The Baddest Villainess Is Back
Chapter 51
Chapter 51
“No.”
“……I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“Leaving this bed for any reason is out of the question.”
Roselyn was momentarily speechless at the gentle yet firm tone Cherti used to explain the situation.
The incident in the city of Randarin had been settled, and she had returned to the ducal residence to be confined—no, to recuperate—as a patient.
Several rumors sparked by the Randarin incident were currently the talk of the town.
First: That the culprit had managed to escape despite being wounded in the fray and had yet to be captured.
Second: That it was none other than the 3rd Prince who saved those dying of respiratory distress from the lack of oxygen, even after the fires were extinguished.
Word was that he used his Abyss to instantly demolish a dirt dome that had been sealed so tightly not even an ant could pass through.
While some suffered severe burns, fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Among the Kalutans, there were only a few minor injuries.
Sanja, whose body had actually caught fire, escaped with only light burns, likely thanks to the Kalutans’ unique recovery abilities.
Regardless, the public was in an uproar.
Stories of the fire engulfing the town suddenly vanishing as if sucked away into nothingness were being packaged as a divine miracle or the grace of God looking pityingly upon Marquis Wilbrid, who was known for his frequent acts of charity.
‘It’s not even funny.’
Roselyn snorted at the ridiculous reputation when she thought about it again.
How could someone who made a contract with a demon receive divine protection just because he threw around a little bit of pocket change?
Anyway, rumors also circulated that Kalutans were present at the scene.
Some claimed it was a staged incident by the Kalutans, while others said the Kalutans desperately protected the Imperial citizens by smashing giant walls with their bare fists.
Of course, the latter rumor was one Roselyn had asked Marquis Gerren to spread.
For these reasons, Randarin—which had been reduced to nothing but ash in Roselyn’s previous world—remained somewhat intact in this one.
And Roselyn suffered a severe illness afterward.
Her body was frail, the journey had been long, and living in a foreign place had taken its toll; it was only natural that she would break down on the way back.
Having pushed herself to weave through the flames in that state, her condition when Cherti finally got her back was indescribable.
Even with the protection of the blue stone, entering the heart of the inferno meant light burns were unavoidable, and her eyes were so damaged she couldn’t even open them for several days.
‘It was lucky I could call for a healing priest.’
Upon returning to the mansion, Cherti had summoned healing priests to begin her treatment, and she was much better now.
And so, it was now the fifth day since her return.
“……But the bed is stifling.”
“……Absolutely not. Not even over my dead body.”
“I happen to have some dirt right here, if you’re ready.”
Roselyn said, reaching toward a small potted plant someone had given her as a get-well gift.
Cherti stared at Roselyn with an expression that asked what kind of child she was before speaking again.
He seemed somewhat hurt.
“I didn’t say until dirt gets in my eyes, I said even if it does.”
As Cherti pointed out her error with precision, Roselyn shut her mouth tight.
She felt like she was going to reach enlightenment from the sheer patience required.
She twisted her body, trying to express that she was about to manifest Buddhist relics from the strain.
“What is it? If you need the restroom, I will take you. If the bedding is uncomfortable, shall I change it? You might get bedsores, so make sure to turn your body properly.”
The advice she received was somewhat humiliating.
Roselyn looked at Cherti with an expression wondering what kind of father he was, then sighed and closed her eyes.
The ordered period of recuperation was one month.
Since it also carried the weight of Devon, Duke Bellion, who had seen Roselyn’s state, she couldn’t refuse.
“I’m going to sleep.”
“Yes, sleep well.”
When Roselyn obediently closed her eyes, Cherti slowly and gently stroked her forehead.
“My child, I love you.”
“…….”
Roselyn couldn’t bring herself to answer those embarrassing words and simply pretended to be asleep.
She had no idea she truly wouldn’t be able to leave that bed for a whole month.
When her month of recuperation ended, the first person she had to face was not the Emperor, nor the Kalutans she had brought back, nor even the 3rd Prince, Arma.
“Roselyn.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
At Roselyn’s incredibly sly form of address, Devon Bellion’s lips twitched once.
Beside him were Aegis Bellion and Ian Bellion, the latter looking visibly grumpy.
Over the past month, Roselyn had been very mindful of Cherti’s feelings.
She felt guilty, and having seen his pale face and despairing eyes when she first woke up after her long illness, she couldn’t bring herself to act out.
“Roselyn, if you…… ever disappear from my sight without permission again, I will die.”
When he said that with bloodshot eyes, what could she possibly do as his daughter?
She knew all too well that she was the one who had pushed her father—usually so relaxed, calm, and indifferent to the world—to that point.
So, Roselyn had stayed quietly buried under the covers, eating and sleeping like a pampered pig.
“I heard you slipped away from the fleeing procession to act alone with Marquis Gerren. Why did you do something so dangerous?”
Roselyn was currently being interrogated while sitting in a plush dining chair, surrounded by a feast.
“…….”
Roselyn remained silent, briefly recalling the events to explain the situation.
I made a friend a long time ago.
I went to Kaluta and found out that friend was actually a god.
One night, the friend appeared in a dream.
I managed to snatch a Divine Artifact called the Seven Luminaries Stone from him.
Among them, there happened to be a bead effective against large-scale fires, so I used it.
She organized it in her head, but felt she’d be lucky if they didn’t just treat her like a crazy person.
“Let me tell you in advance, the Marquis of Wilbrid’s family does not have a very good reputation.”
Devon spoke up, perhaps interpreting Roselyn’s long silence in his own way.
“They may seem wealthy, but their overall assets are less than our ducal house, and he doesn’t have a grandfather like me or any other uncles.”
“Yes…….”
“And that guy has always been a shady fellow, impossible to tell what he’s thinking, niece. He’s a wicked bastard who’s always snatching things from others like a snake.”
This time, Aegis Bellion added his two cents.
“Hmph, a girl like you with only a pretty face and a frustratingly timid personality would be devoured the moment you stepped in there. He looks like that, but huh? Rumors say his house is full of all sorts of dangerous items. You know that?”
Since Roselyn’s reaction was so indifferent, Ian Bellion added another word.
Seeing that the bruises on his face had faded significantly while she hadn’t seen him, it seemed his ‘moral education’ was mostly complete.
‘A beating is the best medicine for a troublemaker.’
Roselyn nodded, recalling Ian Bellion’s last appearance when he had two black eyes.
“Ah, yes…….”
Of course she knew. She knew that inside that house was only a snake-like man full of deceit.
She also knew he had a room filled with all sorts of dangerous and bizarre collections.
“I know.”
“You know?”
Roselyn nodded.
“How do you know that!?”
Ian Bellion barked out.
Roselyn frowned, now finding it tedious.
“Wasn’t it you, second uncle, who just asked if I knew?”
“……U-U-Uncle…… who said I was your uncle……! Ahem. A-Anyway.”
He was the one who told her to call him uncle before.
“I understand, Lord Ian.”
“……Ugh, stop bullsh*tting and call me properly! Am I your friend? Are we friends!?”
It was annoying.
Roselyn frowned and spoke with a look of slight pity.
“I don’t make stupid friends, so while I understand you want to be my friend, I’ll have to decline.”
“……What?”
“Anyway, I only know because I’ve been to that house.”
Roselyn added calmly as she watched Ian Bellion’s mouth gape.
‘Come to think of it, I should probably mention the adoption offer.’
It was better than having them hear it from someone else and causing a misunderstanding.
“And Marquis Gerren offered to make me his daughter…….”
Clang!
Roselyn looked up at the sound of metal hitting the marble floor.
“What……?”
“Ah…….”
Cherti was staring at her with a shocked, horrified expression, his eyes wide.
“No, Fa—”
“……I must have been, very lacking.”
Cherti muttered, cutting Roselyn off, and turned to walk out. Like the protagonist of a tragic drama.
“This is driving me crazy…….”
Roselyn muttered softly, leaning her forehead against her hand.
“I agree, granddaughter.”
Devon, who had seen that side of Cherti since he was a child, chimed in.
Silence settled over the room.
