The Villainess' Son is Innocent

The traces of abuse and contempt received from birth are not easily erased, but if there is love and interest, one can gradually get better.

In the two years we spent together at home, Emil had quite freed himself from the dark care he received in his past.

“Vel, I’m here to pick you up.”

“Already?”

It was nice to see the child, who used to shrink, taking for granted he wasn’t liked, regaining his self-esteem. Recovering his self-esteem also affected his facial expressions and behavior. The changes in his expressions weren’t significant yet, but he was no longer self-conscious or wary of others like before. What he likes and dislikes became clearer.

“Sorry, can you wait a bit? I think it’ll take a little longer,” I said without turning my head. Isana was in the middle of styling my hair, so it was difficult to move freely. As usual, Emil entered and sat on the sofa, looking in my direction.

‘I didn’t notice it since I’m always next to you, but looking at you like this, you’ve grown quite tall.’ Although at this age, girls tend to grow faster, Emil’s height was not that different from mine. 

“Emil, would you like some snacks? It hasn’t been long since they brought it.”

“I’m fine.”

“Then I’ll eat after I’m done.”

“Milady, you say you’ll eat when we’re done, but you were secretly eating in between.”

“…Did you see that?”

A small laugh broke out from behind as I replied to Elena.

“Do you want me to put one in your mouth?”

“Mn, do it.” 

Emil, who approached to give me a snack, halted with his hand in the air.

“What? Is my head weird?”

“…No. It’s not like that.”

It’s pretty…

As he muttered softly, I bit the snack off of his hand. Isana and Elena, watching us from behind, giggled.

“Milady, we’re finished. What do you think?”

“Thank you. I like it.”

As soon as she finished styling my hair, I grabbed Emil’s hand and headed toward the mirror. My hair was tied in half, a little over my shoulders. My neck felt fresh. The sheen ribbon swayed gracefully with my every move.

“Emil, I think you look better in darker colors?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“I mean it. It like umm…”

‘The pure and angel-like child suddenly becomes the villain’s sprout…’ I was about to say it, but I recalled that this child was truly the son of a villainess… My face instantly stiffened.

“I, I said you look more handsome.”

“Then I’m glad.”

Despite my flustered stuttering, Emil held out his arm leisurely.

“I’ll escort you.”

Where did you learn this? Seeing a twelve years old child saying that he would escort me was both cute and praiseworthy.

“Before, we used to just held hands. When did you learn this?”

“…His Grace. He always escorts Madam Ismeralda.”

‘Ah… you learned by watching dad escorting mom.’

“Thank you. I’ll be in your care then.” 

I held the small hand without hesitation. Behind us, I could hear Isana giggling while speaking to Elena.

“Both are so cute.”

In their eyes, we must look like children playing at being adults. I got uselessly embarrassed. Moreover, perhaps because we were both matching colors, it seemed as if we were engaged as Duke Callixst had said.

“Did you intentionally match your clothes with me?” 

“The clothes I was originally going to wear were stained.”

“Ah, right. The clothes you showed me last time were different.”

Today’s clothes went through the verification of mom and the butler. I was curious since his clothes were not the outfit I had seen next to my mother, but if the clothes were stained, then it was reasonable.

After a while we came down to the first floor, mom and dad came down.

“I did well at changing Emil’s clothes. Honey, don’t you think they look good together?”

“…Did the colors have to match?”

“Fufufu, who cares?”

I got into the carriage, listening to their conversation. When we came out on the main road, I spotted a few wagons heading to the Imperial Palace like us. Children who have not held their debutant yet were not eligible to attend these formal banquets. If it had been an ordinary banquet, Emil and I would have been wasting our time leisurely in the mansion. Unfortunately, today’s banquet wasn’t for any ordinary occasion. It was because of the birth of Imperial Princess Elsie. It was a happy event for the Imperial Family, who had not welcomed any children since a long time ago. Except for those with unavoidable circumstances, all nobles in the capital were ordered to attend without exception. This command also included children who were of the same generation as the princess. Perhaps, rather than selecting which child to place next to his daughter based on someone else’s words, the emperor wanted to see the children with his own eyes. 

“There is a separate playroom, so wait there for me. Got it?”

“Don’t worry.”

Mom gave us some advice. To sum it up, it was about greeting nobles of higher status and not following any stranger even if they say they will buy us a house.

‘I’ve been told not to follow anyone who offers me candy, but this is the first time I’ve heard someone telling me not to follow anyone saying they’d buy me a house.’

The carriage went through the main gate of the Imperial Palace without a hitch. Mom and dad went up to the banquet hall, and we were guided by the attendant to the children’s room.

“La- lady Velsia.”

“Brie!”

A child rushed towards me first. It was Blensia Enrivia Byut.

“I’ve wanted to see you so much. You- you look very good today…”

“Brie too! You said you were learning something new these days, but thank you for sending me a letter, even though you must be quite busy. I cherish all the letters you sent me.” 

Although we have been exchanging letters and invitations from time to time, it was our first meeting after a long time.

Blensia, in a yellow dress, looked just like a baby chick. With her thin, soft light-brown hair tied up, her gentle impression seemed even softer. Her chattering voice sounded like a chirping.

“Ah, Emil came with me too.”

At my words, Blensia belatedly recognized Emil next to me and became pensive.

“I- I apologize. I’m so…”

“I don’t care.”

“But…”

“It’s weird to bother with greetings, it’s not even our first meeting.”

Emil indifferently dismissed her mistake. Thanks to that, Blensia, who was relieved, cautiously stuck next to me. All of a sudden, I was holding Emil on the left, and Blensia on the right; as if holding flowers with both hands.

“Hello, Young Duke Callixst.”

Still, thanks to the two of them, I was free from other children. Aside from Emil, I didn’t know there would be children who would find Blensia difficult.

‘Since I came after long, shall I go see the garden?’

I was just about to step up and go outside.

“Long time no see, Young Duke Callixst.”

The tone of voice that I couldn’t discern whether it was sarcastic or not sounded familiar. It was Hildred.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

“Mn, that’s right.”

“Did you match your clothes together?”

“It just happened.”

Whether he had mentioned the similarities in our matched colors deliberately or not, Brie flinched next to me and said,

“I-I know you two are close friends, but matching clothes…”

No need to say further.

“. . .”

Emil just stared at Hildred as if he didn’t want to speak to him.

“Emil is just a friend,” I said.

“Oh, is- is that so?”

‘Is this a conversation for young children to have? Of course, I can’t deny an engagement with Emil would be a good measure if our relationship grows weak.’ 

At my denial, Emil looked at me for a moment. I whispered, covering my mouth with my hand so Hil couldn’t see.

“Don’t mind it too much.”

‘If Emil ever likes someone, there’s no need to bother trying to get engaged. If that person takes care of Emil and prevents the annihilation of my family… that would be awesome.’

“Anyway, so don’t bother Emil.”

“Oh, I have never bothered him.”

“However, he’s already uncomfortable with you.”

As the gazes of the other children were on us, and the place we were at was the Imperial Palace, Hildred frowned. And he readily stepped back.

“Well, I won’t bother him then.” 

Hildred, who had become docile, waved his hand and stepped back with his group of children.

“Vel, would you like some juice?”

“I’m fine. What about you, Brie?”

“If Miss Velsia is fine, I’m fine too. Oh! Young Master, that location seems quiet.”

After confirming the seats Blensia was pointing at, Emil received juice from a passing attendant.

‘I was worried about Hil’s picking a fight again.’ Surprisingly, everything seemed alright. It would have been better if Hildred, who usually doesn’t give up after being ignored once, didn’t approach again. 

“Why did you come here again?”

“Because I have something to say to you?”

“Something to say?”

Hildred, who approached us again, raised his hands to Brie and Emil. Rather than looking harmless, it seemed as if he was plotting something.

“Yeah, I want to talk for a moment. So don’t stare at me like that.” 

“I, I wasn’t staring.” 

Contrary to Brie, who shook her head, Emil didn’t say anything. After a moment, Emil spoke to me.

“Go ahead. I’ll be waiting for you.”

It’ll be fine if you go for a while.

I kept a certain distance with Hil, not so far apart from my two children.

“You’re like a mother chicken carrying its baby chicks around.” He clicked his tongue as he pointed to Emil and Brie. “If you take them around like that, you’ll get bored.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“No way. All the kids I carry with me have their own uses.”

“Sure. Just tell me why did you call me.”

‘Obviously, it’s probably some annoying proposition or some interrogation.’

Seeing my desire to get straight to the point, Hildred made a slight frown.

“You seem in a hurry.”

“There are a lot of kids like you who are after Emil.”

A disgruntled look appeared on Hildred’s face, showing he didn’t like my answer. As he reluctantly glanced sideways at Emil, I patted the boy’s head. Immediately, Hil grabbed my hand and took it off of his head.

“You– really.”

“I’m annoying? I know too.” 

It was at that moment when Hil let go of my hand. As a shadow cast next to me, I realized what Hildred wanted to tell me.

‘Ah, since there’s a vacancy left, it would be strange that he didn’t come today.’

Hil, who smiled brightly, greeted.

“You are late, Rastine Lucretius.”

He was someone I had forgotten. Someone with a more mature appearance than his peers and a tall figure that matched it. 

With an intimidating and daunting atmosphere, to an extent that the fact he held a sword since childhood was overshadowed, dark eyes swept over Hil and me.

He was Dukedom Lucretius’ second son, Rastine.

He was my fiancé in my previous life.