This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 237
I flinched, and a nearby girl asked,
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“...No.”
Saying that, I thought,
‘Absolutely not.’
Right now, I was under the Emperor’s disfavor.
What would happen if it got out that I was with the Crimson Ghoul?
Especially if that Crimson Ghoul ate a noble child...
It would be chaos beyond belief.
[I’ve read books, so I know this situation. It’s like being indirectly insulted.]
“...”
I stared gloomily into empty space.
I had read about something like this in a book.
[Those kids are disrespecting you. They dare disrespect the master of this Awen.]
‘Anyway, I mustn’t let him eat anyone—’
Just then, Blossom smiled brightly and said,
“The chair has arrived. Please sit.”
“Okay.”
I decided to play along for now, planning to slip away once the coachman notified me that Lord Devon had arrived.
But these girls... they talked non-stop.
“Do you know who Miss Carla’s been hanging out with lately?”
“Carla?”
“That person who borrowed a commoner’s words and later said, ‘I don’t want to do that anymore! It’s a precious book, a gift...!’”
“Ah, that was Miss Blossom’s ‘Then you can just play with your precious gift forever,’ and she got out...”
“That’s right.”
“Who is she hanging out with?”
“Miss Herin!”
“My goodness, the one who embarrassed us by wearing that chicken feather hat?”
“Like a gathering of outcasts.”
The girls burst out laughing.
They were truly like a mini version of the provincial social scene.
Blossom laughed so hard that tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
“Ah, it’s painful. How can Lizzy be so funny? Calling it a gathering of outcasts.”
“Thanks~ But the funnier part is that those outcasts hang out with Miss Ophelia Patang!”
Suddenly, Blossom’s face froze.
Pinessa Kurong, Blossom’s right hand, flinched and looked around carefully.
Then she deliberately raised her voice.
“Ophelia Patang?!”
“Yes.”
“She’s in a situation like a lone bird from the East, so I guess she wanted to hang out even with those outcasts.”
Ophelia?
‘I’ve heard that name somewhere before.’
While I was thinking that, a round-faced girl tilted her head.
“I thought Miss Ophelia was popular? My aunt teaches fencing, and many people come because of her good personality—”
“Miss Sharon.”
Blossom lifted her teacup and said,
“Yes?”
“I want some cold water. Could you bring it?”
“Ah, yes. Hey! Bring some cold water here—”
“No. I’ll get it myself.”
“...!”
It was very rare for a noble to fetch water themselves.
Especially at a party like this.
The girl called Sharon’s face reddened.
“Uh, well...”
“Hurry up.”
“...”
“What are you doing?”
“...Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Blossom smiled sweetly and handed over the glass, then turned her head.
The other girls also pretended not to see and looked away.
I hung my head low and watched Sharon leave the table.
[I saw this in a book too. It’s ostracism.]
‘Yeah, that’s right.’
I understood the balance of power in this group.
‘Everyone is watching Blossom’s mood.’
Well, Blossom was the only noble here with a mansion in the capital.
Not quite a central noble of the first district, but still.
The other young ladies came from families with baron, viscount, or lower marquis ranks.
Pinessa Kurong, watching Blossom carefully, said,
“I’m really shocked. Miss Ophelia is entering the Eastern preliminary Wonhwa contest.”
Hearing that, I opened my eyes wide.
‘That’s right, that’s right!’
Older sister Sebastia was promoted to central Wonhwa, so the eastern Wonhwa seat was vacant.
The Eastern preliminary contest was happening, and Ophelia Patang was the most likely candidate.
I remembered Sebastia especially praised her.
“Miss Ophelia doesn’t even have a support-type blessing!”
Most Wonhwa have support-type blessings.
Because their main job is to back up soldiers from behind.
“What good would a blessing like do for the soldiers?”
Pinessa Kurong glanced at Blossom nervously and passionately argued.
As Blossom’s expression softened, the other young ladies quickly added.
“Someone like Miss Blossom, who has a sacred blessing, is more suitable for Wonhwa.”
“Speaking of Miss Blossom’s blessing, I always thought it was just so cool.”
“The blessing . Making a prison with rose vines is so beautiful~”
Blossom chuckled softly, but I was # Nоvеlight # displeased.
‘That blessing can’t be used without nearby rose vines.’
If I fought Blossom, I’d never go near roses.
That would make me powerless.
‘In the end, it’s a blessing useless in battle.’
Pinessa Kurong, Blossom’s right hand, looked at me.
“Speaking of which, how about lending some monsters for the Eastern preliminary Wonhwa contest?”
“...What?”
“It’s fate, so wouldn’t it be good to help? Then we’d all be Wonhwa and could help each other.”
Pinessa Kurong giggled, “Right, Miss Blossom~?”
Blossom just smiled and pretended not to hear.
‘So that’s why they tried so hard to meet me through Masa.’
They want to borrow monsters to win the Eastern preliminary Wonhwa contest.
Pinessa Kurong said,
“It’d be best if you lent a dragon. Or maybe the shadow monsters you used at the year-end festival... Oh, I heard there’s also a swamp fairy.”
“...”
“You could lend shadow monsters and swamp fairies too. Well, you have plenty of monsters, so why not just give a few?”
The young ladies laughed.
Under the shadows, Ombre let out a mournful vibration.
‘Do they know what my kids really are?’
[Maybe I should just eat them after all.]
Maybe a finger or two wouldn’t hurt...
I thought this in a flash of anger and suddenly stood up.
‘If this goes on, I might actually say it’s okay to let Awen eat them.’
“I’ll be going now.”
Blossom stared at me.
“Do you have something urgent to do? I don’t think so.”
Suddenly, letters appeared above her head.
[‘You’re hated by the Emperor, so no one wants to get involved with you. Yet you still act arrogant. Know your place.’]
I heard Awen’s laughter.
[That @$#$#.]
The harsh curse would make even a back-alley thug cringe.
‘Where did you learn that?’
[From books.]
They opened the mansion library for me to read whenever bored...
‘Library access suspended for now.’
[Hmm, this means you’ve failed, right? I read it in a book.]
‘...’
I gave up on talking with Awen and looked at Blossom.
“Judging others by your own standards is rude, Miss Rochefain. Especially saying it aloud.”
Blossom twisted her mouth.
She gave a bitter laugh and said,
“Don’t be like that. Sit down. The conversation isn’t over.”
“Miss Rochefain hasn’t said a word yet.”
“I mean my friends haven’t finished talking.”
Then—
“Western Wonhwa?”
At the familiar voice, I whipped my head around.
“Lord Devon!”
Lord Devon glanced at me.
I hurried over.
“When did you arrive? Didn’t you bring your carriage? I told the coachman to let me know when you arrived! Ah, first greetings...”
I poured out words, and Lord Devon chuckled.
“You don’t need to ask so urgently. I will answer.”
“But I will answer your questions.”
The kind words I heard from an adult for the first time in my first life.
“I will think over your questions carefully and answer after several days. If you want to learn about the world together, come with me, Erilot.”
That hand I wanted to hold so badly.
‘I really like Lord Devon.’
I nodded with a happy giggle.
Blossom’s group glanced at Lord Devon and whispered,
“Viscount Roche...”
“The Emperor’s... Yes, his trusted one...”
The young ladies quickly greeted Lord Devon.
Blossom approached him with a coquettish expression.
“I’m Blossom Rochefain of the Rochefain viscount family. It’s truly an honor to meet you, Viscount.”
“Yes. I have things to discuss with the Western Wonhwa. May I take her?”
“Of course! Of course...”
Blossom answered while glancing at me nervously.
She seemed worried I might say something bad about her.
I ignored that and followed Lord Devon.
He took me to the garden, which was still bare and had few people.
“When did you arrive? Didn’t you bring your carriage?”
“Just now. I came with Leo Taloff’s carriage.”
Ah, Leo Taloff, one of my father’s old classmates.
“More importantly,”
Lord Devon furrowed his brow and asked,
“Aren’t you being bullied?”
“Huh?”
“You looked like those kids were bothering you. Is it just my misunderstanding?”
I blinked.
“Well, if they bullied me, then they did... but wait.”
Isn’t this an opportunity?
Lord Devon was a very just man.
I heard that in the academy, he was the vice student council president and got suspended for beating up bullies who tormented classmates.
He was a protector of the weak...
‘If I play this well, or rather make a move, maybe I can arrange a separate meeting.’
I hid my cunning thoughts and lowered my head.
It was time to show the acting skills that once pushed Grimier to the brink at the academy.
“I... I...”
“Western Wonhwa.”
I drooped my eyebrows and shook my head.
“No...”
“No, your expression isn’t good.”
“It’s all my fault. I thought it was something I had to deal with. But... since you care, I feel like I have someone to lean on... I feel weak.”
Then I took a breath and turned my head.
‘Perfect!’
If this worked, Lord Devon would grab me in about three seconds.
I closed my eyes and counted.
1... 2... then—
Thud!
Lord Devon grabbed my shoulder.
‘That’s right!’
I nearly cheered without realizing it, but I clenched my wrist tight.
“If bullying is done in groups, you need adult help. Tell your father.”
“You know my father’s personality... If anyone got hurt because of me, I’d be heartbroken.”
Lord Devon sighed.
He must have thought of my father’s character.
“If you do...”
“Could you give me advice?”
“Me?”
“Yes... But it’s okay if it’s difficult...”
“...”
After a moment’s thought, Lord Devon nodded.
“Come to my office in the palace tomorrow at 2 PM.”
“Really?!”
I brightened with sparkling eyes, and Lord Devon chuckled.
“You must have worried alone. Let’s think it through together.”
“Thank you!”
Then a man who seemed to be an officer came to Lord Devon.
After whispering something, Lord Devon nodded.
“If so, see you tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Lord Devon left with the officer, and I grinned.
“Long live! Long live!”
[That was some acting skill. This is when people say you could be a theater actor.]
‘Did you read about that? Exactly!’
I bounced excitedly, and Awen chuckled.
‘With the goal achieved, I suppose I should leave now.’
I was humming and leaving the garden when—
“Miss Erilot.”
Blossom’s group approached me.
I stopped, and Blossom in the middle glared at me.
“What did you talk about with Viscount?”
Letters appeared above Blossom’s head.
[‘Did you badmouth me to the Viscount? No. He’s called the young lion, a capable politician. He’s just, so he might tell my grandfather about this.’]
That Viscount was as capable as said and just, so he apparently noticed the ostracism immediately.
‘Rochefain Viscount seems scary.’
Well, their succession fight was as fierce as Astra’s.
That was why Blossom worked so hard to become Wonhwa.
“I didn’t say much.”
“Then what exactly did you say?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Did you badmouth me?”
The atmosphere stiffened sharply.
Even Sharon, who had brought cold water on Blossom’s orders, noticed.
“Um, Miss Blossom? Uh, Miss Erilot, why...”
Pinessa Kurong frowned at Sharon.
“You stay out of this.”
Then, as if trying to lighten the mood, said, “Well, well. Why don’t we talk after the charity party?”
The other young ladies quickly agreed.
“Good idea. Where should we go?”
Then Pinessa Kurong clapped her hands.
“How about Astra Second Viscount’s Manor? Yes, Miss Blossom? We can also see the monsters while we’re at it.”
Only then did Blossom’s expression soften.
“Well... if that’s the case.”
Good grief.
They were making noise together.
We had no intention of inviting them.
Blossom smiled sweetly at Pinessa Kurong.
“Are you still after the second prince?”
Balzac?
Now that I think about it, I think Pinessa Kurong had asked me to introduce her before.
Pinessa Kurong laughed while waving her hand.
“Oh, my parents said we’d get along well, so I was just curious about who he is.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But now that I see it, the eldest prince seems better.”
“Lord Richmond?”
I watched the excited young ladies shaking their heads.
‘I should sneak out.’
If I stayed longer, it would get really annoying.
Just as I was about to leave, Pinessa Kurong laughed.
“Yes, my parents say since he’s adopted, he won’t inherit the fortune, but because he has no parents, he’s easy to control.”
I paused, looking at Pinessa Kurong and Blossom nodding.
“What did you say?”
“Yes?”
“Say that again.”
My face stiffened sharply, and Pinessa looked very flustered.
“Well, I’m not saying anything wrong...”
The mood grew tense, so Blossom intervened.
“Stop it. Let’s have some tea and lighten the mood.”
Pinessa pouted and linked arms with Blossom.
“Why the sudden mood swing?”
“Understandable. There’s been a lot going on lately. She can’t help but be irritable.”
The others giggled.
[Oh dear, as expected, I—]
I ignored Awen’s voice and approached Sharon.
“May I use that water?”
“Yes? Ah... yes.”
Taking the glass, I checked the time.
About ten minutes into the party.
Pinessa Kurong called me.
“Hey, miss. Aren’t you leaving... Huh!”
“...!”
All the young ladies looked surprised at me.
Because I suddenly splashed water over myself!
“W-What...!”
“Are you crazy...?”
The girls whispered that I’d lost my mind.
Blossom opened her mouth in disbelief.
“W-What on earth...!”
I checked the time again and shouted,
“Ahhh—!!”
A little later,
“Erilot?”
“Miss Erilot?”
“Isn’t that Miss Erilot’s voice?”
They appeared.
The three princesses of the social circle, who always arrive exactly ten minutes after the party starts.
Older sister Sebastia, Rumelisa Paangte, and Catherine Trang.
“C-Central Wonhwa...!”
Blossom gasped in shock.
Sebastia ignored Blossom and her group and walked toward me.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing... really...”
“No way! You’re soaked—could it be?”
Sebastia, along with the Paangte and Trang young ladies, stared at Blossom’s group.
The meaning was clear.
‘You’re dead.’
