Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: I'll Raise the Villain Properly - Chapter 25

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Craving Amelia, who wasn't even his match, and earning Edwin's jealousy because of it.

At least the silver lining was that they were still young enough for minds to change.

"Then Lucian, you stay here. Auntie’s going to go have fun with the other kids by herself."

"What?"

And the fact that jealousy over his aunt worked like a charm.

"It's been a while, so maybe hide-and-seek today. Or would tag be more fun?"

"You're going off to play with the other kids right now, without me?"

Lucian was incredibly dependent on me and attached to me.

That was why I couldn't be the one to invite Edwin to the estate. Only Lucian could suggest it 'as a friend.'

He couldn't stay under his aunt's protection forever.

This life was Lucian's. I was just the one pushing him forward on his path—he needed to grow into someone who could walk on his own.

He had to be able to maintain close relationships with Edwin without me, or even with people other than me. Only then could he escape the brink of death and grow into a proper adult.

"Auntie wants to play tag... But sadly, tag's a game you need a bunch of people for, right?"

To make that happen, I had to use Lucian's jealousy a little, even if it meant being sorry for now.

"Sigh, what a shame. It would've been so much fun."

"......"

"If Lucian doesn't want to, no choice. Guess I'll have to go alone."

"......"

"Everyone's gonna ask, 'Why didn't Lucian come?' 'I missed him.'"

With each word I tossed out, Lucian's little shoulders twitched.

I didn't stop there and dangled the biggest bait yet.

"I'm even taking Amelia... Wonder what our Lucian will do here all by himself."

"I-I wanna go too!"

Hooked.

I headed to Vusnie Orphanage with Lucella—no, with Amelia and Claude.

The kids, hearing the carriage, had already rushed outside to greet us.

"Lucella sis, why'd you come so late? We were waiting!"

"Amelia, where've you been? We looked everywhere for you!"

"But who's that tall guy next to you?"

"It's cold—let's go inside and talk."

I led the kids into the building, brushing off the barrage of questions. After a brief moment of fluster at the bunny-like swarm, Claude followed behind me and Amelia.

"Okay, attention!"

I had all the kids sit, clapped twice to gather their eyes.

"First, why I haven't come for a while. It snowed a ton these past few days, right? I caught a cold and couldn't make it."

"I see."

"You should've washed your hands properly!"

"No picky eating either!"

The nodding kids chimed in one by one.

"And this gentleman who came with us today—he's Amelia's uncle."

"Uncle?"

The round-faced kids' eyes turned to Claude all at once.

"That means..."

"Right. I found my lost family."

The answer came from Amelia. She gripped Claude's hand tight and smiled.

"Whoa, congrats!"

"Lucky you, Amelia!"

Congratulations poured from everywhere. Plenty of kids eyed Amelia clutching Claude's hand with envy.

"So you're going home with your uncle now?"

"Yeah."

"Then... you're leaving this place."

The subdued voice came from Edwin. Amelia, meeting his eyes, nodded slowly.

"Y-Yeah."

At her response, Edwin's face darkened.

An emotion hard to put into words clouded the boy's face. Grief, regret, envy. Edwin's face, dyed in so many feelings, looked ready to burst into tears any second.

"So we won't see you anymore?"

"Waaah. What about missing you?"

The other kids made sad faces too.

"Don't be too sad. She promised to visit a lot. Right, Amelia?"

"Of course."

Amelia balled her fist and answered firmly. The other kids quickly broke into bright smiles, but not Edwin. I had no idea how to cheer up the boy's dejected face.

"Edwin."

Amelia let go of Claude's hand and approached Edwin. She then hugged him—he was a full head shorter than her.

"Sorry. For leaving you behind."

"......What's there to be sorry for? This is something to celebrate. You've always wanted to find your family."

"But you're sad right now. Because I'm leaving."

"......"

"It's different from understanding it in your head."

Amelia patted the back of Edwin, whom she held close. At that mature gesture, tears finally welled in Edwin's eyes.

"Truth is... I don't want to say goodbye."

"Edwin..."

"It's a good thing, so I should congratulate you."

"......"

"I want to tell you not to go."

With that, Edwin buried his face in Amelia's shoulder. Soon, his shoulders began to shake faintly. The boy who hadn't cried even after losing his mother wept bitterly in Amelia's arms.

"Edwin, don't cry."

"You're crying, sob, so my tears are coming too."

The kids watching Edwin and Amelia started getting teary-eyed themselves. Before long, the room filled with children's sobs and sniffles.

"Aigoo, you little crybabies."

I pulled the weeping kids into my arms.

"It's not like you'll never see her again. She'll come visit, so why cry like this?"

I wiped the snot and tears smeared on their faces and patted their shaking backs.

"If you cry, the scary grandpa will come take you away."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah. Our auntie said so."

Lucian, who had never comforted anyone in his life, started mimicking me to console the kids.

It was more warning than comfort, really, but the kids stopped crying quick. They must not want to get snatched by scary old man Mangtae.

"D-Don't cry."

Claude awkwardly patted the kids with his stiff hand too.

"Eek, mister's scary voice!"

"......Why am I the mister?"

Not that it worked, of course.

I chuckled at Claude awkwardly wiping the kids' tears.

The kids, who had wailed pitifully for ages, stopped like ghosts at the promise of snacks. Today's treat was milk chocolate studded with almonds.

"Yummy!"

While the kids were all engrossed in snacks, I subtly shifted over to Edwin.

Edwin was clinging to Amelia like a koala.

Amelia, quick on the uptake, seemed to sense I had something to say to him and promptly stepped aside. Edwin's longing gaze followed her retreating figure.

"Um, Edwin."

"......Thank you."

Edwin, staring blankly at me, suddenly bowed his head.

"What's this all of a sudden?"

"Amelia told me. That you found her uncle and helped him when he was in danger."

"Oh?"

I hadn't expected Amelia to mention that.

"Amelia's business is my business too. Thank you for helping."

"Aww, so mature."

I stroked the back of Edwin's head as he bowed to me again.

How had he grown up so upright and sensible all on his own? Was this the protagonist buff at work?

"Lucian's still such a baby."

Coming from dealing with Lucian, who caused trouble daily despite not being mature at all, it hit me fresh.

"Edwin, I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

I popped a neatly broken piece of chocolate into Edwin's mouth and spoke.

"Want to come play at our house next week?"

"Your house?"

Startled by the sudden invite, Edwin blinked his big deer-like eyes.

"If it's your house... that's the Bellomon Ducal Residence, right?"

"You knew?"

"I overheard Amelia and the teachers talking."

"I see."

To be precise, it was Lucian's house, but it was where I was staying now anyway.

"Come over, play knight games with Lucian, eat yummy stuff."

"But..."

Edwin's eyes, fixed on me, dropped down. He fidgeted with his hands on his knees and continued.

"I'm a commoner... is that okay...?"

He meant if a commoner like him could dare visit the ducal residence. I waved my hands hurriedly.

"Don't think like that, Edwin."

"Still..."

"You're friends with Lucian and Amelia. You're also a kid from the orphanage I sponsor. There's no reason you can't come to the ducal residence."