Failed To Abandon The Villain

2

The Past

***

It was about ten years ago that Valletta Delight met Reinhardt. The nine-year-old was the only daughter of Count Delight, and she was most treasured. At least that’s how the world knew it.

One day, after participating in a conflict with the barbarians, her father threw a dirty, scrawny boy in front of Valletta.

“Father?”

“I picked him up lying around the battlefield. He has a pretty face, and I thought it would be perfect for him to become a slave.”

Count Delight said, carelessly taking off his armor. Listening to the dry voice of her gray-haired, purple-eyed father, Valletta bowed her head with a troubled look on her face.

The boy’s shoulder was very distorted as if he was stabbed by a sword. His condition was not good to look at. He was a mess, bleeding profusely and running a high fever.

“I don’t have a need for a slave… “

“No, it’s necessary for the future empress to have one. Think of him as a shield that will protect your life with his own life in times of need.”

“But…”

It was not a suggestion, but more like an order. Valletta’s lips quivered as she frowned. She didn’t like the idea of having a slave. She was born and raised in this world, but she was bound by the memories of her previous life. Because of this, her moral values were very different from those of the people here.

More than anything, Valletta felt uneasy about the beautiful boy with silver hair who was moaning in pain. She even felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she had seen him often somewhere.

“Valletta Delight, are you talking back to me now?”

Count Delight’s gaze frightened her. Valletta kept silent. He was cruel in his obsession with his daughter. The reason was simple. It was because she possessed the qualities of an alchemist. Alchemists were rare in the empire, and very few were born with those qualities.

Alchemists were essential in order to make potions. Even if the alchemist was born a commoner, they would be promised a position at once.

Valletta was born with the qualities of an alchemist and an aristocrat. And not just any alchemist either, she had the ability to become a high-ranking alchemist. It was a very lucrative business, one that might give her family an opportunity to make a connection with the royal family. In fact, her father had been talking with the imperial family about Valletta’s talent.

Count Delight was a true merchant, and once he saw how valuable Valletta was, he spared no effort to make her talent known.

In a week, you need to make friends with the Crown Prince at the banquet. It’s better than being a stranger.”

“…”

“And make sure to be friends with the other nobles. Since we don’t know what will happen and who’s going to be emperor.”

“…”

“Valletta, why don’t you answer your father?”

“Yes, father.”

Valletta nodded while speaking those now accustomed words.

From the beginning, Count Delight had the idea of having Valletta marry into the Imperial family. Of course, he tried to make it subtle but his intention was much too obvious.