Home/Baby Villain and Papa/ch32

Chapter 32: You Can Read Laphan?

As time passed, the kidnappers' questions expanded. They grew curious not only about the books and documents the Bakers had owned, but also about their acquaintances and social circles.

When the Bakers died, Janice had been only seven—an ordinary girl more interested in what was for dinner than in the "ruins" her parents loved. Her memories had limits. But the kidnappers didn't care.

"We can't give you medicine today."

"Why not? I answered!"

"Nothing useful."

"I don't know anything—what do you want from me!"

"Even if you don't know, you need to make something up. That's how your precious friend stays alive."

Their intent was clear—produce something significant related to the "ruins." "I don't know" didn't work. Lying didn't work.

They had planted "traps" everywhere, and if Janice lied, she paid the price. Just a few days ago, they'd withheld Raymond's medicine for not giving proper answers, leaving him once again coughing and burning with fever.

Janice desperately tried to revive her faint memories to extract something useful. She voluntarily began searching through books and documents. The thought that what she found might help the kidnappers made her so angry she could spring out of bed at night—but for her and Raymond to survive, she had no choice.

Revenge was only possible if she lived. And more importantly, Raymond was innocent. He was only ten. If not for Janice, he'd still be causing trouble in the Imperial Palace and the Grand Duke's household, laughing carelessly.

"Cough! Janice, are you... cough! Are you... cough, cough! Are you okay? Cough, cough!"

"I'm fine. Don't talk—it'll hurt your throat. Take your medicine. Eat your soup."

Raymond had been kidnapped because of her. Janice felt sorry for him, pitied him, and felt guilty—and beneath it all, she was terrified that if something happened to him and she was left alone...

It was during one of those days that Janice found "it."

---

Janice was searching through books and papers as usual.

The kidnappers' initial enthusiasm had faded; now that Janice hadn't produced anything useful, they'd nearly given up on her. Of course, they showed no signs of letting them go, but at least they didn't swarm her every time she picked something up.

Is that good or bad...?

Janice bit her lip hard.

It was good that they weren't watching her every move—but thinking of Raymond, who had been delirious for three days, made her chest feel tight. They didn't seem intent on killing him; they'd provide some treatment in truly critical moments. But unless Janice found something related to the "ruins," they wouldn't give proper medicine.

She'd already picked out almost all the familiar books and papers. That day, she was desperately suppressing her sorrow and anxiety, thinking: What if I can't find what they want again today? Will Raymond go without medicine again? Just then—

"Why won't this come out... ow!"

In her frustration, some of the book piles collapsed.

"Ouch!"

Books rained down on Janice as she fell backward.

The heavy weight and dull pain made her feel like crying. But only for a moment—

"The books are fine! Really!"

Afraid the kidnappers would scold her, Janice quickly scrambled up and started organizing them.

Scolding was one thing—what she really feared was them using this as an excuse to cut off Raymond's medicine and food again.

As the pile collapsed, some books flipped open. Janice carefully closed them, smoothing the folded pages when no one was looking...

"Huh?"

Flipping a book shut, Janice paused, flustered.

"Hey, that's a rare book! Be careful! It's worth more than your ransom!"

"Ah... no... sorry."

She apologized out of habit, but her eyes never left the book.

Sensing something odd, someone asked her:

"What? Do you know that?"

"No... yes."

"...Was that book also from the Bakers' house?"

"...No, it's not, but..."

It was clearly a book she'd never seen before. But its contents were different.

Inside was a map—identical to the one that had hung in the Bakers' house and lab, and also identical to the map the "Elder" had shown her when she first arrived.

But the characters on the map were different.

The center of the other two maps read "Herois," but the map in the book read "Hephaestus."

To be honest, she didn't know the difference between those words. But...

Do these people know that the characters on this map differ from what they know? ...If I tell them, will they give Raymond his medicine?

Janice hesitated.

She didn't want to help them—but Raymond urgently needed medicine.

Given how cunning they were and how well-versed they were in everything related to the "ruins," they might already know the characters were different. But if by chance they didn't, that would be "significant information related to the ruins"—and that would mean Raymond could get his medicine.

Biting her lip lightly, Janice cautiously spoke.

"Um, excuse me!"

"What?"

"There's a map in that book, but the characters are different from the map in my parents' lab."

"What characters?"

"These."

Janice picked up the book, opened it to the map, and pointed to the characters reading "Hephaestus."

"Here it says 'Hephaestus,' but on my parents' map it says 'Herois.' And the map the Elder showed me also said 'Herois'..."

"...What?"

The kidnappers nearby all turned to stare at Janice. She hesitated and continued.

"You didn't know about this, right? Then I can get medicine this time, right?"

It was either significant or not. But Janice was determined to stress that she'd conveyed useful knowledge—and get medicine for Raymond.

It wasn't the "information related to the Bakers" they wanted, but at least it was "significant information"!

Janice was about to explain how sick Raymond was and how badly they needed medicine—when suddenly—

"Whoa!"

"Say that again! What did you say?"

One of the kidnappers grabbed Janice by the shoulders and demanded.

"Medicine—please..."

"No, not that!"

"The characters on the map... are different."

"And?"

"The map in the book says 'Hephaestus.' The one in my parents' lab says 'Herois.' And the one the Elder showed me also said 'Herois.'"

Janice stammered.

"Ha!"

The kidnapper holding her let out a hollow laugh, and several of them suddenly dashed outside.

Watching them, Janice was certain she'd provided "significant information." They clearly hadn't known about the difference.

But just then—

"...You can read Laphan?"

Back   Next