The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 23

“I’m grateful for your words alone. I recently started studying medicine, and my father said he would find me a good teacher. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be leaving the mansion for a while.”

At this point, one might mistakenly think that the rumors of discord between my father and me might not be true. Since I didn’t lie, even if they investigate, they’ll only hear that the Duke contacted Seje or Count Rodiahim.

“I see. That’s a shame. By the way, I think you would suit being the next Duke. I hope you understand my feelings.”

The 1st Prince threw words that would likely make me uncomfortable until the very end before disappearing.

‘As expected.’

After confirming whether the rumors about my personality were true, he chose me as a chess piece to shake up the Vinter duchy. In other words, he’s the one behind the scenes who stirred me up to kill Irene in the original work. The reason is simple. To prevent our family from supporting the 2nd Prince.

If I hadn’t recalled my previous life, I would have been swayed by the 1st Prince’s words, gotten involved, and eventually become a puppet moving as he wished. That’s how it would have flowed according to the original work.

‘Perhaps even the 5th Prince’s involvement…’

It might be due to the 1st Prince’s machinations. The cause might probably be me.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“Why did His Highness the 1st Prince say he could visit regardless of time? Visiting at night would be against etiquette, wouldn’t it?”

The 5th Prince is naive, but not stupid. So if I point out the signal he missed one more time, he’ll understand.

Sure enough, as soon as I finished speaking, the 5th Prince’s face hardened, and he spoke in a serious tone.

“Fei, I think it’s best to keep some distance from my eldest brother. If he calls for you separately, make sure to let me know.”

I nodded innocently, pretending not to know anything. As a bonus, I put on an expression that said I would follow his instructions even though I didn’t know the reason.

After this incident, the 5th Prince will be wary of the 1st Prince. When the engagement between the 2nd Prince and Irene is announced later, the chances of him siding with the 2nd Prince increase. It would be more beneficial for his well-being if the brother-in-law of the person he has a crush on becomes the emperor, rather than the brother who is targeting the person he has a crush on.

‘Then the 5th Prince won’t die at the hands of the male lead either. Clean.’

I took a sip of the slightly cooled tea with satisfaction.

“Fei… You shouldn’t take this lightly. You must remember what I said. Understood?”

Ah, did I look too nonchalant?

“Of course. Oh, here comes Luwen.”

Just then, Luwen was returning with the flowers. He was carrying a large basket full of colorful peonies.

Peonies are Irene’s favorite flowers. That’s why when May comes, our house’s garden is filled with peonies. Originally, it was a garden full of roses, but the year after she came, it was covered with peonies.

The peony scent, similar to roses, sometimes confused me. A few years ago, in early summer, when the fragrance flowed through the wide-open terrace, I thought my mother’s roses had bloomed and looked outside. If it hadn’t been in my sleep, I wouldn’t have been confused. The scene I saw then was particularly vivid.

‘Hmm…’

Well, it’s fine. It’s all in the past now. I don’t get confused anymore.

Still, remembering it after a long time made me crave rose tea. When I was young, my mother often made it for me, but I haven’t had it since she passed away.

“Young Master!”

Luwen approached with small steps, smiling more brightly than the peonies. Every time the child bounced, the flowers in the basket swayed, creating quite a spectacle.

“There are a lot of peonies. Sister will like them.”

Look at that proud expression. He already looks like he’s received plenty of praise from Irene for gifting her flowers.

Didn’t you pick any for me?

No matter how I looked, there were no flowers other than peonies in the basket. Although I could take as many flowers as I wanted from the greenhouse, I felt a little disappointed.

“Your Highness. Could I perhaps have a few roses?”

“Of course. Come this way and take as many as you’d like.”

The 5th Prince, his face brightening, stood up abruptly and guided me. I should ask Merin to dry the petals and make them into tea.

On the way back to the mansion with the roses, Luwen held the peonies as preciously as if they were valuable jewels.

Sitting opposite him in the carriage, I rested my chin on my hand and watched as he worried that the petals might fall due to the carriage’s shaking. For some reason, seeing Luwen constantly excited because of Irene made me feel uneasy. My head also seemed to throb.

Moreover, Luwen didn’t even notice my change, becoming quieter than usual and my expression disappearing.

‘What can I expect from a child.’

A self-deprecating smile appeared on my lips. Why did I keep feeling disappointed? It was an emotion I couldn’t understand myself.

* * *

As soon as we got out of the carriage upon arriving at the mansion, Luwen asked,

“Young Master! How can I keep the flowers from wilting until Miss arrives?”

Irene will probably return soon. They won’t wilt if we just wait like this. But Luwen doesn’t know when Irene is coming.

“Why don’t you put them in a vase and decorate sister’s room?”

You won’t be able to give the gift directly, but isn’t that better than letting them wilt?

It was a childish, petty, and mean-spirited thought. If he had picked even one flower for me, I wouldn’t have been like this. Was that so difficult?

Normally, I wouldn’t have indulged in such spiteful thoughts. But right now, I was in a bad mood.

“Then they won’t wilt?”

Luwen, oblivious to everything, asked innocently.

To hell with conscience. I’m originally not someone who feels such things. Pretending to be kind doesn’t make you a truly kind person.

“Flowers need water to stay fresh for a long time.”

“Then I’ll do that!”

“Shall we go ask Merin if she has a pretty vase?”

“Yes!”

Luwen, more cheerful and lively than usual, was a pleasure to see. Even the way he walked, almost bouncing, was cute.

On the other hand, my mood kept sinking. I was annoyed that the 1st Prince had visited, I didn’t like knowing the 5th Prince’s feelings, I had to ride in the carriage with my father, and I was reminded of my mother from my previous life and this life…

Luwen, walking ahead full of excitement, was expressing his joyful emotions with his whole body. Seeing such a sight usually made me feel good too. But this time, it wasn’t working.

As soon as I returned to my room, I handed the roses to Merin, left Luwen with her, and lay down on the bed. The pain that had been stabbing my head earlier wasn’t just due to my mood; now it was starting to pound.

I know herbs that are good for headaches and how to take them, but I was too lazy to move. It’ll probably be fine if I wait. If it really hurts, I can ask Merin to bring me some medicine.

As I lay still, covering my eyes with my forearm, I heard the door open. It must be Merin and Luwen? But the spreading scent of peony flowers stimulated me.

Curiously, I lowered my arm and saw Luwen carefully entering with a bouquet of peonies. A dark purple ribbon was clumsily tied, and the flower arrangement couldn’t be called pretty. But that made it even more apparent that Luwen had made it himself.

“Young Master, are you already sleeping?”

He made a bouquet instead of using a vase. It seemed less voluminous compared to the amount he brought, but it looked beautiful because I could feel the effort he put into making it.

“I was just lying down because I was tired. Is this a gift for sister? It’s pretty.”

Luwen’s face peeked out from behind the peonies.

“I put the ones for Miss in a vase in her room. These are for you, Young Master!”

As Luwen stretched out both arms, the scent of peonies flowed into my chest.

“…For me?”

“Yes. If you don’t like it-“

“No, I love it!”

I sat up abruptly and took the bouquet with both hands. Were peonies always this beautiful? As I buried my face in the bouquet to savor the fragrance, I noticed Luwen looking at me with a proud face.

So there was a share for me too. It wasn’t all just for Irene.

“It’s Miss’s favorite flower, but I noticed it smells similar to you, Young Master. I wanted to give some to you too, so I picked a lot.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Actually, I found out later that there were flowers with an even more similar scent, but I didn’t go there, so I didn’t know. Besides, you were receiving them separately…”

Luwen, fidgeting with his hands as he spoke, looked more adorable than ever today. I smiled brightly as if I had never been in a bad mood, carefully put the bouquet down on the bedside table, and grabbed the child’s waist to lift him up.

“Waaah!”

“Thank you, Luwen. I’m really happy. Truly.”

I hugged the lovable child tightly in my arms.