The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 122

Episode 122

Ultimately, the Head Chef left the handkerchief with Flora and was escorted out by other employees, supported on both sides.

The chaotic mealtime ended in such a muddled way.

'......Was my comfort rejected?'

Flora gazed wistfully at the fine handkerchief left in her hand.

'As expected, I shouldn't show kindness to humans.'

It seemed the orange pudding was so delicious that she must have lost her reason for a moment.

She was just about to swallow her embarrassment and put the handkerchief away.

"Flora, if it's alright, would you lend me your handkerchief?"

Marquis Eisollen, who had been sitting quietly, had somehow drawn close to her side.

He bent one knee, matching her eye level as he made the request. Refusing felt awkward, so she hesitantly offered it. He accepted it with a bright, happy smile.

Although his eyes were moist, he didn't look like he was crying. She wondered if he was doing this because he thought Flora might be embarrassed.

'It's a shame I could only eat a little of the pudding, but if I stay here any longer, it seems like it'll be tiring.'

Indeed, the answer was probably to go find Basilian.

"Thank you for inviting me to a pleasant meal, Marquis. Would it be alright if I head back now?"

"Of course, certainly."

Despite his breezy answer, the Marquis's eyes, filled with a certain reluctance, held onto Flora's ankles.

"......Flora, if it's alright, may I hug you just once?"

"Huh? Uh......"

Flora was quite flustered by the sudden request. How could he show such familiarity after only knowing her for a few hours?

Once again, Flora cast a glance at Benio.

It was strange that he wasn't stepping forward, unlike his usual self, but he was still the only protector she could trust here.

This time, too, Benio nodded.

'Even my oppa's reaction is strange.'

She had no idea why he was so quiet today, why he was just watching like that.

'Did they have some unpleasant conversation before I arrived? Does he have some weakness they're exploiting, so he's just letting them do whatever they want?'

But Benio's expression wasn't serious, and the goodwill brimming in Marquis Eisollen's eyes was genuine, not fake.

'Ah, whatever.'

Flora tightly closed her eyes and gave Marquis Eisollen a big hug.

As if he had been waiting, a large hand wrapped around Flora's shoulder.

The hand patting her back was so delicate that it looked quite practiced.

After a short while, the Marquis released his arms from around Flora and stood up.

His eye level was higher now, so she couldn't see clearly, but this time, tears had welled up in his eyes.

"It was a good time. Let's have another meal together when you have time."

As he turned his back, Flora gave an awkward bow and quickly slipped out of the dining hall.

As Flora came out and tried to return to her room, every employee she encountered flinched in surprise upon seeing her.

Some were even seen wiping away tears, just like the Head Chef and Marquis Eisollen had done.

'What is it? What on earth is it?'

At first, she was unsure, but now she knew for certain.

'There's something I don't know.'

Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, the atmosphere wouldn't be flowing in such a strange and subtle way.

There's no reason for everyone to be gauging her reactions like that, watching her with teary eyes, and seeming desperate to talk to her, all for no apparent reason.

As she wandered around the castle, the collective stares intensified until Flora finally exploded.

The moment she returned to her room, she said she wanted to be alone and sent the maids away.

Then Janet and Pascal, who had been sitting on the windowsill, sensed something was amiss and flew over to Flora, landing on her hand.

"My Lord, your expression does not look well."

"You look like you want to bury someone?"

At Janet and Pascal's words, Flora looked at the mirror placed beside her.

Her face was filled with frustration and irritation.

What was the use of talking about feelings? She felt like grabbing anyone and demanding to know why they were acting this way.

To prevent the worst situation, she decided not to endure this frustration any longer.

"It seems there's something I don't know."

Perhaps because they weren't with her earlier, the birds tilted their small heads as if to ask what she meant.

"That's why, go and investigate. Find out what that something is that I don't know."

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Not long after Janet and Pascal left, the maids visited again.

They brought orange pudding, saying it was the dessert she couldn't properly enjoy earlier, along with cakes, cookies, and other snacks that would make any child's eyes pop.

'It is delicious, though.'

The pudding had a jelly-like, bouncy texture and tasted great, making her mouth happy.

Feeling her earlier irritation subside, she let out a sigh. Just then, a maid seated beside her cautiously broached a topic.

"Young Lady, would you like to go for a walk after having your snack?"

"......No, I think I'll rest today."

Part of her wanted to dash out, but remembering the looks she received in the corridor earlier washed that desire away like a wave.

The sparkle that had returned to her eyes while eating the snack vanished as if it had been a lie. As Flora quietly focused on her snack again, the maid closed her mouth without pressing further.

'It would have been better if Basilian were here.'

She felt strangely stifled and wanted to pound her chest, but she had to endure it since people were watching.

She had ordered the two demons to find out Basilian's whereabouts as well, so she would see him soon.

'Right, I'm confident I'm good at enduring.'

Hadn't she endured being reborn as a speechless infant and growing this much? The two demons would surely bring back excellent information in half a day.

'What's a little more patience?'

Thinking that, Flora put another spoonful of pudding in her mouth.

It tasted so good it felt unfair that she couldn't properly enjoy it in the dining hall.

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"Why aren't they back?"

It was already past evening, and there was no news from the two demons.

Even Benio didn't visit, perhaps because he was busy, and they couldn't have dinner together either.

In the end, Flora was left alone in her room.

'Should I go out now?'

It probably would have been faster to have the birds move around rather than moving herself. It seemed her choice had been wrong.

'According to Basilian, magic used by humans can't be tracked unless you see it directly, right.'

Thinking she could test if his words were true and also look for the demons, Flora sprang up from where she was sitting.

"Hmm, my position is roughly on the fourth floor. I don't see any knights patrolling around."

She watched for a long time, but no one passed below her.

'Good, then I'm off.'

Ending her deliberation, Flora turned and flung the door open without hesitation.

Meeting the eyes of the maids guarding the front, she made a show of yawning.

"I'm sleepy."

"Shall we prepare your bed for you?"

"Or perhaps a cup of warm water before you sleep?"

In response to their kind voices, Flora shook her head.

"No, I'm going to sleep now, so please don't come in and wake me up. Even if my brother comes, don't let him in."

"Even if the Young Master comes?"

"Yes, since he left me alone today......"

Muttering that it was a punishment where she couldn't see him even if she wanted to, Flora yawned ostentatiously.

The maids hid their bitter smiles and asked,

"Being alone must be scary. Shall we stay by your side until you fall asleep?"

"No, I'm not a baby. I can sleep by myself."

She felt a slight pang of conscience at the maids' devoted attitude, but Flora finished her act nonchalantly.

"Well then, goodnight. See you tomorrow."

As the door closed, Flora quickly laid one of her dolls in the center of the bed. Then, she blew demonic energy into it, transforming it into her own likeness.

Even if the maids came in midway, they would see her sound asleep and wouldn't bother waking her.

'Even if my oppa comes, he'll probably just watch for a while and then leave.'

She just needed to avoid being seen by others while she was out.

'Somehow, I feel a bit excited.'

It seemed she had developed a habit of sneaking out.

'But what can I do about the frustration? Going out is fun, after all.'

If she went out with others, maids or escort knights would follow, which was just bothersome.

Thinking that, Flora flicked her fingers. Black smoke swirled around her hand and then gently fell, spinning around her feet.

"Let's practice a bit more vigorously today."

Thinking she might as well kill two birds with one stone, Flora put her foot on the windowsill.

'No one is moving around, the lights on the lower floors are all off, and my demonic energy state is perfect.'

Flora smiled faintly, sitting on the windowsill and feeling the night breeze.

A refreshing scent brushed the tip of her nose, and the cool air touching her cheeks naturally lifted her mood.

She jumped down from there.

Without the demons' help. All by herself.

The thrilling feeling that she had finally grown enough to handle dangerous tasks on her own was a bonus.