The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

The morning after, when Ludwig met Sofia again, she had returned to her usual calm demeanor as if yesterday’s events were a dream.

However, judging by her reddened eyes, it was easy to infer that she had shed more tears before falling asleep.

Although both Ludwig and Emilia noticed, they had no intention of pointing it out.

“You’re leaving early.”

“Yes. I’d like to stay a bit longer, but my circumstances won’t allow it.”

Adolf expressed his intention to return to his barony right after breakfast.

Ludwig, who had no intention of interrogating him or sharing yesterday’s conversation, calmly nodded.

It had been a whirlwind of a day, even though they had only stayed for one.

It was regrettable not being able to talk more with Sofia, whom he had met after a long time, but she probably wasn’t in the mood to talk more either.

He didn’t bother to suggest that they could stay another day out of courtesy. He also wanted to avoid leaving any room for possibilities.

After the meal, the rest gathered in the reception room for tea time, except for those who returned to their rooms.

As Carl and Adolf left saying they had something to discuss privately, three women including Diana, and Ludwig remained.

“When did you two become so close?”

Diana, curious about Emilia and Sofia’s seemingly comfortable interactions with each other, asked a question.

They had surely just met yesterday, yet they were calling each other by name without honorifics. Had they gotten along so well?

At this, the gazes of the two women sitting next to each other crossed, and they nodded with strange smiles, as if in unison.

Ludwig chimed in from the side, saying the two seemed to converse well, and Diana clapped her hands saying it was wonderful.

“It must be disappointing not being able to talk more with Sofia whom you’ve met after so long.”

“Pardon?”

Why was the arrow suddenly turning towards him?

Of course, Diana was saying this because she was unaware of what happened last night, but it was an incredibly embarrassing statement for Ludwig.

“Don’t pretend. You’ve always said it was nice that Sofia followed you around so well.”

“Yes…”

It wasn’t wrong.

For Ludwig, who had always lived as an only child, Sofia was like a precious little sister.

He had even jokingly thought that when she grew up and got married, he’d have to check out her future husband.

But why bring this up in such a setting?

Ludwig barely managed to suppress the black tea he had swallowed.

“So Brother… felt that way.”

Meanwhile, Sofia, who had been watching their conversation, pretended to mutter calmly while hiding her twitching lips with her teacup.

In contrast, Emilia, observing this scene from the side, bit her lip finely.

Although she knew that wasn’t the intention behind the words, she couldn’t help feeling jealous.

“Ludwig, I have something to ask you.”

“Y-Yes, Mother.”

Ludwig, realizing the greatness of his mother who had sent him into a groggy state with just one sentence, tried to smile as he responded while grasping his mind that had fled beyond the horizon, but another tremendous shock hit him.

“I’m curious which of the two is more to your liking.”

“……”

‘Perhaps Mother knows everything and is doing this to tease me.’

For a moment, the air froze.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

After finishing the hellish interrogation and returning to his room, Ludwig lay on the bed and let out a deep sigh.

Paula approached, offering warm water, realizing that her master had been sighing a lot more lately.

Finally able to catch his breath, he raised his body halfway and downed the water.

‘Now I can live a little.’

The tea he had drunk in the reception room had no warmth or taste.

Ludwig felt immensely grateful to Paula who had saved him from a situation where he nearly had a hole burned in his stomach.

He felt like hugging her tightly and spinning her around right there, but he had to endure as that would be sexual harassment.

“I helped because you looked troubled… was it too much?”

“Not at all. Thanks to you, I survived, Paula.”

“I’m glad.”

She had been serving in the reception room with her older sister Nilia.

In the process, she discovered her master in distress, being bombarded with questions from the women on all sides, and had no choice but to use a small trick.

She had gone out saying she would replenish the snacks, and as soon as she returned to the reception room, she called Ludwig out saying there was a summons from the head of the family, Carl.

Although it was questionable whether it was appropriate for a servant to fabricate the words of the family head, what was important to her was Ludwig.

She might be reprimanded if Diana were to ask her husband directly and the circumstances were revealed, but that was something to think about when the time came.

“That was uncharacteristically bold for you.”

“As a servant, I couldn’t ignore my master’s predicament.”

“Thank you. There’s really no one like you, Paula.”

A smile formed on Ludwig’s lips as he realized anew that his maid was truly excellent, even though she sometimes played pranks.

She had always been one or two steps ahead of whatever he was thinking and acted accordingly. He was also very grateful that she prioritized flexibility over rules for his sake.

Many of the other servants working in the mansion tended to prioritize the family’s rules and the orders of the family head, Carl, more highly.

Perhaps this aspect was unique to her identity as his personal maid.

He would have to leave the room soon anyway when the Este family departed, but it should be fine to take refuge for a while.

With that thought, he was about to engage in some small talk with Paula when someone knocked on the door.

– Knock knock.

【Brother, it’s Sofia. May I come in?】

No rest for the weary.

The voice coming from beyond the door was identifiable by the form of address alone.

Ludwig exchanged glances with Paula, smiling wryly, suggesting it was okay to let her in.

As Paula cleared the empty cup onto the table and gently opened the door, there stood Sofia, who had once again placed violets in her hair that weren’t there in the morning.

“Ah, thank you, Paula.”

“Not at all. I’ll leave you to talk comfortably.”

Paula, who smiled and expressed various emotions in front of him, was cold when dealing with others.

This was no exception even for Sofia, who had become acquainted with Ludwig since childhood.

Bowing her head, Paula left the room, and Sofia approached the table as if replacing her.

“…You put it back on.”

“Yes. I vowed to wear it every time I meet you, Brother.”

The memory of yesterday overlapped, as he recalled the image of her crying.

The scene of the violet that had been blooming brightly when they met again, now withered and drooping its head along with Sofia.

Ludwig hesitated, stopping his hand that was about to reach out.

The thought suddenly struck him that patting her head, as usual, would be something he shouldn’t do here.

– Swish.

“Would you stay like this for a moment, Brother?”

“…Alright.”

But Sofia pulled his outstretched hand and placed it on her head.

As if she would let him refuse. It was quite a bold declaration.

As he finally moved his stiffened hand to stroke her hair as always, Sofia enjoyed the sensation with a faint smile.

The fact that she had been rejected by him was no longer sad. She had no intention of stopping here, and when she met him again, she would become more attractive and alluring.

It was regrettable, however, that as long as she couldn’t become his lover, she couldn’t hope for these actions that she had demanded from the position of a little sister.

She could no longer pretend to be indifferent and nestle into his arms.

She couldn’t act nonchalant, wearing violets as if it wasn’t for him.

All of those things.

“I secretly stole this violet from the garden with Lady Diana’s permission. You can allow me this much, right, Brother?”

“Of course. How could I not do that much for my precious little sister?”

Isn’t it a bit of a misnomer to say it was stolen when you got permission from the lady of the house?

Such a question arose, but he decided not to add any comments as Sofia’s appearance of boasting was cute.

“Brother.”

“Yes?”

Sofia removed the violet that had been placed on her head and looked up at him.

Ludwig’s mood sank as he saw her eyes. Eyes that seemed to be drenched in melancholy.

“I love you, Brother.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No. That’s not what I said to receive an apology. It’s just…”

Trailing off, Sofia moved closer to him and tucked the violet into the pocket of his top.

Why is she suddenly giving this to me? There are plenty of violets blooming in the garden.

It seems like she’ll only feel at ease if she gives a flower like this as a gift.

“I… I won’t give up.”

“…Sofia.”

“When this violet withers and another grows in its place… I’ll come to see you again, Brother.”

Sofia knew that she was still lacking to approach him.

If so, she would grow and develop herself more. When she became a woman worthy of him, she would return and confess again.

Until the day he truly rejects her, until he turns her away at the door telling her never to come back, she would come to him again and again to tell him she loves him.

“So, Brother… I hope you’ll realize your feelings by then.”

“My feelings?”

Had he misunderstood something? Why was she suddenly asking about his feelings?

Ludwig’s mind was once again thrown into confusion, but Sofia just giggled at his reaction.

“I asked you yesterday too, didn’t I? How you feel about Emilia…”

“Sofia, that’s…”

Before he was able to protest, Sofia grabbed both of his hands and continued speaking.

“You’re kind, Brother. But why can’t that kindness be directed towards yourself?”

“……”

As if trying to look beyond Ludwig’s eyes. That’s how she spoke.

Sofia carefully pulled out the violet she had tucked into his pocket. Then she covered his eyes with the hand holding the flower.

– Chu.

Standing on her tiptoes, she brought her lips to Ludwig’s cheek, and a brief sound resonated.

Despite the bewildering series of actions, he met Sofia’s eyes beyond her hands without any particular reaction.

“I’ll save my lips for the day when you give me a kiss. Please love the person you love, Brother”

Leaving those words behind, Sofia left the room without looking back.

Without even a farewell.

Left alone in the room, he caressed the warmth lingering on his cheek and then sat down.

Just blankly, while Paula returned and called his name.

Was it Sofia’s kiss on the cheek that confused his heart? Or was it her incomprehensible words?

Only Ludwig knew that—no one else.

translator’s corner

i was kidnapped by rumi ;w;