I Reincarnated as the Villainess’ Daughter – Chapter 60

The bell signaling the end of class rang.

“…Haaah…”

I saw Elia beside me letting out a long, drawn-out sigh. She looked utterly dejected, but at that moment, I felt I could understand her feelings completely, even a hundred times over.

“…Homework…”

Lukran spoke slowly.

“…There’s quite a lot, isn’t there?”

Raon responded next.

I saw the professor leave the podium with a cold, indifferent air after finishing the lecture. Unlike the Monday determination we had felt, the sheer volume of assignments that poured in throughout this week had long since exhausted all of us. It felt as if last week was just an orientation, because all the professors this week immediately handed out assignments.

As we packed up and stepped into the hallway, I noticed freshmen sluggishly carrying their textbooks to the library. Even though it was Friday, there was none of that bright, fresh energy of the new semester or the romanticism of being a freshman. Not a trace of joy or cheerfulness could be seen.

‘Haa…’

I let out a deep sigh internally.

“Do you think the professors are trying to make all the freshmen quit?”

I heard Raon grumble beside me.

“They’d probably be more comfortable if everyone dropped out,” Lukran replied nonchalantly.

Even when we returned to the dormitory, Elia and I silently continued our assignments. Our minds were practically turning blank. After some time, perhaps bored of the silence or fed up with the endless homework, Elia quietly asked me:

“Laila, are you going home tomorrow too?”

Hearing the question, I put my pen down and answered with a bright smile.

“Yes! And tomorrow is my oldest brother’s birthday.”

“The oldest brother…? You mean Lord Rosahill’s first prince?”

“That’s right. I’ve already prepared a gift. I’m so excited.”

“…You must be really close, huh?”

“Of course!”

I nodded enthusiastically. Then I suddenly let out a small sigh, remembering a worry I hadn’t resolved yet.

“But I’m a little worried. I bought a gift, but I’m not sure it’s enough.”

“A gift? What did you get?”

“A watch. But I’m not sure if that’s enough…”

I set my pen aside and thought carefully.

Even after visiting the auction house, I had been wondering if there was a better gift, but nothing came to mind. It was too late now to go shopping again. What should I do?

“Elia, what do you think?”

“Huh…?”

“What would make him happiest…?”

I muttered almost to myself.

“He probably already has plenty of watches. Of course, he’d treasure one from me, but maybe there’s a gift that would leave more of an impression?”

“…How about a letter?”

“…Huh?”

I blinked in surprise.

Elia’s violet eyes looked at me, and she shyly twisted her fingers together.

“A letter… well, it’s his birthday anyway. I thought he might be happy to receive a birthday letter.”

“….”

I slowly opened my mouth.

“Elia…”

“Ah, is that too bad? Sorry! I’m not very good at this…”

I saw her face flush. Regardless, I grabbed her hand firmly.

“It’s perfect!”

“…Huh?”

Elia looked bewildered. I beamed at her.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve never really written him a heartfelt letter. We were always together, so I never even thought to write one. Yes, yes, I’ll do it. I’ll write a letter!”

I clenched my fist in determination. Elia’s confused expression made her ask hesitantly:

“Really…?”

“Yes. Now, let’s see… where did I put the stationery?”

I put aside the homework I had been doing and went to the drawer to find some writing paper. A bundle of stationery I had saved “just in case” was there.

Excited, I grabbed them. The smooth texture of the high-quality paper felt wonderful.

“Alright, I’ll do my best for Eddie-oppa!”

Just moments ago, my entire body had been drooping from the tedious homework, but now, with the decision to write a letter, I couldn’t even feel sleepy.

I started writing diligently on the smooth sheets of paper.

“….”

Completely unaware of the dark expression Elia was wearing.

The next day, I saw Rosahill’s pristine white carriage in front of the dormitory, just like last week, and greeted Elia.

There had been so much homework that I was unsure if I could finish it all by today, but I barely managed to complete it by dawn.

“Well then, I’m off!”

“Okay, see you Sunday…”

Elia, who had woken up early and hadn’t finished her homework, yawned and waved to me. I smiled gently and left the dormitory.

The sky was clear.

It was the kind of perfectly clear day with not a cloud in sight, like Eddie-oppa’s blue eyes. In the early spring of the temperate Ulysses Empire, flowers had long since been in full bloom, and the air carried a warm spring freshness.

It naturally lifted one’s spirits.

Since Lebecam wasn’t far from the capital, I arrived at our house in the city after only a few hours.

Spring flowers had already fully bloomed inside the mansion.

Inside, the mansion was bustling with preparations for the final stages of the birthday banquet. The servants and maids greeted me as I arrived.

“Laila-sama, you’re here.”

“Hurry, today is Lord Edwin’s birthday!”

‘I knew it would be like this.’

Seeing the sparkling eyes of the maids around me, I laughed quietly to myself. As always, so many guests would attend the family birthday banquet, so the family members had to appear perfect as well.

And this was the birthday of Eddie-oppa, the future head of the family. The movements of the servants decorating the hall were almost godlike in their precision.

The banquet hall, decorated in greens symbolizing early spring and Rosahill’s colors, was incredibly beautiful. As always, people were paying attention to every tiny detail, from even a single centimeter of the curtains to a speck of dust on the tablecloth.

“I’ll go greet the family first.”

“Yes, Laila-sama!”

I made my way to the study. As always, my brothers, uncle, and father were there.

“I’m back!”

When I shouted cheerfully, they all welcomed me with warm smiles.

“Finally, you’re here?”

Among them, Eddie-oppa, the birthday boy, looked dazzling. Perhaps his banquet outfit had been improved since last week, adorned with more jewels, and the way his hair was swept to one side made him seem remarkably mature. Or maybe Eddie-oppa had always been mature?

“Happy birthday, oppa!”

“Thank you, Lala.”

Looking at the table in the study, it seemed Eddie-oppa had already received gifts from the family. The piled-up boxes and undone ribbons were proof. Curiously, I peeked at what he had gotten—swords, Uncle Laska’s inventions, and jewelry.

‘Then now it’s just my gift left.’

I felt a little embarrassed. Giving my gift alone felt awkward. I fumbled with my bag and handed the gift inside to Eddie-oppa.

“This is my gift.”

He accepted it with a warm smile. I watched nervously as he untied the ribbon.

Inside the box was a silver watch. I had bought it because it suited Eddie-oppa’s image, hoping he’d like it.

“What a wonderful watch.”

Hearing Eddie-oppa’s admiration, Uncle Laska spoke.

“She walked all over town to find this gift.”

“It suits you well, Laila.”

“I-I didn’t walk all day…”

My face must have been turning redder and redder.

“I’ll wear it every day.”

Eddie-oppa’s following words made my face feel like it might explode from the blush. He wasn’t joking and actually wore the watch on his left wrist.

“…Yes…”

Just as I thought the gift-giving was over, Eddie-oppa began putting the box away. Seeing that, I squeaked softly:

“T-There’s one more thing…”

Hesitating, I said it, and Eddie-oppa looked at me in surprise.

“One more thing?”

Exactly. I handed him the “something” that had been under the watch box.

“What’s this?”

Uncle Laska and Brother Eit leaned in, curious. Nervously, I finally said:

“A letter.”

“….”

“A letter…?”

I saw Eddie-oppa’s eyes widen.

I internally regretted it a little. My face felt even hotter. Even though I had seen him every day last year—though less often this year—writing a letter might have been overdoing it.

Just as I thought my face might combust from embarrassment:

“…Thank you.”

“…Eh?”

I looked up sharply and saw something amazing.

“Truly, thank you.”

Eddie-oppa was smiling brightly, as if what I had given him was a priceless treasure.

“…It’s nothing.”

I erased all my regrets at once. Seeing Eddie-oppa smile like that…

‘If it means I can see that smile, I’d write a hundred times over.’

I couldn’t help but smile with him.

“Happy birthday, truly, oppa.”

Eddie-oppa gently stroked my hair.

“Wait a moment.”

Perhaps displeased with our warm moment, Uncle Laska intervened.

“Huh?”

I widened my eyes as Uncle Laska raised a finger.

“What about mine?”

“…Huh?”

“Write me a letter on my birthday too.”

“….”

It was like a child’s tantrum.

I was left speechless.

But Uncle Laska wasn’t the only one who wanted it. Brother Eit pressed his face close to me and said:

“My birthday is sooner, so mine first!”

“…Uh…”

And that wasn’t all. My father, sitting nearby, cleared his throat.

“It’s been a long time since I received a letter from Laila.”

“….”

“Oh! I want one too, Lala!”

“Lala, you’ll give me one for my birthday, right?”

The study quickly became chaotic. Everyone was listing reasons why they should get a letter. Flustered, I exchanged glances with Eddie-oppa. He too seemed equally embarrassed.

But soon, I just laughed.

“Alright, I’ll write them in order.”

“Really? Really?”

Brother Eit got excited.

“Of course.”

“Let’s treasure them forever.”

“…No need for that.”

I fanned my flushed face to calm down.