I Became the Villain’s Childhood Friend Chapter 46

 

“Did I see it wrong?”

 

When I answered as if I knew nothing, Rian gulped down the water. Then he put the cup down on the table and shouted.

 

“Mother, Father! Her grades this time are really messed up.”

 

“…”

 

I naturally closed my mouth at his words.

 

Dad’s eyes immediately turned to me. I slowly avoided his gaze.

 

But how does Rian know about my grades?

 

“Where did you hear that?”

 

“…”

 

This time, his mouth fell silent. I narrowed my eyes and observed him.

 

I felt like I knew who the source was. It’s Julia. Julia must have nagged at him.

 

Because Julia once found out about my grades. She was amazed at how I was able to achieve such results.

 

It seemed like Dad became anxious at Rian’s words.

 

“…You’re really doing well at the Academy, right?”

 

I nodded at Dad’s words. Although my conscience pricked me.

 

At that time, Reynold, who was sitting next to me, spoke quietly.

 

“Danae is working hard.”

 

I paused at his unexpected words.

 

At that moment, Reynold, who made eye contact with me, seemed to say, ‘It’s fact, though?’

 

“As you know, Your Excellency, Danae is the type of person who will do anything, right? She started a little later than the other friends, but she will definitely see the light.”

 

…W-What’s wrong with him?

 

My face, which wasn’t immune to compliments, quickly turned bright red. I couldn’t bear to look at Reynold, who continued speaking calmly, and turned my head away.

 

***

 

“Are you relieved now?”

 

Before Dad got on the carriage, I asked him quietly. Then he, who had been quietly examining me, opened his mouth to me.

 

“My worries are gone.”

 

“…”

 

“Are you sad that we forced you to enter the Academy?”

 

I turned my eyes at his words. I should have said no, yet I couldn’t open my mouth. Dad patted my shoulder as if it was fine.

 

“Right, that’s fine.”

 

“…What?”

 

“I’m glad you’re not dying.”

 

No, though. I’m so depressed.

 

“If there’s someone at the Academy who is bothering you, please tell me at any time. I think you were honest in the past, but I’m worried that you haven’t said anything since you became an adult.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

After hearing my answer, he seemed to feel a little relieved.

 

Dad got on the carriage and told me to be healthy. Lotte patted my shoulder to wish me well, and Sylvester gave me a big hug.

 

I think I used to hug him, yet now it’s just me being hugged by him.

 

“See you later, Sister!”

 

I waved my hand at the carriage moving away.

 

Now all that was left was Rian. As I looked at him unconsciously, Rian clicked his tongue and said,

 

“Hey, nevermind. I have common sense too. I’m going alone so you know that.”

 

“No..!”

 

He headed toward the Academy without even listening to what I said.

 

I looked at his back for a moment, then spoke to Reynold.

 

“But you’re a little surprising, aren’t you?”

 

“What?”

 

“You know how to do lip service…”

 

Reynold chuckled at my words.

 

“It’s not just lip service.”

 

“…”

 

“You’re thankful, right?”

 

I nodded quietly at his words. Then Reynold raised one corner of his mouth as if he was satisfied.

 

“Then grant my one wish.”

 

“What wish… are you going to make?”

 

What kind of wish is he trying to make?

 

“Secret.”

 

Reynold let out a low laugh. His laughter made me feel good. I laughed along with him without realizing it.

 

***

 

On the day of the entrance exam, I was staying at the inn of Aunt Lela, who gave me a snowman nose.

 

Of course, I didn’t remember meeting her and go to the inn. It was truly a coincidence that I met her again.

 

“I’m going on a trip.”

 

At my words, Aunt Lela, who was placing the potatoes in front of me, opened her eyes wide.

 

“Where?”

 

“It doesn’t matter as long as it’s where God’s eyes can reach.”

 

I said as I peeled the potatoes. She asked me with a look of concern on her face.

 

“…It would be quite dangerous for a woman to be alone, would you be fine?”

 

“Wouldn’t I be if I walked towards the downtown area?”

 

Aunt Lela looked quite serious at my words.

 

“It would be fine in the capital city because it would be safer, but… I’m worried. I also have a daughter your age.”

 

Instead of answering, I smiled slightly. Aunt Lela thought about something for a moment and clapped her hands as if she had a good idea.

 

“What about that boy who comes to the inn almost every day? Can’t you go with him?”

 

“Mmm… I’m sure he’s busy in his own way.”

 

“He wasn’t your fiancé?”

 

Aunt Lela’s words almost made me spit out the potatoes I was eating. She hurriedly offered me some milk with honey.

 

I hastily shook my head.

 

“No. Friends—I’m just friends with that kid.”

 

Aunt Lela smiled slightly and said,

 

“From being friends, you become lovers, and then a couple.”

 

It was a completely teasing tone.

 

“Me and that boy are in a relationship where we don’t want to see each other. That will never happen.”

 

I shook my head firmly.

 

Nevertheless, Aunt Lela’s face was really… similar to the expression that Madam Collin used to have when she looked at us.

 

She was smiling, then she paused.

 

“Phew… I hope my daughter was half as good as you.”

 

“Ah, the one who goes to the Art Department?”

 

“Yeah, I’m worried because she’s not like a child. I think that children should be like children to be pretty… And it’s not a good thing for her to grow up early.”

 

“I also heard a lot of people call me old in the past.”

 

Aunt Lela looked surprised at my words.

 

“Danae, you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

In the past, even the maids were secretly reluctant to me.

 

Aunt Lela tilted her head, as if she didn’t understand.

 

“By the way, I forgot that there was a letter addressed to you from Dana.”

 

Aunt Lela got up from her seat and quickly brought me an orange letter that resembled a carrot.

 

As soon as I saw the color of the envelope, I burst into laughter without realizing it.

 

“Thank you.”

 

I opened the envelope, hurriedly reading the letter.

 

[I invite you to the world’s most wonderful league or farm!

 

I’ll come pick you up on July 28th.

 

I’m waiting calmy

 

P.S. Don’t prepare anything! Grandma will be angry.]

 

Adele’s drawing skills were terrible, and the grapes and peaches she had drawn on the edges of the letter were a complete mess.

 

Of course, Adele didn’t forget to draw a carrot that reminded me of her. As I looked at the carrots she had drawn all over the letter paper, I couldn’t help but smile.

 

I hastily wrote her a reply.

 

“Anyway, I’m glad your hands are all better.”

 

Aunt Lela, who was watching me write a reply, spoke.

 

“Ah, Reynold sent me the medicine…”

 

I fell silent again as I saw Aunt Lela looking at me with a happy expression. But that was only for a moment, and I continued speaking urgently.

 

“I’m friends with that kid.”

 

“Who said anything? I was just looking at you.”

 

“…”

 

“So? How did you meet him?”

 

I kept my mouth shut and hurried up to my room. Aunt Lela’s laughter came from the first floor.

 

***

 

“Welcome, welcome to Rigna Farm!”

 

Adele bowed politely, like a gentleman greeting a lady.

 

After receiving her greeting, I lifted the hem of my dress and responded elegantly.

 

“What a wonderful place, Sir Adele.”

 

“It’s an honor. It would be an even greater honor if you give me the opportunity to serve you for a day.”

 

The moment I was about to answer Adele’s words, I saw a puppy coming towards me from a distance, wagging its tail wildly.

 

“Woof, woof!”

 

The light brown puppy resembles grilled cheese. It must have rolled on the floor all at once, and was drenched in dust with the strong smell of grass.

 

The dog, whose body was up to my waist, lunged straight at me. Since it was quite big, I hit my butt helplessly. But I stroked the dog’s head without even realizing it was hurting.

 

“Oh my… Sir Adele, it looks like the initiative was taken away?”

 

“I can’t help it. If it’s Sir Victor, I have no choice but to give in.”

 

At her words, I burst out laughing without even realizing it. Then Adele, who heard my laughter, also burst out laughing happily.

 

Thanks to this, Sir Victor became even more excited and started running wild, and while I was stroking his head, I fell to the ground, unable to overcome Victor’s strength.

 

“Victor! This guy!”

 

Then we heard footsteps walking towards us. Victor panted and ran towards the source of the sound.

 

The owner of the voice was an old man with gray hair stylishly pulled back. Perhaps that person… was Adele’s grandfather, Laurence Ligna.

 

He threw away the piece of meat he was accustomed to holding. Then Victor started running after the fish.

 

“He may be a little violent, but he’s a good guy, so please understand.”

 

Grandpa Lawrence held out his hand to me. I took his hand and stood up.

 

“Grandpa!”

 

Adele ran to him in an instant, hugging him tightly. I quickly bowed to him as I was greeting him.

 

“Hello. I’m Danae Lerdonia, Adele’s friend.”

 

Then, an old woman wearing a light purple dress appeared behind Grandpa Lawrence. She smiled and spoke kindly to me.

 

“There’s no need to be so formal. If you’re Adele’s friend, you’re like a granddaughter to us.”

 

Her name was Sylvia. Just as I heard from Adele, she looked very cozy.

 

Grandma Sylvia smiled kindly while she was holding out her hand to me.

 

“Yes!”

 

I held her hand and smiled brightly.

 

To be honest, I was a little worried.

 

Because I was born a little earlier, I thought that the generation above me might view me more negatively.

 

I had heard so many people talk about it behind my back that I wondered if they might be reluctant to me, but it seemed like my worries were for nothing.

 

After saying hello, Adele and I headed to the peach orchard. Grandpa Lawrence demonstrated first.

 

“Hold the peach gently because it may give way. And if you turn it gently, the peach will fall off.”

 

It certainly looked easy when he demonstrated it, yet when I actually tried it, it wasn’t easy.

 

Moreover, I couldn’t open my eyes properly due to the harsh sunlight.