Chapter 9

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: I'll Raise the Villain Properly - Chapter 9

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"So, kids, you don't have to worry anymore."

I flashed a bright smile at the children. Now that I'd made my decision, my mind felt at ease.

Even so, the children's expressions weren't great. It didn't take long for me to figure out why.

"Then who's gonna stay with us today?"

"Huh?"

"You said the new teacher comes tomorrow. So what about today?"

"Well..."

"It's scary without any grown-ups..."

The maids were planning to head back to the ducal residence by evening. Their workplace was the ducal residence, after all—it was only natural.

I planned to return to Lucian too. I'd been worried about him wanting to follow me everywhere.

'If the maids and I leave, the kids will be without any adults until morning.'

They go to bed early, so it should be fine, but I couldn't overlook potential emergencies. Kids could bolt anywhere. They always needed a guardian present.

On top of that, Vusnie Orphanage had toddlers who had only just started walking.

'These little ones will fuss at bedtime, and I'll have to change diapers in the middle of the night.'

I watched a maid soothing a crying child in the corner of the orphanage. The other maids were frantic too—changing diapers, feeding formula, you name it.

Seeing their faces drain of color in an instant, I couldn't bring myself to ask them to stay until morning, even if my life depended on it.

So I made my choice.

"I'll stay, so it'll be fine."

"You, sis?"

"Yeah. I'll be here until the new teacher arrives tomorrow. So no need to worry, okay?"

"...That's a relief."

Smiles bloomed on the children's worried faces. Their bashful grins were utterly adorable.

Spending the night with these lovable kids? Piece of cake.

Or so I thought.

"Miss, are you sure you'll be okay? Maybe we should stay..."

"I'm fine. I'm already grateful you came this far—I don't want to make you pull an all-nighter too."

"Still, there are so many kids."

"I said I'm okay. No matter how tough the job, can it be harder than taking care of Lucian?"

"But..."

I gently pushed the maids' worried gazes away from me.

"I'll head back as soon as the new childcare teacher arrives tomorrow, so please let Lucian know. Tell him Aunt has some business and will be back after sleeping over one night."

"Got it. Call us right away if anything happens, okay?"

"Yeah."

I waved as the carriage carrying the maids pulled away. Thankfully, securing a childcare teacher early let me breathe a sigh of relief.

"We fed them dinner, and they had nice baths too."

Raised under the orphanage director, the kids could eat and wash themselves without help. The older ones even assisted us in bathing the younger children.

Impressive, but heartbreaking at the same time.

I pulled out my pocket watch. Nearly 9 p.m.—bedtime for good kids.

"Time to get ready for bed?"

After double-checking all the doors and windows, I grabbed a couple of picture books.

"They're definitely gonna fight sleep."

I recalled Lucian straining with all his might to stay awake.

'Lucian, why won't you sleep?'

'Don't wanna!'

'Why don't you wanna?'

'My choice!'

He'd wail he absolutely wouldn't sleep, stick his finger up my nose while I sang lullabies, and even wander the halls at dawn plotting an escape before getting caught by the nanny.

'Why won't he just sleep? I could nap all day.'

Clutching the picture books, I steeled myself and stepped back inside.

But my preparations were for nothing—the kids had already gotten ready for bed.

"All... ready for bed?"

"Yes."

The children lay under their blankets, nodding.

"We get scolded if we don't go to bed early."

"I guess so, but..."

The scolding I had in mind was worlds apart from what the director dished out. Their shoulders trembled at the mere mention.

"I don't scold for stuff like that."

"...Really?"

"Yeah. Some nights, sleep just doesn't come."

Of course, trying not to sleep every single night like Lucian was a problem.

I shrugged and headed to an empty spot, where a pillow and blanket awaited me.

"Anyone not sleepy, come here. I'll read you a story."

Picture book. Those three syllables perked up a few heads, but they hesitated to approach.

'They're still uneasy, huh? I'm a stranger they just met today.'

Pushing them now would backfire. I had to let them come to me on their own.

"Suit yourselves. Guess I'll read alone."

I feigned nonchalance and opened the book. A few kids fidgeted.

I amped up the drama in my voice.

"Gasp! A house made of cookies? Sounds delicious!"

"...Wanna see the cookie house."

Their shy response made me chuckle. Pretending reluctance, I held the book open for them to see.

"Wanna look together if you're curious?"

"...Yes."

One nod broke the ice. Wary kids started inching closer.

"Once upon a time, in a cookie kingdom where the whole world was made of treats..."

Soon, I was reading to sparkling-eyed, rapt listeners, a warm smile on my face.

The first snores came after finishing one book. Everyone but three kids was asleep.

'Watching them sleep is making me drowsy...'

But I couldn't close the book yet—not with wakeful kids still around.

I fought back the crashing wave of sleepiness and opened the next one.

At least, I think that's what happened...

"Waaah!"

A sudden wail jolted me upright.

Turning toward the sound, I saw a girl not even a year old sobbing pitifully.

'This'll wake the others.'

I scooped her up in a hurry. What was her name? Cherry?

"What's wrong, Cherry? Why so sad?"

"Waaah! Eeng!"

"...What's that smell?"

Rocking her, I froze at the warm sensation on my hand. I sniffed her bottom.

"You pooped..."

A big one, too.

That explained the tears.

'Gotta change the diaper...'

Sadly, I'd never changed one. Bathing or diapering Lucian was always the nanny's or maids' job. Nobles like me didn't have to.

'But I can't just leave it.'

Alright! Here goes nothing!

"I'll change you quick. Hang on, okay?"

Grabbing a fresh diaper and towel, I headed to the bathroom. Drawing on what I'd seen the nanny do, I undressed her.

I dumped the soiled diaper in a bucket and focused on cleaning Cherry first. Babies catch colds easily—this had to be fast.

"Eeng! Eeng!"

"There, all done."

Forcing my half-closed eyes open, I washed her clean, diapered her up, and bundled her snugly against chills.

Thankfully, Cherry quieted in her fresh clothes and dozed off.

'Phew...'

The diaper was a bit loose, but success!

As I went to lay sleeping Cherry back down...

"Waaah!"

She wailed the instant her back hit the mattress.

"Shh, okay. No crying."

I tried soothing and resettling her, but no dice. It was like she had a back sensor—she screamed every time I laid her flat.

At least the other kids slept soundly...

"Hnnn..."

"Waaah!"

So much for that.

Cherry's cries set off a chorus from the other babies.

"Shh, it's okay. Back to sleep."

I patted a crying baby's chest with my free hand while holding Cherry. One-armed parenting was no joke, but what choice did I have?

Still, the wails wouldn't stop.

And to top it off...

"Gotta pee..."

"...You're up?"

A boy clutched his crotch and stood.

'He chugged all that juice earlier.'

Total disaster.

"C-Can you go to the bathroom by yourself?"

"Ugh..."

"Okay, let's hurry."

Despite claiming he could, he stepped on several sleeping kids en route—the dark hid them.

"Ow!"

"It hurts!"

Even the half-asleep ones jolted awake. Total disaster.

'I wanna cry...'

Why'd I send the maids away? Why'd I think this was easier than Lucian?

I wanted to lose it, but the heavens wouldn't even grant that mercy.

"Nngh... Ah!"

Right after her thorough cleaning, Cherry had pooped again.

'Easier than Lucian? Yeah, right...'

One child was overwhelming enough—that truth hit hard.