This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 242
Devon served us tea and snacks.
It wasn’t the kind of fine tea that royalty usually offers.
True to his frugal nature, he had prepared inexpensive tea leaves with good cost performance.
But Blossom was making a big fuss, saying it was delicious.
“The scent is so nice. To be served tea like this, I really am a happy person.”
Then Devon flinched again.
“What did you say?”
“I said I’m really a happy person.”
“......”
“Devon?”
“You sound like... your aunt.”
Blossom laughed sheepishly.
“It must be the bloodline. My mother said the same thing. She said it feels like her older sister was reincarnated.”
“......”
I was utterly speechless.
‘He said that on purpose.’
I heard from Dad.
Back at the academy, Devon was the student council president, and Dad said he and Beltree had once caused a commotion when they visited.
When tea was served then, Beltree had stared blankly at his teacup.
“Why is he like that?”
“Ah, it’s his first time having this kind of tea.”
“If you want to drink better tea in the future, you’d better follow the school rules, Beltree.”
“I came to get scolded but was served good tea, so I’m already a happy person.”
Dad remembers that incident well.
After Beltree died and Bella took his diary as a keepsake, I guess she saw that entry.
So that’s why Blossom was making a fuss over rather poor-quality tea.
At that moment, Blossom linked her arm through mine.
“Ah! And we’ve reconciled, right?”
Devon looked at me.
“Is that so.”
Just as I was about to speak, Blossom spoke first.
“I went directly to the Astra Second Viscount’s residence to apologize to Mother. Right, young lady?”
“......”
“You also understood. From my side, I didn’t mean anything by it, but... since I caused a misunderstanding, it was my fault.”
“......”
“Thank you for understanding, young lady.”
I looked at Blossom with expressionless eyes.
‘This is really it.’
She conveniently left out her own faults and made it look like I was the narrow-minded one.
I gave Blossom a cold look and said,
“It wasn’t that easy to understand.”
“...Yes?”
Blossom flinched, flustered.
“I was furious to the point of going white-headed when Richmond oppa was adopted and couldn’t inherit the estate, but was still considered a good marriage prospect because he was easy to control.”
“...!”
“That wasn’t something I said, but Pinessa said it...!”
“You laughed and enjoyed it together.”
Did she really think I wouldn’t say that here since I didn’t say it at the mansion?
‘I didn’t say it there because Richmond was there.’
I hadn’t told the other young ladies because I worried those filthy words would reach Richmond’s ears.
But Devon was different.
He’s not the kind to say things like that anywhere.
Devon frowned and looked at Blossom.
Blossom didn’t know what to do.
“I, um, no, that’s...!”
“...Beltree—”
Devon quietly spoke.
“He was someone who won favor with everyone regardless of status. He never took others’ pain lightly.”
“......”
Blossom’s face, pretending to be Beltree until now, turned bright red.
Devon sighed.
“I’m glad you reconciled. So, why did the Astra Viscountess come to see me?”
“I just stopped by to greet you while passing through.”
“I see.”
“Well then, I’ll be going back.”
“Alright.”
I put down my teacup and stood up.
Blossom’s face was so red it looked like it would burst, and she was clutching the hem of her pants tightly.
‘Stay awkward by yourself.’
After bowing to Devon, I left the room.
At that moment, the communication stone flickered.
I looked around and headed to the seldom-used backyard.
[It’s me.]
It was Han Ji-hyuk’s voice.
“Yeah? Why?”
[It seems I can’t return right away. I have to go to Biferi territory.]
“Why Biferi territory?”
[As you thought, Beltree was adopted, but something about the documents is strange.]
“Documents?”
[All other documents bear the signature of the adoption manager at the time, but Beltree’s documents have the signature of Grimy’s guardian—or rather, the aide.]
“...What?”
[Since it came from Biferi territory, I’m planning to search the orphanage.]
“Alright, if you find out anything more, contact me.”
The communication ended.
I narrowed my eyes and rolled the communication stone in my hand.
‘What on earth is going on.’
“Why do I feel... uneasy...”
“Feeling strange?”
Startled by the voice behind me, I turned around.
It was Sister Sebastia.
“Oh, sister.”
“What’s wrong? Why are you so startled?”
She laughed and asked.
“Because you suddenly appeared behind me.”
“I heard talk about Biferi territory and came quickly. Are you investigating someone?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Then I grabbed her with an “Ah!”
“My servant Han is going to search the Biferi territory orphanage. Could you say something for me?”
“Ask to see the documents?”
“Yes!”
“Hmm, well...”
She squinted her eyes and then smiled brightly.
“Of course. Since it’s from my little sister’s request.”
Then she poked my nose with her index finger.
“Just know it’s a big deal. When your grandfather requested the documents, my grandfather immediately refused.”
“Thank you!”
“Now then, could you link arms with me, young lady?”
“Of course.”
I linked arms with my sister and we returned to Siseodeok Castle giggling.
“Where are you headed?”
“To the White Knights. To get some funding...”
“Ah, the Western Army lacked funds since last year’s grand training was a failure.”
We chatted like that as we walked.
A few days later, Biferi territory.
Han Ji-hyuk sighed deeply, hood pulled tight.
‘Just the entry procedures take two days.’
It seemed more difficult for someone from Astra territory.
Well, it was a bitter family feud anyway.
Finally granted entry, Han Ji-hyuk headed to Colonos Hill.
‘They said Beltree was from the orphanage on this hill...’
He looked around the shabby orphanage on the hill.
“Kyaa!”
A sudden sound behind him made Han Ji-hyuk scream.
“Waaahhh—!”
He covered his face with both arms...
‘Wait, wasn’t that a child’s voice just now?’
Lowering his arms slowly, a kid about knee-high covered their mouth with both hands and giggled.
“Who, who are you?”
At that moment—
“Arasa!”
A woman with gray-streaked hair hugged the child.
“I told you not to go outside on your own when the sun is setting.”
“There are wolves. They go ‘Grrr!’”
“Yes. It’s very dangerous, so you shouldn’t do that... Who are you?”
The woman held the child tightly, glaring suspiciously at Han Ji-hyuk.
He quickly showed his identification.
“Oh, I’m this person. I heard Lady Sebastia Biferi mentioned me.”
“Oh yes, I heard about you.”
“That’s a relief.”
Her eyes were terrifying.
Someone unaware might get their head smashed with a hammer.
‘She’s as scary as Jeanne.’
She looked to be in her 50s but had an overwhelming presence.
The woman smiled gently.
“My name is Emma.”
“Ah, I’m Han Ji-hyuk.”
“Come inside. Arasa, let’s go.”
Emma opened the door carrying the child.
Inside was worn but cozy.
There were many children, all with different accents.
As Han Ji-hyuk stared, Emma set the child down and said,
“There are many foreign mixed-blood and foreign children here. The imperial orphanage doesn’t easily accept such children.”
“Oh. But I ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ don’t see any staff...?”
“I manage it alone. The document room is this way.”
Entering the document room, Han Ji-hyuk sighed.
Not as grand as Astra Castle, but the paperwork was massive here too.
‘Emma must be thorough.’
Emma asked,
“The data for the year you mentioned is here. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you.”
Han Ji-hyuk immediately pulled out documents and began reading.
‘There were quite a lot of kids.’
It amazed him how such a small orphanage managed so many children.
Most were from Laontra, part of the Eastern Empire.
“Laontra natives...”
Muttering, Emma said,
“They’re refugees from the Laontra civil war.”
“I see.”
Just then—
Crash—!!
Waaaahhh—!
After a sharp explosive sound, the children’s cries were heard.
Emma’s eyes snapped open as she ran out instantly.
“What’s wrong!”
Her voice was so loud it carried into the document room.
‘What is that posture...’
He had seen that posture somewhere before.
While Han Ji-hyuk blinked blankly, the child called Arasa peeked inside.
“Did the teacher scold you?”
“What?”
“Hmm, that’s strange. All the men who come here get scolded by Teacher Emma.”
“Scolded?”
“Yes, like this, like this.”
The child twisted arms and legs the wrong way, grunting.
“No, no. You’ll break if you do that.”
“But the men do it like this...”
A woman who looked to be in her 50s could do that?
Han Ji-hyuk gasped and returned to the documents.
“Almost every child has a name.”
“Names are precious. That’s why the teacher always, always gives names to the little ones.”
“I see.”
Han Ji-hyuk chuckled and turned the page.
[Unnamed / Age 6 / ■■ Boy]
Found it!
But it was strange.
Next to the boy’s name was a trace as if something had been erased.
‘His origin isn’t even written.’
What the hell.
Why did Beltree alone have so many peculiarities?
Just then—
The kid who had been circling Han Ji-hyuk lost interest and began rummaging through a drawer desk.
Seeing the child mess up the drawers, Han Ji-hyuk said,
“That kid’s going to get scolded by the teacher if he keeps that up... Huh?”
Inside the drawer was a familiar item.
‘That’s something I used to carry around when I was a con artist.’
A fake pendant meant to pose as Laontra nobility.
Han Ji-hyuk quickly flipped the pendant over.
Twin crossed swords.
This was the pendant of the Imperial Palace Guard.
“...!”
He flinched and looked at the child.
“The teacher said she beat up... scolded the men?”
“Yeah!”
“Did she use a sword then?”
“The teacher always uses two swords! So cool!”
“Yeah... cool indeed...” 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
After closing the drawer carefully, Han Ji-hyuk left the room with the child.
Emma, who was watching the children, looked at Han Ji-hyuk.
“Did you find the documents?”
“No, there are too many. I think I’ll have to come back tomorrow. It’s late at night now.”
“I see. Please take care on your way.”
Then Emma went back to watching the children.
Han Ji-hyuk greeted her and left the orphanage.
Far from the orphanage, he took out his communication stone.
After a while, a familiar voice came through.
[Yes, this is Conrad.]
“Please investigate the Obsidian Society of Laontra.”
[Obsidian Society?]
“A group of female swordsmen who protect the empress. They all wield twin swords.”
[Not difficult. Astra helped the empress in the civil war. What’s the matter?]
“If my guess is right... Beltree is an extraordinary person beyond our imagination.”
Han Ji-hyuk’s voice darkened.
That night, Astra Second Viscount’s residence.
I felt chills all over.
Clutching my cardigan tightly, I lay on the bed.
My nanny, Jeanne, looked at me with concern.
“Are you alright?”
“Mm, just a cold.”
“Tonight is the Red Moon (a night when blessings can’t be used), so the healers can’t come. What should we do...”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll just take medicine and sleep.”
People with blessings get very sensitive when the Red Moon approaches.
The stronger the blessing, the more sensitive.
Dad and my older brother also went to bed early.
‘But this is strange.’
I wasn’t affected much by the Red Moon.
Jeanne put a pill in my hand.
“This is a fever reducer. Call me if you still feel bad after taking it, okay?”
“Okay.”
I swallowed the pill, and she laughed softly, stroking my cheek.
“You take your medicine well.”
“I’m eleven years old.”
“Yes, you’re grown up now.”
Jeanne watched me settle in and left the room.
I turned off the bedside lamp and pulled the blanket up to my chest.
‘Ugh, I feel weak.’
Why do I feel so weak?
“I should sleep quickly... huh?”
It was strange.
Letters were sparkling and flying above the lamp.
[Rosmo Manufacturing / Agros Chandelier]
[Glass, Jeanne Masif’s traces]
‘What is this?’
I looked around with a dumbfounded expression.
The letters were flying wildly.
[Ante Grimm ‘Plants and Flowers’]
[Dress Room]
[Brass Mirror]
‘Stop, stop!’
My head was about to explode.
‘I thought the root I received from the Land of Blessings had ended, but some still remained.’
That was why my magic was draining despite the Red Moon.
I staggered to my feet, trying to pull the bell cord.
But I couldn’t make it far and collapsed.
“Jeanne... ugh, oppa... dad...”
My vision narrowed.
And I was pulled deeply into darkness.
“What kind of child are you!”
With a thunderous shout, I jerked upright.
This was the familiar darkness.
The darkness where I always met Sailon.
“Strong power always comes with strong restrictions. Did you think there wouldn’t be such a drawback when you use the power that flows from the Celestial Realm?”
‘Nagging...’
“What?!”
Ah, right.
Sailon can hear my inner thoughts.
I mumbled,
“I’m sorry...”
“There’s no child who makes Suseong suffer as much as you do.”
He looked at me with narrow eyes.
“Coming here is never a good thing. It eats away at your life force.”
“Yes...”
“You’re especially blessed with divine affinity, so don’t ever receive the Celestial Realm’s power again. Understood?”
“Understood... wait.”
“What?”
“I saw the past here, right? Then can I see other pasts too?”
Sailon looked at me with a stunned expression.
[That’s why smart kids are troublesome.]
“I’m smart?”
Sailon looked even more flustered.
“Damn it, your Celestial Realm power lets you read my mind too.”
I looked up at Sailon with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, since it’s already draining my life force, I might as well get some benefit, right?”
“What exactly do you want to see?”
