I’m a Villain, but I Want to Live a Long Life - Chapter 37

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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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“Are the preparations for this year’s Thanksgiving Festival proceeding smoothly?”

Simon Albertine, Emperor of the Erbia Empire, asked while slowly stroking his chin.

He sat leaning back in a comfortable chair inside a luxurious greenhouse with glass walls on all sides.

Though it was still the chilly early spring outside, the greenhouse was filled with flowers in full bloom.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am personally overseeing the entire process this time as well.”

A reliable answer came back. The Emperor turned his head.

Nicolaus Zelbero, who had risen to the position of Chairman of the Privy Council at a young age a few years ago, was bowing his head respectfully.

Having entered the Privy Council at the youngest age, Nicolas was a person with natural talent and broad knowledge.

“Yes, I trust you, so I’m not particularly worried, but…”

The Emperor looked at the colorful flowers planted in the garden with a strange expression.

“This year marks exactly 10 years since my brother passed away.”

“Yes. I am aware of that.”

“The Empress suggested first that we should read a memorial address during the prayer ceremony.”

Nicolas smiled and bowed his head even lower.

“If we could read a memorial address for the Former Imperial House at the Thanksgiving Festival, the biggest event of the year, it would be wonderful. As expected of Her Majesty the Empress.”

At those words, Simon smiled leisurely.

“Yes, she is my empress, but she is truly wise and thoughtful. Sometimes even I am surprised.”

Simon leaned back in his chair again and said.

“As you know, I have high expectations for this Thanksgiving Festival. There will be more visiting dignitaries than last year.”

“Please don’t worry. I will prepare everything without any problems.”

The Emperor looked at Nicolas with a proud gaze. With him, this Thanksgiving Festival would surely be completed successfully as well.

“Then report to me as soon as the plans are ready.”

That’s when it happened.

“Father!”

At the sudden voice, the Emperor stopped speaking and turned his gaze toward the entrance of the greenhouse.

A small child was running toward him at full speed.

“Prince, you must not run like that.”

Behind him stood Empress Grace, called ‘the Empire’s most powerful mother,’ with a troubled expression.

But Prince Xenon instantly ran to his father Simon and dove into his arms.

An undeniable bright smile appeared on Simon’s lips.

“My, Zenon. What on earth happened that you’re running over in such a hurry?”

The prince, who had just turned seven, rubbed his shiny black hair against the Emperor’s chest and giggled.

“I was studying medicinal herbs with Mother, but I saw Father in the distance and came running!”

“Oh, I see. My adorable Zenon.”

Simon stroked Zenon’s head as if he found him so lovable he could die.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I didn’t know you were in the greenhouse…”

The Empress, who had been standing behind them, approached with an awkward smile. Simon shook his head.

“No, it’s fine. I was feeling lonely anyway, so seeing you and Zenon makes me happy. I was just conveying your opinion to Nicolas…”

“My opinion?”

When the Empress widened her eyes, Nicolas, who had been watching them from the side, stepped forward.

“I heard that Your Majesty the Empress suggested having a memorial address reading during this prayer ceremony.”

Grace made an ‘ah’ sound and smiled.

“That’s right. Since it’s been exactly 10 years since the Previous Emperor passed away, I thought it would be better to honor him properly rather than just let it pass.”

Her brown eyes shone with benevolence. It was truly the appearance of an empress trusted by the people.

Nicolas bowed his head deeply instead of answering.

Then, Zenon, who was in Simon’s arms, raised one hand and asked brightly.

“Mother, will the knights hold sword fights at this Thanksgiving Festival too?”

“Yes, Prince. Are you looking forward to the sword fights?”

“Yes! I want to see Duke Aleon Tigris’s elite soldiers!”

A troubled expression appeared on the Empress’s face.

Last year was a year when Tigris’s performance was particularly outstanding at the sword fighting event. No, it would be fair to say the entire event was Tigris’s solo stage.

The young prince seemed to have been instantly captivated by the supremely trained knights and their refined movements.

“This Thanksgiving Festival might not have such great warriors as last year.”

At Empress Grace’s words, the prince’s face became gloomy.

“Why?”

As the Empress was about to answer, the Emperor gently stroked the prince’s head and spoke.

“Zenon. Duke Aleon Tigris is no longer staying in the Empire. It’s been several months since he returned to his estate.”

“Then the Tigris Knights won’t come to the Thanksgiving Festival?”

“That’s not it. But he’ll have to leave some at the estate, so he won’t be able to bring all his forces like last year.”

Zenon pouted his lips with eyes full of disappointment.

The Emperor looked at him and muttered quietly with displeasure.

“…Why did that Aleon leave in such a hurry.”

But he quickly erased his expression and smiled while patting his son’s head.

“Don’t worry, Zenon. The Empire has many excellent nobles with fine armies besides Tigris. It will probably be as interesting as last year.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll watch the sword fighting event carefully and become an excellent knight later!”

At the innocent and adorable child’s words, Simon burst into laughter.

“You should become an emperor, not a knight.”

“Then I’ll become an emperor who fights as well as a knight!”

Grace, who had been watching them lovingly, said with the corners of her eyes crinkling.

“You surely will, Prince.”

The harmonious atmosphere emanating from the three people warmed the greenhouse pleasantly.

Even the attendants waiting nearby couldn’t hide their smiles as they watched the harmonious imperial family.

Nicolas also watched them with a proud expression before quietly withdrawing.

As he was overseeing the Thanksgiving Festival preparations, he had many urgent matters to attend to.

Leaving the greenhouse, he said to the Privy Council members following behind him.

“First, let’s organize the most urgent charity event plans. We’ll hold the meeting regarding the prayer ceremony His Majesty mentioned later.”

“Understood, Count Zelbero.”

The Privy Council members bowed their heads to him.

Nicolas nodded and quickened his pace.

Behind him, the laughter of the three people continued to echo endlessly.

The morning of departure for the Empire before the Thanksgiving Festival.

“Wow…”

I stared blankly at Rubel among the bustling servants.

“Ansun, isn’t this guy really a complete genius?!”

There was good reason why I couldn’t close my gaping mouth while looking at Rubel.

Rubel’s golden eyes that stood out wherever he went were now perfectly ordinary black.

“Really, really amazing! How can you change even iris color with medicine?”

Ansun is more incredible than the advanced technology of the world I originally lived in!

I turned him this way and that, then smiled brightly. Rubel also burst into a chuckle.

Dressed in the Tigris Knights’ uniform with his hair neatly pulled up and secured, he was dazzlingly handsome.

I smiled blissfully while admiring his beauty that made me gasp in wonder.

And then I thought with a pounding heart.

‘Ah, really.’

How much will Estelin love this!

I planned to introduce Rubel to Estelin as soon as we arrived at the Empire.

How lovely and beautiful their chemistry was in the original novel.

At the thought of being able to witness them meeting, falling in love, and being lovey-dovey, a smile naturally spread across my lips.

But my expression, which had been grinning, suddenly hardened.

“Wait a minute.”

“….”

“What if your appearance draws too much attention and people focus on you? If someone happens to recognize you….”

When I stared at Rubel with an anxious face, he averted his gaze and turned his head away.

It seemed Rubel was also worried about that point. Perhaps due to nervousness, the tips of his ears were slightly red.

While I was anxiously pondering, Rubel muttered quietly.

“…If anyone asks, say you’re my distant relative.”

I widened my eyes and clapped my hands.

“Right, then it wouldn’t be strange at all for you to be my escort knight.”

Rubel was the escort knight who would stay by my side throughout this thanksgiving festival.

This was because I had persistently pestered Father to show him to Estelin as quickly as possible.

And also….

“Lady Selene!!”

I spotted another person running hurriedly from far away and waved my hand cheerfully.

“Huff…! I was a bit late picking up my newly tailored uniform… I’m sorry!”

Standing before me was Casian, who had grown noticeably taller again in just a few weeks.

I looked at Casian and tilted my head.

“Casian, just how old are you exactly?”

Unless he was in the middle of a growth spurt, how could he keep growing so rapidly?

“I’m one year younger than you, my lady!”

“…You mean you just turned seventeen this year?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

I nodded. As I expected, he was quite young indeed. He was certainly at the age to be growing rapidly.

I looked up at him, who was even half a span taller than Rubel, clicked my tongue, then smiled brightly and extended one hand.

“Alright then. Please take good care of me for the next month, Casian!”

Casian smiled brightly and quickly grasped my extended hand.

“Yes! I’ll definitely protect you properly this time too!”

Ever since we nearly died together in the Cursed Land last time, a special bond had blossomed between us.

However, Rubel, who had been watching our interaction from the side, let out a short sigh.

When I looked at him with puzzled eyes, Rubel muttered quietly.

“…Back then, I was the one who protected you.”

“What?”

“Casian was just sleeping the whole time.”

My eyes widened in surprise.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

But Rubel looked down at me with a displeased expression, then abruptly turned around.

And then he strode away, putting distance between us.

I stared at his retreating figure with bewildered eyes.

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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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