The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 128

Episode 128

A lie begets new lies.

Basilian, putting strength into his wavering eyes, came up with a plausible reason.

"Ah, t-to avoid being seen by people."

"Why? Now that you mention it, the people at the Marquis's castle didn't seem to know you existed either. How did you manage alone? You seem to have eaten well, so it looks like someone brought you food."

As she voiced her doubt, Flora noticed the tableware set aside in a corner, and a small suspicion dawned in her eyes.

'Could it be that Basilian is the Crown Prince, and he was discovered by the Bellasia Ducal House, so that's why...?'

Her eyes narrowed at the thought that perhaps he had come to the neutral Eisollen Marquisate to hide.

Afraid that thinking too long would expose his lie, Basilian quickly racked his brain and offered the reason he had fabricated.

"Actually, remember when we met the Young Lord Bellasia together? I think he dislikes me."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I ran into him alone later, on my way back to my room... he warned me to be careful on my way back, and I... I was scared..."

Even if it was a lie that chipped away at his pride, it was fine as long as it got him through the situation.

Basilian bowed his head, afraid his lie would be discovered. Watching him, Flora's eyes filled with shock.

He looked so uncharacteristically frightened that she couldn't hold back her anger and shot up from her seat.

"He did that? Is he insane?"

It was a flimsy excuse, but her suspicions vanished in an instant.

Basilian was still a mercenary who was looked down upon, and among them, he belonged to the most vulnerable category: a child.

If everything he said was true, it was only natural he'd be scared.

"I told the Young Master, and he suggested I hide the fact that I'm traveling with you... So with the Duke's help and consideration, I've been staying here."

"I see..."

Even though he had said it wasn't like that, Flora blamed herself for doubting Basilian and hugged him where he sat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that!"

"...N-no. I'm the one who should be sorry. I should have at least told you before I left, but I thought I had to move quickly."

Basilian rolled his eyes nervously, but even that looked like he was still gripped by fear.

"It's not your fault! It's the fault of the one who threatened you! Just because he's a Young Lord, does that make it okay? Anyway, that ducal house is a problem!"

Fuming, Flora grabbed Basilian's cheeks with both hands and lifted his head.

"You must have been through a lot. Your face looks really troubled."

"It's okay, I'm... Yeah, really."

Basilian forced a smile, but even that looked pitiful to Flora.

"Just ignore what he says. He said some nonsense to me too."

"Nonsense? What did he say?"

"...It was something like that."

It seemed better not to relay the vague things Walter had mentioned, likely to drive a wedge between Flora and Basilian.

Flora declared confidently, her voice tinged with anger.

"Next time he bothers you, tell me. I'll take care of him for you."

Seeing her evil smile, saying it wouldn't be difficult, Basilian felt relieved, but still uneasy.

'What on earth did that guy say to her? Was her question about having secrets not because of the Eisollen Marquisate, but because that guy said something strange?'

He didn't realize that getting through a situation with a lie would only bring greater tension and pressure later.

He tried hard to ignore his rapidly beating heart and sank into thought.

'And what about saying I asked the Eisollen Marquisate for help?'

Now that Walter had spotted him, he could no longer live as a mercenary under the Lucifers' care.

'I can use the Holy Sword on my own now, so I have to go back and reclaim my position. I have to gather allies and deal with all those who tried to kill me.'

Regret washed over him. Maybe telling Flora the truth would have been the best method after all.

'But I can't change my story now.'

Knowing it was his fault, Basilian ultimately created another new lie.

"What's wrong? Are you still bothered by him? It's okay, he's nothing. If it comes to it, I'll really teach him a lesson. To stop him from bothering you..."

Seeing Basilian's expression darken again, Flora clenched her fist, trying to resolve the atmosphere, and reassured him not to worry.

"It seems we won't be able to see each other for a while after this schedule ends."

No, she meant to reassure him, but his answer made her unable to finish her sentence.

"Huh?"

"...It's not certain, but no, it is certain."

At the sudden news, Flora released her arms from around him and stepped back.

"What does that mean?"

When he didn't answer, she pressed him.

"What do you mean? We agreed to go back and train with that power together."

At her insistent question, with her eyebrows furrowed, Basilian met her evasive gaze and spoke.

"Circumstances have changed."

"If it's because of the Young Lord Bellasia, I'll handle it..."

"It's not just that. Actually, I might be going back to my original place."

"Your original place... You mean home? Did you meet your parents? Are they asking you to come home?"

Thanks to Flora's question, his lie gained substance.

With a little truth mixed in, a very clever and delicate lie was completed.

After some hesitation, Basilian finally nodded.

"Actually, yes. My parents contacted me and asked me to come home and live with them. I probably won't be able to be a mercenary anymore."

Flora's shoulders slumped dejectedly, as if the clear smile from earlier had never existed.

'Just when I thought we could finally spend time together...'

But if his parents were looking for him, what could be done? This was outside the scope of her interference.

"...Did your parents apologize to you?"

If Basilian was leaving, she wanted to send him off with good feelings. Just because they were parting didn't mean their relationship was ending.

Above all, if this decision was for Basilian's sake, Flora was willing to cheer him on wholeheartedly.

"Yeah. They said they were sorry and contacted me first, asking me to come back and live together."

Hearing that, Flora smiled with visible relief.

The radiant smile that lit up her face was solely wishing for Basilian's future happiness, making it brighter than ever before.

And unlike her, he, tangled in his own lies, felt utterly wretched. He found even his own act of hiding these feelings and acting normal disgusting.

Yet, seeing Flora cheering for his future, he managed to smile and say something mixing jest and sincerity.

"So don't go contacting the Young Lord Bellasia unnecessarily."

"I'll still warn him. We need to cut off all annoyances."

"He might be happy to hear from you. And I..."

Basilian paused, his face reddening, and muttered more quietly than before.

"I... I'd prefer it if you didn't get close to the Young Lord Bellasia."

"Of course! I have no intention of getting friendly with him!"

As Flora shouted vehemently, Basilian mustered his courage and added one more thing.

"Don't make any friends closer than me. Whether it's a boy or a girl... I'd be jealous."

"...Oh."

He turned his head away, his ears red with embarrassment. Flora blinked at his appearance, then let out a small laugh.

'Right, this isn't the end. We can't just keep talking about depressing things.'

"This place is too bleak for now. Let's at least go for a walk. Carefully, so we don't get spotted by anyone else."

It was a suggestion made out of consideration for Basilian, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse. He nodded silently, and Flora smiled brightly and took his hand.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

They shouldn't have walked aimlessly when they hadn't even figured out the layout of the Marquis's castle yet.

"Why is there a door here?"

Basilian muttered to himself, looking at the old wooden door that appeared before them, while sweat poured down Flora's back.

'Of all places, why did we have to come here?'

She felt so frustrated she wanted to scream right then, but she couldn't, afraid it would make Basilian feel worse.

'We weren't supposed to just walk randomly.'

They had just walked wherever their feet took them, wanting a change of scenery; how could she have known they'd end up at the place with Nersha's gravestone?

Talking with Basilian had made her forget for a moment, but Flora was currently in a confused state.

Her mother's existence, which she had forgotten, was already unsettling her heart, and now she was supposed to see the gravestone again?

'My feelings haven't even settled yet, what is this?'

She should just brush it off as nothing, but her stubborn heart wouldn't let go, and she had absolutely no desire to see the gravestone.

'And I don't want to show this to Basilian for no reason either.'

They probably didn't have much time left together, and she wanted him to go home with only the best memories.

'It's probably better to just pretend I don't know and turn back, right? Yeah, it's about time the maids start looking for me too. I should suggest we head back now...?'

"Shall we go inside?"

"Yeah! Huh?"

She thought he would surely suggest they leave, so the unexpected answer surprised Flora.

"You can't resist things like this. When you're curious."