This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 16
“Thane yew vewy mush—”
I nodded my head and spoke.
“—Conwad.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
“Flowey is so pwetty. I wike Conwad.” (The flower is so pretty. I like Conrad.)
With both hands clasped together, I spoke, and Conrad chuckled.
“Ah… The freesia I gave the Young Miss, I’m glad you like it.”
Conrad seemed very pleased with my greeting.
His expression seemed even more warm than usual.
That’s when it happened.
“Ahem.”
A stifled sound came from somewhere.
Turning my head discreetly, I saw Viscount Debussy, his face about to burst.
He seemed to be trying to hold back, but as soon as he saw my grandfather, he couldn’t contain himself.
Pfft, hahaha! Haha!
I had never seen someone laugh so hysterically.
‘At first, he seemed like a stoic man.’
It was surprising to see someone laugh so heartily in front of my grandfather.
Come to think of it, it reminded me of something from ‘Grandvill’.
‘Grandfather and Viscount Debussy are close friends.’
My grandfather, in his youth, was the eleventh son of his predecessor. He basically had nothing to his name.
Viscount Debussy had supported my grandfather since those days.
The viscount’s older brother had protected my grandfather to the point of sacrificing his life, too.
‘So, that’s why he’s laughing so freely without any fear.’
Viscount Debussy, whose eyes were moist from laughter, said,
“Ah, I never expected to see the Duke with this expression.”
“…”
“I’ve seen it all after living for so long.”
My grandfather was wearing a very intimidating expression.
It seemed like he might tear Viscount Debussy apart.
‘The atmosphere is terrible.’
Since it seemed unlikely that I could talk to Conrad today, I should just complete my tasks and leave.
I took something I had brought from my room and unfolded it.
It was a drawing I had made.
Then, I approached my grandfather and handed him the drawing.
“What’s this.”
“It’s Gwanfavver.” (It’s Grandfather.)
Lately, while leading a peaceful life, I had drawn many pictures.
Many people, including my grandfather, were among those I had drawn.
“Hewe, Gwanfavver gibs me bwead, and gibs me bwankie.” (Here, Grandfather gives me bread, and gives me a blanket.)
“…”
“Awso, awso. If Gwanfavver is beswide me, no one buwwies me. (Also, also. If Grandfather is beside me, no one bullies me.”
“…”
“Thane yew, Gwanfavver.”
To win over someone important, bribes were the best way.
Having learned the ropes of dirty social life, I still remembered that.
My grandfather opened the drawing I had given him.
It was a mess, but it was a drawing that showed my hard work.
My grandfather, who was staring at the drawing, suddenly exclaimed.
“You should have given me this first!”
Startled, I unconsciously hid behind a maid.
Viscount Debussy laughed again as if he were crazy, and my grandfather glared at him.
‘Why, what’s going on?’
My grandfather, who seemed to be much scarier than the day he had scared me, looked at me for a while and then walked away.
With my drawing in his hand.
***
Conrad was holding my hand with a cheerful expression.
He was guiding me back to my room.
“Conwad.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Sooo many pipow came today.” (Sooo many people came today.)
“Yes, Miss, you received greetings from the branch families.”
“Wiw many pipow come tomowwow too?” (Will many people come tomorrow, too?)
“No, starting from tomorrow, the castle will be quiet again.”
“Thwen the nes day?” (Then the next day?)
I subtly inquired about the castle’s schedule from Conrad.
“Miss, you can enjoy yourself. You have plenty of free time for a month or so.”
“Why?”
“It’s become complicated in various ways. Classes have been delayed for a while.”
“…”
“It’s due to the handling of the Toliso situation and the disbandment of the direct family’s guards… Well, it might be too complicated for you to understand, Miss.”
Conrad, who was very fond of me, told me many things easily.
Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t understand any of it much.
‘Disbandment of the direct family’s guards?’
That’s something that wasn’t in the novel.
As I contemplated it, I had an “Aha” moment.
This made me realize that Conrad was bait all along.
Conrad wasn’t a traitor, but the information about the guards got leaked anyway.
This meant that someone else had access to this information.
Someone who knew as much as the chief aide.
‘One of the Duke’s children.’
This was the reason for disbanding the guards.
‘Wait a sec, doesn’t this present an opportunity?’
I had succeeded in entering the main residence safely. Now, it was time for the next step.
‘Saving my dad.’
This was the perfect chance.
Since the guards of the direct family had been disbanded, the higher ups would have to recruit new people.
“Today, thwe adults and the kids gathewed twogether.” (Today, the adults and the kids gathered together.)
“Yes, the branch families brought their children along.”
“Thwe othew kids hab Papas. But Ewyotte doesn’t hab a Papa.” (The other kids have Papas. But Erylotte doesn’t have a Papa.)
“…!”
Conrad flinched. Taken aback for a moment, he kneeled down to be on eye level with me.
“Miss, you also have a father.”
His expression was filled with deep sorrow.
“He’s far away, but he still thinks of you a lot.”
“…”
“Your father and the Duke are both here. The Duke also thinks of you a lot.”
“…”
“Today, the branch families came to greet you. It was His Grace who asked the adults to greet you.”
Really?
No wonder there was such a crowd.
‘I guess I caught the Duke’s eye because of the attack incident!’
I felt elated.
However, Conrad still wore a pained expression. He whispered many times.
“Miss, you’re not alone. Your father is just far away.”
‘Yes, now make sure Grandfather knows that too.’
My father was far away, far enough to not be involved in the attack incident.
So, he should be considered the ‘most trustworthy among the second generation’ by my grandfather.
