I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 112
“Unnie, what are you making?”
At my question, Lanche unnie—who had been deeply focused on crafting something—lifted her head.
“Oh my, my lady. When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
When she saw me, she smiled softly and patted her round belly.
“I’m making these while waiting for the baby.”
When I looked more closely, I realized she was knitting baby hats, fluffy socks, and little mittens. Each one, made of soft wool yarn, was overflowing with affection. I couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.
“Wow… you’re so good at this.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
There were not even two weeks left until Lanche unnie’s due date. It must be difficult for her to move around at this point, yet she still found little things to do to pass the time. She looked truly admirable.
When I kept staring at the baby hat, she smiled and said,
“My lady, why don’t you try making something too?”
“Me? You mean… me?”
My eyes widened.
“Well… but I’m not very good with my hands.”
“That doesn’t matter. A gift made with your heart will make anyone happy.”
She smiled knowingly, as if she could see right through me. I felt my cheeks grow warm.
“Do… do you think so?”
“Of course.”
Her words made me think.
Now that I recalled it, when Thea left for the battlefield, everything had been so hectic that I hadn’t even managed to give him a proper keepsake.
‘……’
I thought it might be nice to give him a gift when he returned.
Lanche unnie, smiling gently, watched me as I fell into thought.
Before I knew it, the weekdays passed, and the weekend of the ball had arrived.
As planned, I attended the ball with Ivharun, Lukran, and Laon.
Sern declined the invitation due to urgent work, and Ellia was still unwell. I had sent flowers and a letter wishing her recovery, but since there’d been no reply yet, she must still be quite sick. I could only hope it wasn’t something serious.
At the ballroom, I met the diplomat from Kiel for the first time. He had black hair, black eyes, and a tall, somewhat cold appearance.
It was said that Kiel people rarely showed emotion, and indeed, he seemed expressionless to a fault.
But when I told him I’d been appointed as the diplomatic liaison for the visiting former king of Kiel, he looked surprised and began explaining several things to me.
According to him, “It’s the first time in history that His Majesty the former king himself has visited the Ulysses Empire. It seems he’s very pleased with the remarkable achievements of his grandson, Prince Thearoha.”
That was excellent news. The more allies Thea had, the better. When I said that I hoped this visit would deepen relations between the two nations, the diplomat wholeheartedly agreed.
It was clear he held Thea in good regard.
In the middle of the ball, someone whispered something to the diplomat. His face brightened, and he quickly shared the news with us.
“The Ulysses Imperial Army has reached the outskirts of the capital!”
Gasps and exclamations filled the room.
Depending on whether one supported Thea’s faction or Altheo’s, reactions might differ—but at least outwardly, everyone was delighted that our army had returned victorious.
When I heard that the victory parade would begin the next morning, I couldn’t calm my pounding heart.
The next day truly felt blessed by the gods—clear skies, cool air, and sunshine that seemed made for welcoming someone home.
The schedule of the victory ceremony went like this:
Around noon, the army would march through the capital to the Imperial Palace for a formal parade. Then the supreme commander, Thea, would receive honors and rewards from the Emperor, followed by two full weeks of celebrations starting that evening.
Delegations from other nations had already arrived at the palace to witness the ceremony. Kiel’s delegation, having received the news later, was expected to arrive a few days afterward.
Every citizen of the capital was allowed to watch the parade.
During the march, countless flowers would be scattered into the air, accompanied by golden magical dust shimmering in the sunlight. Musicians would play festive tunes all along the streets.
After passing through the city, the army would reach the palace, where officials and nobles waited on both sides of the grand staircase to observe the ceremony.
I, too, was scheduled to participate in that part.
Though I had officially become a court magician, today’s celebration took precedence over any other duties.
As my family and I stood in the palace courtyard waiting, the sounds of cheering and music grew louder from afar.
My heart pounded like the drums echoing through the city.
‘Thearoha…’
The palace gates stood wide open, revealing the view of the capital below.
I couldn’t yet make out his face, but beyond the gates, I saw the golden banners fluttering proudly in the wind—
the color of the Ulysses Empire.
It was the color announcing the return of someone dearly missed.
I waited and waited for him to appear. The nobles held their breath as they, too, awaited the supreme commander’s arrival.
The war, originally expected to last nearly a year, had ended in less than three months—a victory so overwhelming that it would be recorded in both military and historical texts.
No one could deny that the man responsible for that glory was Thearoha.
‘Ah…’
As the music drew closer, his face finally came into view.
His black horse was adorned with colorful petals and shimmering gold dust scattered by the crowd.
I saw his face.
Was it my imagination that our eyes met?
No—
it wasn’t an illusion.
‘……’
Even from a distance, I could see the gentle smile spreading across his face.
Ah…
All the pomp, the endless speeches, the greetings between nobles and royals—
I wanted to forget them all.
Would it be wrong to just run to him now?
I quietly reached into my pocket and touched the magic stone hidden inside. It radiated a gentle warmth.
‘Thea, I missed you.’
Did he hear it?
Even without an answer, I knew what his response would be.
‘I missed you too, Lala.’
Because that’s exactly what he would say.
Seeing him safe after all these months made tears well up in my eyes.
My heart floated like a balloon—
and I realized just how deeply, how completely, I had come to love Thea.
Soon, he reached the front of the palace and dismounted gracefully before the Emperor.
“Thearoha Ulysses, reporting my return from the war.”
“Oh, my son…”
The aged Emperor, who usually looked frail, now radiated the dignity of a ruler straight out of legend.
“……”
Standing to the Emperor’s left, Altheo glared at Thea without saying a word. The Emperor, oblivious, showered Thea with praise.
He announced generous rewards—
gold and silver for the soldiers, food and money for the citizens, and two weeks of banquets in celebration of the victory.
At the Emperor’s magnanimity, Thea smiled faintly and spoke.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty!!!”
The soldiers behind him shouted in unison.
Cries of “Long live His Majesty!” and “Glory to Commander Thearoha!” echoed across the plaza. The citizens joined in, their cheers spreading like wildfire.
“Long live the Ulysses Empire!”
“Glory to Commander Thearoha!!”
Flutes and drums rang high into the sky.
Flower petals swirled through the air, mingling with the sound of cheers. It was a breathtaking sight.
The ceremony continued for quite some time.
Those who had distinguished themselves were called forward to receive commendations directly from the Emperor. One by one, they left proudly with their rewards of gold, silver, or silk.
Even burdened by their heavy armor, the soldiers stood tall through the long ceremony—earning admiration from all who watched.
But my legs were starting to ache, and more than anything, I just wanted to talk to Thea. I silently prayed for the event to end soon.
After what felt like hours, the speeches finally wound down, and the Emperor turned to return to the palace.
The royal family, including Altheo, followed behind him—and Thea, being a prince, naturally joined them.
I quickly turned to my father.
“May I… go inside too?”
“…Go ahead.”
With his permission, I entered the palace carefully, trying not to seem too hasty.
As the royals disappeared, the troops began dispersing to prepare for the evening’s banquet.
Once inside, with fewer eyes on me, my pace quickened on its own.
Turning a corner, I saw Thea walking slowly ahead.
“P-Prince Thearoha!”
He turned, as if he had been waiting for me all along.
When I ran to him, he smiled softly—then effortlessly pulled me into his arms and lifted me up.
“E-Eek?!”
The sudden height startled me, but when I looked at his face, I forgot everything else.
He looked the same as always.
His skin hadn’t tanned much despite winter and spring on the battlefield, and there wasn’t a single scar on his face. If anything, his hair had grown a bit longer—
and perhaps he’d grown stronger too, judging by how easily he lifted me.
That same gentle smile—unchanged.
“Thank goodness…”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips.
“It’s been a while, Lala.”
I looked into his eyes, feeling my throat tighten and my eyes sting.
“You… you didn’t get hurt anywhere, right?”
“Hurt?”
When he tilted his head, I panicked and began patting his arms and chest in worry.
“You’re really not hurt anywhere, are you?”
“Mm. I’m fine, but Lala…”
Realizing what I was doing, I suddenly froze.
We were still inside the palace—
and only then did I notice the gazes of people passing by, all staring at us.
My face turned bright red.
“P-put me down!”
I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted. Thea obediently set me down, but there was no hiding my burning cheeks.
As I tried to cool my face, the man standing beside Thea cleared his throat and spoke politely.
“Greetings, my lady. I am Marquis Ryman, Prince Thearoha’s aide.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
