IWPVD 43

IWPVD

Posted by Tommy Vercetti, Released on August 18, 2025

I Reincarnated as the Villainess’ Daughter – Chapter 43

Because we didn’t have proper clothes, I borrowed Cern’s outfit along with Ivharun. Fortunately, Cern and I had similar builds. After finishing our morning preparations, I stepped out and immediately ran into him, leaving me completely flustered.

“…!”

“Lady Laila.”

“….”

I couldn’t manage a word, and he just smiled—that smile, the usual one.

“…I am glad to see you safe.”

“Te-Tea… Teahroha… Your Highness?”

Yes.

Golden eyes, black hair, that same smile.

The Second Prince of the Ulysses Empire was standing right before me.

“…How…?”

That was all I could manage to ask.

“By magic. Bringing others was a bit difficult, so I came first.”

“Others…?”

“People from the Roshahil and Peregrin families. Especially Duke Roshahil; he is using the teleportation gate liberally, so I expect we’ll meet them by tonight at the latest.”

Teahroha spoke politely.

“I-I see. Thank you for coming out to meet us.”

“It was nothing.”

He lowered his gaze.

“I am truly relieved that you are safe.”

He looked so grief-stricken that I lost my words, almost infected by his emotion.

“…It was an accident I couldn’t help.”

“Even so…”

Teahroha continued to blame himself.

As silence stretched between us, Cern, standing beside me, cautiously interjected.

“Um, shall we sit and talk?”

“Ah, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

Only then did we regain our composure and head back to the reception room. Before that, we met Ivharun, who had also finished morning preparations and was coming downstairs.

“Ivharun!”

I greeted her cheerfully, but then I suddenly remembered that Teahroha was standing beside me.

Ivharun was also wearing Cern’s clothes. Being about ten centimeters taller than Cern, the outfit was slightly short, but her elegant bearing remained unchanged.

‘Oh, right.’

You intend to propose to Second Prince Teahroha.

‘That’s exactly what Lucran said.’

Regardless of my unease, the two of them were politely exchanging greetings.

“It has been a long time, Lady Ivharun.”

“It is good to see the Empire’s little sun, Your Highness Teahroha. I am glad you are unharmed.”

“…I have always been unharmed. The ones who endured hardships are the Roshahil and Peregrin families, of course.”

Teahroha gave a wry smile. Ivharun was about to respond, but somehow I ended up wedged between them.

‘Why am I like this?’

“…Laila?”

“Lady?”

They looked at me curiously, and I, unable to find the right words, blurted out something completely random.

“Th-That is… aren’t your legs tired from standing?”

“…?”

“E-Especially you, Ivharun… Since you’ve been through so much… Perhaps we should go inside to talk… not that—uh…”

“…Lady Laila…?”

Teahroha gave me a concerned look as I babbled. I felt my face turn red. What on earth was I saying?

“Do you have a fever or something? Your face is red.”

Teahroha raised his hand and gently touched my forehead. The closeness made my body feel two degrees warmer. I stammered and shook my head.

“A-Ah, no, I’m fine…”

“Don’t just say ‘I’m fine.’ Falling ill in a foreign land could be serious.”

“I-I really am fine…”

Ivharun had been silently observing our exchange for a while, then smiled knowingly.

“Ah, now I understand.”

“…Huh?”

“Uh… hmm?”

“That’s it, isn’t it?”

Ivharun nodded as if she had just realized something.

“I understand. Even if you become a duke, I wasn’t entirely giving up on the engagement. There’s always the option of a ‘marriage as a son-in-law.’”

“…Eh…?”

“I’ll cancel the engagement decision.”

Ivharun said this with a slightly relieved expression.

“I can’t take my friend’s man.”

“Huh? Wh-what…?”

I instantly felt my face heat up like a tomato.

“N-No, that’s not it!”

“I see.”

“Teah—no, Your Highness! Please say something…!”

But Teahroha just bowed his head with a steadfast expression.

Caught in the middle, I couldn’t calm my flushed face and kept fidgeting with my feet.

Teahroha looked at Lucran and easily removed his handcuffs. Later, Lucran would tell me that the magic used was truly, truly not an easy spell.

How strong is Teahroha, really? I stared at him, but he only returned my gaze with an innocent expression.

“…Do you have something to say…?”

“No.”

I hurried to an armchair in the reception room.

Teahroha’s claim that we could see our families by evening proved true.

After dinner, as we were beginning to drift off to sleep, the door suddenly flew open.

The person who entered without knocking looked around rapidly, then immediately spotted me and dashed over.

“—Laila!”

I threw myself into his arms, overcome with emotion.

“Ah, Father!”

“…I was so worried when I heard what happened. You went to the weaving gathering, then took a trip, and then… the story of you being kidnapped…!”

“Th-That’s…”

I felt guilty. I hadn’t told anyone about the trip, planning to sneak away quietly.

Father, smiling but scolding, shook his head.

“I told you, Laila?”

“…Yes…?”

“The outside world is dangerous.”

“….”

He lectured me at length. By the time my ears were ringing from his scolding, he finally ran out of words.

Seizing the opportunity, I said,

“I really missed you.”

Father stared at me silently.

“…I feel the same.”

His voice sounded more tired than usual. Only then did I notice his fingertips trembling slightly.

Once Father arrived, everything proceeded smoothly.

With just Father and Teahroha present, they were practically unbeatable in combat—Father, who could command top-tier water elementals, and Teahroha, whose power seemed limitless.

Adding Laon, who revealed astonishing sword skills, Lucran, who had innate magical talent, and Ivharun, a prodigy in lightning magic,

…and me.

‘Seems like I’m the weakest here. I need to grow stronger too.’

I sighed deeply. Cern stayed behind to spend more time with Grandfather and did not join our party to the capital the next day.

Father seemed to have plenty of money and used the magic gates as if being late could cause disaster. Perhaps, as a duke, he was just busy with his overwhelming responsibilities. Either way, we arrived in the capital before the afternoon was over.

Though it had only been a few days, seeing the capital’s well-paved streets, clock tower, and plaza brought tears to my eyes.

Teahroha returned to the palace, the Peregrin siblings went back to their estate, followed closely by Laon.

‘Does that mean all my luggage in the Peregrin carriage is lost?’

It was a bit disappointing; I had many cherished outfits.

‘At least I got to keep my life.’

Who could have been behind all this…? I was pondering seriously when, before I could reach a conclusion, Father and I arrived at Duke Roshahil’s estate.

Even in the cold winter, the brothers were standing by the gate, waiting for our return.

“Lala!”

“Lala…!”

They ran toward us, hugging me tightly before I could say anything.

“Are you alright?”

“Any injuries?”

Yt and Edio, holding me for a long while, asked about my well-being. I smiled. Thanks to Teahroha’s magic, not only Lucran’s handcuffs but also all of us had been healed, and I felt better than ever.

“I’m completely fine!”

“…Really?”

Edio seemed worried I might be hiding injuries. I assured him I was fine, and Yt hugged me again.

“Thank goodness. Really…”

Tears pricked my eyes. I had missed Yt’s blonde hair, Edio’s silver hair, and, of course, Father’s dark hair.

And this enormous dukedom, my room in the corner, the maids and servants—I had missed everything so desperately.

I had been scared. I worried about what would happen if I couldn’t return.

But thankfully, I had returned safely, and I was overwhelmingly grateful.

The warmth of my brothers’ embrace chased away the winter chill. I hugged them back in return.

Indeed, no matter what, home was the best. Edio stroked my tearful hair.

“Laila.”

From behind, Father spoke. Turning to him, I saw him smiling kindly.