I’m Really Not Trying to Be Chased by the Heroine as the Villainous Playboy! – Chapter 66

Chapter 66: In Another World, All Men Are Whipped by Their Wives

The two rode back on a griffin, laden with their bounty, and by the time Layla and the others finished prepping the ingredients, nightfall had quietly settled in.

Everyone moved the table outdoors to feast under the night sky amidst the beautiful wilderness.

The roasted pepper chicken was golden and crispy, accompanied by a rich soup made with wild greens, radishes, and mountain mushrooms, but the real star was the tender and flavorful lightning mushroom rabbit stew.

Roy and Charlotte had only snacked all day, and even for Extraordinary Beings, hunger was no joke. They ditched any unnecessary pleasantries and dug in heartily.

Honestly, compared to Robert, who was devouring half a chicken, they looked downright civilized in their eating habits.

The pepper chicken tasted just like the marinated roast chicken Roy had back in his previous life, but way crispier and juicier.

The lightning mushroom rabbit was incredibly fresh, with a meaty savor reminiscent of stewed pork—rich yet not greasy, enhanced by the elegant aroma of the mushrooms.

As they feasted and chatted, everyone was relaxed and happy, completely ignoring any hierarchy among them.

Eventually, the elders’ conversation turned to Roy and Charlotte, prompting the two to share their hunting adventure from earlier.

When they heard about the duo’s teamwork in hunting, even high-level Extraordinary Beings like Karl and Robert couldn’t help but show surprise.

Karl smiled at Robert, teasing, “It’s my first time hearing about Extraordinary Beings who can unleash a joint attack without any training. Maybe these two get along quite well?”

“Hmph, it’s just luck,” Robert grumbled, knocking back a mug of fresh beer that was bigger than Roy’s head, sounding disgruntled.

“By small fry standards, they did pretty well though. Normally, hunting lightning mushroom rabbits requires a five-man team.”

Listening to the king’s tipsy, feigned praise, Roy finally figured out who Charlotte had inherited her personality from.

The girl sitting across from Roy covered her mouth, softly giggling: “Don’t mind him! He’s just jealous of us! Dad brought a team several times when he was younger and still couldn’t catch a lightning mushroom rabbit!”

The friendly interaction between the young boy and girl didn’t escape the watchful eyes of their mother, Layla.

With a meaningful glance at the two, Layla smiled: “In just one day, your relationship has improved a lot.”

“Looks like having Roy around makes you really happy, huh?”

The delight in Layla’s eyes was nearly overflowing.

Charlotte, who had just swallowed a piece of chicken, nearly choked. After finally managing to wash it down with soup, she looked up, hastily defending herself: “N-no, that’s not it?!”

“It’s not that fun; it’s just ordinary!” Charlotte dabbed her mouth and straightened up, trying to appear graceful and reserved.

What was this about happiness? It sounded like she was implying something…

Of course, if Roy really had that kind of intention, it wouldn’t be bad, but what was he thinking?

She said one thing, but her half-squinted eyes kept drifting toward Roy.

Little did she know, Roy sighed mournfully: “Ah, so it turns out I’m not that much fun to be around, huh?”

He suddenly felt playful and wanted to tease the hard-headed princess.

Roy looked at the sky at a 45-degree angle, dramatically lamenting, “Am I just being over-sensitive? Don’t we have a good relationship?”

The girl froze, her face turning a little panicked.

“N-no, that’s not what I meant… I just…” Charlotte straightened her back, her slender legs fidgeting under the table, stumbling over her words while nervously curling her hair into a little twist.

“I just… just…”

Those enchanting, fiery red eyes started to shimmer with a hint of moisture.

The more anxious the girl became, the cuter she looked, making Roy want to tease her even more.

But since her mother was right there, he decided to hold back a bit.

Roy waved his hand and flashed a smile: “Just kidding, don’t take it seriously.”

“Thanks to Charlotte keeping me company, at least I’m having a pretty good time today.”

Charlotte sighed in relief, a flicker of joy flashing in her eyes, but she quickly realized he did that on purpose, pouting slightly.

Under the table, her black silk-clad foot lightly stepped on Roy’s, but the force was so gentle it felt like a little creature bumping into him.

Layla’s smile was even wider than before. Karl, pleased to see his son’s progress, eagerly devoured more meat while both seemed to be reveling in it.

Only Robert, after downing several mugs of beer, was feeling disgruntled watching his daughter giggling with Roy.

If it were any other little rascal, even that scoundrel from the Raymond family, Robert would’ve broken their legs by now.

Yet, the more he watched, the less he could find anything wrong with Roy.

This only made him more irritable.

Emotionally, he didn’t want his daughter falling for anyone, but rationally, he knew Roy was probably the only boy Charlotte might like.

“Hey, Roy kid!”

His thunderous shout nearly startled Roy out of his seat.

“What is it?!”

“If you want to pursue my daughter, fine! But the Lionheart family doesn’t take in slackers! You better prove you’re stronger than Karl! You must break through before you turn twenty…”

This awkward old dad just had to drag out some ‘tests’ and ‘trials’ to somehow make things difficult for him, just to cope with his past insecurities.

Too bad he hadn’t finished, as Layla, adept from countless similar situations, stepped on Robert’s toe with her high-heeled shoe.

Compared to Charlotte, Layla was not holding back.

The iron-hearted Lion King grimaced in pain, immediately shutting his mouth, proving just how hard that stomp was.

Layla smiled kindly at Roy: “Don’t mind him, men say nonsense when they drink too much.”

Roy, utterly confused about what just happened, nodded repeatedly, feeling an inexplicable chill.

He couldn’t help but think of his family’s head maid.

How should he put it? The women in this world were particularly fierce. Even Karl was one thing, but how did even this Crimson Flame Dancing on the Dragon’s Back, the mighty Lion King, end up getting henpecked?

“What nonsense? This is a man’s trial…” Robert glared, seemingly wanting to reclaim his dignity, but Layla stomped on him again, making him flinch and turn away, putting on a final stubborn front: “…but trials aren’t just about the moment; you two should get along well first.”

Roy, witnessing this for the first time, wanted to laugh but stifled it, finding it quite hard to contain himself.

Meanwhile, Karl was used to this, treating his old friend’s embarrassing moments like a casual party trick.

“Robert, you still fear the missus, huh?”

Then he got a swift punch from a furious Robert.

Honestly, Roy preferred this easygoing atmosphere over the pompous, tedious court banquets full of forced pleasantries.

After dinner, the three elders remained outside for round two of drinking, while Roy and Charlotte were urged to head to bed early.

Not far from the vacation cabin was a small bathhouse built from mountain spring water, perfect for bathing.

Of course, such things were always ladies first.

Roy and Charlotte agreed to meet there half an hour later, and when the time came, he headed toward the bathhouse down the familiar path.

What was labeled a bathhouse was essentially a pool made from diverted creek water and rocks, shaded by a wooden structure without a roof.

It almost had the charm of some open-air hot springs from Roy’s previous life.

Roy was about to step inside when he caught a glimpse of a delicate silhouette enveloped in steam.