The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

After the evening banquet, an unexpected encounter took place on the balcony.

Emilia approached Sofia, sitting alone in a chair without servants around, and spoke to her.

Although she was uncomfortable seeing her face, Sofia didn’t leave her seat, probably due to a sense of guilt.

“Were you looking at the moon, Lady Este?”

“Yes. Oh, you may just address me with my name. No need for honorifics.”

“Then would you also call me Emilia casually?”

Despite the absence of Ludwig as a mediator, the two addressed each other by name, bringing their relationship a step closer.

Ironically, this result occurred because he wasn’t there.

Until then, there had been a subtle tension between the two, even if they pretended otherwise.

The vitality in Sofia’s eyes during the day was gone as she looked up at the darkening sky.

Emilia could vaguely guess what had happened.

Surely, in her absence, various conversations must have taken place between her and Ludwig.

Although she couldn’t know the details, she didn’t think anything good had happened to Sofia.

“The atmosphere is quite different compared to the day.”

“Are you referring to the garden?”

“…Well.”

Unless Sofia was a dull woman, she would have easily understood what Emilia was referring to.

Nevertheless, not revealing it with her own words could be seen kind of as defiance.

An action prompted with the last grain of pride remaining as a woman who harbored feelings for the same man. A rival in love.

Emilia could gauge this feeling, so without adding anything further, she approached the railing and leaned against it.

Just a few days ago, when she was walking alone with Ludwig in the garden at night, the air must have been cold.

Today, somehow, the blowing wind felt warm.

However, whether this applied only to her or to the both of them was something she’d have to ask.

“Did you not hear anything from Brother?”

“Even if I did, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to bring it up.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Sofia had already heard from Ludwig.

That he had given Emilia prior notice about this matter and received advice from her.

This meant that she had probably noticed most of Sofia’s feelings for Ludwig and the situation with her father.

Yet she didn’t say a word to Sofia about it, nor did she try to bring up that conversation.

The reason was unknown.

After all, Sofia didn’t have the eyes of Emilia, whom she had just met, unlike Ludwig whom she had known for a long time.

“You’re an interesting person.”

“Me?”

“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve thought about this since Brother.”

For Sofia, Ludwig had been like a guiding light, a compass showing her the way to go.

That’s why looking at Emilia gave her a truly mysterious feeling.

Although her manner of speaking and behavior were completely different, she felt a similar feeling.

She had a plausible thought that the reason Ludwig and Emilia were attracted to each other might be due to their similar aura.

In the end, Sofia decided to be more honest with her feelings.

She wanted to open up about her circumstances to Emilia, just as she had done with Ludwig.

This woman, who resembled the person she loved, would surely understand and embrace the story of such a foolish girl.

She had such a conviction from somewhere.

“To be honest… I hated you, Emilia.”

“Hehe, you’re suddenly being very honest.”

“I have no choice. I’m in defeat. I feel like I need to complain to feel better.”

Sofia removed the mask of adulthood she had been wearing in front of the two for a while.

All that remained of her was her true self who used to cling to Ludwig asking him to marry her, and nestle in his arms whining.

There must have been a clear trigger that moved her heart. Emilia was certain of this.

Of course, Sofia had never once lied in front of her.

Even when she heard the news that Emilia had received a moonflower, even when she must have been bothered seeing Emilia standing by Ludwig’s side.

She always spoke only the truth and dealt with Emilia and Ludwig without a shred of deceit.

However, that didn’t mean she had been openly honest, revealing her true feelings buried deep in her heart.

The Sofia who was once like that now spoke to her, saying ‘I hated you.’

Despite the sudden reproach, Emilia smiled instead. 

“I haven’t given up on Brother yet. Of course, I was rejected once… but that’s not the end, is it?”

“Do you intend to try again?”

“How long do you think I’ve harbored these feelings? It’s too early to give up, even if there are obstacles.”

Originally, when it comes to love, people tend to become infinitely vulgar.

This was no different for Sofia.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have tried to force an engagement despite noticing her father’s ulterior motives.

There was a sin she had committed against him. But that was just something she could resolve gradually.

The feelings she had cherished were not small enough to give up and turn back immediately.

She just had to take a longer detour. That’s what she thought.

“So… please take care of Brother until then.”

“…That’s a difficult request.”

It’s like entrusting fish to a cat. From the start, Sofia must have known that Emilia’s feelings for him were of the same kind as her own.

Yet to make such a request. It was hard for Emilia to understand.

“It’s not difficult. I’m not asking you not to form a connection with Brother, or not to love him.”

“Are you saying you’ll take him back?”

“As much as I can. It’s what I’ve been thinking since the moment I met you.”

It was an incredibly bold statement.

Something hard to imagine coming from the mouth of a girl who hadn’t even come of age.

Nevertheless, Emilia liked her ambition.

Although liking it and following through were separate matters.

“Don’t worry, Sofia. I’ll make him fall for me so hard that you won’t be able to take him away.”

It was an ambition she would have had even if there wasn’t a rival like her.

But she was grateful for the sentiment. It made her resolve towards him even stronger.

It might not be enough to repay, but she hoped Sofia would find vicarious satisfaction in seeing him smile by her side.

Emilia wasn’t mature enough to offer leisure and consideration to a rival she had for the first time in her life.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Combining his life in that world and this world, it had been a lifetime of well over 30 years.

Nevertheless, Ludwig found himself rejecting a sincere heart directed towards him for the first time today.

That feeling of coexisting gratitude and apology was a strange and unpleasant sensation he was experiencing for the first time.

It’s difficult. Realizing that rejecting others is harder than accepting them, his expression crumpled in an instant.

“Why am I suddenly craving a cigarette? How maudlin.”

It was a habit he hadn’t indulged in even once during the 12 years he had spent in this world.

The fact that it suddenly came to mind meant that the impact of what he had experienced today was considerable.

The matter with Adolf wasn’t something that would immediately disturb him.

Whether he had bad intentions in promoting the engagement with Sofia, or if it was simply a father’s feelings, there was no way to know yet. It was merely speculation.

If something more comes up to investigate in the future, it wouldn’t be too late to deal with it then.

The reason he didn’t inform Carl about this was also due to this uncertainty.

It was just that his beloved little sister had shed tears.

And he regretted that he had no way to comfort the sadness in them.

“Ludwig?”

“…Ah, Emilia. What brings you out at this late hour?”

Calling his name as he was lost in thought, Emilia carefully appeared from beyond the grass.

Seeing her with the moon at her back, Ludwig’s lips curled into a wry smile as he was inadvertently reminded of when they first met.

He found it truly amusing that even amid his confused feelings, he was keenly aware of how beautiful she was.

“I came out to the balcony for a moment and saw you.”

“You have sharp eyes. I didn’t think you’d find me in this darkness.”

“Indeed. If it had been someone else standing there, I’m sure I wouldn’t have noticed.”

Emilia approached him with a gentle smile.

Meanwhile, Ludwig suppressed another smile at her behavior, as if she was saying she was glowing.

It must be because the moon was quite bright. Still, he didn’t expect her to come out to the garden just to see him.

Feeling that he seemed to spend a lot of time walking in the garden at night especially when he was with her, Ludwig took off the outer garment he had worn over his clothes and draped it over her shoulders.

“It’s quite warm now, so I’m fine.”

“The clothes are heavy. I know it’s rude, but I’ll leave them with you for a while.”

“Hehe… Alright. Then I’ll keep them for you.”

It wasn’t a funny excuse, but it resonated with Emilia at least.

He had always been considerate, trying not to make her worry.

Whether the words made sense or not wasn’t important. She was just grateful for the thought alone.

“It seems you talked with Sofia.”

“…Yes.”

“What did she say?”

“…She confessed her love to me.”

Emilia found his reaction quite unexpected.

She thought he would gloss over Sofia’s matter with a lie. That wouldn’t have been wrong either.

In fact, it might have been more improper to reveal that someone else had opened up to him about their innermost feelings.

Nevertheless, he honestly told her about the conversation he had with Sofia, speaking candidly about his own feelings of apology, gratitude, and sympathy towards her.

Throughout the story, Emilia didn’t say much.

She just maintained silence, standing next to him, looking up at the night sky.

Because it wasn’t anyone’s fault.

Not Sofia who loved him, nor Ludwig who rejected her. That’s why love was so arduous.

Because you can’t point fingers and list crimes against anyone. Because no one is wrong.

“Was it hard?”

“I tried to act strong in front of a friend, but… it’s not easy.”

“I think it’s because it’s in front of a friend that you can do this.”

Emilia wasn’t attracted to his strong image.

If anything, he was more suited to being described as soft and fragile. That might be a bit far from being called manly.

But it was all of these aspects that made her fall in love with him.

If he had been a man who didn’t think anything of rejecting Sofia’s feelings, he wouldn’t have moved her heart.

“Lud.”

“…Emilia?”

“I heard from Lady Diana. It’s a nickname for you…”

When he called Emilia by her nickname, was this how she felt?

Unlike when his mother called him by his nickname, Ludwig made an odd expression at the ticklish sensation in his chest.

But there was no time to savor that feeling.

Because his reason flew away when she suddenly wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

“Emil…ia?”

Ludwig called her name softly. Emilia looked up at him, peeking her head out from his embrace.

When her pastel blue eyes shimmered faintly, he unconsciously averted his gaze, feeling as if he might be sucked into them.

“Do you remember the night when we first met?”

“How could I forget?”

‘How could I forget the most dreamlike night of my life?’

“That day, I thought I wanted to repay you someday for the comfort you gave me… I didn’t know that opportunity would come so soon.”

Comfort? What does she mean?

He hadn’t done anything for her that night.

Such questions filled Ludwig’s mind, but they didn’t last long.

He didn’t care either way. Just the reality that he could receive comfort from her now was incredibly appealing.

“What do you see reflected in your eyes right now?”

“That’s…”

It was hard to put into words.

Although the vista reflected in his eyes was vast, the only thing present in his consciousness was her.

He had been mumbling, unable to answer, but even that resistance didn’t last long.

When Emilia tilted her head and whined as if urging for an answer, his last line of defense crumbled.

“Emilia… I can’t see anything but you.”

“Is that so? Then I’m glad.”

Satisfied with his answer, Emilia detached herself from the embrace and stepped back two paces.

As her moonlit hair fluttered in the wind, it created a spectacle as if jewels were scattered in the air.

“Remember this, Ludwig. I’m always here. So close that I can comfort and embrace you.”

It wasn’t just to comfort him.

It was her appeal, a kind of confession.

Emilia smiled contentedly at the sight of Ludwig silently staring at her.

‘This is a first. Your eyes are filled with only me.

The moon you always smiled at, even the stars adorning the night sky, probably aren’t visible in your eyes right now.

May this moment last forever.

The day I steal you away, I will be able to enjoy the joy of having everything in the world.’

translator’s corner

😮 sofia ain’t backing down