I Live With My Villain Uncle Chapter 9

Uncle said as he stood up and turned away from me.

“We’re going to visit the old man—no, your grandfather’s house.”

At those words, which sounded like a surprise gift, I immediately looked up.

I asked while looking at Uncle’s broad back.

“Really? We’re going to visit grandfather today?”

“Yes.”

We were going to grandfather’s house. That meant I could eat lots of delicious food!

“Okay, Uncle! Oh, then can I bring a present for grandfather? The food we had this morning was really delicious, so I want to bring some for grandfather.”

“Take whatever you want.”

“Really? Uncle, are you really sure?”

“Yeah.”

What was with Uncle all of a sudden?

Before he could change his mind, I quickly answered.

“Okay! Thank you, Uncle!”

Thinking that I could bring grandfather a present, eat my fill while I was there, and then come back, I nodded quickly and headed to my room.

Then I decided to put all my effort into getting ready to go out.

Yay! I dashed to my room like lightning.

“Zenda! Uncle said we’re going to visit grandfather!”

The moment I entered the room, I looked for Zenda.

For some reason, Zenda’s face became gloomy.

“Zenda, why? Are you sick?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll help you get ready. Shall I tie your hair into two braids and put flowers in them?”

“Yes! Thank you, Zenda! Put two flowers in.”

Zenda took my hand as we walked and smiled sweetly as if nothing had happened.

I liked Zenda’s smile too, so I grinned happily.

“Are you really that happy?”

“Mm-hmm. I like seeing my grandfather. Zenda, I’ll bring back lots and lots of delicious things when I come back.”

Zenda’s face became even gloomier than before, but I figured she was probably worried because I was going with Uncle.

 

***

 

“Oh, my baby!”

“Grandfather!”

The moment I got off the carriage, I was hugged by my grandfather, who was just as huge as Uncle.

Ilrod de Vallier.

He was the head of House Vallier and my one and only grandfather.

When I first met my grandfather, I was scared of him.

He had the same red hair and golden eyes as Mom, but he was incredibly tall and as huge as a mountain, making him look like a terrifying adult.

Uncle probably got his tall stature from grandfather.

I was afraid of my grandfather, but he treated me incredibly well.

He always told me I was the best and gave me delicious things every single day.

That was how amazing my grandfather was.

Once, I cried because Mom, Uncle, and Grandfather all had red hair while I was the only one with black hair.

But the next day, grandfather showed up with his hair dyed the same black color as mine.

The dye had faded a little by now, but his dark reddish hair was still similar to mine.

“Oh, my puppy. Why haven’t you gained any weight? That bastard didn’t even feed you, did he?”

Grandfather’s eyes narrowed as they shifted toward Uncle behind me.

I shook my head vigorously from side to side.

“No! I eat with Uncle every day. I ate breakfast with him today, too.”

“Is that so? What a good girl. Come, let’s go inside.”

“Yes, Grandfather! Oh, right, Grandfather. I brought you a present too. Uncle has it. It’s something really delicious!”

Grandfather let out a hearty laugh.

“What could you possibly have to bring with those tiny hands? Just you coming here is already a present.”

“Hehe, but presents are better when you give more of them!”

Still, I had always gone to grandfather’s house with Mom once a month.

I had spent more than two months here before going to Uncle’s place, so it felt comfortable, almost like another home.

I glanced behind me to make sure Uncle was following, then went inside with grandfather.

“Thank you, my baby. Have you been sleeping well?”

“Yes! I always sleep well. What about you, grandfather? Do you sleep well too?”

“Grandpa couldn’t sleep a wink because he missed his puppy.”

“Gasp! That’s not good. Grandfather, then let’s take a nap together later!”

“Hehe, all right, let’s do that.”

“If you love her so much, why did you send her away? You should have just kept her by your side.”

“What?”

Grandfather’s warm voice suddenly turned sharp.

“Did I say something wrong? Seems like the two of you get along terribly well.”

Uncle spoke flippantly while picking at his ear.

“I sent her to make a proper man out of you, you ill-mannered brat! Oh, my precious baby, eat lots of delicious things today. I bought you plenty of presents, too.”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

After roaring at Uncle, Grandfather once again acted as though nothing had happened. He took my hand and led me through the hall toward a room where a thick carpet had been laid out so I could sit and play.

It was the room I always played in whenever I visited Grandfather’s house.

“Wow……”

On both sides stood enormous five-tier cake towers, as grand as fountains, and beside them were countless presents and snacks.

“Do you like them?”

The moment I entered, my eyes grew wide at the magnificent feast of snacks waiting to greet me.

“I love them! I love them so much! Grandfather, can I eat all of this?”

“Of course. It’s all for my baby.”

“Yes, Grandfather! You eat with me too. Uncle, too!”

Grandfather gently ruffled my hair.

His hand was incredibly warm, which made me feel even happier, and I smiled brightly.

“I had to talk with your uncle for a little while, so eat up. I’ll be back soon.”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

 

***

 

“I’m so full……”

I completely forgot about the existence of Uncle and Grandfather and filled my stomach with sweet treats.

The mountain of desserts looked hardly any different from when I had first seen it, but my belly had puffed up so much that I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.

“I miss Mom.”

I curled up on the carpet and lay there, thinking.

Mom only let me eat half a slice of cake a day, and she would nag me to brush my teeth immediately after eating, but I still missed Mom.

I should get plenty of time to see Uncle’s face later.

I picked up the half-eaten strawberry cupcake in front of me again.

“Aika.”

As if my wish had come true, Grandfather, who had gone out earlier to talk with Uncle, returned.

“Grandfather! You eat this too. But where’s Uncle?”

But Uncle was nowhere to be seen.

“Aika.”

“Yes?”

Grandfather sat down beside me in the same position I was sitting in.

He gently stroked my hair as he spoke.

“Why don’t you stop going to your uncle’s place and live with Grandpa instead? Just like before.”

“With Grandfather?”

“Yes. Let’s have fun playing together again, just like we used to.”

“Uh……”

I blinked.

I liked that idea, but what did he mean?

My thoughts stopped for a moment, then started spinning rapidly.

My eyes widened.

This wasn’t a good thing!

It meant Uncle had left me here.

Why?

“Ah, no! He can’t!”

Startled, I dropped the cupcake I had been eating onto the carpet.

“Baby! Aika!”

“Grandfather, wait!”

Even though Grandfather called after me, I got up and ran straight outside.

Legs, run faster!

I had to catch Uncle before he left.

Uncle had such long legs that he could get far away in no time.

If I was even a little late, Uncle would really leave me behind.

Then he might never come to see me again.

Just as Grandfather had said, Uncle had already left the house and was heading toward the carriage.

“U-Uncle!”

I hurried down the stairs.

“Ah!”

But perhaps I was in too much of a hurry, because with only one step left, my feet got tangled and I fell flat on my face.

“Ah…… It hurts.”

It hurt terribly.

I quickly got back up, but my knees hurt so badly.

My chin hurt too. Everything hurts.

When I looked at my knee, it was already scraped, and blood was beginning to seep out.

“……”

I needed to dust myself off and hurry to Uncle, but maybe because it hurt so much, my legs wouldn’t move.

I was only trying to save Uncle.

I just wanted to stay by his side.

Why did it hurt this much?

Maybe it was because I was bleeding.

My vision slowly began to blur.