˗ˏˋChoosing The Villainess As My Mother ࿐ྂ
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Ilarion Bosworth (POV)
"Ah, my lady, I also have something to give you," I said with a smile, presenting a coloring book.
I had bought it while I was out reporting news from the grand duke. I picked up two types, unsure if the little lady would like them.
"Oh Is this really for me!?" the little lady exclaimed excitedly, snatching the two books from my hands.
"Yes, my lady, they're for you. After all, you're the only baby rabbit in this villa," I replied, earning a puzzled look from the young lady.
"Huh? A... A Baby rabbit?... 🐇" she questioned while I nodded in confirmation.
"Oink oink, I don't eat carrots oink oink," the little lady jokes, imitating a pig as I chuckled.
(The young lady is the only human who can make me smile and laugh like this... I'm surprised by myself.)
(This feeling is very strange.)
"Ah, Mr. Bosworth!" the little lady exclaimed suddenly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Yes, my lady? Do you not like the gift?" I inquired, turning to her.
"Mr. Bosworth, you've stolen my heart! I love my gift! Very, very much! (≧▽≦)" the little lady declared with joy.
"Then, I'm glad you liked the gift, my lady," I replied, my expression remaining neutral.
"ヾ(*'Ｏ'*)/ Oh! I love coloring books very much!" the little lady exclaimed with delight, leaping from the bed to the floor like a real rabbit.
"My lady, please be careful," I cautioned, watching her movements closely as she made her way to the wardrobe. I couldn't help but notice that there were only two dresses hanging inside.
(Ah, my lady only has two dresses???)
"Mr. Bosworth! Come sit next to me on the floor. I'll color the rainbow, and you can color the girl with the balloon, okay?" the little lady invited, telling me to come and join her. I complied, following her to the floor and sitting beside her.
"I'll color the rainbow, okay? You do the girl with the balloon," the little lady instructed, displaying her coloring materials.
"Do... Do I really have to do this, my lady? I think it would be better if I just watched," I hesitated, but she shook her head.
"No, you have to color with me," she insisted, and I reluctantly agreed to go along with her wishes.
🐇 - - ✄ - - - - 🐇🐇
After a few hours, we finally completed one page of the coloring book. It may have been just one page, but I found myself enjoying the activity, which felt strange.
"Wow! I'm so satisfied with what we accomplished!" the litte lady exclaimed.
"Good job, Mr. Bosworth!" she praised, and I nodded in acknowledgment.
"Thank you, my lady. I simply did my part," I replied modestly as she flashed me a thumbs up.
"Wait, I have something for you," she said suddenly, reaching for a sticker and placing it on the back of my hand.
"It's a sticker that Maddie gave me," she explained with a smile. "The head maid sometimes gives me two stars whenever I say 'thank you'."
I looked at the sticker on my hand, appreciating the gesture.
(I'm not particularly fond of stickers, but since this one is from the little lady, I suppose I'll appreciate it.)
"But I only have one sticker left. Is that okay, Mr. Bosworth?" the little lady asked with a hopeful expression.
"I appreciate it, my lady. I like it very much," I responded, though I was taken aback when she suddenly hugged me and planted a kiss on my cheek.
"There. So that you won't feel bad receiving just one sticker," she explained with a smile, leaving me speechless.
(Do I really deserve such a gesture?)
(I'm not sure how to feel about this...)
(What was that? It's an unusual feeling, but not entirely unpleasant.)
"Don't worry, when I get lots of stickers, I'll share them with you and Mother," the little lady assured me, placing her materials on the table.
(What just happened?)
"Oh, Mr. Bosworth, could you brush my hair? I enjoy it when Maddie brushes it," she requested, handing me a hairbrush and sitting in front of me on the floor.
(What... What am I doing again?)
(Brushing the young lady's hair...)
"My lady, please don't do that to any men you meet," I warned.
"Do what?" she asked innocently.
"Hugs are fine, but please refrain from kissing someone on their face, especially if they're much older than you," I advised.
(That could lead to trouble...)
"Well, unless it's the lady's biological father, then it's alright. But please, don't do it to a stranger, my lady," I said.
"Who would even kiss a stranger on their face? And Mr. Bosworth isn't a stranger at all," the young lady countered.
"Still, my lady," I insisted.
"Okay, but I only did it because I didn't want Mr. Bosworth to feel bad receiving only one sticker," she explained, to which I simply smiled.
"And I appreciate the sticker, my lady," I replied as I continued to brush her long black hair.
"My hair is so soft, right?" she asked.
"Yes, it is, my lady," I confirmed.
"Mr. Bosworth, I have a question to ask too," she said.
"Yes, ask away, my lady," I encouraged.
"Uhm... is Mr. Bosworth from the race of dark elves?" the little lady asked, causing me to pause in brushing her hair.
I instinctively reached for the knife I kept in my pocket, but before I could react, she spoke again.
"I can see the knife in your pocket, Mr. Bosworth," she said calmly. I hesitated for a moment before finally pulling out the knife and placing it against her neck.
(How did she know?)
(I've been so careful not to reveal my identity to anyone here.)
The room fell silent, and then suddenly, Ephraim emerged from the darkness.
"Master! Please, put the knife down or away from the little lady!" he exclaimed urgently. "She didn't mean any harm, master! Please!"
I turned my gaze towards the mirror, where I saw the reflection of the young lady with tear on her face.
(Ah...)
I carefully set the knife aside and took a moment to compose myself.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Ephraim asked, he seems concerned, as I turned the little lady to face me. She was crying silently.
"I... I'm sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to frighten you like that," I apologized, wrapping her in a comforting embrace and gently patting her back, attempting to soothe her tears.
"I truly didn't intend for things to escalate that way. I'm sincerely sorry," I continued, my voice filled with regret.
"Master apologizes, little rabbit. It's an instinct of his—whenever someone discovers his true identity. He's always been cautious about revealing his origins," Ephraim explained.
"He's remained in his human form to prevent such incidents, but that doesn't excuse his actions. He truly didn't intend to draw a knife," Ephraim added, reassuring the little lady.
"Please don't cry, my lady. I'm truly sorry," I said, wiping away her tears.
"I never imagined someone would accurately guess my origin. It caught me off guard. I'm genuinely sorry." I said
"I deeply regret frightening you, my lady. Please forgive me," I pleaded, hoping for her understanding.
"I'm sorry too, master. It was my fault... when you collapsed in front of the lady from the poisoning, I accidentally mentioned that you were a dark elf," Ephraim confessed.
"Wait! I thought the lady already knew, so I was taken aback when she seemed surprised by my revelation," Ephraim hastily explained.
"So, it was your fault, huh," I said and Ephraim immediately sought refuge behind the young lady's back.
"My lady, I'm genuinely sorry for the confusion. I won't ask for your forgiveness, but I sincerely apologize," I expressed, hoping to convey my regret.
"But... are you really an elf?" the little lady asked and I nodded in affirmation.
"I am, my lady," I confirmed.
" Okay...that's cool." The little lady says as she then wipe her tears away from both side of her cheek.
" I'm sorry my lady." I said and then suddenly her grace, Lady Cynthia opened the door and saw us.
" What..." Her grace says as she looks back n forth.
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