I Couldn’t Stop my Childhood Friend from Turning Into a Villain

A stern-faced Hemil was waiting for Liel when he arrived at the Academy late in the afternoon after leaving the Marquis’s early in the morning.

“Did you really want to rest that badly, seeing as how it’s been over a month since vacation?”

At Hemil’s question, Liel shrugged his shoulders and chose his expression. He tried to look remorseful, but it didn’t work.

“You do realize that you’ve been gone for over a month, not a week, so you’re short on class days this semester, right?”

“Yes.”

“I suggest you drop this semester and take another.”

It was expected.

In the first place, Liel had come to talk about taking a leave of absence for missing classes. Hemil knew his situation and didn’t blame him.

“I see.”

Liel bowed and strode out of the staff room, immediately turning to Melissa, who stood guard by the staff room door.

Their eyes met and she greeted him in a chilly voice.

“Hi.”

It was the kind of greeting that you could tell was out of necessity.

Liel smiled back, out of habit.

“Hi.”

Unlike Melissa, his tone was friendly.

“…I’m just worried about Lucy.”

Liel’s gentle demeanor relaxed Melissa’s nerves, and she immediately brought up Lucy. Her mouth stiffened, as if she was genuinely worried.

“Oh, she’s much better now.”

Liel didn’t add any unnecessary commentary. He only answered the questions Melissa had asked, and even then, it was almost a short answer.

His tone was so friendly that most people wouldn’t have realized he was drawing a line in the sand.

But as soon as she heard his answer, she realized that he was reluctant to give her an update on Lucy.

Nevertheless, Melissa pressed on with a series of questions.

“Now that she’s better, may I come and see her?”

The news of the Marquis Anise’s passing was already widely known in the Academy.

As if to back up the news, Lucy had immediately applied for a leave of absence. She would have to focus on her family’s affairs rather than her studies.

It was likely that Lucy would not return to the academy, so she would have to travel to the Marquis’ residence to meet her.

But Melissa had never had a noble friend before, so she asked Liel if it would be okay before she made the bold move.

“……I don’t think it’s a good idea right now. Lucy’s going to be busy learning the ropes.”

Liel smiled coyly, as if that was the end of the question.

“It’s all about taking over the family business, isn’t it? So…… can I just wait a month or three?”

Anyone who didn’t know Lucy well would have snorted at Melissa’s words and looked at her pathetically.

She said that as a commoner, she didn’t realize how much work and time it takes to carry on a family name.

But Melissa, who had been with Lucy for almost a year since she started school, knew how much Lucy’s test scores had improved in two semesters.

And it was the same for Liel, who had been with Lucy since she was a child.

So neither of them thought three months was too short a time.

“…….”

Liel’s head tilted to the side at Melissa’s precise time frame. After a slow blink, Liel spoke again.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure about that.”

Not expecting any more questions, Liel gave a quick bow and turned to walk away from Melissa.

Melissa gave him a sour look as she watched his back.

‘Does he hate me?’

She didn’t really care what Liel thought of her, but she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy by the way he was acting.

At the same time, she realized that if Liel had a crush on Lucy, he might hate her for encouraging her to think about Pavon’s confession.

Of course, that didn’t really matter to Melissa.

It didn’t matter to her and she didn’t want to think about it either.

⁂

After spending the night in the Academy’s dormitory, Liel headed straight for the Marquis of Seywint.

Upon returning to the Marquis’ residence and opening the door to Lucy’s office, Liel was met with an unfamiliar sight.

“…….”

The Duchess of Marsen sitting in front of Lucy with a cold face, and Dioletta looking perplexed next to her.

Liel’s eyes widened, unable to hide his surprise.

Lucy, on the other hand, looked as if her soul had been sucked out of her.

“That’s enough for today.”

The Duchess of Marsen said, raising her fan. Then she glanced over at Liel. Naturally, a fine crack appeared on the Duchess’s face.

“Ah, thank you for your help.”

Lucy said as she stumbled to her feet.

The Duchess returned her greeting with a slight bow of her head. She looked so elegant and regal, it was like looking at Dioletta.

“I will escort you to the ducal residence.”

Liel said in a low, polite voice before the Duchess walked past him.

Likewise, the Duchess whispered in a low voice, just loud enough for Liel to hear.

“I’ll tell you what, I don’t need it.”

The air the Duchess left behind was ale-cold on the skin.

But Liel didn’t seem to mind, as if he was already accustomed to her demeanor, and he quickly made his way into the drawing room with Lucy and Dioletta.

⁂

I have to work hard.

That was the first thought that came to mind.

My grandmother had said she didn’t want me to be tied to the family name, but I still wanted to do the best I could.

I’m not even going to move my office. It’s not that I don’t want to honor her, it’s just that I think it would be more of a hassle.

Knock knock—

There was a knock on the door of my office as I was frantically reading the books in my study and the books in my office.

Thinking it was Liel, I looked up and answered the door.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Contrary to my suspicions, the visitor was none other than Dioletta unnie.

The look of concern on my sister’s face quickly turned to surprise when she saw the book-covered interior of my home office.

I was a little dizzy…….

Shrugging, I stood up and walked past the stack of books to unnie.

“Sorry, the room is so messy, isn’t it? Somewhere to sit…….”

I accidentally touched the tower of books, and it collapsed in a heap.

“I’ll be there. You just stay there.”

Dioletta said from the doorway, extending both hands. She meant don’t come any closer.

“…….”

Still, she didn’t get inside the office easily.

Perhaps the first thing I should do when she gets back is organize the office.

“I’ll just talk to you here.”

She said with a straight face. To me, it looked like an act to hide her awkwardness.

“Sure.”

I nodded vigorously, pretending I didn’t know what she was thinking.

We were now talking over a stack of books, but we both pretended to be as unconcerned as possible.

“First of all, I’m glad you’re better now, because I was worried…….”

“Yeah……. I’m sorry I worried you…….”

“No. I’m the one who’s sorry, because I wasn’t any help when you were down.”

She glanced around the room again. Even after all these years, she was still kind.

“Lucy, if you ever have a hard time or need help, just let me know.”

I really appreciated the gesture, but the mess around me threatened to overwhelm the sentiment.

“You can really talk to me, no pressure.”

I was about to say yes, but she interrupted me and reiterated. I really don’t have anything to ask for.

Besides, I was already so indebted to Liel, I felt bad about borrowing her hand.

“…….”

I hesitated, and she smiled bitterly. It was only then that I stopped trying to refuse and kept my mouth shut.

Apparently, I hadn’t relied on her, and that made her feel bad.

“Well……. Then…….”

I couldn’t leave her sulking, so I quickly racked my brain. I had to think of something.

After a short pause, I miraculously came up with one.

“Unnie, do you think you can introduce me to someone who can give me a successor class? 

I glanced at the stack of books, and my sister’s gaze followed mine to the books.

Soon, she asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“You’ve memorized all this……?”

“Yes! So I won’t be embarrassed before my would-be teacher!”

I said, clasping my hands together and twinkling my eyes. She still looked puzzled.

I was about to ask her if she’d already finished her successor class.

“I didn’t think of that. Okay, let me look for you.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I told you to tell me anything. Rather, it’s such a light request that I’m embarrassed.”

She ran a hand over her cheek and tilted her head slightly. Her waist-length black hair rustled and flicked.

I dipped my head in gratitude and began to make my way through the stacks once again.

I can’t wait to hug my unnie.

Just as I was thinking that, I heard a familiar voice.

“Hey, Lady Dioletta. What are you doing standing here……. Oh, is this where you two are talking because you can’t get into the office?”

Sarah, who had appeared just in time, looked at me and Dioletta in astonishment.

“You could have called for me……. Or you could have come out and talked in the next room since I’m cleaning up anyway…….”

“Oh…….”

So that’s how it works.

Unnie and I sighed at the same time.

I smiled awkwardly and walked out of the office with a proud strut, answering Sarah’s question.

“I’ve been meaning to do that!”

Naturally, Sarah didn’t look convinced.