# Chapter 7 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter #
“Ah, h-hi.”
I stammered without meaning to.
‘Who is that?’
A tourist visiting this lake, maybe?
But somehow…
‘There’s sadness in his eyes.’
Even though it was my first time seeing this boy, that was the thought that came to mind. While I hesitated, the boy held out a hat to me. I took it from him and slowly pressed it back onto my head, then opened my mouth.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
The boy gave a soft smile. That little smile seemed to slightly mask the sadness in his eyes, making him look a little brighter.
“How have you been, Lala?”
“…!”
I was taken aback.
“Huh…? You know me?”
“Don’t you know me?”
Right—I’m supposed to have lost my memory. I didn’t remember anyone I might’ve met before, so I gave him an apologetic nod.
“Sorry… I don’t really remember. What’s your name?”
“Thea.”
“Thea… Have we met before?”
“Of course.”
“…Really?”
He answered without hesitation. I looked at him with slight suspicion. No one had ever mentioned a boy like this before. From what I knew, Laila didn’t have many friends. The boy gave a wistful smile.
“It’s true. If you want, I can swear on the dragon. If I lie here, I’ll be punished by the dragon, you know.”
Now that he mentioned it, I vaguely remembered my father saying something like that earlier. I looked at the boy uncertainly.
“Sorry. I really don’t remember much about the past.”
For a brief moment, the boy’s eyes looked lonely.
“That’s okay.”
“…Um, why are you here all alone? Where are your parents or other family?”
When I asked, he shrugged.
“I’ve always been good at wandering around by myself.”
“…”
Was I supposed to believe that? I was 14 years old, and this boy looked about my age, so he couldn’t be that much older or younger.
Unless he was a commoner… but judging by his clothing and manner, he looked unmistakably like a noble. He didn’t seem like someone who’d be out here without attendants or family, unlike me.
I was just growing more suspicious when—
“Laila! Where are you?”
“Ah, Father…!”
I heard my father’s voice from behind. I turned around.
“I’m here!”
I figured it was time to head back.
‘But before that—Thea, was it?’
If he was really a friend, I thought it might be nice to bring him along to say hello and have tea together. I turned back.
“Thanks for picking up my hat… huh?”
But the boy was already gone.
As if he’d vanished like a ghost.
I felt seriously unsettled.
I wanted to ask my father if there were ghosts around this lake, but I barely held back, worried he might get concerned.
“Thea,” huh?
Why did he look at me with such sorrowful eyes?
And why was he wandering around the lake all alone?
It didn’t seem like we’d only met once or twice before. Yet, when I told him I didn’t remember, he didn’t look very surprised…
‘Could he have already known…?’
I tilted my head in thought.
It was strange, but if we really were acquaintances, I’d probably run into him again someday.
When I returned, Father gave me a warm hug. His solid, comforting embrace was so nice, I felt like I could cling to him all day.
Eith stroked my head, and Eddie held my hand.
Everything felt so peaceful… it was hard to believe that, a few years from now, these people would be branded as traitors who shook the empire. The thought made me curious, and I turned to my father and asked,
“Father.”
“Yes, my little angel?”
I hesitated, then asked,
“Do you… dislike the Imperial Family?”
My father looked genuinely puzzled by the question.
“No, not at all. Why would I?”
I fell silent. My father, Esat, wasn’t the type who could lie with a straight face to his daughter. He loved me dearly. So if he said he didn’t hate the Imperial Family, it had to be true.
Still, the mystery of the rebellion lingered in my mind.
Unraveling that mystery might be the first step toward a happy future.
I decided I’d gather more information once we returned home. I needed to pay more attention to rumors in high society.
Before I knew it, the sun had begun to set over the lake.
A blend of crimson, lavender, and pink twilight painted the sky and reflected on the water, creating a breathtaking scene.
In front of that magnificent landscape, I found myself at a loss for words. I’d never seen anything like it in real life—or even in my dreams. Watching that awe-inspiring view, it hit me again that this wasn’t just a fictional world in a book. It was a real, living world I now breathed in.
Yeeun really was an amazing creator.
This world was beautiful, complex, and intricate.
I didn’t know how long I stared up at the sky, but then a warm hand touched my head.
“Shall we head back now?”
I looked up to see Eith smiling at me. The overwhelming feelings I had melted away like ink in water. I smiled brightly.
Even in the carriage ride back, I kept staring out the window. Apparently, because of my weak health, Father had rarely allowed me to go out even before I lost my memories. And after I collapsed, he became even more strict.
So the view of the capital I was seeing for the first time was unfamiliar but fascinating. I heard the bustling voices of the people. Maybe there was a night market? The city lights shimmered in the distance. Suddenly, Father spoke up.
“Come to think of it, Lala’s birthday isn’t far off.”
I silently protested.
There are still two whole months left…
But the world’s most extreme doting father and brother nodded eagerly, each chiming in.
“Only two months? That’ll fly by in a blink. We should start preparing for the banquet now. You’ll be hosting it at the duchy, right?”
“Of course. We have to show everyone just how beautiful and lovely our Lala is.”
“I must object. I still think a quiet celebration with just family would be better. Lala’s so beautiful—what if other scoundrels try to snatch her up?”
“…”
I said nothing.
Even if I wanted to be serious, these people made it impossible.
All this fuss over my birthday… As I watched them argue in earnest over it, I couldn’t help but smile softly.
They were so precious to me.
The sky had turned into a pure, clear darkness. Even if it was dark now, I knew the sun would rise again tomorrow.
Thank you… for giving me such a wonderful family.
For the first time, I offered a prayer of gratitude to the gods.
Please watch over me. See how I live from now on.
I would live with everything I had. And I would be happy with all my might.
Smiling brightly at the family who looked at me with love, I joined their debate over the birthday banquet.
First, maybe I’ll start by getting a little revenge on Lupe at the party two days from now?
Time kept flowing, and I was growing up fast.
“So, what was the reason for the Krem War?”
Lloyd’s monotone voice echoed through my study.
I was currently studying history with Lloyd, my tutor.
“The reason was…”
His gray eyes urged me to answer.
“It was a conflict over mining rights. The Kingdom of Adem, suffering from a shortage of magic stones, coveted the mine.”
“Correct, Lady Laila. And it also served as a trigger that unleashed long-standing regional tensions.”
Lloyd flipped through the pages and added more detail. I diligently took notes.
Having lost my memories, I was studying directly under Lloyd, who was Edwin’s top aide.
He was an excellent teacher. He explained even the smallest details thoroughly and in a way that was easy to understand. For someone like me, who knew almost nothing about this world, it was a huge help.
His monotone voice did make it hard to stay awake during afternoon classes, though.
Once I finished writing the final notes, Lloyd adjusted his glasses and quizzed me with several review questions. Since they were simple, I was able to answer them easily.
In the Empire, nobles are considered adults at 19. I was only 14, and with my memory loss, I hadn’t chosen a path for myself yet. But after my birthday passed and I gained more knowledge, I’d need to decide soon. That’s why I was studying so hard.
What path would suit me?
Father was both a civil official and a great spirit mage. Eddie had already made a name for himself as a genius businessman by 20, and Eith was an outstanding swordsman.
The day after tomorrow was my birthday.
What felt so far away before was now just two days off. And it had been three months since I arrived in this world.
I wanted to do something, too.
“That concludes today’s lesson. Have a pleasant day, Lady Laila.”
“You too, Lloyd. Get home safe.”
Class ended. After Lloyd left, I leaned my chin on my hand and gazed out the parlor window. The afternoon sun was warm and sleepy.
Summer roses had faded, and autumn wisterias were blooming. On a day like this, a nap would be perfect. But someone called to me from behind.
“Lady Laila, His Grace would like to see you about the banquet plans for the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay.”
It was the head maid.
Popular people really don’t get a break. I mumbled playfully to myself and followed her. She led me to the dressing room. There, surrounded by a mountain of dresses, stood my designer, maids—and my father.
“You’re finally here, our lovely Laila.”
Is he really a duke? I hugged Father lightly and asked,
“Aren’t you busy?”
He smiled cheerfully.
“No matter how busy I am, I can always make time to check on my daughter’s dress.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Well, if he says so. I glanced around the dress room.
“…”
There were way too many dresses. A mountain of them.
Even a month ago, I had sweated through hundreds of catalog options. Now, even after narrowing it down and doing fittings, there were still dozens lined up neatly on hangers, waiting for my choice.
The head maid, my exclusive designer, and Father were seriously debating the dresses.
“I think white suits Lala best.”
“Indeed, Your Grace. However, the current trend in high society is pink chiffon—very fashionable.”
“If I may, how about a light green dress to match Lady Laila’s eye color?”
Watching them argue about my dress like it was a matter of national importance left me speechless.
This level of doting really was on another scale.
