It's A Misunderstanding That I'm Dating The Villain

 

“Well… It’s highly likely that the actions of Heilbronner are that of a hobbyist. Leastwise, it must not be his way for a living.”

“….”

“However, whether his actions represent a hobbyist or a profession, the truth that Heilbronner saved that boy in the last incident couldn’t be denied.”

Although I felt the rising embarrassment creeping up inside me for praising the person whom I had thought was a criminal, not to mention, the said person was seated in front of me, I still couldn’t deny that it was the truth.

“It appeared to be that he intended to hand the boy over to us from the beginning, as that is what he said when we met. The circumstances and his words at that time all point to that.”

“….”

“However, as a knight, I cannot defend his felonious actions. But I surely do not intend to deny the existence of lives he protected either.”

“…I see.”

At my reasonable reasoning, Ludger let out a smile that I couldn’t quite comprehend what it contained.

“I’m grateful to Sir Clara for your honest opinion.”

“Have my opinion as a knight appeared to be irresponsible?”

“Hmm…. That’s something I find difficult to comment on directly.”

Well, I could understand what he implied. Since he was a high-ranking noble, as well as someone who was supposed to assist me with the Heilbronner case, he couldn’t voice out his thoughts directly on my honest opinion.

Since it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss, my personality as long-winded as a thief, made a quick jab.

“Pardon me if I’m being impudent but I find it quite strange.”

“Strange?”

“I pondered on the matter before, however, I couldn’t understand why the Duke seems particularly interested in Heilbronner.”

“….”

For a moment, Ludger visibly flinched. Oi, could it be you’re working as Heilbronner’s patron?

“Well, the Heilbronner has targeted the royal treasure many times before. Some of the relics were also damaged as a result. I believe in such cases, it is natural for me to be interested.”

“…That’s right, right.”

Even after his actions as Heilbronner, he was still roaming freely. Well, who would even suspect Duke Ludger Kassen and Heilbronner being the same person?

Sorting out the information and documents I received, I quickly changed the subject.

“Come to think of it….”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve seen Your Highness commenting about the rescued boy who was abducted on the newspaper.”

“Ah… Yes. That’s right.”

“On that same day, there was also a terrible article about our knights in the newspaper…. Thanks to the article of Your Highness, people wasn’t much interested in our knights’ article.”

“….”

“I understand it must not be what the Young Duke had intended, but I’m still grateful for Your Highness’ indirect assistance. I wanted to express my gratitude to Your Highness.”

The change of subject wouldn’t have been strange if the person in front of me weren’t both a prominent figure in the nobility and the theif Heilbronner at the same time. It was like offering him medicine after giving him a terrible headache.

However, since I’ve read the original novel, I was aware that he was just a supporting male lead playing the role of the villain.

But because of his interference, the boy, who was a victim of human trafficking was able to be rescued and now would have a healthy life. Moreover, the ‘incompetency’ of our knights was also buried thanks to Ludger’s popularity.

That in itself was a praiseworthy thing to do.

“…What if.”

“…?”

“What if that was intentional?”

I blinked.

That newspaper article that had been drawing public aggression from our knight order… was intentional?

‘To protect our knight order?’

For a moment, I stared at him dumbfounded, unable to form any coherent words. However, Ludger just snickered at my foolish expression before turning around.

“I’ve just been jesting. We should head back.”

“Yes….”

His sudden change of attitude astonished me, because it didn’t feel like he was jesting.

‘He really is a man who can’t be understood.’

Although he was the main villain disrupting the main characters’ growth, his actions were like those of a thief.

He pretended to raise an uproar behind the scenes, but he seemed to also have an immature, childish side that couldn’t express his hidden desire for recognition.

‘…No, I can’t lower my guard just because of a handsome face. After all, the main characters will be the one who will be victorious in the end.’

Greeting him lightly, I stood up from my seat. Ludger also stood up and took out a pair of gloves from his bosom before starting to put them on.

‘Oh, wait. That’s right, gloves!’

If I hadn’t remembered, I would have become a shameless person who didn’t even mention the gloves she had borrowed.

I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“Oh! I suddenly remembered the pair of gloves Your Highness had lent me. I had them washed and stored properly. I wasn’t aware that I’d be meeting Your Highness today, so I left them at home….”

“Oh, right. It doesn’t really matter. If Sir Clara wishes to keep them, she can.”

“No! That can’t be!”

What good would it be for me to have men’s gloves in the first place?

“Next time we meet, I’ll be prepared to give them to Your Highness right away….”

As if my words sounded hilarious to him, Ludger laughed. Then he assured me that I could keep them as long as I wanted and return them whenever I wished.

‘Then… I’ll see you soon, Thief Heilbronner.’

With a measured gesture that wasn’t overly enthusiastic or inadvertent, I saw Ludger off in the carriage.

Well… I should go find Billy now.

Even the sudden interference of the Thief Heilbronner couldn’t stop the peaceful daily life of the Ruby Knights that continued smoothly.

However, it was certain that, peace exists to be broken….

 

***

 

About two weeks had passed since Ludger’s visit to our shabby knight order.

After finishing the first report of Heilbronner and struggling to keep the people of the city safe as usual (which some say doing daily chores), an unexpected order arrived from the higher-ups.

“Clara.”

“Huh? What? Did you get the warning letter?”

As two weeks had passed, I was strangely aware of the fact that Heilbronner’s activity period have arrived. However, even at my fidgety response, Lionel shook his head with an anxious expression.

“Not the Heilbronner thing… but a request for cooperation has come.”

“Cooperation?”

Cooperation itself was nothing special. The higher-ups treated our knights as spare tires. Whenever other knights were short on manpower, we were often called in for cooperation.

‘How unconscionable it is to ask for cooperation from the knights who are already at the verge of death because of Heilbronner.’

However, Lionel’s reaction was subtly different from usual. If it were any other time, he would have just made an expression of, ‘Another headache has arrived. How bothering.’

But now, Lionel looked particularly anxious.

‘Something… he seems reluctant to tell me.’

“What is it? Is it such a difficult task?”

“The task itself is nothing out of the ordinary. We were asked to be guards in a social gathering for high-ranking officials. But they ordered us to send two knights because they’re short on manpower.”

“That’s fine. Doesn’t that make the task’s difficulty level ‘easy’?”

“It does, but….”

Hesitating for a moment, Lionel slowly opened his mouth.

“This is a request for cooperation… from the Sapphire Knights.”

“…!”

“To be precise, from Gustav, the Vice Captain of the Sapphire Knights.”

“Haaa….”

A sigh of indifference left my mouth without me realizing it.

“Should I refuse?”

Lionel asked cautiously, knowing the general situation. However, I shook my head.

“No. There’s no guarantee that he will stop pestering me if I refuse this time.”

“Hmm….”

Lionel handed me the official document he had brought with a reluctant expression.

The content itself was just as he mentioned, nothing out of the ordinary. The difficulty level of guarding a social gathering was extremely low compared to a task that required large-scale battles. Since all I had to do was to appear on the designated destination for cooperation, there was no need for me to write a report.

However, as soon as my eyes landed on the name ‘Gustav Mayr’ of the Sapphire Knights on the official document, I frowned. To me, the name appeared to be as dirty as my biological family.

‘Seems like a trap….’

I had long been suspicious of him. I suspected that it was his doing for which our knight order was neglected to this extent and the number decreased from seven to four. Although I had no concrete evidence, it was something he could do.

Even if that weren’t the case…I didn’t have many pleasant memories when I was a subordinate of the Sapphire Knights.

Since it was quiet after my transfer, I thought he had lost interest in pestering me. However, I could have never imagined to see his name appearing before my eyes like this.

It was obvious that if I ignored it now, it would have a negative impact on our knight order. No, if I refused, it would be like giving him a green card to find faults in my work. No matter what I decided, it was a poisoned chalice presented to me.

‘I guess it would be better if I just go by myself this time and figure out the situation.’

Biting my lip, I recalled my time as an apprentice knight and my time in training with the same group as Gustav. Even our ages were close.

I longed for a peaceful future to the point of death, even if it meant enduring the taunt of Gustav. All I wanted was a happy and smooth future.

“Captain, is it the kind of situation you don’t want to deal with? In that case, I’ll go in your stead!”

Why was Billy so tactful… I guess our conversation was too blatant for him to understand easily.

I snickered and stood up as I went to Billy’s seat.

“Well, he’s a bit of a stickler, but it’s not terrible enough to not meet in person.”

“But since they only designated two people, why don’t I and Sir Sein go? Captain, you’ve worked hard the past few weeks. I also want to assist you in some ways.”

“….”

Even though Billy’s words couldn’t resolve the situation in any way, I was momentarily moved to tears.

This knight order was like a solace of peace and happiness to me, although I had to work like a dog for a meagre salary. But I still vowed to struggle as much as I could, to preserve the little bit of joy in life.

“It’s okay. Just guard our knight office in the meantime. I and Sir Sein will go.”

“…Yes.”

I patted Billy’s sullen head and reaffirmed my resolve.

However, I was so immersed at the unexpected entanglement with Gustav that one important information slipped off my mind.

…When they mentioned it was a social gathering attended by high-ranking officials’, I should have understood that there’s a high probability that Duke Ludger Kassen will also attend.