The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 159

“I don’t see why that’s necessary. Didn’t the academy already get a promise from His Highness the First Prince?”

Alteo looked at me with confusion, appearing completely unprepared for such a question.

“Don’t you know that His Highness the First Prince even kidnapped you, young master?”

Huh? How does he know that? Alteo should have left for the imperial capital right after the graduation ceremony.

‘Ah! It must be the Second Prince.’

They seem to be spreading rumors quite extensively. If Alteo knows about it despite not yet being an imperial physician, the news must be circulating outside the palace as well. It probably started spreading gradually even before the First Prince arrived. Duke Cromwell would likely have been mentioned alongside it.

‘And once eyewitness accounts of Cromwell escorting the First Prince into the palace begin to circulate, most people won’t doubt the rumor’s authenticity.’

I was isolated, so I didn’t know, but things were already in motion. The goal must be to escalate the situation so the Emperor can’t quietly cover it up.

‘My sister and Luwen are so overprotective of me… They must have ordered the servants to keep quiet.’

Given how much they disliked me standing as a witness, this was entirely predictable.

“Ah, so that story is going around? I live like a flower in a greenhouse, you know. I rarely hear outside rumors.”

Alteo clearly disliked having the First Prince’s filth splash onto his name. Being clever, he might have predicted what would happen after seeing this incident. Or perhaps it’s just caution. Either way, it was sensible of him to discard his card as soon as he realized it was rotten.

‘It’s not a difficult request. Just something he could do in exchange for relationship advice.’

But for a commoner like Alteo, test papers were hard to obtain. He probably planned to coast by on the First Prince’s recommendation to become an imperial physician, only to become anxious when he belatedly tried to study.

Honestly, someone of Alteo’s caliber could likely pass without such papers, but I understood his reasons. His confidence must have been shaken after ruining his reputation as student body president, and since the empire had multiple academies, he was understandably nervous.

Moreover, having directly experienced that nobles like me with systematic and independent education couldn’t be underestimated, he must be wary.

‘Well, that’s not bad.’

I smiled gently at Alteo, who was swallowing nervously as if awaiting judgment. As he relaxed at my smile and smiled back:

“First, let me hear your proposal, and if I like it, I’ll bring it to you in a week.”

I said something clearly different from what he wanted.

Yet Alteo nodded without a word of protest, with an artificial smile.

‘Why do I get goosebumps when he submits so obediently?’

Not just commoners, but even most nobles couldn’t challenge me. So Alteo’s behavior was natural, but something felt awkward. Cringeworthy, perhaps.

‘Hmm. I don’t know. It’s not important anyway.’

Still, I didn’t want to tell Alteo to be comfortable around me like Norman. Maybe if my friends had come, but not him. I smiled again and put him to the test.

“Shall we begin? I’m curious about this new perspective you mentioned.”

***

“You’re going to… the Lorentz Marquis family?”

Luwen asked again as if confirming my words. He seemed somewhat flustered.

“Yes. I received a letter from Theobalt Lorentz.”

I showed Luwen Theobalt’s letter inviting me to dinner and observed his expression. His face was rigid, but that was understandable since he never liked me showing interest in other people.

‘He advised me to compliment the other person.’

I recalled Alteo’s advice. Most of what he said sounded like sophistry, but one thing stuck with me.

‘Young master, people aren’t desperate when they have nothing to miss.’

That’s what Alteo had blurted out when I said that while a jealous Luwen was cute, I didn’t want to upset him. When I showed displeasure at being lectured on such basic psychology, he quickly added:

‘Don’t you need to make Luwen desperately want you? If I were Luwen, I’d be content with the position of guard. He’s called a guard, but he’s practically like your lover.’

Alteo then advised me to cut off contact, treat him strictly as a guard when alone, meet other people, and compliment them as if I liked them. He said desperation comes from feeling like you might lose something.

‘It wasn’t anything new. I already knew this.’

I just couldn’t apply it to Luwen and kept sheltering him unconditionally.

Now that I realized it, I understood why our relationship hadn’t progressed. If I wanted to change the shape of water, I should have poured it into a different container, but instead, I merely rippled it gently, afraid to spill even a drop.

‘Luwen’s choice when I took the stimulant was different from usual.’

Whatever the outcome, it was definitely a change. What guard would mingle bodies to remove the effects of a stimulant their master took? It’s an absurd choice if he only saw me as his master. That’s why I found the courage to confess, but the shock of him wanting to forget about it had made me overlook this.

Maybe I unconsciously avoided it after having my courage shattered.

‘Anyway, though I hate to admit it, Alteo is right that you need distance to see clearly.’

So I decided to toughen up to win Luwen over. Since finding someone new would be troublesome, I planned to use Theobalt, whom I’d already arranged to visit. It was perfect timing since I’d already agreed to be his friend who was especially warm to him.

My distance from Luwen shouldn’t grow all at once, but gradually, making him think it was because I’d become close with someone else.

“When I talked with him at the ball last time, we unexpectedly got along well. I think it might be nice to meet him again.”

I said this while grinning excitedly, and Luwen’s lips pressed into a straight line.

“Luwen, you’re coming too, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

Though he seemed reluctant, his answer was quick.

“We’ll leave in an hour, so get ready. I’m going to wash up and change clothes.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Well, it’s a marquis family, it wouldn’t be appropriate to arrive looking like I just returned from the clinic.”

Now, let’s try to instill some desperation in Luwen.

***

During the carriage ride to the marquis residence, Luwen and I conversed as usual. Perhaps because my attitude was casual, or because I didn’t bring up Theobalt, Luwen’s mood gradually improved. Though he showed signs of wariness as we approached the marquis residence.

‘Should I consider this jealousy too?’

Hmm… probably not?

Rationally thinking, it’s more likely his sensitivity as a guard concerned for my safety rather than jealousy. He disliked Nadian because he acted like a guard too.

‘Can’t expect too much at once.’

Prepared for the long game, I maintained a gentle smile and demeanor to appear relaxed until we reached the marquis residence.

But something was odd. The butler of the marquis family was visibly surprised to see me.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t he react similarly when I first came to the ball?’

I thought it was because of my rarity at such events.

Thinking about it now, that was strange too. A butler should suppress and hide emotions. Yet the butler of a marquis family as established as ours showed his feelings. He must come from a family that has served the marquis for generations and would have been thoroughly trained from childhood.

‘So there must be a reason for his surprise.’

What could it be? While I was lost in thought, Luwen, having handed his sword to another servant, moved close behind me.

“The marquis family doesn’t seem to welcome young master.”

He lowered his voice enough for the butler to hear, but as though he wasn’t deliberately letting him hear.

When did he learn to embarrass people like this? It was a natural way to show the other party discomfort while reinforcing my position—very appropriate behavior.

“I apologize. Please forgive me if I’ve been discourteous.”

The butler immediately bowed politely in apology. Luwen now closed his mouth as if leaving the matter to me. How does he do this so well without being taught? I concealed my pride and maintained noble dignity.

“You were also surprised to see me last time. I’d like to know why.”

“Well, that is…”

He hesitated and lowered his head, seemingly finding it difficult to explain to me. Since I was a guest, it was awkward to press further, but I was maintaining silent pressure.

“Young master, you’ve arrived. I apologize for the late welcome.”

Theobalt greeted me with a light voice as he appeared.

But he wasn’t alone. Walter Lorentz was following behind him when he stopped abruptly upon seeing me.