This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 191
At my words, Dad fell into deep thought.
Since all the uncles were influential figures, solidifying those connections would definitely be beneficial.
“I’ll think about it.”
That was as good as saying he’d follow my suggestion.
Dad could never say no to me.
“Okay!”
I answered energetically and stood up.
I quietly returned the book I had only pretended to read to the bookshelf.
How embarrassing—I hadn’t read a single page.
Anyway, it was time to go to bed, so I was planning to head upstairs.
But then Dad called out to me.
“Erylotte.”
“Yes?”
I opened my arms and ran toward Dad, who had risen from his chair and was walking toward me.
He pulled me into a warm embrace.
I wrapped my arms around his neck as I always did.
‘Dad’s scent.’
After our goodnight hug, we looked at each other.
“Sweet dreams.”
“You too, Dad.”
After our heartfelt goodnights, I headed up to my room.
The communication stone was glowing and vibrating.
‘How long has it been ringing?’
Startled, I quickly answered.
“This is Erylotte.”
[This is Michelan, my lady.]
Oh!
‘It’s the call I’ve been waiting for.’
I had asked Michelan to investigate something a while ago.
Specifically, I had asked him to look into Count Talos—how he had managed to surpass Uncle Grimier, the eldest son of Astra, and gain entry to the Central Tower.
It was a vague request, but Michelan had agreed without hesitation.
I asked eagerly,
“How did it go?”
[The information is tightly controlled, so it might take some time to gather all the details. However…]
Michelan paused briefly.
Had he come across something difficult to share?
“What is it?”
[There are rumors that Count Talos met with Lord Noarizen last month.]
Noarizen?
Noarizen Astra?
‘Noarizen… He’s Blitzen’s father.’
Noarizen had married into the Astra family.
Even after Aunt passed away, he continued to live as part of the Astra family.
I’d heard that he had taken over the responsibilities my aunt used to handle.
“Count Talos and Uncle Noarizen… It’s suspicious that they would meet under these circumstances.”
[Should I investigate Lord Noarizen as well?]
“Yes.”
[Understood.]
I ended the call and crossed my arms.
‘Hmm, I hadn’t expected my uncle to get involved here.’
Considering I’d run into Blitzen in the forest earlier today, the timing felt strange.
Knock, knock.
As I was deep in thought, there was a knock on the door.
But before I could respond, the door swung open.
“Let’s have a snack!”
The twins burst energetically into my room, carrying a tray filled with plump green grapes.
“Sure.”
We sat together on the sofa in my bedroom, chatting while we picked at the grapes.
Balzac plopped a grape into my mouth.
The tart, sweet flesh burst in my mouth as the skin split between my teeth.
‘Delicious!’
Cool and sweet—it was perfect.
As I savored the flavor, Joshua popped another grape into my mouth.
I chewed, and then Balzac fed me another.
Then Joshua.
Then Balzac.
And again.
And again, and again.
‘Ugh!’
I squinted at the two of them.
“Mmmph! I con shew anymowe!” (Mmmph! I can’t chew anymore!)
Balzac clenched his fists, trembling with excitement.
“When your cheeks puff up like a squirrel, I feel like I want to punch through a wall. Why is that?”
“…Dunno either.”
I wasn’t sure, but I hoped he wouldn’t actually break through any walls.
I shot Balzac a tired look as I struggled to chew with my bulging mouth, and Joshua mumbled,
“Uncle Noarizen, huh…”
We had been discussing Count Talos and Uncle Noarizen while eating the grapes.
Honestly, I didn’t expect Balzac to be much help, but Joshua seemed like he might be.
Then again, sometimes Balzac surprised me with useful insights.
Like the time he noticed that Prince Beleyn’s ship arrived at the harbor without flying any flags.
Though, of course, he didn’t realize the significance of it himself.
For now, I focused on Joshua.
“What do you think?”
“Uncle Noarizen has a good reputation. He’s friendly, easygoing, and since he’s not involved in the inheritance dispute as an in-law, he gets along well with the other relatives.”
“And he’s a skilled mage, which makes him useful,” Balzac added.
They were both right.
Noarizen was quite a capable mage—so much so that Grandpa had given him a position at the research institute.
‘But he wasn’t someone who caused any problems in my previous life.’
In this life, I’d barely interacted with Uncle Noarizen, maybe five times at most.
I knew even less about him than I did about Blitzen.
All I knew was that the people of Astra seemed to like him.
‘But to think he’s working with Count Talos?’
Why would he?
Count Talos wasn’t exactly a desirable ally.
‘There’s no way he’s someone worth siding with, especially if it goes against Grandpa’s wishes.’
Not just Grandpa—compared to even the other second-generation Astra members, Talos was far from influential.
‘Something smells fishy.’
When things start to stink, it’s time to dig deeper.
You have to figure out what’s buried, or the whole field might rot, and you’ll have to tear everything up.
I definitely needed more information.
‘Should I start digging into Blitzen’s side of things?’
