The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 114

Episode 114

If Mors hadn't considered the heroes his friends, if the demons had all united to destroy the world, the empire would never have been established.

'Hmm, then it's a shame I won't meet those I met now.'

Since she couldn't return to the past anyway, there was no point in thinking about it further.

"Young Lady, how about resting a while with some cool tea?"

While lost in thought, a maid who had been quietly following Flora stopped her.

"The weather is hot, and I was worried you might get heatstroke."

Turning around, she saw an unfamiliar maid with a nervous face cautiously suggesting a break.

'Hmm, what to do.'

If this were Lucifer territory, she would have agreed without hesitation and gone to rest in the shade.

No, it wouldn't have been this hot in the first place.

That was because this was Duke Bellasia's castle, located much further south than the North.

After concluding the subjugation, Duke Bellasia had invited all the nobles who participated to his castle.

He expressed his gratitude for their will and courage in overcoming fear to join the subjugation by treating them as honored guests.

She had thought he would naturally ignore them, but the Lucifers, who had participated under the pretext of judgment, were also invited. Unable to refuse such hospitality, it had already been a week since they had been staying at Duke Bellasia's castle.

'He doesn't seem bothered. His attitude isn't bad either?'

The maids she had encountered so far, trapped by their prejudice against the Lucifers, had been unfriendly to Flora and were dismissed, but this maid seemed somewhat better.

Except for the fact that she was full of nervous energy, likely because Flora had kept changing maids before.

"Shall we?"

As Flora smiled and answered, a look of relief crossed the maid's face.

Following her guidance, she found a space prepared for tea time in a long stretch of shade, as if prepared in advance.

Even all the prepared tableware was high-class, and the desserts and tea placed before her looked quite luxurious.

"Shall I bring you a cool drink?"

"Yes."

"There's a very sour tea that cleanses the palate if you drink it, and another that seems very sour and astringent but is sweet. Which would you prefer?"

"Just give me the grapefruit tea next to me."

Perhaps thinking she didn't know lemons and grapefruits, the unnecessarily grand proposal made Flora answer simply and wait for the tea.

"Ah, yes."

Taking a sip of the cold-brewed grapefruit tea, a coolness washed over her throat.

She hadn't realized it while lost in thought, but her throat had been quite dry.

Just as Flora was about to hum and take a bite of the cheesecake placed before her…

Flutter, flutter… with small wingbeats, two cute-looking sparrows flew over and landed on Flora's shoulders.

"Oh my, how adorable."

Hearing the maid's excited voice upon seeing the sparrows for the first time, Flora informed her nonchalantly.

"They're my pet birds. So don't shoo them away if they approach from now on. The maid before you tried to shoo them away with her hand and got pecked by their beaks."

As she mentioned they weren't as good-natured as one might think, the sparrow with the reddish tail feathers flapped its wings as if understanding her words.

"Goodness, was it too harsh to insult them right in front of them? I get it. I'll bear with it."

Flora stroked the angry bird's head and began nodding to herself.

The scene, like something out of a fairy tale, made the maid serving her blush and quietly watch her.

'They said she was fussy. They were just being oversensitive themselves.'

Unlike the maid, who was enjoying this tranquility while cursing those who had served before her, Flora was barely holding back laughter.

「Who said we have a bad temper? That human was in the wrong first! Don't just say you get it; be more careful next time, I'm telling you!」

「Really now. I don't know how my direct junior can be so unchanging. I think we need to fix that arrogant bastard's attitude.」

「Fix what! Why don't you fix that blind trust first?」

「Your attitude towards your senior is also arrogant. I didn't expect to be treated as a senior after seeing how you act towards the King.」

The sight of the sparrows, no bigger than fists, chirping and bickering with each other was like a comedy routine, but it was quite cute, and knowing the birds' true identities as demons didn't diminish that feeling.

On the contrary, it was pleasant, cute, and enjoyable.

If she had known reuniting with her subordinates would bring such great joy, she would have visited the demon forest sooner.

Enjoying the peace while gently stroking the cute birds' heads, Flora noticed the two birds, having finished their conversation, were looking at her and tilted her head slightly.

「I took a quick look, and the Duke's office is busy again today?」

「That's correct. He was gathering vassals, holding meetings, and it looked complicated with various procedures. It seems matters related to the subjugation team aren't fully resolved yet.」

At this, Flora made a blatantly disappointed face and frowned.

She could only use him as an excuse to return North once the others finished their work and left, but since no one showed any sign of departing, the day of her return home kept being delayed.

'Obviously, the subjugation failed, and they rescued survivors, so they'll focus on the fact that there were demon worshippers and punish them.'

It was obvious they would resolve it by giving appropriate compensation to the victims' families, but she didn't know why the procedures were so important that they were dragging their feet for a week.

At first, she had been excited to visit, thinking she'd bankrupt the Duke's household, but it didn't seem to have any impact, and now this peace was boring her.

Flora, who had many people she wanted to see immediately upon returning—like Athanas, Elena, and Daphne clicked her tongue in regret.

"Why are you clicking your tongue?"

Just then, an unfamiliar voice from the side pulled Flora out of her thoughts.

'What?'

She didn't know who this was or where they came from, but judging by their appearance and attire, they didn't seem to be a castle employee.

'They're also too young to be an employee.'

Flora's eyes quickly scanned him.

His calm, deep green hair had an antique color, but he was a child with a gentle atmosphere, with round eyes and laughter lines at the corners of his mouth.

'Is his age similar to Basil's?'

Even his curious eyes directed at Flora were a warm brown, which suited him very well overall.

But his appearance alone was insufficient to win Flora's favor. She knew an adult who was the spitting image of this child.

'He's the spitting image of Duke Bellasia.'

He was the exact copy of the man who pretended to be solemn, cool, superior, and magnanimous, putting on all sorts of serious airs.

It was obvious to anyone that he was Duke Bellasia's son, and it was clear that when this child grew up, he would become another Duke Bellasia.

'Since Duke Bellasia only has one son, this kid is definitely the next Duke Bellasia.'

The gentle smile on his lips was typical of a child raised in abundance.

'Just like Rosaria.'

Even though the Lucifers had lived through such hardships, they received cold stares just for approaching others, while he looked so relaxed, making her feel a surge of resentment and injustice.

"None of your business?"

Feeling offended, a naturally sharp tone slipped out.

The maid, who had been watching the two children with a pleased expression, was startled and began coughing violently.

"Uhm, by any chance, aren't I like an older brother to you? Saying 'none of your business' is a bit much, isn't it?"

"None of your business, sir?"

"Using honorifics doesn't change the meaning, I think..."

Seemingly taken aback by her unfriendliness, the boy scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"You appear silently without an introduction and start using informal speech right away. Why should I be nice to you?"

"......"

"Ah, sir? Why should I be nice to you, sir?"

At her sarcastic tone, one might expect him to get angry, but the boy blinked and then let out a small laugh.

"You're a really interesting kid. Can I sit next to you?"

"No."

"Why?"

"You didn't introduce yourself. You clearly seem to know me, but I don't know you. Ah, sir."

"Ah..."

As if he hadn't realized he needed to start from there, the boy froze again. Then, he grinned, placed a hand on his chest, and began his introduction.

"My name is Walter Bellasia. I am the only child of my father, the current Duke Bellasia, and the Young Lord. I'm ten years old. My hobby is horseback riding; my father bought me a foal recently, and I'm happily learning. Thanks to that, I've set a goal to ride a big horse and travel around later."

"......"

"And I also like reading; I'm interested in commerce lately, so I'm reading books about economics. I also like drinking tea, especially a tea called green tea imported from the Eastern Continent. And..."

As Bellasia continued his explanation, he noticed Flora propping her chin with a bored expression and promptly closed his mouth.

"Was my introduction a bit long?"

"A bit?"

As if words couldn't express how insufficient 'a bit' was, Flora scrunched up her forehead. Walter gave an awkward smile.

"Sorry, you're the first person who doesn't know me, so this is my first time introducing myself like this. I guess I got a little carried away."

As his eyes curved, a face of unparalleled innocence was revealed. Seeing this, Flora sighed, still propping her chin.

'Right, I should moderate my temper with a child.'

Of course, she disliked the Bellasia Ducal House itself, but the child hadn't done anything wrong nor shown hostility towards her, so she felt the need to restrain herself.

"My name is, you ask?"

"You don't have to use honorifics if you don't want to. What's the age difference anyway?"

"Alright, then."

As Flora readily accepted, the maid beside her looked shocked again.

Regardless, Flora gave a short introduction, contrasting with Walter's.

"Flora Lucifer, seven years old this year. I dislike anything and everything that's bothersome."

"...Am I included in the 'bothersome things'?"

At the cautious question, instead of moving her head, Flora just rolled her eyes to meet Walter's gaze. Then, she blinked once as if to say 'correct'.

"I like people who are quick on the uptake a little."

The maid was continuously shocked by the world's most impolite behavior and didn't know what to do, but Walter, dealing with Flora, seemed rather amused.

"Then, can I sit next to you?"

He pointed to the seat opposite with a smile.

"I'm pretty sure I said I like people who are quick on the uptake."

Flora drew another line.

But even if Flora refused, the maid immediately brought a chair from the side and set it up opposite her.

"Thanks for allowing me."

Walter sat down as if it were natural, and Flora glared at the maid who had acted without her command.

She averted her gaze and quietly retreated backward.

'He looks innocent, but a person of power is still a person of power, huh?'

He didn't look the type, but it seemed he could be stubborn with that innocent face.

"I heard you were here, but since you didn't come to find me, I came first."

"Should I have gone to find you?"

"Usually, ducal houses form acquaintances, so..."

"You don't even treat us as a proper ducal house, and you talk about acquaintances?"

At her bluntly honest words, no, rather her outright criticism, Walter's mouth fell open slightly.

He tried to urgently deny it, but Flora spoke without listening.

"And I'm a guest who was practically forced to come, so shouldn't you be the one coming to find me?"

"F-forced?"

"I said I wanted to go back, but your father brought me here, so if that's not forced, what is? I want to go back quickly and see my dad."

As Flora propped her chin with both hands and sighed, Walter was taken aback and couldn't easily speak.

"What if my dad is crying because he misses me..."

As Flora sighed and voiced her worry, Walter was once again at a loss for words.

'That Duke Lucifer, crying?'

An image of Athanas floated hazily in Walter's mind.

A fiercely stern impression, a great physique and body that any man would envy. A huge man was pictured, but he couldn't conjure an image of that ferocious man crying because he missed his daughter.

"Sigh, my Oppa probably wants to finish work quickly and play with me too, but they won't let him go, saying he has to attend meetings. He's definitely being bullied because he's young."

Flora sighed with a worried face.

At this, Walter recalled an anecdote from the meetings he had heard about before coming here.

'He drew his sword on someone who said the Young Lady who was kidnapped was also at fault for following a suspicious person.'

He was far from being the one being bullied, and he heard people were sweating profusely trying to calm him down because his demeanor was so threatening.

'The stories I'm hearing are so different from what I know.'

He had heard she was a daughter who was lost and found again, so perhaps that's why they cherished and treated her well?

Hiding his confusion, Walter just smiled and said, "Is that so?"

"Right, you said ducal houses form acquaintances with each other, right? So, are you on good terms with Rosaria too?"

"Huh? How do you know Young Lady Hermannus?"

"...We just happened to know each other from a childhood connection."

"That's amazing. Young Lady Hermannus doesn't usually let people get close. You must get along well."

Finally, a pleasant topic of conversation arose, and Walter, looking a bit excited, let slip some information bit by bit.

"I heard Young Lady Hermannus is making new friends lately. She said she's going to host a tea party herself, and an invitation arrived not long ago."

"...Is that so?"

Contrary to his expectation that she would be happy about the news regarding Rosaria, Flora's voice sank slightly.

'So that's why there was no reply to the letter I sent. She's made new friends.'

Well, anyone would quickly forget a commoner friend from their childhood.

Especially since it wasn't just any commoner friend, but a child from a hostile family.

'Shouldn't have sent it.'

Feeling sorry for leaving so suddenly, she had sent a letter once a year with greetings, but no reply had ever come back.

'Well, what can you do?'

The Hermannus Ducal House was also a target of hostility, and she had long known nobles were all talk, so perhaps it was a natural outcome.

But contrary to this rational thought, her heart felt strangely heavy.

As Flora tightly closed her mouth and stared only at the raised grapefruit tea before her, Walter, who had been quietly watching her, realized something.

'She's disappointed. They must have been closer than I thought.'

It seemed she hadn't received an invitation to the tea party, and hearing the news from someone else was upsetting her.

'...Hmm, I wasn't planning to attend.'

He had only come to meet Flora due to his father's order to find out what kind of child she was, but perhaps because of her spunky behavior, he felt like observing her a bit more.

"If it's alright with you, would you like to go together as my partner?"

Even if it meant putting up with some bother.