I Was Reincarnated as the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 61

After the gift exchange ended, we dispersed to prepare for the banquet.

The theme of today’s banquet seemed to be water. The dress I wore, attended to by the maids, was a beautiful water-colored gown. Diamonds lined the chest and hem, shimmering brilliantly with every movement I made.

It was almost enough to make Eit, who had come to escort me to my room, break down in tears.

“Our beautiful Lala.”

“Y-Yes…”

“How could you be this pretty? What if some other fools try to take you? Lala, let’s just live together forever instead of marrying anyone else!”

“Y-Yes…”

I gently soothed Eit, who claimed he would remain unmarried forever just to be with me, and we headed to the banquet hall.

‘Come to think of it, it’s about time my brothers start thinking about marriage too.’

It was a surprising thought. My elder brother Eddie, who was ten years older than me, was obvious, but it wasn’t strange if Eit had also started thinking about marriage.

The banquet hall was overflowing with people. I knew more people than last year, and several attendees stopped me to chat. While I was greeting them one by one, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Laila.”

I turned around.

“…Ibhahrun!”

A broad smile spread across my face. In front of me stood Ibhahrun in a silver dress, Luke Ran in a silver suit, and Raon in a navy suit.

“Long time no see!”

Ibhahrun smiled back warmly. Luke Ran spoke beside him.

“It’s a wonderful day.”

“Luke Ran, and Raon, it’s good to see you. I saw you yesterday too, but you’re especially dashing today.”

“You flatter me,” Raon replied with a gentle smile.

Come to think of it, Ibhahrun was my friend and the princess of Peregrin, so it wasn’t surprising that she had been invited. I nodded in agreement.

“Thanks for coming today. Let’s go see my brother. He’ll definitely be happy.”

I led them to Eddie. He was receiving congratulations from others, looking far more impressive than usual. When he saw me, he offered a faint smile.

‘Ah, right.’

I suddenly remembered a question I had for him and looked up at him intently.

“Brother.”

“Hm?”

“Didn’t you used to collect artworks?”

“I did, yes.”

However, when I checked, there were no artworks in his room. Where had all the pieces Eddie collected gone? He replied casually.

“I sold them all.”

“…Excuse me?”

I stared at him, dumbfounded, and he shrugged.

“It wasn’t really collecting. I just bought artworks that the merchant guild handled.”

“…Is that so?”

I had assumed his hobby was collecting antiques. I nearly bought the wrong gift! I rolled my eyes, and he asked:

“But why are you asking about that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said, quickly smiling.

‘But…’

Why had the student council president paid 800 million for that painting? Was it just a desire to collect? I had no idea.

Amid the lively music, conversations, and the dazzling lights of the banquet, the day passed in a blur. Soon, Sunday arrived.

Having slept in to recover from the banquet, I discovered that my uncle had already left.

“You should have at least said goodbye!” I stomped my feet in frustration, and my father laughed awkwardly.

“You were asleep, so he left thinking he didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Still…”

I could sleep anytime, but seeing my uncle again would take a long time. I let out a disappointed sigh.

That night, I ended up staying home because Eit, who had spent the entire day trying to play with me after my uncle left, wouldn’t let me go out.

Early the next morning, I took the Roshahill carriage to the dormitory. Learning that Elia had already left, I hurriedly changed into my school uniform.

As I tied the ribbon at my collar and carried the books and assignments for today’s classes, I stepped out of the dormitory.

In front of the central garden, I saw someone shouting.

‘Who could that be?’

It was still early, and no one else was around. I had to pass through the garden to get to the central building for classes, so I cautiously approached.

At that moment, a sharp cracking sound split the morning air.

“…!”

I recognized the figure immediately—but not in a pleasant way.

The moment she saw me, her face hardened. I felt the same.

I alternated my gaze between Elia, who had been slapped, and the young lady Kitten standing in front of her.

“…What’s going on here?”

I walked directly toward Lady Kitten. She forced a smile.

“Oh my, Princess Laila…”

“I clearly saw my friend being slapped.”

“…Well…”

Elia was fidgeting nervously.

“Apologize,” I said firmly.

“Or else, I’ll really be upset.”

Lady Kitten’s face twisted.

She opened her mouth.

“You want me to apologize…?”

“Of course. To Elia.”

Lady Kitten shook her head slowly.

“I don’t know what I did wrong.”

“Didn’t you just slap Elia right in front of me?”

“….”

Kitten bit her lip in frustration.

“I just said a few words to Lady Emon. She didn’t know her place, so I corrected her a little. Was that so wrong?”

“…?”

“Did you know?” She raised her head arrogantly. “Lady Emon is actually common-born.”

Elia’s face turned bright red at that revelation.

“She’s the child of a concubine, isn’t she? I know because I came from the North. How dare someone without noble blood try to study alongside us…?”

“….”

“You and Lady Emon don’t match, Princess Laila. I only told her to leave you alone, but she kept sticking around. She must have no pride at all.”

Finally, I understood.

Lady Kitten had been harassing Elia for a long time.

Elia’s story was a typical Cinderella tale; she was the daughter of a lower-ranking noble. On top of that, she had been brought by a concubine, which explained why the other noble ladies treated her poorly.

And I, as a princess of the empire, had added fuel to the fire.

Even in the original story, our rivalry was complete, from personality to background. Like shadow and light, we stood out sharply.

“Did you just realize? If Lady Emon had been hiding it, it makes sense.”

Kitten smiled brightly and extended her hand.

“Now that you know, it’s good. That girl doesn’t suit you. Let’s be friends, Princess Laila.”

I looked at the hand—a pristine, white hand. It seemed untouched by hardship or suffering. Everyone would praise such hands as beautiful.

But…

Smack!

“…P-Princess?”

I pushed her hand away. Kitten stared at me in disbelief.

“I didn’t know you were such a terrible person, Lady Kitten.”

I continued without hesitation.

“I wondered why you harassed Elia, and it turns out it’s for something so pathetic. I’m at a loss for words.”

“…!”

“You think we can be friends? Think carefully if someone like you, obsessed with social class, could ever match my rank.”

Kitten’s face turned red.

“…Princess Laila…”

She stammered.

“Why are you protecting that girl? I told you she’s a commoner! And she’s so slow and foolish… Why?”

I ignored her.

“Let’s go, Elia.”

“B-But…!”

Fuming, Kitten continued shouting.

“You’ll regret this!”

“What a strange person.”

“L-Laila…!”

I shrugged. She ground her teeth.

“By protecting her, Princess Laila, you show you’re nothing special!”

“….”

I ignored her and kept walking.

“You’re disgracing the name of Roshahill. You’re smearing that name with filth!”

“….”

This was hard to ignore. Not only did she dare speak against Roshahill, she treated Elia like dirt.

I frowned, ready to warn her.

“-Quiet!”

“…!”

I widened my eyes.

Elia, her face red, was shouting at her.

“I-I don’t care what happens to me… But d-don’t insult Laila!”

“…Elia.”

I stared at her in surprise. This was the first time I’d heard her shout.

“Y-You…”

Her face was red, her eyes brimming with tears.

‘…Elia.’

Even as her hands trembled.

I glared coldly at Lady Kitten. She flinched.

“You should know there are consequences when you speak so recklessly.”

“…Th-That’s…”

I slowly stepped toward her.

Just as I was about to speak, a piercingly cold voice cut through the tension.

“What’s going on here?”

The three of us were startled and looked at the speaker.

Standing before us was someone we all knew well.

Her hair tied tightly, sharp glasses.

“…Professor…”

“I’m very curious about what happened, especially the student shouting inside the school. Your name is…?”

“…Elia.”

Her cold eyes scanned Elia.

“You’re the one who didn’t wear the uniform on the first day, correct?”

“…Yes.”

Elia lowered her head. It seemed the professor had witnessed the shouting.

“Student, come with me.”

“W-Wait a moment.”

I grabbed her hand.

“Take me with you too.”

If Elia went alone, she wouldn’t be able to explain herself, just like last time. The professor looked at me.

“…Very well.”