I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 57
Silver hair and dark green eyes. A face strikingly similar to mine. The only real difference in my uncle since I last saw him was that the silver bob that once fell to his shoulders was now cut short, brushing just above his neck.
It had been several months since I’d seen him.
“H-how did you come here?”
“Next Saturday is Edwin’s birthday, isn’t it?”
The reply didn’t come from him, but from behind. It was my father.
“So we were just talking about that!”
My older brother Eit came over and ruffled my hair.
“Did you have a good trip?”
Father asked warmly. I nodded vigorously.
“Yes!”
“Good. I imagine there’s a lot you want to talk about.”
Eit looked restless already, itching to say all sorts of things. Father noticed and told me and my brothers to go downstairs first, saying he still had things to discuss with my uncle. I nodded and went down to the parlor with my brothers.
Once the children were gone, Esat looked at his brother-in-law, Laska, with a worried expression.
Normally, Laska always wore a smile. But this time, even he faced Esat with a hard, grim look.
“So… what exactly did the Empress of Cardia say in her message?”
Instead of answering, Esat opened a hidden drawer in the study and handed him a letter. Laska read it, and soon his brows knit into a scowl.
“I am absolutely against this.”
He declared firmly.
“…A marriage between Prince Alteo and Laila?!”
Esat pressed a hand against his forehead. Laska stepped closer.
“There is no way we can send her into such a dangerous situation. And if this is a decision made without her consent, it is even more unacceptable.”
“I know. I would never agree to it either. But…”
Esat sighed deeply.
“…They won’t give up so easily.”
“They cannot underestimate Rosahill like that.”
Esat clasped his hands together.
“I didn’t call you here to decide whether or not the marriage will happen. I will firmly reject it. But if these attempts continue, I want you to stand by us, unwaveringly.”
Esat’s sea-colored eyes bore into Laska’s deep green ones with intensity.
“Of course.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Laska answered.
“…Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me.”
Laska sank into a chair.
“Not only Edwin, but even Light is still unmarried. For Laila to wed before either of them… it doesn’t make sense.”
“They’re both of age where marriage wouldn’t be strange.”
Esat allowed a faint smile.
“That’s true. Didn’t you yourself marry around twenty?”
“Yes.”
“Edwin seems to have someone in mind, but as for Light… I have no idea. He’s already twenty-two.”
“He says he wants to marry his sword.”
Esat muttered in exasperation. Laska chuckled.
“In a way, I envy him.”
“In what way?”
“Because you’re only troubled like this thanks to having three children so precious to you.”
Esat gave a wry smile.
“They’re your nephews too.”
“Indeed.”
“I’ll say it again—why don’t you marry, even now?”
“…True enough.”
Laska gave a playful smile, but Esat, who knew the pain hidden behind it, fell silent.
“Thank you for coming. You must be busy yourself.”
“Not at all.”
Laska smiled faintly.
“Sometimes I feel lonely, and I wonder if it’s because I’m getting older. Watching you, I can clearly see how precious family really is.”
“…Yes. More precious than anything in the world.”
Esat closed his tired eyes. Silence fell over the study.
I had been so excited at the surprise of my uncle’s visit that the moment he came out of the study, I ran straight to him.
“Uncle! Did you know I was admitted into the Academy?”
Chattering away like a baby bird, I looked up at him. He fondly stroked my head.
“Of course I know. Rebekam, isn’t it? You said before you wanted to learn more about control magic.”
“Yes! And there are lots of other benefits too. Oh, and I was even chosen as a scholarship student!”
I proudly boasted, all puffed up. My uncle chuckled.
“How’s your roommate? That place has always kept the tradition of two students per room.”
As he spoke, he told me little stories from his own Academy days.
“By the way, what’s your roommate’s name?”
Suddenly remembering, he asked. I answered without hesitation.
“Elia Emon.”
“Elia Emon? From House Emon in the north?”
His reaction surprised me.
“You know her?”
“No, not her personally, but I’ve heard of House Emon. They’re also lords in the northern lands, like us. News of them comes around from time to time.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Well, it’s good you’ve made a friend, Laila.”
“Not just one! I also have Luke Peregrine and Laon Diewd. We studied together for the entrance exam and stuck together since then!”
I grinned happily.
“And Uncle….”
As I chattered on about the Academy, I suddenly glanced up at him.
“What is it?”
“Are you free?”
He laughed heartily.
“If Lala wants it, I’ll make time even if I don’t have any. So, what is it?”
Looking up at him with eager eyes, I asked:
“Would you like to come with me to buy Edwin’s birthday present?”
Originally, I had planned to go alone.
Edwin couldn’t come, since he was the one receiving the gift.
Eit… well, he’s too hopeless at lying. If he went with me, he’d blurt everything out immediately. So, he was out too.
My uncle gave me a big smile.
“Of course. Let’s go.”
“Yay! Uncle, you’re the best!”
I threw my arms up in triumph.
Strike while the iron is hot. We headed straight to the capital’s shopping district. I could feel Eit and Edwin’s slight disappointment, but I promised them I’d come back quickly and play with them afterward, which eased their expressions.
As the carriage rolled along, my uncle asked:
“Do you have anything in mind already?”
“Hmm… not really. Honestly, I don’t know what Edwin is lacking, or what he might need.”
I puffed out my cheeks.
Edwin was the heir of both a major merchant guild and a ducal house. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say there was nothing in the world he lacked. Money, honor—he had it all in his hands.
Last time, for my birthday, he had given me a royal necklace bought at auction. It was so extravagant that I couldn’t even bring myself to wear it yet; it sat tucked away in my jewelry box.
I wanted to give him something he’d truly like.
But I’d only known him for about a year, and I’d never chosen such a gift before, so I had no idea what would be best.
“Uncle, have you prepared Edwin’s gift?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“I made him some fruit preserves with my own hands.”
“…You’re joking, right?”
He grinned. “Of course. In truth, I made this.”
He handed me a round object. Curious, I examined it. It was shaped like the moon, and when I pressed it, a soft glow and pleasant fragrance spread out.
“What is this for?”
“It’s a magical device that gives off light permanently when pressed. I thought it would be useful for reading at night.”
“…Haha.”
I laughed softly. It was oddly fitting, thoughtful yet eccentric—just like him.
“Think simple. Edwin will be happy with anything from you.”
“I know… but that makes me want to give him something even better.”
Resting my chin on my hand, I looked out the window. We were almost at the shopping district.
We stopped first at a jewelry store.
I had a set amount of funds as a noble lady, and Father would give me more pocket money whenever I asked. So even if the gems were expensive, I didn’t have to worry.
The shop glittered with diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls—everything the capital’s finest jeweler could offer.
Yet, standing before all of them, I hesitated.
Too ordinary.
This one, that one… Edwin probably already had them all.
Noticing my hesitation, Uncle came over.
“Nothing catches your eye?”
“I’m not sure.”
In the end, we left without buying anything.
“What about trying a place that sells newer things?”
I suggested this time.
If it was some newly released item, maybe even Edwin wouldn’t have it yet. Just like the clever invention my uncle had made.
“Good idea.”
He nodded right away.
So we headed to First Avenue, the capital’s bustling marketplace full of novelties.
There were magical eyedrops that could change your eye color, self-writing pens, even kits to decorate your room with a miniature indoor aquarium.
It was fun to look around.
But I couldn’t picture Edwin suddenly taking up aquarium decorating, nor did he need magical eyedrops or a pen.
So we left again, empty-handed.
“…I’m sorry.”
I looked at Uncle apologetically.
“I have no idea what to give him. If I’d known I’d struggle this much, I would’ve just come by myself.”
“What nonsense, Lala? Do you know how dangerous it is to come alone? You need your dependable uncle to guard you!”
He winked, making me smile despite myself.
“What’s Edwin’s hobby again?”
“Hmm… his hobby? I’m not sure… Oh! I remember hearing he collects antiques.”
I clapped my hands. Why hadn’t I thought of that sooner?
He had bought a large batch of artworks not long ago. Maybe that really was his hobby. As I explained, Uncle thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Then how about this?”
“What is it?”
I looked at him curiously.
“When it comes to art, auctions are the way to go.”
“Auctions?”
“Yes. Let’s join the capital’s auction ourselves.”
Uncle said, grinning broadly.
