Chapter 3 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
“…The training grounds?”
I muttered reluctantly as I gazed out at the vast, open field. It was the last place I expected to be taken.
“Yes! This is where our family’s private soldiers and the royal guards train.”
Light pointed at the knights with a proud look on his face. Perhaps because the noble daughter and the second young master had appeared, the knights were lined up in perfect formation with their hands behind their backs. The silver swords at their waists gleamed under the sunlight. It was both a little scary and fascinating.
Light approached one of the knights.
“Hey, Sabin!”
“Yes, Master Light!”
“A sparring match—with me!”
Oh no.
I clearly saw the moment Sabin’s enthusiastic face twisted into despair.
Light was dressed in training gear for ease of movement. As he drew the sword hanging from his left side with a sharp shring, a cold blue blade was revealed. He smiled brightly.
“I want to show my little sister something cool!”
Sabin swallowed hard.
“Please… guide me well.”
And with that, the sparring began.
To be honest, I had underestimated Light until now.
He was described in the world of Elia’s Story as one of the few genius swordsmen and a remarkable master. But the Light I had seen was just a lanky, kind-hearted, handsome man. He didn’t have an overly muscular build, nor was he two meters tall or anything.
How impressive could he really be?
That thought shattered the moment he swung his sword once.
I was overwhelmed.
Perhaps because they were knights, they used real swords even during training. Under the morning sun, the blades clashed, retreated, and clashed again.
Light moved as if he were dancing. Every step was graceful, precise, and light. He was quick yet powerful, ever-changing and fluid—his swordsmanship was closer to art than battle. In contrast, Sabin struggled to keep up, unable to properly block Light’s strikes.
Each movement Light made with his sword was mesmerizing.
As I stood there, mouth agape, a maid beside me quietly spoke.
“Sword Star. That’s his title.”
With golden hair glowing like sunlight and an exhilarated smile on his face as he swung his sword, he truly lived up to that name.
No wonder—he had started wielding a sword at three years old and became captain of the imperial guard at twenty.
Of course, Light won the sparring match. While Sabin collapsed, gasping for breath, Light didn’t break a sweat, as if he’d only taken a light morning stroll. The contrast was so stark, it looked like they’d done completely different activities.
“You’re incredible, Master Light.”
Sabin, who had been rolling on the ground, stood up and bowed his head. Light accepted the praise with a nod, as if it were only natural.
I clapped.
“That was amazing.”
Light grinned. His green eyes sparkled with affection for his little sister, seven years younger.
“I’ve been training since I was little. This much is nothing.”
Then he reached out and patted my head.
I blinked.
Light always treated me with kindness and warmth. Having never received such affection before, I found it unfamiliar and a little frightening. I turned my gaze away, trying to hide my discomfort.
“Huh? What’s that…?”
Suddenly, Light sounded puzzled. I followed his gaze.
A man was dismounting in front of the duke’s manor. Beside him were a young man who looked like a secretary and several retainers.
Even from afar, his silver hair and lake-blue eyes stood out.
It was the eldest son—Edwin.
“Oh, it’s Eddy. I wonder if something happened in the territory this morning?”
Now that I thought about it, on the day I first arrived here, Edwin had also been busy inspecting the territory. As the successor, it made sense for him to be familiar with it. As I stared at him, he seemed to notice.
Our eyes met.
“…”
He said nothing, but after sending the others away, he walked toward me.
I was in trouble now.
Light to my side, Edwin in front of me—being surrounded by these two was not a situation I wanted.
As Edwin approached, a fresh scent swept across the training grounds. It was a cool herbal fragrance, like wild grass or a morning garden. The fact that he was dressed in full formal attire so early in the morning showed how meticulous he was.
“Eddy!”
Light called out with a bright smile.
“Light…”
Edwin sighed at the sight of him.
“What were you doing here?”
“I was showing Lara the training grounds! Father said seeing familiar places might help her regain her memory… Ah!”
I narrowed my eyes.
So that’s what they were whispering about earlier?
They’d been dragging me around all morning just to jog my memory.
Even after hearing the reason, Edwin’s elegantly furrowed brows did not relax.
“You brought a sick child to a dusty training field?”
“But I thought watching a sparring match might energize her…”
I stood silently. Watching the match had indeed helped me see a new side of Light, but I wouldn’t say it energized me. Perhaps understanding my feelings, Edwin sighed.
“Enough. From now on, I’ll take care of her.”
“You’ll personally look after her? But aren’t you busy with your succession training?”
“It’s fine. You go back to training the soldiers.”
At that, Light looked like a dejected puppy. I even found myself glancing back at him, feeling sorry.
“Lara.”
“…Yes?”
“Come with me. Let’s go to the study.”
He turned toward me gracefully.
Edwin was a nobleman in every sense of the word.
Restraint, order, self-discipline.
His words were concise, and his movements elegant with no excess.
Though he and Light were brothers, they were so different. Light, who acted from the heart, was simple and honest, whereas Edwin was far more delicate and complicated. That’s why he made me uncomfortable.
But I had no excuse to refuse.
So once again, I had no choice but to trot after Edwin.
***
The place Edwin brought me to was the study in the duke’s manor.
When I inhaled, the scent of old books mixed with the aroma of black tea filled my lungs.
The temperature and lighting were just right—neither too hot nor too cold, probably to preserve the books. It was, as Edwin said, a much better environment than the dusty training grounds for someone recovering from illness.
As only the soft clink of teacups echoed, I glanced around the study.
It was enormous—like a university library. Edwin, noticing my reaction, finally spoke.
“So, how are you feeling?”
“…Much better. Nothing hurts anymore.”
I rolled my eyes and answered. After a moment of silence, as he too looked around the study, Edwin continued.
“You may not remember, but you used to love this study.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You were especially fond of history books.”
There was a wistful smile on Edwin’s face as he reminisced. Apparently, he and I had nearly a ten-year age gap. We must’ve shared a lot of memories. I lowered my head, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
“Of course, you liked other books too. You preferred reading at home over going outside, always holed up in your room with a book.”
“….”
So Laila liked books. But even so, it all felt so distant to me. Edwin spoke gently.
“I understand that all this probably doesn’t feel real to you.”
“…”
“But Lara, don’t worry too much.”
His eyes were warm. The ice-blue depths held deep affection for Laila.
“Until your memory returns, we’ll be by your side. And even if it never comes back…”
“…”
“We’ll simply make new memories to replace the lost ones.”
“…”
“No matter what anyone says, you are our beloved little sister.”
I could feel my eyes trembling.
Part of me felt warm—another part, uncomfortable.
Do they really love me, or the Laila they remember? I wasn’t her, and accepting their love felt like a lie. As I stayed silent, Edwin changed the subject.
“By the way, can you still read, despite the memory loss?”
Thankfully, I’d been able to read from the moment I arrived in this world. I replied without hesitation.
“Yes, I can read everything without issue.”
“That’s a relief. You were always a clever girl. I’m sure you’ll relearn everything quickly.”
He smiled at me.
“If you’re ever curious about something or need help, come find me.”
“Um… but I heard you’re very busy with succession training.”
Even this morning, he’d been running around with lessons and briefings. Although the current Duke of Roschahil was still young and capable, a young heir still had a lot to learn.
On top of that, Edwin was directly involved in managing the Roschahil merchant group. Every field he invested in turned into a success, and he was called “the miracle hand” within the firm.
It’s hard enough to be skilled in one area, but Edwin excelled in business, economics, and administration. Of course he was busy.
“It’s fine. I’m not so incompetent that I can’t make time to talk with my sister.”
He finished the last drop of his tea. His elegant profile was tinged with a hint of bitterness. No matter how mature he acted, he was still a young man—he couldn’t completely hide his sorrow.
“By the way, your friend, Lady Lupe, sent a letter saying she’ll visit tomorrow. I thought spending time with a friend your age might do you good.”
“…Okay.”
“I heard it’s important not to let yourself get stressed.”
He lifted his blue eyes and looked at me.
“If you’re struggling, please come to me. I’ll help with anything.”
I blinked.
Like a pebble dropped into a still lake, each word stirred something inside me.
When I returned to my room, as Edwin had said, a letter was waiting for me.
“Milady, a letter from Lady Lupe.”
The maid smiled warmly as she handed it over.
“…Lady Lupe?”
As I opened the letter and glanced through it, the maid explained that she was my friend.
I recognized the name.
She was one of the minor villains who bullied the female lead alongside the villainess—Laila.
