I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Organization Has Decided to Set You Up for a Blind Date

Having dinner together—something as ordinary as that—felt completely unreal to Carl, like a dream.

The former ‘bad boy Roy’ was now a dutiful son who referred to Carl as ‘old man.’

Carl couldn’t stand it and refused to let ‘bad boy Roy’ get away with mistreating the maid, so he had to call him out. In return, ‘bad boy Roy’ couldn’t stand his old man’s nagging and always hid at home whenever Carl returned.

As a result, they ended up feeling like strangers.

Now, sitting at the same table for the first time in ages, Carl had a chance to really take a good look at his son.

Roy had changed.

His formerly messy black hair was neatly combed, and he wore a proper classic suit. Even if his manners were still a bit awkward, it was a vast improvement from his previous slovenly self.

Most importantly, his demeanor had shifted.

Gone were the days of pitiful arrogance in his dark eyes, replaced instead with a humble kind of confidence that wasn’t groveling.

Carl took a sip of red wine, unable to help but smile, “You seem different from before.”

Roy had been waiting for that line.

He set down his cutlery, looked up, and smiled in return, “Father, people do change.”

“I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“Oh?” Carl raised an eyebrow, eager to listen in.

“Recently, I’ve come to some realizations.” Roy dropped his gaze, paused for dramatic effect, as if brewing nonexistent emotions.

“I’ve done a lot of things wrong in the past.”

Carl’s eyes widened; it took him two seconds to process this. “What exactly did you do wrong?”

“Too much. I shouldn’t have been disrespectful to you, shouldn’t have punished the servants harshly, shouldn’t have been lost in pleasure and forgotten my duties as a noble…” Roy clenched his fists, closed his eyes, as if ashamed of his past antics.

And honestly, it wasn’t all fake.

Just thinking about how ‘bad boy Roy’ could ruin such a steady start made him furious!

Faced with Roy’s deep self-reflection, Carl fell silent.

Carl didn’t actually have unreasonable expectations for Roy.

He himself was indifferent to fame and fortune and didn’t expect Roy to achieve anything monumental. Especially after Roy’s earlier behavior, Carl would have been content as long as the kid didn’t ruin the family business.

Now, this prodigal son had done a complete 180, and Carl found it hard to believe.

But ultimately, it was a good thing.

“Knowing how to repent is great. What prompted your sudden awakening?” Carl asked, curiosity piqued.

Roy knew his sudden declaration of turning his life around seemed abrupt, so he continued, “Father, I’d like you to meet someone.”

“Alice, come out!”

A petite girl with short pigtails appeared from among the maids.

“Hello, I’m Alice.”

Alice curtseyed, her tone neither overly submissive nor arrogant, and her elegant demeanor made her seem anything but a new maid; even Carl couldn’t find a fault.

After a brief moment of amazement, Carl felt a twinge of fear that his son had somehow been swept off his feet by some little noble girl. He hesitated and asked, “Which noble family does this girl belong to?”

Alice shook her head, “I’m just an ordinary maid.”

Roy added, “It’s all thanks to Alice that I came to realize my mistakes. She is like Holy Light to me, illuminating my flaws and guiding me on the right path…”

Roy poured out the limited wisdom he had inside him, weaving a beautiful tale of ‘a wasteful bad boy being redeemed by an innocent little maid, swearing to turn his life around.’

With earlier instructions, Alice kept her mouth shut, serving as a nodding machine.

To Roy’s surprise, even Anya chimed in, saying, “The young master really did change after meeting Alice.”

At first, Carl wasn’t entirely convinced, but after being pressured from all sides, he ultimately fell for their act.

In the end, Roy lowered his gaze and put on an anxious expression: “So, Father, since I’ve changed my ways, will you forgive me?”

Carl closed his eyes.

Even Carl, the tough man who once faced a fire dragon without flinching, felt his eyes prick with tears at his son’s heartfelt apology.

He barely managed to suppress the urge to cry in front of the maids and his son, maintaining the dignity of a father and head of the household.

While touched, he also reflected.

It’s often said that human interactions are like looking into a mirror; you gain insight about yourself through relationships.

Who would’ve thought a noble heir could gain self-awareness thanks to a maid and achieve such an epiphany?

Carl marveled at the strange turns of fate, relieved that Roy had met this young girl.

“What forgiveness? You can make mistakes, but realizing them is what counts,” Carl choked back his emotions, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, “If you really have made mistakes, then that’s my fault too; I’ve never blamed you!”

Facing his father’s genuine feelings, Roy, who had initially thought he was just acting, now felt warmth rising in his chest.

Then Carl turned to the blonde maid beside him: “Alice, please take care of my son from now on.”

“Grandpa needn’t worry; looking after my master is part of my duty as a maid,” Alice replied straightforwardly, not understanding the polite social niceties, which made everyone stifle their chuckles.

“Looks like I’ll be counting on you then.” Roy reached out and tousled the girl’s golden hair.

Anya looked on with a knowing smile.

By the flickering candlelight, Carl quietly observed the pair, reluctant to interrupt.

Roy had truly changed; in his dark eyes, that old, pathetic arrogance was long gone, replaced with sincerity and humility.

For the first time in years, Carl noticed a hint of his late wife’s shadow in this black-haired, black-eyed youth.

If it’s the current version of him, everything should be alright, right?

“Kid, I didn’t plan to tell you about this so soon, but my mind has changed,” Carl looked deep into Roy’s eyes, his tone serious.

“This matter concerns the friendship between our Ainbrad family and the royal family.”

Upon hearing this, Roy straightened up, responding with determination, “Father, feel free to share! I won’t let you down this time!”

Building a good relationship with Carl was all benefits and no drawbacks. The future of family inheritance and the Magic Potion depended on this old man.

Moreover, having grown up in an orphanage in his past life, Roy wasn’t opposed to this feeling of familial harmony.

Now that Carl was willing to share such important matters, how could he let this opportunity slip by and continue to bear the label of ‘bad boy’?

However, reality slapped him hard in the face.

Carl, cheeks flushed with joy, raised his wine glass and took a sip, then happily declared, “In that case, your blind date with Princess Charlotte is confirmed!”

…

What?!!!!!!!