I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Although there’s no finger that doesn’t hurt when bitten, in this strange world, Lily’s fingers seemed unusually painful.

With long eyelashes and distinct facial features, she had a slim waist, long legs, and the appearance of a beautiful young girl, making her look more like a chick when she cried, calling her sister.

“It was really cruel. At that time, it really was.”

When this beautiful child appeared in society, the reactions were divided.

Either people followed her or viciously criticized her.

Though one hurtful comment stings more than ten praises, Lily’s harassment was particularly severe and malicious.

Faced with serious harassment for the first time, Lily cried, expressing a desire to return home.

However, Rose, who managed the family business, was already busy, and taking care of Lily, who showed signs of depression, naturally became Freesia’s responsibility.

Freesia, who had not given birth but had raised Lily for several years, now felt like a mother taking care of her daughter.

“If only you wouldn’t say I resemble my mother.”

Thinking of her less-than-ideal parents, a sigh naturally escaped her.

Originally, after graduating from the academy, she planned to join the family business with her sister’s support, but the result was that she continued to take care of the household affairs.

Ensuring that her sister lacked nothing in managing the family affairs while raising her younger sister skillfully, Freesia became busier every day, even if she was considered unemployed.

“You’ve grown tall again. I should prepare a new dress.”

Since then, the management of the Devlanc family’s household became Freesia’s responsibility.

While Rose took care of the family business, Freesia ensured there was no lack for her sister, who managed the family’s business.

If she became a person who should not be separated from the family, she wouldn’t be forced into unwanted obligations like marriage.

Having faith in staying with her sister for the rest of her life, Freesia decided to enjoy the role of an excellent home security guard.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

“Yeah, it’s okay.”

Now that Lily looks quite capable and unlikely to be mistreated elsewhere, there’s still a lingering sense of regret.

Is this the feeling parents have when their children become independent?

Even with just a two-year age difference, Lily, who used to be particularly mischievous, has grown into a lady without showing off her antics.

After seeing Lily off, Freesia called for Miléva.

“We need to make Lily’s new dress. Arrange for it.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“We also need to buy shoes, so let them know in advance.”

Thinking about the lost shoes, she tasted regret.

After organizing all the tasks that needed attention, Freesia stood in front of the kitchen for the first time in a while, tying on her apron.

“Today, I should bake brownies.”

“Really? Hey, the second lady is baking brownies!”

Cheers erupted from the excited employees.

The giant brownies, with enough chocolate to fill ten fists, were one of Freesia’s few specialties.

She was confident in only this.

Preparing for the upcoming ball and the hard work of the employees, Freesia rolled up her sleeves and personally started making the dough.

With a recipe preserved from her past life, it unintentionally became a specialty of the Devlanc family.

Unbeknownst to Freesia, among the employees, there were quite a few who secretly looked forward to this day.

“Now, all that’s left is to bake.”

“I can already smell something good.”

Patting the head of a young maid drooling with anticipation, Freesia untied her apron.

It only takes about thirty minutes to bake and it will be done.

“Maybe I should take a nap.”

Leaving the kitchen and entering the drawing-room, the sunlight felt particularly warm today.

It would be nice to lie down on the sofa and take a leisurely nap.

As she entered the room, Mileva’s cat subtly stuck its head out, and Freesia, sitting down on the floor, gently extended her hand.

“Come here.”

Nyaang- The cat made a sound, rubbing its head against Freesia’s hand several times and purring.

While pampering the affectionate cat, the nanny suddenly found Freesia with a puzzled look.

“Miss!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, a guest has arrived.”

Since there were no scheduled appointments, it would likely be something like a dress shop at best. It hadn’t been long since she sent someone away, and she didn’t expect anyone to arrive so soon.

“You should hurry.”

“It wasn’t from the dress shop?”

“It’s not that, but I don’t know how to explain…”

With a rambling explanation and a bewildered expression, it seemed that an odd guest had indeed arrived.

Freesia quickly headed to the mansion’s lobby.

“What is this?”

It didn’t take long to understand the nanny’s strange reaction.

As soon as she stepped out of the door, soldiers with emblems of Crawford lined up in the lobby, stretching from the garden.

All the soldiers’ chests were engraved with Crawford’s emblem.

The well-equipped soldiers looked so neat that it was reminiscent of a military parade.

Freesia bit her lip as she looked at the terrified servants.

‘Discovered.’

It seemed someone had traced her here using the shoes left behind. Otherwise, there was no reason for the soldiers to gather like this.

Father, mother, Rose, Lily—Freesia’s pitiful life ends here.

Knowing how cruel the Duke of Crawford could be, she fully understood.

The family that challenged his wrath perished without leaving an heir, and the people who defied him lost their land to the flames.

Everything was her fault, and she desperately prayed that at least the family wouldn’t be completely destroyed. But whether he would spare her life after making such a request was uncertain.

Freesia, with trembling hands, faced the seemingly responsible man.

“What business do you have, bringing so many of us here, unannounced?”

“Miss!”

Dismissing the maids trying to intervene from behind, she calmly confronted him.

He had revealed her crime. Sending soldiers like this to openly question her meant that he was merciless, just like the ultimate villain in this world.

“Are you Lady Freesia Devlanc?”

“I am Freesia Devlanc. Please, tell me…”

“My master has sent this for you.”

Seeing that she had frightened servants for answers, soldiers were sent to expose the truth.

As she opened the lid with caution, she found a pair of cream-colored shoes, the ones she lost yesterday, placed inside the box.

“My master will send a letter along with this.”

Alongside the dignified red lion emblem, Crawford’s name was elegantly written under which the words “Freesia Devlanc” were clearly inscribed.

The moment the letter was handed over, the soldiers, who were standing in line, dropped their spears twice and kneeled down.

“Hail to the glory of Crawford’s name!”

“Hail to the glory!”

Amidst the cheers of the servants, Freesia herself was stunned.

Even though she didn’t know what they were doing in someone else’s house, she could be sure of one thing.

‘Something is definitely wrong.’

Even if she didn’t know what it was, she could feel that something had gone terribly wrong.

Of all things, the adversary was the infamous Crawford, a villain so persistent that readers had wished for his death for over a hundred episodes.

Once he harbors a grudge, he chases it to the end of the continent, mercilessly killing whoever stands in his way.

The fact that this ruthless man had clearly set his eyes on her meant that something was gravely amiss.

“Hey, please get up.”

“Please forgive me, but I cannot rise in the presence of my master’s letter.”

It was bewildering for a messenger himself to be present due to a mere letter. Even if it was the Duke of Crawford, it seemed an irrational action.

“Alright, I’ll read it. Please, just get up.”

After a pleading tone, the people reluctantly stood up.

With trembling hands, Freesia opened the envelope. Inside, alongside Crawford’s grand emblem, a letter bearing the Duke’s signature awaited her.

Carefully unfolding the letter, she found the handwriting peculiar, as if it had been hastily written and almost crumpled, making it challenging to read.

‘Apology… Application… What is this?’

Due to the atrocious penmanship, only a few letters at the beginning and end were legible. Freesia could barely deduce the content.

‘In fulfillment of your responsibility……. You will pay the price for your actions…….’

And judging by the murderous soldiers standing behind him, the intent of the letter was clear.

“Is this for real?”

“It is an official request in the name of Crawford.”

It was a demand to take responsibility for eavesdropping on the conversation and, as compensation, to pay a reasonable price.

The intent behind sending soldiers like this was evident just by looking at them.

Even though it was a fight for honor among nobles, once accepted, it would involve risking one’s life.

Moreover, the Duke’s vile actions had spared no one and showed no leniency towards women.

If someone understood her powerless situation and had sympathy, they wouldn’t have sent such a thing in the first place.

Freesia, choosing to ignore it without properly examining it, quickly put the letter back into the envelope.

“I apologize. I cannot accept this. Please forgive me.”

It was a meek admission of defeat, a sign of surrender.

“But, milady!”

“Please convey this to the Duke. I have seen nothing, heard nothing. I will handle things properly to ensure there are no worries. Please go back now.”

This should have conveyed her intentions clearly. Freesia never had the audacity to casually spread rumors about the incident with the princess, and she hadn’t told her sister Rose either, so there was no chance that this matter would leak.

Expressing a polite refusal, Freesia received the letter back, and the messenger displayed a displeased expression.

“But, my lord,” said the messenger,

“my master is…….”

At that moment, the aroma of freshly baked brownies wafted from the kitchen. Even the soldiers, captivated by the sweet scent, began to swallow their saliva one by one.

“As you’ve returned the shoes, I should reciprocate the gesture.”

Hastily rushing to the kitchen, Freesia packed the freshly baked brownies into a gift box. Although the young maid nearby expressed regret for missing the chance to grab a brownie close to her nose, doing this much was necessary to ensure the safety of the Devlanc family.

“I’ll give you these, so please tell them to consider this letter as if it never happened.”

She might not have much, but the brownies from the Devlanc family were so sweet that even if both of them died after eating them, no one would notice.

So please, just take this and leave.

“If that’s truly the lady’s will, I will safely convey the message to our master.”

Since it was known that the Duke liked sweets according to the setting, Freesia hoped that this method would work.

Although she had baked brownies exceptionally well after a long time, she had already given them away, so there was no choice.

She didn’t want to die so pitifully.

Starting to make the batter again, Freesia forced down a sigh of regret.

“Smile Love”