IWBTVCF 02

Chapter 2

Kylerus pushed through the crowd that was staring at him.
Broken glass pieces scattered on the floor made sharp sounds under his steps.

“Goodness, what a terrible temper…”
“His birth is probably the reason…”

Whispers followed behind him as he stormed out of the banquet hall.

I stood up without thinking. Simon, who was sitting across from me, looked up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the restroom.”

After saying that, I ran out of the building to chase after Kylerus. I looked around and spotted his figure entering the maze garden.

I don’t even know what I’m planning to do by following him.

I thought I would decide after catching up to him…

But instead, I got trapped inside the terrible maze garden.
What kind of person builds something like this?

After wandering for what felt like fifteen minutes, I heard the eerie sound of leaves brushing together. Mixed in it was a faint sound of breathing.

I sharpened my hearing and walked toward the sound. As I got closer, I realized it was soft sobbing.

Inside a hanging chair surrounded by bushes, I saw the figure of a crouching boy. His pitch-black hair fluttered in the wind.

Sensing my presence, Kylerus quickly wiped around his eyes.

Oh dear. He was hiding and crying.

I wondered if I should comfort him. But then his clear amber eyes locked onto mine, filled with hostility.

“What are you looking at? If you don’t want to die, get lost.”

Oh?

Other children might have been scared by that tone.
But the soul inside this body is a proper adult.

As I stared back at his sharp eyes, I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

In my previous life, when I did all kinds of hard jobs to earn money, I once worked as a babysitter. The child was so troublesome that four sitters had quit before me. But the pay was good, so I gladly accepted.

The seven-year-old boy I took care of back then felt just like this. I clearly remembered how I disciplined that screaming little devil and made him obedient.

Then, together with that memory, a bright idea flashed in my mind.

If I reform Kylerus… this villain.
If I guide him so he never turns dark—

Wouldn’t that stop him from stabbing Darius in the future?

Darius… dies.

“Didn’t you hear me? I told you to get lost.”

Kylerus snapped, annoyed that I was still standing there.

Even if I want to change him, this body is still that of a child. So instead of being a teacher, what if I approach him as a friend?

In the original story, the heroine Adele became his friend and safe place.

I’ll take that role from now on.

With the heart of a trainer trying to tame a wild animal, I carefully took a few steps toward him. As expected, his glare grew even sharper.

“Sorry for staring. But… can you help me?”

I stopped at a distance and asked in a weak voice.

If I comfort him too boldly, it might only make him dislike me more. He would never admit he was crying, so I should be the one asking for sympathy.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, I’m Ries Brante. The duke’s garden was so beautiful that I wandered around and got lost.”

His sharp eyes softened just a little.

See? No matter how much he shows his fangs, he’s still just a kid—

“Idiot. That’s none of my business.”

…This brat.

No, don’t fall for such childish provocation. I’m a mature adult. At least on the inside.

“I’ve been wandering around here for twenty minutes. I haven’t seen anyone but you.”

“……”

“Please. I’m scared…”

I begged pitifully. Just then, a cold wind blew, and my body naturally started trembling.

After a heavy silence, Kylerus finally stood up.

“…If you fall behind, I’ll leave you.”

He said coldly and started walking ahead.

“Okay! Thank you.”

I quickly followed right behind him.

Success. The pitiful act worked. I could faintly hear him mutter, “Why am I helping some random idiot…?”

To keep up with his fast steps, I almost had to run.

Is he using some magic footwork? He’s shorter than me—why is he so fast?

His wrists and ankles looked thin and fragile. In the novel, it mentioned that he was small and underfed when he was young.

It’s hard to believe this sharp little kitten will grow up to become a black panther.

Anyway, focus on building favorability.

“You’re Darius’s younger brother, Kylerus, right? Can I call you Kyle?”

He suddenly turned around. A vein seemed to appear on his forehead.

He looked deeply offended—probably because I recognized him and even used a nickname.

“No.”

He answered shortly and kept walking.

“Do you remember all the paths in this maze?”

“……”

No answer.

Well, it is basically his front yard.

As I followed a few steps behind him, I heard a faint sound.

Growl.

It was quiet but clear—the sound of a hungry stomach.

“Kyle, are you hungry?”

“Who is?!”

His ears turned red as he shouted. At least he reacted.

There was so much delicious food at the banquet. But with everyone whispering and watching him, I doubt he could swallow anything. Even I would lose my appetite in that situation.

I wondered what had caused the earlier commotion, but I held back. He would definitely explode if I asked.

“Then eat this!”

I took out a piece of chocolate from my small handbag, unwrapped it, and held it out. My father, Count Brante, had given it to me in case my blood sugar dropped.

I’ll generously give it to you.

Kyle looked at the chocolate and snorted.

“Take it away.”

“Hey—”

He slapped my hand away, and the chocolate flew to the ground. I quickly picked it up from the grass.

Luckily, it landed on the lawn, so it wasn’t too dirty.

“Three-second rule!”

I shouted without thinking while brushing it off.

“What?”

“It means it’s fine if you pick it up within three seconds. Anyway, if you don’t want it, just say so. Why hit it? If you waste food, you’ll be punished by heaven.”

Especially someone who’s probably gone hungry before.

I broke the chocolate in half, put the smaller piece in my mouth, and pushed the bigger piece between Kyle’s lips while he was still frozen.

The soft sweetness melted on my tongue.

Kyle frowned at first, but then his jaw slowly moved. The chocolate slipped fully into his mouth.

I thought he would spit it out angrily. But he didn’t.

He really is just a kid.

I smiled brightly.

“Isn’t it tasty?”

“It’s not.”

He answered sharply. But I could feel that the hostility from before had lessened. His steps slowed down, making it easier for me to follow.

“How do you know my name?”

He suddenly asked.

You ignored my questions earlier, though.

I almost refused to answer out of spite, but I held back.

“I’m the younger sister of Darius’s friend. My brother’s name is Simon. Do you know him?”

“I don’t. I don’t talk to that guy.”

Yes, of course.

Even before Kyle turned evil in the novel, the two brothers weren’t close.

We walked in silence until he suddenly stopped. I almost bumped into his back.

We had reached the exit of the maze. The mansion came into view.

“From here, go by yourself.”

“Thank you for bringing me.”

“……”

“Kyle!”

He was about to leave without responding, so I quickly called him.

“Don’t call me that—”

“I’m hungry too. I’ll bring some food. Let’s eat together.”

“…No.”

“Just wait there!”

Before he could refuse again, I ran toward the banquet hall.

At first, I approached him like I was playing a game, trying to win over a character. But now, I truly wanted to feed him.

As a Korean soul who believes in the power of food, I can’t just watch a child go hungry. Even if I know he’ll grow tall and strong later.

Back inside the banquet hall, I looked around the tables for something filling.

There’s no real meal—just snacks.

Maybe the kitchen.

I followed the direction the waiters had gone and easily found it. Thanks to my small body, I slipped inside without being noticed.

I hid under a counter and waited until the chefs left. Then I sneaked into the storage room.

I hesitated for a moment.

No, I’m feeding the son of this house. That’s not stealing.

Once I justified it, my guilt disappeared.

I found a clean white cloth and wrapped up large pieces of bread, jam, butter, sliced ham, cheese, and fruit.

With my bundle in hand and an apple in my mouth, I slipped out like a ninja.

A successful raid.

Until—

I ran straight into Darius outside the kitchen door.