This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 306

I tried to remain as calm as possible and turned my head.

My heart was leaping like the fast-paced jajinmori drum.

Masa... it’s definitely Masa.

That expression, that voice, that tone.

Everything was Masa.

She’s smiling as if she’s actually talking with Dalia.

But Dalia’s voice couldn’t be heard.

That meant...

They must be communicating by thoughts, like the Guardian Stars.

“Miss Erilot...”

Hanjihyuk hurriedly added a title as he spoke.

“What is it?”

He was lighting incense in the censer, asking if I’d seen something.

“It’s an unexpected figure.”

I meant that I’d seen something out of the ordinary.

Hanjihyuk flinched, glanced around, and leaned to whisper to me.

“Are you talking about that?”

Dalia butted in with a sulky face.

“Do you think it’s strange that I’m here? Why? Do you think I’m broke?”

......

“Why do you assume I was talking about you?”

“You were mocking me...”

“I wasn’t mocking you. I don’t know why you think that, but if I was startled, it’s far more likely to have been Lady Revia.”

I couldn’t say Masa, so I used an excuse, and Dalia twitched.

“...Hera? Why Hera?”

I didn’t answer, only inclined my head to Hera.

“It’s a surprise to see you here.”

“Long time no see, special little kitten.”

“Little kitte...!” Dalia’s cheeks puffed out in indignation.

Hera gave Dalia an awkward look.

“I didn’t mean anything by it...”

“That’s enough!”

While they fussed, I stole a glance at Masa.

I want to hear more of what Masa has to say.

I decided to linger in the dress shop.

I sat back down and, pretending to speak with the attendant, tuned in to Masa’s voice.

[Miss Erilot doesn’t seem interested in this place.]

[Ah, right! Not “Miss,” just Erilot.]

[But how about choosing a dress? Oh, I understand you’re upset... “little kitten” is Hera’s catchphrase...]

It sounded like Dalia was grumbling, and Masa was fumbling an apology.

[Anyway, it’s awkward that you don’t want to go...]

[Yeah, how should I put it... she’s got this sly streak, so being around her feels off...]

[I’m not asking you to tell her to go— I can’t speak right now. Since you’re in my body, you have to speak for me...]

...!!

I grabbed the hem of my skirt tightly.

It was Masa.

It really was Masa inhabiting her body, not Mari!

My heart pounded wildly.

Mari is safe.

I can keep my promise now.

I can go rescue you.

...Mari!

I don’t know how I made it back to the mansion.

Once I reached my room in the Astra Royal Mansion, I let out a deep breath.

“It’s Masa! She’s taken over her body!”

I grabbed Hanjihyuk and told him, and he nodded.

“You heard that in the carriage. But if it wasn’t the Guardian Star, how could you see Masa’s form in the censer?”

“I think she might have been Guardian-Star-ified as well...”

“Guardian Star?”

“Yeah, those are also the souls of ancients. I suspect Grimie forcibly extracted Masa’s soul and turned her into a Guardian Star.”

“I see... Have you learned anything else?”

After that, Dalia stormed off in a huff.

So I couldn’t overhear more of their conversation.

But I did get a few hints.

I smirked.

“I’ve figured out why the first-life Dalia and the current Dalia are so different.”

“They’re different?”

“Yes. First-life Dalia was lively and optimistic, but she wasn’t thoughtless.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s the influence of the body.”

To sum it up:

First-life Dalia

Influence of Mari—quick to learn, solves problems rationally.

Current Dalia

Influence of Masa—jealous, easily impressed by nobility, throws tantrums.

“Being influenced by the body and communicating directly with Masa makes her similarity even stronger.”

“That works in our favor.”

“Which gave me an interesting idea.”

Hanjihyuk frowned.

“You look like you’re plotting something bad. That kind of thing is very...”

He widened his eyes and continued,

“Very good. Tell me!”

“Masa is jealous by nature. Dalia seems to be too, and her body’s been influenced on top of that.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“What happens when you pit two jealous people against each other?”

“A fiasco... You don’t mean—”

Like fighting fire with fire.

The ancestors’ wisdom comes in handy in moments like this.

I immediately picked up the Crystal Orb.

The recipient was still Sebastia, who remained active as a Central Guardian Star.

“Sister?”

[Who is this! You have no idea how frustrating it’s been to watch your exploits and not meet you!]

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy. And I have another favor to ask.”

[Having defeated despair, I couldn’t refuse you anything. So what is it?]

“Could you invite Dalia to a tea party? And treat her as a very special guest.”

[Huh?]

Very special treatment—enough to make Masa green with envy.

I grinned.

Dalia looked ecstatic as she wandered through the Lily Garden.

“This salon is really that famous?”

[Absolutely! It’s incredibly famous. Only extremely special people are invited.]

Masa fluttered with excitement.

Dalia hummed.

Indeed, it’s splendid.

Even the staff were all impeccably trained and elegant.

“Excuse me, Hera!”

“Yes, Lady Dalia.”

“Who invited me here?”

“Duchess Sebastia Viferi. She’s especially fond of her granddaughter and currently serves as a Central Guardian Star.”

“I see... a Guardian Star...”

Dalia nodded.

“But is it proper to come somewhere like this instead of preparing for the Duchess’s tea party?”

“On the contrary, it’s a valuable opportunity. You’ll experience a noble’s party. Only you may enter the Duchess’s own party, so you’ll handle everything alone.”

“It’s a bit frightening... but I’ll do my best!”

“Yes. Experience will make your preparation even more perfect.”

“I understand. Then I’ll give it my all!”

Hera chuckled.

“Now, shall we go in? Remember to treat me as a former Guardian Star in front of others.”

“Of course, Lady Revia.”

Dalia laughed and linked arms with Hera.

They entered together.

“Lady Dalia Astra of the House of Astra, and Lady Hera Revia of the House of Revia!”

All eyes turned to Dalia.

Oh no. What should I do! Everyone’s looking at me...!

It is magnificent!

A group of noble daughters approached.

“Hello, Lady Astra.”

“Hello. Um, your name is...”

“Rumelisa Paante.”

Other young ladies introduced themselves.

“Catherine Trangier.”

“I’m Michelle Oshron.”

All of them astounding young nobles.

[Wow, wow! Dalia! They’re all top-tier nobility! Their attendants can’t even set foot here!]

The other young ladies at the party gazed at Dalia with envy.

Among them were...

[The daughters of Blossom’s old friends...]

The girls who pretended to include me in their circle? The ones who called in favors?

[Yeah!]

But it’s odd.

[What’s odd?]

They said only the most distinguished ladies attend the Lily Garden party—but why are those mean girls here?

[True.]

The two of them giggled.

Masa’s heart swelled.

All of them were swallowing dryly, staring at Dalia as if desperate to greet her.

I wanted to shout to everyone.

Look at me. It’s me, Masa, now the daughter of Grimie Astra.

I «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» wanted to see them genuinely repent and apologize.

The group of Blossom’s friends, led by Finesa Kurong, edged closer.

“Um, Lady Astra... may we also be invited to Lady Paante’s party?”

Masa was thrilled.

[Dalia, say it’s me, Masa. Huh? Huh?]

They’d all be so shocked!

They’d sink to their knees, trembling.

They’d regret what they did and apologize.

Dalia stared into the air and hummed.

“Lady Paante, will you invite them too?”

[Wha—!]

Dalia feigned not hearing Masa’s voice.

Rumelisa Paante nodded.

“Sure.”

Finesa Kurong’s group leaped with joy.

“Really? How wonderful~! It’s all thanks to Lady Astra. We’re so happy...!”

[Masa!]

Masa cried out through the thoughts.

Hold on, Masa.

[What?]

Think about it. How could you reveal that this body is Masa’s here?

[Why can’t I reveal it?]

Then they’d discover you were a maid. Would these noble daughters really mingle so warmly with someone of a servant background?

Dalia laughed softly while eating a piece of cake Sebastia had served.

[But I...]

Also, you seem a bit... lacking in generosity.

[...What?]

Someone in a position like this must be magnanimous. You should forget such trivial grievances.

[That’s cruel! I told you how I felt. You said you understood back then...!]

Sorry, but I need to talk with the other young ladies right now. Please be quiet.

From then on, Dalia completely ignored Masa.

No matter what I said, she pretended not to hear and chatted happily with the other nobles.

Masa stood alone.

Even under all the bright lights, the place around her felt dark and silent.

She looked steadily at Dalia.

This is strange.

That body is mine—why is it acting on its own?

All the admiring gazes, every privilege of a noble daughter... it’s all mine.

Now that I think about it, it’s odd.

She’s been trying to separate me from Father all along.

Perhaps Dalia isn’t the good person I thought...

Masa bit her lip.

Watching her from a distance was Erilot, disguised as a servant using the ancient monster Nana.

In the center of the hall, an incense burner hidden by flowers was releasing smoke.

On the day of Lady Constantine’s tea party.

Dalia hummed as she bounced around the dressing room.

“Is this dress best after all? Ah, but tea parties call for white dresses. It’s hard to give up...”

[Hera told you not to wear white.]

“But I like this one.”

[I like that green dress.]

“I don’t really like green. Ah, this is nice. Pink!”

Masa bit her lip.

In the end, Dalia chose the dress entirely on her own.

Her hairstyle, shoes—everything...

Even upon arriving at the Duchess’s estate for the salon party, Dalia wouldn’t listen to Masa.

She stood at the door, happily smoothing the wrapping of the gift box.

“I hope the Duchess likes it. I worked so hard on it.”

A servant asked,

“Shall I announce your entrance?”

“Yes, please—”

Just then.

[I want to go in.]

...Huh?

[Give it back now! It’s my body.]

What’s this all of a sudden?

What if she tries to wrest it away by force?

This is an important event.

Could it be like in those novels, where the body swap flips if the other jumps in?

[My body? Have you really been thinking this body was yours?!]

Oops, she can read my thoughts. This is so awkward... Don’t think that.

[You really are a bad person! How could you! I thought you came to help me!]

Dalia froze.

“Bad? Me?”

[Yes! You took over someone else’s body and now you’re behaving as you please!]

“Took over? You’ve really believed that? I’m not sharing a body with you. You think I stole it?”

[That...!]

Masa clenched her eyes.

[At first, I believed you were a good person and that we became soulmates. But you’re so cruel!]

“My father told me when he came to meet me, ‘I came for my daughter.’”

[What?]

“He didn’t mean your body is his daughter. He meant my soul is his daughter!”

[That’s a lie. He wouldn’t say that.]

“No, he definitely said it! So you’re benefiting from me!”

[If that’s the case, I don’t need this anymore! Get out of my body!]

“...Huh?”

[See? You can’t. Because you need my body!]

Dalia ground her teeth and glared at Masa.

Then she crossed her arms, snorted, and lifted a corner of her mouth.

“You’re mistaken about something: what matters is the essence, not the shell.”

[...What?]

“It means you have no reason to be arrogant. The daughter of Grimie Astra is me, Dalia Astra! You’re just the material used to hold me!”

[Dalia is me! You’re just Yoo Se-eun!]

At that moment.

“...What?”

Masa and Dalia both turned their heads.

Erilot, her face set like iron, was staring at Dalia.