Episode 12
The Theory of That Villainess’s Happiness
“Is there going to be a banquet?”
At Lemon’s question, I softened the stern expression I had been wearing. I didn’t want to look harsh in front of the children.
“Yeah.”
Her eyes sparkled at my answer. After a moment of hesitation, she cautiously asked,
“May I attend too?”
I tilted my head in curiosity. What did she mean by that? Surely, she wouldn’t be barred from attending a family banquet. Could it be that Baridas had forbidden her from going?
A surge of emotion bubbled within me. Suppressing it, I gently stroked Lemon’s cheek and said,
“Of course you should attend.”
I thought to myself: this guardian is truly diabolical. My face twisted in amusement at the thought.
“I want to go too!”
Ren shouted, and not to be outdone, Green and Jasmine also clamored to join. I told them all that it was fine, and their faces lit up with joy.
Watching the children so happy, I couldn’t help but smile contentedly.
Soon, the children left the room, saying it was time to study. I, too, had tired myself out playing with them and settled onto the bed to rest.
But… can I really take the children to the banquet?
Thinking it through, the banquet was hosted by Baridas. No matter how much I offered to bring the children, it would mean nothing unless the duke himself allowed it.
I realized I had to get his permission. Resolute, I leapt off the bed. There was a saying: “Pull out even a steel horn in one go.”
“Then I’ll go right now!”
Before leaving the room, I popped a chocolate into my mouth. The sweet, pleasant flavor spread through my mouth as I began to slowly survey the duke’s mansion.
According to the original novel, he spent most of his time in his study, except when training.
I wandered through the mansion, trying to recall where Baridas’ study was. I remembered it being on the same floor as my room, but I hadn’t paid enough attention to remember precisely.
“Why does it have to be so unnecessarily huge?”
Muttering to myself, I eventually returned to my room, staring helplessly at my own door.
To make matters worse, I hadn’t even encountered a single servant along the way to ask for directions.
Already worn out and frustrated, I flung open the door next to my room in a “let it be” attitude. As the door swung open, a strong, refreshing scent wafted into my nose. It cleared my mind instantly.
Mint? Peppermint?
Ah—now I remembered. The original novel mentioned that Baridas’ room was filled with the scent of mint. It finally clicked: his study was right next to mine. All that wandering had been in vain, leaving me feeling both foolish and slightly embarrassed.
Was Baridas here?
Glancing around, I cautiously sat in the central chair. Surely, it wouldn’t be rude to sit and wait in the same mansion, right?
Settling comfortably, I began to explore his room.
The room was roughly the same size as mine, but far more understated. Rather than the flashy ornaments in my room, his were elegant and refined.
Finished with my inspection, I absentmindedly gazed out the open window. Warm sunlight and a gentle breeze drifted in. Leaning back in the chair, I soon began to doze off.
I woke to the rustling of papers.
The sparkling light overhead made me frown automatically. After blinking a few times, I finally regained full awareness.
Before me, Baridas was flipping through documents. Only then did I realize I had fallen asleep and sprang to my feet.
Something fell to the floor with a soft thud.
Looking down, I saw a black coat lying on the ground.
Startled, I alternated my gaze between the coat and Baridas. He must have heard it fall, for he looked at me intently. With a purposeful stride, he approached, silently kneeling to pick up the coat and dust it off.
The fact that I had intruded and fallen asleep in his room made my cheeks burn.
“…I’m sorry.”
It had been a long time since I felt such embarrassment as an adult. Yet, Baridas seemed entirely unbothered. He draped the coat over my shoulders and plopped down in the chair across from me.
Wow… so this is what a romance novel male lead is like? I was too astonished to even feel embarrassed.
“It’s fine. Just… next time, please give notice before visiting.”
His words sent my blush returning as I bowed my head and nodded.
“Right, I came here for something.”
Ah, yes. I remembered the reason for my visit. Carefully gauging his reaction, I spoke:
“May I take the children to the banquet?”
I tried to look as earnest and pitiful as possible, but he simply gave me a look that seemed to say, Why are you asking me this?
Sighing, Baridas finally spoke:
“Did the children ask to go?”
Was this permission?
“Yes!”
At my emphatic answer, he paused briefly, seemingly caught off guard.
“They didn’t trouble you by wanting to attend, did they?”
Wow… he called me “you.” To say such cringey words casually—novels really are something else. I strongly denied it,
“Absolutely not.”
My determination to bring the children to the banquet made Baridas sigh. After a moment of thought, he spoke again:
“Are you aware that the children haven’t completed their Debutante ceremony?”
…? What’s that?
Having only skimmed a single romance fantasy novel, I had no idea what the debut ceremony entailed. But sensing that ignorance wouldn’t do, I shouted confidently:
“…Of course I know!”
Baridas seemed to notice my uncertainty, sighed, and explained:
“Unlike Damon, here one may attend a banquet only after reaching adulthood. Simply put, the first banquet one attends as an adult is called the debutante ceremony.”
That meant… the children couldn’t attend. Guilt washed over me for raising their hopes prematurely.
“…Still, children may attend if the family or the host allows it.”
His words made me beam. He wasn’t as bad as I thought! Though, if he was going to allow it anyway, why go around explaining it like that?
“So… I can take them?”
He smirked and nodded.
“Since you are the host of this banquet, do as you wish.”
Wait… it really is a banquet because of me?
Though I had suspected it, hearing it from his own mouth felt oddly gratifying. Nevertheless, now that I had permission, everything was fine.
“Thank you!”
I expressed my gratitude to Baridas in multiple ways, and he simply nodded.
Later, after Fiora had left the room, Baridas was alone, organizing documents. Crimson entered with his favorite tea.
Baridas glanced at Crimson and asked:
“What do you think of the princess?”
Crimson tilted his head. It wasn’t common for his master to show interest in others.
After a moment of thought about Fiora, he answered:
“She doesn’t seem like a bad person. And both the duke and duchess approve of her.”
Fiora had calmed the children with a single word, acting like a savior to Crimson, who had struggled managing them. He admired her for that.
Then Baridas continued, and Crimson’s eyes widened:
“She said she wants to invite the children to the banquet.”
He knew Fiora liked children—but the affairs of the duke’s household were separate. The children, along with her own, could end up rivals for the duke’s inheritance. Inviting them was unusual, to say the least.
Baridas sensed Crimson’s confusion and asked:
“What do you think?”
“…She seemed capable of handling the children well.”
Crimson explained how Fiora’s single word had quieted the children, and Baridas’ expression turned intrigued.
He knew that the twins and the other children rarely listened to others. Only Thomas and Ren were relatively obedient, provided with tutors at their request. But to have the remaining children follow her so quickly? Remarkable.
Whether her behavior was genuine or an act, her skill in bonding with the children was undeniable. Baridas had heard the rumors about her: beautiful, intelligent, yet cruel—the royal court’s thorned flower.
Even if her actions were an act, it fit her nickname. Yet he didn’t think she was lying.
Still, caution was warranted. He decided to observe a bit longer.
“Alright, go on.”
Crimson bowed and left the room. Baridas, clearing his mind, returned to the documents on his desk.
From the window Crimson had forgotten to close, a lively voice reached him. Approaching to shut it, he saw Fiora in the garden with the children, running and laughing in the warm glow of sunset.
“I hope none of you take after me or her.”
Baridas muttered, unusually somber and quietly, his words vanishing into the air, reaching no one.
