Villainess or Saint?

Chapter 4

“Of course I have…” The both of them looked over at the sleeping child fondly. “If I may dare my Lord, may I ask what it is?” The butler looked at the duke again and asked politely. “I am afraid that is not possible Baton, I wish to tell her first” The Duke answered, not taking his eyes off the child. “Very well then, I recommend that you take a rest now. Your life will not be as leisurely anymore. Should I ask a maid to take the young lady to her room?” Baton asked, ready to call for her maid. “No that’s fine, she’ll be staying here for a while. You may also excuse yourself now, I am sure you have had a long day.” The duke said as he raised his hand. “Yes I will do that, have a good night my lord.” Baton bowed before leaving the room.

The next morning the child woke up, surrounded by the maids who were looking down on her – both literally and physically. [Hah… come on, its only been a day since I have been here and I already have to deal with this?] The child sighed but no one seemed to notice as they were all busy talking. “Do you think the Duchess cheated on the duke? Look at this child, she looks nothing like the duke” One of them looked at the child and scoffed. “I mean, she doesn’t look like the duchess either. Even though they don’t have a good relationship, that woman is obsessed with the Duke” another one of them said with a shrug.

After a bit Baton walked into the room and as he did so the chattering maids quickly fell silent. “Why are you all gathered up here? Quickly get back to work.” He ordered them with a stern look. “Y-yes!” All of them replied in unison and scurried out of the room. After they left, Baton walked over to the child and gently lifted her off the bed. “Pardon me my lady.” He said as he started walking out of the room with the child in his arms. [What the? Why is he apologizing to a child?] She looked up at him and thought to herself.

After walking through the halls for the bit they reached a room and Baton knocked on the door before announcing himself and entering. Inside, the duke was sitting behind a desk, he seemed to be reading something but had stopped after they entered. [Hmm must be his office or something…] She looked around the room. Baton walked over to him and handed him the child “Then, I will take my leave, please call me if anything” He bowed before leaving the room.

“Did you sleep well?” He looked at the child fondly. She looked at him and blinked, thinking how she should respond, [I am pretty sure he already suspects that i understand him. I'm not gonna fall for that trick!] She tilts her head innocently. He just chuckles and shrugs it off. “Anyway, I am your Father, Rudeus Vistach, remember it well okay?” He booped her nose lightly before continuing, “And your name will be Aisha, Aisha Vistach.” He smiled proudly as he told her that. And then Theor, who had been standing behind the Duke this whole time came front and crouched down beside his chair. “Hello my lady, I am Theor Clervin, The commander of the Vistach Knights and your father's personal knight, please count on me in the future.” He introduced himself with a soft smile on his face. “Why would she need to rely on you? She will rely on me of course.” The Duke glared at Theor. “Look at you my lord, if you start being so overprotective already, I am afraid the lady will hate you.” He chuckled. “Do you  not love your life anymore?” The Duke shot him a death glare. “I apologise.” Theor quickly bowed, fearing for his life.

The child, Aisha, looked at her father and theor back and forth, trying to process all that was just told to her and then began to tear up. The Duke quickly noticed her crying and gasped unsure of what to do. “Ah your Grace! You scared her!” Theor looked at her and gasped as well, trying to make funny faces to stop her from crying. Meanwhile, Aisha could not even hear what they were saying as she tugged onto the Duke's shirt and cried [Why the hell am I even crying...] She thought to herself as she could not stop the tears flowing out of her eyes.