I Became The Guardian Of The Future Villain

The next day. The day had come for Leonhard to choose his guardian.

While eating breakfast together in the room, Hestia was nagging Derrick relentlessly from the early morning.

“Father, just be the guardian yourself. Count Humphrey is out of the question. So, Baron Harbor is also his man. Baron Eldora is just one of Humphrey’s lackeys, and Baron Greenwood… he doesn’t have the backbone to handle things properly! He might end up being swayed by Count Humphrey! You’re our only hope!”
Hestia nagged so much that it nearly hurt Derrick’s ears, but he only chewed his bread resignedly, as if he’d already given up.

Eventually, Anna, unable to watch any longer, shoved some bread into Hestia’s mouth.

“Dear, your dad’s going to choke if you keep that up. Enough already.”

“But today is the only time we have! Once the young master makes his decision, that’s the end of it!” Despite Anna’s attempts to stop her, Hestia shouted to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

However, she only earned scolding from her family.

“Big sister, what does it matter who becomes the guardian? What does that have to do with us?”

“If you’re just going to argue, then shut your mouth,” Hestia retorted.

But the eldest sister’s charisma was undeniable. The younger siblings only pouted their lips, refraining from saying anything more.

“So, Father, as soon as you get to the duke’s estate, speak with the young lord. You have to present yourself!”

“Tia, hush now. Calm down, alright?” Derrick gently patted Hestia’s head, which had turned red from excitement, and sat her down beside him.

At first, she was fuming, but soon enough, she regained her composure.

“Do you really want me to become the guardian that much?”

“…Yes.”

“Why? You were against it yesterday.”

“Well…”

‘If Count Humphrey becomes the guardian, the nightmare from before my regression will come true!’

But she couldn’t say that even if a knife was at her throat. If she did, she’d be treated as crazy.

“…I had a nightmare.”

“A nightmare?”

“A dream where Count Humphrey killed the young master and took over the Winston Duchy.”

Derrick’s eyes widened in surprise, and Elvin was so shocked he dropped his fork.

Meanwhile, Anna quickly glanced around, checking if anyone else had overheard her words.
“Watch what you say. If someone hears, we’ll be in big trouble!”
“Wow, big sister, what kind of nightmare is that?”
“Sis, what if your words come true?”
Though everyone around her made a comment, Hestia kept her gaze fixed solely on Derrick.

She hoped that, in this way, she could at least convey the danger to him and that he would understand her urgency.

Did her desperate wish reach him? Derrick finally spoke.

“It seems you’re really worried, having a nightmare like that.”

“No, Dad. It’s not just a dream…!”

“Hestia.”
Hearing her name instead of her usual nickname, Hestia closed her mouth.
“I understand that you’re worried. I had similar thoughts yesterday too.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I wasn’t thinking about it as seriously as your nightmare, but Count Humphrey is very ambitious.”
Even though the duke and duchess had passed away and the ducal position was vacant, Count Humphrey had already started behaving as if he were the ruler of the South.

While it made sense for Count Humphrey to run the meetings because of his status, but there was definitely a difference between leading a meeting and acting like he owned the whole place.

Moreover, as soon as the meeting ended, he had gone straight to see Leonhard.

It was all too clear what he intended to do upon meeting him.

“But Humphrey isn’t someone who’s completely unaware of boundaries…”

“Dad, people are powerless in front of money.”

Just as Derrick’s resolve was weakening, Hestia spoke firmly.

“Becoming the guardian alone would allow him to control the entire southern region and start many businesses. He might be satisfied at first, but who’s to say he won’t grow greedy later?”

“That’s…”

“And the biggest variable right now is Lord Luciad. If he never shows up at the dukedom and the only successor to the Winston house is Young Lord Leonhard… the outcome is pretty clear, isn’t it?”

Derrick’s gaze wavered. He was about to dismiss her concerns, but Hestia’s expression remained deadly serious.

“To be honest, I wish you’d cut ties with the Winston family altogether, rather than becoming the guardian.”

“That’s not possible.”

At Hestia’s honest declaration, Derrick’s response was just as firm.

“Exactly. Since that’s not realistic, it would be better for you to help the young master. You’re someone who repays kindness, Dad. I believe you can do well.”

As Hestia held Derrick’s hand tightly, his heart wavered too.

And if you think about it she wasn’t wrong.

“…I’ll see if I can have a meeting with the young master.”

A smile spread across Hestia’s face.

* * *

“Good morning, Young Master. Did you rest well last night?”

“…Why are you here so early in the morning? It’s not time for our appointment yet.”

Leonhard looked up and down at Malrus, who had barged in during his meal.

He turned to Albert, silently asking what was going on.

In response, Albert gestured that Malrus had simply forced his way in.

“Oh, my. I didn’t realize you were still eating. Shall I wait outside?”

Malrus stood there grinning, but Leonhard sighed and got up from his seat.

“Let’s go to the reception room.”

Wearing a robe over his pajamas, which Albert had given him, Leonhard made his way to the reception room.

As Leonhard took the head seat, the usual seat of the Duke, Malrus’s eyebrows twitched for a brief moment, but no one noticed.

“So, what brings you here?”

“What else? I wanted to have a chat with you, young master.”

“You’re not here to ask to be chosen as my guardian?”

Malrus’s smiling face momentarily froze. He observed Leonhard for a moment.

‘For an eight-year-old, he’s quite perceptive.’

As expected of the son of that cunning Icarus.

It seemed clear that it wouldn’t be easy to control him right away.

In the end, Malrus changed his approach.

“To be honest… yes, you’re right. I would like you to make a wise choice. We didn’t have a proper conversation yesterday.”

“Would choosing you be the wise choice?”

“To be honest, there’s no one more suited for the position of your guardian than myself.”

‘Frost is the biggest variable, but… how could some mere baron surpass a count like me?’

Suppressing the smirk that was almost about to escape, Malrus smiled.

“This year, I am over fifty years old. I even worked alongside your grandfather. When I was young, I met your great-grandfather, the duke. For such a long time, our family, the Humphreys, have served Winston as its hands and feet.”

Marlors spoke sweetly, making sure to emphasize how devoted his family had been to the Winstons and how capable he was of filling the current vacancy. He said just the sort of things that an eight-year-old would be easily swayed by.

“…Therefore, I believe there is no one else as qualified as myself.”

“……”

Leonhard remained silent. Malrus thought he might need time to consider, but the young boy’s red eyes were staring straight through him.

For a moment, Malrus thought he saw Icarus standing behind the boy.

The same arrogant look, as if he could see through everything.

It was the kind of gaze Malrus detested the most.

This was completely different from the boy who had been too timid to even voice an opinion the day before, and Malrus was secretly puzzled.

“May I ask just one thing?”

Leonhard finally opened his mouth.

“Yes, ask me anything.”

“If my uncle returns, can you give back the position of guardian?”

Malrus couldn’t tell if the boy was concerned that Luciard might threaten his position or if he actually wanted Luciard to be his guardian instead.

‘…A bastard trying to take my place? I would never let that happen.’

No matter how young the boy was, he’d want to protect his own interests.

Plus, people around him would have fully explained the risks of appointing Luciard as his guardian.

Given all that, there was only one answer Malrus could give.

“That would be impossible. Once a guardian is appointed, that’s the end. Moreover, a guardian’s duty is to ensure your safety until you come of age.”

“Are you saying my uncle is dangerous?”

“Frankly, I can’t say he’s not. If something were to happen to you right now, the most likely candidate for the dukedom would be Lord Luciard.”

“……I see.”

Seeing Leonhard’s dejected expression, Malrus became certain he had made the right choice.

“Are you going to choose me as your guardian?”

Excitement crept into Malrus’ voice, making him sound a little impatient, but Leonhard slowly opened his eyes.

“…I’ll say it when everyone is gathered.”

Malrus paused for a moment.

‘It doesn’t matter; in the end, you’ll choose me anyway.’

But he knew that pushing too hard here would only damage his image, so he decided to retreat gracefully.

“I will respect whatever decision you make. But do remember that choosing me is the wisest option. I’ll see you later, then.”

With that, Malrus left the reception room, throwing off his polite mask as he muttered to himself.

“Honestly… That kid is just as annoying as his father.”

When Icarus had first inherited the dukedom, Malrus had tried to mentor him, or at least ensure that the young duke would fall under his influence.

But not only did Icarus continue to refuse his overtures, he even distanced himself from Malrus’ family and had the audacity to align with the Frost family, who had nothing to offer.

At first, Malrus thought it was just youthful recklessness, but as the two families’ business began to succeed and bring in substantial profits, it became increasingly difficult for Malrus to worm his way in.

A moment ago, he had told Leonhard that his relationship with the duke had been close, but in reality, their connection was merely what would be expected between distant relatives.

“I can’t afford to lose this golden opportunity…”

Not only would this be his only chance to pull the Winston family to his side, but he could make them entirely his own. He wasn’t about to let anyone else take that from him.

Malrus tried to shake off his anxiety, straightening his back with confidence.

But just then, his brow furrowed.

“Good morning, Count.”

“Baron Frost… I didn’t expect to see you here this early.”

“It’s not that early. It’s already ten o’clock.”

Normally, Derrick would visit this place around lunchtime, so coming this early was unusual for him.

Almost as if he had another purpose for being here.

“Where are you headed?”

“I’m on my way to see the young lord.”

“Oh? Perhaps you wish to be appointed as guardian?”

‘How dare you, right in front of me?’

The thought was on the tip of his tongue, but he held it back.

Still, Derrick would have easily understood the implication behind his words.

“I’m simply here to offer the young lord some advice to help him make the right decision.”

“Anyone listening might think you’re the young lord’s elder.”

“That wasn’t my intention. You’ve had a conversation with the young lord as well, haven’t you? If you don’t mind, may I pass?”

‘You think the same as I do, so stop pretending. Don’t block my way.’

The look on Derrick’s face seemed to say that loud and clear, and Malrus’ brow twitched. But he had no right to stop him, so he grudgingly stepped aside.

“Ahem!”

“Excuse me.”

Derrick ignored Malrus’ exaggerated clearing of his throat and calmly walked past him.

Malrus, taken aback, chuckled bitterly as he watched Derrick’s retreating figure.

“…In the end, he’s just a Baron.”

No matter how close he had been to Icarus while he was alive, that didn’t mean he was qualified to be a guardian.

Reassuring himself with that thought, Malrus walked away with a heavy step.