The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

I was taken aback when Sofia suddenly threw herself into my arms, but I quickly regained my composure.

It’s understandable since it’s been nearly a year since we last met. She was always a bit clingy.

While her height hasn’t changed much, her overall aura seems to have matured into that of a proper young lady.

Having watched her grow up since she was little, I felt even more emotional.

As I caressed her lavender hair, Sofia nestled deeper into my embrace.

It’s not good for her to throw herself into the arms of an unrelated man… I should talk to her about it later.

Although she was quite shy, I don’t think she would do this with just anyone.

“Sofia, let go now. You need to greet my friend.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry, Brother.”

Sofia obediently followed my words as I gently held her arms and spoke soothingly.

The violet she always wore in her hair is still there. Every time I see it, I think about how well it matches her lavender hair.

Setting aside my observations, Sofia cleared her throat and greeted Emilia politely.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Bayemühren. I’ve heard much about you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Lady Este. I apologize for my inappropriate attire.”

Hm? While it’s true that I told Emilia about Sofia, I don’t recall the opposite happening.

Perhaps she heard from Father? But Emilia hasn’t visited our mansion since we met.

‘She must mean she’s heard rumors.’

Unlike me, Emilia’s reputation is known in other families.

Moreover, the name of the family she carries is formidable. It wouldn’t be strange if Sofia had heard of her in passing.

Setting that aside, I’m a bit worried that Emilia might be angry.

She dislikes others seeing her train, so even the maids were sent away, but for an intruder to suddenly appear…

She probably wouldn’t get angry at someone she just met, but I was concerned she might feel displeased.

“Ludwig.”

“Yes, Emilia.”

“Let’s call it a day and head back.”

Fortunately, I didn’t sense any displeasure in her voice as she spoke to me.

I might be too oblivious to notice, but at least she didn’t seem to be holding her emotions back.

“Yes, let’s go. Since it’s a special occasion, shall we look at some flowers on the way?”

“Is that alright? Lord Este must be waiting…”

Ah, I didn’t think of that.

Sofia being here means her father, Lord Adolf, must have arrived too.

He’s probably talking with my parents in the reception room. Hmm, should we hurry back then?

“It’s fine, Brother.”

“Sofia?”

“Father sent me saying you should get some fresh air. We have plenty of time for flower viewing.”

I didn’t expect Lord Adolf to say such a thing. Was it out of consideration, intending for us to catch up as we’ve reunited after a while?

If so, I’m grateful. If we went to the reception room with the heads of both families, Emilia would surely feel out of place.

The three of us should chat and build up friendship. There are places to sit in the garden, so we don’t need to stand and talk. The problem is…

“Isn’t it a bit awkward to walk around like this?”

Our attire isn’t suitable for conversation.

Of course, Sofia and I are close enough that talking in these clothes wouldn’t be an issue for either of us, however, it must be uncomfortable for Emilia.

Shouldn’t we at least change clothes?

“I’m fine with it.”

“Pardon? But…”

However, Emilia shrugged with a smile, as if to dispel my concerns.

“Of course, that’s if Lady Este is okay with it. We can’t be in this attire without permission in front of a guest we’ve just met.”

In other words, she wanted to stroll in the garden like this if Sofia allowed it.

Surprisingly, it seems Emilia doesn’t care much about such things either.

While I’ve lived here for 12 years, I still have notions from my original world ingrained in me, so I’m just being overly conscious. I thought she would care a lot about attire, but it seems not.

“I don’t mind either, Brother. Of course, attire is important, but it doesn’t represent a person’s essence.”

“You’re right.”

It’s amazing how they can take such a philosophical view on mere clothing… Since both of them were fine with it, I had no objections and nodded.

When I reached out asking for her wooden sword, Emilia refused, saying she couldn’t entrust her belongings to me.

This stubborn side is very much like Emilia. But without thinking, I took the wooden sword almost forcefully, settling it in my arms.

“You’re a guest to me too, Emilia. Please, at least let me take care of this much.”

Then I subtly gestured towards Sofia with my eyes.

Suggesting that she should go and chat with her.

Although it might not be easy to converse since they’ve just met, I was confident that if I stood behind and helped ease the atmosphere a bit, the two would communicate well.

Understanding my intention, Emilia smiled and approached Sofia. The sight of lavender and light blonde hair fluttering in the wind was like a painting.

I’m truly blessed to be able to see such a scene.

“Oh right, do you know, Lady Bayemühren?”

Sofia, who had been chatting with Emilia while examining the flowers in the garden, clapped her hands excitedly and spoke up.

Is she planning to reveal some embarrassing history about me? If so, I’d like to stop her immediately.

“Know what?”

“Brother’s flower bed also has a moonflower. You’d be amazed if you saw it, Lady.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant.

Few people know the secret that I had a moonflower, and Sofia was one of them.

I had proudly told her about it when we last met.

But it’s unexpected. I didn’t think Sofia would tell Emilia, whom she just met, about this fact.

Of course, I don’t mind her telling, but I didn’t expect the usually tight-lipped Sofia to voluntarily mention this.

Does she feel that close to Emilia already? I’m not sure.

“Ah… well, actually, that moonflower…”

“Yes?”

Meanwhile, Emilia seemed reluctant to tell the truth to Sofia, who was excited to talk about the moonflower.

I understand her feelings. Sofia was probably thrilled to show what she thought was an interesting flower, but Emilia was the one who had received that flower.

Given Emilia’s personality, it would be impossible for her to say, “I have that flower.” It’s not that she can’t, but it would make the atmosphere awkward.

I guess I should step in here.

“Sofia.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“The moonflower…is not in the flower bed anymore as I’ve gifted it to Emilia.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Sofia’s pupils dilated.

Her expression was as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have. She looked back and forth between Emilia and me as if to confirm the truth.

Then, as Emilia subtly averted her gaze, Sofia seemed to realize it was true and spoke to me.

“The flower you cherished so much…?”

“She’s a friend I’ve finally made.”

“B-But…”

She was surprised to the point she couldn’t continue speaking.

The moonflower is indeed a rare flower, but is it that surprising?

Or did I seem like such a materialistic person that this reaction was warranted?

Before my doubts could clear, Sofia quickly changed her expression, smiling gently.

As if her gloomy face just moments ago was a lie.

“If Brother says so, there must be a reason. I was just a bit surprised.”

Saying this, she fiddled with the violet in her hair.

This reminds me of when I first put the flower in Sofia’s hair. Back then, she was just a bit taller than my waist.

At first, she was shy about wearing it in her hair, but when I told her it was my favorite flower, she started wearing it all the time.

She was such a good child that if I had a little sister, I’d want her to be like Sofia.

“Lady Este seems to like violets.”

“Yes. It’s Brother’s favorite flower, so I came to like it too.”

“Ludwig’s… you mean?”

As I watched the scene with a warm smile, I felt Emilia’s gaze on me sharpen.

What’s this? Was there something in that conversation that warranted such a reaction from her?

Surely, it can’t be because I like violets. If there was such a law in this world, I’d be too wronged to even sleep.

“…So Ludwig liked violets. It seems he doesn’t like moonflowers.”

“That can’t be. I like all kinds of flowers.”

“All kinds of flowers… I see.”

It seems I’ve dug my own grave instead of explaining.

Emilia’s gaze towards me has escalated from that of a tiger’s.

I want to run away right now. What on earth did I do to deserve this?

translator’s corner

oh ludwig what have u done 😐