The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 26

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Help!”

Fei regretted his decision. He wished he hadn’t asked Luwen if he really wanted to go out, or that he had resisted the temptation when he shivered from the cold. He always gave in to Luwen’s wishes, always said it was okay no matter what he asked. He thought it would be fine, but it wasn’t. It shouldn’t have been normal or expected.

“Please save our young lord!”

Bang! Crash!

The noise was so deafening that it was hard to believe it came from a small boy. As the irritated voice from inside grew louder, Luwen banged on the door even more forcefully. The door opened with a string of curses.

“Which bastard is making this racket!”

A large knight with a stubbly chin opened the door and his eyes widened when he saw Luwen, who was much shorter than his line of sight.

“You’re the young lord’s-“

“The young lord has collapsed! Please help. Please help!”

“What? Where?”

“At the young lord’s training ground!”

“Why did he go to the training ground in this weather!”

The knight dashed out. He probably didn’t mean to scold, not knowing the situation. But to Luwen, it sounded like he was being blamed. Why, in this weather, did you take the young lord there?

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he didn’t want to wait helplessly. Even if he got scolded, he wanted to be scolded directly by the young lord. Luwen gritted his teeth and chased after the knight. Despite running with all his might, the knight kept getting smaller in the distance.

He ran until he was out of breath. The cold air entering through his nose and mouth felt like it was beating his insides. Yet he didn’t stop running. He felt he needed to see Fei with his own eyes.

However, before reaching the training ground, he saw the knight returning. Fei was on his back.

“Move aside! Move aside!”

As they were about to meet in the narrow path, the knight shouted loudly. Reflexively, Luwen pressed himself against the sparse bushes, and the knight quickly passed by. In that fleeting moment, Luwen saw Fei’s limp arm swinging.

‘Young lord…’

He wanted to grab that hand.

Fei often reached out his hand. Seeing how happy he was when Luwen took it made him feel shy, but he willingly reached out because it felt good.

The knight ran at a fast pace even with Fei on his back. Luwen stretched out his hand to grab the swinging hand, but couldn’t reach it. The distance kept growing. For some inexplicable reason, tears of frustration and sadness started pouring down.

* * *

Why am I sinking? This is clearly underwater. The light reflected on the water surface looked like watercolor paint spreading.

Breathing… is not a problem. Is this a dream?

The moment I realized it was a lucid dream, the scene suddenly changed. I was sitting on a bench overlooking the Han River. Next to me was a man whose face I couldn’t see, and we seemed to be having a conversation. It was clearly me, but I couldn’t hear clearly what I was saying.

Is it because it’s not a dream but a memory from my past life? The man’s words were so muffled, as if heard underwater, that I couldn’t interpret them.

“Now… who… love…”

What? What are you saying? I couldn’t grasp the context of the conversation.

‘But did I ever sit by the Han River and talk with someone?’

I don’t remember.

While I was lost in thought, frustrated by the incomprehensible conversation, the man spoke again.

“From now on, live selfishly. Just protect yourself in a safe place.”

Oh. This time I heard it clearly. But instead of resolving my frustration, layers of confusion piled up. It was the exact same words that had come to mind when I went to the imperial palace.

“I’m plenty selfish already.”

Not knowing my true feelings, my past self answered nonchalantly.

“Would someone like that… for others?”

No, why can’t I hear it again?

“Me? That’s impossible.”

The man let out a faint sigh before speaking again. As I stared intently at his lips to hear what he was saying properly…

“Young lord.”

Huh? Why are you calling me young lord?

“Young lord!”

Eh? That’s Luwen’s voice!

“Young lord! Can you hear me?”

A child’s voice coming from a big man. The cognitive dissonance is no joke.

At that moment, my eyes flew open. As soon as I woke from the dream, I saw Luwen’s face. His eyes were a bit red and swollen, which was somewhat pitiful…

“Young lord…”

Luwen, who had been on the verge of tears, flew at me and hugged me tightly. Seeing him wrap his arms around my waist and sob with his face buried in my stomach made me feel sorry, but the joy was greater than the pity.

‘He must have been very worried about me.’

How could I not be happy to confirm that he likes me enough to cry when I’m sick? I patted the child’s head. It’s okay, it’s okay.

“Hic, uh, ugh…”

But he seemed to cry even more. It’s like I made him cry… well, I did make him cry. Hmm.

“Luwen, I told you I’d be fine.”

I shifted my gaze to the gentle voice. Irene was here too. And Merin.

“Wa, water.”

Wow. Is this really my voice? At my hoarse voice, Luwen’s crying got louder. No, this is making me feel a bit guilty.

“Do you want some water? You’ve been sick for three days straight.”

I nodded to express my desire, as my throat was parched and painful. While gently stroking Luwen, who was still clinging to my waist, I took the water my sister handed me and moistened my throat.

“Luwen was very worried.”

“Mm. I’m sorry. Ahem… Luwen, I’m fine now, so don’t cry.”

That’s a lie. Could you cry a little more? It’s so adorable. Luwen clinging to me with tears and snot running. I should tease him about this when he’s older.

“I’m, hic, hic, sorry, I’m so sorry, waaah…”

Now he’s crying out loud. I awkwardly smiled as if embarrassed and patted Luwen’s back.

“What are you sorry for?”

“Be, hic, because, of, me, hic, training, sword, ugh.”

Why are you mumbling just like the man in my dream when you’re not him? Still, Luwen’s words were easier to interpret than the puzzling dream.

“It’s not Luwen’s fault. I just didn’t take care of myself properly. I’m sorry for scaring you.”

Luwen shook his head and burrowed into my arms like a baby kangaroo. Oh, so cute!

I had to carefully manage my expression as I felt the corners of my mouth trying to lift. It wouldn’t do to smile with others watching.

“That’s right. This incident is entirely Fei’s fault. Luwen shouldn’t feel guilty about it.”

Irene spoke as if comforting Luwen. But somehow… it feels a bit chilly. Unlike her usual relaxed demeanor, Irene’s face was somewhat stiff.

“Are you angry, sister?”

“Yes, I am.”

Irene, who let out a long sigh, poured out her words as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Why did you push yourself without taking proper care of your body? They say it’s overwork. You collapsed because of accumulated fatigue. I heard from Luwen that you study until dawn and then get up after just a few hours of sleep? What were you thinking, especially with your weak constitution? What if you never woke up? What would we do then!”

Wow… This is the first time I’ve been scolded like this. It’s interesting.

My mother in my past life couldn’t have this kind of relationship with me, and my mother in this life was by my side when I was sick, but she was more interested in the door that wouldn’t open. That’s why, although it’s a bit awkward to say this about my sister, she was like the mother I had always wished for since my past life.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

As I apologized obediently, Irene sighed once more and came closer to the bed to stroke my head.

The picture seems quite strange. I’m stroking Luwen, and Irene is stroking me. Come to think of it, Irene often stroked my head. I do the same to Luwen. Is this a characteristic engraved in our family genes?

“Promise me. If you collapse for the same reason again, I’ll lock you up in your room.”

Although she said it jokingly, her concern for me was evident.

Luwen’s reaction was satisfying, and being scolded by Irene was also oddly pleasing. Because of this, it was difficult to manage my expression that kept trying to soften. I liked seeing the faces of those worried about me more than feeling sorry for causing them concern. I wanted to keep seeing them.

“And until spring comes, you don’t need to watch Luwen’s sword practice.”

However, at this unexpected news that followed, I finally failed to manage my expression and my face hardened. If not me, who will watch him? My sister?

“Why?”

First, I need to hear the detailed situation. Only then can I decide whether to refute or persuade.

“Why? Because you collapsed. Luwen said he doesn’t want to touch a sword in winter.”

“Ah.”

To that extent?