I Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Daughter – Chapter 44

[Winter Strawberry Gathering]

It all started with Serne’s suggestion.

“A winter gathering?”

“Yes, Lara.”

Serne gave me a gentle smile.

“I thought, if you’re interested, why don’t we hold a winter gathering together? You said you’ve never hosted a private gathering before, right? Neither have I.”

“Mm… that’s true.”

I pondered it for a moment.

Whether married or unmarried, noblewomen occasionally invited peers to their salons for small gatherings. These meetings were a place where the latest gossip and trends circulated in the social scene, so women with influence often hosted them as a matter of tradition.

It sounded quite interesting.

At the Peregrine estate, it was currently just me, Eveharlun, Lucran, Raon, and Serne. Ever since the Peregrine incident, we had grown close and occasionally held small gatherings. Today was one such tea gathering.

Of course, my father didn’t want me going out until the year ended, but he couldn’t stop me from wanting to spend time with my new friends.

After a day of me pleading incessantly, even my father had no choice but to allow it.

Meanwhile, Serne’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. I had the feeling that if I said “no,” he would immediately droop like a rabbit with its ears down.

“Have you decided on a theme?”

“No! I was going to decide with Lara…”

“Hm, what would be good?”

As Serne and I pondered, Eveharlun, who had been reading a book behind us, spoke up.

“I think it should be a theme unique to winter.”

Then Lucran, who had been playing chess with Raon, added,

“That’s a good idea. Since it’s winter, how about a discussion reflecting on the year?”

“…That’s a very good idea, but I’d prefer a slightly lighter gathering.”

“A lighter gathering…? Something you can only do in winter… How about a snowball fight?”

As Serne and I suggested ideas, Raon suddenly looked up as if remembering something.

“You mean a lighter atmosphere? In that case, nothing sets the mood better than sweet tea foods.”

“Tea foods…”

I murmured absentmindedly.

“How about a Winter Strawberry Gathering? We could eat desserts made from winter strawberries in the garden while reflecting on the year.”

Immediately, all eyes turned to me.

“…Why…?”

“Winter strawberries?”

To explain, winter strawberries are a special native variety found only in our empire.

While most strawberries are in season during spring, winter strawberries ripen in winter, as the name suggests. They bloom in autumn and survive to bear fruit in the cold months. Loved by everyone from commoners to nobles, their sweetness and aroma are unmatched, and they are even exported in large quantities abroad.

Their characteristics are a snow-white color, firmness, and a delightful fragrance.

I had tried them for the first time recently, and they were so sweet and delicious that I almost ate too many, barely restraining myself.

“That’s right.”

Eveharlun nodded.

“A Winter Strawberry Gathering sounds perfect. It can only be held in winter, and it’s so fresh that it will attract attention.”

“I agree too!”

This time, Raon’s eyes sparkled.

“I also love winter strawberries, but I’ve never heard of such a gathering before. I would definitely want to attend. Of course, I’ll get an invitation, right?!”

“I agree as well. It sounds like a lot of fun. Where should we hold it?”

I gave my answer.

“I heard that if we follow the proper procedure, the palace can lend nobles a venue within the budget. How about the greenhouse garden in the imperial palace?”

“…The greenhouse garden in the imperial palace? That’s perfect!”

Eveharlun added,

“Shall we ask the palace pâtissiers to prepare the tea foods? Since we’re somewhat related to the royal family, I have that authority.”

“Wonderful!”

Serne clapped his hands, his cheeks tinged with excitement.

“This is going to be a truly marvelous gathering.”

“Ending the year with winter strawberries… I’m looking forward to it too. It will be a good opportunity to meet people I haven’t seen yet.”

Lucran said with a faint smile,

“Yes, winter strawberries and palace pâtissiers… the perfect combination.”

Hearing Raon’s words, which made it obvious that dessert was the main attraction, I spoke.

“So, everyone will attend, right?”

One by one, they all expressed their approval. I smiled gently at them. I was genuinely looking forward to it too.

‘…So, Serne and I will be hosting the Winter Strawberry Gathering. I hope you’ll attend if you have the time!’

Beneath the pale pink stationery was another envelope.

The red wax seal was adorably strawberry-shaped, and it emitted a subtle strawberry scent.

Thinking of the morning’s events, Tearoha couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“…You seem to be in a good mood.”

But the person before her didn’t seem pleased at all. Tearoha wiped the smile from her face and straightened her posture.

Before her stood Ulysses, the supreme and most sacred Emperor.

Yet, to Tearoha, his presence was almost laughable.

The emperor, who had once commanded authority, was now little more than an old man waiting in the back room.

Tearoha had never received his attention or affection, so he felt like a stranger. Though she occasionally met him at banquets, she had never experienced a warm embrace, a kiss, or even a kind glance.

Such privileges were reserved solely for his beloved firstborn, Alteo.

Tearoha bowed her head.

“I apologize.”

“…Very well.”

The emperor interrupted her, clearly displeased.

“Are you listening to me properly?”

“Yes, of course.”

The pretext for summoning Tearoha was a seemingly familial reason—she hadn’t been visiting the emperor lately—but Tearoha suspected the truth was far different. The excuse was too obvious; if it were truly for a family matter, the emperor would have at least provided a seat, but Tearoha had been standing before him for several minutes.

“…So, you… are a magician, correct?”

The emperor cleared his throat, finally approaching the main point.

‘So that’s the reason.’

Magicians were a national asset—highly useful under any circumstances.

“…How skilled are you in magic?”

Tearoha calculated internally. How much should she reveal to impress the emperor and make people talk? She couldn’t show all her abilities, but she could at least establish herself as a capable magician. After a brief mental calculation, she answered.

“I believe I am at least at the level of a court magician.”

“…!”

The emperor’s face brightened noticeably. Court magicians were all nobles. Not all were born noble, though nobles did have advantages in becoming magicians, while some commoners succeeded as well. The reason they were all nobles was simple: they were elevated to nobility to be retained as national assets for the empire.

Magicians were already rare, and now there would be another court magician, and that one was his child. The emperor must have felt as if he had discovered a goldmine.

“Hmph, I see. But why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Still, he wasn’t entirely overjoyed. He truly cherished his firstborn, Alteo, and would not ignore any threat to his position. When Tearoha gave a hesitant answer earlier, his gaze had sharpened like he was ready to tear her apart.

“…It’s nothing. I taught myself, so I couldn’t gauge the extent of my abilities. I decided to test them during the hunting competition and discovered, through verification by others, that my abilities are considerable.”

“Self-taught… to that level….”

The emperor let out a low hum, now looking at Tearoha with unmistakable approval.

“Very well… then we shall proceed like this.”

“….”

“Since your training is still limited, do not use magic recklessly. I will assign a court magician to assist you, so you can advance to a higher level under their guidance.”

“…I will follow your command.”

This was a relatively satisfactory conclusion. As Tearoha was about to leave the audience chamber, the emperor spoke again.

“And, for a while, remain in your room. Even if it’s a small gathering, do not attend external events.”

“…May I ask why?”

Tearoha politely turned her head and asked again.

The emperor replied calmly:

“I heard that during the hunting competition, you bested Alteo. No matter how different your positions are, Alteo is your elder brother. He must be compensated for the embarrassment caused before his superior.”

“…Understood.”

“Superior.”

Although Alteo was the first prince, considering he was born to the empress, the emperor’s comment had political implications. Tearoha, as the legitimate empress-born child, held a higher rank.

‘Of course, if she is formally crowned empress at the New Year’s gathering, things will be different.’

Tearoha walked out of the chamber expressionlessly.

As she exited and walked down the corridor, the early winter sun shone warmly through the windows.

She thought again about the morning letter—an invitation to the Winter Strawberry Gathering.

If possible, she had asked her to attend.

‘…I suppose I have no choice but to decline.’

Even for him, it felt uncomfortable to directly defy an order from the emperor.

Thinking of Laila’s hopeful face, refusing made her feel guilty, but there was nothing she could do.

‘I should at least go and write a reply immediately.’

Having made up her mind, her steps toward her room felt unexpectedly light and joyful. Thinking of Laila brought her that happiness.

‘I don’t know how long my confinement will last, but at least I’ll be back to normal by the New Year’s gathering.’

The emperor was clearly keeping her in check. His order to avoid external, official events was likely a warning against her budding influence.

‘But…’

She couldn’t comply.

There was someone in her heart. For that person, she had resolved to walk even the most difficult path.

Tearoha reached her room.

It was now time to write a letter to her beloved lady.