The Regret Novel Female Lead with Unbreakable Mentality Chapter 69

16. Riwes Kalinos

 

“Well, I guess I’d better get ready.”

 

But first, I needed to do something about these bloodstained handkerchiefs.

 

After wandering around for a while looking for a place to hide them, I finally reached the laundry building on the outskirts of the mansion. Alright, this should do. I glanced around with a sly grin. If I hide it here, that should work. But just then—

 

“…Huh?”

 

…Damn it, just my luck—someone was coming. I turned around, trying to scowl and look as menacing as possible, but—

 

“An-Angel…?”

 

…The words I heard made me instantly plaster a bright smile on my face. Time to play the angel. Because standing right in front of me was a boy with wide, round eyes and cheeks flushed pink! Fair skin, grubby hands caked with dirt, golden hair, and blue-tinged eyes that didn’t seem of this world. An unbelievably adorable little angel.

 

Wait, the infamous Duke Kalinos has a little angel like this? And near the laundry, of all places?

 

The precious, adorable child mumbled softly, lips pursed. “Syster Maid…? Are yu new here?”

 

Maybe the news travels slowly around here.

 

Did he mistake me for a maid? I’m wearing such a pretty dress today. Do maids wear dresses like this? Or maybe he just can’t tell the difference yet.

 

I murmured quietly to the little angel staring up at me with those sparkling eyes. I’m not a maid, you know—I’m the lady of this house.

 

“…How can I help you, little guest?”

 

Wait, hold on. Did my mouth just say that on its own? I guess my part-time worker instincts kicked in without me thinking. I felt like I’d gone back to my days spinning bumper cars for kids at Everland.

 

As I awkwardly bit my tongue, the boy, now convinced I was a maid, whispered again. “Woow, yu re-really are a new Syster Maid. M-My wish came true…!”

 

Judging by his tiny size, I guessed he was about five years old, but his pronunciation was still a bit off.

 

“Gasp. I’m sowwy. My words sound weird…”

 

It’s not your words that are weird—it’s this whole situation. With how timid he seemed, I wondered if he was an errand boy or maybe a servant’s child. He looked so anxious and small. From what I remembered, Kalinos’s family didn’t use child labor, so maybe he really was a servant’s kid.

 

I completely forgot about the handkerchiefs I’d meant to throw away and just stared at the boy. But then… Why does this boy have so many scratches on his wrists?

 

Did he notice my gaze lingering near his wrists? The boy pulled a small vial from his pocket.

 

“What’s that? A potion…?”

 

“Y-Yeah. I-I’m not a bad kid. I-It doesn’t even hurt!”

 

As the potion dripped onto his wrist, the scratches slowly began to fade. Eyes squeezed shut, the boy whimpered in pain but whispered softly, “I-I’m being a re-really good kid!”

 

Maybe it’s thanks to all those years in the workforce. I’m pretty quick on the uptake.

 

What’s going on here? I didn’t know exactly who this boy was, but something about the situation smelled fishy.

 

First things first, I decided to do a little digging on this blond, blue-eyed boy. He definitely wasn’t just any ordinary kid. The cherubic little angel was clinging tightly to my sleeve, blinking up at me with wide eyes.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

He shook his head.

 

“Do you like snacks?”

 

Another shake. The boy looked at me with anxious eyes, whispering softly. “I-I… actually, not suposed to be here…”

 

“Hmm? Why not?”

 

“I’m supposed to stay hiden in my room. I can’t let anyone se my face. A-And I’m not suposed to talk, either!”

 

“Sweetie, did you sneak in here?”

 

He started to shake his head, but then mumbled quietly. “I’m hiding. My famili hates me…”

 

My heart ached at the sight of the adorable little angel’s slumped shoulders. His golden hair, fine as spun silk, fluttered in the breeze. I was lost in thought for a moment, then froze. Just then, a sharp voice rang out.

 

“Young master!”

 

…Young master?

 

The boy quickly ducked behind my back. Then, a woman in an elegant dress approached, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

 

“Have you seen a little boy around here?” She looked at me with a hint of disdain.

 

Seriously, is Giselle just destined to get looked down on by everyone? Am I still stuck in this cliche?

 

“What?”

 

“Oh, there you are. Come on, let’s go! We’re busy!”

 

I glanced down at the boy’s trembling hand clutching my dress, as if he didn’t want to leave. The more the woman’s gaze landed on him, the more he shook. It was clear he was scared of her. If I acted all polite and deferential to her now, it would probably only make the boy more anxious.

 

“He doesn’t want to, though?”

 

She scowled. I guess nobles aren’t used to hearing that kind of attitude. I deliberately furrowed my brow, playing a rude troublemaker.

 

She snapped back, irritated. “You don’t even know who he is, do you?”

 

She had a point, but troublemakers are never bothered by such things.

 

“So what?”

 

“He’s a member of the Kalinos bloodline!”

 

“Oh, then that’s fine.”

 

“What…?”

 

I squeezed the boy’s hand tightly. He stared up at me, eyes wide in surprise at the sudden contact. But I just looked back at him, thinking I wanted to share a little warmth.

 

“Seems like news travels slow around here. I’ll take care of him. Oh, and by the way—”

 

If this child really was a member of the Kalinos bloodline. And if it wasn’t just a coincidence that he trembled every time that woman looked at him…

 

A true professional at being a troublemaker never causes trouble just once.

 

Step one: ask for their name in front of a part-timer who’s made a small mistake. Start digging for info.

Step two: then, downplay your own mistake and exaggerate the other person’s, posting about it online. Spreading rumors is the way to go in this world.

Step three: play the ultimate victim.

Step four: stir up public opinion so much that the place has to shut down.

This is how the troublemakers’ playbook unfolds—four meticulously planned steps.

 

Alright, let’s kick off step one.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

That’s how these troublemakers always operate. First, they dig for personal info.

 

The woman glanced down at the boy with an annoyed look and muttered, “Rahana Sirentium. I’m a noble. And you? You look like a lady from a noble house, but how did you even get past Kalinos’s gates?” She was so pissed off, to the point of starting to forget her manners.

 

I tilted my head, thinking. Sirentium family.

 

Duke Kalinos’s late older brother, Markin Kalinos. And his late wife, Elesa, whose maiden name was Sirentium.

 

The Sirentium family was once insignificant, but after Markin fell in love with Elesa at first sight and insisted on marrying her, they received a huge investment from the Kalinos family and suddenly flourished.

 

I remember hearing that Markin and Elesa’s child was staying with the Sirentium family. This blonde, blue-eyed woman was probably Elesa Sirentium’s younger sister.

 

“Riwes! You need another bath after rolling around in the dirt! And you don’t even have a maid… Come here, now!”

 

Riwes Kalinos. Heir to the Kalinos family, supposedly being raised by his mother’s side of the family—or so the maids had told me. I didn’t know the details. Well, that’s not my problem right now. What mattered was that this little boy was terrified of that woman.

 

I cocked my head, deliberately defiant. “Shut up.”

 

“…W-What? What did you just say?”

 

“I’m taking this boy with me.”

 

“You, do you realize you’re kidnapping a noble?”

 

I replied, sounding thoroughly uninterested. “Kidnapping? Please. I’m taking him to Duke Kalinos.”

 

“What…? Who the hell are you, anyway?”

 

Still holding the child’s trembling hand, I said, “Why should I tell you?” I squeezed the little one’s shaking hand tight and called out, loud and clear, “Come on, sweetie, let’s go!”