This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 236
“Um, Your Majesty.”
“Speak.”
“The truth is… Ragon didn’t intend to destroy the altar. I asked for advice from many people, and they all told me that dragons can become aggressive during their growth stages…”
I trailed off, sneaking a glance at the Emperor’s expression before lowering my head.
“The scholars said so… I’m truly sorry.”
Sniff!
I sniffled lightly, playing the part of a subdued, despondent child.
At times like this, having big eyes is such an advantage.
Blink, blink.
I fluttered my eyelids a few times, making my eyes glisten slightly.
But that wasn’t enough!
I discreetly bit the inside of my cheek, and the stinging pain helped fill my eyes with even more moisture.
‘What a waste.’
With acting skills this impressive, why was I born into the Astra family?
The Empire’s theater world has lost a star!
If everything goes downhill, I should ask a theater troupe to take me in.
I regret not trying acting even once when I was Yoo Hye-min.
Pfft.
The Emperor let out a small laugh.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a mocking laugh.
At the very least, it was a sign of approval.
‘Good! First hurdle cleared!’
When I glanced up, the Emperor looked at me with a gaze that had softened slightly.
“Ragon, is it? That’s your dragon’s name?”
“Yes. He wasn’t a dragon from the beginning—it was originally a crow. Oh, a Steel Crow monster!”
“A Steel Crow?”
The Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise.
For someone like him, genuinely showing shock must be rare.
It’s not that the Emperor didn’t know what a Steel Crow was, but the idea of one transforming into a dragon was unheard of.
‘Of course, it’s unprecedented.’
This was thanks to the protagonist buff I received as the star of <How to Survive in the Villainous Family>.
The protagonist is always the best.
I want to live my entire life as a protagonist!
“Hmm…”
The Emperor rested his chin on his hand, as if deep in thought.
A moment of silence passed.
Finally, he looked at me as if his contemplation was over and asked,
“Did your grandfather permit you to speak of this to me?”
“Grandfather rarely forbids me from doing anything. He didn’t say much this time either, but my uncles and aunts insisted I shouldn’t say a word. However…”
I hesitated, glancing at the Emperor for his reaction. He gave a slight nod, indicating I could continue.
“Dad—ah, I mean, Father said I should just be honest with you.”
“Your father said that?”
I nodded vigorously, my eyes sparkling.
It wasn’t quite a trump card, but it was an effective tactic.
‘It worked on the Empress Dowager, so it should work on the Emperor too!’
“Father said the Emperor must know everything. That’s the law of the Empire…”
I mumbled the last part and fidgeted with my hands, watching as the Emperor’s eyes widened slightly.
He was probably trying to gauge whether I was telling the truth.
“That… Daymond Astra said that.”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I heard he doesn’t get along well with his father?”
The Emperor rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He must be mapping out the Astra family tree in his head right now.
“Wasn’t he part of the faction loyal to the Imperial Palace?”
‘Your Majesty, I can hear you, you know? Not that I mind, but still.’
The Emperor seemed unsure whether to fully believe my words, but his expression had notably softened.
After all, who wouldn’t be pleased to hear that someone as strong as my father was on their side?
And it wasn’t like this was some flattering lie told by a sycophantic noble—it was coming from the ten-year-old daughter of that man.
Moreover, I was here because of the dragon, so it wouldn’t seem like I had prepared this as a ploy.
His expression clearly showed he was warming up to me.
The idea of Daymond Astra, the potential future head of the powerful Astra Duchy, having differing views from his father and aligning with the imperial family was likely a satisfying thought for the Emperor.
I steered the conversation back to the main topic.
“Um, Your Majesty, does this mean I’ll be punished?”
After having spoken so well, my sudden question caught the Emperor off guard, and he burst into hearty laughter.
“What? That’s ridiculous.”
“Then why was I summoned to the Imperial Palace…?”
I’m so scared! Hing, hing.
Thinking about aegyo in my mind somehow helped me pull off a perfectly cute and terrified expression.
“Pfft. Hahaha!”
The Emperor couldn’t hold back any longer and laughed heartily, reassuring me.
“Punishment? That’s absurd. You’re a hero who saved members of the imperial family from a monster. If anything, you deserve a reward.”
“Wow, truly? Really, really?”
I clapped my hands in delight.
‘As expected.’
