I Became The Guardian Of The Future Villain

3 PM.

All the relatives gathered in one place.

Count Humphrey, Baron Greenwood, Baron Eldora, Baron Harbor, and Baron Frost, were present.

Each of them was accompanied by their wives or children, and Hestia was also sitting next to Derrick and Elvin.

It was clear that the guardian would be announced at this meeting, which explained the heavy silence that hung in the air despite the large number of people present.

In particular, Baron Harbor and Count Humphrey’s wife were glaring at Derrick with hostility, making Elvin feel uneasy.

“…Can’t we just stay with Mom?”

Anna and Elvin’s two younger siblings were waiting in another room.

Elvin tugged at Hestia’s sleeve, clearly wanting to get out of there.

“If you want to go, go. I’m staying with Dad.”

“…I mean, I don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“…Tch. Fine, I won’t go.”

“You can leave if you want; no one will say anything.”

Realizing that Hestia wasn’t mocking him, Elvin thought about it for a moment, looked around the room, and sighed uncomfortably.

“But I can’t run away from here; I’m the eldest son of the Frost family.”

Though only 13 years old, Elvin was trying to be brave, and Hestia patted his shoulder gently.

She then looked around again.

The neutral Baron Greenwood seemed uninterested in the guardianship, yawning casually.

Count Humphrey’s loyal vassal, Baron Eldora was watching Count Humphrey carefully.

And then there was Baron Harbor.

‘What a schemer.’

He wasn’t even a candidate for guardian, yet he was glaring at Derrick as if he had something to be upset about.

Perhaps he was feeling envious, knowing Derrick was a strong candidate for the guardianship.

‘Now that Frost has gained some power, he can’t look down on us anymore.’

Ten years ago, due to a cosmetics toxicity scandal, the Harbor family had completely distanced themselves from the Frosts, and they had stopped using their transportation services.

For a year or two, there was an invisible tension between the two families, but as the Frost family grew, expanding its influence across the southern regions and the empire, the Harbor family began to take notice of them.

They knew that if they could link their business with Frost’s supplies, they would surely earn good profits.

But, of course, their pride wouldn’t allow them to bow down first, so they circled around, trying to make a deal. Eventually, through Malrus’s mediation, they managed to secure a small contract.

Thanks to that, the Harbor distribution business slowly started to recover, but they would never admit it was due to the Frosts.

‘Should I cut off the deal entirely? They don’t even realize how much my father’s been helping them…’

Hestia felt an urge to sprinkle salt in Baron Harbor’s wounds.

Noticing her feelings, Derrick patted her hand.

‘Enough already.’

The venom in Hestia’s eyes gradually faded.

In that awkward silence, a lot of tension was building when someone finally spoke up.

“It seems Baron Frost is greedier than expected.”

The voice belonged to Count Humphrey’s wife.
She, with her stern expression, held a fan over her mouth as she spoke.
“What do you mean by that?” Derrick asked.
“I heard you met with the Duke here this morning. What on earth were you thinking, visiting him so early?”

“For the same reason as Count Humphrey.”

“Ah…! Are you declaring that you aim for the Duke’s guardianship?”

“It seems Count Humphrey has that intention, doesn’t he?”

Derrick’s response was a question, not an answer, causing Count Humphrey’s wife to flush with anger.

If Derrick had tried to conceal his true intentions or deflect the conversation, she might have seized that opening, but his calm demeanor was making her look foolish.

“Such bluntness. I simply thought that our family was the most suitable among the five branches for guardianship, which is why I came to see the Duke. However, seeing you here this morning means I can only view it as a challenge against me for the position.”

Up until yesterday, Derrick hadn’t expressed any particular desire to be the guardian.

He felt a bit anxious since he was the second most likely candidate, but aside from insisting that Luciard should be put forward as guardian, he hadn’t said much, so he felt somewhat reassured.

But suddenly encountering Derrick this morning in the reception area must have felt like a challenge to Malrus.

“I also believe the guardianship should go to you, Count.”

Malrus’s eyebrows twitched in surprise at the unexpected response.

“However, I think having more options rather than just one would benefit the Duke. Having a rival can motivate us to strive harder, right?”

“A rival? That term only applies when both parties are equal, does it not? You and we… are not on the same level, are we?”

Count Humphrey’s wife looked Derrick up and down, clearly dismissive, but he remained unfazed.

“Deciding on a guardian is up to the Duke. No matter what we say here, the decision will be made at this table.”

“Ahem…”

“I will follow whatever choice the Duke makes.”

Choosing Malrus wouldn’t erase the connection between the Winston dukedom and the Frost family, so Derrick didn’t care.

However, seeing the Humphrey family already engaging in a power struggle and trying to secure the guardianship made him think that maybe it would be better if Leonhard chose him after all.

Elvin, witnessing the adults’ blatant power struggle, felt his heart race.

“…Does my sister act like this too?”

“Not to this extent, usually.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect Dad to be this intense.”

“Dad is caring and gentle with us, but he’s different outside. Pay attention; one day you’ll have to take over for him.”

Hestia whispered softly to Elvin and straightened her back, then began observing Derrick’s situation with the others in the room.

‘Hmph, I bet they’re wondering when he got so bold.’

Even after ten years of successful business growth, the Frost family hadn’t grown arrogant or changed the way they treated others.

It’s common for people to become boastful and arrogant when they accumulate wealth, but Derrick has remained humble and careful in his dealings.

And that included the branch families.
To them, it must have seemed as though someone who had always been agreeable was suddenly changing his attitude, but in truth, Derrick had simply never seen the need to assert himself before.
Honestly, the Frost family was no longer in a position to care about what these people thought—if anything, the reverse was true.
“Has everyone arrived?”

Just then, Leonhard entered.

Everyone stood up and greeted him respectfully, seeing Albert beside him.

Leonhardt hesitated for a moment, feeling awkward, but a soft clearing of the throat from Albert snapped him out of it.

Trying his best to act mature and not be underestimated, he walked to the head of the table, though the older nobles could see the nervous tremble in his hands.

‘Who will he choose?’

All eyes were fixed on Leonhard as he approached the seat of honor.

Some looked at him with greedy eyes, like Malrus.

‘Eight years old is too young. I hope his butler gives him good advice…’

If Derrick hadn’t spoken with him, he would have simply designated Malrus as the guardian according to the original plan.

Still feeling a bit anxious, Hestia watched Leonhard with concern.
Their eyes met.
It wasn’t a casual glance; Leonhardt was practically staring at her.
Hestia wondered if she was imagining it and looked around, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

“Are you on familiar terms with the Duke?”

“No, not really…”

Even Elvin noticed and asked her, realizing Derrick was watching her.

Was he remembering how she comforted him yesterday? Just as she thought this, Leonhard settled into his seat.

“Please take your seats.”

Once everyone was seated, Leonhard looked around.

“You must all be curious about whom I will choose as my guardian, right?”

“Since you will be leading the South in the future, as a branch family, we should know, right?”

“Have you made up your mind, Your Highness?”

Leonhard closed his eyes for a moment and reached out to Albert, who handed him something.

“It’s the Imperial Law Code. I looked it up because I wanted to understand it properly.”

There were various laws written in it, which made it somewhat difficult for young Leonhard to grasp, but Albert assisted him.

“There are two main conditions that are required: First, they must belong to a branch family. Second, they must be an adult.”

This was common knowledge.

Both Malrus and Derrick clearly met these two conditions.

‘Neither of them should have any disqualifications, so why is he looking this up?’

Hestia felt a sudden curiosity upon seeing the Imperial Law book.

“Honestly, I still can’t believe my parents are gone. I hate that I have to decide on a guardian already, especially since the funeral just ended yesterday.”

The adults, who had subtly pressured him about choosing a guardian, coughed awkwardly, glancing at him.

“But it’s also true that I need someone to lead the dukedom in my place.”

“Then… have you made your decision?”

At Baron Harbor’s cautious question, Leonhard nodded.

“Yes.”

A glimmer of interest sparkled in Malrus’s eyes, while Derrick pressed his lips tightly together, feeling the tension.

Despite their contrasting reactions, each held their own expectations.

“Please tell us who you will appoint as your guardian, Your Highness.”

Malrus spoke, trying to suppress his excitement.

Hestia was also on edge, eagerly awaiting Leonhard’s words.

His gaze slowly swept from left to right, examining each person.

‘Please, Dad. Choose Dad. That’s the best choice for you.’

Hestia unknowingly clenched her hands tightly, repeatedly wishing for Derrick’s name to be called.

Finally, Leonhard’s lips curved upwards as he pointed at someone.

“That person.”

As the people’s eyes followed the small finger, Hestia felt her heart race.

When she opened her eyes wide to see the result, she felt like she would burst out in cheers, but the surrounding tension forced her to keep quiet as she grasped Derrick’s shoulder.

“Congratulations, Father. You’ll be busy from now on.”

She offered her congratulations as calmly as she could.

‘Alright. This eliminates the biggest threat for now.’

With Derrick designated as guardian, she would be able to intervene in this place as his child.

That meant she could ensure Leonhard would grow up safely.

‘I can prevent him from becoming a villain…!’

Lost in her joy for a moment, Hestia suddenly realized the silence around her.

Only then did she notice Derrick’s bewildered expression.

“Father, what’s wrong? Huh?”

Feeling a tug on her clothing, Hestia turned to Elvin.

“Si—Sister…”

“What’s wrong?”

“It seems… that the Duke didn’t choose Dad.”

“…Huh?”

What was he talking about? He definitely pointed in this direction…

Looking again at the finger that Leonhard pointed, Hestia realized it was pointing directly at her.

In that moment, she understood why everyone was silent.

“…Me?”

No way, that can’t be true.

…It can’t be, right?