The Reincarnated Villainous Noble Still Won't Try His Best!

Chapter 38 : Why?

I should not be loved.

When did I start thinking that way?

Was it after I was reincarnated into this world?

Was it because I was reborn as a villainous character who does nothing but hinder the protagonist?

I think that’s probably not the case.

Most likely, it was long before that — back in my previous life.

Even when I was still Shun Haiha, I had already decided not to pursue love.

It wasn’t because I had been rejected in some cruel way or because I was unpopular.

I had the same curiosity about love as anyone else, and there were girls who would casually chat with me.

On Valentine’s Day, I would even receive a few obligatory chocolates from my classmates. I think that was enough to consider myself relatively normal.

But whenever I imagined myself falling in love with someone and having that love reciprocated, I felt a deep sense of unease.

A version of myself who cared about fashion.

A version of myself who earnestly chose gifts.

A version of myself who took my partner to various places.

A version of myself who lived together with someone.

A version of myself who embraced someone.

And when I imagined what lay beyond that, I finally realized—

I could never make someone happy.

It wasn’t about trying to sound cool.

I was simply negative by nature.

The belief that someone as aimless as me could never bring happiness to another person had taken root within me.

They would soon grow tired of me.

They would get angry.

They would laugh at me.

Rather than endure that pain, I decided it was better never to love in the first place.

And I was right to run away.

Thanks to that, I never had to suffer.

However, even after reincarnating, even though my feelings remained unchanged, I somehow ended up with a fiancée.

I even had a cousin who repeatedly told me she loves me.

This is bad. This is really bad… I need to fix this. But it’s such a hassle.

Conflicting emotions clashed within me, and before I knew it, my true feelings slipped out in front of Lilia.

It was nothing more than a fleeting, frustration-driven outburst, but the moment the words left my mouth, I regretted it.

I messed up.

In the end, I practically ran away from her and went to His Majesty, the King.

The engagement announcement proceeded smoothly.

But the small rift that had formed between Lilia and me remained, and time continued to pass without it ever being repaired.

Lilia was especially busy as a member of the royal family.

With so many nobles coming to greet her, I couldn’t exactly interfere.

So, after idly killing some time, I made my way to the restroom.

Seriously… what am I even doing?

“Haa…”

As I washed my hands, an involuntary sigh escaped my lips.

Taking out a handkerchief from my pocket, I wiped off the water droplets while contemplating how I should apologize to her.

But no good ideas came to mind.

“I guess being honest and just apologizing is my best option? Trying to come up with some clever plan would probably be pointless anyway…”

Muttering that to myself, I stepped out of the restroom—

And suddenly, I heard a man’s voice from the far end of the hallway.

It immediately caught my attention.

“Why won’t you accept my confession!? I’m the next Earl — someone of my status should be more than suitable for you, even as a Duke’s daughter! What’s wrong with me!?”

…It seemed like I had walked into something.

I shouldn’t interfere.

Judging by the tone, he had already been rejected, but I didn’t want to risk earning someone’s resentment by getting involved.

I quietly erased my presence and turned to leave.

But then—

“There’s nothing to explain. I’m simply not interested in you. No matter how much you talk about family status, I have no intention of getting engaged to you.”

The voice I heard… belonged to someone I knew very well.

“—Cecilia?”

I had no doubt about it.

That voice was hers. To think I would I stumble upon the heroine’s rejection scene.

But I was relieved.

Until the protagonist decides which heroine he will choose, I don’t want Cecilia to end up in a relationship.

After all, there’s still a chance that she could be the one.

Sorry to that noble son, but I was glad his confession failed.

But that relief lasted only a moment.

“Tch…! Even if you say that, I won’t give up! I’ll keep coming after you, over and over again! I swear, one day, I’ll win your heart!”

The young nobleman, declared with unwavering determination.

It seemed like his resolve had only been strengthened.