I Became the Villainess’ Daughter – Chapter 50

“Everyone, listen up!”

“What is it? What is it?”

“What’s going on, Chelsea?”

Several maids were walking down the corridor when Chelsea came running up, her cheeks flushed. The other maids’ curiosity immediately piqued—they knew Chelsea to be the household’s information source. If she came rushing with news, it had to be something new and exciting. Catching her breath, Chelsea hurriedly began sharing what she had heard.

“Well, this time, the Lady…”

“The Lady?”

“She refused to join the dinner! And she said if anyone keeps opposing her going to the academy, she won’t stay quiet!”

“Good heavens!”

The maids gasped in surprise. Nothing was more entertaining than gossip about their lady. Their whispers turned into an animated discussion.

“How far will she go?”

“I don’t know, but I’m more curious about who will win.”

“Oh, don’t you think the Lady will get her way anyway? Everyone knows how much they care about her.”

“Exactly. But it’s still uncertain. They might keep stopping her, worried she could get hurt at the academy.”

“Still, other nobles will be there, so how dangerous could it be? I mean, even if Lady Laila is a young lady, Prince Edwin and Prince Light both graduated from that academy. And I heard Lady Erbella did too.”

“That’s true…”

The maids huddled, whispering, caught up in their speculation, oblivious to who was approaching. It wasn’t until Chelsea spotted Prince Edwin walking down the corridor that she let out a short squeal. Only then did the other maids notice him and hurriedly lowered their heads.

“Y-Your Highness.”

“Greetings.”

Edwin’s piercing blue eyes swept over them. His cold gaze made the maids’ hearts skip a beat.

“What are you all doing gathered here?”

“Uh… we were… um…”

“W-we were just heading to clean up.”

A quick-witted maid spoke up. Edwin regarded them silently for a moment.

“…I see.”

Then, he withdrew his gaze. Chelsea, though aware it was rude, couldn’t help but steal a glance at his profile.

Normally radiant, like a white lily or peony, he looked strangely weary. His usually flawless skin seemed rougher, probably because of worry for his sister, Laila.

“I’m a little jealous…”

Chelsea realized she’d thought that without even meaning to. Many maids secretly adored Prince Edwin, though Chelsea had never truly been in love with him; she simply liked him.

Yet seeing Laila, so loved by Edwin, Prince Light, and Duke Esart, stirred a hint of envy in her. Laila was dazzling, cherished, and admired—something Chelsea had only realized now, though she had long kept her own modest maid’s uniform tidy.

“…Yes, ma’am.”

“Eh? Eh?”

Lost in thought, Chelsea had momentarily missed Edwin’s words. Her face went pale. The atmosphere at the Duke’s mansion had been tense lately, and speaking out of turn was risky. What if she got scolded? Her mind raced with worry.

Edwin let out a short sigh.

“I told you to bring Laila her dinner. She skipped it tonight, so she must be hungry.”

“…Y-Yes, Your Highness.”

Chelsea bowed deeply. Edwin’s tired gaze passed over her, leaving a faint scent of herbs in his wake. Chelsea’s heart thumped loudly in response.

After standing there for a while, her friends nudged her, snapping her back to reality.

“I… I should go see Lady Laila.”

“Yes, go quickly.”

Chelsea adjusted her maid uniform and straightened her appearance. Regardless of everything, this was her duty. She steeled herself, still catching faint traces of the herbal scent in the air.

There was a knock at the door.

“Lady, it’s Chelsea.”

“Come in.”

I set down the book I was reading and replied. Chelsea entered. She was a maid with brown hair and green eyes, efficient and cheerful, well-liked by the household staff.

“What is it?”

Smiling, Chelsea pointed to the tray behind her.

“I heard you hadn’t had dinner. So I asked the cook to prepare it and brought it to you.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

I exclaimed and jumped up. Though I had refused dinner earlier in a huff, hunger had made the decision difficult.

I gazed at the meal on the table with wide eyes.

Soft white bread, potato soup, roast chicken with hot vegetables, butter, strawberry jam, ham, shrimp with the heads removed, asparagus, terrine—enough for several people, but simply seeing it warmed my heart.

‘Our kitchen staff really are the best.’

I bit into the roast chicken. Chelsea spoke beside me.

“Actually, Prince Edwin instructed us to bring it to you.”

“…Gah! Choke, cough!!!”

How could she tell me that after I started eating? I began coughing violently. Chelsea quickly poured water for me.

“Are you alright?”

“Cough…! I thought I was going to die.”

“I’m sorry!”

“No… it’s just that I was surprised.”

I stared at the table, feeling both grateful and slightly guilty that Edwin had arranged this meal for me.

I finished my dinner amid the awkwardness, watching the maids clear the dishes. Looking out the window, I recalled today’s refusal of my father and brothers regarding the academy. In anger, I’d threatened to skip dinner, yet a small pang of guilt lingered.

But…

I let out a deep sigh.

I couldn’t remain idle. By entering society, meeting people, and forming connections, I realized it wasn’t enough to simply exist as ‘Lady of Rosha Hill.’ That lesson had been driven home by the Peregrine incident, when I felt utterly powerless.

‘I… want to become stronger.’

I could live happily within a glass greenhouse, protected and cherished by my father and brothers, unaware of the world’s turmoil… but that wasn’t true happiness.

Happiness gained by sacrificing those dear to me was never genuine.

I clenched my fists.

And…

‘Teahroha…’

He had mentioned aiming for the throne. I pressed my lips together.

Rosha Hill remained neutral and intended to stay so. Even if Teahroha struggled for the throne, we could offer no assistance. For the first time, I felt frustrated at simply being a lady.

Thinking of Teahroha made my heart race. I wanted to be his strength.

Although I couldn’t rely on Rosha Hill’s power, I could grow strong on my own to help him. If I became self-sufficient, I could also be of assistance to my father and brothers.

First, I needed to attend the academy.

With magical training, I could challenge for the national post of Court Mage. Holding such a position, even as an unmarried woman, my voice would carry weight—not just as ‘of Rosha Hill,’ but as ‘Laila.’

Furthermore, an academy diploma held more authority than any recommendation letter. The connections formed there were invaluable. By strengthening Rosha Hill’s influence through these connections, I could do my utmost.

‘So… I just wish they would approve.’

I sighed deeply again. Half of me felt embarrassed to voice these thoughts, and the other half hesitated because opposition might stop me before I could explain.

I needed to convey everything properly.

Outside, the sky darkened, mirroring my mood, and snow began to fall. Looking down, the garden was already blanketed in white.

“Looks like it’s going to snow heavily today…”

I muttered to myself.

Time passed, and the new year was nearly upon us.

“Is anything uncomfortable?”

The designer asked. I nodded.

For the New Year gathering, the family decided to have new clothes made. I was wearing a dress of Rosha Hill’s signature aquamarine fabric, adorned with gold embroidery and a white diamond at the chest—elegant and refined.

“I like it very much.”

Though I said it, my mood remained heavy. My issues with my family were still unresolved. Whenever I tried to speak, my father avoided the topic, leaving matters endlessly unfinished.

‘Alright.’

I nodded.

“Nana, do you know where Father is?”

Nana hesitated for a moment before answering.

“I believe the Duke is in the corridor.”

“The corridor…?”

If so, he was likely gazing at Mother’s portrait today as well. Good.

Today was the day I would settle the conversation once and for all.

“I’ll go see Father.”

Determined, I quickened my steps toward the corridor.