The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 83

“I see. As a Sword Master, his skills are obviously excellent, but what about his personality? He seems reserved.”

“He doesn’t speak unnecessarily.”

“Does he treat the members well? He seems to be trusted.”

“Yes. Everyone likes him.”

Ah, right. A perfect human without any flaws. He was the type of person I couldn’t compare to.

Looking out the window again, I saw the manager who guided us approaching Cromwell. After exchanging a few words, he moved together with the vice-captain. Soon they disappeared from view. They were probably being guided to individual rooms like us.

“Young master, may I go greet the Honorary Duke?”

This means he wants to go alone, right? Even if he had asked to take me along, it would have been inconvenient, so I would have refused. But hearing that he’s going alone makes me feel…

‘Why doesn’t he want to introduce me?’

I couldn’t ask the reason because it might sound like I’m asking to be introduced. And if I suddenly said I wanted to go together, there would be no answer. No, more than that, I just let it go because I felt it would be a big blow if Luwen hesitated or was rejected.

“Okay. Go ahead.”

In the end, all I could do was give permission.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll wait.”

Shortly after sending Luwen off, the appetizer arrived. I didn’t want to eat alone, and I had no appetite, so I just stared at the food.

It was the second time the manager came to check if we were ready for the next course. Luwen still hadn’t returned. What could they have to talk about for so long? Leaving me here like this.

I thought it would be awkward if Luwen offered to introduce me when meeting Cromwell, but the reality was that I was being neglected.

‘No, but why?’

Why isn’t he introducing me? Is he embarrassed of me? When he was younger, he used to follow me around calling me young master, but now has he found someone more reliable?

…Well, I guess the person he respects and the person he needs to protect would have different sizes and meanings within Luwen.

‘It’s not like I particularly need protection.’

I can take care of myself. But I was annoyed that I couldn’t cut off the need for an escort. If I did, Luwen might join Cromwell’s knighthood.

That would mean he’d be heading towards a future I don’t know about.

‘I can’t remember how Cromwell’s knighthood was during the war.’

I’ve made as many preparations for the war as I could. To prevent the isolation caused by cutting off the military’s waist, I relocated the Kans and mentioned it to the 2nd Prince to be on guard. I’m also making efforts to bring forward the 1st Prince’s downfall to prevent the war from breaking out.

Nevertheless, I’ve even sought ways to save two people in case things flow as in the original work.

But I wasn’t without anxiety. Unless I could remember what the future of Cromwell’s knighthood was like when the war broke out and be certain that it was safer, it would be difficult now.

But when I actually imagined Luwen standing beside Cromwell, my emotions welled up. Even if I was certain it was safe, I should let him go… but I don’t want to. I didn’t want to part.

‘Am I crazy? How can I think like this? Should I distance myself from Luwen….’

Is it because I think about that child every day, because having him by my side feels natural, that I’m having these abnormal feelings?

It doesn’t even help Luwen. I’m just having these unreasonable thoughts of wanting to keep him by my side.

Looking back, it was the same when I sent him to the academy. Reason and emotion clashed countless times. I managed to make a rational decision, but it was hard to control the desire to overturn it. And now I’m doing it again.

‘I didn’t used to be such a pathetic person.’

Huu, I let out a long sigh. It felt like the heat accumulated in my body was mixing with my breath. I felt stifled.

* * *

Luwen let out a soft sigh as he closed the door of the private room. When Fei was asking questions about Honorary Duke Cromwell, he didn’t think much of it. He just diligently relayed the facts he knew. He was even excited at the thought of introducing his beloved young master to his respected teacher.

But the moment he saw Fei constantly looking out the window and showing interest in Cromwell, it was like being doused with cold water.

‘The young master has never shown this much interest in anyone other than me…’

He had always been curious only about Luwen. It was the first time he had received so many questions about someone else.

Honorary Duke Cromwell was attractive to anyone who saw him. The composure and heavy atmosphere that came from his strength were enough to captivate hearts.

Himself, still far along the path of learning, and Honorary Duke Cromwell, who had already reached the peak and proven his strength. It was obvious who would look inadequate if they stood side by side.

Moreover, today’s Fei was excessively beautiful. The gasps heard when he got out of the carriage turned into silence as soon as he brushed back his fallen hair. Everyone was in a daze.

‘Even I, who am used to the young master, was like that, so I understand.’

He didn’t seem to realize that Luwen had stood closer than usual to shield him from people’s view. Among the murmurs of disappointment, there were small complaints about the knight guard being too strong. …At that time, he had felt good about it.

‘I should have said it would be better to change when he asked if he should change clothes.’

Then maybe he could have introduced him to the Honorary Duke. No, that’s not it. Fei was always beautiful, so it probably wouldn’t have been much different from now.

He wanted to hide him where no one could see.

It was strange to feel this way belatedly. Luwen moved his steps, questioning these feelings that he didn’t know where they had started from.

When Luwen found Honorary Duke Cromwell, he intended to greet him briefly and return, but was caught by the vice-captain of the knights. True to his naturally lively and talkative nature, it was awkward to cut off the conversation. Especially as a student.

Cromwell was the first to notice Luwen’s state of being unable to concentrate due to worrying about Fei, whom he had left alone.

“That’s enough. You seem concerned about your companion, you may go.”

“Oh my, I didn’t think of that. He wouldn’t have come to such a high-class restaurant alone. Is it a date? Or with friends?”

“Toman. That’s enough.”

“Come on, Captain, you’re too detached from worldly matters. This level of question is nothing, right, Luwen?”

He could just answer that he came with the young master. But he couldn’t bring himself to say it, fearing this curious vice-captain might want to see Fei. The vice-captain’s curiosity didn’t matter, but what if Cromwell became interested?

Moreover, since Cromwell was an Honorary Duke, Fei should have come.

‘I know the Honorary Duke isn’t that kind of person, so why can’t I speak?’

No matter how he thought about it, his attitude was strange. To make matters worse, he didn’t want to go to the lake anymore. Just as he was filled with thoughts of wanting to return to the mansion like this, Cromwell spoke.

“It’s not polite to keep your companion waiting for long. You may go back.”

“…Yes, thank you, Honorary Duke.”

Luwen politely greeted the two and left the private room. A sigh escaped involuntarily.

‘Come to think of it, the young master was different from usual…’

When he said he would go alone, there was no change in Fei’s expression. But he didn’t ask why. It was unlike his usual self who was curious about every little thing.

But because he couldn’t understand why he was acting this way himself, he had no proper way to explain and ignored it. At that moment, he was so preoccupied with the thought of not wanting to show Fei that he had no room to think about anything else.

The heaviness in his feet, as if his soles were stuck to the floor, was probably because he knew his own actions were not right.

‘What’s done is done. Let’s try to make amends now.’

Even as he was reflecting, he was disgusted with himself for thinking of excuses rather than speaking honestly.

‘…What kind of escort knight am I trying to be?’

What kind of servant deceives their master? Luwen’s sighs grew heavier.

‘Should I just speak honestly?’

The wise Fei might even understand why he acted in such an incomprehensible way at that moment.

‘But…’

His instinct kept whispering that this time, he shouldn’t be honest.

Thus, Luwen arrived in front of the private room where Fei was waiting, without having made any decision. After hesitating for a moment in front of the door, he didn’t want to keep Fei waiting any longer. Luwen opened the door, carrying a slight tension and awkwardness.