I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 59

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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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59

“Hey, why are you blocking the middle of the road!”

The angry coachman’s shout brought me back to reality.

Not knowing what to do, I had been standing dumbfounded in the middle of the road for a long time.

I turned my horse around and headed back to Diern Manor.

Holding onto the hope that Kail might not have been included in that procession I saw earlier.

“Lady Rieze! Please come in.”

Seeing me arrive early in the morning without notice, the Count’s Estate butler seemed momentarily surprised, but soon skillfully welcomed me.

“Butler… Kail, where is Kail?”

Cutting straight to the point and asking for Kail first, the butler’s graying eyebrows furrowed into a figure-eight.

“…He just left moments ago. He said he’ll be staying in Diern Estate for a while… Didn’t you receive word?”

At his cautious question, a handful of hope slipped through my fingers.

“No. I received it. I did, but…”

As I mumbled listlessly, the butler gestured toward the interior of the mansion.

“Are you alright? Please come inside first.”

“…Thank you.”

Perhaps due to seeing off Selpieus and Kail, the interior of the manor was bustling.

“Lady Rieze.”

The Countess and Darius, who had been discussing something among the servants, spotted me and approached.

“Countess, Brother Darius…”

Seeing the two of them dressed so properly, I realized how rudely I had barged in. I was even disheveled from rushing out in such haste.

“I’m sorry. Coming so suddenly early in the morning without any notice…”

As I hurriedly straightened my clothes while apologizing, Darius asked.

“We were actually wondering if Lady Rieze might come to see him off. I asked Kail about it, but he said definitively that you wouldn’t come. Did something happen?”

“Well…”

“Darius, why don’t we go to the reception room and talk? Please bring some warm tea.”

As I shrank back, not knowing where to begin, the Countess instructed Darius and the butler.

Darius nodded and immediately led me to the reception room.

We sat facing each other on the sofa by the table.

After the butler brought herb tea and left us alone, Darius asked carefully.

“Couldn’t you say goodbye to Kail properly yesterday?”

Since it had come to this, I should confide in Darius and ask for his help.

“…Actually, when we parted yesterday, Kail and I had quite a serious fight.”

“How did that happen?”

“I told Kail that I hoped he wouldn’t go to the duchy, and I begged him not to leave.”

Darius’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t add any particular comment.

I continued my story to Darius, who silently waited for my next words.

“It’s partly because I’d be sad not seeing him often due to the distance, but I was afraid that living there would make Kail become like a different person I don’t know… cold and changed.”

“I see.”

“Isn’t that strange?”

“No. I understand completely. The North is a place that would cause such worries.”

“Then… you don’t think it’s selfish?”

“Not at all. It’s because you care about Kail so much and like him a lot.”

Darius closed his eyes and smiled gently.

It wasn’t entirely for Kail’s sake alone though…

Anyway, I continued explaining why I had come so urgently today.

“We fought like that and parted on bad terms yesterday. When morning came, I felt sorry and came to apologize and see him off, but… we just missed each other. Kail was really angry…”

“Hmm. It’s not really something to be that angry about? Kail will get over it soon.”

“It was a much more serious fight than Brother Darius imagines…”

As I added gloomily, Darius walked over to a drawer and took something out.

“We have this, don’t we?”

What he showed me with a slight smile was letter paper.

…Right, that’s true. Let’s clear up the misunderstanding and apologize through a letter.

It would have been nice to meet face to face and share our feelings, but there’s no other choice.

I agreed with a somewhat relieved heart.

“Yes. I’ll try writing a letter.”

Darius sat back on the sofa, propped his chin, and chuckled.

“As I said before, I envy Kail. Having a friend who actively steps forward for him as if it were her own business.”

“…That’s not true.”

After modestly denying it, I suddenly became curious.

Does Darius understand why Kail headed to that place?

“Brother Darius. Do you know why Kail went to Diern Domain?”

“…He probably wants to receive proper training under Father in a more harsh environment.”

My heart grew heavy at his answer, which seemed to roughly grasp Kail’s true intentions.

“…Brother Darius, you’ll inherit the Diern Family, right?”

“Yes.”

“Definitely?”

“Yes.”

The answer came back without any delay.

“What if Kail also aimed for that position?”

I probed about the grim situation that Darius must also be anticipating.

“…”

Instead of answering, he showed a clouded smile. That silence became an answer.

Even though I had expected it, it hit me painfully like a confirmation kill.

Darius won’t back down either.

If neither of them yields… a collision will be inevitable sooner or later.

Then how about making them compete for succession earlier than in the original story?

If they’re going to oppose each other anyway, let them determine the winner through fair competition rather than a life-or-death situation.

Long before Duke Selpieus makes that damn will.

I don’t know if I have the ability to move up the timeline like that, but now I should give up on making things good between the two brothers and aim for this instead.

If Kail loses in the competition, I don’t know how he’ll change. That’s uncharted territory.

And even if I can’t stop Kail from falling for the female lead Adel, wouldn’t it be possible to interfere so they can’t get close?

I need to make him feel even a little less resentment toward Darius.

My whole body felt heavy as if weights were hanging from it. But I pretended nothing was wrong and stood up.

“I’ll head home now. I came out without telling Father and Brother. I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly and causing trouble.”

“Trouble? Not at all.”

As I bowed apologetically, Darius also stood up and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Please come visit often from now on, Lady Rieze. Kail isn’t here, but… please spend time with Mother and me sometimes too.”

“Yes. I will.”

I managed to smile and left through the doorway.

The words about Kail not being there felt lonely, but aside from that, it was a grateful and welcome invitation.

After all, the operation to win over the Countess and other schemes were all so I could freely come see Darius.

Returning to Count Brante’s Estate, I immediately picked up a quill pen.

Let me apologize and confess about yesterday’s strange behavior.

I can’t say the absurd truth that I knew the future because of that… Should I say I saw it in a dream?

Even that would be unnatural, but I can’t think of any other way.

After organizing what I wanted to say to Kail in my head once, I wrote the letter flowing smoothly.

To Kail, who must be angry with me.

Kail. It’s me, Rieze.

I rushed to the Diern Ducal House early in the morning to see you off, but it seems we missed each other by a hair’s breadth.

I wanted to apologize while looking at your face directly, but it’s regrettable.

I’m sorry. Were you upset because of how I acted unreasonably yesterday?

You must have been flustered by my selfish tantrum too.

I’m truly sorry. Please forgive me.

Still, there’s one thing I absolutely want to correct, so I’m writing this letter.

I have never wished for you not to become the heir because I admire Brother Darius. I swear on everything I have.

You asked me to give you a reason you could understand, right? Actually, I had a dream where you changed terrifyingly after leaving for the Diern Domain. Several times.

It was so vivid that it felt like it would definitely become reality, so I hoped you wouldn’t go.

Holding you back because of just a nightmare seems pathetic and ridiculous. I was too embarrassed to say it properly.

But now I’ve decided to trust and support you. That you in the dream isn’t the real you, right? It’s just my needless worry and delusion.

The Kail I know is affectionate and warmer than anyone else.

I’ll trust you and wait. Come back stronger and more wonderful!

I heard the Diern Domain is winter for half the year. Please be careful not to catch a cold and take good care of your health.

Well, I’ll end here.

-Your eternal friend, Rieze.

ps. Did you finally find the pig doll? I named it Lucky. Thank you. I’ll always keep it by my bedside.

After reading the finished letter, I let out a satisfied breath.

This should clear up any misunderstandings and anger.

Thinking so, I sent the letter to the address of the ducal palace in the Diern territory.

Not knowing that no reply would come.

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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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