This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 259

“What’s going on?”

“I will check immediately.”

The emperor glared fiercely at Queen Osellia.

“Neither mother nor child has a single likable trait.”

“Your Majesty...!”

The queen flinched and looked at the emperor.

The emperor frowned and slammed down his napkin with a sharp sound.

“Let’s end the meal here.”

As the emperor left, the servants hurriedly bowed their heads.

The queen left behind flushed deeply red.

Seeing her, the empress dowager quietly wiped her mouth and murmured,

“She’s too greedy.”

“It’s upsetting.”

“Upsetting what?”

“How can you speak so lightly without knowing the full story?”

The empress dowager glanced at the ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) queen, who bit her lips tightly.

“Do you think I don’t know you overreached to match Salvatore with that child?”

“...!”

“Why did you meet with Generals Arcal and Vicen?”

“Are you investigating me?”

“No need for investigation. Even old men have sources who bring them rumors.”

Queen Osellia clenched her skirt tightly.

The empress dowager stood and stared at her.

“If His Majesty finds out you interfered with the imperial army, what do you think will happen?”

“...Will you tell him?”

“For now, rest. I will take charge of the inner palace affairs.”

“Mother...!”

The empress dowager looked at the queen with a cold expression.

“I will keep the empress’s seal until you can properly tell heaven from earth.”

With that, the empress dowager also left.

Queen Osellia threw down the dishes irritably.

Salvatore, sitting beside her, clicked his tongue.

“This looks ridiculous.”

“You too, criticize your mother! I did it all for you...!”

“You had your precious seal taken from grandmother after being barely saved from the empress’s palace.”

“Salvatore—!”

“If you truly care for me, it’s best you do nothing from now on.”

Queen Osellia bit her lip hard.

It was the worst humiliation.

A few days later, empress dowager’s palace.

The moment I entered the reception room, the empress dowager rose.

“So, my child has come.”

“Your Majesty, it is an honor.”

“There’s no need for such formalities between us. Sit down. The palace chefs prepared delicacies for you.”

Honey seemed to drip from the empress dowager’s eyes.

She was so warm to me that even the palace maids’ eyes widened.

Well, the maids treated me very well too.

“Try the pomegranate juice, Wonhwa.”

“The juice is made one by one from this year’s best pomegranates...!”

“How about some lemon pie?”

“I heard you liked the chocolate from Rensi Bakery, so the head maid personally bought some...!”

The maids surrounded me, fussing over me.

Their eyes shot out beams of affection.

‘Ugh, it’s a bit much.’

I awkwardly smiled and took the plate of lemon pie the head maid gave me.

“The snacks in the empress dowager’s palace are always delicious. I was really looking forward to today!”

“Oh, I’m glad.”

The head maid chuckled softly.

The maids smiled and said,

“Even with their heavy workload, the head maid personally took care of the chocolates and lemon pie.”

“Heavy workload?”

“The empress dowager now holds the empress’s seal, so everyone in the palace is extremely busy.”

Though busy to death, the maids laughed cheerfully.

‘Ah, so that’s a polite way of saying the empress dowager’s palace’s influence has greatly grown.’

Come to think of it, the maids from Queen Osellia’s palace have been glum for days.

Originally, Queen Osellia had been taking over the empress’s duties while she was ill, and was very arrogant.

‘Good for me.’

It’s less troublesome when the empress dowager gains power over the queen.

I smiled brightly.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

“It’s all thanks to you, child. It was easier because I was tipped off about Queen Osellia’s meetings with Generals Arcal and Vicen.”

I smirked inwardly.

Yes.

I told the empress dowager everything about Queen Osellia conspiring with the imperial army.

“I might be a bit upset, but I worry about the queen...”

“The queen?”

“Yes. Imagine how angry the emperor would be if he found out.”

In other words, it meant to exploit the queen’s contact with the army as a weakness.

As expected, the empress dowager treated me very well.

“But listen, child.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The White Knights have been giving the queen cold looks. What’s going on?”

“Well... I think it’s because of me...”

I mumbled sadly.

“If I get kicked out of Wonhwa, I won’t have a chance to greet the White Knights I admire.”

“That would be so.”

“So, I prepared letters and small gifts for them.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I told them, ‘Though we may not meet again, always shine where you are.’”

“So they must have asked what happened.”

“Yes. They seemed to sense the queen stirred up the generals.”

The empress dowager laughed heartily.

So joyfully that she forgot her dignity and even tapped the arms of her chair.

The maids giggled too.

The head maid said,

“That’s great. Queen Osellia boasted she was the only mother of the crown prince.”

“She doesn’t hold back, does she?”

The empress dowager pretended to scold the head maid but wore a pleased smile.

She lightly stroked my cheek.

“How can I repay you for always bringing joy to the main palace?”

“How about a reward?”

I jumped slightly and rubbed the empress dowager’s hand lightly.

“Your joy is my joy. I’m on your side!”

When Lagon flew over the skies on the empress dowager’s birthday.

When I helped take the empress’s seal.

I truly acted like the empress dowager was the best in the world.

Even if it meant earning hatred from the emperor and queen.

‘Of course, the emperor is the one who destroyed Astra, and the queen helped him.’

I did it with resentment, wishing them to suffer.

But from the empress dowager’s perspective, I must have been adorable.

The empress dowager reached out her hand.

I quickly took it and stood, and she led me to the window.

I could see the entire Zodiac at a glance.

“Child.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“When I entered the palace as the consort to the late emperor, I imagined taking this country into my hands.”

“...Yes?”

I was startled.

‘The emperor is right there, and she says that?’

The empress dowager smiled gently and hugged my shoulder.

“If the day comes when my dream comes true—”

“...Yes.”

“No one but you will ever take my place.”

“...!!”

The maids all kneeled at once.

The empress dowager said,

“I promise you.”

“...”

“When the new dark emperor is born, you will share all glory and authority with me.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I will reward your loyalty.”

I hurriedly knelt.

The empress dowager pulled my hand again with a satisfied face.

Her eyes shimmered with longing as she lightly kissed my fingertips.

“To the greatest Kalsoi, a thousand years of glory.”

This was a greeting reserved only for the emperor.

The maids followed and bowed.

“To the greatest Kalsoi, a thousand years of glory.”

“A thousand years of glory.”

I bowed my head and smiled darkly.

‘Finally, the empress dowager is in my hands.’

My best card against the emperor!

Now all that’s left is to dethrone the emperor and have Alexis ascend with her help.

“Thank you, Osellia.”

Thanks to your foolish schemes that cost you the empress’s seal.

The Western Army audit ended in a week.

Of course, the conclusion was no charges.

Generals Arcal and Vicen came bearing the verdict that I was innocent.

I glanced at them as I packed my things in the office.

General Arcal cleared his throat.

“Since it’s come to this, return to your duties.”

“Why?”

“Because the charge was cleared!”

“What does clearing charges have to do with packing?”

The two looked embarrassed and stammered.

“You mean you’re resigning even though you were cleared?!”

“Yes!”

General Vicen shouted angrily.

“After all that fuss, everyone must realize you were innocent!”

“Do generals resign to save face?”

“What?”

“I just realized. No matter how hard I work for the imperial army, all I get is disgrace.”

I tossed my watch into the box last.

Then told the Astra servant,

“Pack up. Let’s go.”

“Yes, miss!”

The servant grinned, holding the box tightly.

Just as I was about to leave the desk,

“Wait, wait!”

General Vicen blocked me.

“All Western Army personnel have submitted their resignations! If you leave now, they’ll all be punished!”

“And?”

“I’m the mother of those boy soldiers! Would a mother abandon her children?!”

“I thought the position was honorary even the queen said so? That’s why I’m giving up the honor.”

“Such a reckless person!”

General Vicen shouted fiercely.

His expression was arrogant.

‘Does he think I’ll quit because his pride is hurt?’

But I chuckled.

‘How ridiculous.’

“Yes, I have little responsibility.”

Then the two generals looked shocked again.

“Does your father know you were raised so irresponsibly?”

“Oh, dragging parents into this?”

‘No one remains unmoved when told, “Your parents raised you like that.”’

I smiled.

“Generals, think about this.”

“What?”

“What...”

“I am the daughter of the Astra Dukedom, ranked first among the third generation.”

“...!”

“...!”

“You know Astra distributes wealth according to rank. So I’m already sitting on a fortune.”

The two generals swallowed hard.

“Also, my father is Daimond Astra, the first in line for succession and a faction leader.”

The two generals turned pale green.

“Moreover, I’m engaged to the third son of the Ishiron Dukedom. The eldest was kicked out, and the second begged not to inherit the family.”

The two generals flinched.

“With all the money, power, and status I already have, why should I have responsibility too?”

“Ah, but still...”

“Are you threatening me?”

I gasped and lightly covered my lips.

“Do you really think I’d threaten so halfheartedly?”

“What?”

“If I were to threaten you...”

I stepped close to General Vicen and said,

“Once I leave this door, I am no longer part of the imperial army or your subordinate.”

“You—!”

“I’m thinking of going to grandfather to cry about you, mentioning General Vicen’s name.”

“...!!”

“Going to father-in-law would be nice too. He adores me.”

“You, you... If you think you’ll get away with threatening like this...!”

“Oh! Not likely. I’m still a child and can’t control blessings well. The dragon might be moved by my anger and show up over the Vicen estate.”

General Vicen’s face went pale instantly.

“This is how you threaten. Isn’t it?”

“Wonhwa...”

“Still blocking my way?”

I blinked wide-eyed and said, and General Vicen took a step back.

I smiled and headed for the door again.

Just as I reached for the handle, I looked back at the two trembling men.

“By the way, a message from the Ishiron Duke. General Vicen, pay your debts.”

“What?!”

“There’s more. ‘I respect your confidence in oppressing my bride while owing my family a debt.’”

General Vicen staggered, clutching the table.

I glanced at General Arcal, who jumped up.

“I’ve never oppressed her as much as you!”

“That may be, but the empress dowager also sent me a message.”

“The empress dowager?”

“Yes. ‘I’m watching you.’”

“Wh-what does that mean...?”

At that moment, a sharp knock sounded.

The door opened to reveal the empress dowager’s maids bowing.

“We have come by order of the empress dowager to escort you safely.”

“That’s fine... You’ve come at a busy time and are an inconvenience.”

“The empress dowager says caring for you is her joy. Let’s go quickly.”

The maids smiled widely and fussed over me.

General Arcal hurried over.

“I never doubted the Wonhwa’s good intentions. I was just threatened by General Vicen...!”

“That won’t do.”

“Please accompany her by carriage and allow us to discuss details. Ah, no, please, young lady.”

“Hmm, what to do.”

“Please, I beg you.”

“Very well, just a moment...”

General Arcal’s face brightened.

General Vicen looked dejectedly at me.

I heard all sorts of things from General Arcal.

Imperial army power struggles.

General Vicen’s eagerness to become the new commander before the retirement of the current one.

General Arcal begged me desperately.

“Please talk to the elders kindly.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you, young lady!”

“But what about the Western Army?”

“The Western Army... Ah, of course! We’ll do our best to cover this up.”

Yes, yes.

I need to plant my people in the imperial army for the future.

The Western Army is perfect for that since it has received much help from me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell father-in-law and grandfather that General Arcal isn’t involved—”

Then,

“That sharp tongue is still the best.”

A nasty voice sounded.

“Greetings, prince. What brings you here?”

“I will cover everything up.”

What nonsense is this?

“Was there something to cover up?”

“Now you may not fear anything, but a different emperor will appear in the future who won’t overlook you.”

He meant if he ascends the throne, he won’t leave me alone.

“So?”

“Change your attitude even now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Break off the engagement and become my princess consort.”

...What did she eat wrong?