The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 41

Episode 41

"It's fine. I intend to forgive her, no matter what wrong she commits."

Athanas tried to persuade him several times for Flora's sake, but he couldn't press further when Basilian spoke like this.

"In that case, please grant me permission to tell my son and aide."

"Fine, I permit those two. But make sure to tell them to treat me as a mercenary in front of others. Especially in front of Flora, even more so."

"Thank you. Ah, then... I must somehow proceed with the mercenary business as soon as possible, even a day earlier. That way, I can serve Your Highness by my side without arousing suspicion."

"Flora is remarkably clever for her age. I'll be looking forward to a good idea."

The business concept Flora conceived would further strengthen the bond between Lucifer and Basilian.

In many ways, the mercenary business had become a precious venture that must be realized somehow.

"Please don't worry. I will somehow make it succeed."

Smiles spread across both their faces.

Thus began the union of the Ducal House of Lucifer, turned its back on by the world, and the abandoned Crown Prince.

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The guild establishment permit application written in Athanas's own handwriting was sent to the Imperial Family.

The distance between Lucifer Castle in the north and the Philinwood Imperial Palace was great, so the correspondence took two weeks, excluding the review period.

A month passed like that, and finally, the long-awaited letter from the Imperial Family arrived.

'Even with such a long time, they must have granted permission.'

Flora, sitting on Athanas's lap, opened the Imperial letter with a pounding heart, having received everyone's permission smoothly.

But the result written on it stole her expectations.

Rejected.

A brief, starkly simple answer was written on the letter paper without any additional explanation. It was insulting to the point of being unbelievable as a reply to a Ducal House.

Unable to contain her frustration, Flora was about to crumple the letter paper when Athanas hurriedly picked her up.

He had already anticipated such a response and was calm. Instead, he began a fatherly education to prevent any potential issues.

"If you damage a letter from the Imperial Family, it's the crime of disrespect, and you'll be taken away. So... scary people will scold Flora very harshly."

Athanas explained it simply so Flora could understand, but it didn't reach her ears, already filled with anger.

Flora, unable to hide her rage, kicked vigorously at the air, but her fierce resistance had little effect.

Because to all watching, she looked like a rabbit flailing its short, small legs in the air.

'Rabbit Young Lady...'

Elena, lost in an unbidden thought, lightly slapped her own cheek to snap out of it.

Flora puffed her cheeks full of air and glared at the letter paper with resentful eyes.

"I really hate the Imperial Family!"

She shouted out of frustration, but the response she got was even more frustrating.

"Saying such things is also the crime of disrespect."

The response, like fanning a fire, made her choke with indignation and feel wronged.

'Am I doing this just for myself? Is that it?'

No matter how much he expected it, why didn't he show even a hint of being upset?

Was it because of his familiar, resigned face?

It was hard to describe, but her chest felt stuffy, as if something was stuck in her throat.

"I hate it so, so much!"

When Flora couldn't hold back and shouted, Athanas called her name in a low voice.

"Flora."

The calm, monotone voice felt very firm.

When Athanas detached Flora from his embrace and set her down on the floor, she immediately closed her mouth firmly, expecting a scolding to pour down.

But it was too late to avoid the scolding bombardment.

"You must not insult the Imperial Family. We have sworn loyalty to the Imperial Family and will continue to do so. As a member of the Empire, insulting your master is something you must not do."

Although people usually curse the king behind his back, Athanas was unnecessarily honest and, moreover, overly rigid.

Under his firm gaze that would not tolerate any further tantrums, Flora swallowed her sorrow and bowed her head.

'...Did I make him lose heart?'

Athanas's heart ached as if tearing apart at the sight of his daughter's slumped shoulders, but he couldn't hug her immediately.

No matter how adorable Flora was, Athanas was a parent who had to strictly teach her right from wrong.

The more Athanas continued his admonishment with a regretful look, the more Basilian felt awkward.

Knowing it was for his sake made it even more so.

'I hope she doesn't get depressed over this.'

He knew that a Lucifer child raised outside needed even more thorough education, but seeing Flora so subdued, unlike her usual self, was not pleasant at all.

Soon, Flora's shoulders began to tremble slightly.

'Is she going to cry?'

She was a bold child, but Flora was still just a 4-year-old kid.

'But I can't make a child cry.'

Basilian was about to signal Athanas to stop, thinking this was enough.

'...And crying doesn't suit her anyway.'

He didn't want to see Flora cry, so he approached to comfort her.

But he couldn't bring himself to console her.

That's because only when he got close did he realize that Flora, unable to contain her rising anger, was gritting her teeth tightly and swallowing her rage, trembling.

'...She's not disheartened at all.'

While Basilian was flustered and unsure what to do at the sight beyond his imagination.

Similarly, Athanas, who had also mistaken Flora for crying, began to visibly panic.

Having lived only with his stubborn son Benio, who never shed a tear even after sharp scoldings, he wasn't used to this kind of reaction.

"Your Grace, if you stop now, the Young Lady has surely understood enough."

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Elena hurriedly approached the two.

"Young Lady, you won't do this again from now on, right?"

When Flora nodded sullenly with her head still bowed, Elena visibly relaxed.

"Good, as long as you understand."

And Athanas was equally relieved.

His heart ached at Flora's still-bowed, listless appearance, but his comfort would be largely useless in this situation.

"Then I entrust Flora to you."

He was about to leave the room after entrusting Flora to Elena.

As he turned and moved to leave with Isaac, Flora, startled, lifted her head and unconsciously watched his back with moist eyes.

'If he leaves like this, I won't see him for a while. I absolutely won't!'

They say a parent who only scolds when a child does wrong is not a good parent.

'Mrs. Finny said that. If I did wrong, she should point out the mistake, explain why it shouldn't be done, and finally comfort my frightened heart and hold me with love.'

If he just scolds and disappears, I'll resent him for over a week.

'Don't go, don't go, don't go.'

She shouted fervently inside, but contrary to Flora's wish, Athanas left the room.

Flora froze in place with a shocked expression.

She hadn't thought Athanas would really leave her like that.

'When he brought me here, he acted like he'd do anything for me!'

I'm trying to revitalize this poor household, and he's this uncooperative over something like this? It's a disappointing attitude.

She had forgotten that the Lucifers were a duplicitous bunch, people who engaged in lies. It was her own fault.

'Fine, I don't care either. Let this wretched territory suffer in poverty.'

If it gets tough, I can just run away, so I have no attachments.

Flora firmly closed her mouth and turned her head, but suddenly the closed door swung wide open.

"Flora!"

Athanas, who had left so coldly, had turned his steps and re-entered the room.

Before Flora could even react, Athanas pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry. You must be upset, and I only scolded you."

"...Waaah."

It was clearly a pathetic apology to receive forgiveness from the very angry Flora. But at Athanas's "I'm sorry," the anger that had risen strangely to the tips of her hair, as if filled with great force, cooled down immediately.

"This is the Imperial Family's choice, as they do not wish for Lucifer to have private soldiers. But choices can always change. If the Imperial Family doesn't change its mind, then this father will achieve it by any means necessary."

Athanas covered Flora's cheeks with his thick, scarred hands.

"So please don't cry."

Her chest kept fluttering at the warm heat.

"I'm not crying."

An unwanted, stuffy-nosed sound came out, which she didn't like.

Athanas smiled slightly and gently stroked her head.

What is it about these rough hands that makes my heart melt like this?

'Oh well. I'll forgive him just this once.'

Flora stuck out her tongue and then jumped into Athanas's arms.

"Dad, you're a fool."

As Flora hung onto his clothes like a cicada, Athanas supported and held her so she could be comfortable.

"Yes, I'm a fool."

Really, what is this? My mood improved in an instant.

'I shouldn't forgive him so easily like this.'

If I keep showing this weak side, Flora's heart will surely weaken too.

'Right, this won't do.'

I mustn't forget that this big bear is a Lucifer.

'I was too influenced by the orphanage.'

This unnecessary surge of sentiment is not what I need.