The Baddest Villainess Is Back - Chapter 68

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 68
By principle, a family meeting is never postponed so long as the Family Head, the Sub-head of Family, or a Family Head Proxy is present—that is the standing rule.
This meeting was no exception.
Even without the Family Head Devon Bellion, the Sub-head of Family Cherti Bellion was here.
As Sub-head, it fell to him to lead and decide; delay it, and critics would have a field day.
So Rozelin obstructed the proceedings at every turn.
“If we invest in this, even I’ll catch flak for being the Family Head’s daughter.”
“Pick that and you’re an idiot.”
“That’s complete nonsense.”
“That’s garbage.”
“If you think this mine’s going to strike it rich, why don’t you buy it yourself instead of asking the family to?”
Chin propped on her palm, Rozelin lobbed her remarks with lazy indifference.
The moment anyone tried to explain something, this slip of a girl would sneer and toss out another barb—what could they possibly say back?
And when they tried to argue, that sharp little tongue of hers would shoot back point by point, each rebuttal maddeningly sound.
Worse still was the look in her eyes—such withering contempt that they all bristled.
“Well, Sub-head, you’re fortunate. Your daughter is so very much like you—judging by her disposition, quite…….”
“Indeed, the Family Head, who has never once been late, falling behind to such unprecedented hail and downpours—perhaps it’s all some manner of curse…….”
Cherti Bellion’s brow narrowed. His self-worth, already at rock bottom from an unhappy childhood, crumbled further.
“Ha, what I said to the Sub-head wasn’t……”
“Utter horseshit.”
From the child’s mouth came a word so crude that the entire Conference Room fell silent.
“……Pardon?”
“……Rozelin?”
“Parents and children looking alike is only natural.”
Rozelin let out a scornful laugh.
“But father and I? We’re nothing alike. I’m not this gloomy.”
“…….”
With those quietly cutting words from Rozelin, the Conference Room went still. Everyone fell speechless.
“That remark was perhaps a touch harsh…….”
Even those inclined to pity the ashen-faced Cherti Bellion couldn’t find words.
Then, as a pale violet mist began to spread through the now-sunken silence of the room, they scrambled to gather their things.
“Th-that said, it seems we’ve covered the agenda!”
“Yes! Let’s call it here for today!”
“Thank you for your time!”
They hurried out of the Conference Room.
“Father.”
“……Yes?”
“I think I’m poisoned.”
Rozelin’s wavering frame pitched forward and collapsed.
“Rozelin!”
Cherti, alarmed, swiftly sealed away the Abyss and caught her falling body in his arms, pouring the Antidote past her lips.
“Physician! Call the physician!”
He shouted, his voice rising.
A week later.
Devon Bellion arrived a full week behind schedule, delayed by the swollen river and its quickened currents.
And upon seeing documents filled with investments in some mysterious venture, he let out an old man’s groan.
* * *
“So you went ahead and executed everything based on the child’s word?”
“Yes.”
“Are you already senile, Din?”
Devon Bellion asked with a scornful laugh.
If Din had simply played dumb, he might have delayed things for a while.
But…….
“You went ahead and processed all of it……?”
“Word has been spreading that the young lady has developed quite the touch lately.”
“You’ve been at my side this whole time—do I look like the kind of man who’d believe such drivel!”
Fortunately, none of the ventures required excessive capital.
Everything had been distributed appropriately within the budget he’d already projected.
In other words, this wasn’t truly a matter for such anger.
“Hmph, I’ll have to see this vexing granddaughter myself.”
Din shrugged his shoulders.
Only then did Din, who had grasped Devon’s sinister intentions, nod silently in understanding.
“I would like to bring her to you at once, but the young lady is not well at present.”
“What? Why isn’t she well? What’s wrong with her—did she fall in the water again?”
“No, sir. As you know, she has been naturally frail since birth.”
Din, who had paused to consider, offered a faint smile and added one more thought.
“It seems the shock from hearing harsh words spoken at the conference was quite considerable.”
“…What? What words did she hear?”
Devon’s expression hardened.
Din described the conference from a week prior with careful exaggeration, yet truthful in substance, clothing it all in artful language.
“…These madmen have truly lost their minds. Summon every last one of those dogs. I’ll strip them bare from skull to toenail. Those worthless creatures—I’ll shove their own guts down their throats until their mouths finally shut.”
With all vitality and frivolity gone, replaced by a beast-like and ominous gaze, Din smiled faintly.
In his younger days, Din had chosen Devon as his master upon seeing those eyes.
Those Lifeless Triple Eyes—pupils devoid of any spark, as though already dead.
A man infinitely callous and cold to all that lay beyond his own fence.
“I shall summon them at once.”
“Yes, and send plenty of nourishing food to that weak granddaughter of mine going forward.”
“I shall look into it, sir.”
“Tell her to wash herself thoroughly—limbs, organs, everything.”
“I will convey it.”
The butler poured red wine into Devon’s glass and withdrew.
“And…the Emperor wishes to arrange my granddaughter’s marriage to the Third Imperial Prince. I’m thinking of having them meet.”
“The Third Imperial Prince, you say…”
At Din’s worried tone, Devon stroked his jaw.
“He’s withdrawn for now, true enough, but in conversation he resembles the Emperor more than any of the others.”
He’ll be the one who amounts to something.
There was no hesitation in the added remark.
* * *
Time passed swiftly, like flowing water.
Spending days as a child was not unpleasant.
She did and saw many things she had not been able to do or see in her actual childhood.
Nearly a month had already passed.
“Rozelin.”
“Yes?”
Rozelin answered absently, staring blankly ahead.
‘If memory serves, tomorrow is the day I regained consciousness.’
So by expectation, tomorrow would likely be the last day she could remain here.
And tomorrow was already scheduled for a meeting with the Third Imperial Prince arranged by her grandfather.
‘But if I wake up here the day after tomorrow as well…’
That would become rather difficult.
“I think it’s about time you rested. You still have a fever, after all.”
“Mm.”
Rozelin glanced at her father, who stood some distance away.
“You’re not answering me properly.”
Rozelin let slip a quiet remark.
“What? An answer to what, all of a sudden…”
“Never mind.”
The diminished Rozelin shrugged her shoulders.
As her body had grown smaller, she found herself receiving considerable overprotection.
‘Or was there always overprotection?’
Her grandfather had visited once, and the ventures he’d invested in wouldn’t bear fruit for years—so she likely wouldn’t live to see the results.
‘It could all be a dream.’
This might not change the future at all.
With so many thoughts pressing down on her, her head had begun to ache.
Rozelin threw back the blanket and climbed into bed.
“Good night. You should retire as well, Father.”
“…Go to bed?”
At his ambiguous question, Rozelin looked up at him with a puzzled expression.
“Yes.”
What else would he do once grown?
Noticing Rozelin’s listless gaze, Cherti flinched slightly before clearing his throat.
“……Didn’t you ask me to hold your hand just the other day?”
He glanced about cautiously, then spoke.

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