I'm Being Raised by Villains - Chapter 7
<Chapter 7>
This incident only served to invoke more of Duke Mirel’s wrath.
“What are you even complaining about?!”
My body unconsciously shook as I heard a thundering voice. Erno Etam, noticing my body language, hugged me.
“My daughter is scared, please lower your voice.”
Oh, no.
Don’t make everyone here hate me!
I hastily shook my head, twisted my waist, and stretched my arms behind my back.
“No! Aylin ish not afwaid of Gwandpa at all! Gwandpa is kuul!”
“…What did you just say?”
“Gwandpa isn’t scawy…”
No, he’s actually really scary.
I’ve just been hugged by a crazy psychopath before a muscular old man radiating with murderous intent.
I was sweating profusely and felt chills down my spine.
But I’m a Korean as well as a business person who hides my emotions from everyone, and only answers with “Yes”, “Understood”, “Alright!”, and “Okay!”.
I mustered strength in my trembling cheeks and smiled widely.
In general, social life is about saying things that you don’t mean, just like now.
“Gwandpa… dwon’t be angwy…”
The look on my face made Duke Mirel’s lips tremble. Then, he stopped talking and let out a short sigh.
“…I can’t continue on anymore. The New Year’s Meeting will end here. As for the rest, create a report and submit it right away. You are all dismissed. And you, I will see you later,” Duke Mirel said to Erno Etam. He then exited, but not before briefly glancing at me.
As I tried to face him without avoiding his gaze, his eyebrows went up slightly.
I couldn’t even avoid his gaze, and I was sweating profusely.
‘Why didn’t I avoid him?’
Could I have avoided him to begin with?
Like a bear that will catch you the moment you avoid its gaze…
My mind was racing. My vision instantly darkened as something covered my eyes.
“Don’t stare at her, Patriarch. My daughter is scared.”
“…What did you say?”
“I know your eyes have gone bad, but is your hearing getting worse too?”
Apparently, what covered my eyes was Erno Etam’s palm.
Erno Etam only said a single word before turning around to leave the meeting hall, even though Duke Mirel, the head of the household, had yet to leave.
“Let’s go, Daughter.”
“Oh, yesh. Gudbai, Gwandpa.”
I tried to look ahead, then bowed to where Duke Mirel was. As I said my farewells, Erno Etam was already moving.
Erno Etam spoke softly with a refreshed look on his face and walked with a spring in his step. Perhaps his ‘new year’s expedition’ was a success.
Can I survive without being caught?
Suddenly I remembered a line from the novel as if it was a warning to me.
<Erno Etam didn’t like anything with four legs, especially snake-like reptiles with scales that crawl on the ground.>
Eh?
No, I shall correct that.
Those that seem to be specified as Xtras.
* * *
“Hi, daughter. Good morning.”
“Good mworning…”
As soon as I opened my eyes, I was startled by the voice I heard next to me, and I reflexively nodded. He reached out his hand and stroked my head gently.
‘Why does he always come here every morning…?’
A week had passed since Erno Etam’s extraordinary expedition.
He and I both knew it was just roleplay, though we didn’t talk about it.
He didn’t really put me on the family register, and I didn’t even ask him why he wanted me to be his daughter.
This was just an act.
He did his best to play the role of a gentle and loving father, while I play the role of the cute and obedient daughter.
Of course, I’ve moved into the more magnificent house that I used to see from the annex.
The bed was fluffier and more luxurious. The blanket was soft, and the meal was satisfying.
“It’s time for breakfast.” He spoke kindly before smiling.
A face so charming and dazzling. I tried to erase the feeling of being captivated before answering with a smile. “Yes!”
He always picks me up every morning before breakfast.
I knew how troublesome it was, so I couldn’t help but admit his sincerity.
He was a person who knew how to captivate his opponent very well.
I seemed to understand why the person who acted as his ‘substitute lover’ was crushed.
‘But as for me? I will never fall for it.’
For the past 23 years of my life, I was someone who has learned how to look good in front of others, and how to live sympathetically.
It literally means that I have the highest level of tolerance for this kind of play.
So, if I don’t get caught and make it through this half a year, I’ll be the richest person in the world.
‘I must act like an obedient, good child.’
I knew very well how to be an easygoing person without being hated by anyone.
Don’t make demands.
Don’t cheat.
Don’t expect anything.
I can become someone fun and easy to get along with just by keeping those three things in my mind.
‘Ah, is don’t depend on others also included?’
I calmly grabbed the maid’s hand and changed my clothes. As soon as I came out, Erno Etam lifted me up and lightly hugged me.
Even though I was tense. I pretended to hug him and tried not to touch his skin as much as possible.
Our meals would always be in Erno Etam’s greenhouse.
It was a warm and beautiful greenhouse, where flowers bloomed regardless of the season.
“Daughter, is there anything you want today?” Erno Etam sat me on the chair at the dining table and asked.
I shook my head.
Actually, all I want is money. But isn’t that what Erno Etam will give me after getting bored with me?
That means there’s nothing I really want.
I didn’t want to be a bother by asking for something.
“Hmm… really?” His voice was full of meaning.
I was taken aback by how bored his voice sounded and looked at him.
‘Ah, he can’t be bored of me just yet.’
Even if it isn’t for half a year, I have to at least last three months. There’s no way I’d allow him to let me go without giving me a single penny!
“Tell me whatever you need, okay?”
“Yes. Actually, I need a lot of money!”
“It turns out you’re no different from everyone else.”
Honestly, I didn’t say anything because I thought it would end up in a cliche pattern like that!
What if he beheaded me for disobeying him?
However, he might be dissatisfied if he wasn’t able to fulfill his desire to be a father who spoils his daughter.
‘Besides money… what else do I need?’
After racking my brain, something luckily came to mind.
Can it be something that is not materialistic?
“About that, actually…”
“Yes, just say it.”
“I’d be happwy if Myla was here. Ah, Myla is a fwend of mine who took care of me when I lived thwere.”
“…Myla? The maid in charge of you?”
“That’s wight!”
“Hmm, is that so? Looks like I didn’t pay attention to that. I will take care of it. She will be looking after you again soon. Is there anything else?”
“Yes, thwere is…!”
Erno Etam’s face brightened when he heard my answer. He smiled kindly and stroked my cheek gently with his thumb.
“Go ahead and say it.”
In fact, this was my most important goal.
“I wan an account!”
“An account?”
“Yesh! The ones made at the bwank…”
“The bank? Oh, a bank account.”
I immediately nodded.
If I don’t have an account, I would have to carry the cash on me when I receive my money later.
Carrying money in the five digits?
I would be like a walking ATM that dispenses cash as soon as the button is pressed.
I’d be lucky if the only thing I lost was money. If I were to be caught by bad people, I could die or be traded as a slave due to my appearance.
I don’t have the courage to face that kind of situation.
“You’re just asking for an account?” Erno Etam asked, skeptical to the point of furrowing his eyebrows.
“Why an account?”
“Be-because… I wan to collect a lot of monwey, so…”
“I can just give it to you, right?”
But you’ll get tired of me soon.
Since I couldn’t say that, I only let out a faint smile.
“Just in case…”
His eyes narrowed when he heard my excuse.
“My daughter is only thinking of escaping. Interesting.” He mumbled about something.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t hear every word he uttered because of how low he was mumbling.
<To be continued>