The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

Emilia’s departure was set for four days after receiving the letter.

When the news was announced at breakfast the next morning, Ludwig’s parents also expressed their regret.

All that remained was for the two to create memories together.

Even so, with only three days left, it was difficult to go somewhere to make them.

While enjoying tea time at a table in the garden, Ludwig asked if there was anywhere she wanted to go.

Emilia’s eyes widened at the sudden question, but she soon calmly shook her head and took a sip of tea.

“You needn’t worry about me, Ludwig.”

“But…”

“It’s just a temporary goodbye, isn’t it? It’s not too late to make memories then.”

She wanted him not to treat her like someone leaving forever. That was Emilia’s wish.

Whether it takes one year, two years, or even over a decade, she would return to his side.

They could continue their unfinished conversations and make new memories anytime.

Ludwig didn’t add anything more to her words, which were filled with determination and sincerity.

However, he couldn’t help but feel regret.

“How do you plan to go about your swordsmanship while I’m gone?”

“I plan to either invite back the teacher we met before or make efforts on my own, however meager.”

Ludwig had learned quite a lot while receiving swordsmanship lessons from her.

He realized that swordsmanship was not only good for increasing one’s physical strength but also for building self-confidence.

It was perfectly suited for developing an eye to understand one’s limits and gauge the capabilities of opponents.

Although it’s not an expression suitable for a man, for Ludwig, who had essentially grown up like a flower in a greenhouse, that experience was extremely valuable.

‘I should make efforts until then too.’

When he meets Emilia again, she will have built up abilities beyond what he can imagine now.

Even in the original story, it was a time when people whispered about whether she had inherited the title of Sword Saint.

If so, he too should hone his abilities, if not to that extent, at least to a minimum level. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dignity as a man.

Although, even he thought he had long since thrown it away.

“Young Master, may I interrupt for a moment?”

“Hm?”

As the ongoing conversation between the two paused briefly, Paula carefully spoke up, taking the opportunity.

Her light blue hair, tied in a long ponytail, swayed in the wind, and she reached out to grasp it as if it was bothering her.

With a satisfied smile, she filled the empty cups in front of the two and suggested an idea.

“How about going to see a play since it’s a special occasion?”

“A play…?”

“Yes. I heard that a famous troupe from the central region has come. They say they’re touring the country as a traveling troupe this time.”

Usually, troupes well-known even in the central region, led by the royal palace, tend to avoid wandering around the periphery.

Despite this, the fact that they came all the way to this southern region means they must have a strong artistic temperament, taking pride in showing their plays to others.

Thinking that such a troupe would be worth watching, he nodded and glanced sideways at Emilia across from him.

“I’ve never seen a play either… but if Ludwig recommends it, I’d like to see it once.”

“Is that alright, Emilia?”

“Of course.”

Emilia had accompanied her father Stefan on his long journeys a few times with her mother, but otherwise, she had firmly refused to leave the house.

She had seen various natural landscapes in the periphery but was quite ignorant about other forms of entertainment.

She also wanted to take this opportunity to improve her refinement and erase any preconceptions Ludwig might have about her being an uncultured woman who only cared about swords.

Of course, Ludwig had never had such thoughts.

“Thank you, Paula. But where did you hear this news?”

“Meryl brought the news when she came back from town.”

“I see… That explains it.”

It was too detailed information for Paula who would have been cooped up in the mansion all day due to work.

Indeed, it must have been news that the maid Meryl heard when she visited the town, whether for shopping or some other reason. He felt very grateful for this knowledge.

He made a mental note to express his gratitude to Meryl if he had a chance to meet her later, as he took a bite of a cookie.

“We’ll go right after lunch.”

“Understood. Oh, about the guards and servants…”

“It’s fine. That would attract more attention.”

Paula nodded with a small smile as if she had expected that answer.

It was decided that only a carriage for their travel would be prepared in advance, and the itinerary would be planned by the two of them.

Emilia was happy that she could go out alone with him once more before leaving.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

As they moved towards the center of town, the two inevitably attracted attention.

Not only because of their outstanding appearances but also because their attire and overall atmosphere were quite different from the passersby on the street.

“The stares are a bit burdensome.”

“Indeed. Maybe we should have dressed like commoners.”

From what she had glimpsed in books, she knew that some noble children disguised themselves as commoners to inspect their territories.

But today, the two of them were simply out for a stroll like others, so there was no need to disguise their appearance or hide their status.

Rather, Ludwig thought it was fortunate that their status was evident, as it prevented street ruffians from casually approaching them.

While it would be unpleasant for them to flirt with Emilia, the biggest concern was that their lives couldn’t be guaranteed if such a thing happened.

In this world, for a commoner to disgrace the honor of a noble family was grave.

“Oh, there’s even a band here.”

“Is that a band? How interesting…”

A band that had been weaving through the crowd on the street gathered in the center of the square, quickly set up, and began to play music.

“It seems Emilia has never seen a band before.”

“No, I’ve seen bands invited to banquets, but on the street like this… I’m embarrassed to say, but I’ve spent most of my time in the mansion.”

The band she mentioned was probably referring to those famous ones invited to noble mansions, who are treated to food and drink while providing entertainment.

The music created by the assemblage of various instruments had a charm quite different from the songs of the bands she had heard before.

While those played gentle and elegant melodies, here they offered lively and strangely exciting rhythms.

“How is it, Emilia? Is it nice?”

“Yes, it’s very nice. Although I’m not an expert… it seems like music that lifts one’s spirits.”

The two stood there for a while, appreciating the music, and when the performance was nearing its climax, they even applauded and cheered.

At the end, they explained where they were from, probably looking for potential patrons who might financially support them.

“I think it might be nice to sponsor such a band in the future.”

“Ludwig has an artistic side, after all.”

“Haha… not really.”

An artistic temperament? That’s the first time he’d heard such a thing.

Although since coming to this world, having learned to paint from his mother and creating a few pieces, he’s never thought of himself as having an artistic side.

‘Hmm. I’ve heard that the Aiphretz family has had a long line of heads who excelled in arts and politics, but could that bloodline have been passed down to me, even if faintly?’

If so, it would be good news.

“I’d like to hear Ludwig sing someday.”

“My singing… Why, I can’t guarantee the safety of your ears.”

“Hehe, what does it matter? There’s value just in hearing a friend’s song.”

‘Singing… I could do it, but as I said before, I’m not sure if Emilia’s ears could handle it.’

“Do they receive money like that on the street? How interesting.”

“Well, nothing in this world is free. It’s not compulsory, but it’s polite to give a small token of appreciation for enjoying their music.”

“Shall we do it too?”

Emilia’s eyes sparkled at his words, pointing to the small box made for throwing in money.

Rather than showing appreciation for the music, she probably just wanted to try putting money in because it seemed interesting. Guessing this, Ludwig stepped forward and took out a silver coin to throw into the box.

“Oh, how generous of you, befitting a noble’s son! Thank you very much!”

A man with a thin build contrasting his tall stature expressed his gratitude with a bright face.

For street bands like this, people usually throw in one or two copper coins at most.

But setting aside his behavior, for Ludwig, the eldest son of a prestigious count’s family, this amount wasn’t even considered an expense.

In fact, there weren’t any copper coins in the money pouch he was carrying.

“I enjoyed the music.”

“It’s an honor. I hope you and your lover have a wonderful time!”

The man bowed deeply in response to Ludwig’s smiling greeting.

However, one word mixed into the man’s sentence made the two flinch.

“Uh, lovers…”

“Oh, if you’re not in a relationship, I apologize. It’s just that you two make such a well-matched pair…”

‘Do we look like lovers to others?’

Ludwig cleared his throat, suddenly becoming more conscious of Emilia standing beside him.

Suddenly, a soft touch enveloped his left hand.

Ludwig’s eyes widened like saucers as he shifted his gaze, and Emilia naturally pressed her arm against his, closing the distance between them.

“No, it’s fine. We enjoyed it very much. It was a melody perfect for lovers to listen to.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I hope you have a pleasant time.”

Emilia didn’t explicitly state they were lovers but spoke in a roundabout way as if they were.

The man looked back and forth between the two, seeming to have caught on to the situation, and cheerfully smiled, greeting them once more before returning to his fellow members.

“Um… Is this alright, Emilia?”

“What’s wrong with this much? He said such nice things, it would have been awkward for him if we denied it.”

“I, I see. I hadn’t thought that far.”

Ludwig, trying to avert his gaze and lead the way to the next location, had already turned apple-red up to his ears.

A small smile formed on Emilia’s lips as she watched him from the side.

‘Until the day I return, it might be difficult to convey my feelings to you, so this much teasing should be fine. It would have been even better if you had called us lovers yourself, but that can wait for next time.’

translator’s corner

next time indeed ;w;