Please Leave The Sickly Villainess Alone

The duke returned only late in the evening. And as the one who had brought the missing Crown Prince back, he would be summoned to the palace several more times in the future. The duke had sent a messenger to tell me to have dinner first, but I had already told Garnet that I would wait for him to eat together. 

 

I had to tell him what I wanted to do the next day. 

 

I said to him, who was holding the meal in front of me, 

 

“Your Grace, there’s something I’d like to request.”

 

Upon hearing my words, Miller, who was sitting next to me, also looked up. 

 

“Go ahead and speak,” the duke said. I took a deep breath and spoke the prepared words.

 

“I have children who are very dear to me. They are all young and vulnerable, like me. They are still trapped in the Troy Orphanage, from where I escaped… They must be crying over the director’s abuse.”

 

Upon hearing this, Miller dropped the cutlery he was holding.

 

“You were also abused?!” 

 

I bowed my head sorrowfully and nodded slightly. 

 

“That woman… I should have killed her when I met her!” He shouted. The duke, trying to calm down the agitated Miller, raised his hand as he looked at me. 

 

“Tell me what you want. I’ll be responsible for rescuing those children and holding the orphanage director accountable.”

 

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. I had to let them know that there might be risks involved. 

 

“Well, our orphanage sent the fifteen-year-old children somewhere. I’m certain it wasn’t for adoption. I overheard the director saying that once.” I wasn’t lying. I continued speaking what I had heard from Raiolla’s room. 

 

“She said, ‘You should send him to an illegal mine as a laborer because he has a big body… I asked Kavlos about the compensation since he was challenging to raise. I’ll ask a lot this time.’”

 

I looked up and asked innocently, as if genuinely curious about the whereabouts of my friends. 

 

“Where is the Kavlos mansion? Can I meet my friends if I go there?”

 

After hearing my words, both father and son’s expressions turned serious. Of all people, it was Duke Kavlos. 

 

Because they assisted the crown prince and sent him back to the imperial palace, the Rayes household was criticized by the concubine and nobles. Duke Kavlos was practically the leader of the nobles. 

 

Although Duke Rayes could justify bringing the crown prince back as a loyal subject’s duty, it would not be easy for him to make a decision about exposing the crimes of the Kavlos family, which had been implicitly accepted throughout the empire. 

 

It could lead to a war between households.

 

Even if the duke refused my request, I had nothing to say. 

 

‘Then I’ll have to hire a guild and rescue only the children at the orphanage…’ 

 

“If that’s your request, there’s nothing I can’t do.” When I was lost in thought, the duke spoke. His smile was very affectionate, almost as if he were looking at his daughter. 

 

“Those Kavlos guys have caused too much trouble for too long. I can’t forgive them for even touching my daughter.”

 

Miller nodded in agreement.

 

“What will you do for me in return, though?”

 

‘What could I do? I have some experience in childcare… I’m good at hide-and-seek… Or would you want to fold paper together?’ Looking at it, I realized I didn’t have anything to offer, which made me feel embarrassed.

 

Seeing me struggling to find an answer, the duke smiled and said, “Call me Dad from now on.”

 

“In that case… I’m your older brother? Wow, this title feels really strange. But I’d love it if Leah called me that.”

 

“Dad… older brother…?” Using these titles after a long time felt too awkward, as Miller said. It seemed like he was concerned about me calling him “Your Grace.”

 

‘But calling him dad? Is that enough? Is that his request?’ Countless question marks swirled in my mind.

 

“Officially declaring a war between the ducal households is not possible. It would be enough if our shadow knights rescued the children who had already left but…”

 

“That’s more than enough. You don’t need to rescue those who willingly participated in committing crimes. I really appreciate it… Dad.”

 

He gently patted my head. 

 

“In the future, when you need help like this, tell us. We’re family.”

 

Then he got up from his seat, telling me he would summon some of the most trustworthy knights right away. 

 

Only Miller and I remained in the room. I asked him the question I had wanted to ask the Duke earlier.

 

“Have you ever considered that I might not be the family’s biological daughter? Is the reason you treat me so kindly simply because I resemble that person?”

 

At my rambling words, Miller said, 

 

“I’m being careful because I thought you might think that way, though.” 

 

He chuckled mischievously, like some playful boy, and continued. 

 

“Neither Father nor I see you like that.”

 

I looked at him with trembling eyes, and for some reason, my nose started to itch.

 

“Now that you have the strongest fence in the world around you, you can do whatever you want,” Miller said, lightly hitting his younger sister’s—my—head.

 

“. . .”

 

I was left alone, with Garnet standing behind me. I asked in a small voice, almost inaudible.

 

“Garnet, do you… really think I deserve this, too?”

 

I was secretly convinced that I would be nothing but a stranger who suddenly appeared. The affectionate looks they gave me might be because they loved the name ‘Ravelia Jenn Rayes.’ I thought that it might just be a role for me. 

 

Even if I truly was Rayes’ only daughter, the truth was a lie until proven otherwise. It was like when you couldn’t tell if a painting was real or a forgery until you experienced the emotions within. 

 

I was sure of that, but for a moment, I felt like a fool.

 

From the moment I stepped out of the orphanage with my own feet, this body and name had become completely mine, regardless of any flaws or roles. Why didn’t I know? In every moment they looked at me, there wasn’t an ounce of falsehood. Maybe it was because I hadn’t faced such unfamiliar feelings for a long time.

 

“You are the esteemed lady of the Rayes family. That is more than enough.” Garnet’s response to my question was as such.

 

*      *      *

 

The day had dawned. The finest bedding, luxurious sunlight streaming through the extravagant windows, and meticulously arranged garden outside felt unfamiliar.

 

Knock. Knock—

 

“I’ll come in, Miss.” It was Garnet. “Oh my, are you already up?”

 

“What about His Gra—I mean, dad?”

 

“His Grace has been busy since last night, submitting statements and evidence regarding His Highness, the crown prince. Young Master Miller trains on the training ground every morning.” Garnet paused for a moment and then smiled warmly as she continued. “Both of them, who usually don’t have breakfast together, are waiting for you to have breakfast, miss.”

 

I tried to conceal my tickling heart and began preparing as Garnet led the way.

 

“Then dad didn’t sleep at all…?” I worriedly asked Garnet.

 

“He has always had severe insomnia, so this is normal for him. Don’t worry too much.” Garnet reassured me with a smile as she combed my long hair.

 

In just two days, from yesterday to today, I had only used expensive perfume to manage my hair, but the silver strands that had looked dirty in the orphanage now appeared clean and flowed in gentle waves from my waist.

 

‘The unique color of innate magic…’

 

Rayes’ silver hair was nearly pure white. In comparison, mine was brighter than gray and darker than white; it was a modest silver. And the faint pink scattered throughout represented the color of my mana.

 

In the novel, it was described as ‘dirty’ or ‘impure,’ but the image I saw in the mirror was as beautiful as a doll. The emerald eyes sparkled with various colors when they caught the light, and the hair had a luxurious, completely unsoiled shade. If I had lived in Korea, I would have rushed to the salon to have my hair done the same way.

 

It seemed less like a setting error and more like the original novel portrayed Ravelia as having gone through all sorts of suffering in the orphanage, including experiencing the pain of a broken leg, which gradually led to her losing her original radiant appearance. And Ravelia extremely disliked her reflection in the mirror. After becoming part of the ducal family, she still shattered every mirror that showed her impure silver hair.

 

‘But she used to be such a pretty child…’

 

Garnet elegantly braided a strand of my hair and dressed me in a richly red-frilled dress. Overnight, the loose-fitting dresses had all been tailored to fit my size perfectly. 

 

Before leaving the room, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I saw the flawless image of Lady Rayes.

 

I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reaction Raiolla would have when she saw me like this.

 

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Hewwo~ I’ll start updating advanced chapters as per your request (btw, thank you for the ko-fi support <3) If I see you all are really into it, I’ll update more chapters, so please do let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

 

I love the fact that Leah is at peace with her new family. I like that they won’t hold any misunderstandings or grudges! Also, next time will make you cry a lot ;-; but our Leah is really strong~