I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 29

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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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29

During the first week of August, the hottest time of the year, the nobles of Pelrn temporarily pause their social activities and go on summer retreats.

To their own estates, villas, or resorts.

The social events that had continued endlessly since spring are suspended for about two weeks, and during that time Pelrn becomes a desolate city emptied of people.

Most return from their summer vacations within a week or so, but our family has always spent about a month at the Brante Estate starting from late July.

During that month staying at the estate, Father handled the estate affairs he had left to his steward. He presided over official events and communicated with the estate residents, and Brother often helped Father with such tasks.

All I did was laze around there, except for participating in events Father hosted like exhibitions or competitions. That was the plan for this year too.

Playing leisurely in a beautiful, quiet place like the European countryside – normally I would have welcomed such a thing with open arms.

However, the unfortunate thing was that this period coincided exactly with Randerstd Royal Military Academy’s summer vacation.

‘Just when I finally get to see Darius often, I have to be separated for a whole month!’

But it would be unreasonable to throw a tantrum about not going to the estate just to see my favorite character. It was an annual family tradition, and it was too long a period to leave me alone in the capital.

It would be like refusing to go home for the holidays just to attend an idol fan meeting.

After moping for a week, I finally decided to attempt something reckless.

‘Let’s invite Darius to our Brante Estate!’

During the summer retreat period, nobles sometimes spend their vacation with family, but they also invite close families to their estates or villas to spend the vacation season together.

If I could bring Kail along too and mediate between the brothers, that would be the cherry on top.

I rushed to Father, who was working on paperwork, and casually brought up the topic.

“Father. We’re going to stay at the Brante Estate for a month soon, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“When we go this time, you’re going to teach Brother estate management in earnest, right? I think I’ll be bored all alone.”

“Hmm…, I’m sorry about that.”

I slowly laid the groundwork to bring up wanting to invite the Diern family. In reality, Milly and other servants would accompany and take care of me, but it wouldn’t be the same as family or friends.

Even at my sudden whining, Father stopped his pen and looked at me pitifully with drooping shoulders. I pulled a chair close beside him.

“So I was thinking, how about we invite another family to our estate this summer?”

At the unexpected suggestion, Father’s gloomy face instantly brightened.

“Oh, yes! How about inviting one of the friends who came to your birthday party?”

“Ah… I’m not that close with those friends yet…”

“You can become closer through this opportunity. Which young lady do you like best?”

I bit my lip at the conversation that had been going well but suddenly went awry.

After the birthday party, I had exchanged formal letters with the young ladies and attended their tea parties a couple of times, but my relationship with them was still just part of social life.

After hesitating, I decided to just throw a straight pitch.

“How about the Diern Ducal House? Brother Darius is also Brother’s friend.”

However, upon hearing my opinion, Father’s eyes that had been lively like fresh fish rapidly wilted.

Though he didn’t say it directly, Father seemed to want me to associate with young ladies my age rather than Kail.

No matter how many times I insisted we were just friends, as a parent he seemed uneasy about his daughter’s closest friend being a boy. Even though he’s a child two finger joints shorter than me.

“The Diern Ducal House, you say…”

His hand hesitantly stroking his beard revealed his discomfort. For Father, who always readily granted my requests, to agonize this much.

“Um, never mind. Let’s just forget about it.”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed, but I gave up cleanly. I had no intention of being stubborn to the point of troubling Father when he was already frantically busy.

Father raised his palm and sighed, then finally offered conditional permission.

“Alright. But when you play with those family’s boys at the estate, your brother must accompany you without fail.”

“…! I will! Thank you!”

Though I’d have to drag along some baggage, permission was finally granted.

My feet bounced excitedly as I got down from the chair. I’ll just secretly ditch the baggage somewhere.

“Hehe, are you that happy? Sorry to pour cold water on your celebration, but there’s a high chance the ducal house will decline.”

“I know that too. Anyway, I’ll go ask them!”

Pondering what bait to use to persuade the Countess, I left the office and headed straight to the Countess’s mansion.

Duke Selpieus Diern had left for the northern Diern Estate in early July, so now I could visit comfortably.

Because it was uncomfortable to encounter him, I had visited Diern Manor less than before. I showed my face minimally to maintain my friendship with the Countess.

According to our promise to play only once a month, I just left greetings for Kail and returned.

Though his expression was sour, Kail now always accepted my greetings. And on the days we promised to play once a month, he would clear his entire day.

We met wearing casual clothes instead of training uniforms, and played in the garden instead of the outdoor training ground.

Kail, who used to threaten that he had to train even after playing for just two hours, now didn’t say to leave even after playing for half a day, unlike before.

Rather, when I said I’d go home first, he seemed disappointed.

‘I should have done this from the start.’

Since I’m not pushing, we don’t fight and get along well. Indeed, moderation in everything, the middle path is best.

So for this summer vacation invitation too, if Kail said he wouldn’t come, I planned not to force him.

Though it would be wonderful if he came.

As I was humming while entering Diern Manor, I encountered unexpected good fortune.

I ran into a blonde handsome man wearing a military academy uniform in the central hall of the manor.

“Darius…?”

“Miss Rieze! Welcome.”

Darius spotted me and approached with curved eyes.

Seeing the splendid and elaborate gold-braided dress uniform befitting the Royal Military Academy sent shivers through me.

The sharp military cap, the black dress uniform jacket elegantly wrapping his body, the epaulettes and armbands engraved with royal insignia, the military boots reaching up to his calves…

I can’t believe this is the same outfit my blood relative wore.

Darius wasn’t wearing the uniform. The uniform was wearing Darius.

I didn’t know I liked uniforms…

Moreover, Darius’s skin that had been white as jade was slightly tanned with a healthy complexion. This is good in its own way too…

While I was perversely savoring the limited edition favorite character in uniform version and tanned version, he walked up to me.

He too seemed to have just arrived at the mansion, carrying a musket on one shoulder and a large bag in the other hand. Servants busily carrying luggage passed by us.

Darius quickly handed the musket he was carrying to a passing servant. Perhaps thinking I would be afraid of firearms.

Crazy. Even his manners are good.

“…Gasp. Brother Darius…! It’s been so long! Are you on vacation?”

I barely contained the gushing that was about to spill out and asked nonchalantly.

“Yes. The day before yesterday.”

“Huh? Our brother hasn’t come home yet.”

“Ah, Simon has some things left to do at school so he’s staying a few more days. Didn’t you know?”

Father probably mentioned it, but I didn’t store such useless information in my head. I nodded vaguely and focused on him whom I was meeting after two months.

“You worked hard during the semester. Congratulations on finishing the term, Brother Darius.”

“Thank you. Have you been well too, Miss Rieze?”

“Of course! Oh right, I wore this every single day without fail.”

When I proudly showed him the bracelet, he sent another dazzling smile that seemed to melt.

“I’m proud that you’re using it well. You’re going to see Mother, right? Let’s go up together.”

Following his gesture, we climbed the stairs side by side.

Ha. I only came to suggest to the Countess that they come vacation at the Brante Estate, but to coincidentally encounter Darius who just returned home feels like a dream.

Ah! Since it turned out this way, I should check Darius’s opinion first.

Even if I get the Countess’s permission, it would all be meaningless if Darius can’t come.

When I actually tried to ask him directly, I gradually became nervous.

‘Don’t expect too much. The disappointment will be great too.’

After building several defensive barriers in my heart to remain as detached as possible even if I heard rejection, I carefully opened my mouth.

“Brother Darius. Would you like to come play at our Brante Estate during this August summer vacation?”

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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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