This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 304

“Bang—!”

The Empress Consort flung the door open and let out a shriek.

“Gonalong! Fetch that woman at once—!”

The ladies-in-waiting scrambled and bowed deeply.

Salvatore, who had followed the Empress Consort inside, spoke with a cold expression.

“At this point, what difference does finding Lady Gonalong make?”

“She deceived me! She tricked me into believing that Anna Maria’s son died at the Astra Estate!”

The Crown Prince said nothing as he sank into his chair.

The Empress Consort ground her teeth and glared at him.

“How can you remain so calm? The first Crown Prince—whose maternal family is the House of Ishiron—has returned, and he saved His Majesty the Emperor from the Ancient Monster!”

“Does it look like I’m unmoved?” Salvatore replied.

“—!”

The Empress Consort recoiled, her body frozen. It was not the look one gives one’s own mother, but the gaze of someone beholding an insect—or a creature to be torn limb by limb.

At that moment, one of the ladies‐in-waiting darted in.

“Her Majesty the Emperor has summoned Your Majesty the Empress Consort!”

The Empress Consort’s face turned ashen. She bit at her nails with anxious hands.

If it were discovered that I murdered Anna Maria and spirited away the Crown Prince...

She called urgently to her son. “S-Salvatore, what are we to do...?”

“It would serve us well,” he replied.

“What?”

“...The timing is perfect. We might even turn the tables.”

“What do you mean...?”

The Empress Consort’s brow furrowed in confusion, but Salvatore let the corner of his mouth curl into a grin.

The Imperial Palace.

The Empress Consort had been summoned. I, Alexis, and the Empress Dowager stood near the Golden Throne, looking down at the Empress Consort kneeling before us.

The Emperor thundered.

“Is it true you bribed the Palace Guard to abduct my son?”

“Y-Your Majesty, how dare you utter such blasphemy! How could I—!”

“Bring them in!”

At the Emperor’s command, the doors swung open. Duke Ishiron entered, accompanied by three middle-aged ladies.

The Duke bowed.

“These are the ladies‐in-waiting who served Queen Anna Maria, Your Majesty.”

They wouldn’t suspect we were gathering their testimony under the pretext of rebuilding the Anna Maria Palace.

The ladies‐in-waiting glared at the Empress Consort, as though on the verge of tears.

Their testimony was as follows:

Since it’s the birthing chamber of a woman, no male physician could enter. Only James of the Imperial Clinic, who had treated her for years, could attend her.

Three ladies-in-waiting, the head lady, and the midwife entered together.

Late at night, one lady alerted them that the Empress Consort’s condition had worsened. Then orders came: “Inform His Majesty at once,” “Bring hot water,” “Fetch a healer”—and all outside the chamber were expelled.

When the others returned, they found blood everywhere. James, unable to save her, fled in panic, slaying those who tried to stop him.

Everyone who had entered the chamber died—save one lady-in-waiting, who had expelled those outside by the Empress Consort’s orders.

“That lady is—!”

They pointed at the one who had survived. The former head lady-in-waiting behind Empress Ocellia flinched.

“She is Françoise, head lady-in-waiting of the current Ocellia Palace.”

“We never could have imagined,” the three wept, “that Lady Françoise would survive, grievously injured as she was.”

“This... this is impossible! Françoise’s loyalty to Anna Maria was so pure—I kept her close for that—”

“Enough.”

The Emperor’s voice cut sharply as he collapsed onto the Golden Throne. Rubbing his forehead, he waved a hand.

“Alexis and Erilot, Ishiron, and the Empress Consort—everyone else may leave. Grandmother, you may leave as well.”

The court ladies discreetly backed away. Even Françoise, hands trembling, withdrew from the audience chamber.

As the Empress Dowager rose to follow, the Empress Consort cried out.

“You don’t believe such a thing, do you? Do you, Your Majesty—”

“Why aren’t you leaving, Salvatore?” the Emperor asked.

The Crown Prince stood his ground, hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m curious to hear your judgment.”

“Judgment? The evidence is overwhelming. Do you think we can’t find the assassins your mother hired?”

The Empress Consort turned deathly pale, trembling uncontrollably. Yet Salvatore’s expression was one of ease.

“Will you make it public?”

“...What?”

“Word is, Duke Ishiron—pardon, ‘Brother’—vanquished the Ancient Monster. But the people’s resentment is strong.”

“...”

“The outbreak of Crumatus and the plague began within these palace walls.”

The Emperor could not reply. Of course not—she’s entirely guilty.

Salvatore smiled faintly.

“Shall we announce that the Empress Consort abducted the First Crown Prince, and that His Majesty knew nothing of it?”

“You... you wretch!”

“Let us say the plague’s origin was the Dowager Empress. And that the distributor of Crumatus was not Your Majesty, but the Dowager Empress.”

“...”

“If you wish to leave a stain on decades of Imperial history, I will not stop you. But it seems unwise.”

That cunning serpent... As Emperor, he’d find that offer hard to refuse—after all, he loved the throne more than his own children. No wonder he never showed a shred of affection even for his sole heir, Salvatore.

The Empress Consort seized the moment.

“Yes, yes, Your Majesty! I shall comply! There is nothing I would not do for Your Majesty!”

“...”

“It’s all my fault! No—mine alone!”

Duke Ishiron’s face darkened. Anna Maria had been his daughter. He would not stand by as her death was covered up.

Wait—could that sly viper truly be...

Before he could speak, I cut in.

“Prince Alexis!”

He halted his hand. “The Prince has words for Your Majesty.”

I gestured at Alexis. Do it—tell him to cover for the Emperor!

Alexis, sensing my urgency, spoke slowly.

“Your Majesty, grant as you wish.”

“...”

“But the grudges run deep. You ask that no revenge be taken?”

The Emperor’s tone softened.

Alexis fell silent. I quickly added,

“How could there be no resentment? I know well how unhappy the Prince’s life has been.”

“...And yet?”

“Is it not better to value Your Majesty above all else...?”

I tugged Alexis’s sleeve discreetly. Agree—hurry!

“...Yes.”

The Emperor’s countenance changed as he looked at Alexis. Salvatore’s smile twisted.

Is this for real...? he muttered.

If Duke Ishiron or Alexis rebel now, they’d turn against the Emperor. Yet by his nature, the Emperor would accept Salvatore’s proposal. Then it would be best to bide our time.

Once Alexis gains the Emperor’s trust and ascends the throne...

He would deal with this pair—and my turn for vengeance would come.

Salvatore ground his teeth in anger. The Empress Consort glared at Alexis with deadly intent.

The Emperor spoke again.

“Alexis, I grant you the Robel Palace.”

Robel Palace—built for the Emperor’s beloved son Robel, two reigns ago? Duke Ishiron and I were stunned.

A symbol of favor akin to the Twin Dragons’ crest.

I seized Alexis’s hand tightly as the Emperor continued.

“I will proclaim your name to all the realm and bestow upon you every privilege a First Crown Prince may claim!”

Alexis, Duke Ishiron, and I knelt in unison.

“To the eternal glory of the House of Calsoye!”

“To the eternal glory of the House of Calsoye!”

Thus was inscribed the first chapter of Alexis’s tenure as Crown Prince.

Alexis and Duke Ishiron remained behind to speak with the Emperor, so I left the audience chamber alone.

They’re disposing of the Body of Despair outside. I must hurry—

Before I could reach the gate, someone yanked me into a side corridor, slamming me against the wall.

“Ugh!”

I groaned, staring at my assailant.

“What are you playing at, Empress Consort?”

“So you thought you could be clever—hiding Alexis, lying to Gonalong!”

Slap!

I shook off her hand and freed my wrist.

“Am I?”

“Yes?! Lady Gonalong hasn’t returned my calls, either. You told her to refuse any summons without an Imperial order—didn’t you?”

Every palace crystal display now showed Alexis’s proclamation as Crown Prince. Lady Gonalong rang me in terror:

[W-What shall I do? The Empress Consort knows everything. I’m a dead woman!]

“Feign ignorance.”

[Eh?]

“She can move no more. She’s completely fallen from the Emperor’s favor.”

[Then...?]

“I guarantee your safety.”

The Empress Consort hissed.

“Do you think I’ll let you go unpunished—!”

“Yes. If you threaten me further, I will scream.”

“What?”

“Are you sure that’s wise, after ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) all you’ve risked to save your neck?”

“You...!”

“If the Emperor learns it was you who caused this chaos, who will be truly endangered?”

“You...—!”

I thrust her shoulder sharply. She staggered, eyes wide.

“What... what is the meaning of this...?”

“Even if I threaten you, what can you do?”

“How dare you threaten the Empress Consort—”

“I remember everything.”

“What...?”

“How you cowered in the chamber while Alexis was hidden. How you sent countless assassins to kill that child.”

I stepped closer; she recoiled.

“Do you think the Emperor forgave you? That you survived?”

I advanced another step; she backed up further.

“You’ve not yet been deposed, but your torment is only beginning.”

“You... you—”

“I, Alexis, and Duke Ishiron—whose daughter you slew—will never forget this grievance!”

Cornered, the Empress Consort collapsed to her knees. I glared down at her.

“If you still possess the slimmest shred of reason, do nothing further.”

“...”

“Have mercy on yourself, at least.”

“...”

“Remember your utter helplessness—you cannot touch me now.”

The Empress Consort, mouth agape like a goldfish, could only stare. I turned and walked away. From behind me came her choked sobs.

I hurried down the corridor toward the palace gate.

I must see how they’re disposing of the Body of Despair.

This Body of Despair was not yet whole—grown unnaturally by Dalia’s power.

Perhaps...

My thoughts were interrupted by my communication stone ringing. It was Han Jihyeok. I showed my badge to the guard and connected.

“Yes—just outside the gate—”

[It’s terrible!]

“...What is it? What happened?”

[Dalia—!]

The guard flung open the massive palace gates.

“Waaah—!”

“Mother!”

“Mom—!” 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Across the enormous Body of Despair, an auroral light swirled. One by one, the humans fused within it were separating.

Dalia wiped the cold sweat from her brow, exhaling.

“Hey! Don’t hug so tight! They’re not fully reformed—they’ll break!”

The freed families stumbled back, then bowed repeatedly.

“Thank you, thank you so much...!”

“How can we ever repay you...?”

Dalia chuckled.

“Being able to save people—that’s gratitude enough.”

Magical transmitters hovered overhead, broadcasting the scene. It must be playing back across every crystal display.

Grimie stood nearby, smiling as he patted Dalia’s shoulder. I approached him with a frosty expression.

“What shall I say...? This Despair—truly cost-effective, don’t you think?”

Dalia flinched.

“How can you say that? They suffered so much!”

“It’s cost-effective. Created only to be felled by you, then used to showcase your wondrous talent even in death. Isn’t that right, uncle?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Erilot.”

Grimie laughed.

“But I’m glad this ‘mistake’ of Dalia’s could be redeemed so.”

“Don’t play dumb. You set this up so I’d finish the job, didn’t you?”

Grimie and I exchanged hollow laughter and sharp glances. Dalia alone blinked in confusion.

“Well, in any case, it’s a success.”

“...”

“Erilot is the Hero Who Vanquished Despair, and Dalia is the Saint Who Saved Its Victims.”

Grimie stroked Dalia’s head and shot me a sidelong look.

“A glory to the House of Astra.”

“...Truly.”

Should I turn everything upside down?

At that moment, a lady-in-waiting approached, the Empress Dowager’s emblem on her robes.

“My Lady, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager requests your presence regarding the Full-Moon Ritual.”

Ah. Both the Empress Dowager and the Empress Consort are still infected. They’ll need time to recover, and they intend to entrust the ritual to me.

But something was odd—Grimie’s expression had snapped briefly. Even I, master of subtleties since my first life, sensed it was suspicious.

Why?