This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 286

Grandfather’s study.

Having heard Viscount Debussy’s report, I furrowed my brow.

“Are the branch families acting suspiciously?”

“Yes. The informants Your Grace sent to each region have disappeared without a trace.”

“...It seems the branch families may have removed the informants to keep their plans secret.”

So they wouldn’t leak our duke’s affairs.

I nodded.

“But Grandfather—”

“Yes?”

“Why tell me this?”

“Because the regions where the informants vanished are close to the Daimond jurisdiction, so I’m ordering heightened vigilance.”

“I understand. And—?”

Grandfather let out a small laugh.

Viscount Debussy’s eyes softened as well. He looked to Grandfather and said,

“In any case, she truly is the brightest in the Astra line.”

Grandfather leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

“You and your father have done much for the Astra house.”

“Yes.”

“Those who produce results deserve reward. Should they start the succession on equal footing with those who constantly cause trouble?”

I smiled slightly.

“I will bring satisfactory results this time, too.”

“Good.”

That was the signal.

The signal that they had in mind my father, Daimond Astra, as heir.

‘I have done well so far.’

I’d stayed one step ahead.

I would be the first across the finish line.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Very well.”

After bowing, I exited the room.

No sooner had I stepped into the hallway than Dalia and Grimie, who had been waiting outside, greeted me.

“Erilot! I’m going to apologize to Grandfather! And I’ll tell him I’ll master everything you taught me to be a good granddaughter.”

Grimie smiled warmly at his daughter.

I returned his gaze icily and answered,

“Good idea.”

“You’re going to the banquet hall, right? Want to wait here? Let’s go together with Grandfather!”

“I have things to do before the banquet.”

“Hmm, then I’ll see you at the banquet!”

Cheerfully, Dalia linked arms with Grimie and reentered the room.

Just as the door was about to close,

I tapped my foot.

Ombre, hidden in my shadow, flickered into Dalia’s.

I headed at once to the clergy courtyard.

Balzac and Joshua, who were waiting for me, hurried over.

“What’s the situation?”

Balzac pressed me.

“You said the branch families are moving suspiciously. We need surveillance. Will you handle it, Brother Joshua?”

“Of course.”

“It seems only I know so far, but Grimie will learn soon enough... He has the Veil.”

The continent’s greatest and largest intelligence network, the Veil.

They might detect suspicious signals even today.

“We must discover the branch families’ schemes before Grimie does. If we catch their weakness....”

My eyes gleamed sharply.

“We can reclaim our autonomy.”

“The Daimond jurisdiction will seize the ducal seat.”

“Indeed.”

The deep sunset swallowed the forest.

A sudden gust set the woods moaning.

At that time.

In the Fuslhur region.

Branch nobles had gathered in Fuslhur Castle’s antechamber, bordering the Daimond jurisdiction.

The hardliners among the branches sat around a large table.

“The main family’s arrogance has crossed the line.”

“Reclaim our autonomy? Absurd!”

“The times are changing. Those who can’t adapt will perish. The main family’s decision will bring down the Astras.”

The man in the seat of honor slowly raised his head.

He was Viscount Ezlo, father of Florence Ezlo and head of a branch family.

“I cannot endure the main family’s tyranny any longer.”

Another branch noble clicked his tongue.

‘If not for this autonomy business, we wouldn’t even dare lift our heads. Well, lucky break.’

Because of this autonomy issue, the branch families had united once more.

Only then could they maintain their representative seat.

“How can we oppose the main family? All we can do is send a protest to the duke’s mansion.”

Other nobles groaned.

The one who spoke shrugged, raising both hands.

“If the duke uses force, we’ll be forced back to living off his meager stipends.”

“So we must prepare for the duke’s troops.”

“Prepare?”

Viscount Ezlo looked at Baron Fuslhur.

The baron said,

“Viscount Ezlo and I have stashed soldiers and weapons outside the manor for just such an occasion.”

“Y-you mean we’re raising an army?!”

“Not to attack the duke’s mansion. To brace ourselves for when he threatens us with sword and spear.”

“Then....”

Viscount Ezlo slammed the table.

“All branch family members shall swear allegiance with their retainers! As proof of our resolve, sign this pledge and stand against the duke!”

“...!!”

Baron Fuslhur smiled thinly.

“The succession decision is imminent. Even if we incur the duke’s wrath, allying with the new heir could secure our future.”

The other branch nobles swallowed dryly.

‘We’re not talking treason.’

‘If we lose autonomy, we have no future. The fear is of the duke’s forces.’

‘But if {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} we prepare our own troops, we have nothing to fear.’

‘If this succeeds....’

‘Yes, if this goes well...!’

They could outmaneuver the main family and share Astra’s power.

A branch noble asked,

“When the emergency order comes, the manor gates will close. If our troops are outside, we can’t bring them in.”

Viscount Ezlo nodded.

“We’ll disguise them as migrants to bring the soldiers in.”

“Excellent. Sign the pledge.”

Baron Fuslhur placed the pledge at the center of the table.

One by one, branch nobles rose and bit their fingers, stamping with blood.

“A declaration of resolve.”

“A declaration of resolve!”

The banquet was Dalia’s solo performance.

“So, may I visit the Mage Tower? Aunt Basile?”

“Oh dear. The Mage Tower is off-limits to outsiders. But you’re welcome to visit my jurisdiction when you have time; we have many tomes there.”

“Wow, how splendid!”

Aunt Basile gazed at Dalia’s delighted laughter with soft eyes.

She was glad to have found her niece at last.

Surprisingly, the other uncles and aunts were equally charmed.

“I admired Sister Selene so much!”

“Our Selene is admired by all.”

Aunt Bastina puffed up proudly at the praise for her daughter.

“Sister’s beauty must come from Aunt Bastina!”

“It’s only natural my child resembles me, isn’t it, dear?”

“Y-yes, of course....”

With clasped hands, Dalia said dreamily,

“A beautiful noblewoman and the saintly daughter—amazing! Father, was Mother as beautiful as Aunt Bastina?”

“She was indeed as beautiful as Bastina.”

“How I wish I could remember....”

Aunt Bastina, always treated as a libertine by her family, had never received such admiration.

Judging by her twitching lips, Dalia had won her over completely.

“If you have no mother to guide you into society...”

“I’ll work hard on my own. Father will help me....”

“Well, I can give advice. Visit my jurisdiction before your debut.”

“Really? May I? I’m so happy...!”

Not only they, but all the uncles were enraptured.

‘Now I see why Grimie went to such lengths to bring Dalia.’

The heroine’s buff was truly formidable.

‘It was sweet when I used it—so overpowered when others do.’

Liantin ground her teeth.

“Sister, you’ll wear your teeth down at this rate.”

At that, Liantin glared fiercely at Dalia.

“If it meant shutting her up, I’d grind down every tooth!”

Of course, Dalia did not stop talking.

It was the first banquet so raucous.

And the first so filled with laughter.

As I thought this, Dalia began glancing this way.

Precisely, at the seat beside me.

“Dalia?”

Grimie asked; Dalia, looking bashful, said,

“Ah... you’re so handsome....”

“Huh?”

“All the Astras are beautiful and handsome, but the brothers—”

Her uncles roared with laughter.

“The Astra beauty is famous. Which brother is the handsomest?”

At Uncle Gustave’s question, Dalia flustered.

“They’re all handsome! Fabio, Aaron, Adam—they’re all wonderful! But....”

Dalia hesitated.

“I think Brother Balzac, Brother Joshua, and Brother Milan are the very best....”

Milan gave a small laugh.

“Much obliged.”

Joshua and Balzac ate without comment.

Aunt Bastina spoke.

“You said you’ve forgotten how to ride.”

“Yes.”

“You’d best relearn quickly. There will be occasions when you must ride. Balzac is unparalleled. Would he teach you?”

Dalia almost leaped for joy.

“I’d be delighted!”

Grimie smiled gently and looked at Balzac.

“Balzac, will you help Dalia? I ask this of you.”

Balzac’s eyebrows twitched.

“Why should I—”

Under the table, Joshua tugged Balzac’s wrist, signaling restraint before Grandfather.

Balzac clicked his tongue.

“My duties keep me busy.”

Dalia looked to Grandfather.

“Does that mean you have many duties for me? It’s said riding is important and learning from the best is fastest... so...!”

Mid-sentence, Dalia’s eyebrows drooped.

“I’m afraid if I stay ‘outside’, I’ll disgrace the family....”

“....”

“Erilot knows etiquette well, and Brother Balzac rides expertly. Could I learn various things in the Daimond jurisdiction?”

“....”

“And Father is being summoned by His Majesty the Emperor to the capital... I feel closest to Erilot, born the same year. I think staying in the Daimond jurisdiction would suit me....”

Her uncles and aunts nodded in agreement.

“Yes, this is a good chance to grow closer.”

“Make it happen.”

‘Grow closer, my foot.’

They hoped we’d be too occupied helping Dalia to notice the autonomy plot.

Grandfather frowned.

‘This is serious.’

Grimie’s jurisdiction is already chaotic after the fire.

If we refuse, they’ll teach her at the main seat.

‘I can’t let the heroine-buffed Dalia stay in the duke’s mansion.’

Her buff would feed her hints from all directions.

Especially dangerous in the duke’s mansion, rich with information.

Above all, Grandfather could fall for her completely.

‘That’s exactly what Grimie wants.’

Sharp-eyed Joshua said,

“We siblings will help Dalia.”

Balzac and I whispered in unison,

“Damn it.”

“Blast.”

—And so.

“Wow, this is the Daimond jurisdiction!”

After the banquet, Dalia gasped in wonder upon arriving.

‘It’s more beautiful than in the books.’

The most likely ducal candidate, Daimond Astra.

The jurisdiction made beautiful for his children.

Roses bloomed everywhere, as if mirroring his daughter.

Linking her arm through mine, Dalia said,

“The mansion is so lovely, Erilot.”

“...Thanks for the compliment.”

My tone betrayed no gratitude.

‘Does she dislike me?’

After all, the novel painted her as someone who hates plans going awry.

‘But Erilot is the heroine. I should befriend her.’

Dalia laughed sweetly.

“Shall we stay up together? We could snack and chat until dawn. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“I have things to do.”

Dalia pouted, “Oh....”

‘Truly a difficult child.’

In the novel, she seemed lovely; in reality, she’s a nightmare to bond with.

From behind, Balzac called out,

“Why must you come fussing around starting today?!”

Wow, Balzac!

‘I really, really admire him.’

My heart raced recalling his commanding scenes on missions.

He seems rough, but caring—so appealing.

‘Even with all her thorns, he sees she’s good-hearted.’

“But His Majesty suddenly summoned Father, so I have nowhere else to go....”

“You have your own jurisdiction!”

“But he said he can’t leave it burned-out alone!”

Balzac growled “Damn it!” and strode into the mansion.

Dalia turned to Joshua.

“Well, Balzac is busy, so shall we have coffee—”

“Sorry. I’m busy too.”

Joshua smiled and looked at me.

“I need to discuss something.”

“Very well.”

Then the siblings simply left us.

‘Truly impossible.’

Yet I won’t give up, you expensive siblings.

Standing alone before the door, Dalia whispered with a giggle,

“You can count on Yu Se-eun.”

I had entered the novel.

A world without burdensome parents, with a real family who loves her.

Her Korean name was Yu Se-eun.

She was Yu Hye-min’s younger sister.