Chapter 15: I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
It was exactly like the portrait.
I stared up at the figure in front of me, unable to move or speak.
If I were to grow up to be about ten-something years old, wouldn’t I look exactly like this?
As I stood frozen, staring at the person like I was nailed in place, Ite oppa gently shook my hand.
“LaLa, look closely.”
“Uh, huh?”
“It’s not a woman. He’s a man.”
…Huh?
Confused, I looked again at “her” face.
The long silver hair cascading down to the shoulders and those vivid green eyes were stunning and lively.
But upon a closer look, the lines were sharper and more defined—not the delicate features of a woman, but the distinct impression of masculine beauty. Though his overall appearance was refined, his chest was flat, and he was at least as tall as my father.
He was unmistakably a man.
In that moment, I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
My face flushed with embarrassment.
“Ah… um… that is…”
I fumbled for words, flustered, while the man simply looked at me intently.
“LaLa,”
He smiled broadly.
“LaLa!”
Before I could even respond, he rushed toward me, scooping me up in one motion and spinning me around like I was a five-year-old child.
“Kya—! Kyaaack!”
Startled, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.
He just kept laughing.
“You missed your uncle so much, didn’t you? You cried every day, right?”
This guy is seriously eccentric!
The commotion soon calmed down—thanks to my father, who had quickly stepped in from the front of the group to stop this unseemly behavior.
Even so, the man—who had called himself “uncle”—hugged me tightly, reluctant to let go.
Though I tried to push him away, I started to understand why he looked so much like both my mother and me.
‘He was my mom’s younger brother.’
We were blood relatives, so the resemblance was no surprise.
Still, even though I’d been told I had an uncle, I hadn’t made the connection. That was my mistake.
‘Wasn’t his name… Laska?’
After finally letting go of me, Laska gave my father a warm hug.
As they shared a brief embrace, Laska grinned brightly.
“It’s been a while, brother-in-law. Exactly one year, isn’t it?”
“Sorry I haven’t been able to visit more. The central region’s been busy lately.”
“I understand. But you could’ve at least sent the kids. Mother and Father were eager to see them.”
“They’ve been busy, too.”
“Haha.”
His laughter was open and friendly—seemingly part of his nature.
Was my mother this kind of person too?
I hid behind Eddie oppa and peeked cautiously at Laska.
And then—our eyes met.
I gave an awkward smile.
“Our lovely LaLa!”
Whether he was just overly affectionate or what, Laska lunged toward me again.
Just before he could lift me up for round two of “airplane mode,” my brothers quickly stepped in to stop him. I let out a sigh of relief.
Ite oppa whispered beside me.
“See? We told you he’s eccentric… though he’s a good person.”
I just nodded silently.
“Let’s head inside.”
Seemingly intent on shielding me, my father took my hand.
Laska, in response, pouted dramatically and pretended to sob.
I felt strangely… touched.
Laska was looking at me like he absolutely adored me.
But blood ties don’t always guarantee love.
No one knew that better than me. I’d once had a terrifying relative—my aunt.
That small, dark room that boiled in summer and froze in winter…
I would cram my bruised, swollen body into that space and try to sleep.
Those memories are never forgotten.
And yet—
I looked up at my uncle.
His eyes held nothing but pure and sincere affection for me.
Then he spoke.
“LaLa, after we visit Grandma and Grandpa, do you want to look around the estate? I’ll be your guide.”
His smiling eyes were so warm.
I nodded cautiously.
***
We passed through the classical-style hall and entered the parlor, where my maternal grandparents—the current Count and Countess of the Forte family—stood waiting.
Despite their age, they both looked remarkably healthy.
When I greeted them, they smiled gently and patted me affectionately.
It was my first time meeting them, yet an unexplainable sense of comfort washed over me.
“You must be tired from the long journey,” Grandma said, looking toward my father.
“It’s a road we were bound to take,” he replied with a calm shake of his head.
“…Yes.”
Grandma gave a soft smile.
It was still a little early for dinner, and everyone seemed to have a lot to talk about after so long.
My brothers, uncle, and I sat at one table, while my grandparents and father sat at another.
The attendants brought tea and snacks as we settled in.
My father spoke in a gentle, even voice, recounting how the year had gone for us, and the affairs of our Ducal household.
Even as he spoke, his tone carried a quiet affection for us.
I occasionally sipped tea just to hide my flushed face.
Grandpa and Grandma nodded occasionally and laughed out loud now and then.
Unlike me, my brothers and father looked completely at ease—like they were in their second home.
Well, they had been visiting here for over ten years. Of course it felt familiar to them.
Somehow, that made my chest ache a little.
What would it have been like… if Mother were here too?
I’d heard she was cheerful and bright.
If she were still alive, the atmosphere would surely have been much lighter.
I peeked up at my father’s profile.
His turquoise eyes, half-shielded by long pale lashes, were focused on the conversation.
I suddenly felt awe.
Even after fourteen years since her passing, he’d raised his sons with love and devotion, and never once failed to cherish me.
Could an ordinary person have done that?
Even if it were me, I wasn’t sure I could give so much love in his position.
Perhaps I had been staring too openly, because his gaze met mine.
Father smiled.
“LaLa, are you bored?”
“N-no, not at all.”
Embarrassed, I lowered my head.
I felt like a pouting child. My face burned red.
Then, Laska set down his teacup and spoke.
“Shall I take LaLa on a tour of the estate? I promised her earlier.”
My eyes widened.
“Uh…”
“LaLa, would you like that?” Father asked again.
I hesitated for a moment.
Staying here meant listening to grown-ups talk, probably for a while.
Though it was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa, I was a bit bored.
“Yes.”
No sooner had I spoken than Uncle sprang to his feet.
“It’s autumn, and the sun sets early. Be back before dusk,” Father reminded us.
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
With Father’s blessing, I held my uncle’s hand tightly as we stepped outside.
I’d noticed it earlier, but compared to our Ducal estate, the Forte house was definitely smaller and cozier.
Still, the old manor had its own charm.
The rounded garden was neatly trimmed, and the windows and staircases were spotless.
Scarlet maple leaves gently drifted onto the mirror-like pond.
There was even a separate building for the attendants, a training ground, and a vast forest behind the estate.
Uncle guided me by the hand, explaining everything.
“In autumn, the forest fills with fruit.”
Sure enough, the forest was dotted with fist-sized fruits in all colors.
He picked one and handed it to me—it was small, like a baby’s fist, and when I bit into it, it tasted sweet like a pear.
Everything was fascinating.
Because I was frail and had lost my memories not long ago, Father and my brothers had been hesitant to let me out.
The last time I went outdoors was last autumn’s picnic—believe it or not.
So it felt amazing to be outside again.
“I’ll show you something cool.”
Uncle tugged my hand, leading me to a large clearing.
In the open space behind the forest stood some old toys and swings.
They looked unused, probably because there were no more young children in the Forte family.
Uncle pointed to a small treehouse nestled in a large tree.
“Wow.”
I gasped.
Uncle smiled—it was a boyish grin, despite being in his mid-thirties.
I was glad I wore a comfortable dress and shorts for the carriage ride.
I climbed the wooden stairs wrapping around the trunk and reached the top, where I could see the entire manor.
The wind blew, and my silver hair fluttered.
Inside the treehouse were storybooks, a telescope, experiment kits, and various toys—all left untouched.
Cushions and carpets were laid out so I wouldn’t get hurt.
As I curiously touched the items, Uncle spoke from behind.
“Cool, right?”
“Yes!”
“It’s our secret base.”
“Secret base?”
“Mine and Bella noona’s secret base.”
The tiny treehouse was now too cramped for my grown-up uncle.
He sat on a stump as he began to share stories of the past.
“Bella noona and I had a big age gap. I always thought she’d become a knight—she had such a bold personality.”
He spoke fluently.
Stories of watching stars in the treehouse with her, practicing swordplay with wooden blades, swinging together, picking fruit, running in summer and snowball fights in winter…
Each one overflowed with memories.
Ah.
I looked up at Uncle’s profile.
Though he looked nothing like Father, I somehow saw Father’s face in him.
Maybe it was the way they both spoke with such warmth and pride.
I couldn’t hold back my question.
“Why?”
“…Hm?”
I wasn’t supposed to cry—but the tears threatened to come.
“Even though Mom died because of me… you could hate me.”
“…”
“Why is everyone being so kind to me?”
That question had always weighed on me.
