I Reincarnated as the Villainess’ Daughter – Chapter 45

When I exhaled, a white puff of breath spread into the air.

Winter had already arrived.

I found myself gazing out the window again. The glass, replaced with thick winter curtains, was frosted over with a pale layer of ice.

The mansion was quiet past noon. My father and Elder Brother Eit had gone to the imperial palace, while Elder Brother Eddy was out in the capital managing the merchant guild.

Watching the clock, I thought it was about time to start preparing, and rose from my seat. Carefully placing the book on adjustment magic back on the shelf, I called for the maid.

Dressed in a deep blue outing gown and wearing leather gloves, I checked my reflection in the mirror once more.

Today, I had an appointment.

Tomorrow was the winter strawberry gathering that Serne and I had organized. To ensure everything was perfect, we decided to stay together in the palace guest rooms tonight and prepare for the luncheon tomorrow.

After finishing my preparations, I adjusted my collar and stepped outside. In front of the garden, Rosahill’s white carriage was waiting.

A light breeze blew.

The Ulysses Empire had generally mild weather, with long springs and autumns. Summers and winters were relatively short, and it wasn’t until December that you truly felt the chill.

The winter weather, though cold, wasn’t biting enough to make walking unbearable—thankfully for me, as I wasn’t fond of the cold.

Once seated in the carriage, I rested my chin in my hand and thought of Thea.

I wish Thea could have come to the winter strawberry gathering.

It was a small disappointment. I had sent her the invitation first, having made it myself, but she had replied immediately that she couldn’t attend due to other matters.

Ever since the Peregrine incident, Thea and I hadn’t been able to meet. I had hoped to see her, even if only this once.

If it’s something urgent, I understand… but I wish she’d at least tell me what it is.

I silently prayed that nothing bad had happened.

Moreover, the New Year’s ceremony would include the official empress appointment, an event that would be unfavorable for Thea.

I exhaled quietly and let my mind wander back to the alchemy book I had been reading.

Alchemy was useful in everyday life but offered little offensive or defensive power.

I wish I could become a little stronger… at least enough to protect myself completely.

The name Rosahill was so vast, and I felt small, buried within it. Gazing out the window, I sighed again.

The carriage arrived at the imperial greenhouse garden. The garden was already beautifully decorated. Normally, it would just be blooming flowers, but since the theme was winter strawberries, I had suggested decorating with ribbons in pink and red. The result was a vibrant garden despite the winter chill. The greenhouse air was as warm as spring, making outerwear unnecessary.

Since the empire worshipped only the singular god of light, holidays like Christmas didn’t exist as they did in my previous life. Instead, there were just year-end banquets and New Year’s ceremonies.

Still, I thought it wasn’t so bad. Whether or not there was a holiday, spending the year’s end with friends was enjoyable.

At the tables, napkins with name tags were neatly set. While looking for my seat and admiring the ribbons, I soon heard news that others had arrived.

“They’re here?”

I opened the greenhouse door to welcome them.

Lucran and Eivharun appeared to have coordinated their outfits: he in a dark green suit and she in a matching gown. Raon wore an aqua-colored suit, and Serne a pale yellow dress.

“The decorations are beautiful,” Serne exclaimed as soon as he stepped inside. I smiled bashfully; it had been my idea to decorate the greenhouse in pink and red for the winter strawberry theme.

“Thank you. The floral arrangements you designed are gorgeous too,” I said.

Serne’s face flushed as he smiled. We sat down and chatted for quite some time, even though it hadn’t been long since we last met.

Nearby, Lucran was looking over the pamphlet. The program included brief greetings, musical performances, poetry readings, demonstrations of skill, and time to enjoy winter strawberry desserts while socializing.

“Oh, by the way, Eivharun—”

“Hm?”

“I heard the pâtissiers put all their effort into making the desserts.”

Eivharun chuckled softly at my words.

Being a winter strawberry gathering, the pâtissiers had apparently worked through the night for a week to create desserts for fifteen guests, drawing out the flavor of winter strawberries to the fullest. From design to creation, it had been a truly arduous journey.

“Speaking of which, shall we take a quick look at the desserts?”

“Sounds good!”

I could already feel my mouth watering. Winter strawberries were so popular that even nobles couldn’t get them easily. Memories of tasting them last time came flooding back.

They were truly delicious.

The winter strawberry mousse was fluffy like marshmallows, melting sweetly on the tongue, and eating it felt like all worldly worries could vanish. Even the fresh strawberries, unadorned, had a perfect balance of sweetness and tang, as if tasting a piece of heaven.

Raon had spent the entire preparation period singing praises of winter strawberries non-stop. He knew the pâtissiers’ histories so well that every tidbit he shared heightened my anticipation. Honestly, I almost suspected that he had been possessed by the spirit of someone who had died without ever tasting winter strawberries.

“I heard they prepared winter strawberry cakes, teas, jellies, and more,” Raon said.

“Excellent!”

Raon’s eyes sparkled. Eivharun had the servant call the head chef to bring the desserts, and each of us quietly anticipated what awaited us.

“I can’t wait,” Serne whispered beside me, and I felt the same.

Then, after some time, the greenhouse door quietly opened.

We all turned eagerly, hoping to see a silver tray brimming with winter strawberries.

But it wasn’t the chef pushing a silver tray who entered—it was the chef and steward, their faces pale.

“…?”

“What happened?”

“Th-that’s…”

Serne, confused, asked cautiously. The two simply fidgeted, unable to form words.

“Is there a problem?” Eivharun asked again. The steward’s expression grew even more somber. After hesitating for a long moment, he finally spoke, unable to bear our gazes.

“I… I honestly don’t know how to say this…”

“…?”

We exchanged glances. The steward’s words landed between us like a cruel verdict.

“All the desserts prepared for the winter strawberry gathering… have been stolen.”

“Impossible!!!”

Raon was utterly devastated, as if the world had crumbled.

He looked so hopeless that even Lucran, standing beside him, awkwardly patted his back to comfort him.

Though he regained his composure in public quickly, his face had already gone pale, drained of all color. He looked as if he had lost a family treasure.

Seeing Raon like that, the steward and chef were nearly in tears.

“We’ve gathered people to search for it, but there are no leads yet…”

“We are so, so sorry. Truly sorry!”

Eivharun frowned slightly.

It wasn’t just Raon who was panicked. Serne and I exchanged worried glances.

“Wh-what do we do?” Serne asked me quietly, her eyes already glistening with tears.

Lucran bit his lips, looking troubled.

“There are fifteen invited guests. We can’t proceed without the desserts,” he said.

“And we can’t just get winter strawberries anywhere right now…”

Each time we spoke, the chef and steward hung their heads further in shame.

“This is—!”

Startled by the sudden voice, I turned to see its source.

“It’s a clear case of theft.”

Raon, now a little composed, spoke with conviction.

Serne stared at him, dumbfounded.

“We cannot just stand by. Not if it means protecting the honor of our family…!”

“Why the Diwod family’s honor? Since when have you been a detective family?” Lucran interjected, though disappointment was evident in his eyes too. He had been anticipating the winter strawberry desserts just as much.

Now what do we do?

A winter strawberry gathering without winter strawberries made no sense. I was pondering possible solutions.

Raon leaned in and whispered conspiratorially.

“What if we find the culprit ourselves?”

“…”

Something like determination shone in Raon’s eyes: winter in the left eye, strawberry in the right. Lucran apologized for him.

“Sorry, Raon’s been obsessed with mystery novels lately…”

“I’m perfectly fine, Lucran. I’m serious.”

Apparently, Raon’s obsession wasn’t a joke.

“Something has been stolen. The first thing to do is return to the scene. And, isn’t it said that thieves often return to the scene of the crime?”

Eivharun and I exchanged glances.

Thieves often return to the scene of the crime.

Agatha Christie, Holmes, and other detective novels from my past life flashed through my mind.

It seemed like a plausible theory.

“But can we really find it…?” Serne asked cautiously. Raon clenched his fists.

“We won’t know until we try. It might even be easier than we think.”

We couldn’t ignore Raon’s enthusiasm.

Eivharun turned to the steward.

“Tell us exactly what happened. When and where was the dessert stolen?”

“W-well…”

The steward began his story hesitantly.