# Chapter 19 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter #
And then, all of a sudden, he picked it up and handed it to me.
“Here, a gift. By the way, it’s enchanted with a protective spell.”
“Huh?”
I blinked in confusion as I received it. The shopkeeper just chuckled awkwardly at the side. The magic stone radiated the same beautiful light I’d seen yesterday. I shook my head.
“I… I can’t accept something like this.”
“Just take it. Ah, sorry I couldn’t wrap it nicely.”
“That’s not the problem…”
But before I could say more, Uncle had already paid the shopkeeper in the blink of an eye. Flustered, I didn’t know what to do, but he simply placed a hand on top of my head.
“It’s a birthday present.”
His forest-green eyes curved softly.
“You’ll accept this one, right?”
“Even so…”
“You will, won’t you?”
“…”
He looked like he’d keep pestering me forever if I didn’t, so I had no choice but to accept it.
“Thank you… Uncle.”
Instead, I gave him a sincere thank-you. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
Later, I found out that that single magic stone was far more expensive than all the dresses and jewelry I had refused. Apparently, magic stones were rare due to the limited number of mines and their extreme hardness, making them difficult to extract.
Only then did I recall learning that the war with Crem had broken out over magic stones. Even though I had received something so precious, I hadn’t realized it at the time.
And now, I felt a little guilty, thinking I might have unknowingly burdened him.
After returning from the magic shop, we had a meal with my older brothers and strolled through the market before boarding a carriage back to the count’s estate.
The fields on the way back were bathed in golden waves. The wind made the ripe grains rustle softly. It was the season when the farmers’ hard-earned efforts bore fruit.
“It’s harvest season,” Uncle murmured.
“There’ll be a harvest festival in the capital soon,” said Eddy.
“Will you be going?” I asked.
“Hmm, probably not. I get too busy around that time.”
Uncle smiled wryly at Eit’s comment.
I looked out the window with Uncle. In the distance, the count’s manor came into view, with the plaza and houses below. The faint smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air.
The territory we visited today was truly wonderful. Though Uncle had shyly called it a rural domain, the people were kind… and they clearly adored him.
The sunset painted Uncle’s face in a warm crimson hue as he looked out the window. It was a very gentle light.
“It’s a beautiful sight.”
He truly looked happy.
The next day, we all went on a picnic in the forest. It was autumn, so there were fruits everywhere to snack on. We spent the whole day in the forest, and when evening came, the sky filled with stars like a glittering cascade. Thanks to Uncle summoning wind spirits to form a barrier, we returned without a single bug bite.
The day after that, we went to the lake. Though the weather was chilly and we couldn’t go swimming, just exploring the area was more than enough. The lake was so beautiful, it felt like simply looking at it was a gift.
The following day was our last before returning.
Once again, I climbed up to the cabin with Uncle. My brothers were a bit sulky since I’d stuck close to Uncle the whole vacation, but since I wouldn’t get to see him for a long time after this week, I couldn’t help but cling to him. We’d gone on so many fun outings together during the break that I just didn’t want to be apart from him.
A cool breeze blew through the cabin, and I pulled my jacket tight. Uncle asked,
“Are you cold?”
“No, I’m okay,” I replied, shaking my head, then placed a pink flower crown on Uncle’s head.
It was something I’d spent the whole morning making. It suited his silver hair perfectly. When I smiled, Uncle scratched his cheek and then smiled back as if giving in. I murmured without thinking,
“It’d be nice if Uncle could live with us.”
Startled by my own words, I quickly covered my mouth. But Uncle didn’t seem angry—he just smiled. Emboldened by his reaction, I asked,
“Is that not possible?”
“Hm… Well, my parents are here, so I’d like to take care of them. And I still need to look after the people of the estate.”
“…Uncle, are you not going to marry a pretty bride?”
I asked, worried I might be meddling too much, but Uncle chuckled and answered,
“Well, there was someone I liked.”
“Really? And then?”
“We even talked about marriage.”
I looked up at him with wide, shining eyes. But his next words made me fall silent.
“But it didn’t work out.”
The words were calm, yet carried deep weight.
“…Oh.”
I was stunned.
It seemed like there was a complicated story behind it.
I regretted asking. Seeing my gloomy expression, Uncle playfully ruffled my hair.
“If your mother were here, she would’ve scolded me. ‘How old are you now, still unmarried?! You fool!’”
I blinked.
So that’s what kind of person my mother was.
She must’ve been more outspoken than I imagined.
Uncle gazed into the distance.
“Someday, I’ll probably meet someone new. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. When that time comes, I’ll think about it again.”
Without a word, I threw my arms around Uncle.
“I hope that special person comes to you soon.”
The breeze carried pink petals fluttering through the air.
“Yeah.”
Uncle smiled with twinkling eyes.
I really, really loved my uncle.
✦
That night, we all gathered to hold candles. It was the final night of mourning.
Green and black ribbons for condolences were tied alternately around the garden.
Under the large tree—planted when my mother was born, now grown tall with no one left to tend it—we placed her portrait. Candles from each family member glowed beside it.
The portrait showed a young version of my mother, different from when she was the Duchess. She looked very much like me. Only then did I fully understand why everyone always said I resembled her.
I was the last to place my candle, and I offered a bouquet of flowers I’d spent all day making.
The flickering candlelight made it seem like my mother was smiling gently in delight.
The next morning came.
Our week in the countryside had flown by. It was time to return.
Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncle, and even the maids we’d grown close to gathered to see us off in front of the carriage. I bowed politely and waved.
“Will you be visiting again next year?” Uncle asked.
I answered honestly,
“I’ll miss you.”
Uncle smiled, placed a hand on my head, and said,
“Then come back to visit anytime.”
I packed the fruits, magic books, and jewelry my grandparents gave me tightly into my travel bag. The magic stone Uncle gave me—I tucked it into the small pouch on my dress, thinking it might bring me luck if I kept it close.
And with that, it was really the end.
“I had such a great time. Goodbye!”
The carriage, in perfect formation like when we arrived, began to move slowly. The count’s estate gradually disappeared in the distance.
Uncle kept waving for a long time. Even as I grew far away, I could see him standing there firmly. I watched his figure through the window until I could see no more.
I let out a soft sigh.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget this.
The star-filled nights, the lake, the forest, the manor, the cabin, the square—every memory.
I folded each of those memories gently and tucked them away in my heart.
It felt like my whole being was sparkling with a warm light from within.
Brighter than any magic stone, warmer than the sun itself.
# Behind Story
“Academy? I can go to the academy too?”
Laila’s innocent voice echoed through the parlor. The room instantly fell into heavy silence. Raska, who had foolishly brought up the topic, now found himself targeted by the icy stare of Duke Esat Rosahill—the infamous cold-blooded duke.
In this house, the word “academy” was taboo. And the only one who didn’t know… was Laila.
“Make sure she never gets interested in the academy.”
That had been a direct order from the Duke himself. There was a reason why Lloyd had glossed over the explanation when teaching Laila about the prestigious imperial academy.
Everyone knew it.
If she were to leave for the academy—and especially a dormitory…
The Duke might actually cry!
That’s how much the Duke—and her two older brothers—loved Laila.
Oblivious to Raska’s desperation, Laila nodded as if she had come to her own conclusion.
“I see… Well, I am already fourteen, so it’s about the right age to attend the academy.”
Esat’s glare screamed, How are you going to fix this?, while Edwin and Light’s murderous eyes also pierced into Raska, who now regretted bringing it up.
Though Raska desperately wanted to change the topic, the silver-haired fairy beside him had already locked onto the idea and kept asking him questions. And Raska… was weak against this adorable silver fairy.
“Then, Uncle, what was your major?”
Those bright green eyes sparkled with admiration and curiosity, and Raska couldn’t bring himself to deflect her.
“Spirits.”
“Spirits?”
Despite looking like a wind spirit herself, this cute child seemed genuinely curious about the mysterious world of spirits.
In a desperate attempt to distract from the death glares of the family, Raska ran upstairs, drew a magic circle, and busied himself all over the place… but in the end, he couldn’t escape Esat.
“Brother-in-law? Let’s have a little chat later.”
The smiling Duke with his ocean-colored hair looked youthful and handsome—too much for his age. But Raska, who knew the terrifying sword-like aura behind that smile, could only laugh awkwardly.
And so, the tragic legend of Raska trembling at the mention of “academy” was all that remained in House Forte.
