I Am the 5-Year-Old Spy Who Kidnapped the Villain - Chapter 142

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Chapter 142】

The maids who had squeezed their eyes shut imagined that when they turned around, they would see a tall young man smiling warmly.

Someone who seemed to have become more affectionate recently, but actually felt even colder than before.

However.

“Oh, hello there, Lady Layla!”

“Lady Layla!”

The maids’ faces brightened when they encountered a woman with an angelic face, contrary to their expectations.

Come to think of it, there was one other person in this Marquis’ Estate who could claim desserts as ‘mine.’

“What conversation were you having so enjoyably?”

Rowan’s one and only younger sister, the Briarwood Marquis.

It was Leila.

“Did you perhaps overhear us?”

“Mm, a little?”

“We’re sorry. The incident from the recent banquet is still a hot topic… We couldn’t contain our curiosity about whether The Count really likes the Princess.”

The maids, who would have tried to play dumb with Rowan somehow, honestly confessed the truth to Leila.

The servants of the Briarwood Marquis Household were particularly open in front of Leila.

Unlike her taciturn master, she was warm—the only sunshine-like presence in the Marquis household.

The direct descendants of the Briarwood Marquis family fulfilled their duty of guarding the border adjacent to the Kingdom of Odti, and most had developed difficult personalities.

Especially Rowan, who became the head of the family early after losing his parents in an accident.

He was famous in social circles for his courteous image, but that didn’t mean he was casual with the servants even within the Castle.

That too was a family tradition passed down through generations of Briarwood people.

Being kind on the surface, but not easily opening one’s heart to people.

Except for Leila.

“True. Everyone is curious about it. I’m also curious about The Count’s true feelings.”

Leila nodded as the maids had expected.

Her thick brown hair, neatly braided to one side, flowed down smoothly, and her light green eyes reminiscent of early summer folded kindly.

Born as the youngest daughter of Briarwood, she had no need to inherit the succession.

Therefore, she grew up as the only young lady in the Marquis’ Estate untouched by the shadow of war.

“I was just heading to the Garden to meet Brother, shall I go ask him for you?”

The maids’ faces brightened at Leila’s question.

“Would that be alright?”

“I’m interested too. Those things are prepared for teatime, right?”

“Oh, that’s right! Today the Chef made peach tarts for us. The peaches have been incredibly sweet and delicious lately.”

“Really? I’m looking forward to it!”

Her gaze, as she smiled brightly, turned toward the trolley.

“But there are two plates of tart?”

“Ah, yes! The Count asked us to prepare them.”

“His taste must have changed recently. He’s been eating a lot of sweets he didn’t used to eat.”

“I see.”

Leila’s gaze looking down at the tarts narrowed slightly, but the two chattering maids didn’t notice.

When they went Outside the Castle, a Garden full of colorful flowers appeared along with a tea table under a huge canopy.

Rowan was waiting for Leila there.

Even after becoming the head of the family, he arranged teatime once a week for his one and only younger sister.

It was a testament to how lovingly Leila had been raised.

“You were late, so I thought you might have forgotten, but did you come after making the tarts yourself?”

Rowan, confirming her arrival with the maids, tilted his head leisurely.

“I met them on the way. They said the peaches are delicious, so they prepared some for The Count too.”

“Yes. The peaches have been delicious lately. Sit down quickly.”

“…Yes.”

Leila, whose expression had become subtle for a moment at Rowan’s reaction, carefully sat in the chair without revealing anything.

After the maids who poured the tea disappeared, a peaceful silence settled for a while.

The Garden air was warm enough to make one drowsy, and the vibrant floral scent characteristic of the Southern Region filled the tea table.

“So. You didn’t bring anyone again today.”

“Pardon?”

Leila, who had been blankly staring at the tart, suddenly looked up.

“I told you to kidnap and bring any Young Marquis you like as a marriage prospect to teatime.”

Rowan, who had been smiling showing his white teeth, leaned forward and whispered playfully.

‘Marriage prospect…’

It was a topic Rowan always brought up during conversations.

Since their parents were gone and he might die in war at any time, she should marry quickly and become independent.

That nagging she used to hate hearing.

But how welcome this joke-like talk that he always used to make was.

‘As I thought, this is the Rowan Brother I knew. The peach tart must have just been something he said to be mindful of the maids.’

Her heavy heart floated up like a feather.

Leila shook off the strange thoughts that had filled her mind and smiled brightly along with Rowan with a light heart.

“Brother. No matter how much I like someone, if I kidnap them, even Young Marquis who were interested in me would all run away, wouldn’t they?”

He was indeed her real Brother Rowan that she knew.

He who was courteous to others and didn’t reveal his inner thoughts became playful when they were alone together.

“Leila. Marriage aside, Brother needs to know what kind of guy he is to feel at ease. Status just needs to be a decent noble. If he’s a man who can protect you well, the Briarwood Marquis Household will provide full support.”

“Could there exist a Young Marquis who would protect me as much as Our House?”

“Not common.”

He, who took a sip of tea, retreated from the verbal sparring.

“Then that Young Marquis will be protected by our family too, so just bring any decent man who likes you.”

No, he only stepped back one step and approached two steps.

“For reference, the standard for decent is: taller than Brother, with sound thinking and noble etiquette, healthy body and stamina as basics, doesn’t even touch alcohol, and dislikes hanging around with other Young Marquis…”

“That’s a unicorn.”

“You’re also a unicorn in social circles. Since you’re the same species, you can find one.”

“That’s impossible.”

When Leila pouted her lips, low and refreshing laughter echoed through the Garden.

She, feeling relieved, also burst into laughter following Rowan.

“…Brother.”

“Hm?”

The corners of her mouth, which had been smiling brightly, stiffened.

Like a broken wind-up doll.

“Are you going to eat the tart?”

Rowan, who had picked up a fork at some point, was holding a peach tart.

“Yes. Why?”

He smiled brightly as if asking what the problem was and chewed the tart.

“…”

It was about 0.5 seconds.

Leila’s frightened gaze stared at Rowan’s throat as he swallowed the peach.

She, who had been momentarily dazed, quickly changed her expression and hurriedly followed him, eating the tart.

“I wanted to eat some too.”

“How bland.”

For a moment, the peaceful atmosphere almost froze like ice.

Of course, Rowan seemed oblivious to anything, but that’s how Leila felt.

She glanced at the pocket watch she had kept in her bosom and hastily changed the subject.

1 minute.

1 minute had passed.

“By the way, instead of spending time looking for such a unicorn man, it would be more helpful to just meet a man from an ordinary family.”

“Take your time looking since you have plenty of time.”

“Didn’t you tell me to get married quickly before?”

“Take your time, but find someone as quickly as possible.”

3 minutes.

“Ah… by the way, how are things going with brother? It seemed like Princess Aisha received the marriage proposal positively.”

“It would have been that way if Young Master Kail hadn’t interfered. I guess those two have been close friends since way back.”

4 minutes.

“Being close friends and an engagement are different things. Even though Princess Aisha left without being able to greet us properly at the banquet because it was so sudden, wouldn’t she send a letter after things settle down?”

“What would be faster – Princess Aisha sending a letter, or me visiting the ducal palace?”

“Hmm. I wonder.”

5 minutes.

“…Excuse me, Count.”

“Yes?”

Leila, who had checked her pocket watch one last time, stood up from her seat.

“I’m sorry, but could I leave early today? I’ve been feeling unwell since earlier…”

“I thought something seemed off – you’re feeling sick? Are you alright? Should I call a physician?”

Rowan also stood up and approached her with a worried expression.

“My throat seems a bit swollen. I think I might have caught a cold from the cold northern weather… I’m already getting medicine prescribed, so I should be fine if I rest well.”

“Alright. Get plenty of rest for now. Let me know right away if you need anything.”

“Yes. Keep up the good work with the rest of your schedule.”

Leila, who had maintained her smile until the end as she left the garden, dropped the corners of her mouth like someone removing a mask as soon as she entered the count’s estate.

5 minutes.

Even though 5 minutes had passed, no hives appeared on Rowan’s body.

Despite the fact that he had a severe peach allergy.

That person was not her real brother.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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