I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 54

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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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54

 

I heard the news that Darius and Duke Selpieus had returned to Pelrn’s manor.

 

And that they had even held a medal ceremony just one week after their return.

 

It was regrettable that I couldn’t witness that event in person, which was said to be no different from Darius’s grand debutante stage, but I swallowed my tears and waited.

 

Ten days after the two had returned home, I sent word that I wanted to visit.

 

If it had been like before when I was just going to see Kail, I would have visited without notice, but now that Duke Selpieus was there, I had to observe proper etiquette.

 

Ten days should be enough time for them to recover from travel fatigue and have sufficient reunion and catching up among family members, so wouldn’t it be alright to visit now?

 

As if responding to my expectations, a formal invitation from the Countess arrived in reply. It was an invitation that included Brother as well.

 

‘I’m going with 100 percent styling effort!!’

 

Since I’m going to see my favorite character after so long, I have to go with my best look!

 

I pulled out all the dresses and accessories I had prepared for occasions like this. I also asked Milly to carefully style my hair.

 

When I went downstairs to the mansion with my fully prepared appearance, Brother made a sarcastic comment.

 

“Is today your wedding day?”

 

“Does it look strange?”

 

“You look like a peacock.”

 

At my blood relative’s merciless harsh criticism, I removed some jewelry and accessories right there on the spot.

 

When I checked the mirror, it seemed much better with the toned-down look.

 

‘Well, what would I do even if I looked pretty to Darius anyway.’

 

With a much more comfortable mind and body, I got into the carriage.

 

The carriage passed through familiar roads and stopped in front of the Countess’s mansion in just 10 minutes.

 

From the spirit of the servants who were sharply disciplined and organized, I could fully sense that Duke Selpieus had returned.

 

Today, the butler guided us to the dining hall.

 

‘Wow. Putting effort into my outfit was the right answer.’

 

The dining hall with high ceilings was dazzling and solemn enough to make one’s eyes pop out.

 

Since we usually had light tea time in the Countess’s reception room or glass greenhouse, this was my first time setting foot in this place.

 

Since we had arrived about 20 minutes earlier than the appointed time, the butler asked us to wait just a little while.

 

While we were waiting and admiring the grandeur of the hall, an excited voice came from behind us.

 

“Simon! Miss Rieze!”

 

When I turned around, Darius was approaching with a bright smile.

 

“Brother Darius!”

 

I was so happy to see him that I let out a loud cry and ran toward Darius.

 

I tried to stop right in front of him, but Darius laughed out loud and stretched out both arms.

 

How could I resist after seeing that?

 

When I rushed into his embrace, he lifted me up, spun me around lightly once, and set me down.

 

“You’ve grown a lot, Miss Rieze. You’ve become quite the proper young lady now.”

 

Darius said with a gentle smile.

 

I happily admired the new version of my favorite character that I was seeing after ten months.

 

His hair had grown shorter like a soldier who had recently enlisted, his physique had become more solid, and his eyes, nose, and mouth had finished growing and were perfectly positioned.

 

Having just passed his birthday and turned nineteen, he had now shed his boyish appearance and looked mature.

 

While it was regrettable that I could no longer see the teenage version of my favorite character, my fan heart raced at his appearance that was getting closer and closer to the original work.

 

“Brother Darius, I’m so glad you returned safely!”

 

“Miss Rieze’s letters gave me strength.”

 

“Oh my, you two even exchanged letters?”

 

That Brother of mine poured cold water on our touching reunion. Darius turned toward Brother.

 

“Simon, I heard you graduated as valedictorian.”

 

“It was easy without you there.”

 

The two exchanged simple greetings, bumping fists.

 

Just then, the Countess entered the hall.

 

“You two, sorry for keeping you waiting. Please, take your seats.”

 

As the four of us sat down together, the Count’s Estate servants soon brought out delicacies that made the table legs bend under the weight.

 

“How was the battlefield? Tell us some stories.”

 

At Brother’s question, Darius smiled and shook his head.

 

“I was in rear supply, so nothing much happened. It was peaceful.”

 

“Then tell us in detail about that capture incident for which you received a medal.”

 

Then Darius told us the story of how he apprehended a carriage carrying fleeing enemy country officials, excluding the classified parts.

 

After that, he revealed his future plans.

 

“Right now I’m on a month-long commendation leave. After that ends, I’ll serve in the Pelrn Royal Guard.”

 

“I see. I also applied to the royal palace guard and received an acceptance notice.”

 

Brother also shared his personal situation with Darius.

 

Everyone has become adults… I’m really feeling it now.

 

“You’ll both be serving Her Majesty the Queen at the royal palace. That’s really wonderful.”

 

“Indeed it is.”

 

I also expressed my agreement to the pleased Countess.

 

Since there’s nothing particularly dangerous for soldiers serving at the royal palace.

 

I’m also satisfied with the fact that my favorite character will exist within arm’s reach from now on.

 

However, I felt somewhat empty.

 

‘Come to think of it, Kail isn’t joining us at this gathering today?’

 

I knew that Kail didn’t welcome such formal occasions where everyone gathered, so it wasn’t particularly strange.

 

‘I should stop by the training ground before going home later. I need to talk with him briefly.’

 

There might have been changes in Kail’s feelings due to Selpieus and Darius’s return, so I should go check.

 

However, what greeted me that day was an empty training ground.

 

Even when I visited several more times afterward, I kept missing Kail, and I could only arrange to meet him through a messenger.

 

***

 

At the end of March when young leaves were sprouting one by one, I finally got to go out with Kail a month after Brother’s graduation ceremony.

 

Our destination was Serdin Lake.

 

A famous spot near Pelrn that was currently in the off-season with few people but had excellent natural scenery.

 

For Kail who gets seasick, we decided to just walk around the lakeside instead of boating, and to focus entirely on Kail, I left behind the brothers and Milly before departing.

 

When I stood at the Diern Family Gate, I could soon see Kail coming out in casual outing clothes.

 

As I was about to wave my hand, I realized that Kail’s condition as he approached was not normal.

 

“Why are you covered in wounds like this?”

 

I asked immediately as soon as he opened the door.

 

“What do you mean.”

 

“Your face is a mess!”

 

His face covered with scratches and cuts everywhere was terrible.

 

Kail closed the carriage door and sat down.

 

I quickly grabbed his arm and rolled up his sleeve.

 

His forearm mottled with bruises was revealed.

 

“What are you doing, let go!”

 

Kail shook off my touch and pulled down his sleeve abruptly.

 

A person suddenly came to mind.

 

“Did Duke Selpieus do this?”

 

“What nonsense. I got hurt from intense training these past few days.”

 

“Let’s get out. How can you go out to have fun when your body is like this!”

 

“It’s fine. This much doesn’t even itch.”

 

Kail dismissed it with an annoyed wave of his hand.

 

“Let’s just go quickly. Hey, let’s depart.”

 

When Kail knocked on the wall toward the driver’s seat, the carriage soon began moving slowly.

 

Is it okay to play around carefree with a kid in this condition?

 

Was Kail’s body always like this, and I just didn’t know because it was hidden by clothes?

 

While I was having such thoughts, Kail asked in a low voice.

 

“How much longer do we have to go?”

 

“…About an hour.”

 

“Then I’ll get some sleep in the meantime. Wake me when we arrive.”

 

Then he squeezed his eyes shut and cut off the conversation.

 

So cold.

 

His tone was never gentle or kind to begin with, but not to this extent.

 

Even before, when Selpieus returned after a long war, Kail had become strange, and he pushed me away then too.

 

This time too, I could guess that Selpieus’s return had a bad influence on Kail.

 

I considered pressing him to find out what had happened, but held back.

 

I know that no matter how much I push in this state, Kail won’t confess.

 

Seeing his condition, I felt like I should let him sleep first rather than interrogate him right away.

 

We decided to play all day today, so there’s still plenty of time.

 

Even in the awkward silence, the carriage raced at full speed and soon reached our destination.

 

As we got off at the lakeside with its wide open views in all directions, an exclamation naturally burst out.

 

“Wow, Serdin Lake is beautiful! It has a different charm from Lake Lagria.”

 

If Lake Lagria, the pride of our territory, is a mysterious and tranquil scenic spot that preserves nature as it is, this place was a tourist destination touched by human hands.

 

Around the lakeside, cute little shops and cafes were lined up, and deck walkways, wooden bridges, and flower gardens were established.

 

It’s just like a lake park built in the middle of a city center.

 

Since it’s well-decorated, it’s pleasant to look at.

 

When I turned around, Kail was trudging out of the carriage.

 

“Kail, are you sick by any chance? Tired? Tell me honestly.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“Really? You can’t lie.”

 

“I said I’m perfectly fine.”

 

“…Okay. Then relax your facial muscles a bit. Since you’re going to the dormitory soon, we might not be able to play for a while, so are you going to keep being like this?”

 

“…No. Let’s go.”

 

Kail also seemed to remember his promise with me, as he relaxed his rigidly stiff expression.

 

I felt relieved seeing him soften compared to earlier.

 

I was about to grab and pull Kail’s arm out of habit, but remembering his bruised arm, I lightly grasped his fingertips instead.

 

I could feel Kail’s fingers flinch and tremble.

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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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