The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 3

“By the way, did you send Luwen away because you wanted to ask me to help him?”

“Ah, y-yes, that’s right.”

Even if it was to save Irene, he’s still a servant who pushed Fei Vinter, the eldest son of the Duke’s family, into a winter lake. As a result, I suffered from a high fever and nearly died, so the punishment wouldn’t be light. Even for a child who has fallen out of favor, this is a matter related to the honor of the Duke’s family.

In the original story, I shouted at my father that we should beat Luwen to death for daring to push me into the water, and Irene pleaded with tears to forgive him just this once. When father asked if there was a reason, Irene didn’t say anything. It was Luwen who stepped forward and confessed what I had done.

He’s been cool since he was young. That pine tree kid.

When it was revealed that I had been bullying Irene, I was slapped by my father, and Luwen ended up with a whipping. There was even a scene where he smiled proudly, saying the scars that would last a lifetime were medals for protecting the young lady.

Right, let’s prevent that first. I had to destroy all the bonds forming between Irene and Luwen. Because they’re all stepping stones to love.

“I can corroborate the story so Luwen won’t be punished.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. But in exchange, give him to me.”

Irene’s bright expression instantly darkened. I can clearly see what she’s thinking. She probably thinks I’ll keep him by my side and bully him, right? I know everything. Even that she’s going to refuse.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think that will be possible.”

Irene, who had been mumbling dejectedly with her gaze lowered, suddenly raised her head.

“Of-of course, it’s not because I doubt you, but because Luwen wouldn’t want it. He’s not just a simple servant, he’s like… my younger brother.”

Even to anyone listening, it’s clearly a nuance of outright suspicion. However, I put on an innocent look as if I didn’t know anything.

Thanks to all sorts of experiences I had while working as a model in my past life, I was confident in creating expressions. If I just added the right voice to it, I could deceive others without revealing my true intentions.

So, couldn’t I do this much? It will surely work.

“What if Luwen wants to? Can you send him to me then?”

“…”

Irene hesitated, unable to answer readily. She must have been playing family with Luwen, so it wouldn’t be easy. I opened my mouth, intending to give her a little push.

“I’ve done a lot of wrong to you, sister.”

“…Huh? What did you say?”

Your real brother is right here. I’m your real brother. So send away the kid you treat ‘like’ a brother. Hm? You’re not interested enough to notice Luwen’s feelings anyway. You’ll only like the second prince, right? Luwen’s heart will be bruised. I don’t want to see that again.

I drooped my shoulders and lowered my head. Like someone confessing their sins. To look pitiful and frail.

I’m quite confident this will work. Usually, it wouldn’t be easy due to my fierce-looking impression, but right now, I must look clearly ill.

“Actually… I’ve been envious of you all this time. Father doesn’t smile at me like that. That’s why I resented you.”

“…Ah.”

Hearing her sympathetic exclamation, I hung a tear at the corner of my eye. Then, as I lifted my head to look at Irene, I blinked to let it fall. I don’t like the feeling of my cheeks getting wet, but right now, it will serve as a weapon.

“Even when I’m sick, Father doesn’t come. He just sends a doctor and doesn’t show any interest. As if it wouldn’t matter even if I died. But… you came, sister.”

“How…”

“I heard your voice when I was in a daze. It was you who changed the wet cloth on my forehead, wasn’t it? Even though I hated you so much, even though I was a brother who only bullied you… I realized that you… really consider me as your brother. Not just saying it for show.”

I tried smiling a little. To look bitter and pained. To make it feel like I was sincerely repenting. To make her see me as a crying child who just wants to be loved.

“Fei…”

Irene extended her arms and hugged me. I was a bit surprised as I didn’t expect this response, but thinking it might be better to give her what she wants, I leaned my head slightly on her and trembled my shoulders.

It seems I could cry more here, but since I don’t really like crying, let’s stop. I should look weak enough without more tears now.

Instead, I soon separated from her and looked at Irene with a bitter smile. Then, as I closed my eyes and opened them again, the last unshed tear rolled down.

There could be various interpretations, but most would be positive towards me, so I quickly wiped it away with my hand and pressed my lips tightly, thinking it doesn’t matter how she reads it.

Irene was looking at me with a face mixed with pity and bitterness. Then, after taking a short breath, she spoke with a bright smile.

“I’ve never hated you, Fei. So I’m so happy that you’ve accepted me as your sister. Thank you for becoming my brother.”

As expected. It seemed Irene had opened her heart to me. If so, it might be better to evoke more sympathy. So she wouldn’t even think of refusing my request. To the point where she’d want to give me what I want out of pity.

“…Actually, I’ve always been alone. I lived alone in this huge mansion. When I heard the news that I had a sister, honestly… I was a bit excited. Even if Father didn’t love me, I thought it would be nice to have a sister. Not knowing that Father… hated only me so much.”

I bit my lower lip hard and then released it, showing an awkward smile. Tears that had gathered in Irene’s eyes fell one by one.

I gently stroked her cheek and continued speaking.

“When I was burning with fever, my body felt like it was on fire, but somehow it didn’t feel bad. I thought if I died like this, I might feel at peace.”

“Fei!”

I gently stroked the back of Irene’s hand as she grabbed mine in surprise.

“That’s when… you came, sister.”

“Ah.”

“Even though I had bullied you so much, you were the only one in this mansion who cared about me.”

“Fei…”

The sobbing Irene looked so pure and pitiful. Is this the halo of the female protagonist? Seeing her face that seemed quite moved, I had a feeling that things would go smoothly.

“Maybe, maybe if… if I change, then…”

I hesitated and then visibly bit my lower lip hard. I spoon-fed her an easy-level hint to guess the words I had swallowed.

How could a villain who has just realized his wrongdoings apologize right away? People don’t change in an instant like that. Unless it’s a case like mine where the soul has practically changed. So this was all I could express for now.

“You don’t have to say it if it’s hard. I’ve received all the messages you wanted to convey, Fei. They say siblings often fight. We just fought too. Let’s think of it that way.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Of course. Absolutely.”

After one more hug to commemorate our hearts connecting, we separated. Irene was smiling brightly.

This is easy… Is it okay for it to be this easy? Surely an Irene who hasn’t turned dark isn’t going around getting backstabbed left and right, is she?

Hmm. I’m not sure. She’s originally a confident and reliable character who stands on her own, so I just need to protect Luwen. To make sure he doesn’t get involved in the struggle for imperial power or die protecting Irene in war. I’ll make sure of that.

“Fei, let’s take your medicine first. You still seem to have a bit of fever.”

Her delicate hand twitches. It reaches out carefully towards my forehead, like someone wondering if it’s okay to touch a stray cat. As I behave docilely, her cool hand lightly touches my forehead.

Irene’s changing expressions were quite interesting to watch. She brightened up, perhaps glad that I allowed her to touch me, then her expression dimmed, perhaps feeling sorry for being happy when her brother was sick.

…She’s really an easy person. Easy to the point of making me feel sorry.

Feeling an indescribable emotion welling up, I just took the medicine as she wanted.

Gulp. As soon as I swallowed the pill, she took the cup from my hand and placed it on the bedside table. Those sparkling eyes are a bit burdensome…

“Um, about Luwen… if we continue talking-“

“Ah! Right! I came to talk about Luwen!”

Luwen, will you still like Irene even like this? Don’t step into predestined misery. I’ll protect you. Trust me and come.

“I think we can tell Father that I almost fell into the lake after slipping, and Luwen tried to catch me but fell in with me.”

There are no witnesses. If we just match our stories, the incident of deliberately pushing the Duke’s eldest son into the water becomes an incident of diving in to save him.

“Okay. Let’s do that. But why did you ask for Luwen?”

If there was suspicion mixed in until just a moment ago, this time it was pure curiosity. It seemed she firmly believed that I had completely changed.

Well, it’s true that I’ve changed… It’s comfortable and good for me, but…

“Sister, people don’t change completely in an instant. How can you trust me so much already? You should learn to be suspicious too.”

“You’re saying that yourself?”

Irene shook her head with a clear laugh.