The Villain Protects the Lady!

“I see.” 

Hermia rolled her eyes as she sat in the middle of the room, which was the size of three rooms joined together.

 

Belloa clung to her side, obviously frightened by the size of the place.

 “It’s so fancy.” 

It was rumored that the Count of Tekins’s drawing room was the height of wealth.

 

So, she assumed it was the same at the Grand Duke’s mansion.

 

But it wasn’t.

 

Compared to Count Tekin’s drawing room, the Grand Duke’s drawing room was, well, plain.

 

Count Tekins filled his drawing room with the most expensive furniture.

 

The Grand Duke’s drawing room, on the other hand, was a place where every little detail, every single flower, was a sign of careful thought.

 

Every inch of the room was decorated with care and attention to detail.

 “Surely the other rooms in the mansion are like this?” 

Belloa would grow up happy, with a beautiful mansion, good people, and a Grand Duke Uncle who loved her.

 

Happy and carefree.

 

‘How different.’

 

She blinked, wringing her hands unnecessarily.

 

Belloa would be happy here.

 

Hermia knew it in her head. She’d read the novel.

 

Now that she was here, in the House of Leandro, she saw it

with her own eyes.

 

She has to say, it’s a different feeling.

 

It was somehow more daunting.

 “My Belloa.”

Hermia called out, stroking her hair, and Belloa looked up at her, her eyes narrowed.

 “You have found your family.” 

The only shadows left in her path now were the events of the original story.

 

But she’d get through it.

 

She’d get through it, with her absolute best friend by her side.

 

And indeed, in the original, she did.

 

And she’ll drop little hints.

 “It’s a shame I won’t get to see part two.” 

It would be so much easier if she could tell her everything.

 

Hermia hugged Belloa tightly, still a little disappointed.

 “Now we just have to be happy.” “Hmm?” 

Hermia doesn’t know if Belloa knows how she feels.

 

Belloa blinked innocently and smiled while her snot ran down her nose…

 “Don’t eat it!” 

‘No, no, no. Wait, the handkerchief, where’s the handkerchief?’

 “Excuse me.” 

Hermia hastily wiped Belloa’s nose with her handkerchief.

 

The parlor door opened and an older woman with brown hair pulled back neatly entered.

 “I thought you might be cold, so I brought you some hot tea.” “Thank you.” 

Hermia accepted the cup of tea and looked at the old lady’s face.

 

Perhaps she was someone she knew from reading the original.

 

Hermia doesn’t recognize the woman by name.

 

Her brown hair, pale green eyes and advanced age didn’t give her away.

 

Perhaps she had little or no part in the original story.

 “Ah.” 

Suddenly, Belloa moved. Her eyes wide open.

 “Belloa?” 

Sure enough, Belloa had been hiding behind her, wary of unfamiliar places and strangers, until the old woman walked in.

 “Hee-hee.” 

Belloa suddenly smiled at the old woman, and the old woman smiled back. And then Belloa cried.

 

A single tear formed in the corner of Belloa’s eye.

 

‘What was that?’

 

Hermia blinked.

 

‘They don’t know each other…, do they? She was brought by Count Tekins when she was a baby.’

 “Oh.” 

Hermia snapped out of her daydream at the sound of the old woman’s voice and saw Belloa clinging to the old woman as if she needed a hug.

 “Belloa, come here. You scared her to death, I’m so sorry.” 

‘No, look at her. She’s holding on so tight!’

 “Hoo-hoo, it’s okay.” 

The old lady’s voice was a little shaky, as if she’d been startled, but she smiled.

 “I see you like me, you’re cute.” “Ooohh…” 

The woman patted Belloa on the back as she picked her up familiarly.

 “Maybe she’s just grumpy because she’s tired.” “You think?” “Yes. Babies are very sleepy.” 

Mrs. Doyle smiled faintly.

 “My daughter is always tucked in like that this time of year. She was so sneaky, I remember.” 

A small chuckle sounded, amused.

 “I see.” 

Hermia shook her head,

“I don’t think it was sleepiness.” Knock! 

They were interrupted.

 Knock! 

Just as Hermia turned her head to stare at the door, there was another heavy knock, and the door opened.

 

A man entered the parlor.

 

He was twice the size and height of the other men, with dark hair that half-hid his features, but didn’t hide the bold lines that were still there.

 

‘At last we met.’

 

A pair of piercing golden eyes.

 

The same eyes as Belloa’s. <In The Real Princess Only Walks on Flower Paths>, Grand Duke Leandro and Belloa are repeatedly described as having the same eye color.

 

But, but, but.

 

‘….he’s frightening.’

 

While Belloa’s eyes are warm and jewel-like, Grand Duke Leandro’s eyes look like they could devour her from head to toe in an instant.

 

The eyes of a predator.

 

They were the eyes of a man-eating beast.

 

‘Had I overestimated myself by making a deal with the Grand Duke?’

 

A feeling of dread began to overwhelm her, causing her to think such thoughts.

 

She cleared her throat.

 “Grand Duke Leandro.” 

As Hermia stiffened, the old lady bowed first, then the man.

 “Mrs. Doyle.” 

The Grand Duke’s gaze shifted from Mrs. Doyle to her.

 “Is this the woman who brought my niece?” “Yes, she is. This is Hermia Tekins, and I believe the young lady is asleep, for the moment.” “Alright.” 

His voice is grave.

 

If it weren’t for this situation, she’d call it a cave voice.

 

Hermia fidgeted with the hem of her innocent dress, trying to relax, when she felt the Grand Duke’s gaze return to her.

 

‘Ugh,’

she gasped.

 “Follow me, please. This is not the place to discuss important matters.” 

The Grand Duke turned as if to say,

“Follow me.”

 “Excuse me!” 

The Grand Duke, who had just left the room, stopped and turned.

 

‘Hic, now I’m scared!’

 

But something had to be said.

 “Belloa…” 

Clutching the hem of her dress, Hermia barely managed to clear her throat.

 “Don’t you want to see Belloa?” 

All the Grand Duke could see now was the back of Belloa’s head, buried deep in the maid’s arms.

 

Although she was very cute in her cuddly way.

 “She’s your niece.” 

‘The least he could do was check, right?’

 

Besides, how touching was Grand Duke Leandro and Belloa’s first meeting in the original story?

 

Sure, things have changed a lot since then, but not this!

 “Hmph.” 

The Grand Duke slowly shifted his gaze to stare at Belloa once more. His mouth, which had been set in a straight line, fell open.

 “Why?” 

‘Why? Should he harden now?’

 “I don’t even know if she’s my real or fake niece.” 

Grand Duke Leandro’s piercing eyes narrowed.

 “Let’s start with the story, Miss Tekins.” 

He jerked his chin slightly out of the room. His hair swayed slightly in time with his jaw.

 “If you wish, you may return to the Count of Tekins with the child.” 

The words were polite on the surface. But underneath, there was arrogance and contempt.

 

Hermia smirked.

 “You’re pretty much confirming me as a fraud, aren’t you?” ‘

Well, let’s give it a try, shall we?’

 

Hermia scrambled to her feet, a grin on her face, and with the speed of a runner she approached the Grand Duke, stopping right in front of him.

 “…….” 

The corners of his eyes twitched in displeasure.

 

Or not.

 

Hermia opened her mouth, still maintaining her

“I know nothing”

smile.

 “Come on, let’s go, I can’t wait to see what we’re going to talk about.” “…Okay.” 

The Grand Duke, who had been staring at her wordlessly for a long mom

ent, turned around, and she took a step forward, following Leandro’s lead.

 

‘All right. Let’s go!’