Chapter 4: Doing Good Deeds Brings Good Luck, Right?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Doing Good Deeds Brings Good Luck, Right?
"Ugh, the wicked privileged class—this is way too good."
While Muen inwardly cursed the luxury and corruption of the aristocracy, he relied on the original host's muscle memory to enjoy his dinner with an elegant posture.
Dinner was just steak paired with a vintage red wine of an unknown year.
But—
It was absolutely delicious!
Muen swore he had never eaten such a tasty steak in his entire life.
The aroma was overwhelming, the marbling rich, and it practically melted on his tongue.
In his previous life, the one time he had splurged at a high-end Western restaurant on a supposedly "top-tier" steak—which cost a fortune—it wouldn't even be fit to wipe the grease off the plate he was eating from now!
Ugh, why is it so good?
I’m suddenly starting to feel a bit reluctant to give up this identity. What should I do?
"Is something the matter? Little Muen seems very happy today."
Across the dining table, an elegant, noble-looking woman gracefully wiped her mouth with a snow-white napkin and asked with a smile:
"Did something wonderful happen?"
"Haha, he must be looking forward to tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony banquet."
Beside the woman, sitting at the head of the table, was a man with a beard like a lion's mane and a naturally commanding presence. He laughed and said:
"After all, that is one of the most important banquets of Muen's life."
"...Yes, Father, Mother. I am indeed looking forward to it."
Muen responded with a textbook sunny smile while secretly heightening his vigilance.
The two people before him were Muen Campbell's biological parents.
One of the four Great Dukes of the Leopold Empire, Duke Lorne Campbell, and his wife, the daughter of a former Marquis, Noyce Campbell.
Although the Campbell family held an exalted status, the male line had always consisted of a single heir for generations. The Duke and his wife only had one son: Muen.
Naturally, they doted on him excessively.
One could say that Muen Campbell's miserable end was largely due to the overindulgent love of this couple.
But because of this, Muen had to be cautious to prevent his convenient parents from noticing anything was wrong.
After all, he still needed to rely on this couple—who adored their child to a fault—to plead for mercy on his behalf. If he didn't get the King's order to drop all charges later on, he would probably be hacked to death by his enemies on the street the day after he became a commoner.
However, it turned out that Muen was being overly cautious. The memories of the original host, combined with the instincts remaining in this body from over a decade of habit, ensured that his every move was flawless.
"Tomorrow, my son will surely be the most eye-catching presence at the banquet. I wonder how many young noble ladies he'll charm."
The gentle and virtuous Noyce clasped her hands in anticipation. In her eyes, her little Muen was the most perfect being in existence.
"Haha, we can't have that. He has a fiancée, after all. If Princess Celicia sees it, she'll get jealous." Even the usually stern Duke Campbell couldn't help but tease after having a bit of wine.
"Hmph, I don't even like that Princess Celicia. She's so cold; how could she be worthy of our little Muen?"
"Eh, if Princess Celicia isn't worthy, then no one is. However, I do agree on one point—Muen, you can bring back a few more girls to expand the Campbell family tree. I'll handle His Majesty's side for you. Gulp, gulp... I think with my son's capabilities, it should be a walk in the park, hahahaha!"
"..."
Watching his convenient parents boast about him, even someone as thick-skinned as Muen couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
As expected, an overwhelming love can blind a person, making them see only what they want to see.
Who was Princess Celicia? The Third Princess of the Empire, the "Pure White One" blessed by God, the "Ice Witch" spoken of by the people, and one of the candidates for the most beautiful woman in Ireland.
In the original novel, Celicia gained a massive following thanks to her perfect appearance, her cold temperament, and the "gap moe" of being cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She was also Muen's favorite character. How could a piece of trash like him ever be worthy of her?
"If I can't have it, I won't force it."
"I will let everything return to its original track."
"Celicia will meet and fall in love with the protagonist, finding true happiness."
"Even as a lowly yellow-haired villain, I will survive!"
Muen once again made a silent vow.
...
After finishing dinner and bidding farewell to the Duke and his wife, Muen prepared to head out.
However, he happened to collide right into a maid at a corner.
"Ah! I'm so sorry, Young Master Muen... it was my mistake..."
Tea splashed onto Muen's expensive clothes, leaving a large crimson stain. Seeing this, the maid's expression immediately turned to one of sheer terror. In a panic, she pulled out a handkerchief to try and wipe it clean, but the wet stain only became more obvious.
The maid's expression grew even more ghastly, and she actually dropped to her knees to beg for mercy.
"Please spare my life, Young Master Muen! I... I was just careless... it won't happen again... Please don't hit me, and please don't strip me naked and throw me into the street..."
"..."
Facing the maid who was shaking like a leaf, Muen was somewhat speechless.
In your eyes, am I really such a cold, evil, and unreasonable guy?
Well, actually, yes. If it were the original Muen Campbell, he might have actually done those things.
"It's just a small issue, don't worry about it. Get up first." Muen leaned down and helped the kneeling maid to her feet.
"I'm not going to punish you."
"Eh?"
The maid stood there dazed and shocked, seemingly unable to comprehend why the Young Master Muen—who usually beat and scolded servants at the slightest provocation—was being so kind and merciful today.
Muen gave a slight smile. That handsome, dashing smile caused the maid to lose herself for a moment.
Of course he was being kind and merciful; he wasn't the same wicked young master as before!
Besides, he was about to become a commoner soon. Muen felt it was better to attract as little hatred as possible right now.
Especially knowing that he might end up being executed by a thousand cuts.
Who knows? Maybe it was his own wicked deeds that caused the maids closest to him to harbor secret resentment, eventually leading them to strike a fatal blow!
"By the way, are you alright?"
Muen looked the maid over, feeling that something was off.
Even though she was frightened, her cheeks were still flushed bright red.
"You couldn't be sick, could you?"
Muen suddenly placed his hand on the maid's forehead. The gesture was so sudden that the maid didn't react at all, freezing in place like a stone.
"Just as I thought..."
Her forehead was burning.
The maids of the Duke's estate were always well-trained. For her to make such a rookie mistake, it was likely because she was ill.
Muen stared at the bewildered maid and said sternly:
"If you're this sick, why aren't you resting?"
"Be... because tomorrow is your coming-of-age ceremony banquet, Young Master... the estate is short-handed..."
"That's no excuse to work while sick!"
Muen scolded her sharply. However, in the face of his scolding, the fear on the maid's face actually dissipated. Her large eyes blinked, leaving only a dazed "Am I dreaming?" expression.
"An."
"Here."
"Arrange for her to... wait, what's your name?"
"I... my name is Noel."
"Right. Arrange for Noel to go rest."
"Yes."
An accepted the order respectfully.
"However, Young Master Muen, Noel's words were not false. We are severely short-handed for your coming-of-age banquet tomorrow. Every maid in the estate has her own duties. If she rests, it may significantly increase the workload of the other maids."
"Then hire people from outside. Is the great Duke's estate so poor that we can't even afford to hire extra help?"
"...Understood. I will relay this command to the Head Maid."
An turned to leave; she needed to inform the Head Maid of this order as soon as possible.
The banquet arrangements were all coordinated by the Head Maid. Since the banquet was tomorrow, it was best to communicate such personnel changes early.
"Ah, wait, An."
"Is there something else, Young Master Muen?"
"...Never mind, it's nothing. Go on with your work."
"..."
A flicker of confusion appeared in An's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
"Yes. Then I shall take my leave."
"Whew."
Watching An's retreating back, Muen let out a soft sigh.
He had called her back just now because he originally intended to have her purchase the key item for the upcoming incident—the knockout potion.
After all, in the original book, An was the one who did it.
But on second thought, he decided against it.
Although the original book didn't mention it, as an accomplice in framing the Princess, An would surely be caught in the crossfire and executed.
But this time, the destruction ending belonged to Muen alone.
There was no need to drag an innocent life down with him.
"Sigh."
Thinking of this, Muen couldn't help but give a self-deprecating laugh.
"I never thought that I, who hasn't even killed a chicken since I was a kid, would actually have to commit the evil deed of drugging an innocent girl."
"But fortunately, this is an operation destined to fail."