I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Freesia had already collapsed once, causing the entire estate to be thrown into chaos, and just when it seemed like the turmoil was calming down, it started all over again.  

“Such troublesome people. If they’re going to fight, couldn’t they at least do it quietly?”  

“They’re just young, after all.”  

After leaving the couple’s bedroom, Ada ordered that no one was to go near it.  

Though it wasn’t confirmed whether she was pregnant or not, judging by Wilfred’s condition, the day when the cries of a baby echoed through the estate didn’t seem far off.  

“Ada is always like this. Too soft on the kids.”  

“Where would being stubborn get me? Speaking of which, I’ll go check on Lord Luca’s new clothes.”  

Leaving the cheerful Ada behind, Rashita cast a wary glance at the couple’s bedroom.  

—

Freesia’s collapse from anemia gave the princess a perfect opportunity.  

It provided ample grounds to stir up trouble between the Crowford couple, but the princess was dumbfounded by an unexpected betrayal from her younger brother.  

“You’re going to make Lily Devlanc the crown princess?”  

“There were some misunderstandings before.”  

“What nonsense!”  

Caught off guard by his response, the princess exploded in anger.  

“The Empress has summoned you.”  

At their mother’s call, the siblings marched together to the Empress’s palace, both wearing disgruntled expressions.  

For some reason, the crown prince, who was usually cautious, now wore an unusually content smile and even walked ahead without a care in the world.  

“Lily Devlanc solved the problem?”  

“Not a single other person has managed it since.”  

“…I see.”  

Still displeased, the Empress returned the list and leaned back, lighting a cigarette.  

“The crown prince and the princess have arrived.”  

“Send them in.”  

Watching the unusually cheerful crown prince, the Empress presented a portrait with a hint of unease.  

“According to palace law, this young woman should be the choice. But if you dislike it, we can figure something out.”  

“How could you even suggest someone like Devlanc, Mother?”  

“No one’s telling you to marry her. Why meddle?”  

At the cold rebuke, the princess fell silent.  

The crown prince stole a glance at his dejected sister before calmly staring at Lily’s portrait.  

“If she’s competent, I’ll do it.”  

“How could you—?”  

“It’s for the good of the kingdom. As the Crowford duchess’s sister-in-law, she’ll provide valuable connections.”  

“That’s true.”  

Normally, he would have played along with his sister’s demands. But he didn’t want to be accused of having a sister complex by the woman he liked again.  

He was tired of his sister’s endless manipulation, only appearing when she needed something from him.  

“With that beauty, she’ll be an asset diplomatically as well.”  

“We could even move the next international summit to our advantage.”  

The crown prince began persuading his mother, the Empress, through a pragmatic lens. His sister always insisted she was right, raising her voice to prove her point. But that was never what their parents wanted to hear.  

“What do you think, Mother?”  

“She won’t be easy to manage.”  

“It might be worth teaching her, though.”  

The Empress chuckled wryly, speculating that anyone would be better off with her than their birth parents. Perhaps Lily would complement the strict Empress better than expected.  

“She’s Freesia Devlanc’s sister!”  

“So what?”  

“Mother!!”  

“Enough.”  

By now, the princess’s pride had likely been shattered, but that didn’t mean the crown prince would step aside.  

Fuming, the princess glared at him fiercely before storming out.  

Though she had long crossed the line with her selfishness, the crown prince had always been the one to put up with her tantrums.  

“I’m surprised. Normally, you wouldn’t dare speak your mind because of your sister.”  

Even the Empress noted it, making the crown prince smile awkwardly, unable to come up with an excuse.  

Though he had never openly admitted it, everyone seemed to be aware of his situation.  

“I pity your sister.”

Who could satisfy her greed, which only allowed her to be content when she had everything to herself?  

She saw herself as the most unfortunate person in the world, but that didn’t justify her actions.  

“Even so, I don’t have a sister complex.”  

“Don’t you, though?”  

Although he truly cared for her, his patience wasn’t limitless.  

The real reason for his refusal was simple: it was pure jealousy directed at Frigia.  

“My sister doesn’t care whether I’m happy.”  

“Being born into the royal family, expecting happiness is a luxury.”  

“Perhaps.”  

For the crown prince, family meant something different than it did for ordinary people. Ironically, the Duke of Crowford understood his struggles better than anyone else.  

“I don’t particularly want to be emperor.”  

“If your sister heard that, she’d be thrilled.”  

“Still, her way of doing things is wrong.”  

The only reason she despised the duchess was because of her humble origins as a Devlanc.  

“Now I understand. My sister truly hates me.”  

“You only just realized that?”  

“Mother.”  

“Do as you wish. It’s your life, after all.”  

Having cleared the necessary hurdle, the Empress no longer felt the need to interfere.  

Even if the engagement fell apart, as long as the crown prince’s connection to the duchess benefited the royal family, the Empress would have been content to entrust everything to the princess.  

“I’m tired. You may go.”  

With her son’s resolve made clear, there was nothing left to say. She had offered her foolish daughter one last chance, but the girl refused to grow up.  

The deep aroma of her cigarette finally brought her some clarity.  

“I told you it was strong and to use it sparingly.”  

“Seriel.”  

“What will you do about the empress selection?”  

“As planned… For now, we’ll proceed with an engagement.”  

“That would be wise.”  

There had been a few complications, but everything else was falling into place.  

If troublesome Lily Devlanc were tied to the royal family, Seriel’s plans would proceed smoothly.  

“This is all for you, Master.”  

After wrapping a shawl around the Empress’s shoulders, Seriel fell into thought, recalling the master she could never fully approach.

* * *

“Say ahh.”  

“Tastes great. Now you try, say ahh.”  

“Mm, okay.”  

“…You two seem to be in a good mood this morning.”  

Just yesterday, the house was thrown into chaos when Freesia collapsed, but today the couple was acting as if nothing had happened, radiating happiness.  

Having just finished morning training with Luca, Rashita returned and, upon seeing the harmonious scene before her, couldn’t resist making a sarcastic comment.  

“If it bothers you that much, shall I help you find someone new to marry?”  

“Don’t be ridiculous.”  

Ignoring her aunt’s curt dismissal, Wilfred turned his attention to Luca, looking at him warmly.  

“Sorry I haven’t been able to spend much time with you lately, Luca.”  

“It’s fine.”  

Even though Luca said it was okay, his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. Noticing his wife beaming beside him, Wilfred decided to play the role of the devoted husband with even more enthusiasm.  

“You’re like my own child, Luca.”  

“Wilfred…”  

“If you haven’t had breakfast yet, come join us.”  

Wilfred patted his lap, inviting Luca to sit. When the servants rushed to bring a chair, Wilfred waved them off, settling Luca on his sturdy thighs. He even sliced bread and spread jam for the boy with care.  

“Freesia, could you get Luka’s milk?”  

“Of course.”  

Watching the Duke of Crowford take care of a child so naturally, the household staff could barely hide their amazement. Freesia, meanwhile, was over the moon.  

‘I can’t stop smiling—this is too precious.’  

Though she still felt uncertainty gnawing at her, the sight of Wilfred and Luca being so close made her heart soar.  

‘If Luca turns out to be the one I’ve been searching for all this time…’  

“Mmm! This is delicious, Wilfred.”  

“I’m glad to hear that.”  

Freesia tried to shake off her wild fantasies, but the warm dynamic between the characters she cherished felt like a dream come true, making her smile despite herself.  

Rashita, however, shook her head in disapproval at Freesia’s euphoric expression.  

“Hey, kid! What are you doing sitting on his lap like that?”  

Fieldram, fresh from his morning workout, wasn’t about to let such a sight go unchallenged. But even as Fieldram fumed with jealousy, Wilfred doubled down, keeping Luca close and holding Freesia’s hand tightly.  

“I heard your sister did well in the Crown Princess candidate exam,” Wilfred remarked.  

“Yeah, but I still feel uneasy about it.”  

“She’ll manage. Didn’t you raise her, after all?”  

“True, our Lily is amazing…”  

“Lily might become the Crown Princess?”  

Luca’s shocked expression said it all—Lily becoming the Crown Princess was hard to imagine. Just as he stammered through his disbelief, the door burst open, and the very person they were talking about entered the room.  

“What? Got a problem with that?”  

“N-no! That’s not what I meant!”  

Caught off guard, Luca found himself at a loss for words as Lily strode confidently into the room, pinching his cheek in mock reproach. Then, she handed an invitation to Wilfred.  

“An invitation from the Empress. She suggested we dine together, and I need a chaperone. But Rose is tied up with an important contract today.”  

“I’ll go.”  

Wilfred immediately volunteered, seating Luca beside Freesia as he took the invitation from Lily’s hand.  

“You should rest. I’ll take care of it.”  

“You’re going personally?”  

“I’ve been meaning to meet someone anyway.”  

The absence of Madame Benoit had been troubling him, and Wilfred suspected she was up to no good again.  

“Are you sure it won’t be a bother?”  

“Lily is my sister-in-law now, after all. She’s family.”  

“Honestly, I trust you more than my soft-hearted sister.”  

“Lily! How can you say that?”  

Ignoring Freesia’s protests, Lily exchanged a mischievous look with Wilfred, sealing their newfound camaraderie with a handshake.  

“Let’s leave soon.”  

“Will you pick out my dress for me, too?”  

“Ada!”  

At Wilfred’s command, a new dress was promptly brought out.  

Freesia shook her head in disbelief at how quickly they had bonded. Lily’s delight at getting a new dress was unmistakable, and Freesia couldn’t help but feel a little left out.  

Wilfred seemed to have mastered handling Lily effortlessly.  

Seeing Freesia’s faint disappointment, Luca gently touched her forehead.  

“Are you really okay, Freesia?”  

“Luca…”  

“Sis, we’ll be off!”  

As the duo headed out, their departure felt like a grand procession. Freesia waved lightly, trying not to dwell on the twinge of sadness she felt.  

Though she was a little envious, she couldn’t deny that the sense of family blooming between them felt rather nice.