I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 44

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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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44

 

The fever broke completely the next day.

 

However, due to Father’s insistence, I spent five more days recuperating in bed, and stayed at the Brante Estate for two weeks until my ankle was completely healed.

 

On the day we returned to the capital Pelrn, chirping crickets announced the end of summer.

 

Brother packed his things as soon as he returned to the mansion in Pelrn and headed straight to the military academy dormitory the next day.

 

We also received word that Darius had already left for the dormitory.

 

‘It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’

 

Still, I planned to use the letter I had received before as an excuse to write a reply at least once during the semester.

 

‘Since it’s my first fan letter, even if it’s short, I should write something powerful and stylish.’

 

I’d have to think carefully about what to write.

 

Since I was returning to Pelrn’s mansion after almost two months, various tasks had piled up.

 

My tutor complained that my education was falling behind compared to my peers and assigned me mountains of homework, and the newly added horseback riding and ballroom dancing lessons were incredibly demanding.

 

And.

 

“Seolgi! Why did you grow so big?!”

 

The foal Father had given me as a birthday present, Baekseolgi, had grown rapidly while I was away and had become a teenage horse.

 

“You were definitely shorter than me…”

 

Now I had to look up at Seolgi.

 

Disappointed that I had missed his cute baby phase, I attended the stables every day after that to feed him and bond with him.

 

By the time I reached my late teens, Seolgi would also be fully grown and become my means of transportation, so I wanted to steadily build our bond from now.

 

There was another interesting incident – I accidentally witnessed Milly’s romantic scene!

 

It happened when I was leaving the stables after giving Seolgi carrot treats and brushing his mane.

 

I could hear Milly, who was waiting outside, having a cozy conversation with Luke, a young stable hand.

 

Since Seolgi was particularly sensitive that day, I skipped playing with him and left the stables earlier than usual, so the two of them seemed completely unaware that I was approaching.

 

“Um, Milly. What are you doing this holiday?”

 

Just as I was about to make my presence known, Luke’s trembling voice rang out.

 

The situation reeked of juicy entertainment, so I quietly froze in place.

 

Since I’d been taking horseback riding lessons lately and coming to the stables daily to care for Seolgi, I naturally encountered the Brante County Family’s stable hands frequently.

 

In the process, it seemed Milly, who accompanied me, had grown quite close to Luke.

 

Milly, who was sitting perched on a pile of stacked firewood, lifted her chin and answered nonchalantly.

 

“Nothing in particular is planned.”

 

“Co-could you spare just half a day?”

 

“Why?”

 

“Well… I need to pick out a gift for my younger sister who’s entering adolescence, but I have no idea what to give her.”

 

“Hmm. And?”

 

“…I was wondering if you could help me choose a gift.”

 

Wow. A classic date invitation.

 

Milly had flushed cheeks but deliberately put on an aloof expression as she took her time.

 

Even her usually sweet and charming way of speaking had become sharp like a different person.

 

She’s the type who becomes prickly in front of someone she likes.

 

“Well… if that’s all it is. You’re paying for the meal, right?”

 

“Of course! Tell me whatever you want to eat! I’ll buy you anything!”

 

In contrast, the innocent stable hand Luke was clearly smitten with such a Milly.

 

Looking closely, Luke is quite handsome.

 

His face is like pale tofu, but his build is large and sturdy. Nice, he passes.

 

“Thanks, Milly. Then let’s meet here at one o’clock this Sunday.”

 

Luke spoke with the smile of a man obviously in love, and Milly nodded curtly.

 

Even though it was such an obvious situation, seeing an acquaintance’s romantic scene made it several times more exciting.

 

‘Ah. This is why dramas need sub-couples too, right? How fun will it be to peek at the romantic process between the main couple, Darius and Adel.’

 

I was eagerly looking forward to five years from now.

 

***

 

That evening, I broached the subject with Milly as she helped me bathe and dried my wet hair.

 

“Luke is handsome, isn’t he?”

 

“…What?”

 

Milly froze, then soon understood what I meant and her face turned bright red.

 

“Miss! Di-did you hear what we talked about behind the stables today?”

 

“Yeah. It was so clear I couldn’t help but hear.”

 

“Th-that’s not what it is! Really!”

 

“What do you mean by ‘that’?”

 

When I grinned mischievously, Milly let out a groan.

 

“He helped me carry something heavy once before, so I’m just repaying the debt!”

 

Oh ho. So they’ve been having a thing for a while now.

 

“That’s possible. Why are you so embarrassed about it?”

 

Milly silently flailed with a face as red as a ripe apple.

 

After squirming in embarrassment for a while, Milly finally admitted that she and Luke had some kind of chemistry going on.

 

“I’m going crazy. For some reason, my words come out sharp and prickly in front of Luke. I keep acting bratty.”

 

“It was quite cute.”

 

“Aah, don’t tease me!”

 

Milly buried her face in the towel she was holding and stamped her feet.

 

After giggling, I gave her a thumbs up.

 

“It’s fine. Gentle puppy-like men are naturally drawn to feisty cat-like women.”

 

I spouted my arbitrary view on romance, but Milly looked up with bright, clear eyes.

 

“Really? Then Luke might li-like me even though I acted so cold…”

 

“Yeah. He looked completely smitten.”

 

“…Kyaa!!”

 

Milly bounced up from her spot like a spring and jumped around.

 

My inner self, who was in her mid-twenties, laughed heartily watching the fresh romance of someone in their late teens. What a great time!

 

After prancing around like a calf for a while, Milly suddenly deflated and let her shoulders droop.

 

“But Miss, I’m in big trouble.”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“I don’t have anything proper to wear on Sunday. This is my first da-date…”

 

Ah, I see. The only clothes I’d seen Milly wear were her uniform maid outfit and neat, comfortable everyday clothes.

 

“I could borrow from the other maid sisters, but then rumors would spread everywhere…”

 

Hmm, my clothes wouldn’t fit her.

 

“Should we go shopping tomorrow?”

 

I said it casually, but Milly’s eyes bulged out.

 

“What? You would go shopping for my clothes with me?”

 

“Yeah. Let’s pick them out together.”

 

“Bu-but.”

 

“It’ll be fun. Let’s take a look around Sable Street while we’re at it.”

 

Ignoring her protests and pushing several more times, Milly reluctantly accepted.

 

For Milly, who always carefully looked after me by my side, I should buy her several outfits as an incentive, not just one.

 

I rationalized it this way, but honestly it was mostly for my own dopamine.

 

I couldn’t help being excited about feeling like a matchmaker.

 

***

 

The next day, after finishing my morning lessons, I took Milly out to Sable Street.

 

To avoid being caught by Luke, I didn’t forget the thoroughness of deliberately bringing a different coachman.

 

The streets, now completely past the summer vacation season, were bustling with activity again from the crowded nobles.

 

Since autumn had major social events like hunting competitions and Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday banquet, everyone seemed to be preparing for them.

 

Choosing Milly’s date outfit was surprisingly much harder than choosing my own clothes.

 

The nobles’ dresses with frilly lace and dangling jewels were obviously out, so I went to shops that wealthy commoners frequented.

 

Even within those, finding the right outfit was a very picky task.

 

“Since the romance hasn’t started yet, we shouldn’t put too much pressure on it. A natural and elegant style that looks effortless would be good.”

 

“Miss, you’re younger than me, so how do you know so well?”

 

“…I read it in books.”

 

That was actually true. I learned about romance through reading!

 

Anyway, possessing the spirit of a picky coordinator, I carefully selected five outfits.

 

I pushed aside Milly, whose hands were trembling as she tried to pay, and paid for the clothes with my own money.

 

After calming down Milly, who was jumping around in surprise, we came out to the street and the sun was already setting.

 

From somewhere on Main Street, the savory scent of butter and sweetness wafted over.

 

Following the source of the smell, the sign of the pastry shop 【Rotiang】 came into view.

 

Naturally, my thoughts drifted to the birthday gift Kail had given me, the dessert box.

 

‘I wonder if Kail is doing well.’

 

Come to think of it, I hadn’t visited Diern Manor even once since returning to Pelrn.

 

The last time I saw him was during vacation at Brante Estate, so it had been over a month and a half since I’d seen Kail.

 

I had been incredibly busy with newly learned classes, mountains of assignments, and taking care of Seolgi.

 

As each day got deleted, I had forgotten that the time to visit the manor had passed.

 

I should go before two months are up.

 

Though I’m not sure if Kail is waiting for me or wondering about me.

 

‘He’s probably so absorbed in training that he doesn’t even care. Maybe he’s completely forgotten about my existence?’

 

I chuckled and shook my head.

 

I found out that thought was a big mistake a few days later, when Kail came to visit Count Brante’s Estate.

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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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