Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Birthday Party Plans
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“…Get along! W-well with him.”
But she held back, thanks to the rational voice in her head telling her not to meddle in personal relationships.
“Yeah. We're getting along great. He's around your age, so he's kinda cute. Reminds me of you.”
“…Hmph, I see.”
Well, what was wrong with being strong and healthy?
Hotteok? As long as he didn't turn people into bloody pulps like the rage-filled villain Calipan Jedkaizer!
As Mayches slipped the mithril bell into his magic pouch, he suddenly asked,
“By the way, Aiel, between sculptures and paintings, which do you prefer?”
“Hmm…? Never really thought about it. Are you planning to buy something? I'm fine either way. My room's already overflowing with the stuff you've given me.”
“I'm not buying. One of my friends is really good with his hands. He had some old pieces lying around, and they're pretty impressive.”
Good with his hands? I started feeling a bit uneasy.
As far as I knew, there was one person in this world famous for his artistic talent and transcendent skill.
He was one of the villains who had attended Repitelips Academy before dropping out.
But he wasn't supposed to be there yet…?
“I see. But what made that friend decide to give something to you…?”
I probed gently, hoping to fish for more details. Mayches answered casually.
“Yeah. Not just me—he told all of us to pick one. Said the stuff cluttering his house was a hassle, so take what we wanted. But really, it's just his way of giving gifts.”
Ah! It couldn't be the villain Yan Friedelric!
Why? Because he was the type who lived off his own arrogance, destined to die for the sin of pride~.
There was no way he'd share so generously and amiably with others.
Unless the recipient was Jayhan Rohawa, the continent's supreme beauty and another villain!
Even a prideful villain was an artist at heart, so he might have a weakness for the world's most beautiful being.
So if the gift was really for Jayhan, and the rest of us were just tagging along, that would make sense.
But Jayhan Rohawa was so slothful that in the original story, he barely did anything.
He lacked impact even as a villain.
And yet, that Jayhan was enrolled at the academy?
Impossible.
It'd be as ridiculous as the current crown prince villain, Bamper Orelot, attending the academy when he had imperial tutors at the palace!
“Alright, I'll be off then, Aiel. Eat your meals properly, sleep when you need to. If anything comes up….”
“Got it! You say the same thing every time you leave. You take care of your health while studying. Don't push yourself.”
“Heh, alright…. Oh, right. I won't be able to come straight back this weekend. Gotta stop by a friend's… house?”
“Whoa! You going to hang out?”
“His little sister isn't feeling well, so I'm going to check on her.”
Look at the people of this world—where's the villain here? I couldn't spot one!
There was just one angel heading off to care for a friend's sister!
Tears of emotion welled up in my eyes.
Mayches' new friends seemed a bit eccentric.
But the world was full of all sorts of lives.
He looked happy whenever he talked about them, and that was all I could ask for.
Finally, I could relax.
So what had I been up to while Mayches threw himself into academy life?
I worked on my health. Hard.
I walked until my head spun and my breathing grew labored, to the point where Doria, watching over me, teared up and sobbed, “Miss, that's enough for today.”
I had a goal.
To make a body capable of stepping outside before the year ended.
A time would surely come when I'd need to run around myself to protect the Rudelriz Family's peace.
I couldn't afford to take ten steps at a crucial moment and collapse.
My fragile constitution meant my stamina didn't improve dramatically despite my enthusiasm, but the results were noticeable.
Most encouragingly, I hadn't fainted in four straight months.
On the fifth-floor corridor I frequented, a placard hung that could be flipped to update the date.
<(Cheers) Lady Aiel has been eating well and living strong for 122 days! (Congrats)>
I gazed at it contentedly, then turned to Doria.
“Doria, what's today's date?”
Doria, beaming at the placard beside me, replied,
“November 27th.”
“Already? Then it won't be long!”
Doria caught my drift.
“You'll keep your birthday simple again this year, right? The Count dislikes anything flashy.”
Right. In a few days, on December 7th, it would be Mayches' birthday.
It had been 16 full years of living ordinarily without turning dark. Honestly, the placard should have been for Mayches.
[(Cheers) Mayches Rudelriz, living a non-villain life for 16 years! (Congrats)] or something.
Cupping her cheek with one hand, Doria sighed wearily.
“Another year of sending back the avalanche of gifts will be a chore.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes. More and more people are lining up to give to the Rudelriz Family every day…. Hmph, the same ones who wouldn't glance our way when times were tough.”
Doria had once lamented how much malicious gossip disguised as concern she'd heard when she first joined as a maid.
That reminded me, and curiosity struck. What about now?
“Ahem… If gifts are pouring in, does that mean the Rudelriz Family has a solid position these days?”
I prodded Doria slyly.
In the original story, the Rudelriz Family was a hot potato.
Mayches had invented healing potions while saving me, squeezing huge sums from the rich.
Everyone gets sick sometimes, and the healthy want to stay that way.
The wealthy—royals, nobles, commoners alike—poured money into their health.
Mayches had an endless gold mine, which later fueled his tyranny against the protagonists.
In other words, the early-story Rudelriz Family was like a mad dog: too rich and with a terrifying family head's magic to touch.
But now, I was preventing Mayches' darkening and remaking things in real time.
I had no idea where the Rudelriz Family stood on the continent now. Seemed like we had money, at least…
“Huh?”
At my question, Doria's eyes went wide, as if I'd said something absurd.
“Who else but the Rudelriz Family has a solid position?”
“Doria, answer the lady politely when she asks. What's with that tone?”
Grenji approached steadily and stood beside us.
He glanced warmly at the placard, then turned a stern gaze on Doria.
Doria's face fell as she bowed her head hastily.
“Ah! Sorry….”
I stepped in front of Doria.
I could hear about the Rudelriz Family details later, so I put it off and took her side to keep her spirits up.
“You talk casually to my brother too, Grenji.”
As always, Grenji grinned shamelessly.
“Hohoho, it's just honest advice.”
“Sure, when others do it, it's adultery; when I do it, it's romance.”
“Miss? Where did you learn a word like that…?”
“Anyway!”
I quickly changed the subject. This wasn't the time for bickering.
“You know my brother's birthday is coming up, right?”
“Yes. The Family Head said to keep it quiet again this year, maybe just cut a cake.”
“No, we need something special this time. Let's throw a party. Send out invitations.”
“What? Miss, the Family Head won't allow it. It'd be noisy and hectic—you might faint.”
I couldn't deny that.
Once, when Mayches' research in the annex exploded with a loud bang, even that level of noise stressed me out enough to pass out.
But I already had a plan.
“Then we'll keep it small-scale!”
“Small-scale… you mean?”
“Invite Brother's friends.”
Grenji started to protest—“That might be…”—but seeing my resolute eyes, he shook his head.
“Look at that, look at that. I'm still the lady of this house, and you're shaking your head right in front of me. You're the one being too casual, Grenji.”
Giggling, I poked his side, and he perfectly played along, wincing in pain.
“No point trying to dissuade you. I'll ask the Family Head.”
“Good thinking, Grenji!”
Clasping my hands in excitement, I brimmed with anticipation.
This was a chance to solidify Mayches' precious friendships and finally meet those strong-personality friends I'd only heard about.
What kind of people were the friends who would share my Mayches' joys and sorrows from here on?
No worries, though.
Birds of a feather flock together—it's science! They had to be as kind and upright as my Mayches!