The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

Stefan’s sudden appearance made me break out in a cold sweat.

How should I respond? Would he misunderstand thinking some strange man touched his only daughter?

But if I tried to explain that Emilia had brought me out, it would only anger him more.

“Why are you outside in the dark, Emilia?”

“Well, that is…”

However, contrary to my expectations, Stefan turned his gaze to Emilia and spoke to her as if scolding her. Emilia mumbled, unable to give a proper answer.

Feeling like she was in trouble because of me, I decided to step in even if it meant taking a beating.

“I apologize, Lord Stefan.”

“Hmm?”

“Earlier, she seemed to like our mansion’s garden, so I brought her out to show her. It seems that was the cause of the trouble. It was my oversight.”

Perhaps he didn’t expect me to step in here.

Emilia looked up at me with wide eyes. Her lips were trembling, indicating she was still anxious.

To be honest, I was a bit scared too… but I disliked seeing her being reprimanded in front of me even more.

Stefan put his hand on his chin and fell into thought, letting out a sigh after hearing my explanation.

This silence is extremely uncomfortable. I wish he would say something.

Before that thought could fade, a kind smile formed on his lips. I didn’t think a battle-hardened warrior who had been through countless battles could make such a warm expression.

“It seems there’s been some misunderstanding. I wasn’t trying to scold Emilia.”

“Pardon?”

“Of course, as a father, I’m concerned about my daughter being out in the dark, but you’re with her, aren’t you? I was simply curious about why you came out here.”

“Ah…”

As I finally understood the situation, my face flushed hot with embarrassment.

I had made a fuss over nothing?

Stefan let out a hearty laugh, adding that he wasn’t such a stern person. There was no trace of anger in his demeanor.

“I-I’m sorry, Lord Stefan. I didn’t mean to…”

“I understand. You were trying to protect my daughter in your own way.”

“Yes… I’m grateful you understand.”

Since we hadn’t really talked properly in the hall earlier, this was essentially my first meeting with him.

Despite that, I had made such a mistake. Not only had I misjudged his intentions, but I had also painted him as an overbearing, patriarchal man who interferes too much with his daughter.

To think I would end up creating anger where there was none to begin with. It was quite a blunder.

“It seems you care for my daughter a great deal. To personally guide her to the garden, I mean.”

“Yes. I’m embarrassed to say I don’t have many friends my age… I’m always grateful to her for reaching out to me, so I wanted to repay her kindness in some way.”

“Ludwig…”

Perhaps she was somewhat moved.

Emilia looked up at me with almost teary eyes, softly calling my name. I found myself captivated by her appearance for a moment, but quickly shook my head and regained my composure.

No, this won’t do. I need to be aware of who’s watching this situation and how noble Emilia is.

It’s fine as long as I see her purely as a friend, but the moment I show any sign of making untoward advances, his blade will be at my throat.

“A friend… I think my daughter has grown up to be quite pretty despite her shortcomings, but it seems she doesn’t meet your standards.”

“…Pardon?”

“Oh, Father!”

I unknowingly let out a foolish sound. It seems Emilia was just as perplexed. It was somewhat comforting that I wasn’t alone in my confusion.

More importantly, what did Stefan just say to me? Did he really ask if I didn’t see Emilia as a potential romantic interest?

Unless the water from my bath earlier was still blocking my ears, I must have heard correctly.

‘Calm down, calm down.’

This must be a trick… no, a strategy from Stefan.

If I make even the slightest mistake in my answer in this situation, who knows what cruel outcome awaits me.

The problem is that if I outright deny it, it might seem like I’m saying Emilia lacks charm as a woman, so I needed to carefully work around the nuance.

“How could that be? I merely referred to her as a friend because, regardless of my personal preferences, I cannot presume to know her feelings.”

“I see. You’re a cautious man. I like that.”

“You flatter me.”

I wonder if this answer was satisfactory enough.

Fortunately, as his expression didn’t seem to be hardening, it appears my response wasn’t completely off the mark.

“Hah…”

‘Is she hot? What’s wrong?’

Meanwhile, Emilia, standing next to me, was fanning herself as if she was very hot.

It’s not even May yet, so the night should be quite chilly. Was Emilia the type to be sensitive to heat?

Perhaps she didn’t like what I said and was trying to suppress her anger.

If so, I wonder which part made her uncomfortable. I don’t think I said anything in particular. It’s times like these when being oblivious is troublesome.

“Emilia, I’m sorry, but could you leave us for a moment? I have something to discuss with him.”

“Yes, Father. Then I’ll go inside first.”

“Young Lady, this way please.”

The woman accompanying Stefan must be Greta, Emilia’s personal maid.

I’ve seen her briefly in illustrations, but her actual appearance is a bit different. She has a similar aura to Paula.

Emilia greeted us both and then returned to the mansion, guided by Greta.

I watched her retreating figure, then shifted my gaze back to Stefan.

I thought his expression would change drastically as soon as she disappeared, but surprisingly, he maintained his kind smile.

“Don’t be nervous. I sent her away because this isn’t something I should ask in front of my daughter.”

“Please speak freely.”

Even if you tell me not to be nervous, it’s not that easy.

However, the atmosphere hadn’t suddenly become tense, so I felt a bit more at ease.

“Then let me ask you this. Do you think I would suspect your relationship with my daughter and try to interfere?”

It’s a strong question right from the start. But there was no trace of anger in his words, just like before.

If that’s the case, it’s probably just a question to satisfy his curiosity. Here, it would be better for me to speak honestly.

“To be frank, yes.”

“I appreciate your honesty. Then, what’s the reason?”

“I thought you would look unfavorably upon a fly landing near a flower, being neither a bee nor a butterfly.”

“A fly… Do you know that excessive modesty can be a form of arrogance?”

For the first time, a frosty coldness crept into his voice. Nevertheless, I felt my heart ease.

This person, at least, doesn’t look down on me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted this way when I referred to myself as a fly.

As expected of Emilia’s father. I can only admire his thoughtfulness.

However, I couldn’t agree with his words. Even if my abilities were meager, I at least had the eyes to coldly evaluate my own worth.

“I’m grateful that the esteemed Lord Stefan thinks so highly of me. However, I’m not so foolish as to not know my capabilities.”

“Haha, you’re an interesting fellow. I wonder how my daughter would react if she heard those words.”

At least if she’s the Emilia I know from the original story, and if she truly considers me a friend, she would definitely get angry. Probably to an unprecedented degree.

But I didn’t think Stefan would relay our conversation to her.

What he wants now is to hear my true feelings, not to probe my intentions and relay them to Emilia.

“Then let me ask you this. Even if your status is truly humble, why would that be a reason for me to interfere in your relationship with my daughter?”

“A reason… you say?”

There was something interesting about Stefan’s question. At least to me, it was a question that left me completely in the dark.

In noble families, the family background, abilities, and reputation of a potential life partner are not just important, they’re crucial.

Although I’m the young master of the Aiphretz family, which is also a count’s family, I have no known reputation nor considerable abilities.

Of course, even if I don’t have any intentions towards her at the moment, as Emilia’s father, Stefan would definitely be concerned about this.

Yet why is he asking why that would be a reason to interfere… What exactly does he want to say?

“You seem to not understand the question.”

“…Yes. Honestly… that’s correct.”

There was no point in pondering further. In times like these, it’s more important to honestly admit that I don’t understand and listen to his intentions.

“Hmm. What I want to say is this. Why should I judge and make assumptions about someone my daughter has taken a liking to?”

“You mean…”

“Yes. On the contrary, I’m delighted. Emilia, that child, has been reluctant to meet others for some time now, and wouldn’t even think of going outside the estate unless we dragged her out.”

He continued speaking, gazing up at the moon with narrowed eyes as if lost in an old memory.

“So I was surprised when she introduced you as a friend. I had expectations. I wondered what kind of man would be worthy of her willing introduction.”

“I hope I haven’t fallen short of your expectations.”

“Fallen short? I was impressed. It’s been so long since I’ve seen that child smile in the company of someone outside the family. I could barely contain my urge to dance right then and there.”

Stefan’s words conveyed a joy that seemed to come from deep within him.

I see. It seems I had overthought things. My mistake was in thinking of him only as the head of a noble family.

He was just a doting father like any other. Before being a battle-hardened warrior and the representative of the illustrious Bayemühren family, he was a father.

A father who smiles when his beloved daughter smiles, who wishes for her future to be brighter than anyone else’s.

“To be able to converse with a man my so preciously raised daughter has acknowledged… What a wonderful thing. Don’t you think so?”

“…Indeed, Lord Stefan.”

Is this how broad and steadfast a father’s existence can be?

That’s right. My father from my previous world and my father in this world were the same. I just tried not to face it directly.

“It’s quite cold out. Let’s go inside and have a drink. There’s nothing better for warming up a chilled body.”

“Understood.”

You have a good father, Emilia.

Both the hands you and your father have extended to me are more than I deserve.

Since I have no way to repay this, I should prepare some good alcohol. It would be nice if my father could join us as well since it’s a special occasion.

The moon is bright. The thin crescent moon that couldn’t even illuminate the garden seemed unusually brilliant tonight.

I wonder if even the moon discriminates between people. Perhaps the members of the Bayemühren family are blessed by the moon. Such a silly thought crossed my mind, soon fading away.

translator’s corner

well i guess he can drink now