She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 83
“Ah, yes…”
“They say you’re smart and kind, especially to Idel.”
“Ah…”
Idel boldly met the piercing gaze she felt from the side. Sigmund wasn’t the only one with a lot to say.
As she watched the two children exchange glances, Rowena turned her head toward her husband.
“Vincent, you should greet him too.”
“…Right. Welcome to Clementine. Make yourself comfortable.”
“…Thank you.”
The two men exchanged greetings with a dry demeanor, resembling each other in many ways.
From the black hair typical of male protagonists in novels, to their cold impressions, and their businesslike attitudes toward others…
‘At this point, shouldn’t Melisa have brought Sigmund instead of me and pretended he was her son?’
That would have worked better.
While Idel was lost in trivial thoughts observing the two similar figures, she glanced at the Duke and blinked slightly.
‘What’s up? The Duke seems even stiffer today… Am I imagining things?’
Idel examined his lowered gaze and shrugged lightly. She couldn’t even imagine that her vivid smile might have shocked him.
At that moment, Melisa, who had been quietly observing Sigmund from a step behind, naturally began to rearrange the seating.
“Well, isn’t it time for the adults to step back? Idel seems like she wants some time alone with her friend.”
“Ah, that’s true. Idel, have a good time with Sigmund. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The Duchess, wearing a picture-perfect smile, turned with her husband and exited the reception room.
In the space left with only three of them, Melisa curved her eyes into a smile.
“Now we can finally greet each other. Thank you for being Idel’s friend for so long, Sigmund. As Idel’s mother, I’ve really wanted to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you for the first time…”
As Sigmund grasped Melisa’s outstretched hand, he lightly bit the inside of his cheek.
The warnings Idel had given him at the Count’s residence and the advice from the note he received not long ago were proving to be correct.
‘Thank goodness I asked my master to cast all those protective spells.’
He had requested various spells, from magic that could conceal his mana, to mental interference prevention magic, and physical defenses.
He even had to insist like a spoiled child to convince his master, who looked at him very suspiciously.
‘Thinking back, that was embarrassing.’
Of course, it was equally annoying that his master accepted such a flimsy excuse without question.
What did he think of him to just accept that outright?
‘Well, being embarrassed is better than being cursed.’
Even now, look. There’s a faint flow of mana in their joined hands. But Sigmund pretended not to know and looked up at her.
“I know you’re happy to see me, but how long do we have to hold hands?”
I’m getting hungry.
“You said you’d give me something delicious if I came over?”
Tilting his head slightly, Sigmund deliberately pouted at Idel.
He wanted to appear like a simple child who hadn’t learned any manners at all.
Melisa raised one eyebrow lightly as she noticed Sigmund tightening his grip on her hand.
So impatient and self-conscious.
‘Indeed, even if the bloodline isn’t bad, if they grow up uncivilized, they’re useless.’
Melisa swallowed a smirk that almost escaped her lips and shook her head lightly.
That’s enough. When he leaves this duke’s residence, he’ll end up in her hands just like Idel.
‘The education can be taken care of once he’s sent back to the palace.’
Even if he’s a puppet, he should at least have some dignity.
Melisa gently released his hand, pushing her thoughts aside, and then spoke as if she had just remembered something.
“Oh, right. You’re at that age where you get hungry easily. Today, I will personally choose some food for you. Idel, would you like to take Sigmund upstairs?”
Noticing a subtle hint of disdain in her voice, Sigmund smirked and replied, “Sounds good. Let’s go, Idel.”
“Okay.”
Just as Idel was about to take Sigmund’s hand and leave the reception room, Melisa called out her name, seemingly deep in thought.
“Oh, by the way, Idel.”
“Yeah?”
“It might be a bit difficult for Mom if things go on like this…”
[Once you’re back in the room, send the servants away and keep your friend calm. It would be even better if you could make him lose consciousness.]
Idel took a deep breath at Melisa’s commanding thoughts, which pierced her mind after a long time.
Feeling her body stiffen like a doll tied to a string, she slowly lowered her gaze.
She wanted to check if she was still holding Sigmund’s hand.
“Idel, you understand what Mom means, right?”
“…Yes, Mom. I’ll do it.”
“Good. I’ll prepare some food and come up slowly.”
With a satisfied smile on her red lips, Idel secretly gritted her teeth. It felt really disgusting to have her body moving on its own after such a long time.
Following Melisa’s orders, Idel went upstairs with Sigmund, sending the servants away and closing the door behind them.
It was then that Sigmund finally spoke up. Throughout the walk to the room, he had sensed something suspicious about the way Idel was glaring at him.
“Hey, what’s up with you?”
“Um…”
“Is this it? The curse?”
“Yeah.”
While answering Sigmund earnestly, Idel was searching for a weapon she could use. She knew that her fists alone wouldn’t be enough to knock Sigmund out.
‘If I had to point out one silver lining, it’s that I was still holding Sigmund’s hand right until the moment I received the command, and Melisa hadn’t ordered me to keep quiet.’
Idel chewed on her lip, eyes wide open, as she spoke.
“Do you think I’ll just do what you want?”
Although he might not know it, she had been making quite an effort to escape this miserable situation.
Shivering, Idel assessed her current predicament. While she couldn’t outright refuse to act, she felt she could at least control the intensity of her actions.
“Sigmund, you can be proud. After all, holding hands with you for so long… it seems to have some effect… maybe?”
It was a faint feeling, but she sensed a bit of resistance. Idel picked up a vase as commanded and slowly approached Sigmund.
Seeing Idel raise the vase, Sigmund quickly caught on to the command and recoiled, grimacing.
“Hey, you said it works!”
“Yeah, it does.”
Saying this, Idel dropped the vase right in front of Sigmund. Then, with a swift motion, she swung the ring necklace hanging around her neck and threw it at him, as if intending to smash it against his forehead.
“Damn…!”
“Make sure to hold onto that. Quickly.”
“Huh?”
“And you just… got hit by the vase.”
Sigmund’s expression twisted in confusion, as if demanding an explanation, but there was no time for that.
– Knock, knock, knock!
“Um, Miss Idel? This is Diane…! Is everything alright in there? I heard something breaking!”
The sound of the vase shattering had drawn the servants’ attention, but more importantly…
‘Ugh, my mouth hurts.’
The inside of Idel’s mouth throbbed from biting down repeatedly in an effort to resist the command. She grimaced, swallowing the taste of blood. Then, she called out simply to Diane, who was knocking again from outside.
“Diane, Dante!”
It was a brief message, but there was no way Diane wouldn’t understand.
Idel’s confidence was justified. Diane immediately grasped what she meant. Of course, before she could respond, they encountered an obstacle.
“Ah! I understand… um, Lady Melisa.”
“What are you doing standing right by the door?”
“I-I’m sorry! I heard something breaking inside…”
“Really?”
“Yes, yes!”
Melisa, gazing intently at the maid who had her hands clasped and head bowed, rolled her eyes slightly.
“I’ll check myself, and you’d better act according to your station.”
“…Yes?”
“That means don’t concern yourself with what’s happening inside. Keep your mouth shut. Understood?”
“I-I will remember that.”
With a warning glance, Melisa pressed down on Diane once more before entering Idel’s room.
In her hands, she carried no snacks at all.
