The Crazy Villainess in This Area Is Me

“Let’s go!”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Still looking skeptical, Frinel followed Merilly and Roseni into the maze.

“It really doesn’t seem like it was meant to threaten anyone.”

“Right?” Suppressing my laughter, I smiled softly.

As we ventured deeper into the maze, Frinel spotted a box lying on the ground.

“What is this…?”

It was a box from Chandrine Bakery, a place where Lobelia and Frinel used to buy éclairs frequently before and shortly after their marriage.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen this box.” Frinel picked up the box, puzzled. But instead of the expected éclairs, the box contained a perfectly crafted cake.

“A cake?”

“Remember when you made me a cake once?” I smiled gently as I spoke. “This time, I made one with the kids.”

“The back garden of the Empress’s palace was full of wild strawberries!”

“We picked the strawberries ourselves! And we made the cream too!”

Roseni and Merilly excitedly explained. They had prepared a wild strawberry cheesecake that morning for this surprise event. The two girls looked at Frinel with eager anticipation.

He gazed at them, his heart swelling with love. Unable to resist, Frinel kissed their cheeks and then, with a look of realization, spoke. “Wait a minute, this maze… was it made by you three?”

Frinel, having finally figured it out, laughed softly. “To be welcomed like this… If there are events this cute, I could go on a hundred more expeditions.”

“Don’t joke about that, Father! Two weeks felt too long.”

“Yes, and we have another gift prepared for you!”

“Really? Let’s see.”

With hearts pounding, they ventured further into the winding maze. After a while, they found another small box.

“What could this gift be?”

Frinel opened the box eagerly. Inside was a boutonnière set with a blue diamond. He looked up at Lobelia.

“You gave me a boutonnière once before, remember?”

He touched the boutonnière, reminiscing. On the day I tried to give it to him, he had been bathing and accidentally exposed himself to me. The memory made him chuckle.

“That day, Lobelia, you…”

Knowing what he was about to say, I quickly covered his lips with my fingers, my face slightly red. “Yes, it was topaz then. This time, I prepared something better. I realized I haven’t given you a special gift since becoming empress.”

“You and our daughters… you are my gifts and blessings.”

What more could he need? Everyone he loved and cherished was right here.

Feeling overwhelmed, Frinel couldn’t hold back and kissed Lobelia on the lips. “I love you, Lobelia.”

“It’s too early to be moved.” Mixing formal and informal speech, I shrugged playfully. “Now, it’s time to open the final gift.”

“The final gift? I can’t wait.”

Wearing the boutonnière on his coat, he eagerly followed the three deeper into the maze.

Finally, a radiant golden egg appeared before them.

“You made this?”

“We melted down gold and made it using magic.”

“No other member of the Shinsu clan would waste their magic like this.”

Frinel laughed as he slowly opened the golden egg made by Merilly and Roseni. A brilliant light poured out.

“

…?”

Inside were two heart-shaped turquoise jewels.

“Jewels?”

Though he had never seen such jewels before, compared to the homemade cake and the nostalgic boutonnière, their significance was harder to grasp.

“What do these mean?”

“These…” I carefully lifted the two jewels as if they were babies.

“Frinel.” Handing them to him, I spoke. “A precious life, like Merilly and Roseni, is growing inside me.”

“…What?” Frinel’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Our children had a dream about it. So we called the imperial doctor just in case…”

“So, you’re saying… that inside you, another sibling for Merilly and Roseni is growing?”

“…Yes.” With my face flushed like a peach, I nodded shyly.

In awe, Frinel knelt to meet his daughters at eye level. “Girls, could you pinch this father’s cheek hard?”

At Frinel’s request, Merilly and Roseni gently tugged on his cheeks.

Feeling the vivid touch, Frinel slowly stood up. With a determined look, he declared. “I will declare today a national holiday.”

“…What?”

Lifting Merilly and Roseni in his arms, he quickly exited the maze.

“Frinel!” Flustered, I hurriedly chased after him.

Frinel was already calling for his subordinates, issuing orders. “Summon Alter immediately. We will hold a month-long festival starting tomorrow!”

“… That’s too much, Frinel.”

“Too much? I feel like celebrating for a year!” Frinel’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “And bring in all the herbs and foods said to be good for health.”

“We’ve already sourced the best available since your marriage, so it’s hard to find anything more precious…” Chelsea replied awkwardly, having overheard the conversation.

“Tell me whatever you want to eat, Lobelia. If you desire it, I’ll even get dragon’s blood.”

“

, as if I’d want that!”

Everyone burst into laughter at his words.

As we laughed, Roseni raised her hand. “But Father, I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“Would you prefer a daughter or a son? I like both.”

“I like both too, Roseni.” Merilly agreed with a bright smile.

Frinel and I thought for a moment, then spoke simultaneously.

“Of course, a daughter.”

“Of course, a son!”

Our eyes met, sparking like lightning.

“Even if I love you, I can’t give up this time. I want another daughter like Merilly and Roseni! A daughter who resembles you!”

“We already have two daughters. Don’t you think we need a prince too?”

“Such sexist talk! The emperor should pass the throne peacefully, respecting the children’s opinions…”

“Are you two arguing?”

“Of course not!”

“Certainly not.”

They replied in unison again.

“

.”

“

!”

“

…”

“

!”

Little did we know that ten months later, we would have fraternal twins, a boy, and a girl, causing chaos and sleepless nights. For now, we laughed heartily, unaware of what was to come.

As a complete family, we had become more alike than ever.

“I love you, Lobelia.”

“I love you.”

“Mother, Father, I love you too. And Roseni and our soon-to-be siblings!”

“Let’s have a party! Invite Grandpa, Aunt Bella, and Uncle Alter too!”

“Yes, a party is perfect for a festival!”

It was a peaceful and blissful life.

-The End.