This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 14
I pushed the empty pudding dish aside and jumped off the chair, humming a song. I went to the place where I had collected picture books.
But as I was about to open a book, I felt a gaze behind me.
Turning my head, I saw the maids looking at me strangely.
“Hasn’t the Miss been reading that book yesterday?”
“Yes, she was.”
“And three days ago.”
The maids sighed, “Hmm.”
“There’s nothing for the Miss to do in the Astra estate.”
“Didn’t you request toys from the logistics department?”
“They said it would take at least two weeks for review and procurement.”
After Grandfather’s attack, the security of the Astra estate had been significantly strengthened, to the point where it was intimidating. They had to be cautious due to the possibility of cursed items, which required a lengthy review.
Because of this, I looked at the same books over and over again.
‘But it’s still fun though?’
Perhaps it was because of the mental toll I suffered from the child’s body, but I liked doing things kids enjoyed.
I tried to focus on the picture book again, but the maids approached.
“Should we call a friend of the Miss from the twelfth tower?”
“Yes. Since they’re from the branch family, they should be able to get inside even during this time.”
I replied casually without taking my eyes off the picture book.
“I dun hab fwiend.”
“Weren’t you raised together?”
“Yeah, but thwey dun wike pwaying with me.”
“Why?”
“Becos my famiwy dun wike me.”
Occasionally, clueless children approached me to play. However, every time that happened, the maids would panic and scoop them up, saying, ‘Playing with the head of the main family is treated the same as playing with the troublemaker from the main family.’
“It’s the same as playing with a vulgar child.”
That’s what they’d say.
If they saw me playing with children, their parents would contact them, leading to scoldings. So children didn’t play with me, and I didn’t want them to be scolded because of me.
I turned the page to the next one, and it was a picture I loved.
The illustration showed a mother fish coming to find her baby fish, and I liked it very much. As I looked at the picture with sparkling eyes, I suddenly felt the atmosphere change. When I turned my head, the maids had strange expressions on their faces.
‘Why…?’
Seeing the maids start to tear up so quickly, I realized.
‘Oops.’
I looked pitiful.
‘I’m already used to this, so I just said it casually.’
This darn supporting character penalty.
Because I’m not the protagonist, I often lose focus and miss the subtleties of adults’ feelings.
‘Aigoo, these sisters are emotionally sensitive.’
Surprisingly, they were kind maids, not typical employees of the Astra estate. This might be why they didn’t advance much in their careers.
‘Well, that might be why they’ve been assigned to me.’
Other noble children get nurses—like nannies, higher-ranked servants.
I waved both arms in the air and said in a hurry.
“I’m no sad. It’s fun to pway by mysewf!” (I’m not sad. It’s fun to play by myself!)
I said this enthusiastically, but the girls burst into tears even more.
“Miss…”
“Now, no one will decline playing with the Miss anymore.”
“Of course! Now that you’ve manifested your blessing, you’re staying in the central mansion.”
Hilda embraced me tightly. Greta also gently stroked the back of my hand.
“Adults are bad. Why won’t they let a child play? They’re the ones who won’t let you play.”
“That’s right.”
Hilda and Greta’s eyes gleamed.
***
“—That’s what they said.”
Conrad told the Duke about it.
The children from the twelfth tower didn’t play with Erylotte, and it seemed like they were under pressure from adults. The maids heard this from Erylotte and reported it to Conrad, who then conveyed it to the Duke.
Duke Astra, focused on documents, finally spoke.
“So?”
Conrad’s expression darkened.
‘I wondered if Your Grace changed your demeanor towards the Miss, but…’
The young miss manifested her blessing and also protected her family.
That’s why one could only guess that the miss’ adorable demeanor had an effect on His Grace’s normally stern personality.
‘He’s a man who’s lived his whole life without knowing what affection is to people.’
So he’d think, why would he come forward for your granddaughter?
Conrad became sullen, but on the other hand, Viscount Debussy smiled.
“We’re here to deliver the message we heard. It’s also the result of the inquiry. Conrad, go ahead.”
“Of course.”
Conrad received the documents and glanced over them. Then, he looked at the Duke with a hint of surprise.
“Is this all of it?”
“Yes. It says that they promised titles and money to Marquis Toliso and crossed over.”
“And what about Toliso?”
“They say he held a grudge because the grain fields were taken away.”
The Duke chuckled.
“It’s a pathetic excuse.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you really think Toliso is the mastermind behind this whole affair?”
