The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

Baron Este bowed his head and greeted me politely.

Despite his actions being neither exaggerated nor violating etiquette, I had to suppress the urge to frown.

In contrast to his smiling expression of welcome, a white mass signifying falsehood appeared above him.

‘Without changing his expression at all…’

Having acquired these eyes and observed many people lie, I developed some insight to discern truth from falsehood even without seeing their psychology.

There were unconscious behaviors humans exhibit when lying – eye movements, gaze, gestures – and I had become somewhat able to notice them.

Yet I couldn’t see any of that in this man.

Without these eyes, I too would have been fooled, thinking he was just a man with a good impression.

The mass above his head had now turned black, writhing like an angry beast.

‘How disgusting…’

The black mass that appears when negative emotions accumulate.

Beyond it, all sorts of things were intertwined – malice towards me, anger, and more.

It was like a tangled skein of human desires. Just watching it was torturous for me.

It had been a while since I’d seen such an ugly mass.

What should I do? I wanted to leave this place immediately.

But considering he was the head of a family long associated with the Aiphretz family, I thought it would be okay to at least see his face, so I had urged Ludwig to let me come.

What would Ludwig think if I suddenly left? In the end, I had no choice but to endure until the conversation ended.

“Um… Emilia?”

“Yes?”

As I endured, clenching my first behind my back, Ludwig suddenly spoke to me.

He lowered his voice to avoid disturbing the two heads of families in conversation, who both continued regardless.

“Is something wrong? You don’t look well…”

“Ah, it’s nothing. I guess I’m just nervous meeting someone for the first time.”

“…”

I thought I was quite good at hiding my expressions, but perhaps it showed on my face to him.

I hurriedly waved my hands in denial at his piercing question, but Ludwig gazed at me with an even sharper look.

How strange. He doesn’t have cursed eyes like mine, yet he always seems to see through my feelings.

…Although I often find him oblivious in other areas.

While he stared at me suspiciously, he soon backed off as he lacked evidence.

Thanks to Ludwig’s concern, the unpleasantness that had built up in my chest began to dissipate slightly, and I started to regain my composure.

Yes. I should think of this as fortunate. If I’m the only one in this mansion who can perceive this man’s true nature, I should use that as an opportunity.

I observe Baron Este as much as possible while he converses with the Aiphretz father and son. Then I inform Ludwig of the facts derived from that.

This was the only thing I could do for him, who had granted me salvation.

“Lady Bayemühren is as beautiful as I’ve heard. She seems to be a perfect match for the Young Master.”

“…Thank you.”

What nonsense. Why don’t you erase that white mass floating above your head before speaking?

I swallowed those words and expressed gratitude out of courtesy.

The content itself was satisfactory to me, but it was only unpleasant because not even a hair’s breadth of sincerity was mixed in those words.

“Young Master, how was my daughter? Hasn’t she grown up beautifully?”

“I always thought Sofia would grow up beautifully. She’s already become a lady before I knew it.”

“Isn’t she? Of course, she can’t compare to the noble eldest daughter of the Bayemühren family… but that child is quite a beauty in her own right.”

He rubbed his hands together, sparing no praise for his daughter, Lady Este.

At a glance, he looked no different from a doting father cherishing a daughter raised like a precious jewel, but to my eyes, he appeared no more than a pot-bellied merchant trying to sell his wares with flattery.

What a filthy human.

Listening to the overall conversation, I could easily guess how he viewed his daughter who had grown up so fair and pretty, without needing to ask.

“You’re making quite a fuss. Are you that curious about my son’s marriage?”

“Haha, please be generous, Count Carl. It’s just an old man’s concern for the prosperity of the Aiphretz family.”

“Well…”

Although Count Carl clicked his tongue, expressing clear displeasure, it was awkward to rebuke his subordinate for speaking so openly.

On the other hand, the white mass swirling above Baron Este’s head was irritating, making it hard to believe his words were spoken with loyalty.

I thought as much. This man hadn’t uttered a single truth since our first meeting until now.

I didn’t even consider the possibility of a twist where at least his loyalty was sincere.

Rather, I think it’s for the best. Although I’m neither the lady of the house nor a member of the Aiphretz family, I no longer need to worry about the well-being of someone like you who doesn’t show loyalty to this family.

“Father, I’m sorry, but may I take Emilia to her room for a moment?”

As I anxiously watched, wondering when this conversation would end, Ludwig suddenly raised one hand carefully and spoke.

What does he mean? Me? Why?

As these questions raced through my mind hundreds of times in an instant, he made some excuses.

He said I didn’t look well. That I had mentioned feeling unwell since walking in the garden. He even made up stories as he sought permission.

At that, Count Carl apologized for making me come when I wasn’t feeling well.

I was able to escape immediately with Ludwig’s help.

As the large door of the reception room closed with a creak and thud, I exchanged silent glances with him.

Now I had to speak. Even if he might treat me like a crazy woman, I had to.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Following his suggestion to talk as we walked, we left the building.

We dismissed all the maids and started slowly strolling around the mansion, just the two of us.

Until I spoke first, he didn’t say much, avoiding eye contact and being considerate so I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

“Why…did you bring me out?”

“You looked unwell. Do you know that you have a habit of bending your right index finger when you feel upset?”

“What?”

At his words, my voice unconsciously rose a pitch as I asked back.

It’s a habit I didn’t even know I had in my entire life. Bending my index finger when I’m upset… Even Greta might not know this.

Finding my reaction amusing, Ludwig showed me an example by opening his palm and wearing a gentle smile.

“It’s not severe, but… like this.”

“Ah…”

It was more like curling than bending. It was such a subtle movement that it would be hard to notice unless observed carefully.

Yet he had noticed my habit and realized my psychological state was unstable, and had helped me escape.

“Then may I ask the reason? Why was Emilia in such a bad mood?”

“Well…actually…”

People often fail to act when the opportunity presents itself. It seems this applied to me as well.

I was anxious about only one thing. The fear of how he would look at me when I revealed this fact.

I couldn’t reveal the truth about these eyes. If I did, even he might leave me.

How could I tell him not to trust Baron Este without giving any hint about that?

The two families had been in close contact since Ludwig’s birth. Even if it was a kind of master-servant relationship.

Trust built over time is thick. But what about me? Ours is a shallow connection, not even a month old with him.

It’s obvious who he would trust more unless he’s gone mad. Nevertheless,

“Ludwig, don’t trust Baron Este.”

I had to say it. Even if he might look at me with contempt and order me to leave right here.

As soon as I spoke, I felt the heat that had enveloped my entire body drain away, my blood running cold.

I’m scared. His eyes stared intently at me.

His gaze that I would have met with a smile normally.

Everything felt alien.

How would he respond?

Would he demand I explain this nonsense I was talking about? Would he calmly ask for reasons while maintaining his usual demeanor? Surely he wouldn’t slap me right away.

How much time passed while I was wrapped in anxiety?

I sensed him approaching beyond my tightly closed eyes. Then something warm rested on both my shoulders.

Before I could guess what that touch was, his gentle voice resonated from a closer place.

“Emilia, would you open your eyes?”

“…Yes.”

The rhythm resonates softly in my ears and heart without fail.

The warm and incredibly comforting voice gradually calmed my rising anxiety, and I carefully opened my eyes.

“I believe Emilia’s words. So I’ll keep an eye on Lord Adolf’s words and actions from now on.”

The words that came from his mouth as our eyes met were completely different from what I expected.

Why? How can you answer so calmly, trusting what?

Although it’s not for me who gave the advice to say, it would be proper to at least ask for a reason.

I couldn’t understand. But in contrast to my confused mind, something hot slowly began to rise in a corner of my chest.

“W-Why?”

“Don’t you think it’s too much to ask why when you asked me to believe you?”

“B-But…what about me do you believe? Baron Este has been connected to your family for ten years…”

I clearly heard that. It was something he mentioned in passing while we were walking around the garden with his daughter Sofia, but I remembered it distinctly.

But despite my question, he still maintained his smile, holding my shoulders tighter.

Firmly. But not painfully.

As if he wanted to convey through his hands how much he trusted me.

As I maintained eye contact with Ludwig in that state, strangely, the anxiety and confusion that had risen disappeared cleanly.

“How is it? Are you feeling a bit calmer?”

“…”

Seeing me nod silently, he smiled, pulling up the corners of his mouth even more.

“Of course, I want to know the reason. But you must have your reasons for not being able to tell me, right?”

Another nod. Despite my behavior of just nodding without answering which I thought could be annoying, he calmly continued speaking.

“Then I have no choice but to believe. Not just Lord Adolf, but you too are someone I trust no less than… no, perhaps even more than him.”

I wanted to ask. Why? If there’s a reason you trust me so much, what exactly is it?

Compared to what you’ve shown me, I haven’t shown you anything in return.

For such deep trust, I’m still a coward who can’t even properly reveal my own circumstances.

“We’re friends, aren’t we? Don’t you think that’s reason enough?”

“Ah…”

‘Friends’.

That’s right. He was bound to me by the bond of friendship.

It hurts. His pure trust healed me, but at the same time, it became a rope binding me, tightening around my chest.

Still just friends. To you, I’m just a friend, not a woman.

But it can’t be helped, can it? Compared to you who shines brilliantly like the moon, I’m still just a person who can’t stand by your side.

“Emilia?”

“Thank you, Ludwig. And… I’m sorry.”

“What is there to apologize for? It’s because of my inadequacy that this happened.”

No. I must apologize to you.

After all, I have to change your view of me as such a precious friend.

It’s nothing more than a rogue woman unilaterally acting without your permission or consent.

But it can’t be helped. You’ve caught the eye of such a woman, and that woman has a very nasty personality, refusing to let go of her captured prey.

I’m not gentle enough to wait until I become someone who can stand by your side.

Instead, I’ll change you, not myself.

Into a foolish man who can’t take his eyes off me, always looking at me as if he’ll die if he did. That journey will be quite difficult, but surely enjoyable.

I’ll make you, who once liked violets, fall in love with moonflowers.

After all, I’m a bad woman who feels compelled to repay anything I’ve received.

translator’s corner

emilia is determined~ owo