The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 176

“…What does that mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I, like you… so—”

My voice trembled with emotion. I stopped speaking, took a breath, and tried my best to appear calm.

“…I asked Alteo for help. This is the result. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

“You like me?”

I nodded. All sorts of unfiltered thoughts burst out.

“Are you upset? If you want to become the Marquis’s adopted son, that’s fine. Oh, but Lord Theobalt is preparing to take the senior knight exam. The results should come soon… but since you’re going to the family of the Swordsmanship Minister, it doesn’t matter. I should write to Lord Theobalt that he doesn’t need to take action.”

I went on with such foolish babbling. In truth, I wanted to hold him back. I wanted to beg him not to go, to stay by my side.

‘But I ruined everything.’

I no longer had the right. It was as if I had pushed Luwen away myself. Nevertheless, if he stayed. If he chose me… how wonderful that would be.

‘Ha, what an impossible wish.’

I mocked myself. My mind was in chaos from regret. If I had been a different kind of person, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

If I had been brave.

If I had been confident.

If I had been someone who didn’t run away…

‘Ah, damn it. I’m going to cry.’

The tears I had been desperately holding back felt ready to spill. Having made all the mistakes myself, I couldn’t have the audacity to cry on top of it.

But… it was so hard to hold back. Not wanting to show this side of myself, I pushed against Luwen’s chest and turned my head away.

“Was meeting that person because of my exam?”

“Ah, yes. That’s true. But it doesn’t matter anymore—”

Luwen suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace. I blinked in surprise. I had been prepared for him to curse me as disgusting, but instead he was hugging me. I couldn’t understand.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

His next words were even more incomprehensible.

Why on earth…?

“Don’t you hate me now?”

“How could I hate Young Master? That would be impossible even if I lived forever.”

“But I like you. I didn’t have the courage to confess, so I made a deal with Alteo. I deceived you, tested you…”

“That’s true. I was thoroughly deceived by Young Master.”

Strange. Luwen’s voice sounded bright. For some reason, he seemed happy.

‘What… is this?’

There was a reason that naturally came to mind, but I couldn’t jump to conclusions. If I got excited for nothing and found out I was wrong, it would be even more painful.

“Come to think of it, do you remember when you said you would give me anything I wanted when I was considering becoming the Marquis’s adopted son?”

I quickly nodded. It was a shallow attempt to take advantage of the seemingly positive atmosphere, but I spoke while making the excuse to myself that I had intended to apologize anyway.

“Yes. I was sorry then. I wanted to hold onto you, but I made a mistake, right?”

“It wasn’t a mistake. Young Master has always tried to give me everything. It’s just…”

“What is it? Tell me what upset you.”

I gripped Luwen’s clothing tightly.

“It’s not that. I was disappointed in myself.”

“Why?”

“There was something, no, someone I wanted. I couldn’t think of anything else but that person. I rushed out because I was afraid my feelings would be discovered, but it seems you misunderstood.”

Is he talking about me? Even if I tried to deny it now, it was too obvious. Even if he was somehow taking revenge for being deceived by speaking this way, I wanted to believe it anyway, but Luwen… I know better than anyone that he’s not that kind of person.

“…You should have just asked. I would have gladly given it to you.”

“How could I? There’s the difference in status, and I never thought Young Master would feel the same way. Besides, I considered it a betrayal of the Lady.”

I flinched at the sudden mention of my sister.

“What does my sister have to do with this?”

“The Lady is also my benefactor. I know how dearly she cherishes Young Master, and if she knew that I dared to desire you, she would feel betrayed.”

Luwen caressed my cheek. It was clearly different from his usual touch when checking my temperature. I could feel his affection, his feelings for me.

The same as mine. He feels the same way I do.

“Above all, I was afraid of losing this connection with Young Master. I was also content with the affection you already gave me. I thought this was enough, why risk crossing a dangerous bridge?”

Luwen’s thumb brushed my eye. It seems my tears had fallen after all. But these were different from before, so it was okay. These were acceptable to show. They came from joy, from happiness.

“Me too, I felt the same. I was afraid of losing you. That’s why I couldn’t tell you I liked you… As a result, I ended up deceiving you—hup!”

My eyes flew open at the soft sensation against my lips. From this close distance where our eyelashes seemed about to tangle, I could see eyes shining like obsidian. I was reflected in them.

Luwen’s warmth pressing softly against my lips felt so vivid. I felt the sensation of light touches, like a fish nibbling, and then his tongue languidly traced the seam of my closed lips.

“Ah…”

It was ticklish and thrilling at the same time. The mixed sensations unconsciously made me part my lips. Luwen’s tongue slipped between them.

Chu-up, chup—

I squeezed my eyes shut at the embarrassingly explicit sounds. Despite it being my tongue, I couldn’t control it. Luwen sucked, licked, and pressed against it. Every moment felt so good that my fingertips tingled. I never knew a mere kiss could feel this wonderful.

‘I thought it was because of the aphrodisiac back then…’

When he touched the roof of my mouth, it tickled and made me laugh, and when he rubbed the base of my tongue, my body twisted at the strange new sensation. Noticing the difference in my reactions, Luwen persistently continued to rub that spot under my tongue.

“Hmm, mm, ha…”

It was completely different from when I had clung to him, half out of my mind. It was intensely vivid, and I was aware that every moment was reality.

“Haa, ha. Mmph…”

Luwen leaned his body against mine. Backed against the wall, I had to fully bear his weight. Breathing was difficult, but even this sensation was welcome.

How long had we been kissing? I felt dizzy, and my legs gave way. As I slid down the wall, Luwen lifted and supported me. For a brief moment our lips separated as we gasped for breath, but then he lowered his head and found my lips again.

“Mmm…”

This time the kiss was lighter. Our lips met and parted, then met and parted again.

Each time Luwen pulled away, I unconsciously followed him out of longing, which made him chuckle—it was embarrassing, but ultimately satisfying as he kissed me the way I wanted. I wanted to keep kissing like this.

But then Luwen planted a final kiss on my lips with a smack and pulled away. Had I been holding his head? He brushed up his thoroughly disheveled hair. I couldn’t take my eyes off his glistening lips.

“…Even if you look at me like that, I don’t think we should go any further.”

“Why…?”

“Because I don’t think I can hold back.”

“Do you, have to hold back?”

In my dazed state, I immediately voiced the question filling my mind. If we like each other, why should we hold back?

There’s nothing stopping us now. Our feelings are mutual, and my sister readily… Ah. Luwen doesn’t know!

“Luwen. Actually, my sister knows that I like you.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. She found out.”

Seeing the concern on Luwen’s face, I quickly explained the situation.

“My sister said she supports me. So we can be lovers.”

“But what about Young Master’s family? When the Duke marries His Highness, don’t you need to continue the family line?”

“We’ll have to discuss that, but it won’t be me. I actually told my sister I would leave the family.”

“That’s unacceptable.”

He remained firm that I shouldn’t become a commoner. Even after explaining what I had heard from my sister, his attitude didn’t change.

“Still no. Young Master, the Lady is your only family. You must not let go of her hand.”

“Yes…”

I didn’t particularly want to leave the family either, but if Luwen wanted it, I was willing to do so. I didn’t expect him to oppose so firmly.

“I know how deep the bond is between you two. The Lady would surely cry, missing you.”

“I’m not a crybaby.”

“Says the one who just cried a lot?”

“That was because I was happy…”

Luwen gazed at me with a smiling face.

Ah, that look. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it. The look that finds me cute.

“Luwen, it’s embarrassing when you look at me like that.”

“Why?”

“You’re treating me like I’m cute.”

“Didn’t you know? Young Master is actually very cute. You sometimes looked cute when you were young, but after we reunited at the Academy, I often felt that way.”

Luwen speaking while gently patting my head as if praising a child. Now he doesn’t even try to hide it, boldly showing that he finds me cute. It’s really embarrassing and makes me shy…

‘Ugh. Why do I like this!’

If someone else looked at me that way, I’d want to gouge their eyes out. But just because it’s Luwen, everything is not only okay but satisfying. It’s amazing how drastically different it can be.

“Ahem. Anyway, what are we now? We’re… lovers, right?”

It was somewhat embarrassing to say, but I needed to clarify. I wanted to properly acknowledge that our relationship had changed.