I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 2

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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2

Kaileus pushed through the crowd of people watching him. The fragments of the broken glass scattered clink-clank sounds with each of his steps.

“Oh my, with such a terrible temper…”

“It must be his upbringing…”

Behind him as he stormed out of the banquet hall, hushed gossip with trailing words followed.

As I reflexively stood up, Simon, who was sitting across from me, raised his head.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll go to the restroom.”

After informing him, I ran straight out of the building, chasing after Kaileus. Looking around, I caught sight of a silhouette entering the maze garden.

I don’t even know what I’m planning to do by chasing after that kid right now.

I was planning to catch up first and then decide… but.

I ended up trapped in this damn maze garden. What the hell did this duke’s family make this thing for?

After wandering for what felt like 15 minutes, faint breathing sounds mixed with the eerie rustling of leaves.

I sharpened my hearing and walked toward the source of the noise. Getting closer, I realized the sound was quiet sniffling.

Inside a hanging chair surrounded by bushes, I could see the form of a crouched boy. His jet-black hair fluttered in the breeze.

Sensing someone’s presence, Kaileus hurriedly rubbed and wiped around his eyes.

‘Oh dear, he was hiding and crying.’

Feeling sorry for him, I was wondering whether I should comfort him first, when his vivid amber eyes fixed on me. Filled with an aggressive aura.

“What are you looking at? Get lost if you don’t want to die.”

Well, well.

Other kids might have been intimidated by his attitude. But the soul inside this body is a proper adult, you know.

As I stared at his sharply raised eyes, I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

During the time when I didn’t refuse any difficult work to make money, I was introduced to a babysitting part-time job through an acquaintance. The child was such a troublemaker that four babysitters had quit in succession, and the pay was quite generous because of it, so I welcomed it with open arms.

The seven-year-old young master I took care of back then was exactly like this. The memory of disciplining that kid who used to throw tantrums and cause trouble, making him obedient, was vivid.

And along with memories from my past life, a brilliant idea flashed in my mind.

If I could reform Kaileus, this villain. If I could guide him not to turn dark.

Wouldn’t that prevent the situation where he stabs Darius in the future?

“What are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear me tell you to get lost?”

Since I was standing there blankly, Kaileus’s angry urging reached me.

Even if I want to reform this kid, my current body is still a child. Then how about approaching him as a friend rather than a teacher?

I’ll take on the role of friend and sanctuary that the female protagonist Adel played for Kaileus in the original work, starting from now!

With the mindset of a trainer taming a wild animal, I took a couple of steps toward Kaileus. Sure enough, his sharp gaze became even more bloodshot.

“Sorry for staring. But could you help me out?”

I asked while pretending to be dejected, keeping my distance.

Premature comfort at first meeting might only cause resentment. He would never show weakness, so I should be the one to gain sympathy.

“Who are you to ask.”

“Oh, I’m Rieze Brante. The duke’s garden was so wonderful that I got lost while admiring it in a daze.”

His sharp eyes softened slightly.

As expected, no matter how much he bares his fangs, he’s still just a kid…

“How stupid. Why should I care?”

…I should just grab that little…

No, don’t fall for petty provocation. I’m a mature adult, aren’t I? At least on the inside.

“I’ve been wandering around in here for 20 minutes already. I don’t see anyone else besides you.”

“…”

“Please, I’m begging you. I’m scared…”

I pleaded as pitifully as possible. Conveniently, my body was shivering from the cold wind that was blowing at just the right time.

When silence pressed down on the surroundings and awkwardness was creeping in, Kaileus, who hadn’t budged, finally slowly stood up.

“…If you fall behind, I’m leaving you.”

Kaileus, who said that in a cold tone, began walking ahead.

“Yes! Thank you.”

After answering eagerly, I stuck close behind him.

Success. The strategy of pretending to be pitiful worked. Though I could hear small mutterings like ‘Why am I helping some stranger I don’t even know…’

To keep up with his fast pace, I had to move my legs almost at a run.

‘Is he using some kind of teleportation? He’s short but why are his feet so fast?’

The wrists and ankles of the child, who was half a span shorter than me, were thin. Come to think of it, there was a description that he was small in his childhood because he had to live on others’ charity.

It’s hard to believe this feisty little kitten becomes a black panther later.

Anyway, let me focus on building favorability for now.

“You’re Kaileus, Prince Darius’s younger brother, right? Can I call you Kail?”

He whipped around and a vertical crease appeared on his forehead.

An expression as if he’d swallowed sewage water. Probably because his identity was discovered and he was suddenly called by a nickname.

“No.”

After curtly rejecting me, Kail looked ahead and walked with big strides.

“Do you have the whole maze memorized?”

“…”

I asked toward the back of his head, but no answer came. Well, it’s his front yard, so it’s natural.

As I was diligently chasing him from three or four steps behind, I heard a rumbling sound. It was a faint but clear stomach growling sound.

“Kail, are you hungry?”

“Who is!”

Kail, whose ears had turned red, burst out angrily. But at least he responded this time.

There was a lot of delicious food at the banquet hall earlier. But of course nothing would go down his throat there. Even someone with a good appetite like me would get indigestion if there were people positioned around, observing my every move and whispering.

I wondered what caused the commotion at the banquet hall earlier. I thought about asking, but swallowed my curiosity since he would definitely get upset.

“At least eat this!”

Instead, I took out chocolate from my small handbag, unwrapped it, and held it out. It was chocolate that Dad, Count Brante, had packed for me to eat when my blood sugar dropped.

I bestow this upon you specially.

Kail looked down at the chocolate in front of him and snorted as if he found it ridiculous.

“Get that away from me.”

“Oh my.”

The chocolate flew away from his coldly dismissive gesture. I quickly picked up the chocolate that had landed on the grass.

Fortunately, it had only rolled on the lawn, so it wasn’t too contaminated.

“Three-second rule!”

As I brushed off the chocolate surface and shouted without thinking, Kail’s brow furrowed.

“What?”

“…It means it’s okay if you pick it up within three seconds. Anyway, if you don’t like it, you don’t like it, but why did you hit it away? You’ll be punished by heaven if you waste food carelessly.”

Says the kid who’s probably gone hungry often.

I broke the chocolate in half, put the smaller piece in my mouth, and stuck the larger piece between the teeth of Kail, who was standing there frozen.

The soft sweetness danced on my tongue.

Kail, who had been frowning quietly, moved his jaw and the chocolate that was stuck between his lips was sucked into his mouth.

I thought he would spit it out angrily, but what’s this? Is a child still a child after all?

I smiled with satisfaction.

“It’s not bad, right?”

“It tastes terrible.”

After his sharp retort, I could feel that the hostility from Kail, who was leading the way, had softened compared to before. The clear evidence was that his pace had slowed, making it easier to follow.

“How did you know my name.”

As I was walking silently, Kail unexpectedly asked first. After ignoring my questions himself.

I thought about not answering because I was annoyed, but since I was the one who needed something, I decided to be patient.

“I’m the younger sister of Prince Darius’s friend. My brother’s name is Simon. Do you know him?”

“I don’t know. I don’t talk to that bastard.”

Yes, I’m sure you don’t.

The relationship between the two brothers couldn’t be called good even in the early part of the original work, before Kail turned dark.

I don’t know what kind of relationship the two have at this point, long before the original story begins, but it’s probably similar. After all, they are half-brothers…

Lost in thought, I nearly bumped into Kail’s back as he suddenly stopped.

Before I knew it, we had reached the exit of the Maze Garden. The Manor Building we had escaped from earlier came into full view.

“Go alone from here.”

Kail jerked his head dismissively.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“….”

“Kail!”

Since Kail ignored my thanks and was about to leave immediately, I quickly grabbed him.

“I clearly told you not to call me that,”

“I’m hungry too. I’ll bring some food, so let’s eat together.”

“…I don’t want to.”

“Don’t be like that and just wait right there!”

Before he could refuse again, I ran toward the Banquet Hall without waiting for an answer.

Earlier I had approached him thinking of it as conquering a character in a game, but now I genuinely wanted to feed him until he was full.

As a Korean soul who lives on rice power, I can’t just stand by and watch a child go hungry. Even knowing that later he’ll grow more than enough to become magnificently built.

After re-entering the Banquet Hall, I wandered around the tables looking for food substantial enough to fill our stomachs.

There’s no proper rice, just little pieces of pastries. Should I go to the Kitchen?

Following the direction the waiters had been carrying food, I easily found the Kitchen. Thanks to my small build, I was able to sneak inside without encountering anyone.

I crouched quietly under the counter, then slipped into the Pantry when the pastry chefs left their stations.

I had charged in with great momentum, but when it came to actually stealing food, I hesitated.

‘No, wait. I’m feeding the young master of this house, so how is this stealing?’

With that rationalization, my guilt disappeared completely.

I found a clean white cloth, spread it out, and packed it with large bread, jam, butter, sliced ham, cheese, and fruit.

I tied up the bundle and carried it, and since my hands were full, I held an apple in my mouth. Then I swiftly escaped the Kitchen like a ninja.

It was a successful farming mission.

Until I ran right into Darius outside the Kitchen door.

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