Chapter 36 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
[Peregrine Estate]
The early winter sky was dim.
A boy kept looking up at the clouds, as if expecting rain. His hair was an unusual shade of pale lavender.
Inside the drawing room, the sound of crackling firewood occasionally broke the quiet. The Peregrine estate had mechanical heating systems more than capable of keeping the mansion warm, but being an old house, its heating was a mix of machinery and traditional fireplaces.
The boy was not alone. Sitting with him was his older sister, whose hair and eyes matched his own in color.
On the table between them, the chessboard they had been playing on remained untouched since their last move. Alongside it were warm drinks and honey biscuits the maids had brought in. The boy had played black, his sister white. It had been a flawless victory for white.
From behind him, his sister Eveharun spoke. The boy, Lucran, turned to look at her.
“I have a question for you, Lucran.”
Eveharun gazed at her younger brother with a look of mild amusement. In contrast, Lucran’s face was expressionless as he met her eyes.
“About the last hunting competition…”
Lucran’s shoulders stiffened slightly, and he let out a small sigh inwardly. This was a subject he felt a little uneasy about. But he also knew his sister well—if she wanted an answer, she would get it one way or another. He settled into the armchair opposite hers.
“Why did you come in third place instead of second? You could easily have caught more game than Brother Alteo.”
Resting her chin on her hand, Eveharun looked up at him. Lucran answered without hesitation.
“The reason is simple. I couldn’t possibly place higher than the First Prince.”
“Be honest. Was that the only reason?”
“It truly was. Even if Peregrine is the First Prince’s maternal family, it would be presumptuous to outshine him.”
Lucran believed his answer was perfectly reasonable. But Eveharun continued to stare at him in silence.
“…”
Eventually, unable to withstand her gaze, Lucran spoke again.
“Fine. The truth is… because of Lady Laila.”
“Oh my.”
Eveharun leaned forward slightly, as if she’d just heard a delightful bit of gossip.
“Go on.”
“I knew she had bet on His Highness Alteo to be runner-up. Most people placed their bets on me or His Highness Thearoha, the Second Prince. And somehow… I didn’t want to disappoint her.”
“Even though it was just a trivial wager?”
“Of course, I also meant what I said earlier—that I didn’t want to rank above the First Prince.”
“I see.”
Eveharun let out a soft hum through her nose.
“They say raising a younger brother is a waste of effort… and you prove it true.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just be careful, dear brother. That girl is a Rosahil. No matter how much you like her, you can’t be together.”
For centuries, the Rosahils and the Peregrines had never joined through marriage—especially not through their direct bloodlines. Even standing apart, they both endured the watchful eyes of the Imperial family. Historically, Rosahil, Peregrine, and the Imperial House formed three separate powers, constantly keeping each other in check.
Knowing this, Lucran fell silent.
“…If you were to become Duchess, things might be different.”
At least, if she became Duchess rather than him, the circumstances could change. Eveharun tilted her head slightly.
“Do you think I even want to be Duchess?”
“Don’t you?”
Their gazes met and locked midair. The two resembled each other strikingly; they didn’t need words to read each other’s thoughts. Still, Lucran thought there was an emptiness in her eyes. A quiet hung between them.
“Be careful,” Eveharun said slowly.
“Any feeling, if taken too far, can turn into poison that eventually consumes you.”
Lucran thought for a moment.
“…You misunderstand. I may be interested in her, but it’s not that kind of interest.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Eveharun picked up her teacup and stirred the tea with a teaspoon.
Just then, there was a polite knock at the door. Both of them turned toward it.
The door opened, and in stepped a boy with hair the pale blue of misty flowers. His violet eyes sparkled as he greeted them.
“Lucran, Sister Eveharun. Good morning.”
“…Only just getting up?”
Lucran replied flatly, his tone a little drained. Eveharun chuckled inwardly—she knew her brother had been waiting for someone all morning.
The newcomer was Raon, Lucran’s friend. Knowing Lucran’s naturally indifferent personality, Raon wasn’t bothered by his lukewarm reaction. He simply gestured over his shoulder.
“I’ve brought a guest.”
“…?”
Through the partially opened door stepped a girl.
Her softly wavy silver hair fell to her waist, shimmering with each movement. Her green eyes shone like emeralds. She was dressed in a blue-striped day dress, looking every bit the picture of elegance.
Lifting her skirts slightly, the girl gave a graceful curtsy.
“Thank you for the invitation. I am Laila Rosahil.”
Early winter skies were always dim.
I tapped my teacup lightly as I reread the invitation I had received.
It was from none other than the Peregrines. On white stationery stamped with a green seal, the first person that came to mind was someone with lavender hair and lavender eyes—Eveharun Peregrine.
“I will be on your side.”
That’s what she had said. But I had no reason to believe her.
I unfolded the invitation again. After a few lines of formal pleasantries, it stated that she wished to invite me to her estate—supposedly to join her in preparing winter weaving.
It had taken some convincing to get my father to agree, since my health was delicate. (The only reason he relented was because the Peregrine estate was in the capital, not far from our own home.) A week had passed since I sent my reply.
And today was the day.
Dressed and ready since morning, I rode in a carriage toward the Peregrine estate.
The winter morning sky was heavy with clouds. The mansion, elegantly built in white and deep green, was a mix of its original, old architecture and newer renovations. In sunlight, it might have looked splendid, but under the gray sky, it seemed a little gloomy.
Led by the butler into the house, I encountered someone.
A boy was descending the stairs, his hair a soft, forget-me-not blue.
Who’s that?
As I looked at him curiously, he seemed to notice me as well.
The butler beside me addressed him.
“Young Master Deude, are you on your way to see Lord Lucran?”
“Ah, yes.”
The boy’s gaze turned directly to me.
“You must be Lady Rosahil, correct?”
I blinked in surprise.
“Yes, um… I’m sorry, but you are…?”
He grinned and stepped closer.
“A pleasure to meet you. My name is Raon Deude, eldest son of House Deude.”
“Ah, the pleasure is mine.”
We exchanged brief bows.
“We met briefly at the last hunting competition. I’m a friend of Lucran’s—though not nearly as skilled.”
I glanced at him again. Lucran always seemed stoic, but Raon’s easy smile gave off the opposite impression. Perhaps that’s why they balanced each other so well.
“I’m here at Lady Eveharun’s invitation. Do you live here at the estate, Young Master Deude?”
Following the butler toward the drawing room where Eveharun and Lucran awaited, we chatted.
“Raon is fine. Yes, Lucran and I study under the same tutor, so I’ll be staying here throughout the winter.”
That piqued my curiosity.
“What subjects do you study?”
“General affairs—economics, administration, and so on.”
He answered easily.
“I plan to apply to Rebecam Academy next year.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Rebecam Academy?”
“Yes, you’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”
I thought of my uncle. Not only he, but my father, mother, and brothers had all attended Rebecam.
If I don’t go… will I end up being left behind?
As I mulled that over, Raon continued.
“Lucran and I are both thirteen—old enough to enter next year. We’ve always been interested in the academy, and my father readily gave his approval.”
“That’s impressive. I’ve heard graduating from Rebecam is a great honor.”
“When you graduate, yes. I haven’t even been accepted yet,” he said with a sheepish smile.
After chatting a while longer, the butler ahead of us came to a stop. He bowed and knocked lightly on the drawing room door. A brief pause, then he opened it.
Raon, being closer, stepped in first.
“Lucran, Sister Eveharun. Good morning.”
“…Only just getting up?”
I heard Lucran’s voice over Raon’s shoulder. His petulant tone sounded younger than I expected, and I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. The two seemed closer than I had imagined.
“I’ve brought a guest.”
Raon turned to gesture at me. Knowing it was my cue, I stepped inside.
The dimly lit drawing room was warmed by a glowing fireplace, the golden light from the chandelier spilling across the room.
Seated before the hearth were Lord Lucran, dressed in a crisp white suit, and Lady Eveharun, wearing a gown the color of clear water.
I lifted my skirts and curtsied lightly.
“Thank you for the invitation. I am Laila Rosahil.”
