chepter 02
That startled me.
I blinked and pressed a hand to my pounding chest.
Lyla’s father was leaning against a chair beside the bed, dozing lightly.
Because of the dim light, his shadow stretched long, making it look as though the darkness itself might swallow me whole.
“…….”
I stared at him quietly.
His soft light-brown hair was tousled, and his worn, haggard appearance—like someone who hadn’t slept for days—stirred an instinctive urge to protect him.
This feels strange.
A sharp ache pricked one side of my chest.
Before dying, I had always been alone. I’d never experienced something like being cared for while sick. The unfamiliar emotions churning inside my head left me confused.
He was such a good father—so why did Lyla become a villainess?
No answer came no matter how much I questioned myself.
The side stories had been short and mostly told from the protagonist’s perspective, so there was very little information about Lyla.
Was her intense hatred toward my favorite character just part of the author’s setup?
Lavina had been merciless toward enemies, but she was generally a warm-hearted person.
The fragmented memories and the lack of appearances in the side stories made my chest feel tight.
Will I remember if I actually face things head-on?
At the rustling sound, Lyla’s father rubbed his eyes and slowly sat up.
“Oh dear, I must’ve dozed off. Are you all right, my daughter? You fainted again, and I was so worried.”
Smiling faintly, he reached out with his large hand and gently stroked my head. Seeing his gaunt face, I muttered without thinking,
“Please go back to your room and sleep.”
He startled in surprise, and I flinched as well.
“My daughter worrying about her father, of all things……”
Emotion welled up in his eyes again.
Caught off guard, I could only blink repeatedly.
Aren’t nobles supposed to be bad at expressing emotions?
While thinking he was a unique character, I also felt a pang of sadness—Lyla must have been indifferent to her father.
“I’m fine, so get some more rest.”
He laid me back down, pulled the blanket up to my chin, and patted my chest gently.
So this is what family warmth feels like.
Overcome by this unfamiliar emotion, the words slipped out impulsively.
“Lie down here and sleep with me.”
When I patted the wide bed, his eyes widened.
“Is it really all right for Daddy to lie here?”
“Yes.”
Though I had said it first, I suddenly felt shy and pulled the blanket over my head, peeking out with just my eyes.
With a warm chuckle, he carefully lay down beside me and softly stroked my hair.
“My daughter, it must feel stifling and hard. There’s no need to rush—your memories can return slowly.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“…What if I never remember anything?”
After thinking for a long moment, he spoke with a gentle smile.
“Then we’ll make new memories together. Just having you healthy by my side already makes me happy.”
I clenched my lips shut, unable to speak.
I’d never received such overflowing love before—it made my eyes sting with tears.
“It’s still early. Get some more sleep.”
His large, kind hand felt unfamiliar yet comforting.
Warm.
The warmth traveling from his fingertips was so soothing that my eyes slowly closed.
A week had passed since I possessed Lyla’s body.
Though the environment was unfamiliar, my body’s memories helped me adjust quickly.
“How are you feeling now?”
Marquis James Brillston set down his teacup with a gentle smile.
The original story hadn’t gone into detail about him, but Lyla’s father, James, was truly an extraordinary man.
He was the head of an ancient noble house and governed a vast, fertile territory so well that it was consistently ranked among the most desirable lands in the empire.
He also ran a merchant guild spanning the entire empire—so wealthy that people said, “The Brillston Guild scoops up all the money in the empire,” rivaling even the imperial family.
Despite being busy enough to schedule his days by the minute, he had stayed by my side constantly since the accident.
Today was the last day of his leave.
After breakfast together, we were drinking tea in my room.
“You’ve brought me only the best things, Daddy, so my head doesn’t hurt at all. I feel fine.”
At my words, his smile stretched from ear to ear.
As his big, round, puppy-like eyes curved into a gentle grin, his handsome features practically glowed.
He’s really handsome.
Though calling him “Daddy” still felt awkward, my body’s memories made it feel natural enough.
His unwavering affection and kindness made me unconsciously accept him as my protector.
No wonder Lyla loved her father.
Muttering “Of course—he’s that handsome,” I swung my feet while sipping warm milk.
He took out a handkerchief and wiped the milk from my lips.
“That reminds me—the Blessing Ceremony is coming up soon.”
“The Blessing Ceremony?”
When I tilted my head, he explained calmly, looking as if he’d just realized something.
“Yes. In the empire, when a child turns ten, they receive the goddess’s blessing at the temple.”
“Ah… a Blessed One.”
Lyla’s body was so small that I’d assumed she was younger, but she was already ten.
As I recalled the original story, he widened his eyes.
“Did you remember something about the Blessed Ones?”
I couldn’t say it was from a novel, so I vaguely brushed it off.
“The word just came to mind.”
“It seems your memories are slowly returning.”
Smiling happily, he continued.
“Among those who receive the goddess’s blessing, some gain special abilities. They’re called ‘Blessed Ones.’”
Exactly like in the novel.
Lavina, Garen, and Calyx were all Blessed Ones.
“Your mother was a Blessed One as well.”
Mom too?
My eyes widened at information that hadn’t appeared in the side stories.
“What was her ability?”
“She had a power related to dreams.”
As if he’d prepared in advance, he pulled out a small, cute book and handed it to me.
“This is something your mother left for you. Read it slowly.”
I hugged the book carefully and nodded.
“What about you, Daddy?”
At my question, a sad smile crossed his face.
“I received the goddess’s blessing too. …After your mother died, I denied that power. But seeing you safe like this makes me wonder if it’s because of that ability.”
He spoke softly, looking so pained that I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt.
“My blessing is ‘luck.’”
Feeling guilty for touching an old wound, I quickly climbed off the sofa and hugged him tightly.
Not as my former self, but as ten-year-old Lyla—I just wanted to comfort him and hold him warmly.
“…Thank you, my daughter.”
Even without seeing his face, I knew—his eyes were red again as he tried not to cry.
Such a crybaby dad.
Why was it?
Because he was so kind, it felt like his luck had flowed to me instead.
Just then, there was a polite knock, and Baron Finn—his aide—and Sir Burke entered.
“We’re ready.”
At Baron Finn’s words, Daddy stood up reluctantly.
“I have to go to the imperial palace today, so I won’t be able to stay with you.”
“Yes. Daddy, please go and come back quickly. And bring me melo—no, melon ice cream.”
When I smiled brightly, his face melted instantly.
“If my daughter wants it, I won’t send anyone else. I’ll buy it myself. I’ll be back soon.”
He waved and left with Baron Finn.
Sir Burke bowed respectfully and followed after them.
I let out a small sigh.
I’m really glad Lyla’s father is such a gentle person.
Usually, romance fantasy heroines have to struggle to earn their family’s love—but I was a nasty villainess, and a side character at that. As long as I behaved, I should be fine.
As I pondered how to survive from here on out, the door suddenly flew open.
“Good morning, miss.”
The maid who entered with a friendly smile was Olga, Lyla’s personal maid—the one who had been beside Daddy when I possessed this body.
“Good morning.”
I greeted her with a bright smile.
Olga had been hired after Lyla’s mother passed away—more like a nanny than a maid.
Since Daddy had stayed by my side for over a week, this was the first time I’d been alone with her.
“Until the Marquis returns, I’ll serve you with all my heart. Please trust and rely on me.”
She closed the open window and smiled warmly.
“The physician said you may take walks now. Shall we go to the garden after your bath? The spring flowers are in full bloom.”
Excited by the thought of going outside, I nodded vigorously.
“Okay.”
“The staff were all very saddened when you fell ill.”
Seeing the dark look on Olga’s face, I could tell she wasn’t just saying that.
In the fragments of memory that surfaced, most servants seemed afraid of me.
Strangely, I had no memories involving Olga at all.
When Olga tugged on a cord, three maids entered the room.
“They’ll help prepare your bath.”
At her signal, the maids lined up and bowed deeply.
“You may not remember, but from the left, this is Amy and Sherry. This one is Jessie—she joined the household recently.”
“Nice to meet you.”
The moment I finished speaking, the two maids—excluding Jessie—flinched.
“Go and prepare the bath quickly. Use Longtal oil today. It’s the scent our miss likes best.”
As Olga approached me, Jessie hesitantly stopped her.
“E-Excuse me, Lady Olga.”
“Yes?”
“…Isn’t Longtal a bit too strong for someone so young? Wouldn’t it be better to dilute lavender oil instead?”
Anxiety flickered across the other maids’ faces.
“It’s a good suggestion, but our miss is very particular. She only uses Longtal. Enough talking—go prepare.”
At the gentle dismissal, Jessie said nothing more and followed the others into the bathroom.
“Longtal?”
Since other maids had handled my baths until now, the name was unfamiliar.
Olga answered cheerfully.
“It’s a rare fragrance oil made from a precious southern plant. Only a few bottles are produced each year, so it’s very hard to obtain. You always loved this scent. Since I haven’t been able to attend your baths properly, I prepared it especially.”
Assuming it was just a flower from this world, I nodded—just as the maids returned.
“Everything is ready.”
“I’ll attend to the young lady myself. You may wait here.”
The maids bowed deeply at Olga’s words. Anyone might think she was the mistress of the room.
That seems a bit excessive for mere hierarchy…
Pushing aside my unease, I stepped into the bathroom.
