Becoming the Terminally-Ill Villain Who Torments His Disciples

The coming-of-age ceremony was a disaster.

Just the words left behind by Duke Esteban were enough to sour his mood, but on top of that, the guests who had come under the pretense of celebration subtly belittled Cielo.

People criticized not only Cielo’s usual behavior but also the fact that he had poor relationships with his siblings.

Neither Eli, who was rumored to be his fiancé, nor his brothers “Sol” and “Pielago” attended his coming-of-age ceremony.

“Maybe it’s better that they didn’t come.”

Considering even Duke Esteban behaved like that, one could only imagine how horribly those so-called brothers must have treated “Cielo.” Since those details weren’t in the novel, he couldn’t know for sure, but the feeling was far from pleasant.

It felt like things might have turned into a bigger mess if they had actually met.

“Master!”

As Cielo murmured to himself while changing clothes, Oscar suddenly held something out with his hand. In his small, dirt-covered palm was a single violet flower.

Oscar blushed deeply as he offered it.

“I-I wanted to give this to you on your birthday… I-It’s a gift. I didn’t have money, so I couldn’t give you something better…”

Oscar stammered.

He glanced up at Cielo’s eyes, quickly lowered his head, and nervously fiddled with his fingers. Seeing this, a wide smile spread across Cielo’s face.

“Thank you, Oscar.”

Taking the flower, Cielo pulled Oscar into a tight hug before letting him go. It meant a lot that Oscar had opened his heart enough to celebrate his birthday.

“If we leave it like this, it might wither. Shall we put it in a vase?”

“Yes! I’ll go get one right away!”

As Oscar dashed out of the room, Cielo quietly looked at the flower.

It was a violet he had picked from the backyard. Even if placed in a vase, it would probably wilt before long.

“Hmm…”

If he could heal people, maybe he could also breathe life into a flower?

As he pondered the thought and gently summoned his energy, the once-drooping flower slowly began to regain vitality.

‘Oh…!’

Cielo widened his eyes in surprise. He was worried it might cause chest pain again, but perhaps because the flower was small and didn’t require much energy, he felt no pain.

“Master! I brought it!”

With a loud thump, Oscar came running in, holding a vase. Cielo placed the flower in the vase and set it where the sunlight streamed in best.

“Thank you again, Oscar.”

Cielo thanked him once more and quietly admired the flower. Oscar glanced at him and then smiled bashfully while lowering his head.

It was just a common flower from the garden, yet Cielo looked as if he had received the world.

‘…Would he be even happier if I brought him something better?’

It felt strange.

Not long ago, all Oscar had wished for was that Cielo wouldn’t get angry at him. But now, he wanted to see Cielo happy.

While Oscar was still sorting out the new, warm feelings blooming in his heart, a maid knocked on the door from outside.

“Lord Esteban. Lord Pascius’s parents are requesting to meet you.”

“Oscar’s parents?”

“Yes. Both of them are waiting in the parlor.”

As soon as the maid left, Oscar’s face stiffened and his hands began to tremble.

***

Cielo glanced sideways at Oscar.

From the moment he heard his parents had come, Oscar hadn’t said a single word. When asked something, he only nodded or shook his head.

‘I thought they had a good relationship…’

There wasn’t much description of Oscar’s parents in the original novel. Occasionally, when Oscar would show some clever life tips, he would say things like, “Ah, my parents…” That was about it.

Later in the story, after some time had passed, Oscar’s parents were killed by monsters.

‘And they never made an appearance like this in the original either.’

But now, the atmosphere felt odd.

As they made their way to the parlor, Oscar tightly clutched his collar and took deep breaths again and again. He bit his lip hard and even chewed at his nails.

‘What could have happened…’

Finally, Cielo stopped walking and knelt down in front of Oscar.

“Oscar.”

“…”

“I can meet the guests alone. I’ll say you’re resting because you’re unwell, so would you like to go back to your room?”

Oscar’s eyes widened. But it was only for a moment. He quickly shook his head and spoke urgently.