I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 45

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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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45

 

The sound of wheels rolling and the clip-clop of horse hooves could be heard.

 

Kaileus, who had been sitting in front of a book staring at the same page for 30 minutes, reflexively stood up.

 

Drawing back the curtains, he checked outside the window.

 

After confirming it was a merchant’s carriage delivering groceries and daily necessities to the manor, Kaileus snorted roughly and yanked the curtains shut.

 

He had recently developed a new habit.

 

Whenever he heard the sound of carriage wheels, he would immediately stop what he was doing and look outside.

 

Today was already the fourth time he had rushed to pull back the curtains.

 

At this point, he had to admit it even if he didn’t want to.

 

That he was desperately waiting for Rieze’s visit.

 

‘Why isn’t she coming?’

 

Through a conversation between his mother and the butler, he had learned that she had returned to Pelrn’s Count Estate two weeks ago.

 

They had agreed she would visit once a month, but it had already been almost two months since he last saw her.

 

Even though he knew perfectly well she lived nearby, there had been no word for over two weeks.

 

‘After saying she liked me so much…’

 

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became at her actions contradicting her words.

 

Then suddenly, a second possibility emerged.

 

Could it be that her body still hadn’t fully recovered and she was bedridden, unable to come?

 

If so, he should go visit her.

 

But what if he went to check on her and she wasn’t sick, and she came out walking perfectly fine asking what he wanted?

 

Kaileus’s towering pride wouldn’t allow him to confess ‘I came because you didn’t come to me.’

 

Before the summer vacation, she had visited every other week to see his mother, the Countess, but even that had stopped.

 

His mother also seemed too busy preparing for autumn social events to have time to invite Rieze separately.

 

Several more days passed while he wavered back and forth.

 

If Rieze had come during those few days, everything would have been resolved, but the Count’s carriage never entered the Diern Manor.

 

“Young Master Kaileus! You’ve become lax lately!”

 

He had been so distracted that Kaileus was scolded sharply by his swordsmanship instructor.

 

With his mood soured, he decided to block out thoughts of her.

 

“Whether she can’t come because she’s sick or just isn’t coming, what does it matter to me.”

 

He had nothing to lose.

 

She was the one who had persistently clung to him asking to be friends in the first place.

 

Kail snorted and gripped his wooden sword tightly, glaring at the practice dummy with bloodshot eyes as if to burn it down.

 

After pouring out his unpleasant emotions on the practice dummy, he was returning to his room for lunch.

 

In front of the main mansion, servants were loading various items onto a Diern ducal carriage.

 

Among them, a book with a large butterfly illustration on its cover caught the eye of Kaileus, who had been about to pass by without interest.

 

Could it be…?

 

Kaileus immediately walked to the back of the carriage and asked the butler who was directing the scene.

 

“What’s all this luggage?”

 

“Ah, Young Master Kaileus. These are items to be sent to the Brante County Family.”

 

Before he could ask more, the butler continued his explanation.

 

“Since we received such great hospitality during the recent vacation, Madam specially prepared various fine goods as a token of gratitude. Also…”

 

The butler smiled and pointed to the box containing books.

 

“Madam said that Lady Rieze lent us a very rare book, so she’s returning it along with other books as gifts.”

 

“…Isn’t it impolite to just send things when it’s supposed to be gratitude for such great hospitality?”

 

The butler’s eyes widened at the unexpected criticism before returning to normal.

 

The butler bowed with a knowing smile.

 

“You’re right. Young Master’s words are correct. However, since Madam is busy preparing for next week’s hunting competition, I should personally visit and make the delivery.”

 

“No.”

 

Kaileus cut off the butler’s words decisively.

 

He hesitated for a moment but then firmed his resolve.

 

A suitable excuse had appeared before his eyes. This wasn’t the time to overthink things.

 

Swallowing dryly, he declared to the butler.

 

“I’ll go.”

 

***

 

As usual, I finished my morning studies and took riding lessons in the afternoon.

 

I could now ride a horse and trot on my own, which was incredibly fun.

 

While I wasn’t particularly interested in ballroom dancing, horseback riding was perfect for me.

 

‘I want to leave the riding arena soon and gallop freely.’

 

Though getting Father’s permission would be more important than improving my skills for that.

 

When I entered the hall of the Count’s mansion, the butler informed me of an unexpected visitor.

 

“The Diern Manor has sent a carriage full of gifts. And Young Master Kaileus Diern has come.”

 

“Huh? Kail?”

 

“Yes. He’s waiting for you in the reception room.”

 

My goodness. What’s this about? Kail came to visit first!

 

I never thought I’d see such a day.

 

Though it was in the form of running an errand to the neighbor’s house.

 

I had been thinking I should visit soon anyway, so this worked out well.

 

I was so delighted that I headed straight to the reception room still wearing my riding outfit.

 

“Kail! It’s been so long!”

 

I entered the reception room and shouted upon seeing him dressed neatly.

 

Kail immediately stood up, then frowned and glared at me.

 

Oh. In just a month or two, his complexion had cleared up and he looked quite handsome? Compared to when he was gauntly thin before, he seemed to have gained weight in a good way.

 

Compared to when he was a recluse obsessed with brutal training, he was completely transformed.

 

“Have you been well? You look good.”

 

As I approached him with a bright smile, Kail’s lips twitched.

 

“You… why…”

 

I quickly understood what he was trying to say in broken words.

 

“Ah. You’re asking why I’m dressed in riding clothes? I’ve been riding horses lately!”

 

I made a V sign with my fingers.

 

“I’m totally into horseback riding now. If you have time today, want to see my companion horse? She’s incredibly smart and pretty?”

 

“…”

 

“Come to think of it, this is your first time at our house! On my birthday, you didn’t even come inside and just left. Should I give you a tour? Oh, should we handle your business first? You said you came on an errand. What did you bring?”

 

There was so much to talk about, but first I wanted to check the gifts Kail had brought.

 

Instead of answering, Kail furrowed his brow and shot laser beams from his eyes.

 

He seemed somewhat upset. But since that’s his default expression, I wasn’t sure.

 

“Could you please answer me?”

 

When I muttered as if to myself, Kail finally opened his mouth.

 

“Are you… fine?”

 

It was a non sequitur rather than an answer to my question.

 

“What do you mean, am I fine?”

 

“Last month in the territory… you were sick.”

 

“That completely healed after a few days! As you can see, I’m perfectly healthy.”

 

“…Then why…”

 

“Ah…! Why didn’t I come? I’ve been really busy lately. I started taking riding lessons and ballroom dancing, and my daily tutoring homework doubled. I’m also taking primary care of my companion horse.”

 

“…”

 

“And I’ve been frequently counseling and helping with the romance of my closest maid…”

 

As I rattled off my recent activities, Kail’s face grew redder by the moment.

 

Is this kid upset because I didn’t visit the Countess’s Mansion?

 

“Kail. Were you waiting for me by any chance?”

 

“No.”

 

I knew it!

 

I suppressed the laughter that was about to leak out and added an excuse to my apology.

 

“Sorry. I kept putting it off thinking I should visit on a day off since I’d need to spend the whole day playing with you, and before I knew it, so much time had passed. But I was actually about to contact you for a visit! Really.”

 

“I said I wasn’t waiting.”

 

What am I going to do with this dishonest kid?!

 

Kail huffing and puffing seemed a little cute and funny to me.

 

I desperately held back my laughter since laughing would cause a disaster.

 

“Got it, you weren’t waiting. But I’m still sorry for not keeping my promise to visit once a month.”

 

When I backed down and apologized, Kail’s breathing gradually became calmer.

 

His anger slightly subsiding, he continued speaking.

 

“…About that.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Isn’t it a bit abnormal for friends to set regular meeting periods?”

 

“Huh? But you wanted that, Kail.”

 

“When did I.”

 

Come to think of it, Kail hadn’t specified a timeframe. He had only said ‘it would be fine to visit sometimes.’

 

But who would have thought the word ‘friends’ would come out of this kid’s mouth.

 

Just a while ago, this was the kid who kept saying he didn’t need friends or anything like that.

 

“So what you’re saying is, from now on we should meet casually whenever it’s convenient? I can just drop by without making plans in advance?”

 

I asked carefully, with anticipation in my voice.

 

Then Kail averted his gaze and muttered.

 

“…I’m just saying that’s how it generally works. Between normal friends…”

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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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