I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Though Sohee  was certain just from seeing his face, she was never able to find any evidence linking Luca Bailey to the missing child.

That’s probably where the Duke’s confidence came from.

“I heard you had a tough time growing up away from your parents.”

“I had no choice due to my poor health.”

“That’s odd. That’s not quite the story I heard.”

Sohee deliberately threw out a bait, but the child wasn’t shaken at all. Instead, he asked her directly what she was thinking.

“If you have something to say, I’d appreciate it if you’d be direct.”

“…I mean no harm. I’m only asking because I wonder if you might be the child of the person I’m looking for.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I already know about the incident in Arisford. Including the fact that it was self-defense. So, I…”

Even if that incident became a problem, Sohee was ready to protect him.

That’s why she brought it up, but the moment she mentioned Arisford, a look of wariness appeared in Luca’s eyes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but whoever I may be, I am part of the Crowford household.”

“What?”

“My current guardians are the Duke and Duchess of Crowford. So, I don’t understand why I should follow the Viscountess of Blado.”

“Is it because of Lady Freesia?”

He’s clearly the person she’s looking for. She’s been searching so desperately, so why is this child insisting on staying here?

Despite her disappointment, Luca remained resolute in his stance.

“My duty is to protect Lady Freesia. Of course, that’s not the only reason.”

Along with his desire to protect Freesia, who resembled his mother, a new and unfamiliar emotion began to blossom inside young Luca.

The vast sky he had seen while in the Duke’s arms. Watching the Duke gaze at a place Luca couldn’t even dare to look at, the young boy began to harbor a new dream.

“I want to become strong like the Duke.”

“Excellent. Very admirable.”

At the sudden applause, both Luca and Sohee were startled.

Without a sound, Madam Benoit appeared, placing her hand on Luca’s shoulder as if to express her regret.

“It seems the Viscountess has taken quite an interest in our household’s child.”

“Well, we can always figure out whose child he is later.”

He looks so much like him that it’s obvious at a glance. But even though she is certain it’s him, she has no grounds to step in as his guardian. Especially when his own will is so firm.

“Sohee, here’s the book.”

“How was your little runaway adventure? Was it fun?”

At that moment, Freesia appeared, holding a book, and Madam Benoit smiled playfully as she spoke.

“Madam Benoit! You’ve returned from your outing? When did you arrive?”

“I missed our dear Freesia, so I came back early. And this little rascal too.”

“Ouch, Madam Benoit.”

Pinching Luca’s chubby cheeks, Madam Benoit effectively shut down any chance for Sohee to intervene.

“Our Duke didn’t trouble you while I was away, did he?”

“No way. He treated me very well. Just like a father.”

Luca, who had been tense in front of her, became much more talkative once Freesia returned.

Seeing him excitedly talk about how they flew together, Sohee could no longer stubbornly insist on her point.

“I understand your doubts a hundred times over.”

“Madam Benoit…”

“But now is not the time. Forcing them apart would only cause resentment to build.”

“Well…”

“Everything is heading in a good direction. So, please, wait a little longer.”

Luca, so excited, and Freesia, who was just as happy seeing him that way.

“Lord Wilfred promised me! When I grow up, I’ll get to ride a wyvern!”

“Was it really that fun?”

“Of course! When I become an adult, I’ll take Lady Freesia for a ride!”

Seeing Luca so ecstatic made Sohee feel a bit disappointed.

Madam Benoit gently coaxed her, knowing she still had lingering attachment.

“Our Duke is very clever. He knows exactly what people want.”

“What’s the point of this family charade?”

“If only the world understood my heart. But it doesn’t, and that’s why life is so difficult.”

“…But I won’t give up.”

“Of course. You shouldn’t. One day, it will definitely be your turn to step forward.”

So, for now, enjoy the happiness of the present.

Madam Benoit smiled enigmatically as she watched the two, blissfully unaware of the future, enjoying the moment.

—

“Ahhh!!!”

After being humiliated in Crowford, the princess’s hysteria had reached its peak.

As the entire palace felt at a loss, Serial calmly visited Princess Hyacinth.

“I’ve heard the news. You got caught up in the Duchess’s schemes, didn’t you?”

“Shut up. If you hadn’t spouted such useless nonsense from the start!!!”

Serial easily dodged the flying vase and sharply observed the princess’s state.

“I said it all for the good of the imperial family.”

“Are you serious?”

Of course, it was a lie. Serial, whose eyes were filled with malice, found the entire situation amusing.

“Even the Viscountess of Napier seems to have lost interest in the whole thing.”

“As expected. Her parents were trash, beyond even the possibility of recycling.”

“In that case, we need to find another method. If we leave things as they are, your position will permanently become the Duchess’s.”

Caught completely in Serial’s suggestion, Princess Hyacinth’s hands trembled.

As the blue tint slowly faded from her lips, she soon mumbled calmly.

“That kid… something’s definitely off about him.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“The child they keep taking around with them, the one they say is the son of the Bailey family.”

“Oh?”

If it weren’t for him, it would’ve been much easier to corner the Duchess. But of all things, he’s the Bailey family’s son, so no one dares to treat him carelessly.

“They said he wouldn’t make it past ten, but somehow, he looked overly healthy.”

“How did he become so healthy?”

“…You really don’t know anything, do you?”

Thinking back to the Duchess, who always doted on the boy, the woman searched for any complaint she could muster with a displeased expression.

“Why would a virtuous woman insist on keeping a young boy by her side?”

“It’s a noble tradition to have wards, isn’t it?”

“The Duchess, who doesn’t have children, is an exception. And besides, the boy is too old.”

“How likely is it that the boy is really a Bailey? At first glance, it’s hard to tell, but there’s something vaguely Eastern about his features. It’s suspicious, to say the least.”

“The East, you say?”

“Coincidentally, the Viscountess of Blado visited the Duke of Crowford’s estate today.”

At this, a smile finally crept onto the princess’s face, who had been fuming until now. She’d heard all she wanted to. Now it was time to stir up her father and formally begin the showdown with Crowford.

“No matter how great Crowford is, it’ll be hard for them to escape this scandal. I’m really looking forward to how they’ll react.”

“What about His Highness, the Crown Prince?”

She loved her brother, but letting him have the title of Crown Prince still didn’t sit right with her. After all, no matter what anyone said, she was the most capable one.

“They said the matter of choosing the Crown Princess would come up soon.”

Freesia’s younger sister, Lily, had always been one of the candidates for Crown Princess. And now, with her sister married to Crowford, the only stain on her family’s reputation was erased.

“If his beloved sister gets into trouble, I wonder how the Duchess will react?”

“This should be fun.”

“I might let it slide once, but not a second time.”

Still stinging from the humiliation she had suffered, Princess Hyacinth bit her lip, brooding over her grudge.

“I can never forgive anyone who made me angry.”

“Of course.”

“Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince is here to see you.”

“Perfect timing. Let him in.”

Serial briefly stepped aside, and the princess greeted her brother with a bright smile as if nothing had happened.

“Sister.”

“No one but my dear brother would come to visit me first like this.”

“I’ve heard. They say you’ve been in a bad mood since your visit to Crowford.”

“That’s nonsense. Who could have told you such nonsense?”

Of course, it must’ve been loose-tongued Serial, but it no longer mattered. Hyacinth gladly hid her true feelings and held her brother’s hand tightly.

“The Duchess’s younger sister is two years older than you, isn’t she? She’s twenty this year, and truly beautiful.”

“Enough.”

Even though he had received an apology, his impression of the Duchess remained terrible.

The princess, pretending to know nothing, casually dropped some information as her brother’s dislike of the Duchess was clear.

“Oh, is that so? It seems they’re already convinced the position of Crown Princess is theirs.”

“…Is that really true?”

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

She let her words trail off, as if it was just a rumor. But once she planted the seed, it would grow into fact in people’s minds, distorting their judgments.

“They trust Crowford enough to aim for the Imperial Palace, but even I was deeply disappointed by their rude behavior last time.”

“I never imagined it would be that bad. This is very disappointing.”

“There’s nothing we can do. In her eyes, I must seem like a pathetic creature who can’t accomplish anything.”

Instead of letting things slide as if nothing had happened, it would be better to grab the Duchess by the ankle and drag her down in spectacular fashion.

“That’s why it’s even more painful. My dear brother, if anything happens to you…”

“Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you won’t be disappointed with how things turn out.”

“Do you mean that?”

Her voice was sharp, demanding a clear answer. He’d promised, so he would have no choice but to follow through.

“If that’s the case, then crush Lily Devlanc. So thoroughly that she’ll never be able to rise again. Be more brutal than anyone else.”