I’ve Been Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Daughter – Chapter 70

The Rose Festival concluded successfully.

Memories folded neatly into the pages of the past, and time flowed by like a river. One blink of the eye, and the seasons had changed; the year had turned before I even noticed.

The busier life became, the shorter each day felt. Life at the academy and in high society was no different—both spun around at an uncountable, dizzying speed.

Three years had passed without a break.

It had already been four years since I entered Rebecam Academy. Before I knew it, I was a senior, on the cusp of my final semester.

“…Lila…!”

“…”

“Laila!”

“Ah…”

I blinked several times. The chandelier’s lights sparkled in front of me. My friends were looking at me. Ivharun, who had called me, seemed concerned, as though I might be unwell. I realized I had been lost in thought, dwelling too deeply in the past.

“Sorry, I got distracted… What were you saying?”

I gave an awkward smile and looked over them.

Ivharun, Sern, Lukran, Raon, Elia…

Tonight was the night of the autumn ball hosted by the palace. As always, my friends and I naturally gravitated toward each other as if it had been agreed upon.

“Are you alright?”

Raon asked with a concerned expression. I shook my head.

“Yes, I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

“That’s a relief, then…”

Over the past three years, Raon had grown significantly taller. They say boys grow quickly, and it was true. Now I had to tilt my head back to look at his face—like my brothers or father.

Moreover, his swordsmanship had become astonishingly skilled, unmatched by others. Raon planned to join the royal guard after graduation. As the top swordsman of the senior class, he must have had many options, but perhaps Eto’s persistent scouting had left a mark on him. Though he was the sole heir of his family, there was still plenty of time before inheriting his title. Perhaps he would make a name for himself as a knight admired throughout the royal capital.

Of course, Raon wasn’t the only one who had changed.

Even Lukran before me looked nothing like the boy I had first known.

My first impression of Lukran had been that of a small, beautiful boy, doll-like. His chubby cheeks, like a bisque doll’s, and a height similar to mine had since vanished. He had grown tall, with sharp, striking eyes.

It was a public secret that he had no intention of inheriting his dukedom; he aimed to become a royal administrator. As the top student of Rebecam, Lukran would succeed with excellent treatment and prospects.

Beside him was his older sister, Ivharun, who looked remarkably similar and smiled at me. Ah, Ivharun. She might soon become Peregrine’s first female duchess. She was that competent and diligent.

Next to her stood Sern. Since entering the academy, I hadn’t seen her face often. But in my absence, Ivharun had grown quite close to her. Though many things had changed over the years… one thing that hadn’t changed was Sern’s warm, gentle smile.

And then there was Elia…

“…Are you alright?”

“Y-yeah…”

Elia was visibly tense. Her eyes darted anxiously, and her hands kept clenching and unclenching, betraying her nervousness.

She constantly reminded herself that she came from a small northern family. When I showed her the royal invitation, she had only felt overwhelmed. Though she had experienced small-scale northern gatherings, she had never attended a royal banquet before and hesitated.

I had persuaded her that this would be a “good experience” and brought her along. As someone aiming to become an administrator, meeting influential figures at the palace seemed beneficial… but I hadn’t expected her to be this nervous.

I was genuinely worried about her.

“Do you want to take a short break?”

“Y-yes, maybe…”

Elia let out a soft sigh.

“I’ll just go wash my hands for a moment.”

She eventually stepped out of the ballroom.

Despite being clumsy by nature, Elia hadn’t remained unchanged over the past three years. Her diligence was recognized by many, and if only she could overcome her clumsiness, everything else would likely go smoothly.

Watching my friends, I found myself lost in thought.

I had specialized in potion-making and continued to study diligently, aiming to pass next year’s exam to become a court magician. I hoped everything would go according to plan.

Lost in thought, I only listened as my friends chatted. Then someone approached me.

“Princess Laila.”

“…Prince Alteo.”

With confident strides and golden hair shining like sunlight, he hadn’t changed much over the years. I tensed slightly.

Since Rosahill declared neutrality, those eager to sway Rosahill had made countless moves. Both he and his mother had continued approaching me.

Because of these unpleasant memories, I didn’t look on him favorably. Despite clearly reading my expression, Alteo deliberately approached me.

“A fine evening, isn’t it? Thank you all for lighting up this hall.”

“The sun of the empire greets you.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Alteo singled me out.

“Princess Laila, there’s something I wish to say to you. Could you spare a moment?”

I replied reluctantly.

“…If it’s just words, we can do it here…”

“No, I’d prefer if we spoke alone.”

I rolled my eyes. My friends seemed tense at the sudden seriousness. But with too many onlookers, refusal wasn’t an option. Reluctantly, I agreed.

“…If it’s brief, that’s fine.”

“I’ll make sure not to take up much of your time.”

With that, Alteo led the way to the terrace at the edge of the ballroom. I hurried to follow.

The early autumn air on the palace terrace was slightly chilly. As I breathed in the crisp air, Alteo spoke first.

“Your beauty seems to shine even more with each passing year.”

“…Thank you for the compliment.”

I watched him warily. Why was he saying this? Few took social compliments at face value.

True to his word about speaking briefly, Alteo got straight to the point.

“Do you remember the proposal I once made to you?”

He looked up at the sky as if recalling a distant memory. I thought back on our encounters. We had met many times, but only one could be called a “proposal.”

“You mean… regarding a relationship?”

Yes, the proposal he had made when I was thirteen.

“My proposal remains the same as before.”

He looked at me earnestly. I felt a wave of emptiness. I had thought I had firmly rejected him, yet he still obsessed over me. Why?

“My answer remains the same.”

My voice left no room for reconsideration. Alteo said nothing.

“…Is this because of Tearoha?”

“…!”

His gaze had turned cold. I shivered.

I knew. Both Tearoha and I were well-known in social circles. Even slight closeness between a boy and girl would spark endless gossip. Considering my friendship with Tearoha, rumors were inevitable.

But the rudeness of stating gossip so openly was another matter.

Despite my visible displeasure, Alteo continued.

“…Tearoha does not suit you.”

The chilly early autumn wind blew between us.

“Some claim he is the rightful heir, but no matter what others say, I, Alteo Ulysses, am the first prince of this empire. Never forget that. Only the best should be with you.”

“…I doubt that.”

I answered coldly. Had he ever treated me as anything beyond a “good bride” or “desirable alliance”?

I was as indifferent to power as he was obsessed with it.

‘And… should we not test each other?’

Over the past few years, Tearoha and I hadn’t just been idling. Tearoha’s influence had grown rapidly, and I had rallied support to my side.

The fight for the throne was gradually taking shape.

The emperor, already frail from illness and age, was worsening. Many believed his reign would end within a year or two.

There was no turning back, nor did I wish to.

Though I said nothing, Alteo seemed to read my hostile glance. He gave a wry smile.

“I cannot sway your heart.”

“…”

“I hear you and Tearoha have been friends since childhood.”

“…”

That rumor was unsurprising. Tearoha had met me a few times when we were younger.

Alteo spoke slowly.

“If only…”

“…”

“If I had met you before Tearoha… would things have been different?”

“…I doubt it.”

Would it have mattered if I had met Alteo before Tearoha? I didn’t know.

Today, Alteo seemed unusual. His distant gaze, his hypothetical reasoning—this was the first time he had tried to sway me with assumptions.

Yet no assumption mattered in this situation.

Silence hung between us. He lowered his head.

His golden hair briefly shadowed his face.

For the first time, I saw a lonely, uncertain smile on him. I could not hide the small tremble in my eyes at this sight.

“…I’ll take my leave first.”

Without waiting for my response, he left the terrace.

I watched Alteo disappear into the backlight of the ballroom for a while.

But there was no time to linger in thought. I returned to the ballroom.

My friends seemed worried.

“Are you alright?”

Lukran asked seriously. He knew well that I disliked Alteo. I forced a smile and tried to change the topic.

“Of course. It was just a brief conversation. But where’s Elia?”

Elia, who had gone to wash her hands, still hadn’t returned.

“…I wonder…”

My friends shrugged at each other.

The palace was vast, but would it really take her this long?

I frowned with worry.

“I hope she hasn’t gotten lost…”

Elia was so clumsy, after all.