I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 43

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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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43

 

The day we returned to the Count’s Castle from the fir tree forest, falling ill with a fever and cold was an inevitable sequence of events.

 

Due to my fever rising from the morning, I was helplessly unconscious in bed.

 

When I opened my eyes past noon, the Diern Family had already finished preparing to return to the capital.

 

“The three gentlemen visited your room this morning, Miss.”

 

Milly told me that the three had come to my room in the morning, but since I was unconscious, I couldn’t exchange farewells.

 

After pleading and pleading with Milly who tried to stop me, I was barely able to peek my head out the window.

 

I could see the Count’s Estate servants loading luggage into several carriages, and the two families bidding farewell looked tiny from above.

 

By the time I return to Pelrn, the summer vacation at Randerstd Royal Military Academy will also be over.

 

When I thought that I might not see Darius for a long time again, the golden crown of his head that looked so small in the distance felt infinitely precious.

 

Soon, all the people from the Count’s Estate boarded the carriages one by one.

 

Kail, who was about to board the carriage last, suddenly looked up toward my room’s window.

 

As if he had sensed my gaze.

 

“!”

 

I waved my hand enthusiastically. Though his expression was completely unreadable from such a distance, he should be able to see me waving my arms.

 

For a moment, Kail stood frozen in place, then I saw him slightly raise his arm and wave it left and right. Soon his silhouette was swallowed into the carriage.

 

“They’re leaving.”

 

Watching the long procession of carriages exit the Count’s Castle and gradually disappear into the distance, bittersweet emotions washed over me.

 

It had been a week full of variables and twists and turns.

 

Even so, it was a sweet experience just for being a vacation with my favorite character.

 

I had also succeeded in creating a somewhat new and memorable summer vacation for Darius and Kail.

 

However, there was one great lesson I learned from this incident.

 

A small spark can create a fire.

 

Even now, my hair stands on end when I think that the peach I casually recommended might have been the starting point of a butterfly effect.

 

To prevent conflict between Kail and Darius and change the ending of 【Golden Covenant】, I must be even more careful in all matters.

 

So that situations don’t flow in directions different from my intentions.

 

But how can I control what unexpected results might occur?

 

I have to guide Kail to grow into a good person while also being careful that other bad things don’t happen.

 

‘It’s overwhelming.’

 

For now, I decided it would be better not to engage in high-risk activities.

 

‘From now on, there shouldn’t be any big events like inviting both of them to our territory for an extended period.’

 

I soothed my complicated thoughts by reflecting on the summer vacation I spent with the two of them, which was likely the first and last time.

 

As I gazed endlessly out the window, Milly approached from behind and placed her hand on my shoulder.

 

“Miss, please lie down now…”

 

Before she could finish her words, someone’s footsteps came stomping over, and the door burst open with a bang.

 

“Rieze! Why aren’t you getting into bed?!”

 

Brother barked an order at me as I leaned against the window frame.

 

He had just been seeing off the Diern Family downstairs moments ago – did he use teleportation magic?

 

“Alright…”

 

I puffed out my cheeks and returned to bed. Milly glanced nervously at Brother, then wrung out a cold, wet towel and placed it on my forehead.

 

“Honestly, you! If you act selfishly one more time, you’re grounded!”

 

Brother shouted loudly enough to echo from beside my bed.

 

“I said I understand… I’m sorry…”

 

I had my reasons, but from Father and Brother’s perspective, yesterday’s incident was certainly cause for great worry, so I maintained a humble attitude throughout.

 

Moreover, because of the serious fever I had in early spring, the two of them were still sensitive about my health.

 

At Pelrn’s Manor, I received regular checkups from the family doctor every week due to Father’s insistence.

 

“Simon, don’t be so harsh with a sick child. You scolded her enough yesterday. Rieze has been reflecting on it continuously too.”

 

When Father came up to the room afterward and stopped Brother, Brother let out a boiling sigh.

 

“It’s because Father is so soft that she acts recklessly like yesterday.”

 

“…”

 

I suppressed the excuses that reflexively wanted to burst out.

 

“I won’t do it again.”

 

When I lowered my eyes and tucked my tail between my legs, Brother, who had been running his hand through his hair in frustration, held out something he had been carrying.

 

“Hah. I’d like to tear this up, but I’m nice so I’m delivering it.”

 

“What is it?”

 

I took the paper Brother handed me.

 

Inside the small yellow envelope was a small note.

 

To dear Miss Rieze.

 

I’m writing a short letter because I’m sorry to leave without saying goodbye.

 

This past week was the happiest week for me. Thank you for creating such a summer vacation.

 

I’ll use this memory as nourishment to endure another semester and return.

 

I hope you recover quickly and stay healthy.

 

PS. I’m also leaving a modest gift as a token of gratitude. I bought it in the same size as Kail’s, so I hope it fits you well.

 

‘Crazy. Darius’s handwritten letter…!’

 

I covered my mouth in emotion.

 

How can his handwriting be so neat and pretty! I should make this my treasure number 2.

 

Would it be a bother if I wrote back?

 

While having such thoughts and clutching the letter that was only a few lines long, reading it over and over, Brother shook the box he had been holding along with the letter.

 

“He gave me this along with that. I don’t know when he had time to buy something like this.”

 

It seemed to be the ‘modest gift’ Darius had mentioned.

 

“Open it!”

 

Inside the box Brother opened was a pair of ivory-colored Mary Jane shoes.

 

“Gasp! They’re so cute!”

 

When I suddenly sat up, the wet towel that had been on my forehead fell off with a thud.

 

“Give them to me! I want to try them on!”

 

“What do you mean try them on right now. Lie down quickly. It’s not like the shoes have legs to run away.”

 

Brother closed the box lid and forcibly pushed my shoulders down to make me lie down.

 

“Ugh. How can I bear not trying them on! I’m so curious I think my fever might get worse!”

 

“What? I shouldn’t have told you now. Lie still and close your eyes before I throw them away.”

 

Father intervened as he watched us bicker.

 

“Now, now, lie down, Rieze. If you can’t stand it that much, I’ll put them on for you.”

 

“Ah. But on the bed is a bit…”

 

Putting on shoes on the bed!

 

Even if they’re new shoes, the Korean soul within me feels repulsed by it.

 

In the end, after struggling with Father and Brother, I was able to try on the shoes while briefly sitting on the edge of the bed.

 

The shoes with a round toe and glossy simple design were exactly to my liking.

 

As expected, Darius’s aesthetic sense is excellent. His gift-choosing sense has always been incredible.

 

They were about one size too big and loose, but since feet grow, they’ll fit soon enough.

 

By the next time I meet Darius, I’ll be able to show him me wearing these shoes.

 

I took off the shoes and lay back down in bed, satisfied.

 

After that, I received treatment from the Count’s Castle physician, ate soup and medicine, and fell fast asleep.

 

***

 

Kaileus let out a sigh of relief as he boarded the carriage.

 

When he spotted the figure waving from the window at the last moment, he was so glad that he almost smiled.

 

When he had briefly visited in the morning, he had left a pig doll by the bedside of Rieze, who was sleeping with a burning fever.

 

It was a shabby prize from the judging contest games, but it was the only thing I had that was suitable to give.

 

I wished it had been me who caught the cold instead.

 

I felt quite uncomfortable, as if an innocent kid had been punished for nothing.

 

So it was a great comfort to see Rieze regain consciousness and stand up at the end.

 

Sunlight caressed the fields, and the Diern Family’s carriages ran in a line along the winding road.

 

The friendly village where the judging festival was held, the gentle meadows where cattle grazed, and the lush green vineyards passed by in succession.

 

For Kaileus, who had never left the city of Pelrn in his entire life, this lyrical and pastoral scenery was fascinating.

 

A place that naturally warmed and calmed the heart.

 

Suddenly, I thought this village suited Rieze very well. So much so that I could immediately understand that she was a child born and raised here.

 

“It was fun, wasn’t it? Kail.”

 

Darius, who was sitting across from him, woke Kaileus from his reverie.

 

Kaileus simply rolled his eyes in response.

 

Darius smiled brightly and chattered toward his mother this time.

 

“Let’s go somewhere again next summer, just the three of us. We could come back here again if the Brante County Family permits it.”

 

“Well, yes. It’s not bad sometimes. Taking a vacation in a quiet place.”

 

The gentle sound of bells from the distant bell tower echoed in a slow rhythm.

 

Kaileus kept his gaze fixed on the window as he etched the past week into his memory.

 

The scenery that had served as a breathing space in his harsh life disappeared beyond his view.

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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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