This Three Year Old Is a Villainess-Chapter 270

Hevan looked at the wicked woman, shamelessly smiling.

“You really are—”

No one could be that vile.

He knew my feelings—and yet...

He knew full well he was hopelessly in love with the woman both his friend and his lord cherished.

He was the first to notice me, that wicked girl.

At the time I’d been working as a laborer for the Brikt Company’s trade caravan.

After I arrived, the sub–caravan master’s face bloomed with smiles.

A rival caravan had been shut down for violating regulations.

With that major client gone, they’d bought expensive goods at rock-bottom prices.

“My luck’s turning around, my lord! Ha ha ha!”

The sub–caravan master cheered, oblivious, but Hevan noticed something else.

‘A shutdown out of nowhere? And cheap green coral thanks to that? Suspicious.’

Watching him, I’d seen him whispering with a man he called his brother in the caravan’s warehouse.

“Why work so {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} hard? Planning to settle in Kansis for good?”

“Of course not.”

“But you didn’t need to shut down a rival caravan.”

“Think about it. I know Brikt Company’s secrets—I hold their weaknesses. And they’re the center of green-coral trade?”

“You set this up so when I returned to Saxoia I could buy green coral cheap through Brikt Company.”

“Exactly!”

“Still...”

‘What? That...!’

At first it was absurd.

Did he think the great Brikt family would play puppet to a mere teenage girl?

I nearly taught him a lesson, but instead let him be.

He seemed clever enough to exploit and discard later.

But then—

“My lord! The merfolk have proposed a trade! Blue coral for the magic vials, and food supplies—”

“My lord! We’ve found the entrance to the sea route King Eleven had been developing! The future of our trade lies in our hands!”

“My lord...! The kraken blocking the sea route has vanished...!!”

‘Incredible.’

She was talent incarnate.

By means an ordinary mind couldn’t conceive, she’d elevated Brikt Company to the pinnacle of trade.

It was entertaining to watch.

What cunning would she surprise me with next?

“Hevan.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I’ll appoint your guard Rigel as an attendant in the First Prince’s palace.”

“Prince Raon drove out the attendants again?”

“Even if we paid in chests of gold, no one would serve in the First Prince’s palace—it’s a nightmare to recruit staff...”

“Rigel is inflexible; he’d be expelled within a week. Father, may I recommend someone more suitable?”

“Someone suitable?”

“There’s a fellow cleaning the caravan camp—bright fellow, sharp-witted. Let me train him and send him to the First Prince’s palace.”

I’d been the one to catch my father’s eye.

As expected, he liked me.

I refused to go to the First Prince’s palace.

“I want to stay with the caravan. I don’t want to enter the palace!”

Looking back, I’d initially refused out of fear of revealing my identity.

If a daughter of Astra entered the palace incognito, it’d be a disaster.

I’d been the one to threaten her until she relented.

“A pity. I thought you clever. You think you have a choice?”

“What are you planning?”

“That brother of yours—Han, was it?”

“...”

“Erilot, showing that something is precious betrays its value.”

“Touch Han’s finger and I will not forgive you.”

“Very well. Remember this: before you can avenge yourself, your brother will no longer belong to this world.”

She was clever, but ultimately a commoner.

Under threat, she went to the palace.

She proved useful—she cured Prince Raon’s greatest wound.

“I heard the monster’s hide was peeled from our prince’s face—it’s true. He looks magnificent.”

“Be quiet, Hevan.”

“You spoke of the angel’s presence hidden by a demon’s mask, sent to us in Inga.”

“...”

“Congratulations, Raon. Your troubles are over.”

“...”

“So now get a tutor, assemble your household... why are you staring at me? Oh, it’s a maid.”

“It’s Erilot.”

“...What?”

“Not a maid—a lady, Erilot.”

Something felt wrong.

In Raon’s unguarded gaze as he watched her...

In her awkward smile when their eyes met as she plucked flowers in the palace garden...

The air, the sunlight, the atmosphere of that day... the subtle feelings he’d felt...

In every detail.

But at first, it seemed trivial.

Yet long after that day...

“What’s this? Blocking my path. Move aside—you’ll be late and His Highness will make a fuss.”

“Can’t you bow when you meet the prince?”

“Y-Yes—Goo—good day, Your Highness.”

“Your speech...”

When I passed coldly, she cried, “Hey you!”

Then threw something to me.

“What’s this?”

“You’ll see. It’s medicine.”

“Why give it to me?”

“Because you’re hurt, of course.”

“...”

“Boys think if they hide pain it’ll heal itself. Must be someone in mind....”

“Who?”

“Someone. Stubborn, black-haired. Anyway, apply it.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“Eek! Why are you hiding there at this hour!”

“Shut up. Go where you’re going.”

“What’s this? Still upset you lost the sparring match with Raon?”

“I said go away.”

“Aww...”

Why did she sit beside me?

“Losing once doesn’t erase all your effort, you know?”

“What would you know?”

“I know. How hard you work in secret.”

“...Do you spy on me every time?”

“I just know. There’s a friend who works hard behind the scenes and acts like a genius in front. That friend’s hands are just like Yours.”

“...”

“See? A mess.”

Why would she understand that?

“Eek! What?”

“Ugh... your steps are so... quick....”

“Why chase me?”

“Prince Raon’s at the plaza. Hurry.”

“...I won’t. I won’t meet someone so unlucky.”

“Kids grow up fighting. You sulk because you lost once?”

“What?”

“Go on, they’re waiting.”

“He won’t wait. I’m just a tool to him.”

“How absurd.”

“Does the prince—”

“You pick out birthday gifts for your tools? Since when does the prince choose gifts?”

“...What?”

“Hurry up. I’m off duty.”

Why did she take my hand and pull me?

“Does the prince really use tools?”

“...”

“How could someone like you—impossible by nature—be used as a tool? Don’t sulk over that.”

Why did she say what I wanted to hear?

I found myself watching her.

Chaotic, accident-prone.

Yet always guiding things for the better, ending with that triumphant giggle.

“Hey.”

From her “Hey...”

“Your Highness.”

To addressing him properly.

“Ah! My laundry! Help me, Lord Hevan!”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her until he called her by name.

Though feigning jest, my ears burned in the carriage ride home.

A brush of her hand in mine kept me sleepless.

“Help her, Yuri.”

“What?”

“Erilot is imprisoned in the First Prince’s palace. Hurry.”

“Good riddance. Prince needs Erilot anyway. If she becomes queen—”

“...Please.”

“Hevan...?”

“Please, Yuri.”

I had no choice but to admit it.

Letting her go to Raon’s hand.

Though I claimed it was for her sake, it was a lie.

I simply couldn’t bear seeing her smile beside Raon.

So foolishly I boarded the ship to Saxoia.

‘Because I wanted to see you again.’

Hevan ground his teeth.

“You knew my feelings all along.”

“....”

“...You wicked woman.”

Erilot smiled faintly.

“Is it wrong to love your friend’s beloved?”

“You...!”

“It’s always been that way. From the moment we met at the caravan, you harbored feelings for me.”

“....”

“I, a lowly commoner girl—why would you love me? Marriage is business. I wouldn’t make a loss. You thought me a joke and handed me to Raon.”

“....”

“Forgot? When I refused the First Prince’s palace, you threatened me with a smile.”

“...Stop.”

“What did you say? Oh, ‘If you stay in Baran you’ll fall from Brikt’s favor. A clever girl wouldn’t choose that. Did I misjudge you?’—that’s what you said—”

“Stop!”

“You told me to prove my worth by helping Raon!”

Erilot glared at Hevan.

“I was just a girl of fourteen—lost my belongings, living in fear someone would discover me and drag me off.”

“....”

“You threatened Han, my only solace.”

“....”

“A man like you fell in love with me—shouldn’t I cherish and comfort you?”

“...Repent.”

Hevan stared at Erilot, tears in his eyes.

“Repent... I am full of regret.”

“And?”

“I want to turn back time....”

“Then fetch the vials.”

“....”

“If you bring them, I will smile at you with the face you long for.”

Hevan left the reception room.

Han Jihyuk stepped in.

“Remarkable, really.”

“What?”

“How someone so arrogant falls head over heels for you? You ought to prostrate yourself to your father for that face. Know that?”

“I take after Father in looks, but this isn’t about that.”

“What?”

“The advantage was .”

I’d known Raon would prevent me returning to Saxoia.

I’d known Hevan, Raon’s close friend, would help.

‘You need palace permission to resign.’

Without it, soldiers would have pursued me.

Disappearing with palace secrets is a grave crime.

So I needed a safety pin to help me.

Hevan’s heart was an open book until he raised his blessing a level.

“You gave him what he wanted to hear. In that sense, is the best weapon, right?”

I grinned boldly; Han Jihyuk’s jaw dropped.

“You wicked...”

“Do you think Hevan is a good man?”

“Not really....”

“He’s good to me because he loves me. Otherwise he’d have been as cruel as to others.”

“Threatening to kill me was real enough.”

I’d threatened to kill Han Jihyuk—truly intended it.

I could read Hevan’s mind with .

“Using a loved one’s life to threaten, but not using a man’s heart—right?”

“Looks like you got what you deserved.”

“Exactly. What about Balderick and Joshua?”

Han Jihyuk smiled.

“They returned—with a great gift.”

“You brought proof that Balderick sponsored the kidnapping!”

Han Jihyuk nodded.

I dashed out of the reception room.

In the castle square knelt the captured men.

And standing proudly beside them—my brothers!

“My brothers!”

When I approached, Balzac grinned and yanked off the kneeling man’s mask.

The kin and retainers recoiled.

“Joffrey?!”

“Prince Joffrey...?”

Balzac spoke to Grandfather, who had just arrived.

“This fool inserted himself among the assassins to ensure none could kill us.”

Pale, Joffrey bowed his head.

Balderick swallowed hard.

“F-Father... this is... I-I was trapped....”

No excuse would help.

‘How could assassins miss my own son among them?’

Balderick’s retainers seemed to realize their mistake and shut their eyes tight.

‘Now there are only two solutions.’

Either admit guilt and cede the domain in full.

‘Or...’

I glanced at Loreina.

This year she turned twenty-two—the pillar of Balderick’s domain.

Loreina hurried out and knelt before Grandfather.

“I beg your pardon, Grandfather!”

“Lo-Loreina!”

Balderick cried, aghast at his daughter.

Grandfather merely glanced at kneeling Loreina.

“For failing to prevent your father’s reckless plan, punish me as you will.”

“Loreina!”

“Sister!”

Loreina looked up and explained.

“Three hours ago, we learned soldiers of the domain planned to target Erilot, Joshua, and Balzac. Mother and I summoned the retainers.”

“What?”

“S-Sister!”

“The mastermind is Prince Joffrey! But Father supported Joffrey, so he too must face punishment!”

I smiled wryly.

‘Right. Cut off the tail, save the body.’

This was the second solution.

Smart Loreina realized Balderick’s domain could only survive if she abandoned her father and brother.

Grandfather’s lips curved upward.

“Clever, Loreina.”

“...I beg your pardon.”

“What punishment shall I impose?”

“Seize our domain’s voting rights in the manor council, if you will... and...”

Loreina rose and approached me, then knelt again.

“I will accept any punishment you dole out.”

I smiled and took her hand, lifting her gently.

“Don’t. Sister bears no guilt.”

Loreina stiffened.

I leaned close and whispered.

“Do you intend to end this by erasing names from the registry?”

“You....”

I straightened and declared.

“I don’t wish an innocent sister to suffer. But to prevent this setting a precedent, some compensation is needed, Grandfather.”

“What do you seek?”

“All revenues from Balderick’s domain ports and palace taxes, and...”

Balderick ground his teeth, resigned.

‘He thinks I’ll claim Balderick’s assets?’

Balderick was no fool; he’d amassed the greatest wealth in Astra.

He’d surely moved assets to secure contingencies.

I proclaimed, “I demand all lands and wealth under Prince Joffrey Astra’s name as ransom for the kidnapping!”

“...!”

“Th-That’s—absurd...!”

Loreina and Balderick froze.

I whispered in Loreina’s ear again.

“Agree, sister.”

“Why...?”

“Don’t you see why Balderick moved his assets under Joffrey’s name?”

“....”

“He prepared for succession—so his domain would become Joffrey’s.”

“....”

“All the treasure would go to his son; you’d be placated with a nominal title.”

“....”

“Isn’t it unjust? Sister, who’s protected the domain with all her might, overshadowed by a foolish brother.”

“....”

“Will you let a mere foolish brother take everything?”

Loreina’s gaze turned to Balderick.

She declared, “I, Loreina Astra, eldest daughter of Balderick Astra, in case of emergency succeed all paternal rights. With the Scarlet Raven banner at the gate, I proclaim this by law.”

“You wretch, be silent—!!”

“I ratify the demands of the Daymond domain.”

“Loreina—!!”

I held out my hand to my sister once more.

“I’m glad to be sailing in the same ship with you, sister.”

Loreina glanced at our ranting father, then grasped my hand.

She whispered, “The alliance won’t break... until Daymond becomes Erilot’s domain.”

“Yes. Until Balderick becomes Loreina’s domain.”

Our aims were achieved.

Seize the wealth of Balderick’s domain—and gain a talent like Loreina.

I said softly, “Ah.”

“And return the wealth taken from our domain as well.”

Loreina smiled.

“Of course.”

With everything settled...

I wheeled around.

To the man standing before the gate.

And with a pout shouted, “Where’s your reply? Where’s your reply!”

“....”

“If you send a letter you must reply!”

“....”

“You, Lee!”

Like that childhood day, I scampered up and flung my arms around his neck.

“Welcome back, Alexis.”

“...Yes.”

He buried his face in my shoulder.

I squeezed him tighter.

I’d wanted to tell this fool how much I’d missed him.

But a murderous glare from behind prickled me.

Raon and Hevan stood glaring, as if to tear Alexis apart.

At that moment—

“Off me!?”

“Let go!”

“You’d better let go, Erilot.”

I could even hear my family’s harsh voices.

This third generation is the villain.