I Became the Villain’s Childhood Friend Chapter 19

 

In the first place, if Reynold and I were to get married… we would have to overcome the opposition of the Empire

 

If the only two ducal houses in the Empire were to unite through marriage, they would never have to look at the Imperial family.

 

Of course, even if we didn’t reach that point, Reynold and I would first cause a strong backlash.

 

It had been a very long time since I had seen Serik alone. And it wasn’t just meeting at home, it was going out like an outing alone with Serik.

 

Of course, Paul was also there, but it was surprising how calm Madam Collin was.

 

On days when I was alone with Serik, Madam Collin would send letters to Lotte.

 

I couldn’t tell in detail what it was about, but looking at Lotte’s dark expression, I was sure she was talking about my relationship with Serik.

 

I quickly approached Serik, who was sitting on the bench.

 

I tried to sneak up and surprise him, yet Serik, who was quick-witted, turned around before I could get near him.

 

I made eye contact with Serik and smiled shyly.

 

“…Have you been well?”

 

“I have.”

 

Serik just smiled sweetly, as if he was always like that.

 

But today, the smiling face looked different. It was a smile that I saw every day until it became awkward with Serik.

 

But I didn’t bother to show that feeling of discomfort. It’s been a really long time since I played with Serik.

 

“…Can I sit next to you?”

 

“Of course.”

 

The lion statue was clearly visible from the bench where Serik was sitting. Serik seemed to have been looking at the lion statue before I arrived.

 

The characteristic feature of that statue was that a snake was blowing the lion’s tail.

 

Maybe… I heard that that lion represents Harchen.

 

I have to at least destroy that statue for you to listen to me.

 

If you look at mythology, there is a god who punishes someone for destroying their temple. Maybe it’s because of these ungodly thoughts that God doesn’t just respond to my words.

 

However, I was in a situation where I could never have faith.

 

No matter how much I think about it, the only explanation for my coming into this world is that it was through the power of God, and the only God I could see in front of me was Harchen.

 

“What about Reynold?”

 

It was only then that I came out of my thoughts when I heard Serik’s voice next to me.

 

“…Well, maybe he’s training or something?”

 

“He works hard.”

 

Serik muttered bitterly.

 

I glanced at Serik’s profile and cautiously opened my mouth.

 

“Serik, don’t you want to go to the Academy?”

 

“…I?”

 

“Yeah, my father has a good opinion of you. If you want it, he will definitely support you.”

 

Serik seemed to think about my suggestion for a moment, but then he opened his mouth.

 

“What about you, Danae?”

 

“Me?”

 

Of course I won’t go!

 

In the first place, there was no way I would pass the entrance exam to the Academy, which is said to be only for geniuses.

 

I don’t know if it’s the original Danae.

 

But if I answered that I wasn’t going, Serik would clearly feel burdened by Father’s support.

 

“I’ll go too.”

 

“Really? Then I will.”

 

Serik was smart, so he would pass the test easily. And even if he just graduates from the Academy, his future is guaranteed.

 

“…Are you happy?”

 

Serik asked cautiously.

 

“Of course!”

 

He laughed slightly after hearing my answer. I looked at his smile and thought for a moment.

 

Actually… it wasn’t that I didn’t know why Reynold hated Serik.

 

Because the person he hated most was Madam Detwin.

 

The noble society was a little more complex than I thought, and everyone was intertwined with their own interests.

 

Every time I, or rather the surname Lerdonia attached to my name, crosses the door of the Detwin family home, the number of invitations Madam Detwin receives changes.

 

[Don’t live rashly.]

 

Reynold always warned me like that.

 

[…Especially to Serik Detwin and that family.]

 

But I wasn’t as soft and nice as he thought. That kid is too fox-like.

 

Moreover, I wasn’t in an honorable position towards Serik.

 

Through his existence, I finally came to acknowledge that this world was real.

 

Serik was the one who confirmed to me that the people who make up this world were alive and breathing, and that this was simply a new world that I didn’t know about.

 

When I couldn’t accept this place, Serik was the only one who gave me a breather.

 

I also used him. Just like Serik used what I had.

 

I clenched and unclenched my fists repeatedly and struggled to open my mouth.

 

“Serik, I’m sorry.”

 

Serik paused for a moment at my apology.

 

“…Danae?”

 

“It’s just that I think you must have had a hard time being around a kid like me.”

 

When Serik heard what I said, he looked like he had been hit by something.

 

But even for a moment, Serik tried to smile.

 

“No, I didn’t do anything.”

 

Serik, who muttered that, seemed to have something more to say.

 

“Serik?”

 

“….”

 

“…Serik!”

 

Serik, who had been staring at me blankly, looked straight into my eyes as if he had finally come to his senses at my call.

 

“Is something wrong with you?”

 

“No, nothing…”

 

Serik’s face was dark for someone who said nothing was happening. I didn’t know it until now, but once I thought his face was dark, he couldn’t look this dark.

 

Serik must have missed it, too, as he smiled at me.

 

I felt like I was crossing a line by continuing to ask what was going on when he said nothing was going on, so I decided to wait in silence.

 

“Me too…”

 

At that time, Serik carefully opened his mouth. That was the moment when I thought that his spring-like eyes looked somewhat sad.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Those words did not correspond at all to the words I said that I was sorry.

 

I wanted to ask him what he was thankful for, but I couldn’t get the words out easily.

 

***

 

Was it because I was worried about Serik that day? I couldn’t stop thinking about Reynold until the day I met him.

 

I didn’t want to bring up Serik’s story with Reynold, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, but there was no one besides Reynold who could give me this kind of advice.

 

In the end, I told Reynold the story about Serik.

 

“…That bastard said that?”

 

Reynold muttered, his face frowning. I sighed softly and nodded at him.

 

Soon, Reynold opened his mouth indignantly.

 

“It’s obvious, orwell.”

 

“You understand the reason?”

 

Reynold lightly shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Isn’t it because he received a lot from you?”

 

“But to dismiss it as a simple thank you… something’s off.”

 

“I guess that’s just what he said.”

 

Unlike me, who was worried about Serik, who was different from usual, Reynold didn’t show much emotion.

 

It wasn’t that I didn’t expect Reynold’s reaction, but I brought up the topic because I wanted Reynold to know something, yet it didn’t seem to be a good idea.

 

“Or something happened before he met you?”

 

At that time, Reynold, who had been answering indifferently about Serik’s matter, came up with a quite plausible deduction.

 

“Wherever the Harchen statue exists, it’s busy. Even if something happened, it’s not unreasonable.”

 

When Reynold spoke seriously, it was strangely persuasive. I listened to him and nodded quietly.

 

Then Reynold smiled slightly and continued.

 

“Research is essential to uncovering the case. Let’s go right now.”

 

“What?”

 

I couldn’t figure out why the topic turned out that way. But Reynold stood me up as if he didn’t need my answer.

 

“Hey!”

 

And when I came to my senses, I was in front of the Harchen statue.

 

The corners of Reynold’s lips were rising uncontrollably.

 

I glanced at him without realizing it and asked.

 

“You actually wanted to use research as an excuse and just come out to have fun, right?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

…I had nothing to say since he came out so confidently.

 

“Because if I say I’m with you, I can get praise from Mother anyway.”

 

Reynold lightly shrugged his shoulders and continued.

 

“And I like playing with you best.”

 

Why is he acting like this?

 

“…Have you done something wrong to me?”

 

At my words, Reynold rolled his eyes gently and laughed out loud.

 

“Me bringing you out under the pretext of researching if needed?”

 

The laughter coming from Reynold’s lips was truly sweet.

 

Eight-year-old Reynold and Serik’s laughter seemed to have completely reversed.

 

Paul, who accompanied us, twitched the corner of his mouth. Then, to hide his laughter, he cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

 

“I’m glad you both seem to be in good spirits.”

 

“I guess it’s because the weather is nice.”

 

At my words, Paul glanced up at the clear sky. Then I looked around the crowded area.

 

“I guess that’s why there are a lot of people today. Just in case, I’ll tie you two up with a string.”

 

Paul tied the hem of Reynold’s clothes with string. Thanks to this, I was able to stick around with Reynold without any hesitation.

 

“I will sacrifice my life to protect you two, but if I happen to lose you… we will meet at the Harchen statue. Of course, that won’t happen.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Paul extended his hand to me, and I took his large hand in mine.

 

“By the way, I guess the Miss really loves God.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes. When you met Sir Serik, you were in front of the Harchen statue.”

 

Now that I think about it, it seemed like Paul had no choice but to think that way.

 

“I don’t think I love them… I just trust them.”

 

“…Miss, do you believe there is a god?”

 

Paul asked awkwardly at my words. I nodded slightly.

 

“What about Sir Reynold?”

 

“There isn’t.”

 

It was a fairly firm voice. Well, there’s no way Reynold believes there is a god…

 

“I also agree with Sir Reynold’s thoughts. If they existed, the world wouldn’t be this messed up.”

 

“Maybe so.”

 

“Look at this. You blaspheme like this and nothing happens, right?”

 

Paul said, looking up at the clear sky.

 

I listened carefully, and it seemed like what he said was true.

 

How many times did I curse Harchen in my mind? As if that wasn’t enough, I prayed like crap, but let alone being punished, nothing happened.

 

I heard that apparently, Harchen was sensitive to blasphemy, though.

 

“I want to eat that.”

 

At that time, Reynold pulled the hem of my clothes. What he was pointing at was a skewer with meat and vegetables on it alternately.

 

“Great.”

 

“I’ll get it.”

 

But, as if saying that was meaningless, as he started walking, I was also pulled towards him. Reynold smiled shyly when he saw me being pulled.