The Baby Fairy Is A Villain [EN]: Chapter 11

Chesha, hiding in the bushes with Karha and watching, widened her eyes.

What could be the reason for such an abrupt and demanding imperial order?

To depart for the capital immediately, in the dead of night.

Even Chesha was included in the summons.

While she wore a serious expression, she heard Karha mutter.

“How annoying…”

Kiern wore a similar expression.

His face, usually so carefully neutral, was now etched with pure annoyance.

He nodded obediently and replied.

“I will follow the imperial order. I will prepare immediately and depart at first light.”

“The order specifically states that the Count must be brought in person.”
The noble, Count Rudin, showed no intention of backing down.

It was clear why he had brought the Knights in such numbers.

He intended to drag Kiern away by force if he refused.

“Ah, then wait there. Waiting while getting drenched in the morning dew sounds wonderfully romantic.”

Ignoring the Knights, Kiern turned and went back inside the castle.

Karha whispered to Chesha.

“He’s definitely going back to sleep.”

Chesha thought so too.

After Kiern disappeared inside, the remaining Knights dismounted their horses.

The look in their eyes, vigilant and alert, was sharp.

Karha avoided their gaze and turned to head towards the back door.

But something felt off.

The inside of the castle was unusually noisy.

It wasn’t the subdued atmosphere of a household disrupted by the arrival of the Emperor’s Knights.

The servants were running around frantically, their faces pale with worry.

“Young Miss!”

“Young Miss Chesha!”

Voices calling for her echoed from all directions.

The urgent tones were almost desperate.

The inside of the castle, ablaze with lights, was as bright as day.

Karha blinked, confused, and looked at Chesha.

“Baby, did you do something you weren’t supposed to?”

She didn’t know what he meant, but she shook her head, feigning innocence.

Karha pursed his lips, making a “hmm” sound, then strode forward quickly.

He crossed the brightly lit castle interior and headed straight for the main hall.

The Count’s Knights were gathered there, filling the spacious room.

Kiern stood in the middle of them, clad in his black uniform.

The man who had been so relaxed and seemingly bored while receiving the Emperor’s orders was gone.

He drew his sword, his face expressionless.

The dark black blade, absorbing the light, seemed to swallow the glow of the chandeliers.

Belzeon and Ishuel stood next to Kiern, their faces equally devoid of emotion, surprising Chesha.

A cold chill, identical to Kiern’s, emanated from them.

The men of the Basilian family each had such distinct personalities.

She had never thought they looked alike.

But why now?

At this moment, the three men looked eerily similar, as if they had been painted with the same brush and the same dark colors.

Like black snakes…

Kiern slowly opened his lips.

“Find her.”

The voice, with a strange resonance, commanded.

“She probably hasn’t left the Black Forest yet. Release the hounds and search…”

“What are you all doing?”

Karha shouted.

Then, grabbing Chesha, he ran.

Three pairs of red eyes simultaneously snapped towards Chesha.

The moment he saw her, Kiern slowly raised the corners of his lips in a chilling smile.

“…Ah, there you are.”

He sheathed the sword he had just drawn.

A black shadow snatched Chesha’s waist and pulled her towards Kiern.

A large hand immediately caught Chesha.

The broad chest swelled and then subsided as he took a deep breath.

Kiern, taking a long breath, said quietly.

“You were playing with Karha, Chesha.”

He gently touched his forehead to hers.

The red eyes that filled her vision shone ominously, like broken jewels.

“I was surprised when I went to the bedroom and Chesha wasn’t there.”

A low whisper, like the hiss of a snake, reached her ears.

“I thought someone had taken Chesha away.”

Goosebumps rose on her arm.

This is something…

‘Is this what happens if I run away?’

It felt like she had glimpsed a possible future.

Even if she ran away, she had to do it without ever revealing that she was the enchantress Richessia.

Otherwise, it seemed like it would be incredibly, terrifyingly annoying.

She had a strong feeling that a tenacious guy like Hylon would cling to her.

Chesha quickly grabbed Kiern’s cheeks with both hands.

Slightly hard, enough to make a smack sound.

She wanted to slap him to snap him out of it, but she held back.

Fortunately, that alone made Kiern’s eyes clear a little.

Chesha made eye contact with him and said.

“I was lonely, so I went outside.”

“I see.”

Even with the clumsy excuse that she went outside because she was bored, Kiern slowly nodded.

He didn’t ask how she had managed to slip out alone.

Kiern only offered excuses for why he had left Chesha alone.

“I have nightmares on the days I go to the Black Forest. I slept separately because I was afraid Chesha would be frightened.”

Come to think of it, they always slept together, but they had slept separately tonight.

Remembering Kiern, who had been acting strange all day, it was understandable.

It was a good thing for Chesha, who had been able to sneak out thanks to that.

“The flower is pretty.”

“Brother gave it to me.”

Long fingers caressed the gerbera petals that Chesha was still holding in her hand.

It was a delicate touch, as if they would break if handled carelessly.

“Wow.”

Karha said, clasping his hands behind his head.

“You’re really acting cheesy, Father.”

The boy threw the words like a casual jab.

“Like you did to Mother. Is it because she resembles you?”

“…”

The hall, where dozens of people were gathered, fell silent.

And Chesha now understood who Kiern had been seeing in her.

‘The dead Countess looks like me?’

That was ridiculous.

To resemble a peerless beauty like Chesha was absolutely impossible.

Chesha was a fairy.

A mere human could not compare to the beauty of a fairy made of fantasy.

‘At best, she might have a similar eye or hair color, or something like that.’

Chesha clicked her tongue inwardly and remained quietly in his arms, pretending not to notice the tension.

Kiern, who had glared at Karha for a moment, soon smiled.

“What’s your complaint, Karha?”

He asked, winking slyly.

“Why, should I treat you kindly too?”

“I don’t need it.”

Karha replied, looking disgusted.

Kiern also smiled as if nothing had happened and diffused the frozen atmosphere.

“Now that we’ve found Chesha, everyone should prepare to leave.”

Kiern ordered, arrogantly tilting his head.

“Let’s go to the Imperial Palace.”

The vassals of Basilian bowed their heads in unison to the order given by their master.

“Yes, Count.”

Looking down at those who bowed their heads, Chesha thought.

She should go to the Imperial Palace with them.

‘Just because I’m curious why the Emperor is calling us.’

Anyway, it was much easier to escape from the capital than from the Snake’s Castle.

It wasn’t because she was worried that Kiern would become a traitor.

***

It was extremely rare for the Basilian Count’s family to visit the capital.

The snake hibernating in the Black Forest didn’t particularly want to wake up.

The imperial social world was shaken by the news that such a Count’s family was suddenly coming to the capital.

Furthermore, rumors spread that the Basilian Count was bringing all of his sons with him, and that he even had a newly adopted daughter, causing even more chaos.

Those who were arguing over the truth of the rumors soon confirmed them.

The Basilian Count’s townhouse in the capital began to be decorated busily to welcome its owners.

The Basilian Count’s family also did not bother to hide their movements.

They proudly raised a black flag with a snake drawn on it and made their way to the capital.

The day the Basilian Count’s family arrived in the imperial capital, Kiern and Chesha had to enter the Imperial Palace immediately, without even having time to rest.

“Didn’t you say time was of the essence! His Majesty said it was a matter of urgency!”

Count Rudin, who had delivered the imperial order, became more and more anxious as he got closer to the capital, and after arriving, he almost foamed at the mouth and rushed them.

Kiern, who had been planning to unpack his luggage and laze around in the capital’s townhouse, entered the Imperial Palace with Chesha, his face full of dissatisfaction.

The three Basilian brothers watched Kiern being dragged away with joyful expressions, though.

“The Imperial Palace is still the same.”

Kiern muttered in a bored tone.

Count Rudin, who was leading the way, glared sharply.

However, Kiern was busy pointing things out to Chesha, showing her around.

“What you see over there is made by collecting the emblems of all the noble families that exist in the Empire. When a new family is created, a picture is added, and when it disappears, it is also removed.”

Chesha, who was visiting the Imperial Palace for the first time, was held in Kiern’s arms and watched diligently.

Whether Count Rudin’s stomach was bursting or not, they strolled leisurely, and soon arrived at the Emperor’s audience chamber.

‘The Imperial Palace is pretty good, isn’t it?’

Chesha smiled contentedly.

However, as soon as she entered the audience chamber, she immediately changed her mind.

‘It’s not good…’

Kiern frowned.

Count Rudin wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and said.

“Greet him. This is the Holy Knight of the Holy Empire of Hilderde, Sir Hylon.”