Is It So Wrong that I Like Seeing the Villain Suffer? - Chapter 17

The next day, morning.

The Cayenne residence was bustling.

The employees were cleaning the window frames and floors, preparing food, and inspecting various parts of the mansion.

They were getting ready to welcome Calain Cayenne.

‘Is it his first visit in five years?’

Juan thought as he directed the employees.

Calain Cayenne—Martha, Arkle, and Naran’s uncle.

He was the one who raised the three siblings in place of the deceased Cayenne couple.

Although he left the mansion after Martha became the head of the family, traces of him still remained throughout the Cayenne house.

Even Arkle and Naran’s reactions upon hearing of Calain’s return were like that.

‘…It was the first time I saw them so shaken.’

On the surface, it seemed like an indifferent reaction, but Juan, who had watched Arkle closely for a long time, could tell.

At that moment, Arkle was shaken.

Juan quietly adjusted his glasses with one hand.

Since he had entered the mansion after Calain left, he didn’t know much about the atmosphere when Calain was around.

But….

‘It wasn’t a welcoming look.’

It was not the face of someone welcoming his uncle’s visit.

Naran was the same.

‘His expression worsened rapidly upon hearing the news.’

Perhaps it was right after hearing that Lize would be sent back that he lost his composure and got agitated.

No matter how well Naran followed Lize, that was certainly not his usual behavior.

The news of Calain’s visit might have been a great shock to Naran.

‘What kind of person is he, really?’

Just then, as Juan swallowed dryly, he heard the sound of a carriage stopping outside the main gate.

It seemed they had finally arrived.

Coincidentally, Arkle was also coming down the stairs and heading this way.

Arkle glanced at the employees lined up and silently stared at the main gate.

“Open it.”

Two maids opened the gate from either side, and a middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes stepped inside.

Arkle slightly bowed his head in greeting.

The employees all bowed in unison.

“It’s just the same here.”

The man murmured as he looked around the mansion.

“And so are you.”

He grinned at Arkle.

“…….”

“Where is the head of the family?”

“My sister is temporarily in the capital.”

“I see. What about the kid?”

He meant Naran.

After a brief silence, Arkle spoke.

“He’s not feeling well since yesterday and is in his room.”

Calain frowned slightly at Arkle’s words.

“It’s been years since he’s seen his uncle, and he’s not even glad?”

“…Let’s have a meal first.”

“No, before that.”

Calain interrupted Arkle.

His lips curled up crookedly.

“I heard the news. You bought the Wensle Mine?”

Arkle nodded silently.

“Well, you’ve really grown up, my nephew—”

Calain put an arm around Arkle’s shoulder.

“I’m so proud. The little kid who clung to me has grown up so reliably.”

“…….”

“I heard another interesting piece of news, that your sister finally caused some trouble?”

Calain said with amus*ment.

“There’s a big fuss outside. I happened to hear she’s inside this mansion….”

Arkle instantly realized what his uncle was talking about.

Unknowingly, Arkle’s voice dropped.

“No.”

“Nephew, I haven’t even said anything yet. Isn’t that too firm? It makes me sad.”

“No matter what, I can’t let you meet her. I’m responsible for her safety.”

“Haha—nephew. She’s just a hostage, not a guest. As long as she’s not killed, the hostage’s value isn’t damaged. Safety isn’t important.”

“It is important.”

At Arkle’s unwavering response, Calain raised one eyebrow.

Arkle and Calain’s gazes briefly collided mid-air.

“…Nephew, I thought you were the same….”

“…….”

“You seem to have grown a little.”

Calain muttered and laughed heartily.

“Well, then let’s go eat now! I’m starving after running non-stop.”

Arkle turned to guide him to the dining room.

Following behind him, Calain smiled meaningfully.

‘Does he think he can hide her and I won’t find her?’

Anyway, he knew this mansion better than anyone.

‘If I wander around a bit, I’ll find her soon enough.’

Calain licked his lips with an expectant expression.

There was much to discuss with Lize Allenheim, the saintess of Allenheim.

❖ ❖ ❖

After the fight between Naran and Arkle, I was still unable to move rooms.

Because Arkle left the decision to me.

‘Naran’s room or Arkle’s room….’

Normally, I wouldn’t care, but having seen their fight, the choice became a bit tricky.

‘Won’t the one I don’t choose sulk?’

After watching their fight yesterday, I was certain.

Those people are much more childish and simple than I thought.

It’s not entirely impossible they might sulk because I didn’t choose them.

‘Arkle already doesn’t express much emotion, and if he sulks, he might not talk at all….’

But if I choose Arkle, it would be sad if Naran no longer showed me his lovely smile.

As I held my forehead in thought, someone knocked on the door.

‘Breakfast?’

Without suspicion, I opened the door, but a stranger stood outside.

A middle-aged man with black hair smiled brightly at me.

“Oh, this is indeed the right place?”

‘Who are you?’

As I stared blankly at him, the man spoke with a playful tone.

“Don’t worry, Miss. I’m not suspicious. I’m the uncle of the young masters of this mansion.”

So this is Calain Cayenne.

I looked at him with interest.

Calain seemed surprised by my reaction.

“I was going to tell you not to be scared, but you don’t seem scared at all.”

I often hear that I’m not easily scared.

“By the way, I heard you cried and that you didn’t eat on your first day here? Then you caught a fever, and Arkle went to get medicine himself….”

Calain said, looking me over with a dubious eye.

“No matter how I see it, you don’t look like a frail young lady on the verge of death.”

‘Of course not. Being on the verge of death was in my past life, now I’m probably the healthiest I’ve ever been.’

Not just physically, but mentally too.

There have been small incidents, but now I’m living in my favorite novel, with my favorite family.

Much better than my past life, where I lay like I was dead, barely breathing….

“I like it here.”

Calain seemed surprised by my words.

This man wanted to surprise me, but I’m the one who surprised him.

“Really? Arkle must be treating you well….”

He murmured quietly.

“Can I come in for a moment? I have something to tell you, Miss.”

“Mom and Dad told me not to let strangers in.”

I said casually, and Calain also responded playfully.

“It’s okay, your father specifically asked me to pass something on to you.”

Lize Allenheim’s father?

I widened my eyes and scrutinized Calain’s face.

‘Doesn’t seem like he’s lying….’

Has Allenheim finally learned that Lize is with the Cayennes?

“Come in.”

I can find out for myself.

There’s no reason for Calain Cayenne to harm me anyway.

“You’re a sensible young lady. A good daughter indeed.”

Calain, who entered the room, sat down on the bed.

“Excuse me. My back hurts as I get older.”

He rummaged through his clothes and took out a small paper envelope.

It was a letter sealed with the Allenheim crest, a small bird. Calain handed me the letter.

“Here. It’s yours, Miss.”

I took the letter from him. There were no signs of it being opened.

“Rest assured. I haven’t tampered with it. I received quite a handsome reward for playing the courier.”

As expected.

I could finally be sure. This man seems to have sold information about Lize to Allenheim.

‘He must have collected a separate reward for delivering the letter too.’

Calain showed a satisfied smile, as if to prove it.

“The business is done, can I sit for a bit before leaving? It was tiring coming up here. I’d like to chat and get to know you.”

When I looked at him silently, Calain added.

“I can’t stay long anyway. I have to go entertain my nephew.”

“What do you want to know?”

At my straightforward question, Calain once again looked surprised.

Regardless, I continued speaking without any agitation.

“Staying without a reason means you want to ask me something. Just ask.”

I have no intention of getting close to you, sir.

Calain, who was staring at me with wide eyes, burst into laughter.

“Well, Ron Allenheim’s worries were unfounded. You’re more interesting than I thought.”

He changed his tone and opened his mouth.

“Do you really have healing powers? The ability to heal wounds just by touching….”

I nodded.

Calain’s eyes gleamed.

“Can you prove it right here?”

“Why don’t you cut your arm or something?”

Ah. I accidentally said what I was thinking out loud.

But Calain seemed to find my gentle voice amusing despite my words and laughed without any sign of displeasure.

“Well, I made a silly request when I don’t even have any injuries. Sorry about that. Anyway, you don’t seem to want to be friends with me, Miss.”

“Not really.”

How did you know….

At my honest answer, Calain just laughed heartily again.

“Well. I like you, Miss, but it’s a shame. I’ll leave so you can check your letter in peace.”

As he got up, he murmured meaningfully as he passed by.

“An ability I’d like to experiment with… See you later.”

He was a man with a strangely eerie side, just as described in the original work.

‘By the way, what does the letter say…?’

I carefully opened the envelope I was holding.

Slowly, I read through the letter filled with dense writing.

The letter contained something unbelievable.