I Became The Villain’s Master - Chapter 1.8

“…How… how could I dare to call the young miss by her name or nickname? I am a slave, young miss.”

“Huh?”

“Please take back your words. It’s not a name that should be casually used by someone like me. I’m truly grateful, but you’ve already been too kind by treating me gently and trying to protect me until now.”

A bitter look crossed the little one’s face.

An intimidated expression and drooping shoulders.

Even if he had lost his memories, he should still have the habit of being raised nobly.

For a young duke, his attitude of lowering himself was excessive.

He probably was like this at the Duke’s house too.

It seemed he had lived all crouched up under a scary and strict father.

He’s only five years old.

“Rory. Don’t lower yourself.”

“……”

“You’re a child who naturally deserves protection, and a person worthy of receiving plenty of love. I… I hope you’ll be happy during the time you spend by my side.”

I looked closely into his eyes.

Hoping my sincerity would be conveyed.

Rory gently removed his cheek from my hand and looked at me with wet eyes.

As his eyes clouded as if with fog, blinked once, pearl-like droplets rolled down, revealing clear pink irises.

“I’ll call you Mel.”

I smiled brightly and lightly ruffled the little one’s hair.

“Mmh? Rory.”

Rory stared at me blankly, then mumbled with his adorable lips.

Then, with a reddened face, he timidly made a sound.

“Mel……”

“Hm? What did you say? I can’t hear you.”

“Mel!”

Calling me again a bit louder, he lowered his head shyly.

The little one, with even his ears turning red, hesitated for a moment before gathering courage once more.

“B-both the name and nickname are very pretty.”

“Really?”

“Yes….. Mel……”

Oh my. How cute.

Hearing the nickname in his lovely voice felt strangely good, even though it wasn’t mine.

Love me, little one.

Rather than Cinnamon who naively makes many men cry, love me instead.

Like a witch casting a spell, I whispered repeatedly in my mind.

As I chuckled, Rory raised his head and smiled back at me.

His pure white smile made me feel numb.

Just like when I kept replaying his death and the word ‘End’ on the last page of the novel over and over again.

***

I had Ann prepare Rory’s room in the empty room to the left of mine.

The maids who were watching the workers coming and going with furniture rolled up their sleeves and helped with the cleaning.

The room, prepared in an instant, exuded a cozy and warm atmosphere.

Low furniture suitable for a child’s height and a soft ivory carpet to create a warm ambiance.

The color of the fluttering chiffon curtains was light yellow.

We also installed an awning to block the hot sunlight and a fireplace to ward off the night’s chill.

“Do you like it?”

To my question, Rory nodded with a broad smile.

His dimples that appeared were truly beautiful.

As I watched Rory contentedly explore the room, I was suddenly lifted into the air.

“Eek!”

“Merchen. What are you doing? Why are you setting up a room here?”

A sharp comment despite the gentle voice.

The owner of the kind expression behind the glasses was Sugar Hauser.

“I was planning to fill this place with jewels and shoes when you grow a bit more.”

Unexpectedly held by Sugar, I shrugged with a disgruntled expression.

Rory was fidgeting with his hands clasped, looking uncertain.

I sent a reassuring glance to Rory and spoke boldly.

“You said you were unhappy with Rory sleeping with me.”

“No master gives a room to a slave. It’s enough to let them sleep in the barn.”

Goodness. A barn, of all places.

“Rory isn’t grain or a haystack. He’s a young child who needs care.”

“Young or old, who cares? You just need to think about yourself, Merchen. No need to worry about others.”

I wanted to snap back telling him to mind his own business, but instead, I just shrugged.

He wouldn’t listen if I only said the right things, so I had to use a different approach.

“Brother. Stop interfering with my play.”

“Play?”

“Doll play.”

I wriggled my feet to get down from Sugar’s arms.

“How could the youngest daughter of the wealthiest Hauser family in the empire play with a doll that’s injured and smells like a barn? I should only have the prettiest and cleanest things.”

“……”

Even though I said it myself, it was too cringeworthy and psychopathic.

I sighed, wondering why I had to go this far.

As I waited for Sugar’s reaction, he smiled brightly, seemingly pleased with my words.

He was such an annoying little brat.

“You’re right, Merchen. Is there anything else you want? This brother could even make you a bed of gold if it’s for you.”

“Oh, please. That’s why I’m saying don’t lay a finger on Rory.”

“Alright, then come down to the dining room for lunch.”

“Dining room?”

“We always ate together in the dining room no matter what, remember? But you didn’t come down yesterday or this morning, so it felt too empty.”

Sugar’s expression was serious.

With a disgruntled face, he persistently kept his gaze on me.

All this time, eating together in the dining room was just to gather information about Merchen.

Now that there’s nothing particularly to gain, do we really need to eat together?

Moreover, a few days ago, when Marquis Hauser and the rascals competed to pile food towers on my plate, I became completely fed up.

After I knocked over the food tower and spilled it, I could enjoy my meals in relative peace.

“I understand.”

I wanted to keep eating with Rory in my room because it was so comfortable, but I shouldn’t provoke unnecessary jealousy.

It seemed better not to provoke them now.

“Alright. I’ll come to get you at lunchtime.”

As if my answer was correct, Sugar grinned and left.

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

How vicious his glare was towards Rory as he turned away, after smiling at me like the most caring brother in the world.

The frightened child lowered his gaze and shrank back.

As I gently held the child’s hand, his pale pink eyes cautiously gazed at me.

“I’m sorry, young miss.”

“Huh? Why are you sorry?”

“It seems you argued with the young master because of me.”

Rory, looking increasingly dejected, lowered his head even more.

I grabbed both his cheeks and lifted his face to look at me.

Thanks to that, his already large eyes grew even bigger.

“Listen well. Of all the things that happen in this mansion, none of it is your fault. So don’t lower your head.”

“But……”

“Really. Trust my words.”

When I spoke forcefully with strength in my eyes, he nodded slightly.

Good boy. Rory Valliet.

I gently stroked his silky silver hair and smiled reassuringly.

“Rory. From today, eat in the servants’ dining room with Ann. Don’t go anywhere alone no matter what. Come straight to my room after eating.”

“Yes, young miss.”

The child, looking a bit more at ease, answered obediently with a smile.

His softly indented dimples were truly lovable.