I Became The Villain’s Master - Chapter 1.7

“Put me down.”

Sugar gently set me on the ground.

I ran to Rory and first removed his gag.

“I’m sorry. Did it hurt a lot?”

How much did he get beaten?

The child’s clothes were covered in dirt, and there were bruises on his shoulders.

His lip was split too.

When I put my hand on his cheek to wipe away his tears, he flinched, frowning.

“Ugh. What should I do…”

Because I fell into a deep sleep.

Because I let my guard down.

I couldn’t protect him properly.

I turned my head and glared at Sugar and Cream.

They had been shooting fiery glares at Rory, but quickly averted their eyes and started whistling.

“I’ve lost my appetite because of you, big brothers. I won’t eat breakfast.”

“What? No, Merchen. You need to eat a lot to grow big and strong.”

“You ate separately last night too! Watching you eat is my only joy!”

Sugar and Cream were greatly flustered by my words, which came like a bolt from the blue.

But I shouted firmly.

“If you bully Rory, I won’t eat from now on. If you don’t want to see me starve to death, behave properly.”

And I issued an order to leave.

“Now get out.”

***

After Sugar and Cream disappeared with gloomy faces, I urged the maid who had been quietly observing the situation.

“Run and bring a doctor! Quickly!”

The maid brought the Hauser family’s physician and also brought Ann along.

Fortunately, nothing was broken, but Rory’s small body was covered in bruises.

Doctor Rudolf applied medicine to Rory and helped him change clothes.

“Thank you, Rudolf.”

“Ho ho. This is my job. Call me anytime, young miss.”

He disappeared with a kind smile as if looking at his cute granddaughter.

I ordered Ann to bring soft food for Rory’s breakfast.

Then I approached Rory, who was quietly looking at me.

“Rory. Does it hurt a lot?”

I was so upset.

Looking at his split lip, tears welled up in my eyes involuntarily.

“It’s okay. I’m fine, young miss.”

Rory said with a smile as if trying to comfort me.

Then he winced, making an “Ah!” sound.

Because of that, I became even more depressed.

Why are you smiling? It’s upsetting.

“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

I need to give those rascals human rights education right away.

It was terrifying to think about what they might do when they grow up like this.

In the novel, most of their evil deeds were shown only in scenes of bullying Rory, but that was just because they were supporting characters with little screen time. I thought they probably stirred up trouble everywhere and committed many more bad acts in reality.

Trying to push away these gloomy thoughts, I gently blew on Rory’s mouth, cheeks, and hands.

“Wow! Now that the young miss has blown on them, they don’t hurt at all!”

“Don’t lie. You dummy.”

“Ah. R-really……”

Rory was flustered.

At times like this, I should have asked “Really?” with an innocent smile.

I’m sorry, little one. My reaction wasn’t innocent enough.

“Really?”

Pretending to be fooled, albeit belatedly, I blinked with wide eyes.

Rory then smiled, seeming relieved.

“Yes. It really doesn’t hurt.”

“That’s good.”

Giggling, I gently stroked his hair.

How could they do such a thing to such a kind and pretty child…

I just couldn’t get over it.

It felt like a storm had just passed.

***

Rory had trouble eating because of his split lip.

Even though I cooled the soft food for him, he kept frowning as if in pain.

Meanwhile, he kept offering me spoonfuls, seemingly worried that I was skipping breakfast.

I felt like I might get sick if I ate even a little, but I couldn’t ignore the child’s concern, so I forced myself to swallow a few bites.

After the meal, I dismissed the maid and we were left alone in the room.

In the original story, Rory gradually regains his memories three years later, at around 8 years old.

He then tries to escape but fails and is confined underground.

Moreover, his body becomes so weak that he barely clings to life.

‘…I won’t let that happen, no matter what.’

I’ll feed him well and raise him strong, then send him back as soon as he turns 8.

If possible, I’ll help him regain his memories earlier and send him away as quickly as possible.

Living in the same house with such rascals is not only threatening but also emotionally bad for a child’s education.

“Rory.”

I reached out to his swollen cheek.

In other novels I’ve read, they could heal things instantly with magic or potions or whatever.

This novel also has the concept of magic power and healing magic exists, but only a very few can use it.

Potions and such don’t exist at all.

Merchen’s body was born with vast magical power, but it won’t manifest until she’s 17.

There was nothing I could do.

If only it would manifest earlier.

If I could use magic, being a small and weak baby wouldn’t be a problem at all.

“Yes, young miss.”

As my outstretched hand hesitated, almost touching him, Rory tilted his head slightly.

He leaned his cheek onto my tiny hand.

Watching him rub his cheek against my hand like a puppy, I impulsively opened my mouth.

“When it’s just the two of us, call me by my name. You can call me Mel if you like.”

“Is that a nickname?”

“Yeah.”

It was a nickname I hadn’t allowed even Count Hauser and the rascals to use.

If I protect Rory and send him back to the Duke’s family early, even if he loves the female lead Cinnamon, he won’t commit evil acts like kidnapping and confinement.

He won’t turn to the dark side or become a devil.

But he will be very sad about his unrequited love.

Because Cinnamon will eventually marry the Crown Prince.

When he becomes a Duke, he’ll inevitably have frequent interactions with the royal family, and each time he faces Cinnamon, who has become the Crown Princess, how his heart will feel…

Rather than that, I wish he would love me.

It was quite an impulsive thought.

Even though I wasn’t sure I could handle it.