I Became The Mother Of The Strongest Villain - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Since she’d hurt him, it was natural that she had to feel pain, too.

But why? Fren wondered, did his heart ache instead of feeling relieved at the sight of Yuria crying. His heart, which was fine when he hurt other people, was in so much pain seeing her crying that he wanted to gouge it out to escape this insufferable feeling.

I don’t like it when Yuria cries. I don’t like it when she’s hurt.

However, he felt warm inside when Yuria laughed and treated him kindly. So, the conclusion was simple: he had to make sure Yuria never got sick or hurt in the future. He might hate her, but the act of comforting her was so lovely.

At Fren’s friendly touch, Yuria slowly opened her mouth, a voice worn ragged by crying leaked through her trembling lips, “Adorable Fren, my treasure.”

Fren just stared at Yuria.

“I will always be on your side. I will always be next to you.”

How could I have hurt such a pretty child with my own hands? I will never, never let that happen again. Yuria made up her mind, swearing that the events of today would never recur. That was the only thing she could do for Fren right now. Today she realized the gravity of the villainous role Fren was forced to bear as the ultimate villain of the novel and mastermind that led the world inches from destruction.

But what does that matter?

The weight of reality was heavier than she’d imagined, nonetheless, Yuria couldn’t let go of Fren’s hand. Even if they said that he was a hybrid of a demon and a human, thus having terrifying abilities unlike ordinary children, Fren was just Fren. It was not justifiable to persecute and abuse someone just because they were different. Fren was just a child, but despite being the most hurt – even by Yuria – he still reached out his hand and comforted her while she cried, gently wiping away her tears. That small action that weighed in her mind, for it contained Fren’s heart.

Fren, who was quietly looking at Yuria, tentatively asked, “Even if Fren makes Yuri scared?”

“Nng. I like and cherish every aspect of Fren. That’s just… it’s just a part of Fren. And that’s not everything about you. I know how lovely and warm Fren is, that’s enough for me.”

She couldn’t say Fren’s appearance just now wasn’t scary and that she wasn’t frightened. It was the first time she’d witnessed a person die, and in such an uncommon way. Instead of telling lies, she wanted to honestly explain to him how she felt. She wanted him to know she was ready to accept everything about Fren. There was nothing for her to be afraid of, nor any reason to feel anxious.

Fren looked at Yuria with furrowed eyebrows, expressing his inability to comprehend her words.

Well, that’s weird.

Yuria was definitely scared before. Everyone had eventually become so afraid of him that they’d tried to kill him, leaving him alone, so how could she say she was scared but would stay next to him? Regardless, Fren felt great comfort, hearing that he would be able to stay with her.

The fact that she wasn’t afraid of him any longer eased his pain. It was enough for now, as long as she didn’t abandon him, or avoid him, and stayed by his side he could bear with this pain. He would be able to feel her warmth, and live surrounded by her affection. Leaning against Yuria, Fren buried his frail body into her comforting arms.

It’s warm and cozy… He could never let go of this feeling.

As if nothing had happened, Yuria rose with Fren still snuggled in her arms and said, “Let’s go home for real now.”

Corpses lay scattered on the ground around them, but Yuria didn’t care anymore, it was a secluded area people didn’t go anyway. No one would ever find the bodies, plus there was no way she and Fren would be seen as the culprits.

No one will ever know. Yuria just decided to let pass with that thought, besides her whole attention was focused on Fren.

Upon arriving home, Yuria set Fren, who she was holding, on the floor. Fren’s expression hardened, now able to fully assess Yuria’s condition, unlike himself, who was fine, her appearance was an utter mess. Due to rolling on the ground after falling, her arms and legs were peeled and bruised. Moreover, her dress was soaked in blood from the numerous cuts caused by Fren’s aura that he had unwittingly shed.

“This…” Fren couldn’t finish his words properly. He hated seeing her hurt, it felt suffocating and painful. He thought he could ensure she wouldn’t get hurt and yet…

“Fren?” Yuria, puzzled by Fren’s sudden darkening in expression, finally realized her condition. A ‘mess’ couldn’t come close to describing the state she was in. Then the pain, which she didn’t feel while focusing on Fern, hit her like a tsunami causing her to frown and, Fren’s face darkened even more. He was used to getting hurt, but this time Yuria was injured. Yuria was in pain…

“I’m hurt, too. It will hurt me too.” He was determined not to let her be in pain anymore, but he couldn’t erase wounds that had been inflicted. Thus, there was only one way since he was the reason she was hurt, he should be hurt too.

Fren lowered the hand that was holding Yuria’s and bit it fiercely, blood gushed from the fresh wound.

Yuria shouted in alarm. “Fren!”

“Yuri is hurt. So Fren should hurt, too.” Frey said without concern for himself; however, he watched her reaction carefully.

“I’m not in pain. So Fren, don’t hurt yourself. I find it harder and more painful for Fren to be hurt.” His eyes stared up at her, asking why. “Because Fren is my precious treasure,” Yuria explained.

Yet, Fren was still unable to understand her words. “Fren.” He glanced up at Yuria’s clear voice. “You don’t like me being hurt?” Yuria asked, choosing another approach to help Fren understand.

Fren nodded.

“Why is that?”

“Here, thump, thump,” Fren said, pointing at his heart. When she cried in pain for the first time, he felt his heart contract painfully.

“Me too. If Fren’s hurt, it hurts for me, too ” Finally through his own experience, Fren understood Yuria’s words.

“There is no treatment for such pain.”

“Treatment?” Fren tilted his head.

“If you’re sick, you get treatment or medication. When you receive treatment, the pain disappears, but when it hurts here,” Yuria spoke while motioning to her heart, “It can’t heal as quickly because there’s no treatment.”

Some wounds even remain for a lifetime, such were the wounds Fren had received so far in this world, and the wounds that she had received in her previous world.

“Do treatment.” It didn’t matter what the treatment was or why it was needed, all that mattered was that the treatment could relieve the pain.

At Fren’s words, Yuria smiled softly, as she walked towards a drawer located in the corner of the house and took out the first aid kit.

“Fren, let’s treat you first,” Yuria said, worried about the blood running down the back of Fren’s hand.

However, he shook his head. “Yuri first.”

He hurriedly hid his injured hand with his other hand to block any attempt of Yuria’s treatment. With such firm determination, she couldn’t help but treat her wounds first, luckily her wounds weren’t serious. After sterilizing, all she needed to do was apply ointment and bandage them to prevent them from coming into contact with water later. Yuria, once finishing her own treatment, quietly reached out to Fren, only then did he uncover the hand he was hiding.

Yuria carefully dabbed disinfectant on Fren’s wounds and applied ointment. It must’ve stung, but Fren showed no signs of discomfort. This kind of wound was nothing to him.

“You did well.” After finishing, Yuria patted his head and praised him. Fren let out a small happy hum as if purring. “You must be hungry now. Shall we eat?” Yuria quickly suggested seeing that it was getting late.

It took a lot more time than she thought to go to the village. However, Yuria, who was about to prepare the meal, realized her mistake.

“Come to think of it…”

Yuria, who couldn’t focus on anything aside from her and Fren’s safety, belatedly realized her empty hands. At least, the clothes and items she had bought for Fren could still be used, but she didn’t dare to go through the corpses of the men to find them. It was the first death she’s witnessed since coming here, even the manner in which they died was terrible. Therefore, she wanted to never look at it again, and wanted to forget as soon as possible.

Fren looked at Yuria with squinted eyes silently asking her why she was hesitating.

“It’s okay. I can buy the clothes and supplies again.” Yuria smiled as she spoke, then apologized. “I’m sorry Fren, but we’ll have a simple meal today.”

Hearing her apology, Fren’s fingers twitched.

Most of the food she bought was also lost in the forest, so it was unavoidable. Fren nodded okay with having a simple supper even if the only food she prepared for him was some ramyon, salad, and porridge, he would feel happy. He’d had to starve for days on end before sometimes for so long he couldn’t remember the last day he ate. So it was okay.

Yuria immediately prepared the meal. It didn’t take long at all, after eating, they laid down in bed and settled in for the night. What happened today was far too much for Yuri to handle. The physical and mental exhaustion was too great, because of that she just wanted to lie in bed and sleep.

The minute her head hit the pillow she was out. Noticing that she was asleep, Fren wriggled in her arms, and slowly opened his eyes. Yuria looked like an angel as she slept. He had never seen one before, but he remembered people said that angels were the nicest and prettiest in the world. He was struck by the shining, twinkling angel-like Yuria.

It was the first time a person who was scared of him, had reached out to him and held him in their arms. That was why he liked Yuria. The emotion that he couldn’t fully grasp and didn’t understand before was finally cleared up today.

Let’s give her a present.

People are happy when they receive gifts. Fren liked when Yuria laughed and looked happy, and wanted to make her laugh. He didn’t want to see her crying or hurt like today. However, Fren had nothing, all he knew was how to hurt and kill people, if he did that Yuria wouldn’t be happy. It would be painful as it was today. So Fren, worried about what to give Yuria, suddenly remembered her words from earlier. Yuria regretted losing the things she had bought in the village. She seemed to want to go find them again.

Then I can find it for you. He didn’t have anything, but couldn’t he find what she had lost? At that thought, Fren slowly got up, being careful not to disturb Yuria’s slumber. Soon after sliding out of bed, Fren gently opened the door and left the house to find the items they’d left behind in the forest.

How much time has passed? Yuria, who was sleeping soundly, languidly opened her eyes. Probably because she was extremely tired before, it was dark again when she awoke.

She felt empty, searching around her upon realization of what, or rather who was missing.

“…Fren?” Clearly, she fell asleep with Fren lying next to her, but now he was nowhere to be seen.

“Where on earth are you at this late hour…?”

Out of fear, Yuria hurriedly got up from bed, rushing to look around the whole house; however, there was no sign of Fren. She opened the door and peeked out, still unable to find him anywhere.

Did he leave? Was it because I hurt him?

Regardless she couldn’t just let Fren go, there were still so many things that she hadn’t given to Fren. The promise she made to him had yet to be properly kept, with that in mind, Yuria recklessly set off to find Fren.

You fool. You slept soundly, without even realizing Fren had left your side. Why on earth… Why…?

Indeed, today has been a day full of regrets, and guilt.

Suddenly, Fren appeared, barely noticeable through the dense foliage of the forest if not for the overflowing luggage he held close to his chest.

“Fren?” Yuria called, relieved to see Fren. His messy appearance bothered her, but since he had returned safely, that was all that she cared about.

“Gift. Fren found it.” With a proud expression on his face, Fren held out what was in his arms. Yuria’s face distorted as if crying when she looked at what the child had held out to her. Inside his arms were the things she had lost due to encountering those men on the way back from the village.