The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

Bayemühren, that is the name of the family I was born and raised in, and my proud surname.

As the eldest daughter and only child of a prestigious family, I lacked nothing.

Without lifting a finger, precious food and gifts were sent to me, and even those older than me were quick to bow their heads.

It was when I turned 10 that I first saw a hidden side to this.

I believed that the children of other families who bowed their heads to me and the servants who always showed smiles were genuinely favorable to me.

I think that might have been a natural perception for a child who had just turned 10.

One day, as I was honing my swordsmanship as usual, I started to see unusual colors.

This phenomenon appeared not only in people but also in the cats raised by our family. Even in a wild boar I happened to see.

As I was pondering what these colors meant, a guest visited our family.

It was the head of a baronet family that had served our family for generations.

He was a man who always brought me unique local specialties or delicacies, so that day too, I innocently asked.

‘What kind of gift would he give me today?

It might seem childish, but looking back now, wasn’t it also naive?

“I’m so sorry, what should I do? I haven’t brought any gifts to give you today, young lady.”

“Mmm, it’s okay.”

He looked momentarily flustered but quickly smiled and apologized. I shook my head with a deeply disappointed expression.

I said it was fine, but inside, I couldn’t help feeling let down.

The various colored auras started to appear again. Among them, a black and white mass appeared above the man’s head.

Did each person have their own unique color? At that time, I didn’t know the reason.

Shortly after, my father secretly called for me.

He advised me that even though this person was from a family that served us, I shouldn’t treat him that way. He told me not to take things received from others for granted and always to be grateful.

Only then did I realize I had done wrong and went to find the man.

Among the advice my father gave me was the maxim that if you commit a wrongdoing, you should apologize, and if you receive a favor, you should express gratitude.

– …I’m telling you. …I said.

‘There he is.’

When I asked a servant about the man’s location, they said he would be in the reception room.

Thinking to apologize, I rushed there without even bringing a maid, and when I stood in front of the door, I could faintly hear voices from inside.

I don’t know why I did it at the time.

Suddenly feeling mischievous, I wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation, so I carefully opened the large door as much as possible and started listening through the gap.

Not knowing it would be something I’d regret.

“That damn girl… Just because she’s the eldest daughter of the Bayemühren family, we pampered her, and now she humiliates me in front of Count Brantley?”

“It seems we’ve been giving her too much praise.”

The man was talking to someone, and the content was something I didn’t want to hear anymore.

The eldest daughter of the Bayemühren family. It was clear enough who that referred to, even for a mere 10-year-old like me.

As I peeked through the door gap and saw the man’s back, an aura even more hideous than before enveloped his entire body.

It was flickering violently as if reflecting the man’s emotions.

It was then that I realized. I had been cursed with these eyes.

The faces people showed me weren’t their true feelings.

Most of them lied to me, harbored wrong intentions, and didn’t approach me sincerely.

Out of childish curiosity, I started asking the servants in our family and people I met afterward what they thought of me.

Most of their answers were similar. ‘The great eldest daughter of the Bayemühren family’, ‘Someone I want to serve for life’, ‘A flawless divine woman’.

Behind most of those who uttered these words, I could see black masses staring at me. Yes, just like with that man.

“Thank you. I trust you all too.”

As I smiled back at them, though I couldn’t see it, there was probably that black mass behind me as well.

From then on, I saw only distrust and fear in everyone’s eyes.

But I couldn’t tell this to anyone. Not even to my parents.

How could I proudly say that I couldn’t trust them even though I was born as their daughter?

I thought this was a sort of karma I had to carry throughout my life. That’s all I thought.

Yes. Until I heard the prophecy given to me.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *

It was the day after I became an adult.

Those who inherit the bloodline of the Bayemühren family receive a prophecy when they come of age. This was also a blessing from the goddess Hiphresia, whom the Bayemühren family had served for generations.

As I entered the temple, doused with holy water to hear the prophecy, the sacred fire placed at the statue of goddess Hiphresia burst into flames.

Almost as if welcoming the bloodline of the Bayemühren family.

【Descendant of Bayemühren, find the child bound by the thread of dawn. That one will change your fate. Whether you strike them down or not falls to you.】

Traditionally, the prophecy forces a choice upon the believer.

But the prophecy given to me strangely sounded like it was telling me to choose my fate with my own hands.

The prophecy given to oneself must not be revealed to anyone and must be carried to the grave.

After hearing the prophecy from goddess Hiphresia, I set out to find the person in question.

A child bound by the thread of dawn. It sounded like grasping at clouds, but I couldn’t question the prophecy.

Why did the goddess give me such words?

As I was pondering this, I happened to meet a young man in a territory I visited by chance.

Although I only saw his back from afar without facing him, the reason my gaze was drawn to him was none other than this.

‘That man… looks different.’

A unique color that seemed neither black nor blue, akin to the color of night. A tangle of threads of that nightly color was wrapped around the man.

And most importantly, behind the man’s back, instead of the hideous black aura, something golden was faintly sparkling.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but think it looked like stars embroidered in the night sky.

Later, I heard that this man was the young master of the Aiphretz family. According to rumors, he likes flowers and has a good character.

‘I need to meet him.’

The opportunity came not long after. When I had a chance to visit the area, I decided to stop by the main house of the Aiphretz family.

I knew it was rude to visit without notice, but I didn’t have time to worry about that.

What mattered to me was confirming his identity.

“Young Master Ludwig will be here soon. Please bear with us.”

“I’m the one who came on short notice, so please don’t worry about it.”

An Aiphretz family servant apologized to me as I sat on the sofa in the reception room.

Despite the sudden news of my visit, it seems he readily agreed to come here.

Not to brag, but since coming of age and debuting into high society, I have received many advances from noble youths of my age.

Perhaps this young master of the Aiphretz family also simply wanted to meet me out of lust.

No, that’s not it, Emilia. I’m the uninvited guest now, and they’re in the position of receiving me. I shouldn’t have such disrespectful thoughts.

Deep pondering is good, but if I sink too deep into the abyss, I’ll end up like those characters I’ve seen so far.

– Creak.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I heard that the young lady of the Bayemühren family has come to see me.”

That thought didn’t last long once he appeared.

His unique hair color is like the night sky, just as I had seen before.

Behind his back, golden fragments were spread out, just as I had seen before.

“Pardon my intrusion, Young Master Aiphretz. I’m grateful that you’ve agreed to meet me so suddenly.”

As I spoke, trying to maintain composure as much as possible, he approached the table, waving his hand. As I curtsied again, holding both sides of my dress, he bowed his head in return.

It was just a moment of face-to-face interaction, but I found it fascinating. None of the other young men my age could hide their lust in front of me.

Behind them, there was always a dark red mass that passed by, even if just for a moment.

But not this man.

I thought maybe he just didn’t find me beautiful, but as I saw him stare intently at my face for a moment, that didn’t seem to be the case.

It wasn’t an ugly lust, however. He looked at me as if I were a precious being that shouldn’t be broken.

When I felt that gaze that seemed to embrace and cherish me, something warm started to well up in my chest.

“Flowers… you say?”

“Yes.”

When he asked about the purpose of my visit, I recited an irrelevant reason, and for a moment, he asked back with an expression of obvious bewilderment.

It was so easy to notice, even without these eyes, that I unconsciously thought he was cute, and I involuntarily swallowed a gasp.

To think that I would have such thoughts about a man. It was so shocking that even I was astounded.

Looking closely at his face, although he had somewhat cold features, he was quite handsome.

And in contrast to that, his smiling face was very kind and warm. When his sharp gaze curved like a crescent moon, I found myself unconsciously smiling along.

‘Get a grip, Emilia. What foolishness are you doing now?’

The reason I sought him out was to confirm the prophecy.

Since he was said to be the man who would change my fate, I needed to know whether it’d be in a positive or negative direction.

If he turned out to be a man unworthy of me, I would have to cut him down in the future.

But if he was worthy of me and capable of pulling me out of this curse…

“Um… Is there something on my face?”

“Ah, no. I apologize for being rude.”

But before discussing the prophecy, my gaze automatically fixed on his face. I tried to maintain my composure, barely holding back my melting expression.

To think that seven years of loneliness would be erased just by seeing him. While feeling it was unsightly, there was a part of me that didn’t think it was bad.

I didn’t know I was such an easy woman. I wonder what the men who have flirted with me thus far would think if they heard of this.

I approached him as he stood up to guide me to the garden and pressed my chest against him.

Although I did it myself, it was such a bold action that I flinched, but I was curious about his reaction, so I barely endured it.

“Um… aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“I’m fine. Should I move away a bit if you’re uncomfortable, Young Master?”

“Ah, no. This much is…”

I smiled at the sight of him turning his head away with a red face, unable to push me away or say anything.

Even then, the dark red lust didn’t appear above his head. That fact was most surprising.

Yes, this isn’t because of any frivolous thoughts. It’s just a test to draw out the hidden lust in him and discern his true nature. It’s certainly not a light-hearted action driven by mischief.

Let’s try a little more for now. Then maybe I can figure out the identity of this bubbly feeling forming in my chest.

The moment I had that thought, his body twitched again.

He might be a bit cute after all. I’ve found a reason to stay here for the day. But I need to find an excuse.

What would be good? He seems to like flowers, so should I say I want to see the garden at night?

Although I don’t know much about flowers, creating a common ground might be helpful.

translator’s corner

a mischievous lady this one is -w-