I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 60
Chapter 60
In his village, no adult could ever defeat young Luca, yet here, he found himself surrounded by warriors so powerful that his own strength seemed insignificant. The shock of seeing Lady Rashita pull a hidden axe from beneath her dress had left a deep and lasting impression on him.
“I’ve brought Luca,” Jade announced.
“This way.”
Even among the throngs of soldiers, the Duke of Crowford was always easy to spot. Wilfred’s golden hair glimmered under the torchlight, his dark armor gleaming.
“This is the one?”
“Remember, you’re looking after someone’s precious child, so handle him with care.”
“Luca Bailey, sir,” Luca introduced himself, standing tall.
“Our lord gets a wife and now wants to play house with a child. What am I supposed to do with this little brat?”
Before Wilfred’s sneer could settle, Luca felt a sharp, menacing presence from behind. Reacting instinctively, he stepped forward and drew his sword just in time to block a sudden strike.
“Oh?”
“What the—ugh!”
Luca managed to parry the first attack, but a swift kick sent him sprawling to the ground. Unlike Rashita’s predictable yet formidable axe strikes, Fieldram’s attacks were so fast that Luca struggled to keep up.
“Where did you find this one? You’ve always been so greedy,” Fieldram scoffed.
“From now on, Fieldram, you’ll be in charge of him,” Wilfred instructed calmly.
“You want me to babysit?”
“You’ll also be responsible for Freesia’s protection. Rashita will be occupied elsewhere for a while, so the two of you should learn to cover each other’s duties.”
“Are you out of your mind? What’s so special about that woman?!”
Before Fieldram could finish his sentence, Luca’s sharp counterattack came at him with surprising force. Barely ten years old, this child not only defended against Fieldram’s attacks but also managed to strike at his opening, his eyes filled with fierce determination.
“You little—!”
A small cut appeared on Fieldram’s clothes where Luca’s blade had grazed him. It had been a long time since Fieldram had faced anyone other than dragons worth fighting, and this boy, eyes blazing with fury, treated him as if he were an enemy to be defeated.
“Watch your mouth,” Luca warned.
“What did you say?!”
“I won’t forgive anyone who insults my lady.”
Luca carried out his duty without hesitation, even under the Duke’s scrutinizing gaze. He knew he stood no chance against someone as skilled as Fieldram, who rivaled Rashita in combat, but he couldn’t stand by and allow his master’s honor to be tarnished.
“It seems you haven’t caught enough wyverns. Should I make it a hundred next time?” Wilfred mused.
“Ugh… If you’re going to make me do this, you might as well—ack!”
In a flash, Wilfred’s hand shot out and grabbed Fieldram by the throat with a speed Luca’s eyes couldn’t follow.
“Watch your tongue.”
“Fine, fine! Let go!”
Coughing from the pressure, Fieldram shot a venomous glare at Luca, his frustration evident.
“Keep a close eye on him. If Fieldram does anything unnecessary, report it to me immediately.”
“Understood.”
“You little—!”
“Come on, I’ll let you ride a wyvern,” Wilfred said, blatantly favoring Luca in Fieldram’s presence.
Wilfred made sure Luca didn’t stumble as he guided him onto the wyvern, holding him securely in front of him on the creature’s back.
“If you fall from here, you’ll die for sure. So don’t let go of the reins, no matter what.”
“I… I won’t…”
“Don’t worry. I’m here with you.”
Luca’s fearful eyes, which bore a resemblance to Freesia’s, softened Wilfred’s heart slightly. He had brought the boy along on a whim, but seeing him stand up to Fieldram had earned the child a bit of his respect.
The well-trained wyvern spread its massive wings and began to ascend. As their feet left the ground and the sky enveloped them, Luca’s excitement burst forth.
“Wilfred! We’re flying!”
“Who are you to call the master by his name like that?!” Fieldram yelled, chasing after them on his own wyvern.
“Ignore most of what that guy says; nine out of ten times, it’s useless.”
“I will.”
“Look over there.”
Wilfred pointed to the sky, where countless stars glittered against the deep blue, creating a breathtaking view.
“That’s…!”
“It’s the same night sky you see every day. But from here, it looks completely different, doesn’t it?”
Wilfred wasn’t showing any special affection, just rewarding the boy for his courage. Yet, Luca’s eyes were already brimming with tears of awe.
“When you grow up, this wyvern will be yours.”
“I’ll continue to do my best.”
Luca seemed to understand Wilfred’s intentions, having grown up learning to read the room.
“I don’t dislike you or anything, so don’t take it too hard,” Wilfred added, ruffling Luca’s hair gently.
“Why does he get everything?!” Fieldram’s voice echoed behind them.
Wilfred soared higher into the vast sky, deliberately ignoring the spoiled brat’s outburst.
* * *
Finally, Fieldram had returned to Crowford Manor.
Exhausted from flying all night, he carried the worn-out child on his back, his face set in a grumpy scowl as he searched for Ada.
“What the hell happened while I was gone?!”
“Let me warn you,” Luca said with a sleeping voice, “if you speak disrespectfully about the lady, Madame Benoit will make sure you regret it.”
“Why would that old hag—”
Before Fieldram could finish, a heavy staff struck him on the head, making him yelp in pain. He turned to glare at the fearsome archmage standing behind him.
“Old hag?” Madame Benoit’s voice dripped with dangerous calm.
“I greet you Madame Benoit,” Fieldram quickly corrected himself, bowing respectfully. He knew better than to cross her; in this household, no one dared to anger Madame Benoit.
Seemingly in a good mood today, she glanced at Luca slumped on Fieldram’s back and inquired about Wilfred’s whereabouts.
“He said he’d be back after meeting with Mustrang.”
“That carefree fellow,” she muttered with a hint of fondness.
“Has something happened at the estate?” Fieldram asked, curious.
“I’m heading out for the first time in a long while. Rashita will be joining me, so you’re on your own with the boy. Do your best.”
Hearing that the old witch, who never left the estate, was going out made Fieldram nearly toss Luca onto the floor in shock. He hurried to his room, eager to enjoy the rare peace.
“Home is the best,” he sighed as he sank into his soft bed, the sun-warmed sheets smelling fresh and clean. After downing a glass of Shangri-La, he was ready to savor his well-deserved rest.
But then…
“I don’t know what to do with all this free time,” he muttered, the unusual silence unsettling him. The battlefield’s chaos was gone, replaced by an eerie calm that made him uneasy.
He finally left his room, aimlessly wandering the mansion, trying to shake off the strange feeling.
“Why is it so quiet? Not a single soul around,” he noted. Only a few servants tending to the garden and kitchen staff peeling potatoes were visible. Oddly, the bustling maids who usually flitted about the mansion were nowhere to be found.
“Hey, Ada!” he called out, but received no answer. The housekeeper, who had been there just moments ago, had suddenly vanished.
Fieldram’s instincts told him something was very wrong. He climbed the stairs, checking room after room, finding each one empty and devoid of life. When he reached the master bedroom, his heart pounded as he knocked on the door, but there was no response.
“Lady Freesia, it’s been a while,” he announced, trying to sound casual despite his rising tension. Although they didn’t get along, she was still the lady of the house, and Madame Benoit had made it clear she was not to be crossed. Fieldram thought it best to try and make amends.
Scratching his head, he opened the door, but the room was eerily spotless. Not even a trace of life remained, save for the perfectly made bed and an empty bookshelf. His eyes fell on a pristine white envelope on the table, filling him with dread.
“No way… She wouldn’t…”
It was too much of a coincidence. Why would she leave now, just as he returned? Fieldram opened the envelope with trembling hands, hoping against hope that he was wrong. But when he read the note inside, reality crashed down on him.
*I’m mad. Don’t try to find me. —Freesia.*
“This woman…!” Fieldram growled, crumpling the note in frustration.
Just then, a servant announced, “Sir, the master has returned.”
Hastily shoving the note into his pocket, Fieldram slammed the door shut and hurried to meet Wilfred, trying to act as if nothing was amiss.
“…The estate seems unusually quiet,” Wilfred observed, his eyes narrowing.
“It’s just your imagination,” Fieldram bluffed. “Madame Benoit took Lady Freesia out for a bit. Ada went with them, too, so I’m not sure what’s going on.”
“Madame Benoit, you say?” Wilfred repeated, suspicion creeping into his voice.
“Yeah. They should be back soon. Probably by tomorrow, I’d guess,” Fieldram added, trying to sound confident.
“Tomorrow, you think?” Wilfred’s tone was doubtful.
“Just a guess! I really don’t know where they went,” Fieldram stammered, realizing he might have overplayed his hand.
“Lady Freesia left me a letter,” came Luca’s small voice as he shuffled into the room, holding another white envelope. His hair was tousled from sleep, and he looked up at Wilfred with wide, innocent eyes.
Fieldram’s heart sank as Wilfred took the envelope. He knew that the longer note in Luca’s hand might contain the truth he had been trying to avoid.
Trying to stay calm, Fieldram braced himself for Wilfred’s reaction, knowing full well that Freesia’s disappearance was likely a response to their recent argument. He hoped beyond hope that the letter wouldn’t make matters worse.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Wilfred asked, his gaze piercing as he scanned the letter.
The detailed and carefully written message confirmed that Fieldram’s worst fears had come true. He hadn’t managed to peek at its contents, but he could sense the storm brewing in his master’s mind.
Fieldram forced himself to remain calm, but his anxiety grew as Wilfred continued to read, his expression unreadable.