I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Surprise

Roy couldn’t imagine what kind of surprise his old man had prepared, so he simply bided his time.

He didn’t have to wait long.

Soon, most of the caravan headed straight for the royal capital. Only Roy and Carl took a carriage that left the capital behind, continuing deep into the forest until they reached a fenced area.

Nearby, there was a gigantic stone with the clear inscription: [Royal Garden – Trespassers Do So at Their Own Risk].

The carriage didn’t slow down at all, clearly having taken this route many times before. Roy understood that his old man wouldn’t make stupid moves.

Sure enough, as they entered the garden and passed through the last small path, the scenery outside the window opened up brilliantly.

Roy leaned out slightly and saw, at the foot of towering mountains, a magnificent waterfall cascading down, surrounded by lush green foliage. Amidst it all, a two-story vacation cottage stood quietly, like a hidden paradise in the deep woods.

Outside the cottage, a muscular man with a bare upper body, thick beard, and deep red long hair was chopping wood—or maybe trees, wielding a two-meter-long giant axe.

Having seen portraits of the king, Roy recognized this red-haired muscle man as Robert Reinhardt, the very king mentioned earlier on the carriage.

However, this untamed scene was utterly absurd compared to the legend of the “Crimson Flame Dancing on the Dragon’s Back.”

Carl was the first to get out of the carriage, eagerly moving forward.

Robert looked up, noticed who was approaching, and immediately burst into laughter, opening his muscular arms to give Carl an exuberant hug.

“Ha ha, Carl! You finally made it!”

“Y-your Majesty, you’re still so lively,” Carl joked weakly.

Carl had a pretty fit physique, but next to Robert, he looked like a little weakling.

Wait, why did this feel kinda… gay?!

Watching this almost philosophical scene unfold, Roy felt his heroic fantasies about Carl and Robert crash down instantly.

“Quit your nonsense! I don’t believe you call me that privately too…”

Just as Robert was laughing boisterously, a second person got out of the carriage.

Roy bowed slightly, saying, “I’m Roy Ainbrad, Your Majesty.”

To his surprise, Robert stepped forward and slapped him on the back with such force that Roy nearly let out everything he had eaten.

“Kid, I’ve heard about you! Everyone has their wild youth. It’s not too late to repent now; put in some effort!” As he spoke, Robert gave him another slap, making Roy stumble again.

Ouch, did it feel like this king was doing it on purpose or what?!

“Well, that’s not wrong. Back in the day, your Uncle Robert…”

“Bastard! You just know how to slander me, don’t you?”

Robert immediately pulled Carl in a playful headlock, preventing the embarrassing tales from spilling out.

Compared to old Raymond, Robert was much more enthusiastic. He was down-to-earth, entirely different from the imposing king Roy had pictured in his mind.

“Have you all arrived?” Just then, a gentle voice caught Roy’s attention.

Turning around, he saw a beautiful woman with brown hair coming toward them.

She was Leisa Reinhardt, Charlotte’s mother, the Lionheart Queen.

Like Robert, the beautiful woman wore a casual brown dress and had no air of arrogance about her. The slight smile on her lips made her seem very approachable.

“Hello, Aunt Leisa.” Roy dropped the formalities and offered a friendly smile in return.

“So, you must be Roy. Oh my, you’ve grown up nicely. No wonder my Charlotte is fond of you,” Leisa said, covering her face in a playful manner.

“Was the journey tough? Don’t worry about those smelly men, come inside and rest. Charlotte is here too.”

Ah, so that’s what the surprise was about.

Roy turned back and caught Carl, still locked in Robert’s grip, giving him an encouraging look, making him both amused and bewildered.

But putting aside his dad’s matchmaking, Roy really did want to get on good terms with Charlotte.

Compared to the usual formal court interactions, he figured it would be easier to score some points in a private setting.

Since this rare chance for private interaction had come up, why not make the most of it?

After all, she was the destined daughter, the future Lionheart Queen!

Thinking that, Roy didn’t hesitate, opened the door, and simply walked into the Reinhardt family’s vacation cottage.

Inside, the place had good lighting, and the soft morning glow highlighted the rustic charm of the wooden structure. The walls were adorned with deer heads, ram heads, wild boar heads, and other trophies from fierce beasts, but the bedside and tea table were filled with vibrant flowers, seemingly placed there by Robert and Leisa.

In his previous life, staying in a cottage like this at a tourist spot would easily cost four digits, right?

As Roy admired the décor, he suddenly heard footsteps descending from upstairs.

He approached the staircase, ready to greet the princess.

“Mom! I’m still changing! Tell them to wait before coming in…”

The girl’s expression turned to shock.

Roy was just as stunned.

Indeed, the one coming down was the princess, but she looked nothing like the poised and dignified girl he usually saw.

Her beautiful, fluffy red hair was a mess, her exquisite brows half-closed. Most importantly, she was wearing only a thin pink nightgown that barely reached her knees. From this angle, he could catch a glimpse of her smooth, slender legs and her soft bare feet on the stairs.

That view was getting dangerously close to the edge.

Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, and her cheeks quickly turned crimson at an observable rate.

Based on Roy’s anime experience from his previous life, he figured he should expect to receive a beating any second now.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly, saving that scene to his mental hard drive before making a hasty escape.

“Ah!!!”

It wasn’t until three seconds later that a tragic scream echoed through the wooden house, breaking the morning tranquility of the forest.

————————————————

“How was the surprise I prepared?”

“Mom! You should have mentioned this sooner!”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you to get up early?”

Ten minutes later, Charlotte finally changed into her signature military-style short skirt, white shirt, and a pair of beautiful black over-the-knee stockings. Her lovely red twin tails had also been neatly done up, looking like vibrant ribbons for the festive season.

However, her face still bore a lingering shade of embarrassment as she shot an annoyed glare at her own mother.

Leisa, on the other hand, appeared quite pleased, even enjoying her tea as if she considered this whole scene a light-hearted tea party.

And Roy sat obediently across from the mother-daughter duo, not daring to utter a word.

What a mom, truly carefree!

Unexpectedly, Leisa looked up and asked him, “So, isn’t Charlotte’s appearance in her nightgown adorable?”

“Mom!!” Charlotte immediately exploded, delivering a flurry of punches on Leisa’s shoulder.

Honestly though, it really was kinda cute.

Roy silently gave five stars to the princess in her nightgown skin.