The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 18

I turned my head sharply and stared at Merin intently enough to make her uncomfortable, then said:

“Merin, weren’t you on my side?”

“I’m always on your side, young master.”

“Hmph. Yet you’re siding with Father.”

As I grumbled, Merin adjusted my clothes and replied:

“It’s true that the Duke hired me, but it was my own decision to serve you, young master. You know that.”

“You said it was because you liked my face.”

“That’s the most important reason.”

Her confident attitude left me at a loss for words. No, I even caught a glimpse of pride, which made me laugh.

“That’s fortunate. That my face is to Merin’s liking.”

“Why?”

“Because I like Merin. I hope you’ll continue to stay by my side.”

How could I find a servant as perceptive as Merin? Just look at how she prepared Luwen’s clothes in advance. She must have anticipated that I would take him to the imperial palace, given how openly I favor him.

“…Young master, do you know about a hundred opera scenarios just flashed through my mind? Don’t go around saying such things carelessly.”

“Why? Did it make your heart flutter?”

“I hate to admit it, but a little.”

There’s no need to be so upset about it. Merin, who had finished lightly styling my hair, stepped back and nodded.

“Oh my, our young master. You’re so pretty. You’re becoming more beautiful with each passing year.”

“Merin, you have unique tastes. People with harsh features like mine aren’t usually popular.”

I’m the type I dislike the most. A fierce expression full of greed. Typical villain looks. My previous life’s appearance was better. How did I get downgraded through reincarnation?

“Young master, you really don’t know yourself.”

“No one knows me better than I do. What are you talking about?”

I’ve been packaging myself since my previous life, so I’m confident that no one knows the real me. Few people can be loved for showing their true selves. Only those born inherently good can reveal their true nature without hiding it, so I’m already ruined.

‘I can never be like Irene or Luwen.’

But I can at least imitate them. After all, it’s enough to appear convincing in others’ eyes.

Merin looked at me with somewhat dissatisfied eyes, then sighed lightly before smiling brightly and saying:

“It doesn’t matter what you think, young master, but I dare ask that you take thorough care of your appearance.”

“…I will take care of it.”

I need to look good for Luwen, after all.

“Then thank you.”

After Merin finished her task and withdrew, I was left alone in the room. It was a remnant of the past when I liked being alone. I’m still comfortable with it, so I have no intention of changing.

I sighed deeply and looked outside. It would be nice if heavy rain canceled the palace visit plans, but it’s annoyingly clear.

Why did magic disappear from this world? For the first time, I missed the legendary existence of magic. Couldn’t it at least cause a blizzard?

After staring at the uselessly fine weather with a sullen face, I rubbed my cheeks with both hands. I need to smile properly now, as I’ll be meeting Luwen soon.

* * *

When I went down to the first-floor lobby, a carriage bound for the imperial palace was already waiting. I looked at the excessively ornate carriage engraved with the family crest in front of the wide-open entrance with an indifferent expression.

I don’t want to go…

“Young master.”

At the cute voice, I quickly changed my expression and turned around.

Luwen, dressed in a jet-black tailcoat, looked like a little butler. Ah, so cute.

However, my joy at seeing Luwen was short-lived. The child spotted Irene coming down the stairs and immediately turned and ran to her.

“My lady!”

Luwen, who spun around as if to show off his well-dressed appearance, was truly adorable. How nice it would be if he did that in front of me.

“Wow, Luwen, you look great! So pretty and cute!”

Luwen beamed with a big smile at Irene’s praise. Look at him abandoning me as soon as the lady arrives.

No, let’s not feel hurt. You know how much Luwen likes Irene. It’s understandable. I understand, but… why am I going to Irene?

“Sister, you look very pretty today.”

“It feels strange to hear you call me pretty.”

“…Don’t you like it?”

There’s no way she wouldn’t like being complimented by me, so it’s odd.

“No! It’s not that I don’t like it.”

That’s more like it. Irene smiled shyly and gently stroked my hair. She really likes patting heads.

“To my eyes, Fei looks prettier than me.”

“Really? How much? More than Luwen?”

“Huh?”

Irene, who had been looking back and forth between me and Luwen, burst into clear laughter. She probably thinks I’m jealous. That wasn’t my intention, but it’s fine if she misunderstands.

“Yes, yes. Fei is the best.”

A hint of disappointment flashed across Luwen’s face, as if he had subtly hoped for Irene’s choice. But it couldn’t be helped. It was important for him to know that he wasn’t Irene’s top priority.

“Lady Irene!”

Irene’s personal maid came running breathlessly with a fan. While Irene went to greet her, I bent down and whispered to Luwen:

“I think Luwen looks the prettiest.”

“…Who asked? I didn’t ask.”

“Why so sulky? Are you upset that I’m not sister’s favorite?”

Luwen looked at me silently for a moment, then shook his head. His black hair swayed gently. It rippled like a dance over his white forehead.

“It’s not like the lady meant it sincerely anyway.”

You look dejected despite your words. Hmm. Was I too harsh?

But is this something to be so gloomy about? His slumped shoulders and limp arms were pitiful to see. It seemed to show how much influence Irene still had on Luwen.

It was necessary, but… I can’t crush the child’s self-esteem like this. I knelt on one knee to meet Luwen’s eyes.

“I’m serious. You’re the best to me. No one is more important than you.”

I hope you’re satisfied with me for now.

“Thanks, even if it’s just words.”

A small joy was hidden in his shy smile.

“You don’t believe my sincerity? I’m hurt, Luwen.”

I spoke jokingly, adding a rhythm to my tone, and the child’s smile deepened. With a much better expression than before, Luwen said:

“It’s not that I don’t believe you at all.”

His shy smile was so pretty and cute that it made my heart tingle for no reason. He’s in a good mood because of me now, right? Our relationship was definitely improving little by little. It was a sign that Luwen’s evaluation of me was changing.

‘Yes, this gradual improvement is good.’

Perhaps due to the positive response, I felt I could endure even the stuffy carriage ride with Luwen by my side.

…Hm? Ah? Wait.

Come to think of it, I had planned to have Luwen ride in my carriage with me. But the situation has changed now. With Father and Irene going together, there’s no way Luwen, who is of servant status, could ride with them… And it’s not like the child can ride a horse either.

‘I should have had him learn horseback riding earlier. When we return, I’ll have to teach him horseback riding along with sword training. What if something like this happens again?’

I checked the coachman’s seat just in case, but there didn’t seem to be space for the child to sit.

I’ll have to ask Irene for help. Only she can make difficult requests to Father and get permission.

“Will you wait here for a moment?”

I left Luwen standing there and approached Irene. The clear sound of Irene’s laughter as she chatted with the maid who had handed her the fan carried on the wind. The long pink ribbon swayed prettily along with her hair.

“Sister.”

“Fei!”

Irene welcomed me with a bright smile. I smiled back in response, and she came trotting towards me. The maid followed behind her, bowing her head politely while keeping an eye on me.

“Sister, we have a problem.”

“Huh? Why suddenly? What problem?”

“Luwen can’t ride a horse. And we can’t put him in the carriage with Father going too…”

I furrowed my brows as if troubled and glanced at Irene. Of course, she would agree if I asked directly, but I wanted to add a little seasoning to make her plead more enthusiastically.

“Should I just lie and say I’m sick?”

You wouldn’t like it if I dropped out, since you were looking forward to all of us going to the imperial palace together.

As expected, Irene’s eyes widened as she asked:

“What? Why?”