I Reincarnated as the Villainess’s Daughter – Chapter 121
“Here, here!”
I approached Hestia, and she winked at me.
“I saved a good spot for us.”
Her words were true. I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about astrology, but standing next to Hestia, I could tell that this spot was prime. In front of us were a telescope and various magical instruments.
“What are all these for?” I asked, curious.
Hestia, as if she had been waiting for the question, began explaining each tool one by one. The object shaped like a crystal ball could store starlight, allowing one to observe celestial energy over time, while the wide, compass-like plate recorded the trajectories of stars.
Next to Hestia, Orphe quietly adjusted the telescope.
He was a transformation mage, I had heard. His specialty didn’t seem particularly related to stars, yet he appeared very interested in them.
I looked up at the sky from beside Hestia.
Since there was no pollution in this world, the sky was always clear and transparent.
Moreover, tonight, the stars and the moon were exceptionally visible. The blue moon seemed unusually large, as if I could reach out and grab it.
I was left speechless.
Hundreds, thousands of stars embroidered across the dark blue night sky were breathtakingly beautiful. Their wonder was indescribable, almost impossible to capture in words. The stars sparkled as if sending us some unknown signals. How amazing it would be if I could decipher them all…
“They’re beautiful.”
“Right?”
Hestia smiled brightly.
“It’s not just about beauty. Stars govern human fate, the destiny of the world, the past and present—and even the future. Since ancient times, mages have read the stars to predict forthcoming misfortune or luck.”
“I see…”
I nodded. Looking up at the vast constellations, I felt small, utterly insignificant. As I continued to gaze, Hestia spoke.
“Lady Laila, would you like me to read your fortune from the stars?”
“A star reading?”
“Yes!”
She already held a small telescope and a chart, ready to begin as soon as I consented.
“When’s your birthday?”
“October 21st.”
I answered obediently, and Hestia lifted the telescope to her eye, gazing at the sky.
“Oh!”
She let out a short exclamation.
Was that the result? My heart fluttered, half anxious, half curious.
“So, what do you see?”
Having experienced a minor trauma from fortune-telling at an academy festival, I always felt nervous when someone read my fortune. I held my hands together secretly as Hestia smiled brightly.
“It’s very good!”
“R-Really?”
“Look here. October 21st falls under the Tree constellation, right? Following the trajectory of its guardian star over the past few days and tonight, it shines so clearly. It’s a signal that many good things are coming your way.”
I couldn’t hide my delight. But Hestia wasn’t finished yet.
“Ah, but there’s one little problem… hmm…”
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
“The light from the guardian star of the twin constellation, which could be considered a rival, is unusual. It’s best to be cautious for a while.”
“Cautious?”
“Yes. Usually, conflicts are best resolved amicably. Honestly, this is mostly for fun. Normally, the process is a bit more complicated.”
Hestia shrugged. Seeing her reaction, I felt reassured that it wasn’t too serious.
After several hours of observing stars and recording constellations, we finally achieved satisfying results and slowly descended from the rooftop. Luckily, even at night, the early summer air wasn’t cold.
“Will you sleep in the lab tonight?”
I shook my head at Hestia’s question.
“No. My family would worry. The palace is close, so I’ll go home and return tomorrow.”
“Oh, you live nearby. I don’t live near the capital, so the lab is the only place I can stay.”
According to Hestia, it was common for mages to pull all-nighters in the lab. As we chatted, we descended the spiral staircase.
“Then be careful going home. Actually, it’s dark—shall I walk with you?”
“No need…”
I hesitated, feeling uneasy about walking alone in the dark.
Orphe, who had been quiet until now, spoke.
“I’ll go with you too. Nighttime can be dangerous.”
Although Hestia and I were more than capable of defending ourselves, there was no reason to refuse Orphe’s offer. I nodded.
“Could you both escort me just to the front of the tower? My family will meet me there.”
“Sure!”
Being with Hestia was never dull. As we listened to her chatter, we reached the open space in front of the mage’s tower, where a white Rosahill carriage awaited.
Standing by it was my brother, Eit.
The lamplight and his scarlet lantern made it easy to see him clearly.
“Lala!”
He called me, and his smiling face shone brightly even in the night. The full moon made his golden hair glimmer even more.
“I’ll go inside now. I had fun tonight, Orphe. Hestia.”
I greeted them, and Orphe nodded.
But Hestia’s reaction was unusual.
She seemed frozen, unable to breathe properly.
“Hestia?”
I called her again.
“…Oh my.”
Finally, she spoke, her face turning bright red.
“How can someone be so… so cool…?”
“H-Hestia…?”
She kept repeating the same phrase like a broken record.
The next morning, after a full night’s sleep, I returned to the palace in high spirits.
Unexpectedly, Hestia was already at my lab when I arrived.
Her face looked dreamy, and her voice was sweet, like a girl in love.
“He’s really amazing…”
“…So…”
I rubbed my head.
“Ah, that explains it…”
“You mean… ‘that person’ is our Light brother?”
“Yes!!”
Hestia nodded passionately.
I was stunned. It really seemed like she had a crush on my brother!
Her fiery crimson eyes sparkled like infinite hearts. Clutching her hands tightly, she blushed as if imagining something wonderful.
“Um, Lady Laila! I have a favor to ask!”
“…What is it?”
I had a strong feeling it would be a troublesome request, but ignoring her could make life in the tower difficult, so I reluctantly asked.
“Could I speak with him, even just once?!”
“Speak with him?”
“Just once… that would be enough!”
I looked at Hestia, who was clutching her cheeks.
“You really like him that much?”
“Of course!”
Her answer was unwavering, as if stating an obvious truth: water flows downward, the sun rises in the east. Hestia pleaded earnestly.
“I’ll help you with anything. If you need an assistant for your magic research, just ask me. If you need any materials or papers, I’ll get them. Just once, please let me meet and talk to him!”
“That’s not too difficult…”
I scratched my cheek.
‘Light Rosahill,’ aka Eit.
He was in his late twenties, an older bachelor among nobles. Though past the age for marriage, he had never shown romantic interest publicly.
Father believed that matters of love and marriage should be left to the individuals, but he was subtly concerned about Eit having no partner.
Personally, I didn’t think Eit was unpopular at all.
At a young age, he became captain of the Imperial Guard, wielding extraordinary strength, and as the second son of the Rosahill family, he was also very handsome.
I wasn’t biased because he was family—at balls he attended, young ladies often swooned at his appearance. Golden hair, green eyes… like a prince from a fairy tale.
So why had he had no partner?
Because competition was so fierce that no young lady dared approach him, watching from afar instead. Over the years, he mistakenly thought he was unpopular and became withdrawn, attending balls less often.
With fewer social opportunities, he spent most days training with knights at the practice field. Poor Eit.
In that sense, Hestia’s enthusiasm was admirable.
She clearly wanted this, so why not help her meet him at least once? I pondered.
Hestia herself was remarkable. Rising to a court mage position at an age similar to mine, she was skilled in magic and had a straightforward personality. She was also very pretty.
Seeing no strong reason to oppose, I nodded.
“Alright, I’ll find a time to speak with my brother.”
“Thank you so much!!”
Hestia’s face radiated joy, as if she had gained the world.
Excited, she brought another chair and sat beside me, chattering nonstop.
Though most of the conversation was about magic, I found it fascinating. She seemed to know everything—new theories, unpublished research, everything.
Suddenly, a question popped into my mind.
“By the way, Light brother is the captain of the palace guard, and Prince Tearoha is head court mage. Hmm… if they fought, who would win?”
Both were undoubtedly among the empire’s strongest. Tearoha was impressive, but so was Eit.
I tilted my head, pondering aloud, when Hestia answered firmly.
“Oh, that’s obvious!”
I was slightly surprised.
“Tearoha would definitely win.”
Despite her earlier praise of Eit, she was sharp in her judgment.
“He’s perfect. There’s never been a mage like him, and there never will be.”
“Well…”
Her confidence wasn’t unfounded. I had to admit Tearoha was an exceptional mage.
But Hestia didn’t stop at words—she fetched a book from her library herself.
