She is the Daughter of the Villainess in a Ridiculous Novel - Chapter 96

Idel blinked rapidly after hearing Melisa’s words.

‘Huh…? Who is relying on whom?’

She had clearly heard human words, but they weren’t easily comprehensible.

Relying on Melisa…? Who?

‘Surely not me?’

The unexpected attack from a non-anticipated person always digs deeper into the heart.

‘No, you’re right. Yes, it is true that I am in Melisa’s clutches, but…’

Idel covered her mouth with both hands, pretending to be flustered by Melisa’s words. Of course, the real reason was to hide the corners of her mouth that were twitching.

Melisa, who had been watching Idel’s eyes waver, opened her mouth in a gentle voice.

“My daughter is also reaching the age to enter society soon, isn’t she? It’s not the time to be acting spoiled anymore. Stop putting up thorns against the Duke and Rowena.”

“B-But…”

“Mom knows you did that because you were thinking of me, my daughter. Because you and I were the only ones on our side here. But, Idel. Still, the Duke—no, Vincent and Rowena are your father and aunt. Family should cherish each other.”

No matter what happened.

The moment Idel heard Melisa’s words, she personally experienced what it felt like to have her fists clench.

‘Who is the one currently destroying this harmonious family, daring to say such things to me?’

It was like continuously force-feeding someone who didn’t want to eat because the feeder was lonely eating alone, only to one day hear, ‘How can you love eating so much? You should manage your figure.’

Idel took a deep breath.

It was to suppress the seething emotions within her. Unaware of Idel’s inner feelings, Melisa bent forward and patted her head.

“At least by your birthday, shouldn’t you make those two regard you as family?”

Especially since many people will come to congratulate you on your debut then.

“Ah…”

A small gasp escaped Idel, and her eyes suddenly cleared. It was because she felt she understood why Melisa was suddenly spouting such nonsense.

Idel quickly worked her mind, wiggling her fingers before looking up at Melisa.

“Then… can I call the Duke, ‘Dad,’ at that time?”

“Of course. While we’re at it, let’s also give him a big hug. In return, since that day is a special day, you’ll grant a special request from Mom, won’t you?”

“Huh? Yes! What is it?”

“I’ll tell you that after my Idel becomes close with Vincent and Rowena first.”

Idel nodded her head widely as if she understood. She had no way to refuse Melisa’s suggestion anyway.

‘Though, to be honest, I have no intention of refusing.’

To become close with the Duke before her birthday, to hug him on that day, and to grant Melisa’s special request.

Idel finally realized how the original Idel could have killed the Duke.

‘She made Idel kill the Duke the very moment Idel called him ‘Dad’ for the first time.’

This is truly the worst method.

“Now, how about we sit down for a moment with Mom and have a cup of tea before you go back? How is your swordsmanship practice these days?”

“Uh-huh, it’s hard, but I’m practicing hard!”

“Is that so? Have your skills with bladed weapons or your hand techniques improved?”

“Hm?”

Idel tilted her head as if she didn’t quite understand what Melisa was asking. Not only that, but she was about to roll her eyes slightly and shake her head when she suddenly paused.

“Oh…?”

“No, it’s fine. I didn’t expect you to know clearly. Hmm… Maybe I should contact Patrick. You still occasionally take lessons with the heir of the Duke of Knightley, right?”

Melisa took Idel’s surprised gasp, which was laced with confusion, as an answer to her question, but in reality, that wasn’t the case.

The reason Idel had unconsciously opened her mouth was because she had spotted a bottle containing a potion on the small side table placed behind her.

Unable to tear her eyes away from the ominous-looking potion, Idel slowly spoke.

“Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?”

“Mom… are you sick anywhere?”

Idel gazed at Melisa with a look full of concern and stretched out a hand to point at the potion.

Naturally, she wasn’t genuinely worried about Melisa. It was just that…

‘That potion looks somewhat similar to the one Vilred gives me, doesn’t it?’

If she thought about it, the effects were obviously different. The one Vilred gives is a potion to lift Idel’s curse and aid her recovery.

Idel was focused not on the individual effect but on the fact that it was a ‘magic potion,’ just like Vilred’s potion.

‘If it’s true that Melisa is taking that magic potion, it’s probably…’

Melisa, who had raised one eyebrow at the child’s sudden words, made a small ‘Ah’ sound.

“Oh dear, Idel. You must have been startled by the medicine placed behind me?”

“Yes. So… that kind of medicine… you only take it when you’re sick, right?”

“My daughter is right. One takes this kind of medicine when the body is not normal.”

Melisa nodded without denying it and showed a sad expression to Idel.

“Mom is like that too.”

“What?!”

Idel sprang up from her seat with a look of utter surprise. Then, she repeatedly pointed toward the door with her finger as if she should call a doctor immediately.

With a sorrowful smile on her lips, Melisa stared at Idel and slowly shook her head.

“No, Idel. Unfortunately, calling a doctor won’t solve Mom’s problem.”

“But…!”

“Mom is okay. Because I can deceive others with that medicine.”

“…How?”

“By making everything seem completely fine. But Idel has found out Mom’s secret, hasn’t she?”

Idel tightly clenched her fists while looking at Melisa’s bitter smile. Then, she opened her mouth boldly toward Melisa.

“I-I’ll help you, Mom!”

“You will, my daughter?”

“Yes! So you won’t have a hard time, I’ll listen to Mom’s requests well, like now, and I’ll get along with the Duke and the Duchess!”

“Ah…! Idel!”

Melisa put her hands together over her chest as if delighted and offered an elegant smile.

“Mom couldn’t ask for more if you do that for me.”

“Yes! So, Mom. Go to sleep quickly now! People who are sick shouldn’t stay up late!”

“Should I?”

Idel took Melisa’s hand and led her to the bed to sit down and then placed her hand on Melisa’s forehead like a doctor would.

Surprisingly, Melisa didn’t stop Idel’s actions. She seemed to believe this would motivate Idel.

Though there was no way her forehead would feel warm, Idel put on a serious expression, pretending to be an innocent child, and said to Melisa.

“Mom, let’s take the medicine!”

“The medicine?”

“Yes! Take it and sleep!”

Melisa’s purple eyes briefly met Idel’s. She slowly blinked, like someone contemplating what to do, and then lightly nodded her head.

“Alright, shall we do that then?”

“Yes. Just wait a moment? Mom is the patient, so I’ll prepare it for you.”

Idel made Melisa lie down in the bed and tucked the blanket securely around her. As an extra gesture, she pulled out a handkerchief she kept in her skirt pocket and placed it over her eyes and forehead.

“Idel, what is this?”

“Stay still! They say this is what you do when you’re sick.”

Stopping Melisa, who was trying to remove the handkerchief, with a resolute voice, she quickly uncorked the magic potion.

With a ‘pop,’ the sound of the cork opening, Melisa, who was lying still pretending to be sick, spoke calmly.

“Ah, Idel. That medicine isn’t meant to be drunk all at once. Pour just a little into the cup next to it and give it to me.”

“The cup next to it! Yes! I got it!”

Idel answered boldly and quickly rolled her eyes to survey the side table.

On the side table were the potion, a cup, a pitcher of water, and various decorative items. Idel found a small box on it that could barely hold one or two sugar cubes, swiftly emptied the sugar into her pocket, and poured a little of the medicine into the box.

She subtly moved the box to the back of the side table so it wouldn’t be seen, then casually handed the medicine to Melisa.

“Mom, ah…!”

“Alright.”

Melisa did not refuse the medicine Idel gave her. Instead, she chose to tragically take the medicine as if she were truly ill.

Idel, who was quietly watching the scene, took the cup back from Melisa and said brightly.

“Done! Now let’s go back to sleep! I’m going to go back now too!”

“Idel, Mom should see my daughter off, but…”

“No, Mom is a patient, so lie down! You have to cover up with the handkerchief Idel put on you and sleep soundly!”

“Alright…”

Despite Melisa’s affirmation, Idel did not relax her tension. Without blinking once, she carefully hid the sugar cube box in her arms and slowly slipped out of Melisa’s room.

“Good night, Mom!”

“You too, Idel.”

Only after closing the door to the room, leaving the final farewell behind, did Idel let out the breath she had been holding. Her heart was pounding more violently than ever.