I Became the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 113

“His Highness’s adjutant?”

The man smiled brightly.

“Yes. It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Lady Thea.”

“From… Thea?”

I couldn’t help wondering what Thea might have said about me. I was just about to ask the man, Lyman, a bit more when Thea suddenly stepped between us.

“Lyman.”

“Ha ha, are you getting shy now? That’s not like you, Your Highness—”

“Lyman.”

She called his name again, and Lyman immediately shut his mouth. Though Thea’s expression carried a gentle smile, his face went completely pale.

“…It’s nothing, my lady! I misspoke, ha ha, really….”

I looked between the two of them, puzzled.

What on earth did they talk about?

Thea and Lyman seemed close—too close, almost like old friends. Maybe they had grown close after spending so much time together abroad. The thought made my heart tighten a little. That he knew parts of Thea I didn’t… it almost felt like someone had stolen a piece of her from me.

“Thea, what did you tell him?”

Maybe she sensed my unease, because after a moment of hesitation, Thea reached out and took my hand.

“…Nothing strange. I just told him I missed you sometimes. I didn’t hide it—just felt embarrassed to say it outright.”

“Me? You missed me?”

Perhaps she really was embarrassed—her cheeks were faintly red.

Thea, really…

For some reason, my own face began to heat up as well. Lyman, sensing the atmosphere, decided to butt in.

“Of course, my lady! Isn’t that why His Highness wrapped up the war in record time and rushed back home?”

He looked awfully pleased with himself, but the words left me stunned. I turned wide eyes toward Thea.

“W-wait, you came back early… because of me?”

“…Yes, Lara.”

Thea scratched her head awkwardly.

Even for someone as capable as her, shortening a campaign that was supposed to last a year wasn’t something easily done. Yet she’d done it—for me. I was speechless.

“You promised you’d come back without a single injury, remember?”

Thea smiled softly.

“See? I kept my word.”

“Thea…”

I felt tears prick my eyes.

She’d returned early on purpose—because she knew how worried I was.

And the war itself… had been partly my fault.

If no one else had been around, I probably would have thrown my arms around her right then.

Instead, I brushed away the tears that had gathered and gave her the biggest smile I could muster—the smile she always said she liked best.

“…Welcome back.”

“I’m home.”

The long, endless winter without her was finally over. Warm spring light had returned.

And the nights I used to spend falling asleep in anxiety were now nothing but a distant memory.

Lyman, who’d been waiting quietly, finally cleared his throat and interrupted.

“Ahem, Your Highness, my lady—about the schedule…”

“Oh.”

I blinked. I’d nearly forgotten we were still inside the palace.

Thea still had to prepare for the evening’s victory banquet. If I kept her here any longer, it would cause trouble for others. And I, too, had to report to the Magic Tower. It was time to let her go.

“You’ll be at the banquet tonight, right?”

“Of course, Thea.”

She looked reluctant to let me go, tilting her head and locking eyes with me as though to make sure I really meant it.

Meeting her gaze, I nodded firmly. Only then did Thea finally release my hand.

After saying goodbye to her and Lyman, I left the central palace.

But as I walked down the corridor, a sudden thought struck me—hadn’t we been holding hands that entire time?

“…”

My cheeks burned as the realization sank in.

When I reached the stairs, my older brother Eit was waiting for me.

“Father and the eldest went to the reception room. I’m heading back to the royal guard now. With so many important guests arriving, the guards can’t afford to rest.”

He ruffled my hair lightly as he spoke. My carefully styled hair from this morning immediately became a bit messy. I gave him a half-hearted glare, but he only grinned wider.

“First day at work today, right? You’ve got this!”

His bright smile was clearer than the blue sky.

“Yes.”

Despite myself, I smiled back. His cheerful energy was contagious—it made me feel lighter somehow.

As he said, today was my first official day of work. I hurried toward the Magic Tower.

Last time I’d tried to visit, the gatekeeper had turned me away, but now that I’d received my official Court Magician identification, I was able to pass through without issue.

The Magic Tower was a roofless, circular structure. Through the windows on each floor, you could see straight up into the open sky. It had five floors in total, making it one of the tallest structures in the palace alongside the clock tower. I’d heard that on clear nights, the magicians would go up to the roof to observe the stars.

I stepped carefully inside.

The first impression I got was quiet—eerily so.

Dried herbs hung from one corner, giving off a faint scent. The ground floor was a wide, round hall, with small, circular offices lining the inner wall like petals on a flower. Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the place in golden light.

“…Where am I supposed to go?”

My voice echoed softly through the empty space.

There wasn’t even a receptionist in sight.

After wandering around for a bit, I finally found a large office on the first floor.

I knocked.

“…Excuse me?”

No response. I hesitated, then noticed the door was slightly open.

Should I just wait here until someone comes back?

The nameplate read Deputy Director’s Office.

There weren’t any chairs in the lobby, so there wasn’t really anywhere else to wait.

Someone will show up eventually, right?

With that thought, I cautiously pushed the door open—only to be met with an unexpected sight.

“…”

There was someone here.

A man sat slumped over a large mahogany desk, nose practically buried in a sheet of paper.

His short, unkempt hair was a dark navy color. He held a quill in one hand and rubbed his forehead with the other, looking as though his work was going terribly.

“Um…”

I cleared my throat to announce myself—but before I could say anything, he suddenly shot up.

“Ha!”

Then he crumpled the paper in his hand and hurled it into a nearby wastebasket in one motion.

“…”

I froze in place, too startled to speak.

“Huh? Who are you?”

The man scratched his head, only now seeming to notice me.

His eyes were a curious mix of green and gold, and his skin was pale, almost sickly. Maybe he hadn’t seen sunlight in a while.

“Ah, I’m—”

“I get it. You’re the new magician, right?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Before I could even introduce myself, he had already guessed and plopped back into his chair.

“Let’s see… Room 302 should be empty. Hmm… where did I put that key…”

He rummaged through a stack of papers under his desk, frowned, and began scratching his eyebrow with the end of his quill. He looked completely scatterbrained.

“Come back tomorrow.”

“…Pardon?”

“I don’t have the key right now.”

I stared at him, speechless. He suddenly smacked his forehead as if remembering something.

“Oh, right. I should at least explain your duties.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Listen carefully.”

His expression turned serious, so I straightened my posture, expecting something important. But what followed was far from that.

“Everyone here does whatever they want. They’re all eccentric idiots obsessed with their own research, so it’s best if you just get along with them however you can. As for your research and official duties—do as you please.”

“…That’s it?”

He wasn’t joking. I could only stare at him in disbelief.

“Any questions?”

“Well, is it always this…?”

“Chaotic?”

He finished my sentence for me, meeting my eyes knowingly.

“…Yes.”

It wasn’t exactly the word I’d meant, but close enough. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head, completely unconcerned about appearances despite technically being my superior.

His sleepy eyes were framed by dark circles, but there was a spark of eccentric genius in them that couldn’t be hidden.

“That’s just how magicians are.”

“…I guess so.”

I couldn’t really argue with that. It was practically a stereotype that magicians were all a little peculiar.

“Anyway, the reason things are extra lax right now is simple.”

“What reason?”

“The head of the Court Magicians isn’t here.”

“…”

I blinked. The head of the Court Magicians?

“Yeah. His Highness Thearoha.”

As he explained, he pulled out another sheet of paper and started scribbling on it haphazardly. I couldn’t read it upside down, but it looked like magical formulas—probably something related to his own research.

“He’ll come back after the victory parade and the banquet. Once he does, the rest of the magicians will return as well.”

“I see…”

“When that time comes, I’ll give you a proper introduction to everyone.”

There wasn’t much to say to that, so I simply nodded.

“Understood.”

He seemed satisfied and gave me a look that clearly meant you can go now.

Before leaving, I hesitated and asked,

“By the way, what’s your name, Deputy Director?”

“My name?”

He answered offhandedly.

“Binosh.”

I was about to tell him mine as well, but he was already completely absorbed in his papers again.

In the end, I just left quietly.

It was almost the end of the workday anyway.

Outside, the early evening sky was painted in soft twilight.

What a strange place. Or maybe… what a strange person.

Smiling faintly at the thought, I climbed into the carriage bound for Rosahill.

Father and my brothers were probably busy preparing for the banquet or standing guard at the palace. I was the only one heading home to change before returning.

Just thinking about seeing Thea again at the banquet made my heart flutter.