I Became the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 105

“At that time, I was still just a ten-year-old boy, and I harbored a certain resentment toward the Ulysses Empire. Perhaps it was a kind of hidden inferiority complex of a small nation? Even though our country maintained good relations and alliances with the Empire, for some reason, I simply disliked it intensely.”

Rey made this unexpected confession. I found myself a little surprised that he had felt that way as a child.

“Perhaps it was also related to my father, His Majesty the King’s attitude. He was always more than eager to import goods and customs from the Ulysses Empire. Many nobles looked down on this, but my father didn’t care at all. As the crown prince, I believed I loved the Siwin Kingdom more than anyone else, so I often rebelled against my father’s actions. I used to think, ‘The products of the Siwin Kingdom are already excellent—why follow the Empire’s customs? Why can’t they see that?’”

Rey’s green eyes narrowed slightly, as though recalling a distant past.

“That day was when I accompanied my father to a diplomatic meeting in the Ulysses Empire. My father said, ‘Observe the Empire well. There is much to learn.’ Foolish as I was, I paid little attention to his words, even thinking there was nothing to learn from the Empire.”

Listening to him, I could almost picture young Rey: a child of about ten with lemon-colored hair and sparkling green eyes. Yet there was dissatisfaction and stubbornness in those eyes—a side of Rey that surely existed even back then.

“Because of my attitude, I naturally earned the dislike of the people from Ulysses. No matter that I was the prince of an allied nation, no one could have liked such an arrogant little boy. That evening at the banquet, I was ignored not only by the adults but also by children my age, leaving me to wander alone. I thought I was being dismissed simply for being from the Siwin Kingdom. That frustration was so intense that I vowed I would grow the kingdom and someday take a great revenge on these people. Looking back now, it’s really quite laughable.”

True to his words, Rey smiled awkwardly, and I found myself faintly smiling in response.

“Unable to bear my frustration, I went out alone to the palace garden. I resolved not to return until the banquet ended… and there, I met someone.”

Who could he have met?

I waited for him to continue, but Rey suddenly stopped speaking and looked straight at me.

“Excuse me, Princess Laila, may I ask how you feel about the Siwin Kingdom?”

“The Siwin Kingdom?”

“You may speak frankly.”

I hesitated for a moment, but then answered. His question had been a bit sudden, but it wasn’t impossible to answer.

“I really like the Siwin Kingdom.”

This was no empty compliment. Even before coming here, I had been interested in it, and after arriving, I had come to love it even more.

“There are so many beautiful works of art, and seeing it firsthand has made me like it even more. The people are kind, and its history and traditions are alive. Prince Rey, you called this a small kingdom, but I doubt there’s anyone on the continent who hasn’t heard of the Siwin Kingdom. Its culture is so widely respected. Cultural influence is a very powerful force. In that sense, I believe the people of Siwin have every reason to be proud of their country.”

Rey smiled warmly at my words.

“Thank you.”

“I’m just speaking from my own experience.”

“No, thank you for seeing it that way. A country that makes its people proud… any king would want to create such a nation.”

Rey sipped his tea, perhaps to pause after speaking so much.

“There was also a girl who said something similar to ten-year-old me.”

“A girl?”

I blinked. Rey continued his story.

“The girl I met by chance in the garden comforted me. Even though I was annoying from the start and likely would have been unpleasant to Ulysses citizens with their prejudices, she was genuinely kind.”

“……”

“She said she had visited the Siwin Kingdom before and thought it was an excellent country. She remarked that there was much to learn and that the culture was wonderful.”

“……”

“At that moment, it occurred to me that Ulysses people weren’t dismissing the Siwin Kingdom out of malice. Hearing her words, I remember feeling tears well up. The baseless inferiority complex and stubbornness I had held began to melt away.”

Rey’s eyes glimmered with a nostalgic light.

“From then on, I slowly began to change. I used to oppose anything from the Empire outright, but I learned to reconsider before rejecting. My father was pleased with my change. Only then did I understand that his words weren’t about blindly accepting the Ulysses Empire, but rather, ‘Embrace the good, but develop the Siwin Kingdom’s own uniqueness.’”

“I see…”

“By broadening my perspective, I began to understand the positions of the nobles and even my father. I also learned how to mediate between them, and I gradually learned many things.”

He spoke as if it were effortless, but I knew it had not been easy. I silently admired Rey all over again.

“My study at Rebecam Academy was part of that process. I wanted to interact with more people beyond the kingdom, to experience a wider world.”

“Ah…”

So that was why the prince had come all the way to the Empire’s academy. Today’s conversation revealed so many sides of Rey I hadn’t known.

“To create a better Siwin.”

And as he concluded, looking me squarely in the eyes, I finally realized.

“…That girl was me, wasn’t she?”

“Yes. Do you remember?”

Sadly, I shook my head slightly. Rey’s expression showed mild regret, but it was understandable—it had happened so long ago. After a moment, he returned to a serious expression.

“Princess Laila.”

“…Yes?”

“I know you blamed yourself greatly after the trial. You took all the responsibility and suffered because of it. There is something I have always wanted to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Rey’s green eyes met mine directly.

“Your hands are the hands that save people.”

I could not speak.

“Just as you held my stubborn little hands that day in the garden and helped me stand… and now, saving countless lives, you can save even more people.”

“……”

“So please, do not worry. Leave here and move forward. That is all I wish for.”

Rey’s long words finally came to an end.

I lowered my eyes. Thoughts swirled endlessly within me. There were so many that I didn’t even know what to say.

As if sensing this, Rey smiled faintly.

“And, as you may have heard…”

“Yes?”

“The war with the Eden Kingdom is nearly over. Prince Tearoha’s return is not far off.”

Hearing that, I slightly parted my lips.