This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 70
Marquis Boucherz smiled and glanced at the Duke with a smirk.
“Will you join us for drinks tonight, Your Grace? How amusing it would be if, once again under the influence of alcohol, I end up revealing the ancient stone.”
Duke Astra scoffed at the audacious attitude.
“Well, I don’t move easily at night. Who knows what might happen.”
“Really?”
“It’s wise for you to be cautious too. You never know if there’s someone watching, especially regarding your insolent attitude.”
“…!”
Marquis Boucherz’s expression hardened.
It was a threat.
A chilling threat that hinted crossing him could lead to a journey across the wastelands.
The elders familiar with Duke Astra’s temperament froze.
The Duke left the meeting room with a raised corner of his mouth.
Observing his departure, some of the elders began following him one by one.
Left alone in the quiet meeting room, Marquis Boucherz clenched his fist.
‘So what are you going to do with me?’
He was the older brother of Imperial Consort Othellia, who gave birth to the firstborn son of the imperial family.
And if the imperial consort’s son would later become the emperor, Boucherz would have a big part in the imperial family.
‘Let’s see who rises and who falls in the future.’
If he’d become an imperial in-law, the Duke will have no choice but to bow his head.
Marquis Boucherz’s lips twisted.
***
Han Ji-hyuk was startled, as if struck by lightning.
“R-R-Reinforcement stone? Is it really a reinforcement stone? Are you kidding me?”
“Is weal. Did yew fink I was pwaying twicks on yew?” (It’s real. Did you think I was playing tricks on you?)
“I’ve lived only a life of deceit.”
He’s boasting.
Han Ji-hyuk started breathing heavily in any case.
Anyone who sees him now might think he won the jackpot.
Well, it is like winning the lottery.
The value of just one reinforcement stone could be worth an entire house in the capital.
Han Ji-hyuk reached out his trembling hand towards the reinforcement stone.
I quickly slapped the back of Han Ji-hyuk’s hand.
“Dun ewen fink aboq steawing it.” (Don’t even think about stealing it.)
“Why are you being like that? I bought it with my own money!”
“If yew hab sumthin wike thwis, it’ow onwy bwing twobuw. How yew pwan to sewwit?” (If you have something like this, it’ll only bring trouble. How do you plan to sell it?)
“Well, there are various ways. I can auction it, or sell it through a broker…”
“As swoon as thwe wumow swpeads tha yew hab sumthin wike thwis, thowgs wiw smam youw pwace.” (As soon as the rumor spreads that you have something like this, thugs will swarm your place.)
Rather than paying a large sum to buy it, it would be easier to quietly deal with Han Ji-hyuk, especially considering he was a commoner with a severed connection to his only living relative, his father.
Han Ji-hyuk seemed to catch the meaning behind my words, and his face stiffened.
“It does seem dangerous. So, what are you going to do?”
“Hmm…”
“Even if you’re under the protection of House Astra, you’re just three years old.”
“…”
“Can you contact brokers, auction it under your name?”
“Thewe’s anotha’ way.”
“Another way?”
“Sell it to Gwanfathew.” (Sell it to Grandfather.)
I grinned, raising the corner of my mouth.
A wealthy man who can offer the highest price and won’t kill me.
That’s Duke Astra.
Han Ji-hyuk nodded, seemingly understanding.
“How are you going to explain finding the reinforcement stone? You can’t just say you picked it up on the street.”
Han Ji-hyuk shrugged as he continued.
“If you tell him you bought it at an auction while knowing it was a reinforcement stone, he won’t think you’re just an ordinary three-year-old anymore.”
“I aweady think abow tha.” (I already thought about that.)
I fondly touched the adorable reinforcement stones with my fingertips, raising my eyebrows.
“Jus wait an pwepawe youwsef to get wich.” (Just wait and prepare yourself to get rich.)
Han Ji-hyuk looked at me intently. After a moment of silence, he spoke,
“Among all the things I’ve heard, this excites me the most.”
Han Ji-hyuk and I exchanged sly smiles and gave each other a light high-five.
***
The next day, at Father’s office.
I sat on the fluffy rug under the desk, planting roses in a pot.
It was a simple task – just put the flowers in the prepared pot and add soil.
Humming a tune, tapping the soil gently, I sensed Father looking at me.
“What’s that?”
“Mikewan gib me. Wose tha wooks wike Fathew.” (Michelan gave it to me. A rose that looks like Father.)
Then, suddenly, there was a thud, and something fell. The subordinates were startled, dropping their documents.
Enzo looked shocked and turned his gaze towards us. When he stammered,
“A rose… resembling the general…?”
Father snapped,
“Shut up.”
“Yessir…”
Enzo immediately closed his mouth.
