This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 238

Rumelisa Paangte and Catherine Trang also looked at Blossom’s group with stern faces.

Then a flustered Pinessa Kurong shouted,

“Oh, no! She splashed water on herself!”

Rumelisa gave a bitter laugh.

“Does that make sense? Erilot wouldn’t do such a thing unless she was crazy!”

“B-But really...!”

Catherine glared at Blossom’s group.

“This won’t be overlooked easily.”

Catherine had always seemed lively when we first met, so I didn’t expect her to exude such an intimidating presence.

Well, even the thorn bear, said to be the fiercest in the North, was said to be scared of Duke Trang.

If she took after her father...

Older sister Sebastia shielded me and said,

“She must know this girl is my sworn sister and did this on purpose.”

“...!”

Blossom, an eastern noble like Sebastia, flinched.

“C-Central Wonhwa, I really didn’t mean for this to happen...!”

“Shut your mouth.”

“W-Wonhwa...”

“I don’t speak to people I’ve judged enemies.”

Sebastia was by far the most intimidating girl in the capital.

Rumelisa Paangte also had a strong presence.

Surrounded by the three princesses of the capital’s social circle, I looked at Blossom’s group.

‘This is the trust I’ve built in the capital all this time, you fools.’

—That’s what I thought.

Sob, sniffle...

Helena from Blossom’s group walked away sobbing.

Blossom spoke with a stiff face.

“Can you stop crying now?”

“B-But...”

The party ended in ruins.

Since the three rulers of the capital’s social circle didn’t engage, others ignored Blossom’s group too.

Even Madame Sainte-Roema, the host of the charity party, asked them to leave.

In other words, they were kicked out.

So Blossom’s group trudged miserably toward their carriage before the party ended.

‘They must have had high hopes for this charity party...’

Helena sniffled and said,

“I didn’t think my first party in the capital would turn out like this...”

“Stop crying already!”

Blossom shouted sharply.

Helena flinched, pulling her shoulders up with a miserable face.

“I guess it really was a mistake to mess with Erilot Astra... everyone is on her side...”

“They only believe those hateful words now.”

Blossom gritted her teeth.

She pretended to be pitiful, but people at the heart of the social circle couldn’t help but protect her.

It was natural considering reputations.

Blossom’s loyal right hand, Pinessa Kurong, nodded vigorously.

“How long will they believe those words? We are the majority.”

Other young ladies agreed.

“Y-Yes!”

“How can they be so vile? When people find out, they’ll be shocked speechless.”

“We won’t let this go!”

“That’s right!”

“We’re the majority! We’ve known Erilot Astra longer, so we believe her, but that will change with time!”

Blossom said coldly,

“Yes, we are the majority.”

All these people were denying the incident.

‘No matter how much I insist alone, someday...’

Then.

Heh.

A laugh sounded behind us.

Blossom’s group flinched and turned their heads.

Erilot was looking at them with a bright smile.

Blossom narrowed her eyes and said,

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, sorry. I just think it’s funny how you believe being the majority is an absolute advantage.”

“What did you say?”

Erilot walked lightly with her hands behind her back.

She looked around Blossom’s group and said,

“Being the majority means that if even one person betrays, everything collapses.”

“...!”

Erilot chuckled.

“On the other hand, I have no one to betray me. Because I’m alone.”

“We don’t betray each other...!!”

Blossom shouted fiercely.

Erilot tilted her head and said,

“Really? Can you all trust each other?”

The girls in Blossom’s group looked at one another.

An unmistakable unease showed in their eyes.

Erilot smiled gently.

‘There’s no trust in a relationship where people insult and ostracize each other for fun.’

She shrugged and passed through Blossom’s group.

“Then good luck. ...Ah.”

One girl muttered as Erilot glanced back briefly.

“I might leave a loophole for someone. Hmm, maybe the first to come.”

Erilot put her finger to her chin and murmured.

Blossom shouted,

“No one would do that!”

“Really? Too bad... I memorized all your names.”

Suddenly, whoosh! The wind blew.

Erilot’s shadow shimmered and instantly grew large.

Taking the form of the true Crimson Ghoul.

“...!!”

“U-ugh...!”

They were all girls who had lived sheltered lives supported by their parents.

They could not endure the presence of an ancient monster-level terrifying being.

Helena sat down trembling with fear.

The others stiffened.

Erilot looked at them and chuckled, then boarded her carriage.

Blossom’s group watched her carriage leave, thinking,

“Yeah, that girl is Erilot Astra.

The daughter of Daymond Astra, the founder of the empire.

She herself owns a dragon, meaning she effectively has the force equivalent to the imperial army.”

“O-Oh, did we just mess with someone like that?”

One young lady whispered tremblingly.

Blossom shouted,

“Don’t say foolish things!”

“S-She has a dragon! Imperial army-level force...!”

“So she’ll call her dragon? The Emperor won’t let that slide!”

“B-But...”

“You idiot...!!”

Blossom yelled, and Pinessa quickly stopped her.

“Calm down.”

Helena looked worried they might be betrayed.

Blossom gritted her teeth.

“Now that it’s come to this, we must thoroughly crush Erilot Astra. Don’t forget, we are one.”

Blossom said this, but the others looked uneasy.

The next day.

While preparing to go out, I asked Han Ji-hyeok,

“What happened to Blossom?”

“She’s receiving cancellation letters from all kinds of parties.”

“So Rumelisa Paangte must have gotten involved.”

“...You’re really scary.”

“That’s right, I never forgive people who cross the line!”

I arrogantly lifted my head, and Han Ji-hyeok laughed, saying,

“You’re really mad because of Richmond.”

“Shut up.”

“I saw you get embarrassed about that.”

“I don’t want to show off. I’m angry, so why blame others?”

I tapped the floor with my toe twice.

Ombre suddenly popped out, mouth wide open.

The swamp fairies, Pin and Pipi, appeared.

But next to them...

“...Huh?”

I tilted my head and blinked.

Han Ji-hyeok asked in surprise,

“Did you tame a new monster?”

“No way. Do you think I really have ? I have to tame it with a whale bone flute before it hatches from the egg.”

That would take forever.

Han Ji-hyeok asked,

“Then what’s that fairy?”

Indeed, beside Pin and Pipi was one more fairy-like creature.

Long black hair down to the waist.

Red eyes reminiscent of dark blood.

White skin and a languid gaze.

Looking like a perfect young man...

“...Awen?”

“Yes.”

The Crimson Ghoul, Awen, had shrunk like Pin and Pipi.

“What is that?”

“Cute, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“Humans say small and handsome is cute.”

Awen smiled shamelessly.

“No, how did you get that form?”

“Shrinking this much is not difficult. It took some time to materialize though.”

Han Ji-hyeok stammered,

“W-What happened?!”

“She read a magic book till dawn...”

I folded my hands and reached out to Awen.

He jumped onto my hands.

I examined him carefully.

“Well, good job. You’ll be useful someday.”

“It can also become invisible to humans. This is technically spiritification magic.”

“Really? That’s great.”

I only carried Ombre around.

I felt sorry I couldn’t rest much.

“Ombre, rest well for a few days. Eat a lot.”

Ombre happily wrapped around my calves several times.

“Take care.”

Whoosh!

Watching him swiftly fly out the window, I chuckled.

Awen climbed onto my shoulder and murmured,

“What do shadow monsters eat again?”

“Dark emotions of living beings. Anxiety, fear, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) things like that.”

“Do they consume mental energy as food...?”

“Maybe so.”

I nodded and said,

“Now, let’s go!”

Today was the day to meet Lord Devon!

Imperial Palace.

I anxiously checked the time.

‘Oh no, I’m late!’

Lord Devon hated being late the most.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Awen’s presence triggered the palace’s barrier, so I had to get special permission from the Ministry of Magic.

Fortunately, after verifying my blessing and identity, they processed it quickly.

I hurried down the hallway.

‘Thirty minutes late!’

I should have memorized the communication crystal code at the charity party!

What if they think I canceled the appointment without notice?

Worried, I arrived at Lord Devon’s office.

Just as I was about to knock, a shout came from inside.

“Even if the child’s death wasn’t your fault, you must mourn! You must be sorry and thankful your whole life, Daymond Astra!”

It was Lord Devon’s voice.

‘Is he scolding Father?’

I whispered to the guard.

“Is someone inside?”

“Yes.”

Come to think of it, Father said he had an appointment at the palace today.

‘Maybe Lord Devon called Father to tell him about the party incident.’

He’s the kind of honest person who believes guardians should know.

It seemed an argument had started.

‘What should I do?’

Wait?

Or intervene?

“Enough compensation has been made for Beltree’s death.”

“Do you think compensation is enough? That child lost their only family! How can losing family be compensated with money?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Beltree—!!”

Lord Devon shouted in a bitter voice, as if possessed by rage.

“Have you forgotten what that child meant to us?”

“Stop it. I don’t want to be haunted by past ghosts.”

“I was stupid to think you had changed.”

“Yes.”

With footsteps, the door suddenly swung open.

Father stopped when he saw my stiffened expression.

“Erilot.”

Then Lord Devon, who was gripping the desk corner, also glanced at me.

“You two... fought?”

“...”

Father didn’t answer, but Lord Devon said,

“That’s not true.”

“Why do you lie...? Lying is the one thing Lord Devon hates most.”

It was strange.

As soon as I said that, Father and Lord Devon’s eyes widened.

Lord Devon reached out to me but suddenly stopped.

Then he turned his head sharply and said,

“Yes, lying is what I hate most.”

“...Is it difficult to talk with me today?”

“If you understand, we’ll set another time.”

“Yes.”

I obediently stepped back.

Father glanced at Lord Devon and closed the door.

I reached out to Father.

“Let’s go.”

“...”

“Yes? Father.”

“...Alright.”

Father smiled faintly and took my hand.

We walked quietly down the palace corridor, talking softly.

“You don’t seem too busy with Wonhwa matters lately.”

“The system’s organized. Besides, Wonhwa is mostly honorary, so it’s not that busy.”

“I see.”

“...”

“...”

But the conversation gradually stopped.

Like when someone deliberately changes the subject.

I stared at Father’s profile.

“Who is Beltree...?”

“...”

“Can I ask?”

I asked timidly.

Father stopped walking, kneeled, and met my gaze.

“There’s nothing you shouldn’t ask.”

“...But you look sad.”

“You can ask.”

“...”

“I’ll answer anything you want.”

I hugged Father’s neck.

“I want to know the name that hurts your heart.”

“All right.”

Father patted my back.

Long, very long...

Father and I rode in a carriage together.

Heading back to the mansion.

I sat facing Father, quietly chatting.

“When you were young, did Uncle Balderic torment you?”

“Yes. My blessing only became useful starting at level two. When I was young, I couldn’t develop my blessing quickly, so I was laughed at.”

‘Balderic is dead.’

I listened quietly to Father’s childhood story.

Soon, a name appeared in the story.

“I met Beltree back then.”

—The name Beltree.