I Transmigrated into the Villainess’ Daughter – Chapter 122

It was a book I had seen before.

One of the magical textbooks I had studied back in the Academy, titled “The Puzzles of Magic.”

True to its intuitive title, this book dealt exclusively with the unsolved mysteries of magic.

The relationship between mana and magic, the purpose of magic stones—so many aspects of magic still remained unexplained.

Among these, the topic that drew the most interest was the puzzles of time and space.

At least with space, magical gates that connected distant locations had been partially explained thanks to the study of magic stones and the long-standing magical formulas passed down from ancient times.

In fact, when traveling long distances, one could shorten the journey using a magical gate, and high-ranking wizards could even ‘warp’ themselves across vast distances in a single leap.

But as for connecting time with anything else? Nothing had been explained. Not until a few years ago.

Hestia flipped through the pages of the book.

“I still remember this.”

Her voice was dreamily soft, as if she were recalling a long-forgotten dream.

This was a revised and expanded edition of the book, published after several years.

The reason for the revision was that a hypothesis regarding the time puzzle had emerged—and someone had managed to prove it.

That someone was Thea, at the age of seventeen.

It was nothing short of a revolution in the magical world.

Thea’s rise to the position of Chief Court Wizard was largely due to that theory.

“At first, when Prince Tearoha came to the tower, no one paid much attention. They just assumed he got a place here because of his princely status. There’s no way His Majesty the Emperor would have intentionally orchestrated such a thing.”

“……”

“He didn’t offer excuses or argue with anyone. He simply, very straightforwardly, proved theories that are still legendary today. One of the most notable of these is his work on the time puzzle.”

Hestia rested her chin in her hands.

“Maybe, just as he said… someday, time travel through magic will really be possible. Perhaps in the distant future.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course…! …Oh, wait! Actually, maybe someone can already travel through time. That’s why there could be someone among us who came from the future, secretly journeying through the past!”

Her excitement was palpable as she clapped her hands in delight.

“I hope that’s really true…”

Even just imagining it, Hestia’s eyes sparkled with joy, revealing how deeply she loved magic.

I absentmindedly flipped through the pages beside her.

The Puzzles of Magic.

The book was incredibly thick. Would the day ever come when all these secrets were solved?

There were blank spaces scattered throughout the pages, as if reserved for theories that had yet to be explained.

Of course… my very existence is also a remarkable phenomenon.

After all, I had transmigrated into this book. Living here for several years had become so natural that sometimes I almost forgot.

Opening the page on the time puzzle, I saw the name “Tearoha Ulysses” written in elegant handwriting. For some reason, my heart began to race.

As I flipped through the book, Hestia called me again.

“So, Laila! What should we do today? You can boss me around as you like!”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Full of energy, she had already gotten up from her chair and was taking things from her laboratory at will.

I dashed over quickly to stop her.

Among the stories Hestia had shared with me was also something about her school.

“Orphe and I graduated from the Royal Lebecam Academy together. So, technically, you, Laila, would be my senior.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful!”

“Hoho.”

Hestia smiled warmly.

“Though we weren’t that many years apart, I was really happy when I heard you were joining.”

Being a court wizard, I frequently met people involved in magic and usually didn’t think much of it—but magic itself was a rare talent and a rare field of study.

Even at Lebecam Academy, very few students specialized in magic. Perhaps only around ten per grade? And among those ten, someone from Ulysses like me was even rarer. So it was natural to feel happy meeting a fellow student.

With Hestia’s help, I was experimenting with a new magical potion. Using a dropper, I applied the yellow potion to a test strip, and Hestia assisted me meticulously. Her offer to help hadn’t been empty words. Thanks to her, the experiment was much smoother.

Her assistance extended beyond magic.

Hestia was surprisingly thoughtful. As my senior in the tower, she offered tips about palace life and the wizard’s tower that were helpful and practical.

“There are many middle-aged people in the wizard’s tower. Age doesn’t automatically mean skill, but everyone dedicates their lives to research, so it’s important to show respect to one another.”

Her advice was both useful and a welcome distraction during otherwise monotonous lab work.

Over time, Hestia and I often had lunch together. Occasionally, Orphe joined us as well. As Hestia said, there weren’t many people our age in the tower, so naturally, the three of us became closer.

Eventually, I confided in my older brother, Eit.

“There’s a colleague wizard who really likes you. Maybe you should meet her.”

…That’s right. Hestia had been constantly telling me about this.

“You know, if things go well… together with my brother!”

“…Yes, yes…”

Since she liked him so much, what harm was there in letting them meet?

Eit was taken aback.

“…You want to meet me?”

“Yes.”

It was sudden, but that’s how Eit ended up arranging a meeting with Hestia. At lightning speed, no less.

Eit promised to adjust his schedule entirely for her, and Hestia insisted on seeing him that very day.

So when he came to the palace that morning, he ended up taking a walk in the garden with her at lunchtime.

The two of them walked through the palace gardens in silence.

I nervously watched them from behind a tree.

Orphe was beside me. I assumed he wouldn’t care about romance stories, but since it involved his friend Hestia, he seemed somewhat invested.

They stopped suddenly in front of a beautiful fountain where water trickled gracefully.

Hestia stopped first. She seemed to have something to say to Eit.

I could feel my own tension rising.

What should I do?

Over the past few days, I’d gotten closer to Hestia. I wasn’t sure if Eit was the right match, but I wanted things to go well for her.

After all, it was a classic romance novel scenario: a first love, a date, and a confession.

Hestia hesitated, then finally moved her lips.

“Um, Prince…”

“…Yes?”

Even from a distance, I could see her face flushing red.

Go Hestia!

I silently cheered her on. The confession would be hard, but once it was over, it would be fine.

“I… I… think you’re so wonderful…”

There was no one around. Only Eit’s back was visible, so I couldn’t read his expression—but he was surely just as nervous.

“Wonderful…”

Hestia stammered and closed her eyes tightly.

“Wonderful…!”

Now’s the moment!

I clenched my hands tightly. Hestia finally spoke:

“I’ve never seen such beautiful blonde hair!”

“Right… huh?”

I nearly tripped over behind the tree.

Did I just hear that correctly?

Blinking in disbelief, I watched as Hestia clasped her hands together, her crimson eyes sparkling.

“It’s such a radiant color, like the sun. Like a brilliant sun shining in the universe! It’s so beautiful and soft!”

“…L-Langrang?”

Even though Eit asked in astonishment, Hestia paid no mind.

“The moment I saw it, I fell in love.”

With his hair…?

I couldn’t help but laugh nervously at the absurdity.

Hestia’s hair was blonde, but Eit’s sun-like golden hair was entirely different—a platinum blonde with a white sheen.

Hestia pleaded earnestly.

“Please, really, please! Could I take a small sample? I’m working on a magical item, and if I use the color of your sun-like hair as inspiration, I’m sure it will be incredible!”

“A sample… you mean…”

“Just a little! Couldn’t I take a few strands?”

“……”

So, Hestia was a true magic enthusiast after all—not in love with Eit, but inspired by the color of his hair.

…People can be so confusing.

I unconsciously gazed off into the distance.

Absurd as it was, I felt tears threatening to fall.

Poor Eit.

I wondered when he’d be able to get married.

I smiled wryly at my own thoughts.

I wondered what Orphe thought of the situation. I turned to him, wanting to share my exasperation, but he remained expressionless.

I awkwardly spoke to him.

“…Falling in love at first sight doesn’t seem easy. I clearly mistook Hestia’s feelings for a crush on my brother.”

Orphe lifted his blue eyes to meet mine.

“…Not exactly.”

“Huh?”

He looked at Hestia from behind. He seemed oddly relieved.

Then I realized that the part Orphe had disagreed with was the idea that falling in love at first sight was easy.

…No way.

I suddenly realized that his interest in the rooftop stars wasn’t genuine.

Before I could question him further, he transformed into a cat. He looked relieved, as if he had completed everything he needed to do.

Then he bounded far, far away.

Days passed, and it was already early summer.

I had become accustomed to meeting the Emperor almost weekly, and life in the palace and research at the wizard’s tower was gradually becoming routine.

The Rosahill estate received visitors early one rainy weekend morning.

I went up to the second-floor terrace and watched carriages pass through the main gate, visitors stepping down.

The garden was filled with pink, purple, and blue hydrangeas, each delicate petal adorned with droplets of rain.

A servant held an umbrella over him.

When he stepped down and tilted his head slightly, his neatly composed face was revealed under the umbrella.

Our eyes met.

Overjoyed, I waved my hand repeatedly.

It was Thea visiting our home.