The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 121

Episode 121

Flora's body stiffened under the gazes of the maids.

'Ah, this is no time for this.'

Remembering that this was the residence of a precious guest, not the Lucifer Ducal House, Flora quickly pulled herself together.

"Oh, s-sorry. Did I surprise you? I was in such a hurry because I missed my oppa so much."

As Flora tried to smooth things over with an awkward laugh and an apology to hide her embarrassment, the maids looked at her with eyes that were glistening with moisture, as if they had made a promise to do so.

'It's... burdensome.'

She had no idea why they were staring at her like that.

"It's quite alright, Young Lady. There's no need to apologize to us for such a thing. More importantly, are you hurt anywhere?"

"Yes, thanks to you."

"The dining hall is quite a distance away. If you are still tired, would it be alright if I carried you there?"

"No, that won't be necessary. I'm fine now."

Flora shook her head vigorously as the maid seemed ready to scoop her up at any moment.

"That's a relief. Now, please walk slowly this time so you don't fall. I will guide you to the dining hall."

They were clearly smiling, so why did they look disappointed?

'......The atmosphere is a bit strange.'

It was certain they held goodwill towards her, but it felt oddly cautious, or something like that.

'More importantly, what was that earlier?'

It seemed like they said she resembled something, but she had no idea what that 'something' was.

The maids straightened their postures as if they had never worn sad expressions and began to follow behind Flora.

Upon leaving the room, a long corridor unfolded before her. It wasn't overly lavish, but the well-decorated hallway welcomed her.

'There's a lot of purple everywhere.'

Since bright colors like pink or purple were typically used in areas where women resided, it wasn't strange.

'The color is pretty. It's just like my brother's eye color.'

It was neither too dark nor too light, just perfect to look at.

As she was looking at the familiar purple color infused in the jewels, paintings, and even the minor details like the wallpaper and curtains, the maid leading the way spoke up.

"This is the main castle of the Eisollen Marquisate. The decorations throughout are based on the amethyst-colored eyes, a name worthy of being passed down in the Marquis's family."

It seemed she was offering an explanation so the walk wouldn't be boring, as Flora kept showing interest and staring.

A small curiosity bloomed within her.

'Then what happens if you aren't born with that color?'

The maid continued speaking, but Flora's mind didn't register the words.

'Maybe they get cast out from the family? Abandoned? Or perhaps treated as a failure... Nobles are pointlessly sensitive about these things.'

Anyway, thinking it was a familiar and pretty color, she walked diligently down the corridor.

Just as she was regretting not having asked to be carried because the distance was longer than expected, she fortunately arrived at the dining hall.

'At this point, the meal is probably already over.'

It seemed there might be no point in having come to the dining hall, but since she was here, it was right to greet Benio while he was present.

Flora unnecessarily brushed off her skirt and straightened her attire.

"Young Lady, the ribbon in your hair is crooked. Let me tie it again for a moment."

"The shine on your shoes has dulled a bit. I'll polish them for you."

"The lace on your skirt is wrinkled. I'll smooth it out neatly for you."

"Your bangs got messed up from tying your hair. Let me give it a light brush."

She had only intended to check her appearance for a moment, but several hands simultaneously reached out and tidied up Flora's state.

'What is with these skillful hands?'

It was natural since they weren't young maids, but it felt strangely, very strangely, familiar. It was the kind of posture that came out naturally.

'Is this the bearing of maids who serve a Young Lady?'

Indeed, their speed of handling tasks was different from the maids of Lucifer, who were just building their foundation and establishing a system.

She was quietly impressed inwardly when the hands simultaneously withdrew. The preparations were complete.

"Young Lady, I will open the door now."

Flora nodded in response.

The maid at the front knocked on the door and announced Flora's arrival.

"Tell her to come in."

Then, a loud voice came from inside. It was a voice filled with welcome to anyone's ears, and it did not belong to Benio.

'Is there someone else inside besides my oppa and the Marquis?'

Who on earth would speak with such a happy voice?

The hand holding the thick doorknob smoothly opened the door. Along with it, Flora swallowed hard due to nervousness.

'Why am I getting nervous over this?'

Just as Flora clenched her small fist firmly, the large door swung wide open, and her eyes met those of a man sitting at the head of the table.

'If he's sitting at the head, he must be the Marquis, right?'

Quickly rolling her eyes, she saw no other nobles besides Benio sitting next to him.

Amusingly, the first thought that came to her upon seeing him was, 'So you can become the Marquis even if your eye color isn't purple.'

Unlike the main castle, which was amethyst in color, the Eisollen Marquis's eyes were a deep blue.

As her curiosity about the eye color was resolved, another point of bewilderment arose.

'Is the Marquis welcoming me? Why?'

This was a bit surprising.

She hadn't even considered the idea that the Marquis would naturally welcome her, a Lucifer, warmly.

'Well, it doesn't feel bad, so maybe I should be a bit polite.'

Flora gently held the hem of her dress, tilted her head slightly forward, and offered a greeting.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marquis Eisollen. I am Flora Lucifer, the Young Lady of the Lucifer Ducal House."

A smile spread across the lips of the Marquis Eisollen at the cute greeting from the small Young Lady.

"Oh! It's a pleasure, Flora! I am Marquis Eisollen."

It seemed the Marquis was more approachable than expected. Seeing how he interacted without reserve even with a Young Lady.

Seeing that, her tension eased, and even the slight discomfort in her heart faded.

"I was worried that I might be interrupting as the meal is likely ending."

"Oh my, not at all! Now, don't just stand there, come and sit down."

With a firm denial, the Marquis rose from his seat and personally pulled out the chair for Flora to sit in.

Glancing at Benio, she saw him nodding with a faint smile.

'That probably means it's okay to accept the favor.'

Since Benio had permitted it, Flora sat down in the chair he had pulled out without any hesitation.

"What do you like, Flora? Is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?"

"I eat well without being picky, a bit of everything."

She refrained from mentioning that she eats everything except broccoli. She wanted to maintain a proper image.

She could see Benio, sitting across from her, stifling a laugh, but when she shot him a glance, he cleared his throat and swallowed his laughter.

Fortunately, there was no broccoli among the newly served dishes. Thanks to that, she managed to avoid being a liar as she ate, but for some reason, the gazes fixed on her face felt intense.

'......Why does it feel like everyone is only looking at me?'

It was one thing for her brother Benio, but even the Marquis sitting at the head and the maids and servants waiting around seemed to be looking only at her.

'And they all seem a bit older, don't they?'

When she quickly scanned the room upon entering, she didn't see any young employees.

'Is it because I'm so young that their eyes are naturally drawn to me?'

Just as she thought they were staring a bit too intently, the meal came to an end.

'I've given my greetings, so it should be okay to leave now, right?'

She needed to find Basilian, who had gone ahead to the Eisollen Marquisate, so she had no more time to waste.

Flora began to gauge the mood to get up when an elderly man who appeared to be the Head Chef emerged from a connected passageway, his face tense as he carried a tray.

It seemed there was still dessert left.

"I prepared this specially, hearing we have a young guest. It's orange pudding."

With the Marquis's words, the Head Chef personally placed the dessert on the table.

On the white plate sat a round, pretty pudding the color of vermilion, and it gave off a fresh, sweet aroma, as if it were packed with fruit juice.

After confirming the Marquis ate first, she took a spoonful, and the fruit juice popped explosively in her mouth.

"Mmm, it's delicious."

Unconsciously, she held the spoon and giggled, enjoying the sweetness, when suddenly, she heard a sniffle from beside her.

Startled, she turned her head and saw the Head Chef, who had not yet left and was waiting, with tears in his eyes.

'What? Why is he crying?'

As a flustered Flora looked around, she noticed that the eyes of all the adults, except for Benio, were glistening with moisture.

Even the Marquis Eisollen.

'Really, what is this all about?'

While the others looked on the verge of tears, the Head Chef's tears showed no sign of stopping. Given that he seemed quite old, she couldn't help but feel concerned even if she didn't want to.

'Well, there's no helping it.'

Flora got up from her seat and walked over to the Head Chef.

Then, she offered her handkerchief to the sniffling man.

"I'm giving this to you because the dessert was delicious. So don't cry."

It was her attempt at comfort, though the problem, if it was one, was that he burst into even louder sobs.