Chapter 28
…What is going on right now?
The future villain just offered to protect me? And even asked for my permission to do so? Isn’t this a trap?
When I was too stunned to respond, it was Benen who looked flustered instead.
“Why are you hesitating? You asked me for help.”
“W-Well, yes, but this is so sudden—it’s overwhelming!”
Before I knew it, I’d slipped back into formal speech.
Shouldn’t a budding villain say something like, ‘I’ll help you… but you’ll pay dearly for it,’ with a wicked smile? Why is he kneeling down, offering to protect me?
Fortunately, Benen soon dusted off his knees and stood back up.
“Guess you’re not into stuff like that.”
“People who offer kindness out of nowhere always end up stabbing you in the back later.”
“You sure you’re only ten?”
“A lot can happen in ten years.”
“You’re quite the talker.”
“If I can’t do much else, I should at least be able to talk well.”
“…You really can talk. I’ve never seen Madam Gracia storm off after losing a war of words before.”
Benen gave a bitter smile as he picked up the lesson books scattered on the floor. But that smile soon faded.
“When she said, ‘Be more like your brother,’ I heard that countless times growing up too.”
“Who was she telling you to be like?”
“My eldest brother… before he left home.”
“Ah…”
“Madam Gracia was always like that. ‘There are many talented people in this family. A kid like you should be grateful we even keep you. If you want to stay, you’d better prove your worth.’”
“….”
“I used to think she was right.”
Benen’s unusually bitter tone reminded me of a line from the original story that had passed by quickly.
Benen was Duke Schlayger’s loyal right-hand man. No matter how unreasonable the duke’s orders were, Benen would carry them out.
He had neither the talent of his younger brother nor the courage of his elder brother, who had left home.
So Benen did anything and everything to earn the duke’s trust—even if it meant trampling on others.
So that’s it.
Benen, you were desperately trying to prove your worth. You endured Gracia’s verbal abuse, fearing you might be cast out at any moment.
I’m not denying that Benen becomes a villain. I think he even burns down a village after this part in the original.
But the Benen standing in front of me is still only fifteen. He’s still young enough to reflect on himself and grow into someone better.
Somehow, that thought eased my mind a little.
Maybe Benen noticed the change in me. Standing just slightly taller than me, he looked into my eyes and said,
“Sol… earlier… when you said I was way cooler than Madam Gracia… I really appreciated that.”
“Oh…”
He smiled—this time with more confidence than before.
“That’s enough of a reward for me. So now, let me help you.”
In To Save You, the greatest villain is undoubtedly Duke Schlayger.
But some readers argue that Benen was the true villain.
At least the duke could blame his cruelty on the Silver Dragon’s power, but Benen? He committed evil fully aware and in control of himself.
Yes, Benen Schlayger—the shameless and skilled villain.
Today, I’m going to put those skills to use. And in return, I’ll make sure you grow into someone better.
“Benen oppa, here’s what I want you to do…”
* * *
Rattiger hated people barging into his office.
So when Madam Gracia stormed in, ignoring even the maids trying to stop her, he gave her a cold glare.
“You must be here on extremely urgent business. What is it?”
To Gracia, that probably sounded more like, “If it’s not urgent, I’ll freeze you solid and throw you out.”
Not that she was wrong. The office temperature dropped at least one degree on its own.
Gracia swallowed hard under the duke’s piercing blue gaze. She wanted nothing more than to turn around and run.
But she could still clearly hear Sol’s smug tone and expression:
“Running in place again like last time, pretending you’re going to the office? Waiting for me to catch you? Madam Gracia, you sure talk big for someone so cowardly. How pathetic!”
…Okay, she didn’t say exactly that, but still.
In Gracia’s prideful mind, Sol had already become a traitorous criminal. She had to punish her somehow.
“Ahem! Yes, Your Grace. I apologize for the sudden interruption, but—”
“Please get to the point.”
“…It’s about your daughter.”
“What?”
Rattiger looked slightly surprised.
“Is she crying?”
“What? Oh, no! Nothing like that!”
His eyes immediately narrowed again.
“Then what is it?”
“Well, um… I saw her writing a letter to the young heir of Marquis Lafrande.”
“I permitted that. Is there a problem?”
“Did you know… your daughter doesn’t know how to write?”
“…”
Rattiger’s expression shifted subtly. Seems this was news to him. Gracia took a little relief from that and continued.
“If you allowed the correspondence, it must mean you believed in her writing skills. But she didn’t even know how to start a greeting. Were you aware?”
“…No, I wasn’t.”
“Oh dear! That means she tricked you into thinking she could exchange letters! How dangerous.”
Gracia exaggeratedly covered her mouth in mock shock. Behind her smug smile were all sorts of vile thoughts.
“She might start drawing hearts in place of words or send off strands of her hair. Just like those tasteless love letters commoners write!”
“…”
“It’s a good thing I caught this before it caused a scandal—”
“I’ll check for myself.”
“Pardon?”
Rattiger tossed aside his pen and rose from his seat. As he moved, heavy footsteps echoed. The servants opened the door without delay. Gracia hurried to follow.
“But I already checked! Don’t you trust me?”
“No.”
“…What?”
“If a child’s word and a tutor’s word conflict, isn’t it a parent’s duty to trust the child first?”
“I-I don’t lie! And if Sol was lying, would you still keep her as your daughter?”
“That’s an appallingly stupid question.”
He suddenly turned around, his icy eyes making Gracia flinch.
“We are already parent and child. No lie, no matter how severe, can undo that bond.”
“A-ah…”
“I could terminate a contract, however.”
He turned back and kept walking.
He was headed to Sol’s room. As she chased after him, Gracia suddenly grasped what his words meant.
Terminate a contract.
…In other words, if she was found to be lying, she’d be fired.
“How can he say that so casually? As if I’d go through all this just to tell a silly lie!”
They may not be related by blood, but those two sure were alike when it came to tormenting people. Gracia sharpened her mental knives.
“Hmph, just wait. I’m not getting fired. And that brat? I’ll make sure she has nightmares about me every night!”
“Madam Gracia?”
“Y-Yes, Your Grace!”
“Please wait in the tea room. Your presence may prevent the child from being honest.”
Not exactly the warmest treatment.
“But I want to see her embarrassed up close!”
Still, if she insisted on staying, Sol might start whining, “I’m too scared to concentrate with her here…”
Let her try to butter up the duke on her own and fail miserably.
“Time for you to learn, little girl: there are some lies that even cuteness can’t fix.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I trust you’ll make a fair judgment.”
With fake grace, Gracia walked to the tea room. Once she had disappeared, Rattiger knocked on Sol’s door.
“May I come in, Sol?”
“Father? What brings you here?”
“I heard something strange from Madam Gracia. May I enter?”
“Yes, come in!”
Inside, he found an unexpected guest: his second son was seated at the table.
If it were Elber, who doted on his sister, fine—but the second son? The one who usually kept his distance?
“Benen, what are you doing here?”
“Sol asked me to draw a map of the mansion. Elber happened to be out at riding lessons.”
Sure enough, Benen’s ink-stained hands were at work sketching. Not a masterpiece, but not worth nitpicking. Rattiger turned to Sol.
“Sol. After the last banquet, you told me you could read, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Madam Gracia claimed you lied.”
“…What?”
Sol’s already big eyes went even wider. It was hard to tell if she was faking it or genuinely shocked.
Not used to reading kids’ expressions, Rattiger couldn’t be sure.
Still, only the boldest would dare lie in front of a duke.
“Be honest, Sol. Can you read and write?”
“Yes! Your Grace, I would never lie about something like that!”
“….”
She even used complex words. Doesn’t seem illiterate. But still, Gracia did storm into his office—he had to verify.
Just as Rattiger was about to ask for a test, Benen stepped in.
“Wow, Sol can’t read or write? That’d be hilarious if it were true.”
“Benen, what’s funny about that?”
“Just the idea that someone who can’t write is boldly sending letters to a marquis heir. It’s absurd.”
“…If it’s true, it would be problematic. Quite disrespectful to the Lafrande family.”
“My thoughts exactly. So, shall I test her?”
“What?”
Benen handed Sol the paper and pen he’d been using to draw. She flinched.
“B-Benen oppa?”
“Father wants to know. Let’s show him.”
“What should I do?”
“I’ll say a sentence. You write it down exactly.”
“S-So suddenly?”
“Well, your suspicious behavior invited this test. If it’s unfair, blame yourself.”
With a smug grin, Benen sat across from Sol. She grabbed the pen with a determined expression.
Rattiger, feeling like he was watching something private between two step-siblings, said nothing and just watched her hand.
Benen spoke.
“‘Hello. The weather is nice today.’”
A simple sentence. If she couldn’t write this, there’d be no excuses…
Rattiger unconsciously clenched his fist as Sol’s pen began to move.
