Chapter 24: I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
I ran straight to Eddy oppa’s room.
“Oppa!!!”
My voice burst out like a scream. He was surrounded by several people. Lying on a white bed, his face was pale as a sheet.
As I stood there with my hands tightly clasped, Eddy oppa lifted his pale face to look at me.
A faint smile of embarrassment seemed to cross his face. I slowly walked up to him.
“Oppa…”
“Lala.”
“I heard what happened.”
The people nearby fell silent. I continued.
“I heard you collapsed from overwork?”
Eddy oppa let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry to have worried you.”
The others stepped aside to give us some space. I sat on a small chair and tended to Eddy oppa.
“You must’ve been really busy lately.”
“…You could say that.”
Well, no wonder. He had just returned from the Forte estate a week ago and had been swamped catching up on all the delayed work.
“The physician said I’ll be fine as long as I eat and rest well.”
“Sigh…”
He didn’t fall ill, just collapsed from overwork… Should I feel relieved or not?
Rather than get caught up in complicated thoughts, I decided to focus on taking care of Eddy oppa.
Then someone knocked on the door.
“Who is it?”
I asked on his behalf, and the voice replied briefly.
“It’s Lloyd.”
Ah, Lloyd. His aide must have come to check on Eddy oppa. He entered holding a fruit basket in one hand. His thoughtfulness was appreciated.
“Prince Edwin, how are you feeling?”
He asked in a formal tone.
“I’m fine.”
“What worries me is what’s ahead. There are still piles of official documents left to—”
“I can still work. Bring them here, and I’ll handle them from bed.”
“In that case, I’ll go fetch them right away.”
“W-Wait a moment.”
I quickly shook my head. Both of them turned to look at me.
“Edwin oppa is a patient! He needs to rest, even a little!”
Handling documents on the same day he collapsed? That’s just way too much.
I thought my reaction was only natural, but the two men didn’t seem to agree.
“But the work can’t be postponed.”
“That’s right.”
“But the doctor said he needs rest.”
I was getting frustrated.
I almost pounded my chest. Even if he said he was fine, I heard he hadn’t slept properly for several nights. Then he just collapsed, and everyone panicked. Maybe I’m being selfish, but I didn’t want to see Eddy oppa suffer from working too hard.
As I pouted, Eddy oppa gently patted my head.
“Lala.”
“Yes?”
“I really am okay.”
He spoke slowly and kindly.
“If we take a break, it’s the people of the territory who suffer. If I push myself just a bit more, many others will be able to sleep peacefully. This way is better.”
Of course, he was right. The Duchy of Rosha Hill had many dependents and countless residents.
Since Eddy oppa also managed the trading company, any disruption could cause significant financial damage.
While I was deep in thought, a good idea suddenly struck me.
“Then how about this?”
I clapped my hands together.
“I’ll help you with your work!”
I’d finished Lloyd’s training. I even got complimented.
I still had a lot to learn, but I was also a capable member of the duchy.
So surely I could be of some help!
“You?”
Eddy oppa looked concerned.
“Yes! Lloyd, tell him—am I not capable enough to assist oppa with his work?”
Lloyd stared at me for a moment before replying.
“That is not the case. In my opinion, the lady assisting the young master shouldn’t pose any problems.”
“Lloyd.”
“See? I’ll help you, oppa!”
I beamed brightly. Eddy oppa could only smile helplessly.
Before long, Father—Esart—returned home.
“Welcome back, Father.”
I ran to him as he entered Eddy oppa’s room. He hugged me tightly and turned to Eddy oppa.
“I heard you collapsed. How are you feeling?”
“I’m ashamed.”
Father clicked his tongue but looked at Eddy oppa with warm eyes.
“Take a break from work for a while.”
“…I can’t do that.”
“I’ll handle it. You need to rest more.”
Faced with Father’s firm tone, Eddy oppa fell silent. But he wasn’t one to back down easily.
“I’ll be fine.”
Then he glanced at me.
“Besides, Lala has agreed to help me.”
“…Lala?”
“Yes.”
I answered confidently.
“I’ll do my best.”
Then Eate oppa showed up, and the room turned chaotic.
He stormed in with such force he nearly knocked down the door. A startled Eddy oppa threw a pillow and groaned from dizziness. I panicked and ran back and forth… Honestly, what a noisy household.
I shook my head.
Then smiled gently.
Still, it was a heartwarming sight.
That night, for some reason, the moon was especially bright. My mind was full—hoping Eddy oppa would get better soon, and also thinking about the First Prince. Eventually, I dozed off without realizing it.
Then my eyes suddenly snapped open.
Why?
As I tried to figure it out, I heard a tapping sound outside the window.
Startled, I looked out.
What is it?
A ghost? A spirit?
But the next moment, I relaxed. I walked to the window and opened it.
Under the glowing white moonlight, a figure hovered in the air.
Ah, I was speechless.
His eyes, hidden in the backlight, were startlingly black. His face at night looked even more unfamiliar than during the day.
“Thea… What are you doing here at this hour?”
But the surprise was short-lived. I quickly became flustered.
Visiting someone’s house at this hour? And a girl’s bedroom, no less?
Even if we were friends, this was outrageous.
“I’m sorry for coming at this time.”
He apologized.
“But there’s something I didn’t get to ask earlier.”
“Something you didn’t ask?”
I tilted my head.
But Thea, as usual, remained secretive.
I crossed my arms over my waist.
“Even if you were curious, it’s incredibly rude to show up in a lady’s room at this hour.”
“I really am sorry.”
His repeated apologies made me look at him with exasperation. He could’ve just come tomorrow. Now I was really curious what he wanted.
“Are you going to stay floating like that?”
“I can’t exactly enter a lady’s room at this hour. I’ll stay here.”
“…Fine.”
I leaned on the windowsill and looked up at him. He asked:
“What happened today?”
“Huh?”
“With the First Prince.”
“Ah…”
I recalled the conversation with him.
‘Would you go out with me?’
Ugh. Even thinking about it gave me chills. I shivered. He looked at me curiously.
“Well… it’s a bit personal. And I don’t like him.”
“You don’t like Prince Alteo?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s surprising. Everyone I know either likes him or envies him.”
“…”
I looked at him again. He sounded sincere.
“Does that include you?”
“…Maybe.”
He smiled gently. He looked much more relaxed than he did earlier in the day. I tilted my head, and he spoke.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“The Duchy and the Imperial Palace are co-hosting a royal hunting tournament.”
I widened my eyes.
Was that why Eddy oppa had been so busy? A massive hunting tournament would mean mountains of work.
“I’m planning to participate.”
Thea said cheerfully.
“…You’re joining the hunting tournament?”
I was surprised.
Was he a noble?
Because he was a mage, I assumed he must be a noble. Magic wasn’t something the poor could easily pursue. Even with talent, without the chance to learn, that talent would wither away. That was the harsh reality.
And he’d said we were childhood friends… The more I thought about it, the more it made sense that he was a noble.
But he’d never once told me his full name.
He must have noticed my puzzled gaze, because he spoke up.
“Don’t you want to know who I am?”
“…Yeah.”
At my honest answer, he smiled.
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’ve finally made up my mind.”
Thea spoke firmly.
The moon watched over us. I looked up at him.
I don’t know exactly why, but it felt like this moment would be one of those rare, meaningful snapshots of a person’s life.
It felt like this was one of those moments.
As if enchanted, I murmured.
“…Your mind?”
“I’m not hesitating anymore.”
“…”
I thought for a long while. But the answer was already clear.
“I don’t know what’s going on…”
“…”
“But I hope it turns out well.”
“Thanks.”
Thea met my eyes.
“I should go. Lala, even if we’re friends, don’t just open your window so easily.”
“…You knocked first.”
I grumbled. Thea looked amused.
“Alright, I’ll be going.”
“Wait, Thea…!”
Suddenly I felt uneasy. He was floating mid-air, and even if he was a mage, I couldn’t help worrying.
“Thea, we’re still friends, right?”
“…”
He gave a faint smile.
“Of course. The mage, your childhood friend, and even… the other side of me—it’s all me.”
“…”
“If the day comes when you see another version of me… please don’t be too surprised.”
I stared into Thea’s dark eyes.
Bathed in the golden moonlight, they almost looked like they glimmered gold.
I waved goodbye. Beyond the pale moon, Thea became a small black speck in the sky. And then, he disappeared.
That was the end.
