Chapter 12: I Possessed the Villainess’s Daughter

This year, Alteo Ulysses turned sixteen. He was renowned not only for his exceptional abilities but also as a prince deeply loved by the Emperor.

Despite the weak influence and support from his maternal side, many believed he was the most likely successor to the throne—a testament to just how extraordinary he was.

His polished shoes clicked against the floor as he steadily approached me.

“Even if I pride myself on being a fair and impartial prince, today, I want to set my eyes on just one person. May I have this dance, Lady?”

I heard the surrounding crowd collectively gasp. I hesitated.

I had already declared to the other noble ladies that I would share my first dance with Eddie oppa. But publicly refusing the prince’s invitation would be difficult.

“Ah, could it be…”

Noticing my hesitation, he withdrew his hand.

“Do you already have a promised partner?”

“…I am deeply sorry. I made a prior arrangement to have my first dance with my brother, Edwin. Please forgive the discourtesy.”

How would he respond?

I looked up at his face. I thought he might be offended, but to my surprise, he simply nodded without the slightest hint of displeasure.

“I don’t mind not being the first. A first dance with one’s brother must be delightful. Then, how about the second dance?”

“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”

I lightly curtsied. He then escorted me over to Eddie oppa. As I passed by, I caught a glimpse of Lupe’s face—it looked utterly devastated, like her world had collapsed.

‘She must really like the First Prince.’

Despite her awful personality, I felt a bit sorry for her. After all, the prince hadn’t so much as glanced in her direction.

When Eddie oppa saw me being escorted by the prince, he looked puzzled at first but quickly took my hand naturally.

Together, we stepped lightly onto the center of the ballroom. As the lively melody fluttered like butterflies in spring, we danced gracefully. Before I knew it, the first dance was over.

After the dance, Eddie oppa and I walked back toward the prince. Still leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, Alteo had yet to dance with anyone else. Upon seeing me, he extended his hand.

The second song was cheerful and brisk.

Though I had mastered social dancing, this was a slightly challenging piece, and dancing with someone like him made me nervous. I didn’t even realize he was speaking to me until a beat later.

“…Pardon? I-I’m sorry.”

“I said it’s been a while, Lady Laila.”

“Ah, yes.”

I replied hastily.

I began to wonder—had he and the real Laila been close?

When Father told me the prince would be attending, he asked, “Are you happy about it?” That alone implied they had some kind of relationship. Still, Alteo’s thoughts were impossible to read, and that only confused me more.

Honestly, saying I wasn’t a little intrigued would be a lie.

He was about my age, incredibly handsome, the First Prince, ambitious, and competent. Even after I declined his request, he waited for me and took the second dance.

But still…

‘Why do I feel this way?’

For some reason, meeting his eyes made me uneasy. It was nothing like the peace I felt with my family. Being near him gave me an odd sense of foreboding, like something bad would happen if I stayed close. Maybe it was instinct—an alarm for danger.

In any case, I wanted to avoid him.

And perhaps that was reflected in my dancing. Without realizing it, I had been moving just slightly to avoid any physical contact.

When the dance ended, I bowed politely and prepared to walk away, but he leaned in and whispered:

“Would you accompany me to the balcony for a moment?”

Suspicious.

I looked up at him.

Was following him really the right choice?

I hesitated.

‘But I need information.’

I had been combing through books every day to figure out how the rebellion would unfold, and now here he was, right in front of me.

There was no reason to refuse.

“Very well.”

I took his hand and followed him out to the balcony.

On the white balcony of the Rosahil estate stood slim wooden chairs and a round white table. But he didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned casually against the railing.

His silence made me slightly uncomfortable.

Because it was autumn, the sun had already begun to set earlier than in summer. The twilight sky dyed his golden eyes a deep scarlet. What was he thinking?

Debating internally, I decided to go for a direct approach.

“Why did you invite me out here?”

He responded nonchalantly.

“Is it so strange for me to want to speak with you alone?”

“Well, no, but…”

I fell silent. The conversation was drifting.

I gently brushed the railing with my hand, unsure of what to say. It was spotless, decorated with pink and white flowers. As I stared absentmindedly at them, I finally spoke.

“If you have nothing to say, I think I’ll go ba—”

“Wait.”

His eyes fixed on me. His golden gaze pierced straight through. He was a man of directness and confidence—beating around the bush didn’t suit him.

Then he said:

“Laila.”

Laila.

The way he said it echoed in my mind.

“…Yes?”

“Why don’t you write to me anymore?”

‘Write?’

What was he talking about?

I blinked.

“By write… do you mean letters?”

What on earth did he mean?

I racked my brain. Were Laila and the First Prince exchanging letters before?

I was certain I had never read anything like that.

“The last one you sent… was about three months ago, wasn’t it?”

But that matched the exact time I came into this body. He wasn’t testing me—he was serious. And he clearly didn’t know about my memory loss.

He looked at me with a face tinged with nostalgia.

“Reading your letters made me think about many things. During these past months with no word from you… I wondered…”

I stared at him blankly.

“…if perhaps you’ve stopped loving me.”

“…!!!”

My eyes widened in shock.

‘Did he just say… what I think he said?’

I stared at him, dumbfounded. But he looked at me calmly, as though what he said was only natural.

There was no hesitation in his voice.

‘Me? In love with Alteo?’

No way.

No one had ever told me about Laila’s relationship with the First Prince.

Even in the original novel, there was no mention that Laila loved him…

“…!!!”

Suddenly, one sentence flashed through my mind.

Why hadn’t I realized it before?

Maybe it was a miracle I remembered it now, considering it was only one brief line.

In Elia’s Story, Elia overcomes her humble origins and ends up with the First Prince. But Laila, out of jealousy, torments her endlessly, and the Duke of Rosahil arranges an engagement between Laila and the Prince.

My father, the Duke, would never do anything against my will. He himself had a love marriage and always told us to marry for love.

Putting all that together, there was only one possible conclusion.

Laila had truly loved Alteo.

Could it be that the reason she bullied Lady Serne and other noble girls, the reason she clung to Lupe, wasn’t just her timid personality… but because she loved Alteo?

My head spun.

I could finally understand Lady Lupe’s reaction.

‘You say you’re not interested in His Highness?’

That stunned face.

‘The First Prince will be attending the ball. Aren’t you happy?’

Father’s comment.

‘Happy birthday, Lady Rosahil.’

And the fact that the First Prince came to my birthday party in person.

It was all because of this.

As I struggled to absorb this revelation, Alteo asked:

“Are you alright?”

His voice sounded genuinely concerned. But I couldn’t respond.

I had just turned 14 today. If their engagement had happened at 17, then “I”—Laila—had loved him for over three years. Whether that love was mutual or not was another question.

I looked up at the First Prince, trembling.

A chill ran down my spine.

I had known that the Duke’s daughter was considered a villainess.

But the experience of reading the novel and actually living it were completely different. I had assumed the rumors were exaggerated.

But what if they weren’t?

What if Laila had truly gone mad with love and hurt people? What if she had led the charge in bullying others?

Laila, who ends up ruined after tormenting Elia.

Could that be my reality—my future?

It terrified me.

“Your face has gone completely pale.”

The prince observed me closely. It had already grown dark.

“…I’m fine.”

No, I mustn’t waver. Since I’ve come into this world, that future won’t happen.

When I replied firmly, he just shrugged.

“Very well. I won’t ask again. Just don’t push yourself too hard.”

“…”

“Perhaps I was too forward. I don’t feel great knowing I made you uncomfortable.”

He stepped closer and gently brushed my shoulder. It was an intimate gesture.

“……”

I bit my lips. How did the prince really feel about me? Was this compassion for a girl who loved him? Or just manners from someone raised in high society?

He said he would give me time to think, and left me alone on the balcony.

I clenched my lips.

It was clear now—Laila had loved the prince. My mind was a mess. I leaned against the railing, overcome by dizziness.

“…What am I supposed to do now?”

I exhaled into the air. In the distance, the lights of the garden flickered.

“…?”

But something was off.

A soft green glow floated toward me, as if it had drifted from a magic orb.

‘A firefly?’

But no—it was a perfect circle of light.

It came close, hovering around me.

Startled, I turned—and like magic, someone appeared.

“……Thea?”