I Became The Guardian Of The Future Villain

“Young master! Where have you been? I’ve been searching for you everywhere!”

Having parted ways with Hestia and returned to his room, Leonhard came face to face with Albert, who had been anxiously looking for him.

Albert let out a sigh of relief and looked Leonhard over.

“Why are your clothes in such a state? Did you fall somewhere?”

Leonhard had been sitting crouched in a corner of the garden earlier, and it seemed that grass and dirt had stuck to him.

At Albert’s touch, Leonhard removed his clothes and entered the bathroom.

Usually, a servant would attend to his bath, but this time, Albert personally took care of it.

Ever since the day the news of his parents’ deaths had reached him, Albert had been constantly by his side, diligently serving him.

It was likely because the boy had been left alone, and Albert was concerned for him.

Seeing Leonhard’s red and swollen eyes, Albert let out a faint sigh.

“Are you feeling a little better?”

“Yes, after crying, I feel a bit more at ease.”

“I’m glad to hear that. After the meeting, Count Humphrey was looking for you. Did you happen to run into him?”

When Leonhard shook his head, Albert let out a bitter smile.

As Leonhard left him to Albert’s gentle care, he was lost in thought and opened his mouth.

“Albert.”

“Yes, young master?”

“Could you explain the Empire’s laws to me?”

“Are you asking about the guardianship laws?”

“Yes, I want to review them once again.”

It was the first time since the deaths of the Duke and Duchess that Leonhard had taken such an active interest, and Albert was more than willing to explain the Empire’s laws in a way Leonhard could understand.

“Then, who qualifies as my relatives?”

“All collateral family members are included. They may be distant relatives, but by law, collateral branches are considered family. And of course, the closest relative would be Lord Luciard.”

“If I choose my uncle, would he automatically become my guardian?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Why?”

“If you’re not careful, you could be expelled from the family.”

“Expelled? Do you think my uncle would really kick me out?”

Leonhard laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but Albert’s expression was nothing but serious.

“Young master, do you know how many power struggles over titles have taken place between uncles and nephews, even within noble families or the imperial family itself?”

At Albert’s somber and almost grave tone, Leonhard swallowed hard.

“There have been other cases like yours. Whether it was through accidents or incidents, there have been children left alone after losing their parents. But the real problem comes afterward.”

Children do not have the power to protect the inheritance left by their parents.

Physically and mentally immature, they require a proper guardian.

Typically, a parent’s sibling would raise the child left behind, and that’s where most of the problems arise.

“The Winston family is unlike other noble houses. It is a duchy that commands the entire southern region and is one of the Empire’s four major ducal families. The power, wealth, and reputation of the Winston family are enviable to anyone.”

As Albert’s voice grew more impassioned, Leonhard blinked in surprise.

“But if my uncle were truly greedy, wouldn’t he already be here? He didn’t even attend the funeral…”

“Honestly, I don’t know what Lord Luciard is thinking.”

“Then why are you…?”

“Even so, we cannot take risks. I don’t know his intentions, but it’s possible that he may not even know that the Duke and Duchess had an accident.”

Since they had only informed the southern region and the imperial family about the news, it hadn’t been announced to the rest of the continent or to the other nobles.

Starting tomorrow, the news of the Winston Duke and Duchess’s passing would spread throughout the continent.

It was then that Luciard would learn that his brother and sister-in-law had died.

“That is, of course, assuming he’s even in the Empire. Last time, we heard that he was abroad, right? If he’s still outside the Empire, it may take even longer for the news to reach him.”

“But my parents went to the East because they thought my uncle was there, didn’t they?”

“Lord Luciard wasn’t in the East. Someone must have mistaken him for someone else.”

“So, my uncle might not even be able to come here?”

“Unfortunately, that’s the reality.”

In other words, it was almost impossible for Luciard to be appointed as guardian.

Leonhard could now somewhat understand what Albert had been worrying about.

“Who do you think I should choose as my guardian, Albert?”

“Are you asking for my opinion? If it were up to me…”

Albert thought carefully for a moment before speaking.

“I would choose Count Humphrey.”

“Why? Father was closer to Baron Frost.”

“Though that may have been the case recently, the Winston family has historically been closer to the Humphrey family. Both the previous Duke and the Duke before him maintained close ties with them.”

His eyes widened in surprise because this news was new to him.

“A guardian must be capable of leading the Winston family until you come of age. Winston handles an enormous workload, and it would be too much for a mere baron to manage.”

In that sense, Baron Frost was not a suitable choice.

While the Frost family had grown rapidly in recent years and amassed great wealth, it was nothing compared to a ducal family.

“Count Humphrey, on the other hand, has handled large-scale tasks before and has an extensive network. He would be able to guide you and manage the Winston family well.”

“But what if Count Humphrey tries to kick me out of the family?”

Albert blinked a few times, then burst out laughing.

“Haha, there’s no chance of that, young master.”

“Why not? Just now, you were worried my uncle might try that. Isn’t Count Humphrey the same?”

“It’s a different situation with Lord Luciard. Right now, you are the most legitimate heir to the title, but Lord Luciard is just as much a contender. Plus, since Lord Luciard is already an adult, he could inherit the dukedom immediately without needing to be a guardian.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that Count Humphrey had no claim to the inheritance.

But as long as both direct heirs were alive, it was practically impossible.

With two strong candidates, how could anyone else have a chance at the dukedom?

“Of course, while he is guardian, Count Humphrey might try to tilt things in his favor during business dealings, but it would only be for ten years at most. A guardian cannot make unilateral decisions. All important matters would still require your approval.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s how it works.”

By the time his bath was over and he was wrapped in a fluffy towel, Leonhard returned to his bedroom and sat alone on the sofa.

“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll bring your clothes.”

While Albert briefly stepped out, Leonhard continued to ponder deeply.

* * *

“Something’s strange about her again…”

“She must be troubled. Let’s leave her be until tomorrow.”

“But… isn’t that the expression she wears when she regrets something?”

Annie and Elvin whispered to each other as they watched Hestia.

After saying she wanted some time alone in the garden, Hestia had come back inside after quite a while and collapsed on the three-seater sofa.

If she were just tired or lost in thought, she would have told the others she wanted to be alone and stayed by herself.

But seeing her kick her feet and pound the poor sofa with her fists, it seemed something had happened in the garden.

Meanwhile, their eldest sister was lost in her thoughts, unaware of her siblings’ curiosity.

‘Why did I do that? I should have just walked by!’

At first, she only wanted to interfere because it was clear Marlus was trying to cozy up to him, and Hestia didn’t want him to get too close to Leonhard.

But midway through, Leonhard had broken down and cried in her arms.

‘That wasn’t the time to cry!’

At that moment, her emotions had surged, and her guilt over the Winston Duke and Duchess had reached its peak, leaving her unable to control her tears.
Hestia was overcome with regret for her hasty words. After struggling for a while, she finally stopped moving. Her siblings, who had been observing her closely, approached cautiously and poked her lightly.
Hestia remained motionless.
“Is she dead?”
The youngest, Eric, said with a tearful voice, and Annie patted his head.
“She’s not dead, so calm down.”

“Maybe she’s just sleeping…?”

When Elvin brushed the honey-colored hair away from her face.
“Ugh!”
The sudden scream startled the three younger siblings, they clung to each other in fright.

With her eyes wide open, Hestia muttered, “No… actually, this might be for the best….”

“E-eldest sister’s gone mad,” Annie whispered.

“Should we call mom?” Elvin suggested, uncertainly.

Despite their concerns, Hestia sat up like a ghost, brushing her bangs back.

“Anyway, I was planning on giving advice sooner or later, so maybe it’s good that things turned out this way.”

It would have been ideal if the duke and duchess had survived, but this cursed fate had snatched their lives away. Now, the focus would be on whom Leonhard would choose as his guardian.

Normally, she would have advised that Derrick was better than Count Humphrey, but…

‘Honestly, I’m not sure if even Father is safe anymore.’

Derrick was a good lord of Byron, and to their family, he was a dependable and admirable father. But that didn’t necessarily mean he was a good person to everyone else. Especially considering that, in the previous timeline, he had sided with Count Humphrey and his allies.

“Sigh, kids, let’s head back to the hotel,” Hestia said.
Just then, Derrick returned with Anna. The three younger siblings hurriedly ran to their parents and reported Hestia’s strange behavior in detail.
Watching them, Hestia approached her family.
“Noona’s really weird. I think she needs to see a doctor,” Elvin, usually playful, spoke seriously, but soon Hestia grabbed him by the head.

“You always say I’m weird. Does calling me strange make you all feel better?”

“You cried, didn’t you? Your eyes are red,” Derrick said, gently brushing his hand across Hestia’s eyes. She smiled bitterly.

“I’m fine now. How did the meeting go?”

“Well… I’m not sure if I can say it went well….”

Derrick sighed, his voice tinged with worry, and Hestia’s hand twitched.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“It’s not a big deal, but… it seems we’ll have to appoint a guardian from one of the branch families.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Father could be the guardian, right?”

Derrick shook his head.

“It’s not that simple. Sure, if I’m lucky enough to be chosen as guardian, there are benefits, but it also means we’ll have more responsibilities to bear.”

Seeing Derrick’s lack of enthusiasm, Hestia decided to test him once more.

“Then what would you prefer, Father?”

“I’d rather choice Sir Luciard to become Leonhard’s guardian.”

“But he’s out of contact, isn’t he?”

“Exactly, that’s the problem. If we could reach him, everything would be sorted, but since we can’t… well…”

“Dad, do you have no interest in the guardianship at all?”

“I’m not interested in things I can’t handle. Of course, it’d be a lie to say I don’t care at all, but aiming too high always leads to trouble. You’re the one who lectured me about that, so why are you asking?” Derrick said, playfully nudging Hestia, who smiled awkwardly.

‘I’m sorry, Father. I spoke ill of you to the young master.’

At first, she hadn’t thought Derrick was trustworthy either, but now it seemed like his perspective had changed from the last timeline.

“Who’s the most likely candidate for guardian right now?” Hestia asked.

“Most likely… it’ll be Count Humphrey.”

“Do you really think the young master will choose him?”

“At this point, there’s no other suitable candidate, so that’s what everyone’s guessing. Leonhard will decide tomorrow, and we’ll know for sure then.”

As Derrick urged them to head back to the hotel, Hestia stayed behind for a moment, watching her family leave the room. She bit her lip.

‘I should’ve just badmouthed Count Humphrey.’

Now she regretted including Derrick in her warnings, wondering if she’d gone too far.