I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Master is a Good Person

“You are completely different from what I’ve heard. Were those rumors just lies?”

Charlotte’s gaze was fixed intently on me, full of confusion.

That look was clearly scrutinizing my expression!

Roy inwardly sighed; my last-minute preparations couldn’t compete with the negative rumors about the notorious Roy for over a decade.

Unlike the pure-hearted Alice or my emotionally attached old man, Charlotte wouldn’t accept my new persona so quickly without the filter of admiration and familial ties.

For the little princess, my current performance was too contradictory compared to those well-known tales.

Winning her favor through a blind date alone was impossible—

But Roy’s goal was simply not to offend her!

I didn’t seek accolades, just wanted to avoid any mistakes and minimize damage.

As long as the little princess bore no hostility toward me, that would be a success!

So, I straightened my posture, facing Charlotte’s scrutinizing eyes, and replied with a hint of self-deprecating humor.

“Those rumors are all true.”

“!”

Charlotte shuddered, momentarily recalling all the bad reviews. It all felt so surreal, stirring an odd mix of emotions within her.

“All true?” she whispered in disbelief.

I nodded, deeply sighing. “Indeed, I’ve never been a gentleman.”

“I have a vile personality, nothing to my skill, completely and utterly a useless rake from beginning to end!”

“But you clearly…” Charlotte clenched her slender palm, caught between wanting to say something and holding back.

The more I admitted, the more she felt it was all wrong and hard to accept!

Charlotte, now agitated, raised her voice and glared at me. “Mr. Ainbrad, if you’re really that notorious rake from the rumors, then what the hell is going on today? Are you just toying with me on a whim?!”

“Of course not.”

“I know very well that I don’t deserve you.”

I looked back at her fury-filled eyes, revealing a lonely, bitter smile.

Gazing into the depth of my melancholy, Charlotte felt an inexplicable pang in her heart; her momentum softened momentarily.

“I know I’m talentless, of low character, and my background is far lacking. A lowly person like me doesn’t deserve to be with you, Your Highness.”

“But even so, I don’t want to give up the chance to be alone with you. Like a tiny moth, knowing it will be burned by the dazzling flames, instinctively wanting to chase after it—this may be my only chance in this life to sit face to face with you as equals.”

My heartfelt words left Charlotte in unprecedented shock.

There had always been many who confessed their love and admiration to her.

Yet only I had the audacity to openly admit my unworthiness.

Just like a protagonist in a knight’s tale.

Deeply in love with the princess, willing to step back for the happiness of their beloved, lingering in the shadows, quietly blessing the princess and the prince.

Charlotte had always loved this kind of story, secretly shedding tears countless times for the knight and reflecting on their true feelings.

However, it was only at this moment that she realized she had never considered how much pain a knight truly felt.

“So let’s leave it at this; if Your Highness grants me this opportunity, I am already satisfied.”

With that, I stood up and silently turned to leave.

“Wait…”

Charlotte reached out in vain, but her words stuck in her throat, helplessly watching my silhouette dissolve into the dim twilight.

The usually early-leaving Charlotte never anticipated that the man would be the one to exit first.

She never expected this moment to feel so empty and lonely.

————————————

While Charlotte and Roy were on their blind date, the maids had their own matters to attend to.

The maids also inquired about their master; it was part of the blind dating procedure.

Compared to the exaggerated praises from parents and relatives, it was often the evaluations of these servants that were more truthful.

In a corner of the courtyard, Lisa met Roy’s personal maid, Alice.

“Good afternoon, feel free to ask anything about the master.”

Alice, with her shimmering platinum blonde twin tails and clear blue eyes like mountain lakes, gracefully held her dress. Aside from her exquisite face lacking expression, she was almost a perfect maid!

Lisa began to understand why someone might splurge extravagantly on this child.

“Little Alice, I do have a few questions for you.” Lisa adopted an older sister tone to kick off the conversation.

Of course, she couldn’t start by asking how Roy was; she’d have to be a little indirect, following proper etiquette.

After all, the servants’ behavior could be reported back to the master, and Lisa didn’t want to embarrass Charlotte.

“Isn’t working in the marquis’s residence difficult?”

“Nope.”

Lisa smiled kindly at the blonde girl before her, waiting for Alice to share about her daily routine at the marquis’s estate.

However, Alice just stared blankly at her like a broken doll, not even blinking.

An awkward silence filled the space between the two maids.

“Um, I meant to ask, what do you usually do for that young master?”

What does she do—four short words hiding quite a bit of inquiry.

The underlying question was really about the daily life between the personal maid and her master.

Some personal maids would accompany their masters to battle like knights, while others would help manage paperwork. The personal maid represented the master’s emotional ties, and her responsibilities could reveal the master’s worldview and lifestyle.

But Alice left Lisa speechless with a single line.

“The maid’s job.”

Lisa’s lips twitched.

This child looked not too bright.

Looks like I had to be more direct.

“Little Alice, what I mean is, what is your master like as a person?”

“Good person!” Alice blurted out.

Lisa almost fell over on the spot.

But the blonde little maid blinked, not sensing anything wrong.

Roy had told her to answer truthfully, and she definitely just spoke the truth.

“Oh dear, I meant to ask, your master, um…” Lisa was immensely conflicted.

Does your master hit you, scold you, do dirty things to you at night?

But even disregarding noble etiquette, she couldn’t bring herself to ask a child such questions!

Be indirect, be indirect!

After stumbling around for quite a while, Lisa finally organized her words.

“I mean, how do you feel your master treats you? What does your master mean to you?”

As soon as Lisa asked, she regretted it. Such a vague question would leave the poor girl with no clue how to respond.

However, Alice was suddenly taken aback.

She realized that her answer could very well decide the fate of Roy and Charlotte’s potential marriage.

Everything must be answered truthfully.

She recalled that day when Roy had been troubled about marriage.

Her master definitely wanted to marry the princess.

As a maid, now was the time to repay my master.

“Master treats me really well.”

Meeting Lisa’s astonished gaze, Alice placed her hand over her heart and softly said, “To me, my master is a special existence.”

“Everyone says my master is a bad person, a useless one.”

“But master gives me delicious food, provides me with warm protection, and has never asked anything from me in return.”

“He even said he wants to become better for my sake, to turn over a new leaf, so…”

“My master is a good person!”

In the clear depths of the girl’s gaze, there was unwavering sincerity, without a shred of doubt.