I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 10
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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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“Well, they say he burned down a ten-meter radius completely. The horses and spoils of war that were nearby, everything. Fortunately, or perhaps not, no one was hurt.”
I imagined that scene in my mind.
I could picture him sitting alone in the middle of a forest burned pitch black.
‘What he showed me in the library earlier was nothing compared to this.’
“…He’s someone with incredible abilities.”
“Of course. Now he’s become even more famous doing various research and development with the master’s support. He’s probably one of the top talents in the Empire in that field, don’t you think?”
I recalled his appearance complaining about work intensity. And I thought to myself with a quiet chuckle.
‘I guarantee you’ll probably never be able to quit.’
People who always talk about quitting are usually the ones who can’t quit. Real quitters leave quietly without a word.
Besides, the salary here seemed quite generous.
If it were me, I would have worked there with gratitude, saying ‘Thank you so much for employing me.’
‘That guy’s talking so carefreely.’
But…
‘I think we had pretty good conversation, right?’
It was true that the conversation with him had been interesting. Moreover, I learned many new things.
He was capable enough to create God’s Tears himself.
‘It wouldn’t hurt to stay on good terms with him.’
I smiled broadly while slurping the sherbet that had melted into sweet juice.
Actually, I would have many occasions to encounter Ansun in the future.
‘I need to find out in detail whether I’m really a mutant or what, and I might need to ask him to make more God’s Tears.’
Of course, not to kill someone,
‘But for business!’
God’s Tears was a drug that had never been publicly revealed in this place.
Even if it were revealed, it would certainly be classified as a dangerous drug due to its dosage.
But I already knew how to reprocess God’s Tears by lowering its concentration. Because I had read about it.
‘When was it in the original story that the identity of that drug was revealed?’
If I could just start manufacturing before that time, hitting the jackpot would be a sure thing.
Who would refuse such an amazing potion that amplifies abilities?
I could hear the sound of money rolling around in my head. I was laughing to myself when I suddenly jumped up from my seat.
The wall clock that caught my eye was pointing to six o’clock.
I spoke to Anna in a firm voice.
“Anna, stop cleaning now.”
Anna’s eyes widened as she straightened her bent back.
“Su, suddenly? What’s wrong?”
“Go home from work. Quickly. It’s six o’clock.”
“What?”
An awkward silence followed. Anna tilted her head and asked carefully.
“Um… what is going home from work?”
I stared at Anna with my mouth agape.
She doesn’t know what going home from work means.
Just how much work does she do?
Come to think of it, Anna had been by my side from when I opened my eyes until I closed them.
‘Does she even take breaks while working?!’
“Good heavens…”
I calmed my agitated breathing and spoke in a stern voice.
“…Anna. From now on, at six o’clock, you must absolutely do something called going home from work.”
“So what exactly is that…”
“Go to your quarters and rest. Have rest time until you come back tomorrow. During that time, whatever you do is your freedom, so don’t worry about me.”
“Ah, yes… Yes?!”
Anna was startled and dropped the feather duster she was holding.
I simply ignored that and pointed at the clock.
“Look, it’s already six o’clock, right? So go home for today.”
“No, no! Then what about the young lady’s dinner? And the bath water…!!”
“It’s fine. I’ll take care of that myself, so hurry and go home from work.”
People don’t die from not washing for a day. But Anna kept waving her hands as if troubled.
“No, young lady, how can servants have rest! The time when you sleep is my resting time! Di, did I do something to upset you…”
But I ruthlessly cut off Anna’s words and said.
“Anna. All workplaces… no, all employees should have time to go home from work. And I think the appropriate daily working hours are eight hours.”
I shook my head thinking of my past life when I lived like a working machine.
“If you work like that, you’ll ruin your health later. So on your way, stop by the library and tell Ansun to go in and rest too.”
“Whaaaat?! No, what are you talking about…”
I had no choice but to stride toward Anna. And without hesitation, I started pushing her back toward the door.
“Come on, come on. I told you to go home from work quickly.”
“Oh my, young lady! Why are you doing this!”
Anna waved her hands frantically with a completely flustered expression. But I didn’t stop and pushed her completely out the door.
“Come around eleven tomorrow, I’m going to sleep in. Got it?”
Then I said ‘Rest well’ and quickly locked the door.
“Young lady-!!”
Anna knocked on the door from outside, calling me desperately.
But I hummed a tune and walked to the bed without hesitation, flopping down on it.
“See you tomorrow, Anna!”
When I shouted cheerfully, I heard a small sigh from outside. Then the hesitant footsteps gradually faded away.
Feeling relieved, I rolled around on the bed and stretched.
Poor Anna, she didn’t even know what going home from work meant.
If we need help even after Anna goes home from work, we can just designate night shift workers who rest during the day to take turns.
“I’ll make her leave work on time every day from now on.”
It’s not like I haven’t experienced that harsh slave-like life myself.
Since I’ve become an employer in this place, I wanted to live with humanity.
In my past life, I couldn’t give even when I wanted to because I had no leisure…
Here, there were many things I could do.
‘Well, I’m the daughter of a wealthy family where money and food come pouring out just by sitting still!’
I got up with a proud expression and walked to the window.
When I drew the curtains and opened the window, the view of the manor garden filled with trees and flowering vines spread before my eyes.
Colorful leaves swayed gently in the wind, and the sky was spectacular with the sunset scenery.
I closed my eyes with a happy face and murmured languidly.
“I feel so good, really.”
It was truly a peaceful evening.
Another day in this place was coming to an end.
The next day at lunch.
I chewed the chicken that was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, then said.
“…So, I’d like you to give Ansun some vacation time.”
“Vacation?”
The Duke asked in a low voice. I answered.
“Yes, vacation.”
The Duke slowly put down the fork he was holding.
“I believe I’m already giving sufficient compensation.”
I moistened my throat with apple juice from nervousness and carefully raised my head.
“Well… Father has never been in a servant’s position, so you wouldn’t know, but when working, there are many important things besides compensation, for example…”
He raised one eyebrow as if asking what. I mumbled in a shrinking voice.
“R-rest time being adequately secured, something like that…”
However, my words were cut off by his sigh before I could even finish.
“Why should I care about that guy’s rest time.”
“…”
I lost my words and stared at the Duke before me. He had an expression as if he had no idea what the problem was.
‘Hmm, where should I even start explaining this…?’
Then a decent idea came to mind. Indeed, putting oneself in another’s shoes was the best approach at times like this.
“Then, if the person who has to work without rest like that was Father…”
I stopped mid-sentence and closed my mouth.
Since the Duke would never have to work under someone else even if he died and came back to life, I seemed more suitable as an example.
“…No, please think of it as me.”
I explained passionately.
“Don’t think of it as someone else’s business. Frankly speaking, if you thought that I, your family member, was overworking like that, wouldn’t you feel somewhat sorry or concerned…?”
At that moment, Walter, who was standing behind the Duke, burst out laughing with a “Pfft-“. Then, as if surprised by himself, he quickly covered his mouth.
I glanced at him and continued speaking.
“If I were working in harsh conditions without being able to sleep or eat properly?”
“…”
“If I were holed up alone in some cramped room, spending time lonely without any time to spend with family?”
“…”
A long silence settled over the dining hall.
The Duke, who had been wearing an uncomfortable expression, finally opened his mouth mechanically.
“That guy Ansun.”
I opened my eyes wide with anticipation.
“Is an orphan.”
“…?”
“He has no family waiting for him at home.”
I blinked blankly.
How on earth does the focus of the conversation shift in that direction?
Moreover, is it okay to hear such stories through someone else’s mouth rather than from the person himself?
‘This is worse than a wall.’
After gaping stupidly for a moment, I quickly came to my senses again. I couldn’t give up on Ansun’s vacation like this.
I wanted to get along well with Ansun, and I needed a means to earn his trust.
‘Getting him a vacation is the best option for now.’
After swallowing my saliva, I made a big decision and looked directly into the Duke’s eyes.
His red pupils were glinting as indifferently menacing as always.
I mustered my courage again.
“U-um, I think personal time is absolutely necessary even if there’s no family to visit…?”
“…”
“Without sufficient rest, it’s difficult to expect work efficiency, and also…”
But my voice gradually became smaller. Because the Duke’s expression was complete non-reaction itself.
‘This person has such a strong sense of self that he can’t put himself in others’ shoes.’
I had seen many such people in my previous life too. The so-called impenetrable shield…
Moreover, he didn’t usually have a particularly good relationship with Selene either. So there was no way he would readily comply with his child’s requests.
Having finished my thoughts, I had no choice but to conclude that I should give up. Still, I felt inevitable disappointment.
As I was poking at my food with a dejected expression, the Duke suddenly sighed and said quietly.
“…Fine.”
I looked at him with widened eyes. The Duke, who had put down his knife at some point, was staring at me.
His lips slowly parted.
“One day should be enough.”
One day? Even that much is very appreciated, but…
Somehow I wanted to be a little more greedy. I opened my mouth very carefully.
“I-it seems a bit short, how about a week or so?”
“Two days.”
“Perhaps four days…?”
“…Two days. No more than that.”
He closed his mouth as if he wouldn’t discuss it any further. Afraid that the Duke might take back his words, I quickly nodded.
“Yes, understood! Thank you!”
‘Even two days is something.’
It was a better result than I had expected.
When I looked at the Duke with a beaming smile, feeling proud, he was shaking his head while avoiding my gaze.
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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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