The Villainess Princess Wants To Live In A Gingerbread House ​

Maxim glanced at the blurry figure of Dimitri, who was hatching some kind of plot, as he led his delicate-natured nephew, Ilya, to a secluded corner of the garden. It seemed that something had happened at Marchioness Tataricha’s tea party, which Maxim had forced him to attend last time.

Taking his gaze away from his son and nephew, Maxim turned to his younger brother Valery, who was sitting across from him.

“My son seems to have enjoyed himself quite a bit at Marchioness Tataricha’s tea party this time, so he wants to play with Ilya.”

“…Ah.”

Valery didn’t blink an eye. Maxim went on in a casual tone.

“It seems that even a guy who acted like a maverick learned to like friends his own age.”

“He wasn’t beaten badly by the only daughter of the Marchioness of Tataricha? The daughter resembles her mother, so she can’t be normal.”

Valery’s voice as he said that contained private and insidious resentment. Maxim was also aware that one of Valery’s businesses had been hit hard recently. It was an open secret that it was the Marchioness of Tataricha who had lit the fire, but Maxim didn’t care.

“Haha! Indeed, he did. But it was quite amusing to see him socialize with his cousin.”

“…”

And for the first time, Valery, who had only raised an eyebrow in response to various remarks, flinched.

‘Argh…’

Maxim clicked his tongue inwardly.

Nikolai, the eldest brother, was born outstanding and powerful. Even at the age of ten, he signed a contract with the Fire Spirit King, Fafnir, catching everyone’s attention. The youngest, Yuriev, caught the attention of the emperor with his superior qualities even though he signed a contract with a minor spirit.

In the midst of such exceptional brothers, what kind of attention would the second and third brothers receive?

‘I would’ve preferred to receive even disdain.’

No one paid any attention to them.

Maxim was okay with that. Of course, it would be a lie to say that his father’s indifference was not at all upsetting. However, the eldest brother, who had received strong power and everyone’s attention yet could not gain the emperor’s favor, withered away, and the youngest brother, who had received the emperor’s affection, abandoned all of that and left the palace.

And Maxim had vaguely realized that receiving the attention of others was not always a good thing, long before his two brothers ended up that way. It was probably because of his temperament that he made a contract with the Spirit of Discernment.

And after making a contract with the Spirit of Discernment, Maxim was able to distance himself even more comfortably from everything. It was clear to him that it was not his responsibility.

But Valery was different.

“…Why don’t you have a luncheon and have Ilya befriend people? Or gather kids of his age and let them play a simple game of Kerum.”

The Kerum game was a simple game in which a ball made of ivory was hit with a stick on a table finished with a soft cloth, and it was also the basic knowledge of the aristocracy.

“Who would play with him when he’s so weak? The first thing he needs to do is to fix his inner self.”

Valery said coldly. Maxim replied by tapping Valery on the shoulder.

“When you’re young, you learn by watching and imitating others. He’s your only son, so don’t be too strict with him.”

“But wouldn’t it be better if he excelled at something? I’d rather he had his own way. Look at Dimitri.”

“Dimitri? He…”

“How admirable it is to see him looking so confident. Unlike Ilya, who is always so obedient…”

Maxim paused, taken aback.

“What?”

After all, wasn’t Dimitri self-indulgent? Maxim pressed his forehead, trying to suppress a laugh.

“Isn’t Ilya just as meticulous as you? He has many strengths, so don’t just criticize him.”

“…”

This time Valery slowly furrowed his brows. It was as if he was pointing out that being meticulous was synonymous with being timid, and that they were both alike.

Valery spoke only after a silent ceasefire was declared between the two of them.

“Even if Ilya does something, is he capable of being a proper host? Even when young, one must fulfill their responsibilities.”

“Then call Dimitri as well. They’re cousins, so it’s only natural for them to help each other. Ah! We can also invite Anastasia. She’s such an affectionate child. Didn’t she play with Dimitri at Marchioness Tataricha’s tea party?”

Valery’s body stiffened for a moment before awkwardly relaxing.

“She’s the princess that father left to stay at the palace. How could I possibly ask her to come?”

“If she was invited to Marchioness Tataricha’s, then what’s stopping you? Besides, it’s only natural for us to do it. She and Ilya are family, after all.”

“Are we considered family just because of shared bloodlines?”

The disdain in Valery’s words could be felt. Maxim chuckled and lightly smacked Valery’s back.

“Well, if the bloodline connects us, then we’re family, right? Should I offer some thread to sew it together? You really say the most absurd things.”

Maxim rubbed his back over Valery’s shoulder, pretending not to notice Valery’s glare. He called Valery’s butler and arbitrarily scheduled Ilya’s tea party.

The butler, with faint scars under his eyes, glanced at his master before nodding. Because Valery, wearing an expression of annoyance, waved his hand in a gesture of approval.

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“W… What if no one comes?”

Dimitri glared at Ilya with an expression that seemed to say, ‘You can’t even handle this small task.’ Ilya flinched and trembled at his gaze.

“Hey! You’re a prince of the empire, who would dare to refuse your invitation?”

“Still…”

Ilya, passive and fragile, always remained on the outskirts even among his peers.

The emperor only focused on his cousin, Alexei, and paid no attention to the other grandchildren. Ilya was the one apologizing and making peace with the other children just by making eye contact. Dimitri, too, unintentionally treated Ilya roughly, although at times he did try to be protective.

‘That’s because my uncle is acting weird.’

It was true that if his son was being tormented, a father would step in or protect him, but there had never been such an occasion. Whenever Dimitri blamed others for no reason, Ilya would mumble.

“I don’t have any friends… I’ve never been invited to any tea parties either. Dimitri went to the Marchioness Tataricha’s tea party not too long ago, but…”

“No, that was because of father.”

Dimitri held back his reply with a biting tongue. It was Maxim who had forcefully pushed him into accepting an invitation he hadn’t even received. Apparently, the young lady of the Tataricha estate enjoyed Dimitri’s company more than other noble tea parties.

“Uncle Maxim…?”

Ilya tilted his head. Dimitri shook his hand in a hurry. He had to preserve his pride; he couldn’t say such things.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. Um… Anastasia, invite her too.”

“B,But she’s staying at the palace.”

Dmitri scowled, making sure his father, Maxim, and uncle, Valery, couldn’t hear.

“Who cares! We’re all cousins.”

“But what if we get scolded by His Majesty for inviting her…?”

“That girl…”

Dimitri was about to say something, but suddenly became sullen.

– Yes. I should tell grandfather that Dimitri was worried about my career path, oh, right. You call him Your Majesty.

Anastasia called the emperor grandfather. It was a title that none of the other imperial grandchildren had been granted permission to use.

“We’ll figure something out.”

“Anastasia…”

“Yes, so don’t worry about useless things. Even if no one else comes, there are three of us – you, me, and her.”

“You’re coming too?”

Upon hearing that, Dimitri pushed Ilya abruptly, expressing his annoyance, before immediately lifting him back up. Ilya, with a bewildered expression on his face, looked up at Dimitri, but Dimitri pretended not to notice.

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“Oh, Your Highness. They’re so pretty.”

Lise’s eyes twinkled like stars. Asha also let out a small gasp.

“It was only a few days ago that I had a tea party at Marchioness Tataricha’s, but she sent me three outfits as a thank you for my strawberry tart.”

There were about three thin, flat boxes stacked in front of the two. It was a gift sent separately by the Marchioness of Tataricha in return for Asha’s strawberry tart.

One was a cape coat with navy blue and white vertical stripes, adorned with gold thread embroidery on the edges and a cute red satin ribbon at the neckline.

The remaining two were summer dresses. One was a light sky blue dress made of layered sheer chiffon, giving it a voluminous look. The other was a cream-colored dress with balloon-like sleeves, exuding an adorable and charming atmosphere. They were comfortable to move in and looked elegant and beautiful.

Asha thought she could guess the reason behind receiving even the last cream-colored dress. Perhaps the marchioness wanted to dress Natalya in this, but it was evident that she could not bear to try.

“The marchioness seems like a very good mother.”

“Yes?”

Lise, who was tying a ribbon behind Asha’s back, tilted her head.

“Never mind. I can wear this when I go to Ilya’s. Don’t you think so?”

“That’s true. It’s very fancy and pretty. Just match it with shoes that complement the colors.”

“Oh, no. Do I have shoes…”

“Do you need new shoes, Asha?”

Asha spun around quickly, causing Lise to quickly step back and bow. Alexei, dressed in formal attire, entered with a gentle expression.

“Alyosha!”

“That’s a dress I haven’t seen before.”

“The Marchioness of Tataricha gave it to me as a gift. I made her a strawberry tart when we visited for the tea party. A thank you. Does it look good?”

“Um.”

Alexei sat on the sofa opposite of the mirror, loosening his tie slightly.

“I can’t afford to lose to the marchioness.”

“Yes?”

“I thought I was the best one to give you dresses that suit you the most. It’s really beautiful.”

“Hehe. I’m going to Ilya’s to play Kerum. I’m going to wear it then.”

Asha thought to herself that she had made great progress. In the past, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of voluntarily visiting Valery’s mansion. She would have been worried about the misunderstandings that Alexei and Karnov might have had.

Alexei, upon hearing Asha’s intention to accept Ilya’s invitation, looked at her intently and simply said, “You need to bring a proper escort.”

“So that’s what you were talking about. Since the Marchioness of Tataricha gave such a splendid dress as a gift, I should take care of the shoes.”

“It’s really okay.”

As Asha glanced at Alexei with a nonchalant expression, the lantern near the full-length mirror suddenly flickered and lit up.

<You fool, Asha! My contractor wants to give it to you as a gift. Can’t you like it a little more?>

<No, you stupid fire lizard? Don’t tell my child what to do!>

At the same time, the yellow chick that had been leisurely leaning against the side table flew aggressively. Asha and Alexei both fell silent and turned to look in that direction, but the confrontation between the spirits continued.

<B, But. Alexei has a short break, but he had come to see Asha.>

<Because seeing my child is a way for him to rest!>

<How could that be?!>

<You little brat. Have you said everything you wanted to say? You, who can’t even have a proper conversation with your own contractor!>