The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

As we moved to the garden, the scenery I had glimpsed earlier while heading to the main building unfolded before my eyes again. 

Colorful flowers, well-maintained landscaping, trees and grass showing off their harmonious beauty.

According to a servant here, most of this garden was designed by the young master’s own hands.

I mentioned this and gave some uncharacteristically exaggerated praise, but he appeared flustered.

If it were the noble sons I’ve seen before, they would have seized the opportunity to brag about themselves.

No matter how trivial, they would have certainly recounted their background like some heroic tale.

“It’s too modest a skill for a man… I feel shy mentioning it in front of a lady.”

“I think it’s wonderful. Please take pride in it, young master.”

“I’m just grateful for your kind words.”

Even he, who had been careful with his words and actions in front of me, couldn’t help but scratch his cheek for a moment, unable to hide his sudden embarrassment.  

Like a child unused direct compliments.

It’s cute and I want to tease him more, but I should hold back for now. I haven’t seen his true self yet.

Refreshments were already prepared on the garden table.

It seems his maid, who was waiting at a distance with her hands folded, had prepared them.

The layered pastries were a feast for the eyes, and a fragrant aroma wafted from the teacups, but the problem was…

‘They look too sweet.’

I couldn’t help but slightly furrow my brow at the thought that came to me as soon as I saw the cakes and cookies.

Unlike other young ladies my age who liked sweet foods and snacks, I didn’t particularly enjoy sweets.

I could eat them if I had to, but it would be hard to manage my expression.

‘I’ll wash it down with tea. That should work.’

To him, I’m just a childish young lady from a count’s family who visited without any prior notice. His perception of me probably hit rock bottom from our first meeting.

In this situation, asking for something else because I can’t eat sweets would be too thick-skinned, even for me.

Finally resolving to chew the cookies and swallow them with tea, I nodded firmly.

But that thought was short-lived, as Ludwig suddenly clapped his hands and called the maid waiting nearby. 

Don’t they usually use a call bell? Although customs vary slightly between families, this was a first for me.

When I asked later, he said he doesn’t use them because they’re cumbersome to carry around and look messy on the table… He’s quite a peculiar person.

“I have something I’d like for the lady to taste, so I apologize for briefly disrupting the atmosphere. Please forgive my rudeness.”

He called the maid and asked her to prepare less sweet items. Then, as he apologized to me, there wasn’t a hint of discomposure in his demeanor.

However, when a faint white clump appeared behind his body, I had to try my hardest not to laugh.

He must have read my expression and lied out of consideration.

I felt deeply grateful that an ordinary man without eyes like mine could understand my feelings and even go further to be considerate in a way that wouldn’t burden me.

“Could it be… you’re being considerate of me?”

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

The white clump behind his back stirred. The white energy that appears when someone doesn’t tell the truth.

That disgusting lump I’ve seen countless times until now felt cute just for today.

To think that a lie could make someone feel this good. It was a fact I realized for the first time in the past seven years.

Unconsciously smiling as I met Ludwig’s eyes, he carefully averted his gaze and looked elsewhere.

For me, who used to find men’s gazes vulgar, to feel lonely because I couldn’t receive a man’s gaze – it was truly a peculiar feeling.

“I didn’t know the lady liked flowers. I had heard you were quite skilled with the sword…”

“Is that so?”

I tried not to show it as I responded, but inside I was burning up.

Honestly, I don’t know much about flowers at all. I know some famous ones from my education, but I’m completely ignorant about their nature and ecology.

Still, unlike people, they won’t lie, so maybe it wouldn’t be bad to try growing some once.

Ludwig seemed truly happy talking about flowers.

Unlike his calm and intellectual demeanor from earlier, he was now lively and pure, like a child excitedly recounting a heroic tale.

‘This person… is clear.’

What I found curious as I watched him was that his expressions and feelings matched perfectly.

Looking at him was like looking at my own face reflected in a clear well; it felt as if even my confused heart was becoming serene.

“Um… my lady?”

“Yes?”

Had I been observing him for too long? I was startled back to my senses as he leaned his face a bit closer.

Even though I was the one who hadn’t been listening properly, he bowed his head to me and apologized.

Even without seeing the green clump floating above his head, I could easily tell that he sincerely felt sorry.

“I’m very sorry about this. I got carried away talking, having found someone to converse with after so long.”

“It’s alright, Ludwig. I was enjoying it very much. Please don’t mind and continue.”

If you asked me if I enjoyed his story, well…

Honestly, half of it was just about the peculiarities of different flowers, so it didn’t particularly pique my interest.

If anything, the story itself is…rather boring.

But I enjoyed sitting face-to-face with him. Perhaps I couldn’t properly focus on his voice because I was trying to suppress my excitement.

His flustered appearance seemed adorable, and I found myself wanting to tease him a bit more.

So, knowing it was improper, I made up a fictitious rumor I had never heard and shared it with him.

“Ludwig… you’re quite different from what I’ve heard.”

“Is that so? Given that it’s a rumor about me, I doubt it’s any positive.”

His self-deprecating and humble response. Though he outwardly acted as if it wasn’t a big deal, I could see his true feelings.

The blue clump floating above his head was swirling slightly, after all.

I’m a bit curious, seeing as he was trying to act strong even in this situation. I thought he was truly an unpredictable man.

“I heard you were a bit cold.”

“Cold, is it…”

Ludwig muttered as if chewing on my words. It seemed he couldn’t quite place it and was racking his brains.

I’m sorry, Ludwig. I was just testing you because I got a bit curious about your reaction. I’ll apologize, if only in my heart.

I thought if I left him like this any longer, he might cry.

They say men don’t shed tears easily, but somehow I felt it was possible with him. It felt like I was dealing with a child rather than a man.

When I comforted him by mentioning the flowers he liked and saying that rumors shouldn’t be trusted, his mood immediately brightened.

Although he didn’t show much in his expression, the golden fragments floating around him started dancing, like nobles at a social party, each with their own footwork.

“Pfft.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m just happy. Ludwig, you’re quite expressive, aren’t you?”

He appears taken aback. Perhaps he thinks he’s good at hiding his emotions.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful that my spiritual eyes couldn’t delve deeper into his true feelings.

To think that I would have such thoughts about these cursed eyes of mine. It feels like I’m under some spell.

I always used to look away from others’ hearts, to remove those disgusting things from my sight.

“Oh.”

“Ah.”

As I happily reached for a cookie, our hands touched, and short exclamations escaped our mouths simultaneously.

He immediately withdrew his hand and apologized to me. Other men would have pretended it was an accident and tried to touch more.

But why don’t you try to get closer to me? You, who loves and cherishes flowers so much.

Though it’s embarrassing to say it myself, I pride myself on being a beautiful flower in my own right.

“Seeing you writhe at mere contact with me, I suppose Ludwig finds me repulsive.”

“What? No, not at all! How could I possibly think such an absurd thing…!”

Feeling my pride had been hurt a little, I teased him by putting on a crying act I had never done in my life.

The result was a great success, as expected. He even spilled his tea in his haste to deny my words.

Have I always been someone who enjoys tormenting others like this?

But it’s just too much fun. This isn’t because of me. It’s because of you, who make me so happy.

So I hope we can stay face-to-face like this a little longer.

So that I can get to know you, Ludwig, a little better.

translator’s corner

a bonus chapter -w- courtesy of Axiomatic~