The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 24

Episode 24

"I don't know who you are, but you shouldn't run around like this in the castle. You could get seriously hurt, or even get scolded."

Why am I being scolded by a maid I've never seen before?

"Was there a pink-haired person among the staff? I don't really remember. Are you perhaps a guest's child... Where are your parents? I don't know if they're thoughtful or thoughtless, leaving a young child like you alone in the main castle."

She seemed to be worried about me, so she probably wasn't a bad person, so I listened quietly, but Flora was starting to get bored.

'It seems she doesn't know I'm the Young Lady.'

While Flora was contemplating whether to reveal her identity, another voice came from behind.

"Elena, what are you doing here? Your training is already over... Oh my, Young Lady?"

A kind voice introduced itself on her behalf.

When Flora turned around, a maid she hadn't seen before was looking at the two of them with a surprised expression.

"Young Lady...? Could you be the Young Lady...?"

At Elena's trembling voice, Flora could finally straighten her shoulders and nod proudly.

'Was she perhaps scared?'

A commoner grabbing a noble's body without permission and speaking casually was certainly grounds for trouble.

Flora had no intention of getting angry at an innocent person and was about to put on the appearance of a merciful mistress, but she was startled by the expression on Elena's face.

'Why does she look angry?'

The warm concern that had been in Elena's eyes was gone.

She was glaring at Flora with cold, sunken eyes, as if she hated her.

Then, when her eyes met Flora's, she quickly averted her gaze.

"I apologize, Young Lady."

Even though she bowed her head and apologized immediately, it didn't feel sincere.

'Hmm. She must dislike me. Or does she dislike the Lucifers?'

She seemed fine on the surface, but the malice that had been in those blue eyes was definitely vicious hostility.

It was easy to tell that Elena disliked Flora or more precisely, the Young Lady Lucifer.

But who was Flora?

Right now, she monopolizes the affection of those around her with her cute and lovely appearance, but she was once a Great Demon who received humanity's resentment and anger.

'Well, I don't need to win over someone who dislikes me because of my status. As long as she doesn't cause me harm, I'll just leave her be.'

"Mm, it's okay."

"Then, I shall take my leave."

"Goodbye."

Flora, being magnanimous, let Elena go.

That left the other new maid, who had first acted familiar with Elena.

Since Daphne was nowhere to be seen, she had no choice.

Thinking that, Flora walked over to the maid she had coincidentally met.

"Have you seen Daphne?"

"Daphne? No, I haven't."

"I see."

Huh? Daphne isn't the type to do this.

Where could she have gone without even telling me?

While sighing internally, Flora asked brightly on the outside.

"I want to read a book. Where should I go?"

"Ah, you're bored! Then shall I bring some picture books to your room? I'll read them to you myself!"

"Mm, no. I want to choose and read them myself."

When Flora shook her head vigorously, her pink hair swayed from side to side.

"Truly, the delightful flower that can't be found in this castle, the radiant spring, and the cuteness that makes you want to bite...!"

Perhaps thinking Flora wouldn't understand, the maid muttered to herself and then subtly reached out her arms.

"There's a library in the castle, but it's a bit far. If it's alright, may I carry you there?"

Flora looked up at the maid with her large eyes.

The anticipation in her deep green eyes beneath calm, light green hair and her trembling lips were expressions all too familiar to her.

'She must think I'm cute.'

It was the same face the volunteers who visited the orphanage made whenever they found Flora adorable and didn't know what to do.

'Right, that other maid was the strange one. I'm this cute, so it's not easy for someone with no prior connection to hate me, right?'

It was an attitude brimming with confidence, even arrogance, but since it was actually true, Flora wasn't ashamed of thinking this way.

"What's your name?"

"Gasp, my name? I'm Monae!"

"Okay, Monae. You can carry me."

Flora hugged her without hesitation.

After being carried for a short while, it seemed they had hired quite a few new staff in the past few days, as she saw several servants she hadn't seen before in the corridors, moving in groups.

"So, so jealous."

"I want to carry her too."

"I wish she'd just look this way once."

"I wish she'd wave her hand. That tiny baby hand!"

Many of the servants wandering around muttered in excitement at the sight, but Flora just turned her head away, pretending not to notice.

'You didn't show up when I needed you, so I won't give you any attention today.'

It was her own merciless judgment, known to no one else.

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"Young Lady, this is the ducal estate's library!"

With Monae's excited voice, the place that unfolded before them was a well-maintained, splendid space, unlike the stark areas of the ducal estate.

The bookshelves made of warm-colored solid wood were neatly finished without a single splinter, as if well-oiled, and a rug warmer than the bookshelves was laid long across the floor, pleasing to the eye.

'Oh, the smell of wood.'

Forgetting her earlier discomfort in the comforting scent of books, Flora smiled sweetly.

"Gasp, you're so cute."

Watching Monae clutch her chest, Flora asked casually.

"Is there no one here?"

"Yes, there's no dedicated librarian. It seems we're short on staff to manage it... Ahem, ahem, they're on an extended vacation at the moment."

She tried hard to put on a bright smile, but unfortunately, her attempt to deceive Flora was clumsy.

'Are they letting their guard down because I look like a child?'

The glimpses of the ducal estate's financial situation were becoming familiar, starting to feel a bit pitiful.

While Monae turned her head, Flora narrowed her eyes slightly, but as soon as Monae looked back at her, she beamed a bright smile.

"So it's okay to make a little noise while walking around."

"Mm, then let's say goodbye now."

Her help was sufficient.

All that remained was to dismiss the guest.

"Pardon?"

An illusion as if lightning had struck behind Monae seemed to appear.

Flora quickly wriggled her feet, signaling she wanted to be put down.

"B-but, won't you need help? No matter what, I can't leave the Young Lady alone in such a large place!"

"No, I want to be alone."

"It's dangerous, absolutely not!"

"I won't do anything dangerous. I just want to read books."

"Even so, no!"

Monae was as stubborn as Flora was opinionated.

"Do you know how heavy and dangerous books are? If the Young Lady tries to take out a book and accidentally gets crushed by it...!"

As if imagining the worst-case scenario, Monae let out a silent scream.

'She worries a lot. Do I have no choice?'

Flora tapped her hand with her small fingers.

"Then find books for me instead. I just want to read those books! But I'll read them alone!"

"Being alone is not allowed!"

Even though Flora had conceded a step, Monae was persistent. Pouting, Flora wriggled her feet again, demanding to be put down.

The moment Monae set Flora down, she started running forward, pattering away.

"You'll fall like that!"

And as soon as Monae's words left her mouth, Flora's feet tangled and she began to pitch forward.

"Oh my, my heart."

Monae instantly grabbed Flora by the waist and lifted her up.

"See? It's dangerous."

"I was trying to run away because you kept refusing to leave! I need my alone time too!"

Monae blinked, wondering if she had heard wrong.

But the solemn expression on Flora's face didn't fade.

"If I go to my room, Daphne will come, and Dad will come too, so I'm not alone. But here, I'm alone! Reading books is just an excuse! Don't you get it yet?"

Flora utilized her trump card, the last resort: a child's tantrum.

And the effect was tremendous.

"I, I see. In that case, I should respect the Young Lady's opinion...?"

Monae quickly scanned the library and pulled out a few books.

"These are picture books. If you want to see more, you should look mainly at the lower shelves."

Then she winked, as if claiming she had created an alibi for her.

"Don't run, just walk around slowly. I'll be right outside this door, so if you need anything at any time, just call 'Monae' loudly."

Flora blinked her large eyes, then tilted her head and called her name.