The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 16

Episode 16

A man with a huge build and a ferocious appearance looked pitiable enough to be heartbreaking.

'Sigh.'

It seemed like there was some kind of circumstance, but Flora pretended not to know anything and simply hugged him, just as Athanas had done.

Although her short arms couldn't even fully wrap around his thick waist.

Fortunately, after she patted his side a few times with her small, fern-like hands, his trembling gradually subsided.

"Mm-hm, I trust Dad."

The short reply was definitely effective.

Because Athanas smiled brightly, as if to ask when he had ever made a scared face.

Encouraged by the warm atmosphere, she was about to ask again, but a new character who would disturb the two of them appeared.

Knock knock knock. The owner of the forceful knock, upon hearing the word of permission from Athanas, flung the double doors open and entered the room.

"Your Grace, you must attend to the backlog of work. How long do you plan to enjoy your rest?"

At the man's words, which got straight to the point without any greeting, Athanas's shoulders flinched and jumped.

Deep maroon hair and light brown eyes. The man, who wore a monocle on his right eye as if to announce he was Athanas's aide, was the same man she had seen from a distance when she first came to this castle.

'It was Isaac, I think.'

Given that she had said back then that he looked busy, those words probably weren't a lie.

But Flora had only been here for a day now, so she had a lot to ask Athanas.

'Since I'm a young child who still needs a parent's embrace, it's okay to throw a tantrum like this.'

Flora once again sealed away the Great Demon's ego and refused to let go of Athanas's collar that she had tightly grabbed.

"Isaac, Flora hasn't been awake for very long yet."

In response, Athanas spoke words of refusal as if he had made up his mind, but it was useless.

"And it has been over a month since Your Grace neglected his duties. It is not too late to enjoy a reunion with the Young Lady after you have finished the backlogged work."

Despite his kind-looking appearance, his tone of voice was utterly cold.

'Clearly, Dad is bigger in stature and looks scarier, but he can't win.'

Judging by how casually they conversed, it seemed the two of them were on good terms.

Since he was Athanas's aide, she might see him often from now on, so there was no need to make him dislike her.

Flora stealthily loosened the grip in her hand and let go of Athanas.

"Dad, go."

"Huh? Flora?"

Disappointment was clearly reflected on Athanas's flustered face.

"Do you not want Dad by your side?"

"I like it."

"Then why......"

"But Dad has to work."

In response to his anxious voice, Flora spoke firmly.

"Director said so. You mustn't put off what you have to do today. She said if you put it off, you'll become a slug."

If Mrs. Finny had known her advice, given when she saw Flora not putting away her toys, would be used like this, she would have swallowed her words.

"Flora hates slug Dad."

"Ha, hate......"

"Mm, hate!"

Flora's words pierced Athanas's heart like a dagger.

The word "hate" coming from the mouth of the daughter he had barely found wounded him quite deeply.

Of course, that didn't last long either.

"But I like Dad who works hard."

Flora hung onto Athanas's arm, leaning in so much that her chubby cheeks were squished, and smiled brightly.

"So finish your work and play with Flora."

Athanas nodded his head vigorously.

"My… The four-year-old Young Lady is speaking my mind. She is far better than Your Grace."

Isaac muttered softly and then approached Flora.

"Pleased to meet you, Young Lady. My name is Isaac Bisera. I am the second son of the Bisera Viscountcy and serve the Duke. Please feel free to call me Isaac."

"Mm, hello. Isaac."

When Flora waved her hand wide open in greeting, Isaac gave a soft smile and slightly bowed his head.

"I am ashamed to say this, but the ducal estate is currently quite short on hired staff. Therefore, we have posted a new hiring notice to formally hire a dedicated maid for the Young Lady. Given the circumstances, it will be insufficient until then, but would it be alright if we temporarily assign one of the general maids?"

"A maid?"

"Yes, someone who will be responsible for your every move, Young Lady. If you like the temporarily assigned maid, you may keep her by your side."

"Mm, okay!"

At her lively answer, Isaac nodded his head repeatedly.

"Then I will convey this matter to Mrs. Zamira. We must also fill the vacant Head Maid position......"

Isaac grabbed his throbbing head and muttered to himself.

'So the Head Maid position is vacant, which is why the nanny, Zamira, has to handle even the task of assigning a dedicated maid.'

Still, as a day passed, she was gradually grasping the situation in the castle.

'Seeing that they're hiring maids, it seems they aren't terribly poor, right?'

Perhaps because the shock of yesterday's events was so great, even small changes gave her hope, which was a problem.

"Now, then, let us head to the office, Your Grace!"

Athanas looked down at Flora with a regretful face, but she let go of the arm she was hugging without any attachment.

"Flora...... I will finish my work as quickly as possible and return."

"Mm. Dad, fighting!"

Flora clenched both her fists and cheered him on.

Athanas lifted his heavy footsteps with difficulty and left the room.

Some time passed after the two men left.

Someone knocked, announcing their presence at her door.

"Young Lady, it's Zamira. May I come in?"

"Mm!"

Following her cheerful reply, the door opened, and Zamira entered with a young girl.

"You heard from Sir Isaac, right? This is the maid who will serve you for the time being."

"Pleased to meet you, Young Lady. My name is Daphne. It's temporary, but I will be serving you starting today."

A young girl with luscious scarlet hair braided into two pigtails bowed her head and introduced herself.

"I'm so happy to be serving you, Young Lady!"

When Daphne lifted her head, her deep brown eyes curved prettily.

'Hmm, she's young.'

"She's a child who turned fourteen this year. If you need anything, just tell Daphne. She's still young, but please look upon her kindly as she is bright and cheerful."

"Mm, I know. But Zamira, you're not going to look after me now? I like Zamira."

When Flora asked, sulkily letting her shoulders droop, Zamira shook her head in panic.

"Of course not! It's just that the mansion is too chaotic right now, so there are many places that need my attention. Once a Head Maid is appointed, I will definitely stick by your side, Young Lady. So please wait just a little while."

With a kind consolation, Zamira hugged Flora tightly.

"Lovely Young Lady, I like you very much too. It's late, but I'm so happy you have returned to the ducal estate like this. Let's build happy memories together here from now on."

For the nanny to say things that even her father, Athanas, hadn't said.

'Would it have been different if I had a mother?'

They were nice words to hear, but for some reason, she didn't feel good.

"Mm, I understand."

Flora nodded a few times and then released Zamira.

"Zamira, goodbye."

When she waved her hand, telling her to go quickly, Zamira bowed politely and left the room.

Once she left, only Flora and Daphne remained in the room.

"Daphne?"

"Yes, Young Lady!"

Daphne seemed full of passion, befitting her young age.

The way her sparkling eyes reflected only Flora was not unfamiliar.

It was exactly like the unnis at the orphanage.

'Not good, not good.'

By the looks of it, she seemed like the type who would follow Flora everywhere to the end.

"Young Lady, let's first wash up, change your clothes, and then have a meal. The Head Chef has prepared warm cream soup for you!"

And Flora's prediction was not wrong.

'Shall I keep her by my side while I get used to the castle?'

Flora nodded and spread her arms.

Still, perhaps she was quick-witted for her age, as she understood Flora's intention perfectly, and it wasn't bad being carried by her.

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After leaving the room, Flora, feeling slightly uncomfortable in Daphne's arms, which wasn't very spacious due to her youth, freed herself from her embrace, held her hand instead, and slowly began to tour the castle.

Not only was it poorly maintained, but it was so large that even after wandering around for half a day, she couldn't see the end of it.

"The castle is too big."

It was shocking that the castle tour hadn't ended, and she hadn't even been able to go out into the garden because of the snow.

'Is this what nobility is...?'

She didn't like that it was much larger and wider than the castle Mors had made.

"Too wide, tiring."

'This won't do. Even if it's uncomfortable, I need to be carried again or something.'

When Flora spread her arms again and grumbled, Daphne let out a small laugh and picked her up.