The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 47

Episode 47

Duke Bellasia, sitting across from him, smiled as he leisurely sipped the wine in front of him.

"He must have his reasons."

"It seems you haven't heard the rumors yet, having been holed up in your territory all this time?"

At the subsequent question from Duke Deshimo, Duke Hermannus frowned.

"Are you talking about the news that he found a daughter? Who would believe such nonsense? The child was stillborn. Nersha herself said so with her own mouth. I even confirmed the body myself."

Duke Hermannus was full of irritation at this absurd rumor and at Duke Lucifer's actions.

He was furious at the audacity of the man who had suddenly shown up at his territory, commanding him not to interfere, brazenly stating he wouldn't ask for cooperation in finding a daughter who was supposedly here.

"The nerve of him, not knowing his place."

Venting his complaints about Duke Lucifer did nothing to quell his anger.

"He must not be tired of staking his life on a hope that doesn't even exist. I would have given up long ago."

He was also displeased that, while his own territory was busy, Duke Lucifer's trip to the Imperial Capital forced him to move around as well.

Just as he was about to drink some wine to swallow his fury.

"It's true, I hear."

"What?"

At Duke Bellasia's sudden words, he had no choice but to stop all movement.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The story is that the Lucifer ducal daughter has really returned. Duke Lucifer found her."

At Duke Deshimo's explanation, Duke Hermannus shouted in disbelief.

"Don't lie to me! Just because I've been away from the capital for a long time, are you trying to deceive me?"

Despite Duke Hermannus's scolding, the two dukes showed no change in expression.

Realizing it wasn't a joke, Duke Hermannus let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Duke Deshimo, didn't we confirm the stillborn corpse!"

"That wench tricked us, slick as a whistle. Hiding behind her father's back."

Duke Deshimo gnashed his teeth and expressed his anger. While he tried to calm his rage by downing his wine in one go, Duke Bellasia spoke with a smile on his face.

"By the way, I hear that child was from an orphanage in your territory."

"What did you say?"

"They say she was quite close with your daughter too."

"What is the meaning of this?"

"If you're curious, ask your daughter yourself. That's not the important thing right now."

Duke Bellasia set down his wine glass and spoke again in a serious voice.

"First, we must eliminate the child of the oracle, must we not?"

"……That's right."

"He said that if we leave that child alive, it will hinder our future. So, we must first cleanly erase the cursed ducal daughter from this world."

Duke Deshimo crossed his legs and hardened his expression menacingly. He seemed very angry that a matter which required the three dukes to handle together had been proceeded with alone.

"Calm down. It was because moving quickly myself took precedence over sending letters and gathering opinions. He also advised me to do so. I too wanted to relay this news to you both as soon as possible."

"From the looks of it, Duke Lucifer's trip to the Imperial Capital must be part of your plan as well."

At Duke Hermannus's question, Duke Bellasia nodded.

It wasn't entirely wrong, as he was the one who had persuaded the Emperor, who was anxious about Duke Lucifer's threatening letter.

"I've planted an agent there. A maid, the closest attendant serving the ducal daughter. When the signal comes from her, we just need to cooperate and abduct the ducal daughter."

"Not kill her?"

"He said this time he wants to see her with his own eyes first before killing her."

Unlike Duke Hermannus, who looked dissatisfied, Duke Deshimo seemed to like this idea, baring his teeth in a smile.

"In other words, you're saying she just needs to be alive."

As his blood-like eyes shone sharply, Duke Bellasia smiled faintly.

"Yes, as long as she's alive, it doesn't matter. He didn't say anything particular about that either."

"Then it's settled. Let's send our people. They're the best for that kind of job."

As Duke Deshimo slapped his knee and laughed happily, Duke Hermannus immediately objected.

"Talk sense. We can't possibly entrust the job again to someone who failed. I'll take charge of this."

"Says the one who didn't even know she was in your own territory?"

The two dukes began to glare at each other as if they wanted to kill one another. It was Duke Bellasia who lightened the tense atmosphere.

"I didn't call us here to fight amongst ourselves. People have already been dispatched to Lucifer territory pursuant to His command."

"I see you plan to carry out the abduction as soon as that Lucifer fellow arrives in the capital."

Duke Hermannus nodded with a calm face, as if he had never been angry.

"It's all His arrangement."

"Then there's no helping it."

Duke Deshimo also accepted the plan without objection, though with regret.

"Then we must do our best to keep him occupied once Duke Lucifer arrives in the Imperial Capital."

"Just the thought of having to see that pathetic wretch is already suffocating."

Duke Hermannus sinisterly pulled up the corners of his mouth, and Duke Deshimo, seemingly feeling the same, clicked his tongue while thinking of the large man.

"Then let's prepare for some hardship for a while, gentlemen."

Saying so, Duke Bellasia raised his wine glass.

The other two dukes, who had just had their glasses refilled, also raised their wine glasses, and they clinked glasses with sinister smiles.

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It had already been two and a half weeks since Duke Lucifer and the Young Master had left.

Flora sometimes looked out the window with a forlorn face, but she didn't whine about missing her family.

Well, that was because there were so many things she could do while they were away.

"You want to climb a tree?"

"Yep! Oppa would definitely say it's too dangerous and never allow it. That's why I want to try climbing one when Oppa isn't here."

Flora pleaded earnestly, clasping her hands and making her eyes sparkle, but Elena never wiped away the gentle smile that had been on her face from the start.

"Then you must know what I'm going to say."

"Ang, no?"

"Yes, it's too dangerous. You can't."

Despite her earnest plea, the reply was a firm refusal.

"Your body, Young Lady, is small and delicate. So you must be even more careful."

"Hng."

'And I asked when Basilian wasn't around, too.'

In fact, she had already been refused yesterday. Having been rejected again today, Flora pouted her lips in disappointment.

"Making a duck face won't change the fact that what's not allowed is not allowed."

But Elena was formidable.

Unswayed even by Flora's cuteness, she unhesitatingly grabbed the pouting lips shaped like a beak and shook them gently.

'N-no one has ever done this to me except Teacher Lian!'

When Flora looked up at Elena with shocked eyes, the latter couldn't hold back a small laugh.

"By the way, aren't you playing with Basilian today?"

"Basi busy. Late."

"That's a shame."

"Yep."

She had promised Athanas not to skip her walks. So, even if she couldn't be with Basilian, Flora diligently went for her walk.

Holding tightly onto Elena's hand.

"But it's okay! I also really enjoy the time I spend with Elena!"

"……Really?"

"Yep, I like Elena."

"……How much?"

Flora, who had been about to tease her by being stingy with her words, saw the moisture gathering in Elena's eyes and immediately swallowed the tease.

"Lots."

Then she brought Elena's hand to her own cheek and smiled brightly.

"I like Elena lots and lots."

'Sigh, she looked particularly down today, so I'm being nice.'

She knew Elena didn't like her, but she acted on the impulsive thought that even so, an adult wouldn't push away a smiling child.

At the honest confession of a child, a smile bloomed on Elena's face.

But it wasn't a smile born of pure joy.

'Somehow, she seems resigned.'

Flora couldn't tear her eyes away and was staring when suddenly the hem of Elena's skirt came into her view.

'It's glowing? What is that?'

At that moment, Elena suddenly scooped Flora up into her arms.

"Elena?"

A flustered Flora called her name, her eyes wide.

Elena ran deep into the garden and set her down amidst a thick cluster of bushes.

"What are you doing?"

Unable to understand the action, Flora wondered if it was some kind of prank, but Elena's expression was unusual.

After setting Flora down, Elena remained silent for a long while, her head bowed.

Feeling something was wrong, Flora placed a hand on top of Elena's head, prompting her to finally look up.

"Why are you crying? What's wrong?"

"Young Lady……"

"Huh? Did someone hurt Elena?"

Seeing the fear mixed in her gaze, Flora asked about it, but Elena shook her head.