The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me - Chapter 65

Though his body must be full of scars, they were not visible as they were covered by a tunic large enough to hide the back of his hands.

Fortunately, as it was a seizure caused by the side effects of this ability, he seemed to have regained stability overnight after receiving healing power.

It was good that the wounds would heal quickly too.

“I’m glad.”

When I crouched down to meet his gaze and smiled, Noah’s mouth opened wide and he beamed brightly.

“You know. The attending physicians told me. That a noble guest of my brother helped me.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You’re that noble guest, aren’t you, elder sister?”

“It seems so.”

I smiled again. I’m not exactly a guest, more like your brother kidnapped me, but anyway.

Huh? Wait a minute.

“…Brother?”

“Eh?”

Noah’s chubby face tilted in confusion.

“Did you just say brother?”

Noah’s large eyes blinked.

“Yes! Duke Dante Ian is my brother! Isn’t he cool?”

Wait. Then.

A boy?

I carefully looked over Noah again, whose eyes were sparkling.

Come to think of it, didn’t Dante say that brothers were born generation after generation in their family?

Oh my. Noah’s appearance was so girlish that I had completely forgotten.

The short hair suited him so well, and with his slender build and pretty face, I naturally thought he was a girl.

His voice was also incredibly adorable, with deep double eyelids, large eyes, and well-placed eyelashes. Even looking slowly again, he only appeared as a girl.

Looking at his clothes again, the large tunic and loose pants were indeed boys’ clothes.

Seeing my confusion, Noah burst out laughing with a “Puha!”

“Elder sister, you thought I was a girl, didn’t you?”

“No, that’s…”

Would it be rude to say so? He’s the future duke after all.

“It’s okay. It happens a lot. I’ve even received women’s necklaces and diamond crowns as gifts.”

“It’s because you’re so pretty. I’m sorry. But looking again, you’re a ha-handsome young boy! You’ll be very popular when you grow up.”

Noah nodded vigorously.

Then he looked around and pointed directly at Ruben.

“I’m going to grow much taller than this knight here.”

“Really?”

“Yes! I want to be as tall as my brother. And super strong too!”

Despite being in such pain earlier, Noah was now full of energy as if nothing had happened last night.

To think he could become such a different child in just one night.

It really makes me realize anew that the side effects of this ability can only be dealt with by a saint’s healing power.

Even pouring so many potions didn’t work, but it was resolved instantly through healing by touch.

“I’m sure you’ll grow up like that. I’m looking forward to it!”

I nodded vigorously to Noah. Completely excited now, Noah led me towards the sofa, chattering away.

The claim that he was extremely shy was cancelled.

“Where are you from, elder sister? The guests my brother calls noble can be counted on one hand. And until now, only old acquaintances have come, but this is my first time seeing you.”

“Well. I haven’t known Duke Dante for long either.”

“Then have you become friends with my brother now? Can you come again?”

“I’m not sure. I live far away.”

“Don’t worry. There’s a portal, you know.”

“That may be true, but…”

As I hesitated, Noah suddenly sprang up from his seat.

“You know. The desert city is a place the Great Mage loved very much.”

“The Great Mage?”

“Yes!”

Come to think of it, the maids had told me something like that too. That temperature-controlling stone I used in the bathroom was specially made by the Great Mage.

That such a Great Mage loved the desert…? Was there some reason?

“So the southern portal is very well made. The city is built like a maze, so portals are installed for moving within it too.”

Now that I think about it, we did move by portal from the top floor of the castle to the castle walls.

It does seem to be a city where magic is particularly advanced compared to other places.

As expected of the future duke. Noah spread his arms proudly to introduce the desert.

Then suddenly noticing the collapsed castle wall, he drooped his eyes.

“Ah.”

I was waiting for his next words. Noah hurriedly explained as if he had accidentally revealed something that shouldn’t be shown.

“That! It’s a mistake. Actually, things like that never happen.”

“You mean the collapsed castle wall?”

“Yes. It’s the first time it’s happened since I was born! It seems someone illegally intruded today, but when I grow up and become duke, I’ll take care of all the bad guys.”

Noah clenched his fists.

He was so cute that I wanted to pinch his soft cheeks.

“When Noah becomes duke, this place will become even more wonderful. Then I’ll try to come visit again if I can. If you invite me.”

“Can I invite you every day?”

“Ah… I’m sorry, but that might be difficult.”

At my refusal, Noah asked curiously.

“Why? Other people are very happy when I invite them. They even ask me to invite them every single day.”

“You’re quite popular.”

“Yes. I’m pretty and cool. I’ll become even cooler when I grow up.”

“That’s right. Noah is pretty and cool. But unfortunately, I have someone I live with.”

Noah’s eyes blinked widely with curiosity.

“Who do you live with?”

“There’s a scary person.”

As I said this, I chuckled, but Noah’s eyes and mouth opened wide as if shocked.

“Wh-why? Why do you live with a scary person?”

“That’s…”

At that question, I suddenly lost my answer.

Originally, the correct answer would have been because I failed to escape.

But now it’s not just for that reason.

Although he’s scary, Edan protects me and I’m under his protection, and also…

“Who’s scary?”

Eek! Edan suddenly appeared behind us again.

That’s why it’s scary when you appear so suddenly like this!

Noah and I both flinched, shrinking our shoulders as we looked back at the same time.

Ruben was moving towards the edge, and Edan and Dante were standing there with their subordinates.

“Brother!”

Noah ran to his brother and hugged him tightly.

Dante crouched down, ruffling Noah’s hair which was exactly the same color as his own.

“Noah, I told you to rest a bit more.”

“Yes! I was resting.”

Edan glanced at Noah and approached me.

“Let’s go.”

I got up from my seat and walked towards Noah.

“Noah, I’ll give you this. If you sprinkle it on your food whenever you’re in pain, it will help.”

“What is this?”

“It’s something to help you become a great duke.”

Noah received the pepper shaker I gave him, and Dante looked at me quizzically. Understandably so. It’s pepper after all. I cleared my throat to hide my embarrassment and said as I stood up,

“I’d like to give you something more impressive like a potion, but making such things would be illegal, right? It will have the same effect. I’ve even experimented with it before, so don’t worry. Sir Hillstain has the same thing too.”

Dante bowed his head.

“Thank you. I won’t forget this kindness.”

I wish it had been something other than pepper. It’s a bit awkward.

At that moment, Noah stretched his neck to look up at Edan.

“Elder sister’s scary person?”

Edan glanced down at Noah.

Dante stood up and introduced Edan to Noah.

“Noah, greet him respectfully. This is Prince Edan Dietrich.”

“Prince?”

“Yes. He’s also the Duke who guards the unbreakable wall of the North.”

At that, Noah’s eyes grew very large and sparkled.

“The unbreakable wall?”

Noah placed his hand on his chest and bowed deeply towards Edan, greeting him very politely.

“Hello, Your Highness. I am Noah Ian.”

Edan received the greeting as a prince in response to the thoroughly respectful attitude.

“I permit you to raise your head.”

“I’ve heard that those who guard the unbreakable wall have always been the strongest people in the empire. Then, are you the strongest person in the empire, Your Highness?”

As soon as he raised his head, Noah poured out clever questions, and Edan answered indifferently.

“Yes. And I’m a scary person.”

A strange light flashed for a moment in Edan’s eyes as he smiled coldly.

Wind rose from beneath his feet and a dazzling blue power surged up.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Edan sent that power flying beyond the terrace.

The ability, split into dozens of arrows, struck the castle wall directly.

With a tremendous roar, the castle wall crumbled. The sentries standing there and the knights who were already dealing with the collapsed parts were thrown into chaos in an instant, and screams erupted from all directions.

“Gasp.”

Noah covered his mouth with both hands.

Everyone around, including myself, looked at Edan as if he were crazy.

Except for Dante and Ruben.

Ruben had an impassive face as if he had expected this, and Dante showed no change in expression as if he had been prepared for it.

“It seems the Count’s younger brother has already gotten what he wanted. I’ll end the past incident with this much as well.”

Noah’s complexion, who had proudly introduced the castle wall just a moment ago, turned pale.

He seemed shocked to learn the identity of the bad guy who had destroyed the castle wall this morning.

The look in his eyes that had been gazing at Edan as if he were the most wonderful person in the world was also wavering.

Noah, mouth agape, alternately looked at the castle wall, then Edan, then Dante, repeating this several times.

“Br-brother!”

And finally, he whimpered tearfully.

“It’s okay, Noah.”

Dante patted Noah’s shoulder and instead bowed his head to Edan.

“Thank you.”

This is not the time to be thankful!

Noah’s eyes are brimming with tears! Those beautiful eyes…!

I glared at the back of Edan’s head, and Edan turned his head askew as if he knew everything.

Ugh. I quickly turned my gaze to the opposite direction.

“Sh-shall we go?”

Right. There’s nothing good that can come from provoking him further here.

It’s best to get out of here as quickly as possible.