This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 169
‘Good. Everyone is watching.’
Making a strong impression at the first meeting is crucial.
And Father’s dazzling appearance left an impression like an electric drill.
Watching him filled me with pride.
Father stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed slightly.
“Greetings to the noble of Aligiosa.”
“Greetings to the noble.”
“Greetings to the noble.”
“Greetings to the noble.”
Following Father, the second and third generations greeted him.
Beleyn laughed heartily, giving off a friendly atmosphere despite his thick eyebrows and strong features.
“It’s fascinating to see the famous Astra family with my own eyes. Come, Abeno. You should greet them too.”
Beleyn gently patted a boy’s shoulder and let go.
The boy bowed and greeted.
“I am Abeno Aligiosa, the grandson of the current King.”
‘Ah, so that’s Abeno.’
Abeno Aligiosa looked about the same age as me.
His slightly curly black hair shimmered above his smooth forehead.
He had bronze skin and eyes that resembled his father’s.
However, Abeno was much more famous than his father.
‘Because he’s the royal grandson who was lost and then found.’
Abeno went missing during a civil war but was found only last winter.
Due to the trauma from the civil war, he suffered from memory loss and couldn’t remember the events during that time.
The disappearance of the Crown Prince’s son would have led to a massive investigation and accountability.
‘But Abeno’s memory loss made it all moot.’
No one knew where, how, or when he disappeared.
They didn’t even know if he was kidnapped or left the palace on his own.
Only his closest palace staff were replaced.
Beleyn felt deeply for his son who went through such a harsh ordeal.
After finding him, he promised to do anything for him.
‘That’s probably why he brought him on this voyage.’
He wanted his son to get some fresh air under the safest condition—by his side.
Even now, he couldn’t take his eyes off his son.
‘He really loves his son.’
Beleyn’s eyes were full of affection as he looked at Abeno.
Just like my father’s eyes.
‘Do handsome men have a special love for their children?’
Beleyn laughed heartily and began explaining the reasons for coming to Astra.
“During the voyage, we were adrift, and our ship happened to drift all the way to Astra. Duke Astra, thank you for your help.”
I gave a hollow laugh.
‘Yeah, it’s so obviously a lie.’
Nonsense.
No drifter in the world would be without a flag while adrift.
‘What if they entered another country’s territorial waters and got shot down as an unidentified ship?’
I glanced at Grandfather.
His face, which had been stern recently, seemed a tiny bit better.
Of course, Grandfather’s mood had improved.
‘Even though he’s my Grandfather, he’s really terrifying.’
It was Grandfather who had brought the Crown Prince Beleyn of Aligiosa from a distant continent to here.
One hundred percent. No, one thousand percent, it was Grandfather.
‘He’s using Beleyn to pressure the Emperor.’
It was clear as day.
The Emperor dared to keep House Astra’s power in check by giving Uncle Grimier the position of Foreign Ambassador.
A Foreign Ambassador from Astra’s direct line, and the eldest son at that?
Everyone knew how Grandfather had immediately convened the elders and exploded in rage.
So, this is a protest against not giving him the central tower position.
‘To pressure the Emperor, he brought in the Crown Prince of a powerful kingdom like Aligiosa.’
It’s to show the world just how far Astra’s influence reaches.
And to demonstrate what the Duke of Astra can do, how, and to what extent to achieve what he wants.
‘And at the same time, he’s assessing the capabilities of the third generation.’
There are quite a few people besides me who have figured out Grandfather’s intentions.
There are some among the direct descendants, but most of them are the retainers and aides who handle practical affairs.
Their faces showed admiration for Grandfather’s scale, but they also looked slightly overwhelmed.
“Now, shall we go inside?”
Grandfather smiled, uncharacteristically like a villain, as he started walking.
The people of Astra and Aligiosa moved together.
As we were about to enter the gate,
Prince Beleyn’s son, Abeno, spoke in a small voice but loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Father, I want to go play.”
He probably didn’t want to be involved in the difficult conversations from now on.
‘Well, considering he’s about my age, he’s around ten years old.’
“Hmm…”
Beleyn, who was weak to his son’s requests, looked at Grandfather for approval.
‘The Prince is asking Grandfather for permission?’
