This Three Year Old Is a Villainess - Chapter 4

“….”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

After running so hard, Erylotte stood tall as soon as she made eye contact with the Duke.

 

Erylotte hesitated for a long time before finally raising a rabbit doll.

 

“Owder Swisters gave it to me.” [Older Sisters gave it to me.]

 

Viscount Debussy chuckled.

 

“Yes, it’s a very cute doll.”

 

“Ywesh!” [Yes!]

 

From afar, the maid approached with short and quick steps. Then, when she discovered the Duke and the Viscount, she hurriedly bowed her head.

 

The Viscount said to Erylotte.

 

“It seems that she has come to pick up the Young Miss. Come to think of it, it’s time for dinner. You have worked hard.”

 

The maid bowed in silence, and bent down towards Erylotte.

 

“Shall we go?” asked the maid. Erylotte nodded.

 

“Gwandfather, bye.” [Grandfather, bye.]

 

“….”

 

Viscount Debussy chuckled as he watched Erylotte leave holding the maid’s hand.

 

She was a really interesting child.

 

‘Is it because she grew up in the 12th Tower and not in the castle?’

 

She was completely different from the direct descendants.

 

There was no child who would carry a rabbit doll in this castle.

 

Even more so a child who would brag about the doll to the Duke of Astra.

 

And on top of that, to say, Grandfather, bye?!

 

Did she really just treat the Duke of Astra as if he were an ordinary grandfather, when even old nobles were nervous around him?

 

He saw an interesting sight today.

 

To think that the Duke of Astra wasn’t ignoring, but rather simply unable to respond.

 

‘How long will it take?’

 

Soon she will notice that her grandfather is not an ordinary old man.

 

Since the child is surprisingly quick-witted.

 

However, contrary to Viscount Debussy’s thoughts, Erylotte was consistent with her attitude.

 

When the Duke left the study, Erylotte was waiting, sitting down in front of the door.

 

The child had a book in her hand.

 

Since she was smaller than other children her age, the book was as big as her body.

 

“If I wead a bwook. I becwome smart.” [If I read a book. I become smart.]

 

“….”

 

The next day, she sat down in front of the dining room.

 

Likewise, in her hand there was a sketchbook the size of her body.

 

“I’m dwawing.” [I’m drawing.]

 

“….”

 

The next day was the bedroom.

 

She held a milk bottle.

 

“If I dwink milk. I’ll grow biggwer.” [If I drink milk. I’ll grow bigger.]

 

“….”

 

Even Erylotte’s every move didn’t have to be reported.

 

She reported it on her own accord.

 

And like that, a week passed.

 

“I’m eating a snwack. I hab to bwush my tweeth.” [I’m eating a snack. I have to brush my teeth.]

 

“….”

 

Erylotte was doing something in front of the office as always.

 

The Duke glanced at the child before entering the office.

 

Viscount Debussy and Conrad who came with him chuckled.

 

Conrad said.

 

“You came today, too.”

 

“Did the Young Miss come yesterday as well?”

 

“She has been coming every day recently.”

 

“If I knew it would be like this, I would have made one grandchild too.”

 

As Viscount Debussy laughed, the Duke frowned.

 

The Viscount shrugged his shoulders.

 

Would that nobleman care if he said that his grandchild was following him around?

 

He put the documents he had brought on the Duke’s desk.

 

“This is the trend in the Marquess of Tollisso territory. With their granary taken away, the atmosphere on the Tollisso side became strange. Since if even one funding line is blocked… Your Excellency?”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

The answer was subtly late.

 

As if he was thinking about something else.

 

When Viscount Debussy and Conrad looked at him with a strange look, the Duke waved his hand.

 

“Continue.”

 

He said nothing, but it kept bothering him.

 

That back of that yellow head of hair.

 

 

***

 

 

At sunset.

 

I stood on the tip of my toes and peeped into the office.

 

I’m talking about ‘Conrad’ who was in the office.

 

I had been diligently following Conrad around recently.

 

‘Because soon, the time of his betrayal would come… ’

 

Although it was only described in passing in the world of [IPTVG], I remembered it clearly.

 

Conrad committed his act of betrayal in the ‘winter of his fourth year in Astra’.

 

And after looking into it, now was exactly the winter of his fourth year.

 

‘I can’t leave Grandfather alone with him.’

 

If they’re both alone, he might attack.

 

However, sticking to Grandfather was unreasonable.

 

Grandfather wouldn’t like it and, more than anything else…

 

‘My life is precious.’

 

What should I do if when he’s attacking Grandfather, I also get swept away and suffer from it?

 

For that reason, I never went inside and was always simply outside the room.

 

I was ready to scream if something happened.

 

‘It’s uncomfortable because I’m a child.’

 

If I’m already going to possess somebody, you should have at least given me an adult’s body.

 

There’s nothing that a child can do.

 

If a three-year-old child pointed to an aide who was doing a good job—

 

‘He’s a traitor. I have no evidence, but I saw it in a novel.’

 

—And said something like that, they would definitely think of me as a crazy child.

 

Conrad came out of the room, interrupting my thoughts.

 

“You’re still here.”

 

When I nodded, he bent one knee and made eye contact with me.

 

“Wasn’t it boring?”

 

“I habb snacks.” [I have snacks.]

 

I held the bag of snacks up, trying to explain that it was okay because I waited while eating.

 

“You’re very well-behaved.”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

When I answered like that, Conrad chuckled.

 

“If you don’t mind, may I touch your esteemed self?”

 

There were other executives around, and he didn’t seem to be trying to do anything dangerous.

 

I nodded my head.

 

Then, Conrad adjusted my collar. It was a very kind touch.

 

“It’s still cold.”

 

I could feel the maids who were passing through the hallway glancing this way.

 

I understood them.

 

‘Surely they can’t help but look at him because he’s so cool.’

 

When I lowered my eyes while he adjusted my collar, I thought I was looking at a pictorial.

 

The sunset that permeated through his long eyelashes.

 

Clean eyes.

 

A sharp nose.

 

Lips that drew up a friendly line.

 

‘Above all, Conrad’s biggest strength was surely this gentle feeling.’

 

“Are you going to continue to stay here?”

 

“How about Conrad?”

 

“I am going home now.”

 

It was good to hear that.

 

If Conrad was not with Grandfather, there was no reason for me to protect him here.

 

Actually, it was a little cold, so I kept wanting to go back to my room.

 

“Then, I will gwo, thoo.” [Then, I will go, too.]

 

“Since the stairs of the castle are still high for the Young Miss, I’ll take you to your room.”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

I walked holding Conrad’s hand.

 

Because he matched his steps with my child’s steps, he was comfortable to walk with.

 

On top of that, he even added words when it mattered so that I wouldn’t be bored.

 

“Did you say that you’re going to read a history book every morning?”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

“Isn’t it tiring?”

 

“It’s not thiring. Bwecause I’m weading it wittle by wittle.” [It’s not tiring. Because I’m reading it little by little.]

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

It was quite far from Grandfather’s office to my room, but it wasn’t boring at all.

 

Conrad walked me until we were in front of my room and greeted me.

 

“Have a good evening.”

 

As he left, I groaned inside,

 

‘Hm….’

 

It didn’t seem like he was going to attack Grandfather yet.

 

Night, when there were few people, was the best to attack, but Conrad continuously went home early recently.

 

‘Why did Conrad betray Grandfather?’

 

I was thinking carefully, when I heard a familiar voice behind my back.

 

“Young Miss.”

 

It was the maids who came to give me my dinner.

 

The maids looked at Conrad’s back and said,

 

“Oh my gosh, it’s Mister Conrad. He’s always so handsome.”

 

“I know right. It was my pleasure to see him once in a while, but it’s sad to think that I can’t see him anymore.”

 

Hearing the maids’ words, my eyes opened wide.

 

“Why cwan’t you shee Cwonrad?” [Why can’t you see Conrad?]

 

“He said he would step down from his position as the Duke’s close aide.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He’s probably moving to a place with less hectic work. Since he has to take care of his younger sibling.”

 

At those words, another maid added.

 

“I heard that his younger sibling has been sick since the summer. Because of that, he has been coming home early recently.”

 

“Shick? Where?” [Sick? Where?]

 

“It’s something called Sunset disease, but… Ah, it’s already time for Young Miss to sleep, right?”

 

The maids who swallowed their words started preparing the bed.

 

However, I already knew what Sunset disease was.

 

Sunset disease began with only several spots on the body.

 

The more spots there were, the stronger the pain became, and in the end, when the spots covered the person’s entire body, they would die.

 

However, the treatment itself was easy.

 

Since there was a miracle medicine called Blue Flower Bulb.

 

‘The problem is, obtaining the Blue Flower Bulb was like trying to pick stars in the sky.’

 

It was safe to say that it was a flower that existed only in legends.

 

To buy one, the price was astronomical because it was so difficult to find.

 

At that moment, I felt like the light bulb in my head was turning on.

 

A young sibling who caught a disease.

 

A medicine that’s very hard to get.

 

And then, betrayal.

 

‘What’s this?! So, he committed treason because of his younger sibling’s medicine!’

 

Those who ordered Conrad to attack compensated him with the cure.

 

Conrad must have betrayed Astra for his younger sibling.

 

‘I don’t think that side has contacted Conrad yet.’

 

If they had contacted him, it was impossible for him to step down from his position as Grandfather’s aide.

 

Since there was no position more perfect than that for an attack.

 

‘Then that means that he won’t commit betrayal if there is medicine?’

 

It could be solved by just obtaining the Blue Flower Bulb.

 

‘That’s easy!’

 

 

***

 

 

The next day.

 

I headed to the study because it was time to read the ancient language again.

 

In the study, there was only Grandfather, Viscount Debussy, and Conrad.

 

After such incredible information such as ‘The Dragon’s Bone and Blessed Land’ came out, it seemed like they thought that only a few people should know the contents.

 

I pretended to look at the history book and said.

 

“There is a theory thath the Bwue Fwower Buwb stwengthens Bwessings.” [There is a theory that Blue Flower Bulb strengthens Blessing.]

 

Of course, there was nothing like that in the history book.

 

Viscount Debussy’s eyes widened.

 

“Are you talking about the Blue Flower Bulb?”

 

“Ywes.” [Yes.]

 

“To think that the Blue Flower Bulb had such an effect…”

 

Viscount Debussy turned his head towards Grandfather.

 

“What does the Duke think about this?”

 

“If it can develop Blessings, then it’s worth checking.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“Obtain it.”

 

‘Great!’

 

I grinned inside.

 

To me, obtaining the Blue Flower Bulb was a simple matter.

 

After all, anything can be done if I use the Duke of Astra Family!

 

No matter how hard it was to get the Blue Flower Bulb, it was not that difficult with the power of the Duke of Astra.

 

The financial power that would never dry up no matter how much you scooped out.

 

The information sources that were spread all throughout the continent.

 

Astra was really a family that could pick even a star in the sky.

 

Grandfather took it a step further.

 

“Divide it to my grandchildren as soon as you get it. I need to check the effect.”

 

“Yes. It’s not a poisonous plant, so it won’t be dangerous.”

 

Viscount Debussy looked at Conrad.

 

“Conrad. Contact the information office and tell them to find the Blue Flower Bulb.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Conrad’s eyes were shaking.

 

Of course, he was like that.

 

It was a thing that he was so desperate for that he would even betray his own lord.

 

Conrad went out with a stiff expression.

 

I quickly put down the history book.

 

“Now I am thired. Cwan I gwo?” [Now I am tired. Can I go?]

 

Viscount Debussy looked at Grandfather as if asking for permission.

 

Grandfather nodded.

 

I bowed without hesitation and quickly chased Conrad.

 

He looked absent-minded.

 

“Conrad.”

 

“Ah. Yes, Young Miss.”

 

I grabbed the end of Conrad’s jacket and whispered.

 

“If I weceib the bulb, I’ll gib ith to Conrad.”  [If I receive the bulb, I’ll give it to Conrad.]

 

“…Pardon?”

 

I slightly raised both hands and spoke like a child.

 

“The maid Owder Sisters said that. Conrad’s youngwer sibwing is sick. Need a Bwue Fwower Buwb.” [The maid Older Sisters said that. Conrad’s younger sibling is sick. Need a Blue Flower Bulb.]

 

“That’s… Why would you give me such a precious thing?”

 

“I wike it if Conrad is hwappy.” [I like it if Conrad is happy.]

 

“….”

 

Conrad covered his face with one hand.

 

I could see his eyes shaking between his long and pretty fingers.

 

After calming his trembling breath, he soon bent on one knee.

 

“I will never forget this grace. Never.”

 

His eyes were filled with energy.

 

I patted Conrad’s head.

 

‘Good. Don’t forget it.’

 

 

***

 

 

And then, a few days later.

 

I walked down the hallway while humming.

 

‘Because Conrad’s younger sibling recovered!’

 

As expected of Astra’s information office.

 

In just a week, the Blue Flower Bulb was obtained with ease.

 

As promised, I handed over the Blue Flower Bulb to Conrad.

 

‘Good, it turned out great.’

 

Now I don’t have to worry about Grandfather’s coma.

 

“Young Miss.”

 

Conrad appeared from a distance.

 

“It’s already so late at night, where are you going?”

 

“To Gwandfather.” [To Grandfather.]

 

The need to observe Conrad was over, but even so, I was still working hard coming in and out of the Duke’s sight.

 

‘Surely, one will get attached when he sees it often.’

 

Reading the ancient language would be over someday.

 

That’s why I’ll do everything I can.

 

So, I needed to get close to Grandfather in preparation for that time.

 

“Oh my, what to do. The Duke has just gone out. Because there was an urgent meeting for the Elder Nobles.”

 

“I shee….” [I see….]

 

“Moreover, it is better to be careful on a day like today.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because it’s the day when the red moon rises.”

 

Ahh.

 

I nodded.

 

When the red moon rose, the Blessings became very weak. The nobles who relied heavily on Blessings were bound to become sensitive.

 

‘So, it’s a dangerous day.’

 

Conrad looked around and after confirming that there was no one, he said.

 

“Young Miss’ education schedule has been set.”

 

“Education?”

 

“When the direct descendants have returned from training, you will receive education together. The content of the class is…”

 

Now Conrad has begun to give me various information.

 

He seems to think that I was his savior because I gave him the Blue Flower Bulb.

 

I was thrilled.

 

‘I really like this kind of information!’

 

In the upper-class society, information was everything.

 

As expected, it was the right decision giving Conrad the Blue Flower Bulb.

 

I listened carefully to the report Conrad told me.

 

“Young Miss, the swordsmanship teacher is rather strict, so you’d better be nervous.”

 

“Bwut it’d be nice if Cwonrad did ith.” [But it’d be nice if Conrad did it.]

 

He was a strong man who succeeded in throwing a surprise attack on Grandfather.

 

And, he was very kind to me.

 

Conrad smiled awkwardly.

 

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s because I’m not a martial arts person.”

 

What?

 

“I’ve never learned swordsmanship. I’ve also never been trained to kill anyone.”

 

…What is he talking about?

 

Then, how did he do the surprise attack?

 

At that moment, something that I had overlooked came to mind.

 

‘It’s possible that there was more than one spy.’

 

This damn novel!

 

Describing it as if Conrad was doing the surprise attack all by himself…!

 

‘Wait a minute.’

 

I quickly turned my head and looked at the window.

 

The red moon.

 

The day where Blessings became weak.

 

A meeting of the Elders which was called urgently.

 

‘It’s a sudden attack.’

 

I turned around and ran like crazy.

 

“Young Miss? Young Miss!”

 

Grandfather is in danger!

 

 

***

 

 

The Duke of Astra was surrounded by the spies.

 

The surrounding area was a mess because of the traces of battle already.

 

Corpses laid all over the place.

 

The ground was dyed by fresh blood.

 

“This monster-like bastard…”

 

Marquess Tollisso, the mastermind of this time’s matter, gritted his teeth.

 

How could he be this powerful even on the day when the red moon rises?

 

Several soldiers were crushed by the Duke of Astra and were tossed to the ground.

 

‘If I backed down from here, it’s over.’

 

Originally, it was a matter that could be solved safely by simply attracting the aide of the Duke of Astra.

 

After the assassination, it would have been over when the aide was charged with the crime.

 

Since he was the aide, he would know the Duke’s schedule, so he was able to avoid bringing them in until an emergency meeting was held.

 

However, things went wrong.

 

That bastard’s younger sibling somehow recovered.

 

‘How the hell did a mere official of a noble family obtain the Blue Flower!!’

 

Anyway, he had to kill the Duke of Astra today.

 

Marquess Tollisso stepped back from the Duke and soldiers and shouted.

 

“Attack! Kill him? Ack!”

 

Marquess Tullisso screamed.

 

Everyone’s gaze drifted towards Marquess Tollisso.

 

No, to be precise—

 

To the little child who fell from the low cliff the Marquess had his back on.

 

“Don’t bwother Gwndfather…! You bwad guy…!” [Don’t bother Grandfather…! You bad guy…!]

 

The young child was sitting on the back of Marquess Tollisso and was tearing at his fragile hair roots.

 

“…Erylotte?”

 

The Duke called in an absurd tone.

 

…Why are you here?

 

“You can’t let this go?! Aack!”

 

The cowardly Marquess Tollisso was way behind the soldiers.

 

Because she was out of reach, a soldier threw a dagger at Erylotte.

 

At that moment.

 

Clang—!

 

A knight wrapped in a robe engraved with Astra’s pattern hit the flying dagger.

 

“Your Excellency, are you alright?!”

 

A familiar voice was heard from the top of the cliff.

 

It was Conrad.

 

Even at this moment, Erylotte, who was tearing at Marquess Tollisso’s hair, thought.

 

‘Am I stupid. Why’d I come alone?’