This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 252

A few days later.

I rode in a carriage with my retainers toward the shopping district.

When we arrived nearby, I looked out the window and my eyes widened.

“There are so many people.”

Heidi and Betty, sitting opposite me, answered excitedly.

“Well, it’s a special festival held only once a year.”

“Of course, everyone in the capital is looking forward to it, and many people have come from the provinces.”

Everyone seemed extremely eager.

The line of carriages trying to enter the shopping district stretched so long it was hard to tell where it ended.

“Do you think we can get in before nightfall at this rate?”

Jeanne, sitting next to me, smiled gently.

“On a day like this, shall we use our privileges a little?”

“Privileges?”

“Just a moment...”

Jeanne’s gentle hand touched my neck.

To be precise, she held up a torch-shaped badge proving she was a Wonhwa.

“Excuse me.”

Jeanne took the badge from my neck and held it out the window.

Not long after, someone passing by shouted.

“It’s a Wonhwa carriage! Make way!”

Huh?

Startled, I opened my eyes wide, and Jeanne chuckled softly.

“Because there are so many people, and since this is a festival for both nobles and commoners, the Imperial Guards are on duty.”

“I didn’t notice any guard reports.”

“That’s because they are provincial guards.”

Of course, former Imperial Guards!

I laughed, “Jeanne, you’re the best.”

Escorted by the guards, we entered the shopping district via the Imperial Guard’s route.

As we stepped down from the carriage, my retainers’ eyes grew wide.

“My goodness, it’s so splendid!”

“It’s the Blossom Festival. It’s the capital’s favorite festival!”

Since we were from Astra, it was our first time experiencing the Blossom Festival.

Everyone’s face was full of excitement.

Of course, mine too!

The empire’s flags decorated every corner, and clowns were juggling balls to promote shops.

“Everyone’s looking forward to the fireworks tonight, right?”

“Yes. We’re super excited too.”

The retainers wore very thrilled expressions.

I chuckled and said,

“Well then, dismissed.”

“Huh?” 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“We’ll come back after the fireworks, so meet at the military carriage station by 10 pm.”

“But the lady’s attendants...”

I had come here today to enjoy the festival with the capital’s young ladies.

“Han and Mari are enough. Ombre, Pin, and Pipi are here too.”

From my shadow, Ombre, Pin, and Pipi peeked their heads out.

“Th-then...”

“Shall we watch the festival without disturbing the lady?”

The retainers smiled happily.

“Alright, everyone, let’s go.”

“Th-thank you!”

“Thank you!”

The retainers, all excited, started scattering.

I looked at Jeanne.

“Jeanne, go enjoy yourself too.”

“I must stay with the lady.”

“Take this chance to get closer to the retainers.”

“Hm? We’re already very close.”

Jeanne looked genuinely innocent.

She really thought she was close to the retainers.

‘Even today, the maids were nervously biting their handkerchiefs when looking at Jeanne...’

Well, a bit of cluelessness is also one of Jeanne’s charms in situations like this.

“Get even closer. More.”

“But...”

“Today’s a day for the kids to play. Right, Mari?”

Mari smiled and nodded.

Jeanne sighed but soon gave Mari some warnings and then joined the retainers.

Then I went with Mari and Han Jihyeok to the salon in the shopping district.

Of course, it was the salon of Lady Paangte, the center of capital connections.

“Hello, Rumelisa.”

“Erilot!”

Rumelisa’s group, whom I was close with in the capital, greeted me.

The group around Lady Trang at another table also stood up.

“Wow, your dress is really pretty today.”

“Ah, Half-castle! Welcome.”

We exchanged greetings warmly.

Rumelisa was clearly excited for the festival.

“The Wonhwa members will come soon, along with other Wonhwa as well.”

“You mean the noble-born young ladies from the Wonhwa?”

“Yes. Ah, the young nobles went to watch the swordsmanship contest. Would you like to join?”

“I’ll stay with you all.”

“Hmm, how kindly you speak!”

We sat around and began catching up.

As we were chatting...

Bang!

“What is going on here!”

There was a commotion outside the salon’s fence.

Since the salon was outside, the sound wasn’t blocked.

‘That voice...’

I got up and approached the fence.

Other young ladies followed behind me.

“How dare you throw my luggage! How can you treat guests like this!”

“You’re not a guest when you can’t pay a single night’s lodging!”

“Y-you’re even speaking informally...!”

It was Bella’s voice.

‘Come to think of it, this is near the Tanshud inn.’

Bella and Blossom’s luggage was thrown carelessly on the ground.

Blossom screamed angrily.

“You’ll get away with treating us like this─”

“Ha, honestly. What can a penniless, non-noble woman do?”

Laughter broke out from the onlookers.

Bella and Blossom’s faces turned bright red.

Catherine Trang, who was beside me, spoke.

“I heard the Rochefain Count family caused a ruckus at the Tanshud inn.”

“Really?”

“Astra protested strongly, saying they dragged their family quarrels into Astra.”

“My grandfather was very angry.”

“Yes, and they even took away what little they had. Plus, they have to pay damages.”

At that moment, a group approached Blossom.

“Oh, how miserable.”

It was Finesa Courong and her group, former friends.

“F-Finesa... Please help. Those people!”

“Help? Me? What a joke.”

“W-we were friends, weren’t we?”

“Oh, we were. Since that happened, maybe I’ll be generous and let you work at our mansion.”

Finesa pushed Blossom roughly.

Blossom fell with a thud.

“Do you know what happened to me because of the lies you spread?!”

“Th-that’s...”

“My father was humiliated too!”

Herin, who bore a grudge against Blossom, chuckled.

“You’re so bold. How could you do such a thing?”

“......”

“The Rochefain family is furious, and the Astra Dukes are watching. You and your mother won’t find work in the capital.”

“......”

“Don’t even think about looking in the provinces.”

Herin stomped hard on the back of Blossom’s hand.

“We won’t let this go.”

“Ugh...”

“You should’ve lived well. You harassed people so much, you made your peers want to die. No one will help you now.”

Blossom said nothing and trembled.

Herin laughed at her.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yes. I came to see this, but I only wasted my eyes.”

The crowd laughed while Blossom shed tears.

‘She must have made a lot of enemies everywhere.’

“Erilot, shall we leave now?”

Lady Paangte asked.

At that moment, Blossom and her mother locked eyes with me.

Bella rushed to me in a panic.

“L-Lady, Lady. I’m sorry, please forgive me. I swear I won’t do that again. If you help us this time, I will be grateful forever. Bl-Blossom, what are you doing!”

At her mother’s words, Blossom also rushed at me.

The mother and daughter clung to the salon fence, sobbing.

“P-please help. Lady, please...!”

“We beg you like this, Lady... Lady...!!”

I stared at them.

“Begging is for those who still have chances left.”

“Eh? Ah, yes, Lady, please say...!”

“I mean those who have chances remaining.”

“......!”

I bent slightly and whispered to Bella.

“All the abuse you did to Beltree, all the lies after death using that name, everything you lied to me.”

“......”

“You will pay for it with your lives.”

I got up lightly, smiling.

“Well then, shall we go inside?”

“Alright.”

“I brought some good tea leaves. I want everyone to taste them...”

And so, that mother and daughter disappeared from the capital.

But not long after, I would hear that name again.

Working as a fifth-rate retainer for some noble family.

Mari was standing apart from the other retainers, watching me.

Then a retainer from another family approached.

“Are you Mari?”

“Yes, do you have business?”

“Someone outside was looking for you. Judging by the urgency, I guess it’s about your mansion.”

‘If it were about the mansion, they would have contacted by communication magic, so why?’

Maybe the maids who went to the shopping district were looking for her.

“Thank you for telling me.”

Mari headed to the place the retainer mentioned.

The child who had arrived asked.

“Have you found her? What is the matter... Masa?”

Masa, wrapped in a cloak, was waiting.

Mari asked with a stiff face.

“What’s going on here?”

“W-well...”

“Do you have any sense? Calling me out on personal errands while I’m on duty?”

“That’s because my sister didn’t read the letter...!”

“Enough, talk later.”

As Mari coldly turned away.

“Maybe we aren’t really Daymond Astra’s daughters!”

Mari’s steps stopped abruptly.

“What?”

“Ah, it’s strange. The lady treats us way too well. Didn’t you find it strange too?”

“......You’re crazy.”

“Blossom demanded a second verification, right? She wanted my hair.”

Mari sighed deeply.

“Do you believe those rumors? There is no second verification.”

“Th-then why did Blossom cut my hair?”

Masa grabbed Mari, shouting.

“This is strange! Suddenly taking only you to the mansion too! When I started getting favor from the Wonhwa, support was cut!”

“You really...”

“Maybe they didn’t want a stepsister to gain power.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Can’t you just help me do the bloodline test? She’s at that mansion, so the count will─”

“They’ll think you’re crazy. With what happened before, would they believe a daughter with no blessing? Wake up.”

“Does having blessings allow the test?”

Mari gave a bitter laugh.

“Get a grip.”

With that, Mari turned away coldly.

Masa stood silently, murmuring.

“Blessings...”

─

Night fell.

The fireworks would soon begin.

The young ladies rose with expectant faces.

“Let’s go to the tower. That’s the best view!”

“You go first. I’ll follow.”

“Okay!”

After sending the young ladies ahead, I approached Mari.

“How are you feeling?”

“Do you think I’m some fragile glass doll?”

“Then why have you looked so grim all afternoon?”

“Masa came and said nonsense again.”

“Masa?”

Mari sighed and explained the afternoon’s events.

That Masa was delusional, thinking she might be our father’s daughter because of Blossom and her mother.

Mari scoffed, but I stiffened.

“She’s not Father’s daughter, but she could be Grimier’s daughter.”

Of course, I was 99% sure Mari was the real daughter.

After all, the last time the bloodline test was done was on Mari’s body.

“But there’s still a 1% chance left.”

Grimier and Father are brothers.

So if we do a blood test with Father, it will show they’re related because their magic quality is similar.

“If Grimier finds out, it’ll be a disaster.”

I immediately looked at Han Jihyeok.

“Find Masa’s location.”

Jihyeok quickly raised a communication stone and contacted the person watching Masa.

“Sorry. We lost her in the crowd at the shopping district!”

Our faces hardened instantly.

“Send people out quickly to find Masa!”

“Got it.”

Jihyeok went to summon reinforcements, and I dashed out of the salon.

Mari followed.

“What’s going on? Why?”

“......”

“Erilot.”

I didn’t answer until we reached an alley, then Mari stopped suddenly.

“What haven’t you told me?”

“......Nothing. I’m just worried─”

“Lies.”

Mari stepped forward quickly.

“Your eyebrows rise when you lie.”

“......”

“I know all those little things about you.”

“......”

“We’re friends.”

I looked steadily into Mari’s eyes.

They were unwavering and honest.

“Ombre, swallow us.”

I called out, and shadows grew, engulfing us.

No sound could escape.

“Mari.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m living my third life.”

“What?”

“First was Astra’s outcast, second was Yuhye-min from another world. I carry all those memories to become who I am now.”

“......!”

“I lived painfully all my life before, and it was all because of my uncle Grimier.”

“......My goodness.”

“You or Masa might be Grimier’s daughter. And I...”

I grabbed Mari’s hand tightly.

“I’m almost certain you’re Grimier’s daughter.”

“......!!”

“Can you believe that?”

I felt Mari’s trembling hand.

Only Mari’s shaky breath echoed inside Ombre.

After a long silence, she said.

“I believe.”

─

For some reason, my heart tightened.

“Thank you. And Mari, the reason I’m not taking you to Grimier is─”

“I won’t go.”

“Huh?”

“Mom said before she died to run away far away with Masa.”

“What?”

“Our mother gave birth and was locked up. She barely escaped with someone’s help. She was also pregnant... huh?”

Mari flinched and gripped my hand.

“Beltree. Yes, Beltree!”

“What?”

“When I was very little, that benefactor came to our house. Mom called her that... Beltree─!!”

I held Mari and asked.

“What exactly did Lady Beltree do when she came to your mother’s house?”

“I don’t know the details. She just rolled up my sleeve and said something...”

“What did she say?”

“Ah, yes! I think she said, ‘It’s not broken yet!’”

Not broken yet?

‘Could it be...?’

I stopped and carefully examined Mari’s crown.

“Ugh, what are you doing?”

“Great Heavenly Gate. Yours is closed, right? Closed, but you have no blessing. Even though you’re his daughter.”

I quickly rolled up Mari’s sleeve.

“What are you doing!?”

“Maybe your blessing was sealed like mine.”

“Sealed?”

Why would Grimier seal even his daughter’s blessing?

He released Dahlia’s.

“If I release it, I’ll know.”

And I know how to release the seal.

“Mari.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll return your power.”

“How...?”

I immediately activated my blessing strongly.

[Little Captain of the Knights]

[Episode 33, 34, 35─49─51─]

[Check comments]

[Next episode...]

The screen before my eyes flickered rapidly.

“Faster. Stronger.”

Until I couldn’t handle it anymore─!!

Then, with a cracking sound, a tremendous light enveloped the inside of Ombre.

[Such a fearless one.]

It was Seilon’s voice.

My guardian star, sensing my danger, revealed itself.

“Please. Restore Mari’s blessing.”

[Because it was /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ sealed for so long, she lost her guardian star.]

“You can do it, right? This is very important to me. Maybe her weak body is because her blessing was sealed too long!”

Mari seemed embarrassed by my shouting into the empty air.

“Erilot?”

Seilon sighed.

[Still as stubborn as ever.]

“Huh?”

Seilon approached us.

He placed his hand on mine, which held Mari’s wrist.

A blue light spread...

“Ah, ugh!”

Mari twisted her body violently.

Her eyes widened and a bright blue light poured from her pupils.

Then...

Bang!!

Just like when the Great Heavenly Gate opened, the heavens and earth trembled loudly.

The light emanating from Mari surrounded me.

“Huh?”

Seilon spoke softly.

[Humans now and humans before commit the same sins.]

“What?”

[Those who trespass in the divine realm must pay the price. Humans now don’t understand this.]

Seilon smiled sadly at me.

My strength drained, my soul felt like it was floating.

My vision narrowed.

‘Going to the Celestial Realm again...’

Thinking so, I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw...

[You run and then fall down!]

[My daughter, walk slowly.]

[Oh no, she’s distracted by snacks again...!]

Young men were chasing after a child.

Sure enough, the child fell with a thud.

[My daughter!]

The young men were startled and caught the child.

But the child raised her head proudly without a care.

And the child they chased was...

“Jaehu ong buttda. (That’s bad luck coming.)”

[Who taught her such a thing again?]

[Who else could it be?]

[That bastard Seilon...]

─She looked so much like my younger self.