I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 72

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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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72

From the day he received Selpieus’s orders, Kaileus began preparing to return to the capital.

Since he had devoted himself to training except for eating and sleeping, four years’ worth of belongings couldn’t even fill one carriage.

Finally, dawn broke on the day of Kaileus’s departure.

Kaileus, who had been looking up at the highest spire of the ducal palace, finally withdrew his gaze.

‘Father won’t come to see me off…’

Even though he had expected this, his mouth tasted bitter.

Watching the coachman harness the horses to the carriage, Kaileus quietly reminisced about his hometown.

Pelrn.

The place where Mother, Darius, and… that fellow lived.

Whenever the face of a girl with emerald eyes smiling brightly came to mind, his chest would throb and his stomach would churn. Just like when he had seasickness once.

It was a sensation that stubbornly refused to subside.

The coachman informed him that preparations were complete, awakening Kaileus from his reverie.

Four people who had come to see him off approached the carriage in unison. Henrite and Noem, and two fellow knights of similar age who had always tried to befriend him one-sidedly.

“Prince Kaileus.”

Noem approached first. Drawing close to him, his complexion looked somehow haggard.

“…Please look at this secretly later when you’re alone.”

Then he quickly stuffed a paper envelope into Kaileus’s inner pocket.

Thinking it might be some travel money, Kaileus reached for his pocket, but Noem frantically stopped him.

“No, no! Please look at it when you arrive in Pelrn! I beg of you.”

“…I understand.”

Though the words were suspicious, Kaileus withdrew his hand for now.

“…Please don’t resent me too much. Then please stay well.”

Noem, who had muttered incomprehensible words, smiled weakly and stepped back.

Next, the two young knights bid their farewells.

“Prince Kaileus! When we meet later, you must acknowledge us!”

“That’s right! We’ll become stronger by then, so you must spar with us!”

In contrast to their formal salutes, their faces were tearful and pitiful.

Kaileus smiled faintly and extended both hands to roughly ruffle their hair.

They were annoying yet grateful fellows who had persistently tried to get close to him despite his consistent indifference.

Due to his nature of being unable to speak warmly, this was Kaileus’s maximum farewell gesture.

As the two stepped back sniffling, Henrite finally approached, clicking his tongue.

“When did you grow up to be so disgustingly tall… Time really flies damn fast.”

Henrite clicked his tongue while looking up at Kaileus, who had become more robust than himself.

Kaileus snorted at him.

“Fast my ass. It took me three whole years just to beat down one knight commander.”

Though it had been four years like the harshest winter, he had no regrets since he had done his best every moment.

Thinking the farewells were more than enough, Kaileus opened the carriage door himself.

Instead of stepping back, Henrite remained in place, puffing cigarette smoke and muttering.

“…Young master, do you know why His Grace told you to go to Pelrn?”

Kaileus, who was about to step onto the footboard, stopped and frowned.

“…He wants me to defeat Darius and return.”

“Well, that would be nice as a side benefit.”

He let out a small chuckle.

“What’s this? Only four people seeing off a noble young master of the Diern Ducal House on his long journey? How embarrassing.”

“…Do you want to die?”

Henrite, who had looked around and sighed, suddenly changed his expression to a serious one.

“The name of Diern Duke isn’t earned through swordsmanship alone. Gain status and reputation. Build experience and trust.”

“…”

“Think about what’s truly important.”

“…”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Take care not to catch cold.”

Henrite patted Kaileus’s shoulder a few times and then turned away.

Kaileus quietly watched his back as he waved his arm halfheartedly, then climbed into the carriage.

Despite being weaker than himself now, he was still an annoying fellow who insisted on lecturing.

The coachman was startled by how roughly Kaileus slammed the carriage door.

***

Late March, one week before the Debutante Ball.

I fell into the greatest dilemma of my life.

The Countess and Madam Bell had both sent me dresses for the Debutante Ball as gifts at almost the same time.

I already had a ball gown that I had fitted at a boutique with my aunt, but these were much more expensive and luxurious dresses.

I could understand the Countess doing this, but I never imagined Madam Bell would send such a dress too.

She seemed to have been considerate knowing that I didn’t have a mother.

‘Both dresses are so pretty and expensive-looking that they make my eyes widen… What should I do?’

Setting aside how grateful I was beyond words, the problem was which one to choose.

On one side was a lady who had eagerly offered to be my chaperone, whom I’d been close to since childhood. She was none other than the Countess, currently standing at the pinnacle of high society.

On the other side was a club madam I’d grown close to relatively recently, whose inner thoughts were unknowable but who presumably cared for me. No one knew her veiled identity.

Looking at this alone, anyone would be horrified and tell me to choose the former. However, my feelings toward the two were different.

The Countess was someone who treated Kail coldly and burdened Darius with responsibilities, so I felt personally uncomfortable with her.

On the other hand, I had always respected Madam Bell as a wise and benevolent person who had created a turning point in my life.

I couldn’t consult with Kien. If Madam Bell had only given me a dress as a gift, she might feel left out.

So the only person left was automatically Milly.

After confiding the situation to Milly, I tried on both dresses in front of her in turn.

“The dress Madam Bell gave you is uniquely beautiful…!”

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I spun around once in the perfectly fitting dress.

The pure white satin dress was adorned with small beads that scattered light as I moved.

Even I thought I looked quite pretty in it, like a different person.

“…That’s true. How does the size fit so perfectly?”

“She probably went to Remilda Boutique, mentioned your name, and ordered it as a gift.”

“I suppose… that’s it?”

Since there were only about five or six famous clothing boutiques on Sable Street, it wasn’t impossible.

From the small note enclosed, it seemed the Countess had contacted the Count’s Mansion in advance to ask about my measurements.

“Then I should wear this to the ball.”

I had decided on Madam Bell’s dress when Milly jumped up.

“You should wear the one the Countess gave you! This dress certainly suits you perfectly and it’s regrettable, but it won’t do!”

“…I thought so too?”

Milly shouted as if asking why I was questioning something so obvious.

“Madam Bell is a good person, but you won’t encounter her in high society! The Countess has taken on being your chaperone. She’s none other than the Diern Countess!”

Milly repeatedly emphasized that their status and position were incomparable.

“Also, it would be awkward to answer who gave you Madam Bell’s gift. Since she’s the madam of a ‘secret’ club.”

Milly, unaware of my inner feelings about the two, reached a reasonable conclusion.

“You can wear this to the next banquet or party.”

Seeing her console me as if I was only disappointed about the dress design.

‘Well, fine. Emotions aren’t what’s important.’

I had decided to make connections with as many people as possible this social season and build a favorable image.

To do that, I needed to borrow the Countess’s power. I couldn’t displease her from the very beginning.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

I shifted my gaze to the dress the Countess had sent me and agreed. It was also a silver-gray dress with a purple tint that suited me exceptionally well.

After changing into the dress the Countess had gifted me, I selected and tried on accessories that would match it.

I was fortunate to have prepared jewelry of various designs and colors after being tormented by Milly and Kien.

I wrote heartfelt thank-you letters to the Countess and Madam Bell, after which protocol rehearsals and ballroom dance lessons continued.

The final sprint of dance practice continued until my heels turned red.

***

In early April, when flower buds burst into bloom.

At last, the long-awaited day had arrived.

The Debutante Ball hosted by the Queen of Erkhalt Kingdom—that day became an unforgettable day in my life.

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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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