I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 61

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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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61

Nearly two months had passed, but no reply came from Kail. I formed three hypotheses about the cause.

First, it’s Kail we’re talking about. A single letter wouldn’t be enough to calm his anger.

Second, his anger had somewhat subsided, but he still didn’t feel like writing a reply. Maybe he forgot while adapting and staying busy.

Third, the letter didn’t properly reach Kail. I heard that the Diern Domain is a 5-6 day ride one way from Pelrn. Naturally, postal delays and losses would be commonplace.

They say all items entering the ducal palace undergo strict inspection, and it’s also a region prone to natural disasters.

‘Let me wait a little longer… If no reply comes by May, I’ll have to write again.’

I set May 31st, my birthday, as the deadline.

If there was still no response by then, I’d consider it lost and send another letter.

Time passed helplessly like that, and in the blink of an eye, my birthday arrived.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I rummaged through the pile of letters and gifts.

‘Nothing from Kail…’

Despite receiving countless congratulations, the absence of Kail’s single greeting felt bitter.

Meanwhile, a black envelope caught my eye.

That’s… the suspicious invitation from last time?

‘We sincerely congratulate Miss Rieze Brante on her fifteenth birthday. The Secret Reading Club 【Revelli】 invites you.’

Well now. They’re even bringing up my birthday now.

If it were a first offense, I would have let it slide as a silly prank, but now that it’s a repeat offense, I need to track down the culprit.

‘Knowing my birthday means it’s someone who knows about me…’

While deducing the culprit, my thoughts were interrupted when Milly burst in.

She bustled about helping me get ready, saying we’d be late.

Ever since Father threw me a surprise party, every year I invited only the young noblewomen I was acquainted with for a small birthday party.

It was a lonely birthday party without Darius or Kail.

I had invited young noblewomen I’d met and socialized with several times, but I hadn’t found anyone who really clicked with me.

‘Who knew making compatible female friends would be this difficult.’

After finishing the boisterous congratulatory ceremony, it became time for casual chatting as usual.

The conversation mainly revolved around current fashion trends and the most notable figures of this social season.

As always, I became a reaction bot.

During a lull in the chatter, one young noblewoman asked Kien, who was quietly sipping her tea.

“Miss Kien, you’ve been quiet lately? Don’t you have any interesting stories?”

Then Kien, who had kept her mouth shut the whole time, smiled silently.

“I’ve been completely absorbed in other interests lately.”

“Other interests?”

When everyone focused on her, Kien put down her teacup.

“What do you all want to be doing in 10 years, 20 years? Can you clearly picture your future?”

Instead of answering, Kien threw back an unexpected question.

The young noblewomen exchanged bewildered looks.

“We’ll meet excellent marriage prospects, get married, and raise children, right? It would be even better if we became influential ladies in high society.”

The young noblewoman who had spoken to Kien answered confidently, puffing out her chest.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit boring if you consider that your entire life? It’s just an extension of what we’re doing now.”

While saying this, Kien somehow stared directly at me.

“What? Being a mistress of the house and managing a family properly is such an amazing thing. Making a name in high society too! That’s what makes an exemplary noblewoman!”

The young noblewoman who had answered Kien’s earlier question raised her voice as if offended.

“…You’re right. That could also be a wonderful goal. I was just having some personal doubts, so I wondered what you all thought.”

Kien responded gently as if to calm her down. The young noblewoman crossed her arms with a displeased expression, her pride apparently hurt.

When the atmosphere turned cold, the oldest ones, around eighteen or nineteen years old, opened their mouths with smiles.

“Miss Kien has gotten strange ideas early.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s supposedly a rite of passage that girls our age go through once. You know, ‘Marriage and bridal lessons are all annoying! I want to throw it all away!’ That kind of rebellious feeling wells up.”

“Usually this reality check comes right before one’s debutante, but it seems to have come early for Miss Kien.”

“But what can you do? My older sister told me. She said when you mature, you’ll understand that living like everyone else is the best.”

“I’ve given up too. Now I just want to quickly have my debutante and meet a good husband to settle down.”

As the older sisters each added their comments, Kien just smiled silently.

Somehow it seemed to me that she had much to say but was holding back.

After that, various topics came and went, and soon it was time to wrap up the party.

When the young noblewomen began getting up one by one to leave, I said the same thing to Kien that she had once said to me.

“Miss Kien, would you stay? I have something to talk about.”

I wanted to hear the words she had swallowed earlier.

After seeing everyone off and returning, I came back to my seat and sat facing Kien alone.

“What is it, Miss Rieze?”

“I’ve been pondering alone about the answer to the question you asked earlier.”

Upon hearing my words, Kien’s eyes widened.

After my possession, my only goal was to observe and enjoy the romance between the male and female leads of 【Golden Covenant】 up close.

I had explored various methods and made plans to change the ending, but in a way, that wasn’t for my own life.

If I succeeded in achieving that goal and witnessed the happy ending of Darius and the female lead Adel.

What would I do and how would I live after that?

I hadn’t seriously reflected on it.

Having gained a peaceful noble life, I might have vaguely planned to just go with the flow.

But the stone Kien threw created gentle ripples within me.

In my previous life, being desperately poor, I only struggled to maintain my livelihood.

Now freed from the pressure of having to earn money, wouldn’t it be a waste to just idle away my life when I could do anything?

“I want to find something I like and am good at, and try starting a business. Like opening a shop or something. Since it’s not about making money… I could donate the profits or do good works. Like building schools or hospitals. Oh, and I want to try organizing festival events. I helped Father a little once and it was fun. I’d also like to travel abroad.”

“…Yes. I see.”

“Um… it’s not befitting of a noble young lady, right? I just listed things as they came to mind.”

Feeling awkward that I might have overdone it, I added an explanation, and Kien’s smile deepened.

“It sounds good. They’re all interesting things.”

“What about you, Miss Kien?”

After pausing for a moment, Kien asked with sparkling eyes.

“Are you reading the books I lent you?”

“Oh, yes! I haven’t read much yet though…”

Come to think of it, the books she had lent me were all philosophy books and essays!

So that’s how Kien came to contemplate life like this.

“Miss Rieze, shall we continue talking after you finish reading all those books?”

I didn’t understand why she was being so mysterious, but since reading books wasn’t difficult, I nodded.

“Yes, alright. Let’s do that.”

Kien curved her lips into an arc.

I saw her off, promising to meet again.

Though I still couldn’t quite figure her out, somehow I looked forward to our next meeting.

***

That evening, I sat at my desk and picked up a pen. To write another letter to Kail.

To Kail, who must be absorbed in training.

Kail, how are you? It’s me, Rieze.

I wrote and sent you a letter as soon as you left, but there’s been no reply. Was it lost?

If you receive this letter, could you write back, even briefly? Whether you’ve forgiven me or not. I’m anxious about whether the letters are getting through. Please.

After writing that far like a storm, I wrote another identical letter apologizing for that day’s events and explaining the reasons. Just in case my previous letter hadn’t reached Kail.

After that, I added new content along with recent updates about my situation.

Kail, the weather in Pelrn has gotten much hotter. It already feels like summer. How is it there? Are the new buds just starting to bloom now?

You know, without you here, it feels so empty and lonely.

I feel every day how precious those moments we spent together were. Ugh. This is so cheesy!

Anyway, I’m going to try making other friends now and learn and attempt things I want to do. I think it’s time to make some new plans.

You’re not upset about that, are you? You’re busy with training too. I think I need something to focus on as well.

But my closest friend will always be you, Kail! Writing it down makes me keep adding embarrassing things I could never say out loud. I must be feeling sentimental today. Please understand.

By the way, when are you planning to visit Pelrn? Let me know once it’s decided. I’ll clear a lot of time around then.

―Eagerly waiting for your reply, Rieze.

P.S. Come to think of it, today is my birthday? I’m not sulking because you didn’t send me a congratulations card. Just thought you should know~

Even if he hadn’t received my previous letter, if he received this one, he would write back.

With that belief, I sealed the second letter to send to Kail.

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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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