I Live With My Villain Uncle

Author: isuzuuy

I lay on my bed, earnestly writing down my thoughts on the canvas in my mind.

Someone like the night sky, too far for me to ever reach.
My precious mother’s friend.
Black hair, just like mine.

“Don’t get sick, don’t get hurt, and if you ever have any worries, you can come to me anytime. Got it?”
“I hope you’ll always smile like that. Then I’ll see you again next time, Aika.”

……Someone who treated me almost excessively well.

“Gasp.”

I rolled over and flopped onto my stomach.

No way.

***

“Where did Uncle go?”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I came outside.

Then I wandered through the corridors, searching for Uncle here and there.

At the end of the corridor, I spotted a familiar man with brown hair and green eyes.

It was Reto, who managed this enormous mansion in Uncle’s place.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Reto was the neatest person in the entire household.

Even though he was always rushing around busy with work, whenever I saw him, his clothes were clean and not a single wrinkle could be found on them.

“Reto!”

“Lady Aika, is there something you need?”

“Have you seen Uncle?”

“He is in his study right now.”

Reto kindly gave me the answer I wanted.

“Then is Uncle working right now?”

“Yes, I believe so. Is there something urgent?”

“Mm-hmm, not really. There’s just something I want to ask him.”

Reto seemed to think for a moment before turning toward Uncle’s study.

“I may not be able to disturb him, but I believe it will be fine for you, Lady Aika. I’ll escort you there.”

“Oh, aren’t you busy, Reto?”

“I always make time to escort you, Lady Aika.”

Reto smiled handsomely and extended a hand clad in a white glove.

“I like Reto. You’re kind, just like Zenda.”

“You are the first person to compliment me by calling me kind, Lady Aika.”

I took Reto’s hand and headed toward Uncle’s study with a little more confidence.

However, the moment Reto knocked on the door, I instinctively hid behind him.

“My lord, the adorable Lady Aika has come to see you.”

“Adorable, my ass.”

Hidden behind Reto, I heard Uncle grumbling.

Still, I guess he wasn’t in a bad mood!

Normally, he would have said, “Send her back,” and kicked me out before I even got inside.

“You may enter, Lady Aika.”

“Thank you!”

Reto opened the door for me and even greeted Uncle on my behalf before returning to where he had originally been headed, wishing me a pleasant time.

I drew an imaginary line beneath the doorway and hopped over it.

“……”

Okay, so far, no interest! No problems!

Gathering a little more courage, I clasped my hands behind my back and toddled over to Uncle.

Then I wandered around near him until he finally reacted.

“What now? If you have something to say, say it quickly and leave.”

Without even looking at me, Uncle flipped through the documents in his hands.

“Uncle, I have something to ask you.”

“What?”

“You know… Did His Majesty the Emperor get married?”

Uncle, who had been signing something with his pen, raised his head.

His expression practically said, I’m dying of work here, and that’s what you’re asking me?

“Why do you care whether the Emperor is married or not?”

“I-I’m allowed to be curious! From today on, I decided to be friends with His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What a brilliant reason.”

Ignoring Uncle’s utterly incredulous expression, I pressed on.

“Hm? Tell me, Uncle. Is he married or not?”

By then, Uncle’s eyes had returned to the documents.

He must have decided that my question was completely pointless.

“He’s not.”

“He’s not? Really?”

“Yes. I answered you, so stop bothering me and get out.”

“Why isn’t he married?”

Uncle finally gave me a murderous glare.

“You’re not leaving?”

I quickly ran to the doorway, using the doorframe as a shield while stubbornly holding my ground.

“If you just tell me that!”

“I guess he didn’t have anyone to marry.”

“Is it because he has a fated love? Like in fairy tales?”

“Who knows? I guess so.”

“Ah, Uncleeee! Then who is that fated love? Could it be…?”

Crack.

“Niece. Why on earth would I need to know about the Emperor’s love life?”

Uncle growled, his eyebrow twitching as his expression grew increasingly heated.

Apparently, that crack just now had come from Uncle.

And yet he was smiling, looking like some grim reaper straight out of hell.

A red warning light seemed to switch on above his head.

“Ah, okay……”

Retreat for now.

Judging by his expression, if I pushed any further, I felt like I might get thrown out into the stables instead of the guest room.

I slowly backed away, keeping a close eye on Uncle.

Actually, I had been planning to try asking one more time, but the moment I dipped my toe back inside, as though testing the water, I heard a sharp “Tsk—” and gave up.

“Tch, Uncle. You said you were friends with His Majesty, but you won’t even tell me something like that.”

I patted down my dress and stepped back into the hallway.

“……”

Ah, I’m too curious. I can’t let this go.

Keeping my feet planted firmly on the floor, I quietly began to back away—step by step.

But the moment my hand landed on the doorframe with a thump, I met Uncle’s piercing gaze.

And I failed spectacularly once again.

Well, it’s fine. I can just wait for another opportunity.

It’s definitely not because I’m scared of Uncle that I’m leaving, okay?

***

“What are you getting ready for, Uncle?”

“I’m not getting ready for anything.”

“But you’re wearing nice clothes right now. Can’t I go too?”

Several days passed after that.

I kept trying to find opportunities to ask Uncle about His Majesty the Emperor, but every single time, I was turned down.

Just because Uncle wouldn’t tell me didn’t mean there was no way for me to find out.

I had a grandfather, after all. There were plenty of ways.

But today was a little different!

I thought he would be staying home once the sun went down, but Uncle had changed into nice clothes, as though he were getting ready to go somewhere.

Where was he going?

At least it was obvious he wasn’t getting ready for bed.

“Do you even know where I’m going to let you tag along?”

“Hmm, nope! Wherever Uncle is going.”

I grinned innocently, trying to convey I’m harmless! but Uncle pushed my forehead away with his index finger.

“What the hell? Why does someone so tiny have to follow me everywhere? If you’ve eaten dinner, go to bed.”

“Tell me where you’re going.”

I practically dropped to the floor as I grabbed the hem of Uncle’s clothes and stubbornly clung to him.

Clinging is my specialty, after all.

He had secretly gone somewhere during the day yesterday, too!

Thankfully, I had endured it because I hadn’t seen any scary future where something happened to Uncle. But if I had, it would have been a real disaster.

And besides, I got so bored whenever Uncle went out.

“I told you that you don’t need to know.”

Uncle growled again.

I pouted and let go.

I mean, he seemed even angrier than usual.

Could it be that he was being forced to go somewhere he didn’t want to?

If I insisted on following him any more, I felt like I really would get scolded.

In that case……

“Okay, Uncle! Be careful on your way!”

I jumped to my feet.

“What?”

“Zenda says good children should go to bed early. So have a safe trip, Uncle!”

I even waved my hand back and forth, but Uncle stared at me suspiciously.

Even when I said I would follow him, he complained, and even when I told him to have a safe trip, he looked at me like that!

“Stay quietly at home.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Just try causing trouble.”

“I won’t. Uncle, have you ever seen me cause trouble?”

I looked up at him with an unabashed expression, and Uncle’s eyebrows wriggled like earthworms.

“Anyway, stay out of trouble.”

“Okay.”

Honestly, Uncle.

I told you, I never cause trouble.

***

Night had fallen, and the surroundings were dark.

Cassel climbed into the carriage, dragging his reluctant feet behind him.

He leaned back casually and rubbed the crease between his brows, which had twisted with a mixture of irritation and fatigue.

“I’ll depart immediately, my lord.”

Cassel nodded, and Gerard closed the carriage door.

Maybe I should have gone to check on her before leaving.

But he immediately dismissed the thought.

At this hour, she would probably be sleeping like she’d been knocked unconscious anyway. If he woke her up just to check on her, it would only become a headache for him.

Besides, how dangerous could anything possibly be inside the house?

It would be strange for him to worry about it.

Before long, the carriage began to roll forward slowly.

Planning to sleep until they arrived, Cassel closed his eyes.

Cassel was not fond of attending banquets.

The clingy people were annoying, and he had rarely seen anything pleasant at such gatherings.

So there were only a few reasons Cassel would attend a banquet.

When it was held at the Imperial Palace.

When the old man called him or was hosting it.

When it was time to expand the family’s business or keep an eye on the movements of the nobles.

And finally, when there was someone who needed to be dealt with.

Usually, he would weed out the invitations at the first, second, or third reason.