This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 277

A few days later.

The main house’s month-end banquet was held.

When I entered the banquet hall, my eyes went wide.

“It’s much bigger than before.”

Balzac answered, “The cousins who’ve come of age each brought their own aides. Even though it’s the main house’s banquet, Grandpa’s close retainers are here too.”

“I see.”

“And there were already a lot of people. Just among the second- and third-generation there are over thirty. They’ve grown up while you were away.”

As we spoke, the other cousins approached us.

“It’s not that—you’re probably surprised it’s in the grand banquet hall.” 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

“We usually use the second hall on days without events.”

Milan added, “They said there are too many important guests in the castle this time, so it’s split into parts one and two.”

“Ah.”

Part one was the direct line’s private meal. Part two, with drinks, included the honored guests. As proof, there was no Château Bourbon whiskey prepared—Grandpa’s favorite that never fails to appear at the month-end.

“Hello, Erilot!”

“Dionera-unnie.”

“A pleasant evening.”

“Yes, Selene-unnie.”

I greeted my cousins and took my seat. Once Grandpa arrived, the banquet began. Amid the chatter, Aunt Bastina spoke up.

“It’s about the branch lines.”

All eyes turned to her, since the branch lines had become the direct line’s greatest concern.

“How long will you let them run riot, Father?”

Grandpa, slicing his meat with a knife, glanced at Bastina with a dry look that made her flinch.

“Oh—no, I just wondered if you had some reason for allowing it.”

Viscount Debussy, Grandpa’s closest retainer, cleared his throat. “If the second-generation stop paying them excessive attention, it will fizzle out.”

“What?! You mean the branch lines’ excesses are our fault?”

Bastina snapped. Other second-generation cousins joined in.

“What caused the competition to overheat in the first place?”

“Ranking the jurisdictions to decide rewards and punishments is the problem!”

“For the future, we must cooperate with other regions to develop our jurisdictions!”

Grandpa’s retainers frowned.

“Is that not a measure to curb a jurisdiction’s tyranny?”

“And thus the Astra Domain has prospered so greatly.”

The second-generation retorted again, voices rising. The atmosphere stiffened. Grandpa’s brow twitched ever so slightly.

At that moment, I spoke.

“Why not simply strip the branch lines of their autonomy?”

“What?”

“What did you say?”

All eyes turned to me at once. I wiped my mouth and looked to Grandpa.

“Since you assumed power, Grandfather, the Astra lands have grown immeasurably.”

“That is correct, my lady.”

“So, because the direct line alone could not govern them, the smaller regions were entrusted to the branch lines.”

“Yes.”

“The issue is the structure: they govern with taxes raised locally, sending a fixed portion back to the Chamber of Enforcement.”

Grandpa set down his utensils and fixed me with his gaze.

“And so?”

“But ten years ago, the branch lines lived on subsidies from the main house.”

“...”

“At that time, did they ever dare to set foot in the main house’s shadow?”

“...”

“Was it solely because they felt crushed by the main house’s prestige?”

“...”

“They feared the subsidies might be reduced or even cut off.”

Silence fell. I smiled.

“If you wish to curb the branch lines’ excesses, simply revoke their autonomy over those smaller regions.”

Everyone wore expressions of agreement, yet no one spoke up.

“The branch lines’ resistance would be tremendous...”

“Even if each region is small, together they account for over thirty percent of the domain. If they rebel in earnest...”

“When would we ever deal with that? There are countless factions to check outside the domain.”

As murmurs rose, Viscount Debussy chuckled. Uncle Decons frowned and asked, “Why are you so pleased, Viscount?”

“I’m amazed Lady Erilot and His Grace share the same view.”

“How so...?”

“His Grace was also considering how to revoke their autonomy. Therefore...”

Viscount Debussy looked to Grandpa, who said, “We will soon change the seating for the month-end banquet.”

“...!”

“...!!”

The entire direct line gasped at Grandpa. The seating is fixed: Grandpa at the head, the eldest and second sons to his right and left, then in birth order. His words meant...

‘Whoever resolves this matter shall be named heir.’

Desire flickered in every second-generation’s eyes. The war had begun.

Part one of the month-end banquet ended. Each family group gathered, whispering. Even Selene-unnie, not especially close to Mother Bastina, was summoned away. Joshua and Balzac approached my seat. Balzac glanced sharply around and whispered, “I informed Richmond-hyung too.”

“And?”

“He can’t leave the imperial estate, so he can’t come, but he pledged firm support.”

“And Father?”

“That...damn.”

Balzac scowled; Joshua said, “He must be fighting in a no-comm region. He won’t return soon.”

“In that case, we must act ourselves.”

Joshua and Balzac nodded vigorously.

“Right.”

“Of course!”

Relatives were already moving. Some claimed ill health to skip part two. ‘They’re surely off to meet the branch lines,’ I thought. Others sat with bright eyes. ‘They must hope for help from the Court or Baran.’ Joshua asked, “What will you do?”

“First, Joshua-oppa, watch their movements.”

“Okay.”

“Balzac-oppa, bring the estate guards.”

“The estate guards?”

“This is war. If things don’t go our way, someone might mobilize soldiers.”

“Understood. And you?”

“Me? I...”

I smiled. “I’ll cozy up to Grandpa.”

“What?”

“Huh?”

Balzac cocked his head. “Grandpa won’t help us though...”

But Joshua’s eyes widened. “Erilot, you don’t mean...”

“Then let’s begin!”

In that moment, my brothers and I were deployed into battle.

A few days later, I stuck close to Grandpa’s side.

“So, I’m planning to study the technology we brought from the Kansis Continent further.”

“...”

“Oh, and there was a delicious dessert! I had the chef make it.”

I laughed and offered a rattan basket. Grandpa and Viscount Debussy exchanged glances. Debussy spoke, “My lady.”

“Yes?”

“With Lord Daymond absent, shouldn’t the siblings unite their strengths? Even now...”

Voices of cousins drifted from outside the study door.

“Oh, Duke Gerua! Perfect timing. We’d like a word...!”

“You know that boy brought here by the Duchess of Sisilia two years ago? He might be the Duke’s illegitimate son. We need information! Those who enter the Chamber record details!”

“Have you seen Miss Tan?”

Such uproar filled the corridor. I calmly opened the picnic basket.

“To find a way to control the branch lines’ excesses, we need a firm plan, right?”

“Indeed.”

“But chasing after them with pleas for help will only make them more arrogant.”

“That may be, but...”

“And even if they beg, will we hand over autonomy? They’ll band together and refuse.”

“Well...”

Viscount Debussy nodded. Grandpa examined the treats and said, “Clinging to me is not a strategy.”

“Of course not!”

“...What are you thinking?”

“I...just missed you, Grandpa.”

Grandpa and Viscount Debussy’s eyes widened.

Grandpa asked, “What?”

“When I was on the Kansis Continent, I missed you so, so much. But when I returned, you were busy and I barely saw you...”

“...And so?”

“So, while the cousins are all hectic, I wanted to monopolize your attention.”

I clung to Grandpa’s arm and laughed. Grandpa cleared his throat.

“Even grown up, you still act spoiled...”

He pretended annoyance, but the corners of his mouth twitched. Viscount Debussy caught it and chuckled.

“My, how well this turned out. When Lady Erilot went to Kansis, she claimed life was dull and tormented the juniors instead.”

“Can’t you keep your mouth shut?”

“Isn’t it true? You kept badgering us about when your messages would arrive...!”

“Be quiet!”

I said, “Wow!” eyes shining.

“Really?”

“No!”

“What a pity... I was happy thinking Grandpa felt the same way.”

I pretended to pout and Grandpa flinched. Viscount Debussy laughed.

“You’re the only affectionate grandchild the Duke of Astra has.”

“That suits me. I’ll have all of Grandpa’s love to myself.”

I giggled and Grandpa cleared his throat again. Though he pretended not to care, he looked very pleased.

‘He truly prefers an affectionate grandchild.’

He doted on Dalia because she was such a charming granddaughter. So I clung to Grandpa until the moon rose, only leaving his room when I felt worn out. I rubbed my shoulders.

“My bones are aching...”

Playing the spoiled granddaughter for days without talent was exhausting. Just then, Han Jihyuk, who had been waiting, spotted me and approached. We walked together toward the cathedral and spoke.

“How did it go?”

“It was harmonious with Grandpa.”

“Will you be able to coax His Grace as you planned?”

“If things go on like this, gaining Grandpa’s cooperation will soon—”

At that moment, a whisper came from around the corner.

“I’ll be the price of the deal.”

...That was Cousin Lizzie’s voice. She’s the daughter of the late Duke Joslain. The jurisdiction is now managed by her mother, Aunt Kalia. A low laugh followed.

“That’s too bad a bargain.”

That was Heban’s voice—childhood friend of Crown Prince Baran and scion of the Brichet dukedom. I crept closer around the corner to observe. Lizzie brushed her hair to one side and chuckled.

“Don’t hide your true feelings.”

“...What?”

“I’ve sensed it from the moment I first saw you. The look in your eyes when you gaze at me.”

“Please do not utter base words from me.”

“Am I wrong? You stared right through me.”

“You resemble someone I know.”

“Blonde like me? Beautiful like me... charming like me...?”

Lizzie spoke slowly, touching Heban’s finger with her fingertip. Heban frowned.

“Do not strike a lady’s hand away.”

“If you grant me that skill, you become a son-in-law of Astra. My man.”

Heban said, irritated, “You—”

“...I’m not yet your woman, so you’re hasty.”

“Enough nonsense. Go away.”

“What did you say?”

“I admit I looked at you. In Baran they don’t wear such odd dresses.”

“Oh, my, what rude—!”

“And I admit I wondered if someone you resemble wore such a dress here.”

“Hey!”

“So please, go away.”

Heban walked past Lizzie.

‘By wounding Lizzie’s lofty fashion pride, I’ve made an enemy.’

I thought so, but then Lizzie called out.

“Fine, I love you!”

“...What?”

“My mother planned to marry me to Prince Yuri. But I refused.”

“...”

“The moment I first saw you... the way you looked at me was so intense.”

“I was not looking at you.”

“You must have been thinking of someone else. But that look—I want to receive it now.”

Lizzie grabbed Heban’s hand. At that moment, Han Jihyuk, peering around behind me, clutched his side and gasped.

He must have lost his balance. I too lost mine, hopping toward Lizzie and Heban.

Lizzie spotted me and startled.

“Erilot.”

“Uh, h-hello.”

I spoke awkwardly, and Lizzie’s face twisted in displeasure.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was... I was heading to the garden... uh, I’ll be on my way!”

Since she’d seen my expression at her confession, she probably wanted to rip me apart. I turned my back quickly.

Then Heban grabbed my wrist. I flinched, looked at Lizzie, then whispered to Heban:

“What are you doing?”

“Something’s on your cheek.”

“What? A speck of dirt, perhaps. Now go away.”

“It’s a scratch.”

Lizzie frowned and glared at ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) us.

“What are you two?”

Startled, I yanked my hand from Heban.

“It’s nothing.”

Heban gazed at me quietly.