This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 221
Dad… bowing.
What kind of person was my dad?
He wasn’t proud because of the Astra bloodline but because of his own supreme abilities and mountain-like pride. He had never even bowed to his own father, Duke Astra.
‘And yet, Dad is doing this because of me…’
A mixture of frustration, resentment, and injustice made my chest feel like it would burst with anger.
Just then,
“Enough!”
Former Princess Anatoli pushed her way to the center, hugging me protectively and glaring at the imperial officials.
“Isn’t this just a child’s mistake? It was an incident no one could have foreseen!”
“But Lady Anatoli…!”
The officials wanted to frame this as a deliberate crime rather than an accident, hoping to seize Astra’s weakness. They faltered, exchanging glances with the former princess.
Still, they couldn’t openly argue against her—the hall was filled with both palace officials and members of the Astra household.
Realizing that the officials were speechless, Anatoli spoke with resolute authority.
“Who was the supposed victim of this incident?”
“Well, Lady Anatoli, but first, let us confirm the facts—”
“Were you the one nearly harmed?”
“……”
“I was the one almost harmed.”
She placed a hand over her chest.
“So if I’m okay, isn’t everything fine? The supposed victim has said she’s fine.”
The faces of the palace officials turned sour.
What an opportunity, slipping away because of this fool?
But Anatoli stood confidently, oblivious to the scornful glances cast her way.
‘There’s a loophole in her words, but no one can point it out.’
The true person almost harmed was the palace maid, not the former princess. But since the maid had said, ‘The monster was near Her Highness Anatoli’s chambers,’ the officials had framed the former princess as the victim to corner Astra.
‘To put pressure on Astra.’
So, they couldn’t now backtrack and claim that the maid was actually the victim.
‘Moreover, the former princess is highly favored by the Emperor.’
No official would want to risk falling out of favor with the Emperor by opposing her.
The Imperial Consort frowned at the way things were going.
But Anatoli ignored the Imperial Consort’s glare and boldly announced,
“I’ll resolve this matter directly with my brother.”
Meaning, the Imperial Consort needn’t interfere.
The Imperial Consort let out a scoffing breath, but Anatoli didn’t care.
She knelt down to meet my gaze, smiling with a warm, gentle expression.
“You were frightened, weren’t you, Erylotte? It’s okay now. I believe you.”
“……”
“Didn’t I tell you? I find our Erylotte absolutely adorable.”
She patted my head.
“Oh, what incredible love.”
“Indeed! This is pure devotion!”
“An unwavering love that protects the child of the man she adores, even when her own life is at risk!”
As people expressed admiration, Anatoli stroked my cheek with a triumphant smile.
***
And so, the issue with Ragon faded away.
With Former Princess Anatoli proudly thumping her chest and declaring that she’d resolve things with the Emperor, there wasn’t much left to be done.
The palace officials and Imperial Consort seemed somewhat vexed, but they had no choice but to withdraw.
As for Ragon…
“Uncle Deacons, I’ll leave this to you.”
Uncle Deacons was going to ‘take care’ of him.
In this case, ‘take care’ meant death.
“Though it was a mere accident, we can’t keep a monster that attempted harm around…”
At Anatoli’s words, everyone quickly fell in line with that sentiment.
The retainers, favoring the former princess for helping Astra, didn’t oppose her decision.
Even now, she was surrounded by Astra’s retainers, laughing graciously.
At that moment, her eyes met mine.
“Erylotte.”
The former princess approached me with a smile.
“Don’t worry too much. All misunderstandings will be cleared up. I’ll speak to my brother on your behalf.”
She lifted her gaze to Dad.
“General Daymond, if you don’t mind, would you join me for a meal?”
Her cheeks flushed with a shy blush.
Dad stared at her intently and,
“Of course.”
Slowly nodded.
Ordinarily, he would’ve dismissed her in disgust.
“Oh my, I’m thrilled.”
But without a trace of displeasure, he simply listened to her.
‘…This isn’t even repayment for helping me.’
It was more like a person being held hostage.
The former princess hadn’t yet spoken with the Emperor. Right before she’d suggested the meal, she had mentioned it to me, but clearly for Dad to hear.
‘If this isn’t a threat, what else would it be?’
