˗ˏˋChoosing The Villainess As My Mother ࿐ྂ

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Althea Melody (POV)

(Oh gods, why is she approaching me?)

(Gotta leave.)

I thought, but the female lead stopped me abruptly.

"Hey, wait a second," she said, and I reluctantly turned around to face her.

"Um, yes? May I help you?" I asked, trying to stay calm as she grinned at me.

(Ugh, can she just stop?)

"Oh, you're cute and pretty, I've never seen anyone like you," she said, and I raised an eyebrow.

"I might say the same, but my mom told me not to lie," I replied with a fake smile.

"Oh, wow... you're quite the charmer, but you've got some sass too, I love it," she said, and I maintained my smile as I looked at her.

"But you kind of hurt my feelings, ouch," she added, and I just smiled back at her.

(I don't really dislike the female lead; I even rooted for her when I read the novel.)

(But...)

"Well, you can cry a river for me, then build a bridge and get over it," I said with a genuine smile, and she looked surprised.

"I-Why are you giving me this attitude, little lady? I only complimented how you look adorable, did I do something wrong?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"No, not really," I replied, still smiling.

"Then, do you have any suggestions that I can make you happy? Maybe you want me to buy you a candy?" she offered, and I smiled back.

"If you insist on making me happy, just let me be alone, and I'll be VERY happy," I said with a smile, and she just looked at me.

"Okay, be honest with me, you know, a heart-to-heart conversation, little girl," she said, putting her hands on her hips while eyeing me, while I maintained a smile.

"How about we skip that part? Don't want to burst your bubble," I shot back with a smirk.

"You-" she began, but I yawned before she could finish.

"Oops, my bad. Go on with what you were saying. I always yawn when I'm NOT interested," I said with a smile.

"Have I ever treated you badly, little girl?" she asked, and I shot her a look.

"Oh my, I don't know, have you?" I replied, dripping with sarcasm.

"You're being disrespectful," she accused, and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, didn't realize I was being disrespectful," I retorted, my tone laced with sass.

"It's okay, I understand. I think you're just not in the mood right now," she said with a forced smile, and I smirked back.

"Yeah, I'm not really feeling the whole bubbly greeting thing," I admitted with a grin, and she nodded understandingly.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Aur—" she began, but I cut her off.

"Yeah, got it. You're Auriane De Verley, Marquess Aldro's precious daughter, adored by all and used to getting what you want," I said, grinning.

"Exactly! *smile* But you can just call me Yuri," she said with a smile, and I returned the gesture.

"Althea," I said with a smile.

"Althea? How come I've never heard that name before? I'm pretty sure I didn't write a character named 'Althea,'" she said, and I arched an eyebrow.

(What did she just say?)

"Anyway, it was nice to meet you, Althea," she said, extending her hand, and I shook it with a smile.

"Yeah, it was...nice to meet you too," I replied, staring at her.

"I saw you coming out of this shop. What were you buying?" she asked, and I raised an eyebrow in response.

(Why does she wants to know?)

(Okay, let's pretend we didn't bought or did something inside there.)

"Oh, I was just curious about what was inside the shop, but it turned out to be just an ugly, shabby place run by a poor man," I replied, crossing my arms.

(She'd be so stupid if she buys that excuse.)

"I see. Well then, I'll take my leave first. I have a few dresses that I want to have made," she said, and I smiled and nodded.

(Whatever.)

After that, I saw her going inside the shop, and I just turned around to walk away from there.

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Ilarion Bosworth (POV)

I've just delivered a fresh report from His Grace, Grand Duke Luk Van De Roos, and it appears he's not particularly pleased with how Her Grace behaved in his presence. However, I can't help but feel that His Grace may have overreacted.

Especially considering that nobody seems to be aware that the little lady is the daughter of an archduke, and a member of a royal family at that.

The little lady who is currently with her grace Lady Cynthia is none other than a descendant of nobility, her father being none other than His Royal Highness Arch Duke Willard Crawther, the second son of King Ludovic Fitzralph Crawther VI.

If word were to spread that His Grace, Grand Duke Luk Van De Roos, has caused harm to a member of the royal family, particularly the daughter of His Imperial Highness Willard Crawther, It would be a bad news.

He could get in trouble for hurting the only daughter of Arch Duke Willard Crawther and the first grandchild of King Ludovic Fitzralph Crawther VI.

His grace would have to face severe consequences for injuring the a daughter of a higher rank than him. Such an act could potentially lead to political unrest and tarnish His Grace's reputation.

And I haven't had the chance to talk to the young lady about this yet; I'll have to bring it up later.

But first, I'm still wondering why she asked me about my thoughts on marrying her when she's older.

I don't think it's right at all. She's still young and shouldn't be thinking about marriage yet. She's not old enough to be learning about such things.

(Where did she even hear about this?)

(And besides, I don't think it's appropriate to marry a child.)

(I'm an elf who has lived for five hundred years, so I'm much older compared to everyone here.)

"Milady, can I come into your room? I've brought you some fresh milk and strawberry tarts; they're just out of the oven," I called out, but there was no response from her.

"My lady, I'm going to open the door now; please excuse me," I stated as I swung the door open, only to find the room empty.

With a sigh, I placed the snacks I had brought onto the bedside table and began to search the room, pulling back the curtains to peer out onto the balcony.

"Milady, are you playing hide and seek?" I called out as I checked inside the wardrobe. She had a habit for such games, so I figured it was worth a shot.

"Milady, could you please reveal yourself now?" I implored, but I couldn't sense her presence in the room.

"Ephraim," I called, and my faithful companion emerged from beneath the bed.

"Yes, master?" Ephraim says.

"I told you to keep an eye on the lady. Do you know where she went?" I asked, and Ephraim nodded in response.

"She snuck out from the same spot again," Ephraim confirmed.

"I see... I really need to do something about that hole in the wall outside the villa," I remarked.

"Oh, master, I can sense that troublemaker's presence outside; she has just returned," Ephraim informed me.

With a sigh, I took a seat on the bed.

(I'll have to have a conversation with the young lady.)

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