’ve been treating the characters like people from my original world.

But Emilia was different.

I knew she was a character directly linked to my bad ending and one of the most important characters in this story.

That’s why I’ve been unconsciously treating her as a ‘character’ rather than a person.

And because of that, all while thinking about how to insert her into a plot that has already drifted without further changes, my words and actions have stiffened.

It was foolish. While she sees me as Ludwig Aiphretz, her friend, I’ve only been seeing her as Emilia Bayemühren from the novel.

“Emilia. I have one request.”

“Yes. Tell me anything.”

“Um… would you slap my cheek once?”

“…Pardon?”

Emilia’s eyes widened at my sudden request.

It may be rude to her, but I couldn’t help thinking she looked cute. This is a serious matter, but my mind isn’t serious at all.

I just wish she’d give me one good slap since no one’s watching. Though I’m not sure if her gentle nature would allow it.

“Is there… something troubling you?”

“Something like that. I feel like getting slapped once might bring me to my senses.”

“But I can’t just hit you for no reason…”

Even I think it’s an absurd request. Maybe I got too caught up in the moment.

Even so, there’s no doubt that my attitude towards her has been wrong. Even if it wasn’t done with malicious intent.

After hesitating for a moment, she sighed and nodded.

Is she really going to hit me? I requested it, but there’s no need to actually do it. Maybe her kind nature made her agree.

“Then Ludwig. Would you sit over here for a moment?”

“Next to you?”

“Yes.”

I wondered how hard she was planning to hit me that she needed me to move, but I decided to simply obey.

As I approached the sofa and sat down next to Emilia, I smelled a particular aroma, perhaps perfume.

This isn’t good for my mental health. In more ways than one.

Emilia stared at me for a moment, then reached out with both hands.

Those hands carefully grasped my head and pulled it towards her lap… Huh?

“E-Emilia?”

I tried to get up hurriedly at the soft touch on my head, but I was restrained by her hand.

Somehow, I feel dizzy. Emilia’s scent is even stronger than before.

Emilia gently stroked my hair while looking at me with kind eyes as I struggled in confusion.

It was such a warm touch that reminded me of my mother when I was young, but the impact was extraordinary.

“There’s no way I could hit you, even at your request.”

“B-But what does this have to do with…”

“You said you had worries, right? I’ll lend you my lap for a day, so calm down and rest. Although this is all I can do…”

Emilia expressed regret as if even this wasn’t enough.

She might think that way, but the situation was completely different for me. It was so excessive that I was worried I might die from it.

Is this okay?

Perhaps for Emilia, being friends means something deeper and more intimate than I thought.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t act this way with a man who’s not family.

“I’ve received so much from you… I’m sorry I’m not a talented woman, Ludwig.”

Have I really done that much for her?

I tried to think back, but I couldn’t recall anything significant. At most, maybe the meal I prepared for her yesterday.

Perhaps she felt a subtle emotion from something I didn’t expect. Though it must have been insignificant since it was something I did.

“Um… Emilia? How long are you planning to stay like this…”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Of course not. It’s just…”

Far from uncomfortable, it felt even more comfortable than my usual bed. The problem was that it was too good for me.

Emilia kept giggling as if something was very amusing.

When I asked curiously if something was funny, she smiled playfully and said it was a secret. I felt it was the best expression I’d seen from her so far.

At this rate, I might fall asleep on her lap.

Struggling to keep my drowsy mind awake, I listened to Emilia’s story.

Her gentle voice was like telling an old tale to a four-year-old child sitting on her lap. I thought the rhythm of her voice was very warm.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Despite scolding myself not to fall asleep, I eventually succumbed to drowsiness.

Emilia later told me that I looked so peaceful sleeping that she felt bad waking me up…

I didn’t mind her not waking me up, but I felt like dying from embarrassment.

I took her to a lake near the mansion when she said she wanted some fresh air, but I found it hard to face Emilia walking beside me.

Meanwhile, the breeze was pleasant and refreshing. If I could have enjoyed this leisure normally, it would have been perfect, but…

“Paula, could you give me some water?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Although it’s practically attached to the mansion, since we were going outside, Paula accompanied us this time.

Emilia’s maid Greta was going to come too, but Emilia said it was fine and declined, so only the three of us came.

I quenched my thirst with the water flask from Paula, and finally, the dryness in my mouth cleared up. I feel a bit better now.

Meanwhile, Emilia kept walking, her gaze fixed on the lake.

With the lake as a backdrop and the landscape in harmony, she created a picturesque scene.

“Young Master. There was a message from the head of the family today.”

“A message?”

As I was about to hand the water flask back to Paula after closing the lid, she suddenly spoke up.

Emilia must have heard our conversation too, as she turned around and approached us. She seemed curious about the content.

“Yes. Members of the Este family are visiting tomorrow.”

“The Este family… It’s been a while since I heard that name. But why are they coming so suddenly?”

“It seems they couldn’t attend the coming-of-age ceremony, so they’re planning to visit tomorrow instead.”

I see. I wondered why they weren’t at the ceremony, but it seems they had unavoidable circumstances.

The Baronial House of Este. They’re a family subordinate to the Aiphretz family, and also one of the few families with whom I’ve been acquainted since childhood.

Emilia seemed unfamiliar with the Este family and asked me about them, so I decided to give her a brief explanation.

“The Este family is a baronial house that has had a long relationship with our Aiphretz family.”

“Then you must be quite close to them, Ludwig?”

“Yes. I was close friends with one of them as a child. I’m looking forward to seeing them after so long.”

The Este family has three siblings in total, with two brothers who are quite older.

And Sofia, the youngest and only daughter, being a year younger than me.

Because of the big age gap with her older brothers, she naturally tended to be more friendly towards me… It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen her.

“Young Master, you were particularly weak to Miss Sofia.”

“She’s cute even though she’s only a year younger. “

When I was young, Mother used to joke about having Sofia and me get married.

She didn’t care much about family status and such, so maybe she said that because Sofia got along well with me.

I wonder if she has a lover now. If not, I should introduce her to a good man… It’s times like these when I regret not having many connections.

“This Sofia person… is she Ludwig’s friend?”

“That’s right. When we were young, we used to get into a lot of trouble together… Those are all memories now.”

“…I see.”

Emilia showed particular interest in Sofia.

She asked about her age, appearance, and even her personality.

I’ve heard that Emilia doesn’t have much interaction with other noble children, so maybe she’s thinking of becoming friends with Sofia.

Perhaps she thinks it’s easy to become friends with a friend’s friend. If so, I should take the initiative and introduce them.

“Don’t worry, Emilia. I’ll introduce you tomorrow. I’m sure you two will get along well.”

“You’re right… It’s just a guess, but I think we’ll get along.”

Fortunately, it seems Emilia and I are on the same page.

They’re both kind-hearted without any rough edges, and above all, being both women, they’ll probably have a lot in common.

I want to introduce them soon. Sofia was also a child who didn’t approach others easily except for me, so this could be a good opportunity for both of them.

Even if there’s an age difference, that might make things not entirely comfortable.

To think I’d hear such good news when I came out to the lake to clear my mind. Thanks to this, it feels like all the worries that filled my head have melted away like snow.

Since Sofia is coming too, I hope tomorrow will be just as peaceful as this.

I’m grateful to Emilia for many things today, so I hope I repay her at tomorrow’s meeting.

translator’s corner

i don’t think they’re gonna get along ;w;