I Became The Villain’s Master - Chapter 2.1

When I opened my eyes in the morning, I was still a fox.

If I turned into a human in this state, my stomach would be constricted by the rope.

But thanks to that, Rory was safe.

I shook him to wake him up.

Even when I pressed him with my front paws, he wouldn’t wake up, so I licked his face here and there.

‘This really makes me feel like I’ve become a real fox.’

“Mmm. Mel?”

“Kiu!”

Rory finally opened his eyes.

At my call, he turned his body and met my eyes.

Eyes more delicate than flower petals looked at me.

“Kiu. Kyuuung.”

I made crying sounds and bit the rope with my mouth.

Then Rory quickly untied the rope.

Poof!

In an instant, I turned back into a human.

I burrowed into the blanket to cover my body.

“Rory. There’s no dress in the tent. I think Ann took it.”

“I’ll find it for you.”

Rory, who slipped out of the tent, found the dressing room and brought a white dress with long sleeves and knee-length drawers.

He put the clothes inside the tent and closed the zipper from outside.

Whether it was the privilege of a sub-male lead or what, he seemed to have manners ingrained in his body from a young age.

“Shall I call Ann for you?”

“It’s okay. I can do it myself.”

I hurriedly put on the clothes.

Although there’s nothing to be ashamed of with a baby’s body, the core was 22-year-old Kim Ha-neul, so feeling naked was somewhat embarrassing.

When I came out after getting dressed, Rory fixed my rolled-up sleeves and disheveled collar.

His touch was so natural that I unconsciously hesitated.

Even if he said he lost his memory, he must have lived in the Duke’s mansion without lifting a finger, being waited on hand and foot.

Can he serve others so naturally like this?

While fixing one’s appearance isn’t a difficult task…

When I stared at Rory’s face, he tilted his head with an innocent expression.

***

In the small drawing room often used as a tea room.

As I waited for Sugar and Cream with my arms crossed, trying to make the fiercest expression possible, I was shocked when the door opened.

It was because the cheeks of the two children were swollen.

No way. Were they hit by the Count?

As my gaze turned to their cheeks, Cream untied his ponytail to cover his face, and Sugar briefly rubbed his cheek with his hand.

He looked perplexed, as if he didn’t want to show it but had nothing to hide it with.

I had a lot to say, but my mind went blank as if all my thoughts had flown away.

As I stood there unable to say anything and just staring, Cream fidgeted and whimpered.

Sugar, who had been composed throughout, stared back at me as if trying to gauge my intentions, and then spoke first.

“Merchen. You were very surprised yesterday, weren’t you? I’m sorry. I was short-sighted.”

“……”

“I won’t do it again. I was scolded by Father yesterday and reflected a lot. Really.”

Short, curly sand-colored hair and large black eyes under round glasses.

A cute nose and pink lips.

White skin that didn’t match the desert.

Sugar had a cute and gentle appearance that could even momentarily deceive his dedicated servants who knew his troublesome personality better than anyone.

It was a characteristic of the desert fox shapeshifters.

After all, they were the ones who best suited the word lovable.

However, if one’s heart were to soften already, deceived by that beauty, it would be no different from jumping into a sand pit knowing you would die.

Trying not to look at Sugar’s swollen cheek, I raised my chin haughtily and asked.

“Whose idea was the cactus on the bed?”

“Ah. You saw it.”

Sugar smiled brightly.

“It was my idea. Isn’t it great? The bugs might have been a bit silly, but I think putting cacti on the bed was a really good idea. We can torment that slave thoroughly without making a big fuss. A cactus bed. Isn’t that just perfect for that guy’s status? I almost got a hole this big in my arm while moving the potted plant, though. Besides, I kept my promise to you. I didn’t directly touch even a fingertip of that slave.”

“What…?”

I gaped in disbelief.

Is he bragging about that?

In front of me?

Is he serious?

When our eyes met, his lovably curved ones meeting mine, I felt a chill run down my spine.

This isn’t normal.

I was about to lose my composure, frozen stiff, but I managed to gather my thoughts.

“You haven’t reflected at all, have you? Brother.”

“You don’t believe me? I’m hurt, Merchen. I really won’t surprise or endanger you again.”

In a situation where my hitting would be like using a feather duster, threats of starvation wouldn’t work, and crying would only last for a moment, it was fair to say that there was nothing I, as insignificant as a chickpea, could do.

Since polite words or lectures would be completely useless, I had to find a new approach once again.

Since polite words or lectures would be completely useless, I had to find a new approach once again.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Merchen.”

“I was so surprised by the cactus. I was so shocked that I almost got pricked by the cactus spines.”

I furrowed my brows and spoke in a frightened voice.

I even pouted as if wronged.

Then Sugar approached me in a fluster, with a look of dismay.

“Don’t tell me you got on that bed? Are you hurt?”

“I was about to pull the blanket to get on.”

“Oh no. I didn’t expect that. I’m sorry.”

Sugar looked me over thoroughly as if checking for any injuries.

Then, reassured, he patted my hand and muttered lowly.

“Next time, I’ll have to be more thorough.”

What? Why are your thoughts going in that direction?

Don’t you think at all that you shouldn’t do it anymore?

I contorted my face even more.

As if I was about to burst into tears.

And I called his name in a whimpering voice.

“Sugar.”

“Yes?”

“Sugar, do you dislike me?”

Cracks appeared on the face that had been endlessly affectionate until now.

I could see his eyelids trembling slightly, showing a bit of agitation.

“What?”

Though he belatedly composed his expression and tried to smile nonchalantly, it looked a bit unnatural.

“That can’t be. Why would you say that?”

“No. Sugar dislikes me. You torment Rory because you dislike me.”

“No, Merchen. No. How could I dislike you?”

“You’re lying. Brother hates me.”

Seeing the boy’s greatly flustered face, I inwardly smiled in satisfaction.

For someone who doesn’t seem to understand reason, the answer is to be equally unreasonable.

Fortunately, I was in the very advantageous position of being a ‘child’.

“That’s really not true. I love you more than anyone else in the world. I couldn’t live a day without you. Please believe me.”

“Brother dislikes me. You hurt Rory to hurt me. Cream and Sugar all dislike me.”

Isn’t this driving you crazy?

Combining illogical rhetoric with stubbornness makes one the ultimate master of arguments.

Although if overused, it might lead to everyone slowly avoiding me, but it’s okay because Merchen is a baby.

I repeated the same conversation several times.