The Villain Wants to Change Genres – Chapter 121

Chapter 121

“Come on, everyone! Let’s go now!”

Nadian’s boisterous voice resonated throughout the small dormitory room, indicating that the conversation had ended. We all stood up almost simultaneously.

* * *

The main hall of the main building was already crowded with students. Even though there weren’t designated areas, students naturally gathered by departments. The problem was that with Luwen and me together, the attention seemed to be focused on us.

Once the ceremony began, they would watch the stage, but there was no guarantee. Even after the ceremony started, they might still keep their eyes on Luwen, the academy’s idol.

Eventually, Luwen had no choice but to move to where the swordsmanship department had gathered.

It was awkward how visible Luwen was, standing tall among so many people. I firmly gripped one arm with my other hand as I gazed at him quietly, then turned my head away.

The stage set up in the main hall was ornate and antique. The massive flowerpots decorating the edges were large and wide enough to tower over a person’s height. Those flowerpots created blind spots that weren’t visible from the stage.

‘It seems like they might be visible depending on the angle.’

Although the First Prince wasn’t the type to thoroughly examine every corner anyway, I decided to actively use Nadian just in case.

After leading my group to the location I wanted, it was a succession of boredom. Listening to the disagreeable First Prince’s voice was more grueling than I’d expected. It was especially nauseating to hear him pretending to be a benevolent prince.

But time always passes. The morning event, which felt longer than ever, finally ended. I was bursting with the desire to meet Luwen and be healed.

However, someone approached me before Luwen did.

“I couldn’t see you anywhere, so here you are?”

It was the Student Council President.

“…Why were you looking for me?”

I had an ominous feeling. Sure enough, the Student Council President smiled awkwardly and spoke.

“His Highness the Prince is looking for Norman.”

“For me? How does he know about me?”

Did you rat me out? I was especially suspicious of him since he had been obsessing over me.

“Well… he heard rumors about you. He commanded to see your face once out of curiosity.”

“……”

This is troublesome. I went through all the trouble of using Alteo as a shield, and now it’s all been for nothing. Moreover, country Norman has no way to refuse the First Prince’s invitation. No, even Fei Vinter would be the same. How could anyone refuse a prince’s summons?

‘What should I do? He’ll recognize me at a glance.’

Simply pretending to be sick wouldn’t solve the issue. The perverted First Prince wasn’t the kind of person who would consider such circumstances, and above all, a commoner couldn’t possibly say “I’m too sick to come.”

‘Besides, the medical professors at the academy aren’t fools, so feigning illness won’t work either.’

Even if Alteo worked hard to get invited to the bedroom, my situation wouldn’t change. That crazy bastard could probably bring in more than one person.

My head ached, but for now, I needed to check if I had time to prepare, setting aside my worries. If I had to leave immediately, there would truly be no solution.

“When and where do I need to go?”

“The welcome committee is scheduled to guide His Highness around the academy until evening, so it will inevitably be late. I’ll send you word about the time and place separately, so be prepared.”

The Student Council President patted my shoulder and smiled. His troubled expression had completely vanished.

“Did you, by any chance, spread rumors about me to His Highness?”

“Of course not. I have no interest in unpaid service.”

It was such an absurd response that I couldn’t help but laugh derisively. I could clearly sense the prejudice that all commoners would desire the prince. As if to prove it, the Student Council President continued.

“I don’t know where he heard about you, but congratulations anyway. Remember that what you eat and wear in the future could change depending on how you handle this.”

I half-listened to his nonsense while staring past his shoulder. Luwen was approaching. With so many people still in the hall, he was bumping into those blocking his way, hurrying to the point that some were raising complaints.

“Understood. I was planning to go out this afternoon, is that possible?”

“You need to be on standby after dinner, so it’s fine if you return in time. You’ll need to mind the time. If you’re not here when His Highness calls for you, I won’t be able to defend you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Just as the Student Council President turned away, Luwen approached closely behind him.

“Ah, Luwen.”

“Hello.”

Luwen bowed briefly to him and asked.

“What business did you have with Norman?”

The Student Council President looked at me once, then at him, and snickered.

“Our conversation is over, so if you’re curious, ask Norman.”

After saying that, he started walking away but stopped after a few steps and added.

“Just in case, don’t think about interfering or hiding. If something happens to you, wouldn’t the Duke and Young Master who support you be sad?”

Luwen’s expression hardened. After intently watching the retreating figure, Luwen turned his head toward me.

“…Please tell me it’s not what I’m thinking.”

I needed to answer, but the words wouldn’t come out. I was reluctant to tell Luwen about my current situation. Even though it was something I couldn’t hide anyway, and I could have simply reassured him that it was nothing serious.

‘I just can’t bring myself to say that I’ve been invited to the Prince’s bedroom…’

Acting unlike myself, I hesitated and mumbled, which made Luwen grab my arm roughly.

“Let’s go back.”

The “place” Luwen referred to didn’t seem to be the dormitory room. Probably… he meant going back to the Duke’s residence.

Suddenly, I wondered if it might be good to return with him after all.

‘No. Get a grip.’

That’s not a good solution. If it were anyone else, maybe, but this is the First Prince. That persistent and cunning bastard wouldn’t tolerate being ignored by a commoner. If he tracked down country Norman, he would discover that such a person doesn’t exist. Since someone created this identity… it would eventually lead to the Duke’s household.

In that case, it would be Fei Vinter, not country Norman, who ignored the Prince’s summons. If I were summoned for questioning, then I truly wouldn’t be able to avoid it.

‘This is a problem that needs to be resolved at the country Norman level.’

Luwen was walking so hurriedly that I had to half-run to keep up with him. My roommates, whom we abruptly left behind, had blank expressions, not understanding the situation. Only Nadian looked serious.

‘Will Nadian explain to them?’

My responsibility was Luwen. Judging by the direction, he seemed to be heading back to the dormitory first, so I obediently followed him. It would be better to calm him down in a private space where I wouldn’t need to choose my words carefully.

‘By the way… Luwen said “let’s go back.”‘

The trembling transmitted through my tightly held arm. Though I knew it was inappropriate for the situation, my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

Not “go back,” but “let’s go back.”

It was a small difference, but the magnitude contained within it was vastly different. Luwen chose to abandon the academy without a moment’s hesitation. Solely for my sake.

‘…This makes me like him even more.’

Just as my world revolves around Luwen, he isn’t much different. I already knew this, but the feeling that hit me was different. Being cherished by the person I love was truly overwhelming.

The scenery passed by quickly. As I started to pant from shortness of breath, Luwen suddenly stopped walking with a groan. Unable to slow down in time and about to crash into his back, Luwen spun around. Thanks to that, I unintentionally fell into his arms.

“Ugh.”

“I apologize. Excuse me for a moment.”

Before I could understand the meaning of “excuse me,” my body was lifted up.

Afterward, Luwen started running at an incredible speed, as if proving that he had been walking slowly when dragging me along. We had just passed the main road and entered a small path, so there was no one around. All the student council members were busy welcoming guests, so we were the only ones walking this path now.

I quietly clung tightly to Luwen’s neck. I could feel his hands firmly supporting me. Strangely, the skin that touched Luwen tingled, making me want to scratch it. It was strange because it wasn’t even direct skin contact, and the fabric was quite soft.

‘I wish this path were a bit longer.’

We had already arrived at the dormitory, and Luwen set me down. Did I lose body heat? I felt a strange chill.

“Let’s gather only the essential items. We’ll stop by the mansion before returning to the Duke’s residence.”

“Luwen, I think it would be good for you to calm down a bit.”

I spoke slowly in a calm tone to soothe the excited Luwen. However, far from calming down, Luwen became even more agitated and shouted.

“Do I look like I can calm down right now!”

This was the first time he had raised his voice at me like this, so I was genuinely startled and reflexively flinched. Seeming to realize his mistake belatedly, Luwen covered his face with one hand and took a deep breath. Seeing that he was trying to calm himself down, I chose to wait and kept my mouth shut.

‘Luwen’s reaction is rougher than I expected.’

He had always been sensitive about my safety, but I didn’t know he would lose his composure to the point of shouting at me. Because of this, a tiny hope began to sprout. Perhaps Luwen also liked me in a special way.

Author: Hyacinthus B

Hyacinthus