I Reincarnated as the Villainess's Brother, and my Family may Fall to Ruin

Chapter 31: Idiotically Straightfoward

On the first day Michaelis entered the Deianira estate, he was slapped in the face.

He was used to this treatment already by the people from the slums, but he decided to put on an act. As if it had become a habit, he would often unconsciously act differently according to the situation. What type of personality would give him the most likely chance of survival?

He had done this since he was a little kid. He was clever and smart, but he never showed it off and pretended to be naive and vulnerable. He didn't try to draw attention nor paint a target on his back. By pretending to be weak and letting himself get hit, he only had to endure it and things wouldn't escalate. That's how he's learned to live despite being so young.

Even in this new environment, he had already begun his new facade. Tears welled up in his eyes as he purposefully started to cry. Paired with his adorable features, it was the type of face that people wanted to protect.

He had already decided before he met her that he would treat her as his "special person," so he wanted to gain her sympathy. That way, it'll make it easier for everything to be within his grasps.

However, it seemed his attempts to look pitiful didn't work on the haughty little girl, and she continued with an annoyed expression on her face. She continued her reprimands towards him, and Michaelis began to think he should probably change his tactics.

However, before he could, he heard the sound of the door opening.

A black-haired boy with emotionless features walked in. It was the heir to the dukedom and her brother.

Much to his surprise, he didn't know what to think of him. He hadn't added him in as a variable to his plan, so there wasn't a lot of knowledge about what he should do. However, he couldn't think for too long, so he continued his act, as tears fell down his face pitifully.

The boy seemed to flinch despite his face not changing, but he then talked with Michaelis's new master. After the beginning of the conversation, Michaelis was sent away to get his cheek treated. However, because of his enhanced hearing, he could hear their whole conversation as he stood outside the door instead.

After everything, he could only think of one thing.

'He seems dangerous.'

Rather than someone with brute strength, he feared smart people more. It was because he was also a smart person and he knew they could be unpredictable and conniving. It was hard to figure them out and even harder to manipulate them.

Being wary of him, he reentered the room, acting pitiful. It didn't seem as though he had figured out his facade yet, so he believed he could keep playing this role.

As Virgil walked out of the room, Michaelis was left with Violet once again.

He began to go deep in thought about how to factor in the young master into his plans. Should he change his attitude or—

"I'm sorry!"

"Eh?"

Michaelis looked surprised for a moment, as his eyes widened and he took a step back. Looking up, he watched as the little girl earnestly apologized to him.

Yes, he had heard what Virgil had told her, but he didn't expect her to apologize to him that easily! Usually, when a person realizes they were in the wrong, they find it hard to apologize upright like that! Especially with someone that seemed to have a lot of pride!

Being taken aback, he hadn't even noticed his mask had cracked a little.

However, he quickly fixed it as he put on a smile. He was already trying to endear himself to her, using the only asset he had.