The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 9
Chapter 5.1
The inside of the carriage remained eerily quiet, the rhythmic rattling of the wheels almost providing a soothing backdrop.
In that silence, Emil sat motionless, his eyes fixated beyond the closed window.
“Seems quite useful.”
The duke was the first to break the stillness. He took off his glasses and polished the lenses with a soft velvet cloth.
“Keep her close. It may come in handy one day.”
“Handy…”
“You dislike the idea?”
“…”
The boy dared not meet the duke’s eyes and dropped his gaze, becoming distant.
Was his father pleased with her? He felt unease gradually seeping in.
He wanted to become close with her. However, his father directly ordering him to be friendly made the intention unsettling.
‘Should I tell her?’
She was the first person in his lifetime to ever approach him and take his hand.
He’d always been confined in that mansion, subjected to disdain and scorn from everyone. But that girl extended a warm hand as if saying, “What does your birth have to do with anything?”
‘She said she likes me because I’m handsome… so I’m handsome, apparently.’
She also said she liked that he was good with his studies. Emil couldn’t have imagined that his knowledge would be excellent. The same applied to his appearance.
If he becomes more handsome and smarter, would she like him even more?
Because of people’s murmurs, Emil only saw himself as a demon child. Despite yearning for affection and touch, all that he got in return was the disdain and wariness of being the son of a villainess.
The only person who engaged in something somewhat resembling a conversation was his father, Duke Calixt. However, his father was always cold and unfeeling, lacking any kind of gentleness, and whenever Emil faced him, he felt suffocated by his chilly demeanor.
‘I want to be close with her, but my father also told me to do the same…’
He grew scared. Could it be that he would do something terrible to her?
“Emil Calixt.”
“…Yes, sir.”
The duke stared at Emil as if he were just an object.
“Make Velsia Lancaster like you.”
For a moment, Emil didn’t really understand the words he was hearing.
“That… What…”
“I’m saying to gain her favor.”
“How could I…”
“Shouldn’t it be easy?”
“…”
“The girl already seems interested in you. Which is quite unusual.”
Emil couldn’t lift his head. Then, the duke let out a brief sound, a mocking chuckle.
The girl in question flashed through his mind. Nearly ivory-colored short hair, with eyes of a deep reddish hue, resembling autumn leaves.
‘That girl must not know anything.’
About what kind of person the duke is.
Emil slowly lifted his gaze. He had long anticipated that she might have some purpose in approaching him. Most people always avoided him, and the few who showed kindness often had ulterior motives.
This girl seemed to be no different. However,
‘…Even if she has another motive, it wouldn’t really matter to me.’
He didn’t want to miss out on the genuine kindness that was meant solely for him.
It felt too warm to let go.
* * *
A week had passed since my tenth birthday when I received a rather intimidating invitation. It was from the Calixt mansion.
“Daddy, do you not want me to go to the duke’s mansion?
While Mom had easily approved of the visit, Dad wasn’t as enthusiastic.
“It’s not that I mind.”
“Then?”
Dad silently pleaded to Mom with a look that said, “I don’t know how to explain” But she turned a blind eye to his theatrics.
I was already well aware of the reason behind Dad’s discomfort.
“He dislikes Duke Calixt.”
Mom, with a mischievous smile on her face, found Dad’s embarrassment rather entertaining.
“He’s a tricky bastard.”
Silently, I agreed with Dad’s words.
Tricky indeed. The comparison was perfect for Duke Calixt.
In my previous life, I was uncomfortable with Duke Calixt. Now it was the other way around, but before, he openly disliked me being near Emil.
I don’t know what changed for him to invite me, but for now, it seemed the odds were in my favor.
“I’ll be back before the sun sets.”
Fortunately, Mom was on my side.
“Jenuartt, I told you before, didn’t I? That boy is growing up neglected.”
Mom always remembered her promise to Roveline. Even for my birthday celebration, she intentionally caused a commotion, demanding that we invite Emil, who rarely made appearances outside of his home.
“I’m not in a position where I can go to the duke’s residence myself.”
Dad agreed with Mom’s opinion, although he was still concerned for my safety.
“Then, how about we do this? When the sun sets, I’ll go pick you up at the duke’s residence.”
“I’d be fine with that if Daddy is coming!”
Once permission was granted, I headed to my room to write up a response to the invitation. Just as I was about to seal the letter and call a maid…
“My lady, I brought some snacks.”
Isana entered with a tray holding small tarts, a beautifully baked apple pie, and a glass of milk.
“Isana, I’d like to send a reply to this invitation.”
“Oh my, I’ll leave this to Elena. Is it for the residence of Duke Calixt?”
“Mhm. If possible, I’d like it delivered before lunch.”
“I’ll have it sent right away.”
Handing her the letter, I cut into a piece of the pie. The sweet fruit filling delighted my taste buds.
Eating sweets really does help to relieve my stress. The taste of the fragrant cinnamon also added a calming touch to my mood.
But I soon felt a twinge of bitterness. Since my return, it felt like I’d been walking a precarious tightrope alone, and finding comfort in such small things felt almost wrong.
‘Ah, wait a minute.’
I was close to being finished with the small pie.
‘I can’t go empty-handed, can I?’
With that thought, I headed straight to the head chef.
“You said in two days?”
“Yup, I plan to visit right after lunch.”
“Then, if you have your meal here, you’ll want to eat mostly desserts when you leave. I’ll make sure to have everything ready.”
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