IWPVD 135

IWPVD

I’ve Possessed the Villainess’s Daughter – Chapter 135

“Where have you been, coming back just now?!”

The voice was so sharp it felt like it could tear through me. My heart sank for a moment, but then I realized—those words weren’t directed at me.

Before I knew it, I had left the black space behind.

Instead, I found myself in a room adorned with jewels and filled with plush cushions. I looked around.

The furniture, in warm brown tones, exuded elegance, and the lighting was bright. Though the arrangement and decoration were slightly different, I could be sure—this was the dress room I used.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Ladyship!”

A girl about my age trembled before me, begging for forgiveness. I hadn’t seen her before. Her cute, freckled face was brimming with tears, though she seemed desperately determined not to cry. She was probably one of my maids.

“…She wasn’t talking to me,” I realized, and stayed silent.

Though several maids and I—no, Lyla—were in the room, they seemed completely oblivious to my presence.

Lyla, staring at one particular maid, seemed thoroughly irritated. She threw the lace gloves she had been wearing at the girl’s face in frustration.

“I told you countless times that today is an important day! Do you find my words amusing?!”

“N-No, absolutely not. Never, Your Ladyship.”

The other maids looked intimidated, too scared to help the freckled girl.

Lyla continued yelling at them.

“Bring me different clothes. All of these are stupid, lazy, pathetic designs. How could anyone look beautiful in these?!”

Piles of clothes were already scattered across the floor. Lyla criticized them harshly, but to my eyes, the dresses weren’t bad at all—they were actually quite stunning. Each one was richly adorned with gold and silver thread, lace, silk, ribbons, pearls, and jewels. A few of these dresses alone could probably buy a decent house.

The maids fidgeted nervously at seeing garments more valuable than themselves tossed aside, but Lyla paid no attention. She only obsessively examined herself in the mirror as the other maids brought more clothes. Then, one of the maids whispered something to the eldest-looking maid in the room.

I recognized her face immediately.

The head maid…

While the other maids were unfamiliar to me, she had a presence that remained firm. After the whispering maid hurried away, the head maid calmly approached Lyla.

She had always been strict with me, but now, her demeanor toward Lyla was even firmer. Yet outwardly, she maintained proper respect.

“Your Ladyship,” she said.

Lyla glanced at her without a word, her expression challenging as if to say, If you have business, speak quickly.

“It seems a jeweler has arrived at the mansion.”

“Really?!”

At that, Lyla’s eyes lit up immediately. She rushed to the window in the hallway and looked down. Sure enough, a strange carriage had stopped in front of the garden.

Her face, previously tense with annoyance, gradually softened.

“Tell them to come to the reception room immediately!”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

To avoid displeasing her, the young maid dashed down to the first floor like the wind. The middle-aged male jeweler, puffed up with pride, followed with the maid into the reception room.

Lyla entered the room shortly after. The jeweler launched into a rehearsed flurry of compliments, but Lyla waved her hand impatiently.

“Show me the pieces.”

That seemed to be all she cared about. The jeweler quickly opened the boxes he had brought and laid out the jewelry.

Lyla’s eyes scanned them with intense interest.

But soon, disappointment crept into her expression.

“Is that all?”

Indeed, the pieces were all high-quality, but apparently, they didn’t satisfy her.

“Has the Sing guild gone out of style, then?”

The jeweler briefly twitched his eyebrows at the harsh critique but suppressed any reaction with a polite cough.

“Of course not. The best pieces are always saved for last.”

He motioned backward, and an assistant quickly handed him a small box. He opened it slowly.

Lyla let out a small gasp.

“A red diamond.”

A massive red diamond, about the size of a baby’s fist, sat inside. Cut into a teardrop shape, it was set as a necklace, earrings, and a ring—all part of a matching set.

She seemed utterly pleased.

“I’ll take it. I’ll write the check immediately.”

With practiced ease, Lyla produced a blank check.

“How much do I owe?”

The jeweler hesitated briefly, then gave the price. Faces among the maids and attendants showed visible concern. No one dared to speak, except the brave head maid.

“Your Ladyship, I believe you purchased a large quantity of jewelry just two days ago…”

“So what? Do you think buying some jewelry will bankrupt me?”

Lyla scoffed, dismissing the warning.

“And don’t interfere in my matters. You don’t know your place.”

The head maid fell silent under Lyla’s fierce gaze. Though the amount was substantial, Lyla didn’t hesitate in the slightest.

The jeweler bowed repeatedly, grateful.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship. These jewels perfectly complement your dazzling beauty.”

“Leave once you’ve been served.”

Lyla cut him off coldly, then urged her maids to find a dress that matched the jewels.

As she headed back to the dress room, she encountered someone.

Following her, I felt my heart race when I saw him—it was someone I had longed to see.

Golden hair brushed near his neck, and, as always, a sword hung at his right hip. His green eyes shone with concern and love for Lyla.

“Lyla.”

He seemed cautious. I opened my mouth instinctively, feeling warmth spread through me.

…Light oppa.

But someone answered before I could.

“Brother Light.”

Her tone was cold, with not a hint of affection.

“The jeweler has come and gone, it seems.”

“Yes.”

Lyla’s brief answer revealed no interest in continuing the conversation. Light oppa tried anyway.

“What did you buy this time?”

Though his voice was gentle, Lyla sighed heavily.

“There’s nothing for you to know.”

“……”

“I’m busy today. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for a response, she went upstairs to the dress room. The maids bowed to Light oppa and hurried after her, and I did the same.

Back in the dress room, Lyla anxiously issued instructions. One maid handled makeup, another the dress, and one held the red diamond she had purchased.

The maids moved busily, while Lyla fussed over ribbons, adjusted hairstyles, and meticulously checked every detail.

I couldn’t help but wonder.

What’s going on?

Why was she so anxious and invested in her appearance? And…who was she?

I had accidentally entered this space and was watching her, but I still didn’t fully understand what was happening.

Parallel world?

It seemed plausible. Her face was nearly identical to mine. She didn’t seem like a different person, but since I had never acted like this, a parallel world version of me was the most likely explanation.

…Or…

A bad feeling settled in. As I frowned and glanced around, another maid approached Lyla.

“Your Ladyship, he has arrived.”

Lyla’s face lit up so brightly it almost shone. Previously wrinkled with anxiety, annoyance, and tension, her face now mirrored mine perfectly.

But…who could that be?

Lyla excitedly ran downstairs but then regained composure. She carefully checked the hem of her dress and began walking gracefully, step by step.

With heavy makeup, she looked like a perfect doll. Her hair was styled high and pinned with pearls; the red diamond adorned her hands and ears, complementing her elegant crimson silk gown.

It was remarkable that the same face could emanate such a different aura.

Yet my instincts screamed danger. I thought quickly.

Would someone make her this excited?

If she was a parallel-world me…there was only one possibility. Tearoha, wasn’t it?

Could I see Tearoha?

Hoping, I hurried after her.

Despite wearing high heels, Lyla descended the stairs naturally.

On the first-floor hall stood a man. Even from behind, my heart raced.

Tearoha?

My mouth went dry.

Though he probably couldn’t sense me, just seeing his face calmed me. His presence always comforted me.

As we descended, his back came into closer view. But something seemed off.