When the Villainess Became the Male Lead's Obsession Chapter 20.2

Chapter 20 – Part 2

Eden remained silent and only shook his head.

“It's not because of it? Then why aren't you eating more? You'll get sick at this point.”

If Rachel and Rizbeth had heard what Elysia had said, they would probably shoot the same question at her.

Elysia was fortunate it was only the two of them.

She loudly cleared her throat, with the thought she was lucky that Rachel and Rizbeth were not with them.

“Um… well, sit comfortably.”

Elysia asked Eden to sit more comfortably, bothered at him sitting on his knees while his hands fidgeted.

Eden was taken aback and flinched.

He seemed embarrassed, not knowing how to sit properly as Elysia suggested.

And every time he moved, the shackles at his feet made a sound.

“…No, no…”

'Sit as you please.'

Elysia told him to sit comfortably because he looked uncomfortable, but it seemed actually he felt comfortable.

“Anyway, it's fine to sleep anytime and as much as you want. But you have to empty your plate.”

Eden was suffering from malnutrition.

Elysia didn't know whether it was because he didn't have much appetite in the first place, or because he didn't have activities to stimulate his muscles; either way, he was not eating properly.

If this kept on going, Eden would die from malnutrition, even before a maid came to pick him up.

“If you leave a grain in your plate…”

Elysia had no choice but to resort to threats.

Eden swallowed.

He had only one punishment.

Eden's eyes faintly trembled at the thought.

As Eden was about to gasp for air,

“I won't bring you any more sweets.”

Elysia, her hands placed on her hips, said it sternly.

Thinking it was enough punishment to scare off Eden, Elysia raised her head.

The childlike thing about him was, he enjoyed eating sweets.

He ate all the sweets Elysia brought, chocolate, and cookies, without leaving any crumbs.

He liked candies the most.

Due to this, Elysia would often bring him candies on a regular basis.

'How about now?!' Elysia said smugly to herself.

Elysia expected to win and crossed her arms.

At the same time, Eden's mouth relaxed.

“What?”

Elysia's pulse paused momentarily at his unexpected reaction.

Elysia knew that if she did this, Eden would feel threatened and refuse to leave food.

After all, Eden enjoyed sweets just as much as Ariel.

However, that reaction seemed to be relief, rather than fright.

“I'll try to.”

Eden smiled beautifully and made a promise.

It was an answer that was infinitely close to affirmation.

Thanks to it, Elysia felt embarrassed.

Elysia knew Eden was a quiet and a gentle child, but his response was unexpected and different compared to how Ariel would react.

If it was Ariel, she would have cried and whined that she hated the idea.

Ariel was the kind of child that would not hesitate to lie on the floor and throw tantrums.

Elysia felt dumbfounded at the clear difference in their reactions.

She struggled with the question.

About whether Eden is really nine years old.

“Eden. If you think it was too much, you can tell me…”

Elisia had relaxed her arms before she knew it and waved her hands in the air restlessly.

The attempt to try to scare Eden had long since disappeared.

At Elysia's words, Eden nodded and replied, “Okay.”

That was all he said.

A new, unexpected yet refreshing answer from him.

'Doesn't he like sweets…?'

Elysia eventually came to doubt Eden's liking for sweets.

'Because he said he'll try…'

But Elysia questioned whether a child would usually use those words.

She thought she knew some things about Eden, but there was still something off about him.

Embarrassed, Elysia lifted a hand to the back of her neck.

Eden stared at Elysia and smiled with his eyes creased.

He felt relieved.

Eden thought Elysia would punish him by not coming anymore.

Eden's palms were covered with sweat.

Unbeknownst to Elysia who was lost in thought, Eden continued fidgeting with his hands.

It didn't matter how scary the punishment was.

Unless Elysia said she wouldn't visit anymore.

Eden paid no mind to the punishment as it was Elysia herself he was scared to lose.

She would come to see him like he was this time.

'Don't leave me alone. Don't say you won't visit me anymore.'

Eden felt his body cool down.

But unlike the cooling of his body, his palms remained sweaty.

His smile disappeared, and he glanced at Elysia.

In contrast to her pale complexion, there were dark shadows under Elysia's eyes.

There was no way Eden wouldn't notice when everyone else had commented on it, too.

'You look tired. You look sick. You look worn out.'

Eden kept the thoughts to himself.

And the more he did, the more his anxiety grew.

In the end, Eden consoled himself.

'She's fine. Elysia herself said she was okay.'

It's okay, she will come again tomorrow, too.

She said she wasn't sick, so she'll be fine.

Elysia will come see Eden again tomorrow.

Eden wanted Elysia to visit him.

Elysia was pressing her forehead with her fingertips, as if she felt a dull pain.

'But I think it's better for her to get rest…'

Trying to get the words out of his head, Eden opened his mouth to speak.

But he swallowed the thought, unable to make a sound.

Chapter end