The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 147

“I greet Your Highness, the First Prince. Please forgive my inability to show proper respect.”

“Is it the Second Prince? Or Duke Vinter?”

I don’t see why it matters which one, since they’re in cahoots anyway.

“No. Neither. I also did not know that the person wearing the golden mask, Doharr, was Your Highness.”

The corners of the First Prince’s mouth curled up unpleasantly.

“Everything is a coincidence? That Cromwell is here, that your bastard cut off and ate my arm—all coincidence, you say?”

“How could I have deliberately planned anything when I was suddenly kidnapped and dragged here? I didn’t even know Your Highness had such a refined hobby.”

The First Prince, still gripping my head, leaned down. The moist breath on my ear was disgusting.

“You will pay the price, Fei Vinter.”

After whispering in a voice small enough that only I could hear, he released me. He couldn’t hold onto the hair of Vinter’s son, not a commoner Norman, forever.

“Take care on your way.”

The First Prince glared at me once more before approaching Cromwell and engaging in conversation. His head would be aching considerably now, trying to come up with excuses to convince the Emperor. Especially since not only I but also Cromwell had caught him.

As an honorary Duke, Cromwell is a moral person who particularly values talent. This was a good opportunity to draw Cromwell, who had maintained neutrality, to the Second Prince’s side. Once the Second Prince receives a report of this situation, he’ll know how to handle it properly, so I don’t need to worry about it anymore.

‘While gaining a powerful ally is good in the end…’

I didn’t want to reveal my identity this way.

Despite the stares pouring down, silence flowed as if no one was there. Little Norman, who had always been friendly to me, had already distanced himself. Nadian kept his mouth shut, and Cadin couldn’t even meet my eyes. Rona also stood awkwardly and avoided my gaze.

‘This is surprisingly awkward.’

Maybe it’s because I’m uncomfortable. My physical condition was also deteriorating. My lower abdomen was hot, and strangely, my legs were losing strength, making it somewhat burdensome to stand.

“Young master. Let’s get into the carriage first.”

Only Luwen was taking attentive care of me. However, by addressing me as “young master” instead of Norman, he seemed to drive a wedge between me and the others.

‘…This feels worse than I expected.’

Even though I knew this would happen. When it actually occurred, indescribable emotions flooded in.

“Rona.”

“Huh? Ah, no. Yes!”

“Do you remember what I told you?”

Seemingly confused by my formal speech, she looked around at people nearby, then belatedly answered.

“I remember.”

“There’s something I’d like to discuss about that matter. Let’s go to my mansion first. The other two as well.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, understood.”

After hearing the responses from those who were kidnapped together, I looked around and made eye contact with little Norman. Startled, he hid behind Nadian.

‘I don’t know what to say.’

I wanted to rest in the carriage quickly because my body condition was different from usual, but it didn’t seem right to part like this. How should I approach this? As I was contemplating, Cadin opened his mouth.

“So you were the young master.”

“…I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. My point is, the person who sent medicine and a doctor when my sister was sick was Norman, I mean, you, the young master…”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, there was such an incident. But I’m sure I told them not to reveal my identity to Cadin, so how did he know?

“At the time, I thought it was strange how desperate the doctor treating my sister was. There was no reason for such urgency for just one rural commoner girl.”

Cadin explained with a trembling voice. As he said, considering the possibility that commoners might be treated carelessly or that medicine might be diverted, I had mobilized the trading company in the name of our family. It seems that this was reflected in their attitude.

He bowed deeply.

“Thank you. You are the benefactor who saved my sister’s life. I had always wanted to meet and thank whoever it was.”

I was about to respond that it was nothing… but the formality made the words stick in my throat. He seemed to be across an unbridgeable deep canyon.

‘…Let’s go back.’

It would be forgotten anyway once I returned to the imperial capital. These weren’t my connections. I should be satisfied with having created moments that I could occasionally remember fondly.

I took one last look at their faces. Past Nadian, who seemed to have a lot to say, to little Norman hiding behind him. When our eyes met, I tried to show the smile he had always liked.

‘Goodbye.’

After mentally bidding farewell, I turned around.

At that moment.

“Norman!”

Little Norman called out to me.

“No-Norman… I, I like Norman… I know you’re the young master… but, can we, can we still be… friends?”

I turned back around. Little Norman flinched.

“Don’t trouble the young master like that.”

Nadian restrained little Norman.

“But Norman looks sad. I know… I know it… I’m sorry for hiding, Norman…”

“……”

Little Norman approached me step by step. I never expected such a small, docile person to be so brave. Little Norman had occasionally done unexpected things, but this…

“Call me Fei. That’s my real name.”

A sigh-like breath burst out.

“That’s a bit difficult… Can I change it slowly?”

“Of course.”

Somehow, emotions welled up, and when I smiled gently, little Norman’s face also bloomed with a smile. Nadian, who had been tense all this time, raised his arm high.

“Young master, what about me?”

“You too, act like usual. Formal speech is awkward.”

With a grin, Nadian rubbed the bridge of his nose with his index finger.

“Can Cadin be comfortable too?”

Encouraged by little Norman, this time I asked first.

“But you’re my benefactor…”

“I helped you because you’re my friend. That came first for me.”

After hesitantly pondering, he nodded with a faint smile.

‘How strange.’

I thought it was an insurmountable boundary… But perhaps because one exception was made, the others also crossed the line easily in a chain reaction. It was a pleasant miscalculation.

* * *

I chewed gently on the tender flesh inside my lip while fixing my gaze outside the window. I crossed my legs to prevent Luwen from noticing the abnormality in my body, but I felt anxious and concerned. Even though I was wrapped in a cloak given by an unnamed knight, it felt as if I were covered by transparent cloth.

Clunk, clunk.

The carriage shook continuously due to the unpaved road. The shaking, which normally wouldn’t bother me, was now stimulating and problematic. Heat was gathering in an embarrassing part of my body.

‘I want to touch…’

But I wasn’t alone in the carriage. Luwen was beside me, and across from us were two people, including Rona. Since this was a carriage prepared by Cromwell for the kidnapping victims, I couldn’t just take one alone, so we were traveling together.

‘Even though they were semi-forcibly made to ride since our destination was my mansion anyway…’

If I had known it would be like this, I would have insisted on riding alone. No, thinking about it, then it would have been just Luwen and me. Their presence actually helped me exercise patience. Thinking of it that way, it seemed like a good choice after all.

‘That First Prince, that bastard.’

I had thought the trembling in my legs was due to being hit, and the fever was a precursor to a cold I typically experienced after shivering in the cold.

‘I forgot about that suspicious liquid he made me drink.’

To think it was an aphrodisiac. I closed my eyes tightly and bit the inside of my lip even harder. It was an attempt to forget the unwanted stimulation through pain, but it wasn’t very effective. My body trembled regardless of my will. Due to my heightened sensitivity, even the cloth wrapped around my skin stimulated me.

Swallowing dry saliva, I continued thinking to divert attention from the chilling sensation.

‘Just endure a little longer.’

Once we arrive at the mansion, I can lock myself in my room until the drug’s effects wear off. It should get better after I release a few times. Then I can talk with Rona, ask her to be a witness, and beside my sister…

Clunk!

“Ugh.”

The carriage’s shaking finally made a sound escape. This is disastrous. Fortunately, it wasn’t loud, but Luwen seemed to have heard it.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

What should I do? My mind wasn’t working. I couldn’t think of what to answer or how to respond. It felt like my reason was becoming clouded.