I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 150

“Impressive, sister.”

“Oh my, don’t flatter me.”

Ibhahrun smiled brightly. Though her words were modest, a faint irritation showed on her face. No doubt she was tired of people nitpicking every single thing she did.

“There are far too many foolish old people in the family who don’t know their age. It’s a bit troublesome.”

“So you’re slowly weeding them out, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

After lightly badmouthing the old nobles, Ibhahrun turned back to me and sat down again. I was still a little dazed by everything going on. Still, it was nice to see Lukran again after so long, so I greeted him first. My brother Eit followed my lead.

“It’s been a while, Lukran.”

“Have you been well, my lady?”

“It’s been a while, Lady Laila, and Lord Light. Are you feeling better?”

Lukran appeared curt on the outside, but he was actually a very thoughtful person. The fact that he asked after my health the moment he saw me proved it. I smiled brightly.

“Of course. Can’t you tell I’m much better than before?”

Lukran examined my face carefully, then truly smiled as if relieved. His sincerity warmed my heart.

“I assume Ibhahrun explained everything to you already…”

“Hm?”

“I’m on your side as well, Lady Laila.”

“…….”

My lips parted slightly. Lukran continued speaking with a serious expression.

“This situation cannot be dismissed as some simple factional dispute, but I wanted to tell you anyway. We support you and Prince Tearoha.”

“…But I…”

I hesitated.

“…I feel guilty. If things go wrong, you two might…”

“There’s no need to worry.”

Ibhahrun rested her chin on her hand casually.

“Your cousin tried to poison her own fiancé just because he was a political rival. And she’s already poisoned someone once before. Isn’t that horrifying? Anyone with a shred of sense—not just me or Lukran—would obviously support your family.”

“But…”

When I fumbled for words, Ibhahrun looked at me and spoke seriously.

“Remember? When His Majesty ascended the throne, and ten years ago when Lady Arita passed away, corruption filled the empire. Back then, people were often killed simply for being political rivals—just like what happened this time.”

I nodded. The memories were faint, blurred by my past life and childhood, but I still remembered how chaotic domestic affairs had been when I was younger.

“But those things should remain relics of the old era. And the imperial family is slowly changing now. Why do you think that is?”

“…Why?”

Ibhahrun’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

“Because of Prince Tearoha.”

I blinked.

“He’s different from Prince Alteo or even His Majesty now. With him in the imperial family, things will change—completely, and for the better. He’s still just a prince, but he’s already beginning to transform the palace bit by bit.”

“…Ibhahrun…”

“So our family supporting Prince Tearoha is an investment in that future. Don’t burden yourself too much.”

Even so, I knew Ibhahrun was saying all this for my sake. My chest swelled with emotion I could hardly contain. She went on.

“And—did you forget?”

“Forget what?”

“‘I’ll be on Lady Laila’s side.’”

I stared blankly at her. Ibhahrun smiled softly.

In that moment, I felt as though I had slipped back to the day years ago when we spoke on the terrace. A beautiful festival night as the autumn sky deepened. I could almost feel the autumn breeze brushing my hair again.

“…Ibhahrun.”

It had been during the annual imperial hunting festival. That was where I first met her, and little by little we grew closer. Then came the incident with Lupe, after which she apologized and vowed to stand by me. I remembered visiting her estate for the first time, being kidnapped together, fighting for our lives inside a wagon. I remembered her revealing her secret to me, us encouraging each other, and everything that brought us to today. The days we spent together hit me in a sudden wave of memories.

Before I knew it, my eyes were glistening.

Ibhahrun winked at me.

When our conversation ended, she walked me all the way to the front of the estate to see me off. A few reporters were still lingering outside, but perhaps they had run out of questions—none dared approach anymore. Before we parted, she gave me a short hug. I wanted to say more, but Eit was waiting behind me, so I reluctantly pulled away.

I climbed into the carriage and waited for departure. Suddenly, a loud voice called out from outside.

“Laila!!”

I widened my eyes and opened the window. With the coachman’s shout of “Hyah!” the wheels slowly began to turn. The one calling me was Ibhahrun.

“Don’t forget!”

She almost never raised her voice. Yet now she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with all her strength.

“We’re all on your side!”

Stunned by her voice, I snapped back to my senses and shouted back with all I had.

“Thank you!! I won’t forget!!”

The Peregrin estate grew smaller in the distance. Ibhahrun’s waving figure faded just as slowly.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Alteo, who had been pacing nervously in his room, suddenly froze.

‘…Why is there no news?’

The matter of the letter he sent to Cardia had, thankfully, been resolved. His mother had replied in the same coded format, promising she would proceed as planned.

Alteo’s current concern wasn’t Cardia.

It was the emperor—his father.

‘I’ve been requesting an audience again and again… How can he be silent for this long?’

He looked around his room blankly.

His spacious, luxurious bedroom had an ornate fireplace and chandelier, and various precious decorations. To the left was his receiving room—chosen personally for him by the emperor.

One entire wall was a glass window overlooking the palace grounds. Standing there, he could see everyone entering and leaving the palace beneath his feet. Alteo had always loved that vast, commanding view.

And more—anything he wanted, the emperor had always given him. Because he was the “first child,” the beloved son of the emperor’s cherished mistress. The emperor had always indulged Alteo’s excesses. Cardia’s reckless attempt on Arita’s life, too, stemmed from this—because the emperor paid no attention to Arita, focusing only on Alteo and Cardia.

“So…”

The emperor should have summoned him many times by now. Even if Alteo hadn’t gone to him first, his father should have come to comfort his firstborn son and offer a solution.

Alteo bit his lip hard.

‘No way…’

A chilling sense of dread crept up his spine. He tried to push away the thought, but the whispers he’d been hearing lately made it impossible.

‘Once I become crown prince and then emperor, all of this will be settled.’

He truly believed it. He still believed there was a way out.

As if rewarding his faith, the chief attendant knocked and called for him.

“Prince Alteo.”

“Yes!!”

Alteo’s face lit up with relief. As expected, the attendant said His Majesty was calling for him. Alteo inwardly cheered.

‘Of course. There’s no way he would abandon me.’

His beloved father would never discard him. Quickly putting on his formal cloak, Alteo hurried toward the emperor’s quarters.

But after walking a while, he felt something strange.

This wasn’t the usual path to meet his father. Not the luxurious reception hall—this was the path to the emperor’s private room. Though “small” by imperial standards, it was still large and lavishly decorated. But to Alteo, it felt wrong. After confirming he carried no weapons, the guards opened the doors.

Instead of a chandelier, the dim room was lit by lanterns and candles. In the center, upon the largest chair, sat the emperor.

“My son… Alteo…”

“Father!!”

Despite everything, Alteo was honestly happy to see him after so long. He nearly rushed forward—but then stopped cold.

The emperor’s voice was frail and exhausted. Not just his voice—his entire appearance.

Deep wrinkles carved his face, his eyes were sunken, and his hair had turned white. He looked nothing like the powerful ruler who once commanded the empire.

“…Father.”

Alteo approached slowly.

“…You know I am innocent, don’t you?”

Even so, he brought up his innocence immediately. The sight of his father, so aged and weary, gave him a fleeting sense of unfamiliarity—a strange discomfort. But his own safety mattered more. If he handled this moment well, he believed the crisis could be resolved. After all, the emperor was above all people; his word was law. Who could possibly defy him?

The emperor looked at Alteo with deep eyes—too deep for the young prince to understand. Clouded eyes that seemed to look back into the distant past, and at the same time far into the future.

“Alteo…”

He called his name again.

Alteo strode across the red carpet and stood directly before him. A quiet melancholy settled over the emperor. After all, he too had once been as young and arrogant as Alteo…