Chapter 12

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: I'll Raise the Villain Properly - Chapter 12

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"Auntie, you're not gonna die. You're not gonna leave me and go anywhere."

"I know that because Riley told me."

"Really?"

Lucian averted his gaze from mine. From his reaction, he seemed pretty embarrassed and sorry about it.

"She said there are lots of kids like me in this world, and that you went to help them because they looked like me."

"Yeah."

From what Lucian was saying, it sounded like Riley had explained everything pretty thoroughly.

'Even so, Lucian wouldn't have just sat there quietly listening.'

For words like that to come out of Lucian's mouth. It seemed like my collapse had shocked him pretty badly.

'Kids are kids, after all.'

Seeing him like that made me forgive him somewhat for swinging his fists at me while calling me hateful.

But I couldn't let it slide just because he was cute. Hitting people was seriously wrong, no matter what.

'This is my chance to really straighten him out.'

I changed my mind about getting out of bed. Instead, I let out a groan and burrowed deeper under the covers.

"Ouch, it hurts."

"A-Auntie, what's wrong? Are you hurting again?"

"Yeah. My stomach's all stinging."

"Your stomach? Why? You haven't pooped?"

"No. I think it's because Lucian hit me yesterday."

"......"

Maybe feeling guilty, Lucian clamped his mouth shut.

'Looks like he does feel sorry.'

I was determined to get a solid promise from him that he wouldn't hit anyone anymore. Clutching my stomach, I pressed on.

"I was already in pain, and now my stomach hurts too. I feel like I'm gonna die."

"Auntie, no! Don't die!"

"If you hadn't hit me, Lucian, I'd be fine......"

My acting must have worked because tears poured from Lucian's eyes like a faucet.

I felt a twinge of guilt, but... bad habits had to be fixed.

It wasn't just anything—it was hitting people. And it had really hurt when Lucian did it.

The little punk was way too strong for his size.

"Auntie, I'm sorry. I swear I won't hit you ever again. So please don't die!"

"You really won't hit me?"

"Yeah."

"What about making trouble for others?"

"I won't do that either. From now on, no more salt in the tea, no more cutting off the viscount's mustache! So Auntie, don't leave me and die!"

Unable to hold back his sobs, Lucian buried his face in the bedsheet and started bawling.

'Sigh. I can't watch this anymore.'

I scooped up Lucian, who was sprawled on the bed. The tiny thing had grown a bit—he was heavier than I expected.

"Okay, got it. Auntie won't die, so stop crying now."

I held Lucian close and patted his back. He snuggled into my arms like a baby koala.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Auntie."

My shoulder grew damp with his tears and snot. Seeing Lucian cry so heartbreakingly for the first time made my heart ache.

Some might scold me for giving a kid such a big shock. Others might say my punishment was too light.

But I had no choice.

I didn't know much about child-rearing, and in this place, there weren't even child psychologists, let alone anything like that. This was the best I could do.

Parenting was new to me too.

"You have to keep this promise, okay? If you make Auntie worry again, I might get so sick I collapse for real."

"I will. I'll keep my promise, and I'll protect you too, Auntie."

His solemn little declaration made me chuckle.

A peanut-sized kid talking about protecting me.

Still, his heart was in the right place, so I didn't add any unnecessary words.

"Got it. Auntie won't get sick anymore. And Lucian, stop crying."

"Ung."

I gently patted his back. Soon, the sniffling Lucian fell asleep in my arms.

"Lady Lucella, let me take the young master."

"It's fine. I'll hold him."

"But you just woke up after collapsing. The royal physician said it was overwork and to rest for a while."

Overwork from just one sleepless night? Taking care of kids really wasn't ordinary work.

These past few days, I'd been losing sleep over how to raise Lucian right.

"Give the young master to me and have breakfast first. You've gone all day without eating—you must be hungry."

My stomach was indeed rumbling. After all that hardship, I craved something sweet.

"It'd be better for the young master to sleep comfortably in his own bed too. He hasn't slept a wink since you collapsed."

"Lucian?"

"Yes. He kept saying his auntie couldn't die and refused to sleep. He checked on you every hour to see if you'd woken up."

"I see......"

I gently stroked the hair on Lucian's forehead. He'd cried so hard that sweat beaded on his brow and the nape of his neck.

'This little peanut stayed up without proper sleep, worrying about me.'

The thought nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Yes. Just like the original story described, Lucian wasn't a bad kid by nature. He'd just grown a bit twisted without parents—not some psychopath who got joy from others' pain.

"No, Riley. I'll take Lucian to his room myself."

"Pardon? But......"

"I want to hold him a little longer."

Riley finally nodded reluctantly.

I gave her a faint smile and kept patting Lucian's back until his sleep-talking stopped.

Wishing he'd have good dreams—and that when he opened his eyes, he'd be a bit more proper kid.

"Amelia! Throw the ball over here!"

Amelia stared at the ball that had rolled to a stop at her feet.

Vusnie Orphanage had never had anything worthy of being called a ball before. They'd all been old and deflated.

Getting a sturdy ball that wouldn't burst even if kicked hard was all thanks to one person.

'Sister Lucella.'

Without her, they wouldn't have the bright yellow soccer ball like a forsythia flower, or the time to run around freely.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and throw it."

"Okay."

Amelia picked up the ball and tossed it. The bright yellow ball arced far away. The children laughed merrily, chasing after its path.

But not Amelia. She watched the playing kids, then turned her gaze to the chocolate cookie in her hand.

The unopened cookie had a yellow note stuck to it.

[Thanks so much for last night. This is a gift just for you and Edwin. Sorry I couldn't give it to you myself—I had to leave without saying goodbye. Next time, let's eat something even tastier.]

Lucella had visited the orphanage four days ago. They'd been caring for the babies together, but when Amelia came to, it was morning. Lucella was gone, replaced by unfamiliar adults.

'From now on, we'll be staying here with you all.'

Heidi, who introduced herself as the new teacher, had called Amelia and Edwin aside secretly and given them palm-sized chocolate cookies.

'Lady Lilfrey said to give this to you two without the other kids knowing.'

'Lady Lilfrey... You mean Sister Lucella?'

'Yes, exactly. She said she was so grateful for yesterday. She wanted to give it herself but had to leave early, so she's sorry.'

'Wow, my first chocolate cookie!'

Edwin had devoured his excitedly, but Amelia hadn't.

Like a four-leaf clover tucked between bookshelves to keep from tearing, she'd saved it without eating. Receiving such kind affection felt like going back to when her parents were alive.

'I wanted to thank her for remembering me when she comes back and share it with her.'

It had been four days since Lucella left. She hadn't returned to Vusnie Orphanage, nor given any hint of when she might.

As always, the kids quickly forgot her. It wasn't their first time with this.

Adults with kind faces would visit, but leave soon if no child caught their eye.

But Lucella was different from any adult Amelia had seen. She'd saved the children from the director and treated them with unwavering kindness.

So she'd believed her.

She'd started to trust, just a little.

"Guess she really isn't coming back."

"Amelia, what are you muttering to yourself about?"

Edwin poked his head out from behind her.

"Just... thinking that the only one I can really rely on is myself."

"What about me?"

"Of course I trust you too, Edwin."

Amelia pinched Edwin's cheek with her free hand. It felt soft, like dough.

Edwin grinned at the affectionate touch, but his eyes went to her other hand.

"Why haven't you eaten the cookie yet?"

"Just... I don't want to. It's too precious."

Edwin tilted his head, as if he'd heard something incomprehensible.

Kind Amelia always gave her snacks to Edwin or the younger ones. Even when asked if she was okay, she'd smile and say she'd eaten plenty living with her parents.

For her to treasure food like this...

'I was gonna ask for it if she wasn't gonna eat it.'

Feeling awkwardly embarrassed, Edwin scratched his nose.

The first chocolate cookie he'd ever tasted was soft and incredibly sweet. Especially the little black beans dotted inside—they were the best part.

'Amelia's never had anything this good either.'

That's why she was cherishing it. She didn't want such a tasty cookie to disappear.