The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 80

‘It seems like I should firmly establish the perception that Norman and I are different people, but should I take a risk?’

If I mention first that I’ve heard about Norman and I looking alike, even if Luwen hears the rumor later, he might not pay attention to it. But it could backfire if not careful. For example, he might become more curious about how similar we actually look.

‘No, this is a poor strategy. It’s better to consider this only if there’s no other option.’

The best scenario is for Luwen to be uninterested in rumors and not hear any new ones. I needed to confirm this first.

Having made up my mind to test the waters, I lowered my hands from rubbing Luwen’s cheeks and asked,

“Is that all about the academy? Nothing more?”

“Yes. I can’t think of anything else now.”

Luwen smiled awkwardly. But seeing his eyes rolling around, it seemed he was searching his mind for any remaining stories to tell.

“Actually, I was curious about something. I wonder if Luwen knows about it?”

“What is it?”

“I heard there’s a student who’s the subject of rumors.”

“Rumors?”

“Yes.”

Luwen tilted his head, then nodded with a small exclamation as if he remembered.

“Ah. I remember hearing about that. Drabis was making a fuss about it. I wasn’t interested, so I had forgotten. How did you know about it, young master?”

So he heard it and forgot about it. And the source of the rumor was that Drabis fellow blabbering on about it.

Logically, there was a higher possibility of a rumor circulating that Norman might be an illegitimate child due to his similar appearance, rather than a rumor that Norman and I were the same person.

If so, it was even more reassuring. Since Drabis was said to be a noble, he wouldn’t dare spread rumors linking me to a commoner. Especially not a rumor that could reach the ears of Fei Vinter, the person in question, through Luwen.

Another problem was that if the family was mentioned, the news could reach my sister, but this seemed solvable once the gardener arrived. If they learned about my situation at the Duke’s mansion, it would be difficult for me to attend the academy, so if I insist that I can’t find the ledger, they would try even more zealously than me to block information.

‘Then lastly, I just need to confirm if there’s anyone else who might spread rumors to Luwen?’

Since the Swordsmanship Department has a high proportion of nobles, they’re likely to keep quiet in front of Luwen unless they want to incur the wrath of the Duke’s family, but I needed to check in case there were any fools.

“I heard it when I went out to find an herb shop for future transactions. But they only talked about Drabis. Are there no other friends?”

“Should there be? I don’t keep Drabis around because I want to. He’s just a bit persistent… I have no intention of making friends at the academy because I just want to graduate quickly and return.”

Luwen boldly declared that he was the one keeping everyone at a distance.

‘I’m not sure if I should be sad or happy that he has no friends other than Drabis…’

I felt a bit conflicted and uneasy, but for now, it was beneficial to me, so I had to let it go. This confirmed that rumors linking Fei and Norman wouldn’t reach Luwen.

“Besides, the rumors aren’t the kind you should be interested in, young master. They’re just baseless talk, and we don’t know if they’re true or false. It’s pathetic that people gossip about such things.”

He didn’t seem to fully believe the rumors either.

Really, how did I manage to raise this child so well with my own hands? It was truly a miracle. Thanks to this, I could wrap up the conversation nicely. I can go out tomorrow!

“I see. I was just curious because it was related to you, Luwen. I had forgotten about it and suddenly remembered, so I asked. That’s all now.”

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

There wasn’t anything I was curious about, but I did want to change the topic of conversation. I pretended to think for a moment, then spoke as if I had just remembered something.

“Ah! By the way, is the salmon dish there really that delicious?”

“Yes. It’s a very famous place. Come to think of it, I heard that the Honorary Duke visits there whenever he comes to the academy, and that’s how it became famous. Apparently, it used to be a place only known to a select few.”

Wow, it was a trend started by the Honorary Duke? I regretted changing the subject as I learned unwanted information. I could have gone out more comfortably if I hadn’t known…

Surely he won’t come tomorrow? I believe such an unlucky thing won’t happen.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I grinned, forcibly suppressing the newly sprouted anxiety. I increasingly disliked this neighborhood that kept giving me trials. I just wanted to finish everything quickly and return to the Duke’s mansion.

* * *

It was late at night, and I was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. I heard the sound of the doorknob turning. Who could it be? There shouldn’t be anyone coming at this hour.

The tension was brief; I soon relaxed as I recognized the familiar footsteps approaching my bed.

‘Why is Luwen coming here at this hour?’

I closed my eyes, intending to pretend to be asleep and surprise him. The footsteps became much quieter, probably because he was stepping on the carpet. This meant he was about to reach the bed, so I focused intently on listening. Then I felt a hand on my forehead, as if checking for a fever.

For some reason, I felt awkward about opening my eyes, so I kept them tightly shut. Then Luwen whispered,

“Can’t you sleep?”

He already knew. Pretending to be asleep would be even more embarrassing now, so I slowly opened my eyes.

“…You noticed?”

“Of course I know. We’ve slept together for years. I know when you’re in deep sleep, light sleep, or can’t sleep at all.”

Come to think of it, that’s true. Luwen was the one who always noticed when I was pretending to sleep and helped me fall asleep. I just thought it was amazing, but were there specific signs?

“How do you distinguish?”

“Your breathing.”

“You can tell the difference?”

“Yes. Of course.”

I asked how it was different, but Luwen just smiled silently without answering. Is he keeping it a secret in case I try to fool him by pretending to sleep? Hmm. I did have a slight intention to do that, but… he’s really like a ghost.

“I came because I thought you should get a good night’s sleep since you’re going out tomorrow. I was going to leave if you were sleeping. But it seemed like you were tossing and turning, so I came in.”

“Mmm. I’m having trouble falling asleep.”

The hand that was on my forehead moved down to my chest. Pat, pat. Through the thin blanket, it tapped me in a steady rhythm. It was the same hand that had put me to sleep whenever I tossed and turned, from when Luwen was young until he left for the academy.

“I’ll watch over you, so sleep well.”

“You need to sleep too. Why don’t you lie down next to me? Let’s sleep together like we used to.”

I thought he would be happy, but Luwen looked troubled. He seemed to have difficulty answering, his lips moving slightly before he firmly closed them.

Is sleeping together in big brother’s bed something he’s graduated from now? Well, I suppose that’s how you graduate from these things one by one. That’s normal…

‘Come to think of it, he didn’t suggest sleeping together last week either.’

I remembered Luwen naturally asking which room he should sleep in. I thought he had already accepted it then, but maybe not. Why do I feel disappointed again? I really don’t understand myself sometimes.

Regardless of what was going on in my head, the steady patting gradually made my consciousness hazy. I felt like I had become Pavlov’s dog. It seemed the formula “Luwen puts me to sleep, so I sleep” had been established.

Thanks to falling asleep early, I woke up refreshed and hurried to prepare for going out. Intending to openly flaunt who I was, I had a carriage with the family crest waiting, and I asked the head maid to dress me in a way that exuded nobility. Her usually expressionless cheeks seemed to flush slightly as she put her heart and soul into the task.

A white shirt with light purple ruffles, a doublet in the same color as the ruffles, and a dark purple tail coat were prepared, with a cloak draped over one shoulder. It seemed she had matched the colors to the purple ribbon I was going to wear.

Moreover, unfamiliar decorations were hanging all over the clothes. I was surprised by the amount of luggage, but it seemed Merin had sent almost everything she could.

Usually, I prefer to wear just a simple shirt, so it felt awkward to dress so formally after a long time. It was formal enough to attend a ball, and I looked in the mirror while fiddling with the ruffles.

This was the kind of splendor I had wanted, but… seeing it in person, I wondered if it was too much. Maybe just dressing as usual with the family crest on the carriage would be enough.

“Young master. It’s Luwen.”

“Come in.”

Perfect timing. I turned my head to ask Luwen’s opinion, and I saw him hesitate with his hand on the doorknob. His eyes widened for a moment before quickly returning to normal, and he cleared his throat.

‘His reaction is…’

Did I dress up too much to the point of surprising Luwen?