The Villainess’ Kindergarten

“There is.”

 

I didn’t know if it was a problem I could step into. But I wanted to save it. Images of the people I saw downtown flashed through my mind. In the book, they were extras who did not even appear in print, but they were clearly living, breathing beings. And I had the ability to protect them.

 

I clenched my fists.

 

“Has there been any talk of epidemics in other areas recently?”

 

“No, there wasn’t.”

 

According to Crimson’s words, this was where the epidemic began. In that case, access to the territory should first be controlled and people showing symptoms should be quarantined.

 

“Please send people to the castle gate right now to control access. And infected people must be isolated separately. As far as I know, there is a hospital dedicated to the Chilan, so let’s use that hospital.”

 

* * *

 

“But…”

 

The Chilan family hospital was a hospital for nobles. Normally, ordinary people would not be able to even cross the threshold of a hospital, let alone receive treatment. But Crimson knew too. That method is the most certain. It was terrible to even imagine if the epidemic spread here again like it did a few years ago by taking time to spread to other places.

 

“Please. I will take full responsibility, so please follow my instructions.”

 

It seemed like a request, but it was a firm command. Crimson looked into Fiora’s blue eyes and nodded his head.

 

“…All right.”

 

* * *

 

Isolating and controlling infected people was the way of the 21st century. There was no way it was wrong. As for things like hospital bills, I tell them to pay off the debt they owe me. Crimson followed my orders and immediately sent someone to the gate. People who had traveled to other regions were also quickly contacted and quarantined there, and those who were infected with the infectious disease or had suspected symptoms were identified and quarantined at the hospital. Although there were no complaints, the backlash was not that strong, perhaps because most people had experienced measles in the past. So, under my instructions, quarantine and quarantine were carried out.

 

After confirming that the situation was roughly resolved, I headed to Jasmine. When I opened the door to the room and entered, I found Jasmine sleeping, breathing heavily. The condition seemed more serious than before. Even as I got closer, I could feel the heat and the number of spots was greater than what I had seen before.

 

I wiped her sweaty little forehead and then stroked her.

 

‘Please, you have to get over it, Jasmine.’

 

I walked around the room where Jasmine and Thomas were isolated until late at night, checking on their condition. The maids were worried about me, but it wasn’t difficult. No, it would be accurate to say that there are no difficult times. I couldn’t sleep with my sick children, so I kept moving.

 

* * *

 

As I was nursing the children, the sun was rising outside the window. Only then did I feel tired, so after taking a shower, I sat down on the sofa to rest. But suddenly, urgent footsteps were heard outside the room. Soon the door opened and Crimson came inside.

 

“We’re in big trouble!”

 

I jumped up in surprise.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

I opened my mouth as I hurriedly followed Crimson.

 

“Citizens are camped out in front of the city gate and are protesting.”

 

“A protest?”

 

“They are asking to be taken out of the territory because they are not infected with the contagious disease. I won’t leave until I call the duke…”

 

‘Can I convince them?’

 

Thinking about what to say, I headed to the entrance of the mansion where they were protesting. As soon as I appeared in front of the mansion, the gathered commoners ran towards me and started shouting. However, I couldn’t understand what the voices were saying because they were overlapping. People’s eyes and voices turned towards me at the same time. I started to tremble from the intimidation I felt for the first time and took a small step back. At that moment, their voices gradually quieted down. When I looked back, Gray was standing next to me with several knights.

 

“Everyone, please be quiet. She is the future duchess.”

 

Thanks to him, I felt like I had calmed down just a little bit. I took a deep breath and walked slowly. It’s nothing, I just think I’m giving a presentation in front of my friends like I did when I was a student. After bracing myself, I opened my mouth.

 

“I fully understand that you are dissatisfied with not being able to leave the territory. But this disease is not just a cold, it is an infectious disease.”

 

As soon as I finished speaking, a man shouted.

 

“What does that have to do with blocking access!!”

 

This would have been a really stupid question in modern society, but this wasn’t the 21st century. This means that there is still insufficient understanding of diseases and quarantine.

 

“The origin of the current epidemic is presumed to be our territory. If sick people come into contact with people from other regions, the disease can get out of hand. We are controlling access to prevent him.”

 

Do you think you can understand this much? I opened my mouth for the last time, thinking that I had tried my best to explain at eye level.

 

“I ask you politely. It is dangerous for you all to be gathered together like this right now. Please everyone go home and wait for the situation to calm down.”

 

The eyes of the commoners waiting widened at my words.

 

‘Ask’

 

It was not a word that a nobleman could use against a commoner. And they were also people who had experienced infectious diseases in the past. People looked at each other for a moment, then greeted me one by one and then walked away. Soon, all the people gathered disappeared and I sighed in relief. At the same time, my legs became weak and fell down helplessly. Someone helped me up from my seat. When I turned around, Gray was looking down at me.

 

“How were you?”

 

Recalling the fact that I had scammed him in the past, I smiled shyly and accepted his greeting.

 

“Yes, thank you for your help.”

 

The knights standing behind him also saluted me and I thanked them one by one. Just like that, all the knights left and only me, Gray, and Crimson remained in the garden. At that time, Gray held out his hand to me. When I tilted my head and stretched out my hand, a small gift box fell onto my hand.

 

“This…?”

 

When I looked up at Gray, he was smiling brightly.

 

“Thank you for teaching me last time.”

 

It seemed like they did as I said and took her mother to the hospital for a check-up. I nodded at her, feeling fortunate. But what is this gift? I tilted my head and carefully opened the box as his eyes seemed to tell me to open it quickly. Then, an earring studded with a brilliantly shining blue gem appeared. My eyes widened at the sight of the beautiful and splendid jewel at first glance. No, why was everyone giving me gifts like this these days? The moment I opened my mouth to reject Baridas as an excuse, Gray struck me.

 

“This is an engagement gift. “It is a jewel that symbolizes the bride and groom’s long and happy life.”

 

…

 

It was a fuss. I couldn’t refuse this gift. Of course, it seems that the earring’s will will not come true.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Although it was burdensome, I thought it would be rude to refuse after saying something like that, so I smiled and accepted his gift. Seeing me like that, Gray smiled in satisfaction. At that time, a maid was seen rushing towards the dukedom. Her face was a mess, covered in sweat and tears. After catching her breath while being supported by Gray, she looked up at me and shouted.

 

“The princess’s fever is not going down.”

 

At her words, I hurried back to Jasmine’s room. I brought a thermometer and measured her temperature, and it was over 40 degrees. The fever was so high that even adults could not stand it. I closed my mouth. It wasn’t about leaving the seat. Of course, the maids continued to look after Jasmine, but I felt guilty that they could not be there for her. I took off Jasmine’s sweaty clothes and wiped her body with a towel. As I opened Jasmine’s mouth to give her fever-reducing medication, she looked up at me to see if she had woken up. Tears fell one by one from her eyes.

 

“Brother… Jas, so sad… Dig… .”

 

Perhaps because her throat was swollen, it seemed difficult to say a word. I helped Jasmine up and gave her some fever reducers and lukewarm water. It must have had a bitter taste that Jasmine didn’t like, but perhaps because she didn’t have the strength to refuse, Jasmine took the medicine without protesting. Then she quickly fell asleep again, breathing heavily. The sun was already setting, and I, who occasionally wiped Jasmine’s sweat or checked on her condition, eventually collapsed at her bedside from exhaustion. The maids who were assisting me also had puffy eyes under their eyes, probably from fatigue. I looked at the clock and it was a little after 5 o’clock. After seeing that there were about thirty minutes left until the maids’ shift, I opened my mouth.

 

“Go in first.”

 

Although I was a little tired, I thought it would be okay to be alone for a while.

 

The maids continued to decline, but eventually left the room after I said it was okay. Now only Jasmine and I were left in the room. I looked at Jasmine’s sleeping face. Although he looked much more relaxed than before, he was panting heavily due to the heat that had not gone away.

 

I held Jasmine’s small hand.

 

‘Please, hold on. Jasmine.’

 

* * *

 

At that time, Baridas, who had gone out into the distant forest to exterminate a group of bandits who had appeared on the outskirts of the duchy, hurriedly returned to the mansion.

 

As soon as he got off his horse, he approached Crimson, who had come to meet him.

 

“What is the children’s condition?”

 

“The second princess has improved a lot, but the youngest princess… .”

 

Baridas nodded at his words and headed toward Thomas’s room.

 

Of course, I never thought something like this would happen when I went to another area. It took two days for them to come immediately after receiving the call.

 

When he first received the telegram, he was both worried for the children and impressed by Fiora’s cleverness.

 

She grew up so precious that I thought she was a princess. I never thought she would have that kind of determination.

 

Baridas arrived in front of Thomas’s room and thought as he knocked on the door.

Then a maid opened the door, and Thomas, who was sitting on the bed eating soup, opened his eyes wide when he saw Baridas.

 

“Are you feeling okay?”

 

It was the first worry he had received from his brother in a long time. Thomas responded by nodding his head and Baridas stroked Thomas’s head and opened his mouth.

 

“Get well soon.”

 

With those words, Baridas left the room, but Thomas smiled as he looked at the door where Baridas had disappeared.

 

“Yes, brother.”

 

Thomas muttered softly and lay down on the bed again. He hopes to get well soon and see his younger siblings again. Meanwhile, Baridas headed to Jasmine’s room. But even though he knocked, the door did not open. Was there no one taking care of you? No way. Even though you replaced all the employees who were neglecting you? His expression became grim at the thought that occurred to him for a moment. Suddenly, Baridas gritted his teeth and opened the door without hesitation. However, after seeing the scene that unfolded, Baridas ran into the room.

 

“Fiora!”

 

His eyes were shaking strongly as he held the fallen Fiora.

 

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