Chapter 14 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
Somehow, it felt like he had his own circumstances.
Since it didn’t feel polite to pry into something he clearly didn’t want to talk about, I simply held my tongue. Soon, Cern lifted his head and smiled.
“Lyla.”
“Yeah, Cern?”
“I really enjoyed our time together today, but I think I’ll have to look forward to next time.”
I blinked in surprise.
“Already? Aren’t you going to stay for lunch at least?”
“If I’m too late, my mother and father will worry.”
Cern fidgeted with his fingers and added shyly.
“Um, if you’re okay with it, could you maybe visit our estate next time? O-Of course, only if you’re not too busy…”
Moved by his hopeful gaze, I nodded vigorously.
“Of course! There’s no way I’d refuse. But…”
“But?”
“I might be busy until next week. I’m going somewhere with my family.”
Cern looked at me with curious eyes. I smiled softly and didn’t say anything more.
“I have an uncle?”
I opened my eyes wide in surprise. The maids and I were in the middle of packing for the trip after seeing Cern off. Emma, who was packing dresses and accessories into a travel trunk nearby, smiled and nodded.
“Yes, the next Earl of the House of Forte. He’s quite a bit younger than Lady Erbella, so he’s still young.”
“Hee~ Then do I have an aunt too?”
“No, I believe he’s still unmarried.”
That left me slightly puzzled. Nobles usually get married in their 20s or 30s, so it was surprising that an heir to an earldom was still single.
“I see…”
So I have an uncle… I wonder what kind of person he is?
I was a bit curious, but at the same time, nervous.
In the past, I grew up in my aunt’s household, so I knew that blood ties or being “family” didn’t automatically mean I’d be loved. There are relationships between family members that are even colder than strangers.
Besides, I’ve lost my memories, so won’t he find me awkward?
That thought made me lose the motivation to keep packing. Seeing me freeze, Emma looked puzzled and asked,
“Lady Lyla?”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Are you alright?”
I snapped out of it and quickly raised my head.
“Oh, of course. I was just thinking about something…”
“Still, once you leave today, I won’t see you for a whole week.”
Emma sighed as if disappointed. Luna, who had been tidying up the vanity nearby, chimed in.
“But the Duke is really amazing. Loving only one person for decades…! Kyaa, so romantic!”
“Luna, you’re going to drop the mirror. Watch what you’re doing!”
I just smiled at the maids’ chatter. They had been working tirelessly to prepare for my birthday. Once we leave, they’ll finally get a week of rest, right?
Leaving? Where to?
We were heading to my mother’s family.
In the Duchy of Rosahill, there are two special annual occasions that have been observed for over a decade:
The first is the birthdays of family members. The second is the week following my birthday.
During that week, our whole family visits the House of Forte—my mother’s side. No matter how busy everyone is, they all gather to commemorate my mother Erbella’s death anniversary.
It’s a tradition that’s lasted for more than ten years—proof of how deeply Father must have loved her.
We finished packing neatly. After checking everything, I asked Luna,
“Where’s Father?”
“He said he’d be in the gallery until lunch.”
I nodded at that. When he has time, Father often visits the gallery—probably because that’s where Mother’s portrait hangs. Not wanting to disturb him, I asked something else.
“What about my brothers?”
“Prince Edwin and Prince Light should be in the garden’s glass greenhouse.”
“The glass greenhouse?”
I tilted my head.
“When are we leaving again?”
“Right after lunch, Lady Lyla.”
“Okay, then I’ll go see my brothers.”
“I’ll follow you.”
With Emma behind me, I trotted toward the greenhouse.
Outside the mansion, the cool air brushed against my skin. The garden trees were already ablaze with autumn leaves in vivid colors.
It was truly autumn.
I found my gaze drifting toward the crimson-red leaves without realizing it.
Whenever I felt time passing, I always thought of Yaeun. If she knew I was living happily, she would probably be overjoyed.
I wondered—was she doing well?
I could only hope she was.
“Lyla!”
“Oh, Brother Eit.”
Brother Eit spotted me from afar and waved enthusiastically. When I approached, he tousled my hair affectionately. Next to him stood Brother Eddy. He spoke.
“So, are you all packed?”
“Yes.”
“This must be your first time visiting Mother’s side of the family.”
We all sat together on a nearby bench. Autumn leaves gently drifted down in the cool breeze. It was a peaceful midday, the sunlight warmly soft.
“Aren’t you tired? The banquet was just yesterday, after all.”
“I’m fine. Though I was surprised by how many people showed up.”
I answered Brother Eddy with a smile.
In truth, I was a bit exhausted.
After the banquet, I had rummaged through my room trying to find the letter the First Prince mentioned. But no luck. Where in the world had he hidden it?
I sighed internally. Since I’d be away for a week at my maternal family’s house, I decided to forget about it for now and relax.
Instead, I asked the question that had been on my mind earlier.
“Brother Eddy, Brother Eit—Is it true I have an uncle?”
Brother Eddy raised an eyebrow.
“You mean Uncle Laska?”
“His name’s Laska?”
“Right. Officially, Lord Laska Forte.”
“What kind of person is he?”
At my question, both brothers glanced at each other.
“Well…”
“You’ll see when you meet him.”
“…?”
I tilted my head at their vague answer.
“Is something wrong? Do you not get along?”
“That’s not it at all.”
Brother Eit shook his head firmly.
“It’s just… I hate to say it like this, but he’s kind of eccentric.”
“Eccentric…?”
I grew even more curious.
So far, I knew my uncle was the heir to an earldom, unmarried, and eccentric. What kind of person could he be?
“You’ll really understand when you see him.”
“Right, Lyla. Anyway, let’s head back in.”
They said it was almost lunchtime and took my hand.
After lunch, our family boarded the carriages. For safety reasons, each of us traveled separately. I was in the second-to-last carriage. As we rode, the Rosahill mansion slowly disappeared from view.
The Forte estate was about four hours away via magic portal.
The Ulysses Empire was vast, with mountains to the east and the sea to the west. Normally, traveling to the Forte estate meant either a long three-day detour or crossing a treacherous mountain range.
But with the portal, we could leap over mountains instantly. It was said the development of these magical portals was the reason the empire could rule such a vast land so efficiently.
And now, we were about to pass through one.
A long wall stretched across the mountain range in the distance. Instead of a gate, there was a large, glowing blue magic circle at its center.
I couldn’t help but be amazed. The slowly rotating circle reflected light in geometric patterns.
In front of it stood a person wearing a white robe.
“…Who’s that?”
I asked the head maid beside me. She followed my gaze and answered with an “Ah!”
“That’s a portal technician.”
“A portal technician?”
She explained that these mages fine-tuned, maintained, and monitored the magic circle to ensure it worked correctly. It was the second time I’d met a real mage—after Thea—so I watched him with great curiosity. He must have noticed my gaze because he smiled and bowed slightly toward me.
The carriage passed through the magic circle like entering a tunnel.
And in the blink of an eye—we were somewhere else.
The air felt noticeably cooler through the slightly open window. The Forte estate was located northeast of the imperial capital.
That change in air temperature made it all feel real. The mountain range that had been ahead of us was now behind.
“Wow…!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim. Mages really were incredible. I nodded to myself.
Even after the portal, the carriage traveled for another thirty minutes.
Apparently, even the carriage was enchanted—with magic to make the ride smoother and protect us from external threats. It was so comfortable, it felt like being at home, and I found myself dozing off.
Just as I was drifting to sleep, the procession came to a stop. I heard murmurs outside.
Peeking through the window, I saw people wearing long, thick clothes—likely because it was colder here.
“Lady Lyla, it’s time to get off.”
The head maid spoke beside me. Brother Eit was already standing below the open door. With his help, I stepped down from the carriage.
‘So this is what it looks like.’
As I looked around—
I suddenly froze.
Even before I could admire the elegance of the mansion, a figure caught my eye.
Silver hair. Deep green eyes.
The image I’d only seen in portraits now stood before me, as if the painting had come to life.
My lips barely moved as I whispered—
“…Mom?”
