The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

As we left the main building and approached the garden entrance, there were tables and chairs set up to enjoy tea while overlooking the scenery.

While we were touring the garden, the servants had prepared refreshments.

It was an afternoon tea set, with pastries stacked in layers and fragrant black tea.

Though this would be a pleasing sight for most women, Emilia’s eyebrow twitched slightly, as if she didn’t prefer it much.

‘Ah, right. Emilia didn’t like sweet foods in the original story either.’

I remember she didn’t particularly dislike them, but she didn’t prefer them either. I forgot about that.

Still, she has come a long way, so I should at least try to match her tastes for this occasional treat.

I clapped my hands again to summon Paula, my personal maid, who was waiting nearby.

She usually has a hard time because I don’t like her following me too closely.

Emilia stared at me with wide eyes like a rabbit, seemingly surprised by my sudden action.

“Sorry, but could you bring some less sweet options?”

“In that case, young master, how about cookies and cake with black tea leaves?”

A good suggestion. Emilia was a tea enthusiast who drank nearly ten cups a day, so she’d probably prefer that.

I nodded, and Paula immediately turned to head back to the main building.

I’m sorry for the trouble, but right now, it’s important not to upset Emilia. After all, my life might depend on it.

“Perhaps… you’re being considerate of me?”

“Considerate? I simply don’t eat very sweet things myself.”

“… I see.”

It stung a little, but I seemed to have managed it smoothly.

Emilia probably wouldn’t know my eating habits, so this answer should suffice. Plus, she wouldn’t expect me to know her preferences.

It’s times like these when I’m glad I remember even the small details from the original story.

“How did you find our family’s garden? It might seem a bit modest for Lady Bayemühren’s satisfaction.”

“No, it was truly beautiful.”

“Is that so? I’m glad.”

Judging by her response to my question, it doesn’t seem to be a lie.

I don’t remember Emilia liking flowers this much… Well, at least she seems to be in a good mood.

Until the new batch of desserts arrived, Emilia kept asking me about flowers.

Which flowers bloom well in which seasons? How much water do certain flowers need to grow well?

They were simple questions, but somehow it felt like an interrogation, making it difficult to answer.

It felt like she was checking if I was filling in the correct answers on a test paper.

“Excuse me, you two.”

As we were chatting, the new desserts I had requested finally arrived.

The sweet scent is noticeably less than before. This should be satisfactory for Emilia.

It’s a bit disappointing for me though, as someone who likes sweet things.

I gestured for her to eat first, and Emilia expressed her gratitude, picking up a cookie from the top layer.

She looks cute chewing. Just watching her feels purifying to the eyes.

“Young master… aren’t you going to eat?”

“Of course I will. It would be embarrassing to let a lady eat alone.”

Following Emilia, I also picked up a cookie from the top layer and took a bite. The bitter taste and aroma of black tea leaves filled my mouth.

It’s not really to my taste. I’d prefer it a bit sweeter.

But seeing Emilia enjoy it made me feel good.

Setting aside the fact that she might take my life someday, she was also the heroine I cared for the most.

It feels like I’ve become quite the fan.

“How does it taste?”

“It’s delicious. I’d like to invite the person who made this to our family.”

“I’ll pass on your regards. I’m sure they’ll be delighted.”

That’s quite high praise. The more we talk, the more she seems both like and unlike Emilia.

In the original story, her speech was relatively stiff, rarely giving praise until her personality softened.

Well, not much was revealed about her past, so maybe she was like this when she was younger.

At least, this is closer to my preference. Though wishing for it won’t make it come true.

“Young Master Aiphretz… you’re quite different from what I’ve heard.”

“Is that so? I imagine the rumors about me aren’t particularly positive.”

I didn’t think there would be much gossip-worthy material about me.

But since Emilia spoke as if she had heard something about me… I guess there must be some rumors circulating that I’m unaware of.

I’m curious. What kind of rumors could they be?

“I heard you were a bit cold.”

“Cold, you say…”

That’s strange. I’m not particularly warm and fuzzy, but I didn’t think I’d be described as cold.

I thought I treated the servants and people around me quite well.

Of course, there’s a difference in perspective between those who give orders and those who receive them. But even considering that, I didn’t expect to be called cold.

The original Ludwig was polite to other nobles but a complete rascal to servants, so maybe that’s why.

Meanwhile, Emilia maintained a calm face despite mentioning a not-so-flattering rumor to my face.

“Thanks to you, I’ve learned that rumors aren’t to be trusted. Someone who loves flowers this much couldn’t be like that.”

“I’m grateful for your words alone.”

Whatever the reason, I was relieved that her view of me hadn’t turned hostile.

Perhaps she came to verify my character after hearing the rumors.

If so, I should be thankful I didn’t commit any faux pas during our first meeting. My head might have literally rolled at our first encounter.

Of course, I don’t think she would go that far, barging into someone else’s family home.

“Pfft.”

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m just enjoying myself. Young Master Aiphretz, you have quite a range of expressions.”

Was I that bad at hiding my emotions? I thought I was acting calm, but it seemed she saw right through me.

This girl who’s just become an adult has incredible insight. It’s as if she’s awakened her Mind’s Eye already.

“They say a beautiful garden truly shines when viewed at night.”

“I somewhat agree with that statement.”

As she said, well-landscaped gardens often look different during the day and night.

When I first designed this garden, a nobleman who once visited praised it, saying, “It’s a garden that embraces the sun by day and the moon by night.”

It’s a bit of a cringeworthy expression, but I was quite proud at the time.

After all, it was the first time the garden I had put all my effort into was evaluated by someone else, and with considerable praise.

“I’d like to see the garden under the moonlight. Would you allow it, Young Master Aiphretz?”

“By that, you mean…”

Emilia spoke with a slight smile, but as I realized the meaning behind her words, my anxiety increased.

“Yes. I’d like to stay here for just one night. Would that be alright?”

“…”

Hearing her nonchalant reply, I was at a loss for words.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *

From the beginning, I only had one choice.

Although she didn’t make an appointment in advance, my guest was the young lady of the prestigious Bayemühren family.

If I couldn’t accommodate her for one night after her long journey, what would people say about me at the social gathering three weeks from now?

They’d probably criticize me, saying the unremarkable eldest son of the Aiphretz family can’t even host a guest.

I don’t care what they say about me, but the problem is that my loss of honor is the family’s loss of honor.

Even if I couldn’t earn praise, I had to avoid creating reasons for bad rumors to spread.

– Knock knock.

“Yes, who is it?”

It was quite late. Even the servants should be asleep at this hour, yet someone knocked on my door.

If it were an assassin, they’d target my neck without bothering to knock, coming through the window instead. Who could it be?

【Young Master Aiphretz. It’s Emilia. May I see you for a moment?】

“L-Lady!?”

Oh no. I accidentally raised my voice.

Wait, how did Emilia know the location of my room? And this late into the night? Did a servant tell her?

Is it because she’s still a character who might take my life someday?

Normally, I should be dancing with joy at the thought of a girl my age visiting me at this hour, but all I wanted to do was jump out of the window.

Still, I couldn’t refuse, so I changed out of my pajamas into more presentable clothes and left the room.

– Creak.

“At this late hour… what brings you here?”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to see the garden at night, but I’m a bit scared. I was wondering if you could come with me…”

“Ah.”

If that’s the case, she could’ve called a servant. I guess she thought it better to call me, seeing as we met during the day, rather than waking a servant with whom she’s unfamiliar with this late at night.

Emilia smiled awkwardly, tilting her head as if asking if it wasn’t okay.

She’s my favorite character, so I can do that much for her. I wasn’t able to sleep anyway, so it might be nice to take a walk in the garden and chat.

“As it happens, I couldn’t fall asleep either. Shall we go together?”

“Yes. Thank you, Young Master Aiphretz.”

Emilia’s smile, bathed in the soft moonlight coming through the window, was indescribably beautiful.

She’s a character I can’t reach out to, but for today, I’ll savor the feeling of being lovers.

Of course, if I make any untoward moves, my wrist might get cut off, so I’ll have to control myself. What a miserable life indeed.

“Then, would you wait a moment? I have something to bring.”

“Sure.”

Leaving her behind, I went back into my room and grabbed the blanket draped over my desk.

Although it’s spring, the weather can be quite chilly at night, especially with clothes as thin as Emilia’s.

Well, if I take good care of her now, maybe she’ll show me mercy and give me a swift death later.

Of course, I’d prefer if there was no need for mercy in the first place.

translator’s corner

;w; ch.4 soon