IWPVD 89

IWPVD

I Became the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 89

For some reason, Rubiana felt embarrassed and turned her head this way and that.

Then, all of a sudden, she noticed a pile of books stacked in the corner.

“What are those?”

“Ah, those…”

Even at a glance, it was no ordinary number of books. What on earth were they all for? As Rubiana’s eyes filled with curiosity, Laila slowly answered.

“I borrowed them from the library as reference materials for a commission I recently received.”

“…You need that many?”

Rubiana clicked her tongue. For mere references, the quantity was staggering.

“I want to be cautious. I can’t afford to make mistakes.”

As Laila spoke, her eyes were tinged with bitterness. At that sight, Rubiana recalled what one of the maids had told her:

“I heard she made a mistake that left His Highness half-dead.”

…

Something about it made her feel uneasy.

She had thought of it only as Laila’s weakness, something to nitpick at. Yet seeing the woman in person, clearly suffering from it, was different.

Was I too flippant about it?

Rubiana stared blankly at her teacup. Soon, Laila lifted her head and gave her a smile. Without thinking, Rubiana opened her mouth and asked:

“…Lady Laila, how did you come to Siwin Kingdom?”

Yes.

Better to just ask directly.

Was it because you’re Brother Ray’s lover?

Even if Laila had said so, Rubiana would have accepted it. But the answer that came was entirely different. Laila’s calm voice, as deep and steady as black tea, filled the office softly.

“My goal was to become a court mage of the Imperial Family.”

“…?”

“But because of my mistake, that position was revoked. I was even banned from practicing magic in the Ulysses Empire.”

“…”

“Knowing my circumstances, Prince Ray recommended me for a government post here in Siwin.”

So Brother Ray already knew.

That was Rubiana’s first thought.

At the same time, she felt a twinge of pity.

It went without saying that the treatment of an imperial court mage and a Siwin official were worlds apart.

What’s more, had she stayed in the Empire, she would’ve had her family and friends nearby. Coming alone to an unfamiliar land with no ties, as a woman no less, could not have been an easy decision.

I thought she just came here using connections, living comfortably without effort…

Her assumptions and the truth were far apart.

Laila must have had struggles and hardships of her own. Yet Rubiana, not knowing any of that, had hated her only out of jealousy at the thought of losing her brother. The realization made her feel ashamed.

Rubiana pressed her lips together, then parted them again to ask what was on her mind.

“…Do you regret coming here?”

“Hmm? Why would I?”

“Well, Siwin Kingdom is small… and it doesn’t have many good things…”

Though Rubiana had pride in her kingdom, compared to the Empire, its standing seemed pitiful.

But at those words, Laila shook her head firmly.

“No. I don’t regret it. It was my choice. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“This place is truly wonderful. I think you should take pride in it.”

As she said that, Laila beamed brightly.

A wonderful place?

Rubiana stared blankly.

There was no trace of calculation or flattery in her eyes. It was clearly genuine.

…

“And I think there are many good people here.”

“…Like who?”

Good people? Was she unaware of the rumors spreading around the palace? Yet Laila only smiled innocently.

“Why, Princess Rubiana, you’re spending your free time with me right now, aren’t you? I don’t have many friends yet, so I usually spend holidays alone. If you’d come again, I’d be very happy.”

Her words struck something inside Rubiana.

No, that’s not it.

She hadn’t come here to befriend Laila or to spend time with her.

I…

She had come to criticize her. To glare at the woman who might take her brother away.

And yet, Laila had treated her with such kindness.

What a fool…

To be so gentle even toward someone who so clearly disliked her. But then again…

…

Perhaps Laila was actually a pretty decent person.

Before she knew it, Rubiana had returned to the palace.

Laila herself had gone out of her way during her break to escort her back.

Her nanny, after seeing Laila off, bombarded her with questions.

“My goodness, to think you actually met the lady everyone’s been talking about! So? Was she really as cold as the rumors say?”

“Cold?”

“Yes! They say she’s so arrogant and aloof that she doesn’t mingle with anyone.”

The nanny continued rattling off more rumors about Laila, most of them unflattering.

Rubiana listened silently, then suddenly sprang to her feet.

“No.”

“Pardon?”

“I said no.”

Her firm voice made the nanny stare at her, bewildered.

“No? What do you mean?”

“She wasn’t cold or arrogant at all.”

On the contrary…

Rubiana recalled the warm smile Laila had given her.

“She was kind.”

‘I don’t regret it. This really is a wonderful place.’

She had meant those words sincerely.

Normally, Rubiana would have nodded along to bad rumors about Laila, thinking, so it’s true, then. But she couldn’t anymore—because now she knew the truth.

…

Unconsciously, Rubiana glanced out the palace window.

Laila was long gone, yet her figure still lingered faintly in her mind.

The next time I see her…

She resolved to treat her differently. She could feel stubbornness and resentment washing away from her heart.

Before long, the weekend arrived.

I need to go to work.

Like on a weekday, I opened my eyes wide.

Ah, right. Today’s a holiday.

Bless weekends. I closed my eyes again.

But in the end, I had no choice but to open them once more.

…

Because today was the day of the royal ball.

I’d wanted to sneak in a nap…

But there was no time for that.

Proving it, royal maids sent by Ray came in from the morning and began dressing me up nonstop.

Since receiving Ray’s invitation, I had already had a dress tailored in advance. Siwin fashion wasn’t too different from that of Ulysses. I wore a light green dress suited for spring, adorned with white lace, along with a yellow diamond necklace and earrings.

“Oh my!”

“It suits you so perfectly!”

Judging by their delighted expressions, their compliments weren’t just empty words.

“Thank you.”

I turned my face this way and that in the mirror. Somehow it all felt strange. Not that the maids had done poorly—just that, after so long away from society, it was odd to see myself all dressed up and painted with makeup again.

As I kept staring at the mirror, one of the maids beside me spoke up.

“Prince Ray is sure to be amazed by Lady Laila’s beauty tonight!”

I blinked.

“Ah… well, thank you.”

If he was impressed, that would be nice. I answered casually, but the maids squealed amongst themselves.

What’s with them?

It didn’t feel like they were merely happy. Something about it left me uneasy, but I couldn’t be bothered to press. I let it slide.

Later, after reading some magic texts and killing time with little tasks, it was already afternoon.

Spring had settled in, the weather warm and the days long.

Bathed in the soft afternoon sunlight, Ray arrived—right on the dot, as promised, to escort me.

He brushed back his lemon-colored hair, clad in a dark green suit that matched his eyes perfectly.

“You look even more beautiful today.”

He bowed dramatically, kissing the gloved back of my hand.

“And Your Highness shines all the more brightly.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

At his side was Minuet, the aide I had seen before.

He watched us chat with a rather amused expression.

“It has been a while, Lord Minuet. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your concern, yes.”

We had just left the palace and were walking down the corridor. Minuet kept striking up conversation, and I sometimes answered while Ray chimed in here and there.

As Minuet and I chatted, Ray suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Speaking of which, about this latest matter…”

“Ah, yes.”

Since it was work-related, Minuet, who knew nothing of magic, naturally stepped aside. Ray and I discussed the issue for quite some time.

“…Then when I return Monday, I’ll look into it first thing.”

“Thank you.”

After wrapping up briefly, I glanced apologetically at Minuet, who had been left out.

“Sorry, we went on at length about work.”

It could’ve been an irritating situation, yet oddly enough, Minuet was smiling brightly.

“No need to apologize. I don’t mind.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added:

“You two really are close, aren’t you?”