The Villain Wants to Live a Quiet Life

As the play ended to the audience’s applause, Emilia, having successfully completed her first theater experience, exited the building with flushed excitement.

Who would have thought that she, who usually appeared so mature, could look so much like a child?

Ludwig found her cute as she shared her impressions of the play, her eyes still slightly red.

“The immersion was incredible. The actors’ skills were amazing.”

“I was also astonished when I first saw the play. It seems Emilia had a similar impression.”

“Yes! It was truly fascinating. As if it was happening right before my eyes… I’d love to see another one next time.”

Emilia couldn’t stop expressing her amazement, chattering away with a radiant smile on her face.

As she usually maintained her characteristic calm demeanor even when showing emotion, Ludwig was thoroughly enjoying this fresh side of her.

“Pfft.”

“Ah…! You just laughed at me, didn’t you!?”

When a laugh finally escaped from him like a deflating balloon, Emilia pointed at him, exclaiming she saw it.

She wouldn’t have normally pointed it out, thinking it impolite. It does prove how much closer the two had become.

“Of course not. It’s just rare to see Emilia so excited.”

“I-I can’t help it. This is my first time experiencing something like this… Did Ludwig despise me for being such an uncultured woman?”

She carefully examined his expression while fidgeting with her hands clasped together.

She had tried to act as composed as possible, but the impact of the play had been greater than expected, so she could not help chattering excitedly.

Theater was one of the most representative cultural activities among nobles.

As the eldest daughter of the prestigious Bayemühren family, she was embarrassed by her lack of such basic knowledge, and now she had behaved like an excited child…

“Of course not. Everyone has their firsts. I’m rather glad that Emilia seemed to enjoy it.”

“Really…?”

“Of course.”

Emilia could discern whether his words were true or false from the lump that appeared above Ludwig’s head.

Nevertheless, her double-checking was likely a small act of coquetry as a woman.

Don’t we all have moments when we want confirmation from the other person even when we know the truth?

“Hmm. That’s a relief then. So, where shall we go next, Ludwig?”

“How about the marketplace we visited recently?”

“You mean… the place that sells what they call street food?”

Ludwig nodded readily to her question.

This town has several famous streets besides the central square.

One of them is a street lined with stalls selling street food that commoners can easily afford, which is where they had recently walked while holding food.

From a general perspective, it might not be an appropriate place for noble children to have their meals.

Nevertheless, Ludwig recommended this place instead of an upscale restaurant because he had a good grasp of her preferences.

‘Even if she pretends otherwise, Emilia would prefer this.’

Being considerate and very conscious of maintaining her dignity as a daughter of the Bayemühren family, she wouldn’t suggest going to the street stalls herself, even if she liked it.

In that case, he just needed to propose it first.

Thinking it would be impolite to refuse his suggestion, he would be a small escape in her consciousness.

“Would that be… alright? Eating on the street isn’t very dignified, but…”

“There’s no need to worry about dignity when enjoying oneself. Of course, if Emilia dislikes it, we could go to another restaurant…”

“Ah, no! It’s fine! The food we ate before was very delicious…!”

When he trailed off to test her reaction, she hurriedly shook her head, adding an excuse.

Ludwig, barely holding back another, changed the direction of his steps, saying it was decided then.

 *          *          *          *          *          *          *

Although she had tried it before and knew, street food was full of aromas and flavors that greatly stimulated the appetite.

Considering that it’s sold at affordable prices for commoners to eat, the ingredients used were certainly not top quality.

Nevertheless, it had a strange charm different from the food she had eaten so far.

Thinking that she might eat it alone occasionally even if Ludwig didn’t recommend it, Emilia popped the last bite into her mouth.

“Emilia, is there anything else you want to eat?”

“No, I’m quite full… I think I might have eaten too much.”

Indeed, they had already eaten four different foods.

‘Did I eat too much?‘

The problem was that while walking down the street, she couldn’t resist the temptation of foods that stimulated all five senses and bought them without hesitation.

‘I should have shown some restraint…!’

Although she tried to eat as modestly as possible, street food is eaten without proper utensils. At best, one can only manage not getting food on their face.

Moreover, she had eaten four fairly generous portions, so in Ludwig’s mind, the thought of Emilia being a big eater might have already been established.

“Emilia?”

“Y-Yes?”

“What’s worrying you so much? Your face looks like twilight has fallen on it.”

“W-Well…”

Too embarrassed to say it herself, Emilia averted her gaze while mumbling the words she was about to say.

Having a good idea of what it was about, Ludwig couldn’t help but smile.

She must be feeling embarrassed about eating so much. Really, there’s no need to worry about such things.

In fact, from the perspective of the person treating, it’s more pleasing when the other person eats heartily.

It seemed like a good time to say something. How she would take it would be up to her.

“Emilia.”

“Yes?”

“I’m just happy that you enjoyed the food I recommended. So don’t worry too much about it.”

He didn’t specifically mention what she was worrying about, but someone as intelligent as her would have understood.

Her eyes widened for a moment before she gently smiled and nodded.

“…I understand. Thank you, Ludwig.”

“Not at all. If anything, I’m sorry for making you more conscious of it.”

“Hehe, surely not. I’m not foolish enough to not purely accept your thoughtfulness.”

As they chatted like this and headed out of town, the Aiphretz family carriage arrived near the town entrance.

Ludwig occasionally came to town when he had nothing to do, and because of this, the location where the carriage would pick them up had been established.

Although there was quite a distance to the carriage, it was obvious who the woman standing in wait in front of it was.

‘Really… always going above and beyond.’

The same sky-blue hair as her sister, with the only difference being that it was tied back in a long ponytail.

Paula, who seemed to have spotted the two, bowed her head slightly in greeting.

Ludwig and Emilia’s gazes crossed in the air, and they smiled simultaneously.

“She doesn’t listen even when told to rest.”

“Perhaps her loyalty to you is that strong?”

While that might be the case, Ludwig felt there might be other emotions mixed in as well.

“I wonder. Perhaps it’s more like the feeling of watching over a child left by the water’s edge.”

There existed a deeper and stronger bond between the two than just the loyalty bound by a master-servant relationship.

Like Matilda the tutor, Paula was also older than Ludwig, so he thought it might be like looking at a younger brother.

“You said your relationship with Paula was quite deep, right Ludwig? Hehe, I can see why.”

Comparing it to her relationship with Greta, she could empathize as there were some similarities.

On the surface, it was just a master-servant relationship, but when they spoke openly to each other, it felt strongly like sisters.

As they arrived in front of the carriage, Paula bowed deeply again to greet them.

Normally, he would have added that she could have rested at home, but that would be ignoring her thoughtfulness, so he didn’t say anything.

“Thank you, Paula. You and Ludwig are going through trouble because of me.”

In contrast to Ludwig, who bluntly said “good work” and climbed into the carriage, Emilia grasped Paula’s hands and expressed her gratitude.

If it weren’t for her leaving in a few days, there would have been no reason for the two to come to town.

Although unsure if words alone could convey it, she believed it was better than not saying anything, and tried to express her feelings sincerely.

“Please don’t mention it. This is my duty, so you needn’t worry about it.”

“Even so. Although I’m just causing trouble before I leave, I wanted to say this to you at least once.”

It was largely thanks to Paula that Emilia, who was originally quite shy, could stay comfortably at the Aiphretz house.

Of course, other members of the Aiphretz family, including Ludwig, helped, but Paula had taken care of many things for Emilia’s convenience, knowingly or unknowingly, through Greta.

Certain that she wouldn’t have another chance to convey this if not now, she tightened her grip on Paula’s hands.

“Thank you, Lady Emilia.”

“Won’t you call me ‘miss’ like Greta does?”

“If that is your wish… I will do so, Miss Emilia.”

Meanwhile, Ludwig was watching this heartwarming scene contentedly from inside the carriage.

Although the gratitude wasn’t directed at him, for some reason, this moment felt more satisfying.

“Emilia, I hope you’re not thinking of poaching my cherished maid.”

Knowing that Paula, whose hands were being held, was looking at him with a troubled expression, Ludwig made a small joke to lighten the mood.

“Was I found out? Then I’ll have to regretfully end my recruitment here.”

Emilia, seeming to have realized this as well, let out a low laugh and released Paula’s hands.

Finally freed, Paula returned to her usual self, guided Emilia, and then followed her into the carriage.

“Paula, it would be troublesome if you were swayed by Emilia’s persuasion.”

Ludwig, who had been looking out the window with his chin resting on his hand, shifted his gaze to her and jokingly spoke.

For a moment, Paula’s eyes widened, but she soon put on a gentle smile and calmly opened her mouth.

“That would never happen. I am only for you, Young Master.”

“That’s a relief.”

With that conversation, the carriage started to rattle and began its busy journey toward the Aiphretz mansion.

The three engaged in various conversations until they arrived, all desperately hoping to cherish what had happened today.

translator’s corner

awwww <33