This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 15
“…Sir?”
Even though Toliso was part of the elder noble council, Astra couldn’t easily access their list of guards. It was challenging to identify a suitable candidate among Astra’s guards who could switch allegiances to Toliso. Conrad’s gaze sharpened.
“Could it be that there’s an enemy within our ranks? Who could…!”
“One of my own children, most likely.”
There was no one else with the power to move Toliso. Plus, the Duke’s enemies always shared the same bloodline. Conrad looked perplexed.
Conrad was just the bait.
Someone else provided information from within the family but stayed unnoticed.
The Duke smirked.
“I’ve been too lenient for so long.”
“….”
“These little pigs aren’t satisfied with the scraps I’ve given them. They’ve become greedy.”
The Duke’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.
Conrad swallowed nervously.
“What should we do?”
“Tighten their leashes properly. Let’s start by testing the loyalty of the branch family. Tell them to convey their greetings to Erylotte.”
“Sir?”
“They should go down on their knees. Properly.”
“Yes?!”
The Duke stood up.
“Disband the guards of the second generation for now.” (Second generation = the Duke’s children)
With these words, the Duke strode out of the room. Conrad, with a blank face, stared at the Duke’s back.
Why bring up greeting Erylotte as if to apologize if the real matter was to test the loyalty of the branch family?
Conrad shook his head and found Viscount Debussy, who was unexpectedly grabbing his belly, laughing loudly.
The Duke, just as he left the corridor, threw a vase on the display.
Viscount Debussy quickly avoided the vase, then followed the Duke.
“Thank you for your hard work in coming up with excuses.”
“Shut up.”
In the dim corridor, Viscount Debussy burst into laughter, and the sound echoed.
***
Bewildered, I looked at the couples who lay prostrate. Their faces were ashen.
‘Why are these people suddenly like this?’
This morning, people started queuing in my room without warning. They all had familiar faces.
These were the adults who used to bring back the kids every break in the twelfth tower.
In other words, the parents of the branch children.
“My, my name is Rhondontas. Greetings to the Young Lady.”
“That… what I said last time wasn’t meant to ignore the Young Lady…”
Why are they so terrified? The way they looked at me in the Twelfth Tower like I was nothing with all the mocking glares I used to get. I glanced out the door.
It wasn’t just the parents of the kids in the Twelfth Tower. Everyone was trembling. What could be going on?
Then I nodded in understanding.
‘Aha’
They must’ve found out I manifested my blessing!
And that I saved Grandfather.
The maids watched the adults behind me with mischievous expressions.
“Come on, it’s the other people’s turn.”
“Wait! Please give us just one more minute. We haven’t explained the misunderstanding!”
So, the next couple of families were led out by the servants. Then the next one, and the next. It took a total of two hours for the adult members of the branch families to greet me.
I was tired, but the maids were ecstatic the whole time.
“Miss, something great happened again.”
“Huh?”
The maids exchanged glances, then presented something to me. It was a lovely freesia.
“Wow, so pwetty!” (Wow, so pretty!)
“That’s right. On his way, Lord Conrad saw a pretty freesia that looked just like you and picked it.”
“I wike it.” (I like it.)
“It’s fragrant. Would you like to smell it?”
“Ywes.”
I accepted the freesia. Sniff, sniff. I smelled it, and the maids exclaimed,
“Sow cute!” (So cute!)
“You have a lovely day today, Miss. You received a flower, and you got to greet the adults.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s right, isn’t it? You were really happy about the greetings, right? The flower is very pretty, too.”
I didn’t know about the greetings, but I was happy with the flower. This is evidence that Conrad has goodwill toward me.
With today’s greetings from the branch families, my status will rise in the family. It’s increased in various ways due to various events, but compared to other family members, I still fell behind. Conrad will surely help me now.
Hehe.
I giggled and agreed.
“Ywes! I’m vewy gwateful.” (Yes! I’m very grateful!)
I’ll greet Conrad and ask about the family’s schedule. The maids giggled.
“Yes, thatta girl. Please don’t forget to say thank you.”
On the way to greet Conrad, I gently held the maids’ hands and headed out of the room.
We went down to the lower floor, and Conrad was just coming out of Grandfather’s office. Beside him was Viscount Debussy, and Grandfather was with them.
The maids quickly greeted the Duke. Viscount Debussy asked,
“Miss, what are you doing here?”
“The Miss said that she wishes to say her greetings.”
“Ahh, I see.”
Viscount Debussy laughed and looked at Grandfather.
Grandfather cleared his throat and sighed,
“No need. Forget about it, it’s a bother.”
“Please don’t say that. Isn’t it a sign of the Young Miss’ sincerity?”
Grandfather cleared his throat again and exchanged a glance with Viscount Debussy.
“Yes, Miss. Go ahead and greet.”
Everyone, including the handmaids, Viscount Debussy, Conrad, and my grandfather, paid attention to me.
Hehe. I giggled and took a step forward.
