The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 13
Chapter 7.1
My mom’s feelings toward Roveline Castone mirrored mine in an uncanny way—
A blend of love and hatred. Despite being the victim of her murderous schemes more than ten times, trapped in a recurring nightmare of death, my mom strangely sympathized with and understood her.
Roveline Castone.
Known as one of the most malevolent villainess in the history of the Castone Empire, she was born to the princess of a small country used as a hostage. She lost her mother to the emperor, her own father, in her childhood. This trauma led to her showing increasingly hysterical and cruel behavior as the years went by.
As she suffered from a long-standing madness, it eventually reached the ears of the crown prince. Even the emperor, who favored her dearly, had to order her execution.
But there was a truth known only to the readers, the protagonists, and my mom.
“Excuse me…”
Interrupting my deep thoughts, Emil called for assistance.
“I think this might be a bit too much…”
Before I knew it, Mom was calling for the butler and the head maid. One by one, she began instructing Emil about the “necessary items.”
“First, I’ve decided to call the tailor tomorrow to get you some new clothes. Since winter is approaching, you should wear something warm, don’t you think?”
“I’m not sure it’s necessary…”
“Ah, is there anything you want to learn? Anything at all, feel free to speak up. Magic? Alchemy? Swordsmanship? Well, for swordsmanship, my husband would be more qualified than other teacher.”
“I-I’m fine.”
Feeling overwhelmed, Emil hesitated. Seizing the right moment, I jumped in. Since he’ll be occupied with Mom all day starting tomorrow, it’s better to help him now.
“Mommy, that’s important too, but I should show him the room where he’ll be staying from now on.”
“Oh my, I’ve been too thoughtless, haven’t I? You must be tired from the journey… We always keep the rooms tidy, but I’m not sure if they’ll meet your expectations.”
“No…. any room would be well appreciated.”
“But I won’t accept just any room for you.”
Mom affectionately stroked Emil’s head.
“We want you to be greedy here, try what you want, and enjoy the many things you can experience at your age.”
These are words that Princess Roveline might have wanted to hear as well.
“You can consider this place your home.”
Emil’s lips parted.
“…Yes, madam.”
Worried that this might make him uncomfortable due to his strong self-esteem, I quickly led him away. Fortunately, Emil seemed to think of this hospitality as merely unfamiliar.
“Your room is on the left side of the third floor.”
As we ascended the central staircase in the center of the mansion, the servants who recognized Emil greeted us with smiles. Among them were Isana and Elena.
“Hello, Young Lord Calixt. I am Isana, Lady Velsia’s nanny. And this is my daughter, Elena.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Young Lord Calixt. While you’ll have personal servants, feel free to summon me for anything you may need.”
As the servants greeted us, Emil had remained on guard, but he murmured in a daze.
“…It feels like a different world here.”
This environment should have naturally been given to him, but he says it feels like a different world. Could this mean that the Emil of my previous life had lived even more harshly?
”I thought the duke’s mansion was cool, too.”
“But that place, it’s not like this.”
“So you’re saying our house is better, right?”
“…Yeah.”
On our way to the quietest room at the end of the corridor, Emil stopped in front of my room.
“Oh, this is my room.”
“Your room?”
“And the room next to it is yours.”
I insisted a bit, saying I could rush to Emil’s aide just in case he showed any signs of being sick. Since we were the same age, I thought it would be nice for us to share the same corridor.
“There’s no need for it to be this close…”
“Of course, if it’s inconvenient, we can switch you to another room.”
“It’s not that…”
“We’re close by, so if you ever want to play more, you can sneak out at night and come find me.”
Contrary to my bright smile, I hid my compulsive thoughts within.
Putting the person who once killed me right next door was, in my own way, a risky move. I was discarding my trauma to gain his trust.
“I’ll show you my room too. But before that, let’s look around yours first.”
I still found it hard figuring out how to approach this child.
* * *
I felt that what lay beyond the door left Emil momentarily speechless. Since I had never taken much interest in the room next door, which was a guest room, this was the first time I personally entered.
The room was spacious and filled with sunlight. White and translucent curtains fluttered in the cool breeze. Wooden furniture, including a large bookshelf and bed, created a warm feeling.
“Is this, my room?”
Emil found it hard to believe. He must be suspecting that the entire mansion was playing a prank on him.
“Do you like it? It was originally meant for guests of our age.”
If just looking at this comfortable space brought Emil a sense of peace, then any sleepless nights for me were nothing.
“I like it.”
“I’m glad.”
Emil, who had been standing still, touched the sheets of the spacious bed. He marveled at the thick blanket, prepared for chilly weather, and the desk suitable to his height. Everything seemed fascinating to him.
He might have stayed in a room like this at the duke’s mansion, but there, adjustments for a child were practically nonexistent, no matter how hard you looked.
“The chair fits perfectly.”
“Is the desk too high?”
“No, it’s comfortable.”
Meanwhile, I opened the window. Across the mansion, there was a small annex. Because of my height, I could barely stand on my tiptoes and point it out properly.
“The library is over there. Let’s go there later together. There’s a greenhouse in front of it with lots of flowers that my mommy loves, and on this side, there’s…”
I spun a web of tempting words to excite Emil.
But I got no response. Puzzled, I examined Emil, who was already looking at me. When the wind blew, obscuring my vision with strands of hair, I raised my arm to shield myself.
“Emil?”
“…”
“Is there something you don’t like?”
“Why are you…”
At his next words, my heart nearly stopped.
“I don’t understand why you’re being nice to me.”
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