For the Young Villain’s Happy Ending - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42

“I quite like sandwiches.”

It wasn’t mere flattery—Kevenriak Heteroven genuinely enjoyed sandwiches.
Raina Hart seemed not to remember well, but I harbored fond memories from childhood of sharing sandwiches with her.
Kevenriak spread his handkerchief across the broad steps before the Fountain.

“When did my Keri learn such manners? Thank you.”

Raina Hart smiled as she settled into place.
The two of them sat side by side and unwrapped their sandwiches.
Despite having pestered his master about hunger, Kevenriak took a bite of his sandwich and propped himself up with one hand against the ground.
From his half-reclined vantage, Raina Hart filled his entire field of vision.

“That woman is targeting Heteroven.”

The moment I heard the Third Prince’s words, a thought crystallized within me.

‘My master must never know.’

Raina Hart would not simply dismiss such a claim.
Regrettably, I too bore the Heteroven name.
My first concern was what I would do if Raina Hart tried to protect me.
My second was the dread that she might come to see me as a burden.
The Grand Mage’s sole weakness lay in her disciples, and what she loved was Hibei.
I would shatter my master’s peace. This was a problem I alone must resolve.
So I held my master close, wrapping my arms around her as I whispered.

“Raina Hart.”

I will not become a burden to you.
Please, do not abandon me.
Though I had come of age, what I feared most was still being forsaken by her.

‘I will protect all that is precious to Raina Hart.’

Kevenriak wished for it.
If I devoted everything to protecting what was precious to her, then surely she wouldn’t abandon me.
Even though I am of Heteroven, please don’t cast me aside.
Let me remain by your side.
If this selfish heart of mine could be repaid through my own sacrifice.
Even if only my head and heart remained, that would be enough.
If I dared to be a little more greedy, perhaps legs to serve as a pillow and two arms capable of embracing.
Kevenriak’s tender gaze settled on Raina Hart’s upturned lips as he spoke.

“You seem delighted, Master.”
“…?”

Raina Hart startled and quickly composed her expression.

‘Was it that obvious?’

A disaster had occurred, yet here I was, showing signs of joy.
I worried it might set a poor example, but I couldn’t help my happiness.

‘Keri didn’t become a tyrant.’

Even after the episode had concluded, Keri remained by my side as my disciple.
Just moments ago, I suddenly realized that this peaceful scene of eating sandwiches with Kevenriak was real.

‘From now on, only happiness awaits.’

Because of that, my lips kept curling upward without my realizing it, and it seemed my disciple had noticed.

“…But Keri.”
“Yes?”
“You really do dislike vegetables in sandwiches, don’t you?”

Raina Hart regarded the sandwich in Kevenriak’s hand with a serious expression.
Just one bite.
Despite saying he was hungry, the fact that he’d eaten only one bite before stopping made it clear he truly despised vegetables.

“You’ve finished growing, Keri, but still, this picky eating habit….”

In truth, Raina Hart’s picky eating habits were far worse than Kevenriak Heteroven’s.
If he knew how fondly I regarded such a master, he would surely spend considerable time pondering the dignity of a teacher.
Kevenriak Heteroven gazed at Raina Hart and spoke.

“Master.”

The space was so quiet that one could hear the gentle sound of the Fountain’s waters, cradling moonlight, swaying in the breeze.
Leaning back in his chair, Kevenriak Heteroven looked toward his master and spoke.

“I like you.”

The words were delivered as casually as if inquiring about the weather.
Yet those words stirred something within Raina Hart’s chest.

“….”

I could never tell him this now.
But perhaps, if this child’s happy ending were ever to come to pass, after all these long years, I could finally say it.
That I wanted to make you happy.
That I came to this world for that very reason.

“…Keri.”
“Yes?”
“Did you do something wrong to your master?”

But sentiment was sentiment.
And suspicion was suspicion.
Raina Hart observed her disciple, who had suddenly confessed his affection, from every angle.
He had been expressing his feelings more openly of late, but this seemed excessive for mere words meant to brighten her mood.
Surely this wasn’t groundwork for a confession of wrongdoing.
Kevenriak Heteroven smiled at Raina Hart’s reaction.

“Yes.”
“Is there something you did wrong?”

Raina Hart asked Kevenriak Heteroven in surprise.

“What is it? What could it be?”

Keri, who rarely made mistakes, had actually done something wrong.
Raina Hart’s visible bewilderment was unmistakable.
Kevenriak Heteroven’s soft lips—the ones Raina Hart favored—curved upward ever so slightly.

“I’ve already told you. It’s my fault.”
“…?”

What could it be? There had been nothing wrong in our conversation just now.
Kevenriak Heteroven, who had left his master in confusion, smiled as if inviting her to guess what lay in his heart.

“Master.”

I had apologized countless times since realizing this feeling. Though never directly to my master.

“When you eventually discover what I’ve done wrong, would you forgive me just once then?”

I had resolved to wait until my master understood my heart, but this desire might burst forth at any moment.
Please, master, do not abandon me even if you learn of my feelings.
My blue eyes, perfectly concealing my anxiety, gazed upon my master with affection.
Raina Hart observed her disciple, seemingly unchanged as always, and spoke with grave sincerity.

“I can forgive Keri no matter what he does.”

Raina Hart placed her hand over Kevenriak Heteroven’s.
At those warm words, Kevenriak Heteroven smiled beautifully.

***

“Master!”
“Fourth Prince, Your Highness!”

What awaited Raina Hart and Kevenriak Heteroven upon their return to Hibeiro was a brightly lit castle with its lights still burning, and her disciples pouring out from within.
Fontepon and Shukal stood to one side as well.

“Why are you all here? Shouldn’t you be asleep by now?”

Raina Hart, caught off guard by this unexpected welcome, looked around at her disciples and asked.

“Why, Master? We were worried because we hadn’t seen you all day!”
“Worried?”

Normally, my disciples wouldn’t worry even if Raina Hart disappeared for days on end. Why the sudden concern?

“Those men said you went to the Imperial Palace with the Imperial Prince, Master.”

Raina Hart’s gaze turned toward Fontepon and Shukal.
Just before heading to Jenia after discovering something amiss with the Emperor’s condition during the day, Fontepon had spoken to her.

“Raina Hart, where are you going with the Fourth Prince?”
“To the Imperial Palace.”

So that conversation had reached my disciples’ ears.

“Is it true the Empress can come to Jenia now?”
“Master, is it true you went to the Imperial Palace?”
“…That won’t be happening.”

The subject of the Third Prince’s rebellion was far too heavy to discuss now.
At Raina Hart’s response to only the last question, my disciples ebbed away like a receding tide, whispering among themselves.
Look, see? I told you. Who was it that said Master was leaving Hibei?
Not me. Not me either.

“…”

Raina Hart noticed one person missing from among them and asked her disciples.

“Is Kin inside?”
“Kin? She’s at the Orphanage right now.”

Ban, the seventeen-year-old tiger-human sibling, spoke.
Her yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness.

“She went to find something to give you, Master.”
“Master, can we sleep at your castle tonight?”

One disciple broached the subject, and soon the others were asking if they could sleep over as well.
Today was a good day for Raina Hart too.
It wasn’t so bad having the castle bustling with activity now and then.

“Go ahead.”

At Raina Hart’s permission, her disciples’ faces lit up with joy.

“Let’s bring the blankets!”
“Should we grab the card games too?”
“Of course. There should be snacks left in the kitchen, right? We’ll bring those, and what else?”
“Bring everything. We’re going to stay up all night playing with Master.”

What did they just say?

“All night? That’s not—”
“We’ll be right back!”
“You can’t go to sleep!”

Something felt like it had gone terribly wrong, but it was already too late.
Watching her excited disciples dash away, Raina Hart quietly called out to Keri beside her.

“Keri.”
“Yes, Master.”
“If you get tired, go to bed first.”

Master, I think you’ve made a mistake.

***

The next day.

….

Raina Hart lay sprawled across the sofa.
It was the aftermath of staying up all night playing every type of game her disciples had brought.
She didn’t have the strength to move a single finger.

Knock, knock.
The sound of someone rapping on the Study door was barely enough to rouse me from my stupor.

“Keri?”
“It is I, my lord.”

It was the Butler.

“My lord.”

The Butler who had come to the Study to announce a visitor continued with his duties despite the pitiful state of his master.

“You have a guest.”
“A guest?”

What visitor would suddenly appear all the way out here in Hibei?

“Who is it?”
“The Director of the Detective Agency.”
“Ah.”

Raina Hart lifted her face, shadowed with exhaustion, from the cushion.
She turned to look out the window.
It was afternoon.

‘By now, word of yesterday’s events has spread to everyone who needs to know.’

Maverick hadn’t been at the Imperial Palace yesterday.
It seemed he had come to Hibei after hearing the news today.
Besides, I was curious about how things were unfolding at the Imperial Palace.

“Show him in here.”
“Very well.”

Moments later, as Raina Hart watched the shaggy-haired man enter the room, she frowned.

“…I still can’t get used to it. Can’t you just come as Maverick?”
“You’re quite the demanding customer.”

Maverick settled onto the sofa across from Raina Hart, his tone deceptively casual.

“Hearing such news, how could you possibly arrive by carriage? You should have used teleportation to get here faster.”

When he was the Director, his irritating habit of mixing formal and casual speech never failed to grate on my nerves.
Regardless of how I felt, Maverick flicked his hand dismissively.

“Go on, then.”

Raina Hart’s gaze fixed on that hand.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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