I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Before meeting the Duke of Crawford, the boy who came to be known as Luca Bailey held the hand of a woman lying in bed.

“…You’re Luca.”

The son acquired late in life by the Countess Bailey was inherently frail. The boy, who had asthma from an early age, had left his parents and had recently passed away while recuperating deep in the countryside.

When the proposal came in the name of the Duke Crawford, the condition of the Bailey Countess worsened due to anger she couldn’t contain.

Duke Crawford promised a substantial reward even enough to quell her anger. Yielding to her family’s persuasion, she insisted on the condition to see the child who would replace Luca.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

With his head bowed like a puppy, the boy’s hands were a mess of wounds.

He had heard he would serve as the escort for the Duke Crawford’s wife, but even so, he was just twelve years old. He still seemed to need protection.

Listening to all the circumstances, the boy’s eyes filled with guilt. Seeing those innocent eyes, the Countess Bailey couldn’t bear to be harsh.

“I want to protect Lady Crawford.”

“If your purpose is just to escape, it will be difficult.”

How many children swayed by the desires of adults had he seen? If this child was also like that, it would be difficult.

“No, it’s because he resembles my late mother.”

His father had passed away, and he had been raised alone with a difficult body. The boy candidly told Lady Bailey, who would be his “mother,” all his story.

If the people sent by Duke Crawford hadn’t helped him, he would still be living a life akin to slavery under the villagers.

“It’s a life that has already died once. If there is a place where I am needed, I want to help.”

A sincere smile that had not yet been tarnished by the world’s cruelty. The Countess’s resentment naturally turned to Jade standing behind her.

Seeing that intimidation through power wouldn’t work, the Duke cunningly pushed the young boy forward to sway the Countess’s heart.

He was truly cunning. But the Duke’s strategy succeeded.

The Countess laboriously rose from her seat and looked at the boy standing before her.

Even if they were the same age as the deceased child, her child wasn’t as sturdy as this boy. Besides a slight similarity in hair color, there was nothing else alike.

If she rejected this child, the Duke would not hesitate to reject this dear child again and again until a child worthy of her eyes appeared.

“…Duke Crawford is truly despicable.”

Until there was utility under the name of Crawford, he would be protected, but even so, there was no guarantee of perfection. Surely there would be a moment when she would need his help if the boy went out into the world.

“Luca was truly a good child. Despite suffering pain from a young age, he was truly a good child who wiped away my tears.”

“…At three years old, he fell from a carriage and was seriously injured. It’s better to make the scars on the back of the arm beforehand.”

The Duke’s wife, who was supposed to be the target of protection, had said she would learn the truth about this child being a true member of the Bailey family.

She had no intention of playing along with the Duke’s games, but the energy emanating from this child was extraordinary.

The boy still appeared immature and unimpressive, but his unwavering eyes were infinitely upright, making him even more pitiable in his determination not to waver.

“As you bear the name of my child, please do your best not to tarnish that honor.”

“Yes, Countess.”

“You should call me ‘Mother.’ You are a deficit to the Baileys, Luca Bailey.”

It was a phrase he had never heard before, spoken to the child who had been kept at a distance. Thinking of the child who remained a burden in her heart, the Countess Bailey ultimately acknowledged the existence of “Luca Bailey.”

“Mother…”

Seeing the lonely figure of the Bailey Countess made Luca’s shoulders feel heavier.

But Jade, who had brought him, shrugged with a carefree face, seemingly indifferent to his worries.

“It’ll be fine if it’s the lady.”

Why was he so sure? Luca didn’t easily understand Jade’s words.

Until he actually met the lady.

“So, you said you still can’t read, right?”

Unlike the serious atmosphere of the Bailey family, the Duchess showed no sign of annoyance and asked the boy various questions.

What he liked, if there were any foods he couldn’t eat, if he had any allergies—she was the first person to ask such detailed questions.

“Isn’t your bed uncomfortable? I didn’t know that……. I’ll have to see for myself.”

“It wasn’t uncomfortable, ma’am.”

“Calling me ‘ma’am’ all the time is a bit burdensome. Just call me Freesia.”

Her kindness, without any trace of severity, made Luca feel unsure of what to do.

“How dare someone like me…!”

“Right now, I am the Duchess, but I was originally the second daughter of the Devlanc. Moreover, I heard that the Bailey Countess has always been a truly excellent person who led the way in sponsoring orphans. Did Luca know?”

With one unfamiliar story after another, Luca couldn’t help but feel even more embarrassed.

Feeling perplexed in front of the bewildered boy, Freesia sat down on the floor.

“Did I talk too much? Suddenly coming because of the adults’ circumstances must have been unfamiliar and scary for you?”

“How could I… No, never! Absolutely not!”

The desperate denial only made the boy seem even more pitiable, a fact known only to himself.

Seeing Luca, who was now almost sweating profusely, Freesia hugged him affectionately like an older sister.

“You’re still a child. It’s okay to be a little more spoiled.”

The fragrant scent of flowers and the warmth—it made Luca’s heart collapse as if his mother had come back to life.

“M-Mother.”

“Not mother, Freesia. If you keep calling me that, I’ll look too old.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Should we start by correcting your way of speaking? I’m quite strict, so you’ll have to follow along.”

Afraid of being blamed for his shortcomings, Luca was surprised when Priscilla called the maid with a delighted face and told her to bring something.

“Perhaps it would be better to hire a tutor since he’s a boy?”

“Other matters are already being handled by designated individuals, so teaching him basic etiquette and manners should suffice.”

“Hmm, I suppose you’re right.”

Without a hint of doubt, Freesia shrugged off her sleeves as the family members left.

Behind her, Jade could be seen smiling.

They would never actually consider such a thing, but if they were to entertain the idea, they would not hesitate to stab him in the back.

“Still, shall we have our meal first? Our Duke seems busy with remaining tasks, so it seems we should eat together.”

Who could be targeting the life of this cheerful person?

As Jade had said, the lady seemed completely unaware of the situation, but she didn’t need to know all of this.

“Yes, Freesia.”

Facing her bright and cheerful presence, the boy willingly decided to participate in this play.

***

“Hand it all over to me.”

“Thank you for your hard work this time as well.”

Jade clutched the precious bundle of papers in his arms and walked away; after several sleepless nights, the ‘side job’ that had been bothering him was finally over.

He would have to return to the duties of the Duke’s household tomorrow, but he decided to relieve his stiff shoulders and engage in a long-awaited sparring match with Rashita.

“You’ve been busy lately.”

“This is my private domain.”

“It’s good to keep training properly. I can feel that the blade’s edge has dulled.”

He blocked the flying axe with the blade of his sword, but the worn edge shattered with a snap. He drew a real sword instead of the blunted training sword and aimed the shining blade at Rashita’s neck.

“Where did you learn such amazing swordsmanship?”

“My body remembers.”

Reacting with the eyes means missing the timing already. Relentless attacks continued, and when he barely managed to block them, the duel ended with the axe handle breaking.

“It’s been a while since you’ve rushed in so recklessly. Did something pile up during that time?”

“There’s nothing in particular.”

“You would have snapped at me by now if it were a normal day. By the way, didn’t you say you gave Freesia a cute toy as a gift?”

“It’s not a toy, it’s a guard.”

He had sent subordinates throughout the country to find suitable talent, and based on meticulous investigation by Armeia, he had selected the child.

His father was already dead, and his mother was also a fugitive, he had said. He liked that the child would leave no trace behind, making him a clean and therefore less burdensome existence.

“Better not to talk nonsense.”

“Oh my, are you scared? Could it be that the great Duke Crowford is jealous of the little one I’ve taken under my wing?”

Despite the mocking tone, the Duke didn’t bat an eye and handed an extra axe to Rashita.

Just as the sparring between the two was about to resume, a bustling voice in the distance tickled their ears.

“Oh, looks like we have some spectators.”

Not thrilled with the news, the Duke gladly put down his sword.

While he possessed skills that were unmatched in combat, for some reason, he didn’t hesitate to hide his claws and pretend to be weak in front of his wife.

“What’s the matter with you?”

“It’s what I heard from Freesia. She said she mistook the love letter I personally wrote for a duel challenge.”

“Knowing your handwriting, she probably mistook the word ‘duel’ for something else too!”

After a hearty laugh and a good ribbing, Rashita teased the somewhat gloomy nephew of her husband in high spirits.

“Smile Love”