The Villain Wants to Change Genres – Chapter 113

Chapter 113

I gathered up the rubiberries, wrapped them in a handkerchief, and pushed them into a corner of the carriage. I felt like I’d be cursed if I ate them now. Though they were a gift from Luwen, I didn’t plan to keep ignoring them, but there was no need to eat them right away.

‘…I wonder if it’ll be okay to live together when we return to the mansion.’

Even though we’d be traveling by carriage, it would take a few days, and I could only hope that things would return to normal by then.

* * *

Finally, the mansion. Before leaving, I didn’t feel like this place was home, but maybe because I had such a hard time with the subjugation force, it felt especially cozy now.

“Master, you’ve arrived.”

I couldn’t have been happier to see the head maid who came out to greet us. When I smiled brightly at her, the fine wrinkles around her eyes curved gently.

“I’m back. Was everything alright while I was gone?”

“Yes, there was nothing unusual. We received several invitations, but we handled them as you instructed.”

I didn’t care what happened to my reputation, so I had told them to reject all invitations from local nobles. Even when I stayed at the duke’s mansion, I rejected all invitations addressed to me, so if they had heard the rumors, they would understand.

“Well done. Please clean Luwen’s room too. We’ll be staying together briefly until the new semester starts.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, I’d like to wash up right away, so please prepare that first.”

After being in a carriage with the worst ride for days, my whole body ached and I wanted to soak in warm water as soon as possible. I wondered how long it had been since I’d enjoyed a leisurely bath.

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

The head maid bowed politely and withdrew.

As I slowly walked towards my room, thinking of changing clothes first and waiting, Luwen followed me and asked,

“Young master, are you really not going to apply for a private room?”

He’s asking again.

Just this morning, he had casually suggested that since I was skipping a grade and was the top student, I should use a private room in the second half of the year. I told him I had no intention of doing so because I needed to repay my roommates for their help and I had already adapted to the bustling 4-person room. But throughout the journey, he brought it up every now and then when I seemed to have forgotten about it.

“No. I’m graduating this year anyway. I’ll just stay as is.”

“I… I’d like you to use a private room.”

“The 4-person room isn’t bad either.”

I was getting tired of repeating the same thing over and over. Even if it’s Luwen, I can’t just give in to his unreasonable insistence.

Moreover, I have clear reasons. On the other hand, when I ask Luwen why, all he says is “I just want you to.” Of course, since he’s never pestered me without reason before, he must have his own reasons, but it was frustrating that he wouldn’t tell me what they were.

“Isn’t the 4-person room too cramped?”

“I told you I’ve adapted.”

“But…”

While we were exchanging this fruitless conversation, we arrived at my room. Luwen was still hesitating but wouldn’t back down.

‘This won’t do at all.’

I needed to dig out his reason. I blocked Luwen from following me in and said firmly,

“Unless you properly explain why, I absolutely won’t use a private room.”

“…”

Luwen’s lips pressed into a straight line. I crossed my arms and stared at him. He still wouldn’t open his mouth. Should I prod a bit more?

“If there’s no particular reason, then stop asking from now on.”

As I turned away coldly, Luwen hurriedly grabbed my arm.

“If there’s a reason, will you listen?”

Thinking I could finally hear his “reason,” I almost let my expression soften. But realizing I shouldn’t suddenly change my attitude, I maintained my stern expression.

“I’ll listen first.”

“…Even if it’s my problem?”

His cautious question was a bit hard to understand. How could me staying in a 4-person room cause any problems for Luwen?

“What kind of problem?”

“Actually… I’m still anxious.”

Luwen said, lowering his gaze. He looked insecure, like someone caught doing something wrong.

‘Still anxious?’

I thought he was fine since he acted normally after we slept together in that narrow bed. But he was still anxious?

‘I didn’t know that?’

I hadn’t noticed at all. I couldn’t feel even the slightest doubt.

Had I been neglecting Luwen while trying to calm my own state? Thinking about how he must have been suffering alone made me feel bad.

“At night… I suddenly wake up. Then I want to check if you’re okay.”

“Has this been happening all along?”

“Yes. I felt reassured when I saw you sleeping well, but…”

I struggled to hold back a sigh. Now I understood why Luwen had been insisting on moving to a private room.

The 4-person room doesn’t have a balcony. But private rooms include a balcony, so if I don’t lock the window, he can come in anytime. Of course, secretly entering another department’s dormitory is against school rules, but with Luwen’s skills, he could move without getting caught.

‘Who cares about breaking some school rules. Luwen’s mental stability is more important.’

This wasn’t even worth considering. Nothing is more important to me than Luwen.

“Alright. I’ll move to a private room.”

“…Are you not disappointed in me?”

“I should be the one asking that. Why did you think I’d be disappointed?”

“Because… it’s breaking school rules. You value norms and regulations, don’t you?”

So that’s why he didn’t want to say it.

The reason I diligently followed those useless things was all for Luwen’s sake, hoping he would grow up properly. I was afraid he might become like me if he grew up watching my twisted inner self. It was just one of my nicely packaged methods.

Of course, I can’t tell him now that he’s grown up and doesn’t need to follow such things anymore. But there are exceptions to everything, so this much should be fine.

“Norms and regulations are important, of course. But sometimes flexibility is needed too. Especially when it comes to health.”

To ease Luwen’s worries, I added something that had no possibility of happening.

“If I were attending the academy as Fei Vinter instead of Norman, I would have requested to share a dormitory room with you.”

“Then, if it’s possible to share with Norman? Would you do it?”

Seeing his expectant expression, I tried to think if there was a way I didn’t know about, but there was no way for country boy Norman to stay with a student from another department. No matter how much Luwen is recognized at the academy, power is needed to get an exception to the school rules.

‘If it’s not possible even with the power of a mid-level noble, wouldn’t it be difficult for Luwen?’

Maybe he just wanted to hear me say it would be nice because his anxiety hasn’t subsided yet. If an empty promise could put his mind at ease, I could make it as many times as needed.

“If it’s possible, I’d be happy to.”

“You promised.”

…Huh? Somehow the nuance seems strange. Doesn’t it sound like he’s confirming that there is a way, and that I’ve promised so I have to keep it?

“But is there a way?”

Luwen smiled shyly. …For the first time, his smile felt ominous. I had a feeling I had made a mistake.

‘It would be nice to share a room. But it’s a bit inconvenient right now?’

…Or not? Would it be okay?

Due to the prolonged subjugation force schedule, I have to return to the dormitory in two days. It was just two days. Even if I expressed my intention to move to a private room, I would have to stay in the 4-person room until I got permission.

So even if Luwen really had a way, it would take time until we could share a dormitory room, and in the meantime, I need to be able to calmly overcome the memories that keep popping up and bothering me.

‘Right, since I can’t forget it anyway, I should change direction and try to get used to it.’

This was the conclusion I came to, as it seemed like I was remembering more vividly because I was consciously trying to forget. I should keep thinking about it, again and again, until I can recall it suddenly without being affected. As long as the outer shell is intact, there’s no problem.

‘Of course, it’s still too much right now, but…’

Naturally, as that day’s events came to mind, my face started to heat up.

Afraid that Luwen might misunderstand and think I was sick again, I quickly turned my back. I heard footsteps following me into the room.

As I went straight to the wardrobe to take out clothes to change into, the footsteps stopped.

“I’ll wait outside.”

As I had intended, Luwen left the room.

Only after hearing the click of the door closing did I let out a long sigh. How did I end up like this? Originally, being with Luwen always made me feel healed.

A wave of sadness came over me. I wanted to quickly finish my mental training so I could look at Luwen and smile fondly like before.

* * *

“Young master.”

Luwen smiled brightly. It was a clean smile like a cloudless, clear sky.

“I got permission.”

“…”

What he proudly held out was a room entry permit stamped with the student council president’s seal.

Author: Hyacinthus B

Hyacinthus