The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 16
Chapter 8.2
If it were an ordinary banquet, Emil and I would have enjoyed a leisurely time within the mansion. Unfortunately, today’s event was far from an ordinary celebration.
The occasion marked the birth of Princess Elsie, a long-awaited addition to the imperial family. Attendance was mandatory for all nobility within the capital, except for those facing unavoidable circumstances.
This invitation encompassed children of the same generation as the princess. It seemed the emperor, rather than relying on rumors about one’s daughter or son, wanted to personally confirm with his own eyes who would stand behind his daughter.
“There will be a separate playroom for you, so wait for us there, alright?”
“Don’t worry.”
Mom left us with various pieces of advice, essentially emphasizing the importance of politely greeting higher-ranking nobles and warning us not to follow strangers, even if they offered to buy us a house.
‘I’ve heard advice about not following someone for candy, but this is the first time I’ve been told not to follow them for a house.’
The carriage passed through the imperial palace’s main gates without any issues. Mom and Dad went up to the banquet hall, while we followed an attendant to the room designated for the children.
“L-Lady Velsia.”
“Vee!”
The first child to run towards me was Valencia Enshire1 Butte.
“I’ve really wanted to see you. Y-you look so amazing again today…”
“You too, Vee! I heard you’ve been learning something new lately. Even though you must be busy, thanks for sending those letters. I treasure every letter you sent.”
Despite our occasional letters and exchanging invitations, it had been a while since we met face to face.
Valencia, dressed in a yellow dress, resembled a baby chick. Her slender, soft chestnut hair tied into a single bundle gave her a gentle appearance. Even her soft voice sounded like a chirp.
“Oh, Emil is here too.”
Valencia, after exchanging greetings with me, barely noticed Emil beside me and turned deathly pale.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“But still…”
“Raising your voice over a greeting would be strange. Besides, it’s not our first time meeting.”
Emil casually brushed off her mistake, and thanks to that, Valencia cautiously stuck to my side, feeling relieved.
In the end, I found myself holding flowers in both hands, with Emil on the left and Valencia on the right.
“Hello, Lord Calixt.”
Still, thanks to these two, I was free from the other children. While I did expect Emil to have some effect on the other children, I hadn’t anticipated that some of them might feel uncomfortable around Valencia.
‘Since we’re all here, maybe we should take a stroll in the garden.’
Just as I was about to step outside.
“Just passing by, Lord Calixt?”
I could recognize Hildred’s tone anywhere, even if I wasn’t sure whether it was sarcastic or not.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, it has.”
“Did you intentionally coordinate your outfits to match?”
“That’s just how it turned out.”
Vee flinched beside me. It seemed she deliberately avoided mentioning our matching outfits.
“I-I know that you two are close, but, wearing matching clothes is a bit…”
She didn’t need to finish her sentence; I knew.
“…”
Emil simply stared at Hil in silence, as if unwilling to mix his words with hers.
“Emil is just a friend.”
“Oh, i-is that so?”
Is this the kind of conversation children have? Of course, if my connection with Emil weakens or disappears, engagement could be a useful tool. I don’t deny that.
Emil glanced back at me for a moment in response to my denial. I covered my mouth with my hand, making sure Hil couldn’t see, and whispered.
“Don’t worry too much about it.”
If Emil finds someone he likes, there’s no need to get in his way and force an engagement.
If that person takes care of Emil and prevents the killing of my family… it would be more than enough.
“Whatever, just don’t bother Emil.”
“Ah, but I haven’t bothered him.”
“Yet you already made him feel uncomfortable around you.”
Hildred took note of the looks from the other children in the vicinity, and given the regal setting of the imperial palace, he carried himself with poise and backed off with a refreshing nod.
“Well, then. I won’t be a bother.”
Without resistance, Hildred waved to his own group of children and moved away.
“Vel, would you like some juice?”
“I’m okay. What about you, Vee?”
“If you aren’t having any, Lady Velsia, then I’m fine too. Ah! Lord Calixt, this spot seems quieter.”
Seeing the spot Valencia pointed to, Emil quickly accepted a glass of juice from a passing servant.
‘I was worried that Hildred might start something again.’
Surprisingly, Emil seemed unfazed. But it would have been better if Hildred had not approached us again after being ignored once.
“Why are you here again?”
“Because I have something to say?”
“Something to say?”
Hildred, making his way over, raised both hands as if to show he meant no harm. His attempt to appear harmless somehow made him seem even more suspicious.
“I just want to have a little chat for a moment. So don’t glare at me like that.”
“I-I’m not glaring at you.”
Unlike Vee, who shook her head, Emil remained silent.
After a while, Emil spoke to me.
“Go ahead. I’ll wait for you.”
It should be fine if I’m gone for only a moment. I kept a certain distance from Hil but still stayed close to the two children.
“You’re like a mother hen leading her baby chicks around.”
He clicked his tongue and nodded towards Emil and Vee.
“Won’t you get bored if you continue to carry them around like that?”
“Maybe you would.”
“That’s not true. The ones I string along all have their own uses.”
“Enough, just tell me why you wanted to talk.”
I’m sure it’s a bothersome suggestion or some sort of interrogation. Hildred slightly grimaced when I told him to get straight to the point.
“In a rush?”
“There are a lot of people like you who are targeting Emil.”
Displeasure crept over Hildred’s expression at my response. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Emil, then reluctantly ruffled his hair.
Immediately, Hil grabbed my hand and removed it from his head.
“You are so—”
“Rude? Yeah, I know.”
The moment Hil let go of my hand.
I suddenly noticed a looming shadow beside me, realizing what Hildred was trying to say.
‘Oh, right, it would be strange if they didn’t show up today. They must be here.’
Hil greeted them with a smooth smile.
“You’re late, Rastain Lucretius.”
It was someone I had forgotten.
With a mature appearance that surpassed his peers and a well-proportioned physique to match, he exuded an intimidating aura. His deep purple eyes scanned Hil, overshadowing the fact that he had learned how to wield a sword earlier.
It was Rastain, the second son of Duke Lucretius.
And my fiancé from my previous life.
Translator’s Note:
¹ 1. just to clear up any confusion, in chapter 5, Valencia’s middle name was “en Revere,” but the author changed it to “Enshire.” ↩
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