I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 38

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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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38

 

Now I understand why people get addicted to gambling.

 

The moment pig number 5 ‘Hamon’ crossed the finish line first, my dopamine levels broke through their limits too.

 

“Wow, that was so thrilling.”

 

I submitted my betting ticket and grinned widely as I received the silver coins that had multiplied tenfold.

 

“Good job, Hamon. The moment I saw your name, I felt drawn to you like it was fate, right? Your plump hind legs are so adorable I could die.”

 

“….”

 

“I think I was born with luck in this lifetime.”

 

“…I get it, so stop bragging.”

 

“Now it’s 27 to 27, right?”

 

As I grinned annoyingly, Kail couldn’t argue back and just clicked his tongue, though he wasn’t really upset.

 

He had also shouted the name of pig number 8, which had been competing for second place until the middle, at the top of his lungs.

 

When we exited the arena through the opposite entrance, we came to a street lined with tents where various games and activities were available.

 

The play area, twice as boisterous as other places, was swarming with children like clouds.

 

Darts, slingshots, ring toss, spinning wheels, arm wrestling, tug of war, eating contests – all sorts of games were happening everywhere.

 

‘Come to think of it, there was a place like this!’

 

This was a section I had skipped when reading the fair guide, thinking it was content for little kids, but it’s perfect for playing with Kail.

 

“Kail, let’s play here some more before we go.”

 

Kail pursed his lips and looked around.

 

That expression means he’s interested but doesn’t want to show it!

 

“…What if Brother Simon throws another fit.”

 

“‘Brother Simon’? Since when did you start calling my brother so familiarly?”

 

He doesn’t even call Darius ‘brother.’ And he doesn’t call me by name either!

 

“When did you two become so close? What’s this, call me by my name too.”

 

“….”

 

“Just once!”

 

“You’re noisy.”

 

“It’s not that you don’t know it, right? Now, quiz time. What’s my name?”

 

“I said you’re noisy.”

 

Tch. Doesn’t work on him.

 

Kail left me whining and went into the ring toss booth by himself.

 

For the next hour, we went around competing in this game and that game.

 

We also bought snacks together with the money I won from the pig racing.

 

Only after recording a score of 32 to 34 did we return to the main venue where the Countess and Darius were. It was a secret that I deliberately held back a little for Kail’s sake.

 

We enjoyed spectacular performances, parades, and even fireworks, returning to the Count’s castle only after night had fallen deep.

 

Seeing Darius and the Countess listing their shopping finds along with fascinating experiences made me feel proud that they too had spent a very enjoyable day.

 

Kail, who was fiddling with the pig doll he won as a prize for placing first at the dart booth, also seemed to have made some good memories.

 

It was a fair that was worth all the effort I put into preparing for it.

 

***

 

After participating in the fair for two more days and finishing the closing ceremony, it was already the morning before the day the Diern family was scheduled to return.

 

Today, to crown our time together, we decided to go to Lake Lagria and the fir tree forest, which was considered one of the scenic spots of the Twin Mountains.

 

Since it was the last day, Father also cleared his schedule so all six of us formed a complete group.

 

The servants loaded the luggage cart with folding tables and chairs, tarps and hammocks, and all sorts of equipment.

 

We had decided to do some casual camping and spend the whole day relaxing.

 

The fir tree forest was located at the edge of the Brante territory, so we had to travel by carriage for an hour.

 

When we arrived at the fir tree forest covered with dense vegetation, I was once again overwhelmed by the grandeur of Mother Nature.

 

The straight, densely lined trees boasted tremendous height – you had to crane your neck 90 degrees to see their tops. The refreshing resin scent penetrated deep into my lungs.

 

Darius and the Countess exclaimed in admiration as they looked around in all directions.

 

“Wow. This looks like a forest where fairies would live.”

 

“It would be beautifully serene even if we came in winter.”

 

Imagining the forest covered entirely in snow and dyed white, I nodded involuntarily.

 

“I haven’t been to this place in a very long time myself, but it’s still a peaceful forest that soothes the mind and body.”

 

Father smiled sadly with a choked voice. He must have come here with Mother….

 

Just then, the caretaker who had been contacted in advance came out to greet us. He guided us to the flattest meadow that was best for playing.

 

As the servants efficiently carried and set up the portable furniture and equipment, a comfortable space for resting was prepared.

 

Using the luxurious campsite as our base, Kail and I, along with Brother and Darius, explored the forest along the trail.

 

Though the sky was overcast with clouds, the forest where birds chirped and streams flowed was healing just to look at.

 

Below the transparent spring water, small fish could be seen swimming about.

 

“We should have brought fishing rods!”

 

“Right.”

 

When I sighed in regret, Brother unusually agreed with me and smacked his lips.

 

We couldn’t eat fish, but in keeping with the purpose of resting in harmony with this paradise, we had brought plenty of fresh fruit.

 

I had promised to let them taste their fill of fruit from the orchard owned by the Brante family.

 

After playing for a while and returning to the campsite, a table full of fresh seasonal fruit was laid out.

 

“Did you have a good look around?”

 

Father and the Countess, who had been eating fruit and chatting first, welcomed us.

 

“You must be hungry, so sit down quickly.”

 

Neatly cut apples and peaches were arranged, with plums and grapes filling baskets beside them.

 

Biscuits, bread, ham, cheese, jam, tea and juice to go with them were also abundantly laid out.

 

The four of us sat down together, clutching our hungry stomachs.

 

“Thank you for the meal!”

 

At my exclamation as a signal, a warm and friendly meal began.

 

After first filling our stomachs with carbohydrates and protein, we turned our attention to the fruit.

 

Among the many fruits, I felt delighted when I saw the peaches.

 

Peaches were the Countess’s particularly favorite fruit, so desserts with peach jam often appeared at the Diern ducal house.

 

Sure enough, as soon as the Countess ate a peach, she covered her mouth in delight.

 

“This is the sweetest and most fragrant peach I’ve ever eaten. The juice is incredibly abundant too.”

 

“Haha, I don’t know what to do with such excessive praise.”

 

Father chuckled and responded to the Countess’s rave review.

 

Come to think of it, I had once bragged to Kail about the sweet and soft peaches from our orchard.

 

I poked Kail, who was sitting quietly beside me chewing an apple.

 

“Try this. It’s on a completely different level from any peach you’ve eaten before! You’ll come to like it too, right?”

 

“…No thanks.”

 

Does he have a grudge against peaches?

 

“Don’t be like that. If you don’t like clingstone peaches, we have freestone ones too.”

 

“I said no. Can’t you understand what I’m saying?”

 

Kail’s voice rose in irritation, drawing the attention of the other four people.

 

Though it was awkward, I had decided not to force anything on anyone, so I quickly smoothed over the situation.

 

“Okay. I understand.”

 

However, the Countess straightened her back and glared at Kail with a changed expression.

 

“Kaileus. The Brante family is treating us with such exceptional hospitality, yet instead of being grateful, where did you learn such manners?”

 

“Oh, it’s fine! Everyone has different tastes.”

 

Surprised by the worsening atmosphere, I defended Kail, but the Countess firmly shook her head.

 

“No, Miss Rieze. Kaileus needs to be sternly scolded.”

 

Though her tone was gentle, it was sharp with frost.

 

Startled, I closed my mouth, and the Countess continued her lecture directed at Kail.

 

“Looking back, you’ve been showing insolent behavior toward Sir Simon and Miss Rieze throughout this entire vacation. When did you learn to be so rude to children from other families? You’re bringing shame to the Diern name.”

 

That’s right, the Countess was someone who valued etiquette and dignity. I had forgotten since we’d grown closer, but she originally had a charismatic personality.

 

Kail, who had been biting his lower lip so hard his jaw turned red, bowed deeply at the waist.

 

“I’m sorry, Mother….”

 

“Conduct yourself properly.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Oh no. It looked like tears were about to fall from Kail’s distorted eyes at any moment.

 

This whole mess happened because I unnecessarily offered him peaches.

 

Feeling restless, instead of pushing the peach plate away, I moved the grapes and apples closer to Kail.

 

To make Kail’s picky eating less obvious.

 

However, making my efforts meaningless, Kail resolutely picked up the plate with peaches.

 

After spearing a large piece with his fork, Kail took a long breath and opened his mouth to stuff it all in at once.

 

The way he chewed and swallowed with difficulty made it look like he was chewing slime rather than food, making even me feel tormented watching.

 

‘He must really hate it….’

 

Unfathomable emotions rippled in his flame-like flickering golden eyes.

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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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