Chapter 28 – I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter
I froze without making a sound. A few short seconds passed—seconds that felt like our eyes had truly met—and then his gaze turned elsewhere.
“I greet Sir Altheo.”
“Taea, you’re finally here. Everyone’s been waiting for you.”
Altheo greeted him with open arms, acting like a warm, doting older brother. People around us looked at Taea with curiosity. Altheo introduced him to us.
“Say hello. This is my younger brother, Taearoha Ulysses. I doubt you’ve seen much of him before.”
“S-Sern Arfa,” someone stammered.
“…Lupe Tyra,” said another.
“I’m Ibhahron Peregrine. And this is my younger brother, Lucran Peregrine.”
Finally, it was my turn. I moistened my dry lips and spoke.
“Lyla Roshahil.”
At that, his eyes curved as he smiled. Though his golden eyes were unfamiliar, the smile was unmistakably Taea’s. I was at a loss for words.
Was he really… Taea?
“A pleasure to meet you,” he said, bowing his head.
Sensing the strange tension between us, Altheo asked, “Do you two know each other?”
Suddenly, the tension snapped. Taea answered first.
“We met a few times when we were children. It’s been a while, so it’s nice to see her again.”
“Ah, yes… we have met a few times,” I replied awkwardly.
“By the way, Your Highness the Second Prince,” Ibhahron spoke up, “You’re not known to frequent social events, yet here you are at a hunting tournament. What brings you?”
“I heard this hunting tournament, organized with the Roshahils, was exceptional. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
He turned his head gracefully as he spoke. I was startled—he felt different somehow.
“Well then, the credit must go to the Roshahils, if it was enough to bring out His Highness,” Ibhahron replied playfully.
“You flatter me…”
“This event is truly grand. You’ll see. I, Altheo, guarantee it.”
Altheo spoke with great confidence. Taea smiled like a painting and then said:
“Speaking of which, I have something to discuss with Lady Roshahil, whom I haven’t seen in a while. Lady Roshahil, could I borrow a moment of your time?”
“Eh? Ah, yes… of course.”
He reached out his hand to me. I hesitantly took it, and we moved to the terrace together.
Once we reached the empty terrace, Taea firmly locked the door behind us. The noise of the banquet hall turned into a muffled hum. The outdoor air was cool and refreshing, and the chirping of insects filled the silence. We stood there in silence, facing each other.
Taea’s eyes were as golden as the moon that had just risen.
“You… No, are you really Taea?”
He smiled at my question.
“Sorry for deceiving you. I didn’t mean to.”
“You’re… the Second Prince?”
My head still felt foggy. I blinked repeatedly, unable to process the revelation.
“…Are you very angry?”
Perhaps he took my confusion as anger, because he asked cautiously.
I studied him slowly.
The black formal uniform suited him perfectly. Why hadn’t I realized sooner that he was the Second Prince?
He was my childhood friend. He had access to the Imperial Palace. That should’ve narrowed down the possibilities. Even his name. I nodded slowly.
“It makes sense now. But why didn’t you tell me from the start? I wouldn’t have minded if you told me you were the Second Prince.”
To that, he replied, “Even before you lost your memory, I never told you I was the Second Prince.”
“…Why?”
“Because I liked it that way. When I was just ‘Taea’ and you were ‘Lala’.”
I fell silent.
It didn’t seem like he’d hidden his identity with any ill intentions.
“Then… why are you telling me now?”
He smiled gently.
“I told you before. I’ve made up my mind.”
“…Really?”
I looked at him. There was no lie in that smiling face.
When he had black hair and eyes, he felt familiar because he reminded me of my past self. But now, with golden eyes, his entire presence felt new. My heart fluttered—he was incredibly handsome.
“Lala.”
“…Yeah?”
As I snapped out of my thoughts, he was already speaking.
“Saying sorry isn’t enough, and this might not count as repayment… but I’ll make you a promise.”
“A promise? What is it?”
“Come here.”
He pulled me closer and whispered.
“…Really?”
“Yeah. Really.”
“I can trust you? I’m betting something huge on this.”
He let out a soft laugh.
“Of course. If it’s for my lady, I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”
Something in my chest tingled sweetly.
Before we returned to the banquet hall, he made a request.
“Would you honor me with my first dance tonight?”
His slightly nervous expression made me burst into laughter.
“With pleasure.”
The orchestra played a lively tune. Holding his hand, I stepped lightly onto the floor.
The next day, the hunting tournament at the Imperial Palace began.
The rules were simple: over the next three days, the person who captured the most animals—large or small—would win.
Given the nature of the event, physicians and priests stood ready on one side, with plenty of emergency medicine prepared.
A tall board was set up on the other side for scorekeeping. Since there were so many participants, not everyone’s names could be listed. Instead, only the top three names would be written alongside the number of animals they caught. Spectators could gauge the rankings from that.
In a large open space, attendants busily set up tents.
The grandest golden tent belonged to the Imperial Family.
The passionate red tent belonged to the Peregrines.
And the cool, icy blue one belonged to the Roshahils.
Nobles gathered in groups, chatting away, with tea and seating prepared for them.
Seeing it all, I let out a quiet sigh.
Behind me sat the central nobles. They were all partners of the Roshahils, distant relatives, or professional associates. Leading them… that was my role, Lyla’s. The pressure weighed heavily on my shoulders.
Then, from a distance, a soft voice called me.
“…La! Lala…!”
Who’s that?
Turning my head, I saw a person with dazzling blonde hair waving at me with a bright grin.
It was Eit oppa.
Relieved, I beamed and waved back. After a quick glance around, he ran over to me.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, if I’m going to guard the palace, I might as well volunteer to protect the princes. And I get to see you—two birds with one stone.”
“I see.”
I nodded.
“Do you happen to know where Eddie oppa is?”
“Since he’s the heir, he’s probably chatting with the older nobles who aren’t participating in the hunt, along with our father. Ugh, I’m glad I wasn’t dragged into that.”
Eit oppa shuddered. I smiled at him. I had been nervous being alone, but his presence made me feel at ease.
“Oh, there’s Lady Diaman.”
He pointed to a female knight with her brown hair tied up high. I was startled to see her wearing gauntlets. It was the exact opposite of the elegant lady who had danced with Eddie oppa yesterday.
“Oops, can’t talk too long. I’ve gotta go. Good luck, Lala!”
He patted my head and left. Unfortunately, that messed up my carefully styled hair. Still, his energetic gesture lifted my spirits.
Some people around us seemed to notice I had been talking with Eit oppa. Their gazes turned more intense. He was the youngest-ever commander of the Imperial Knights and a Roshahil heir—an enviable catch. And me?
I looked around again. One of the grand tents belonged to me. It all still felt surreal.
“Lady Lyla?”
Then, from behind, came a very familiar and unpleasant voice. The kind that made your skin crawl before your ears caught it. I turned around.
“Oh, Lady Lupe.”
“Good morning, isn’t it?”
She smiled brightly, accompanied by yet another unknown young lady. Say what you will—her social skills were impressive. I feigned innocence and asked sweetly:
“What brings you here?”
“It’s about the bet we discussed yesterday. Will you be participating?”
I answered without hesitation.
“Of course. I even brought the jewel.”
I raised my hand to the attendant beside me. He bowed politely and gently opened the luxurious case he carried.
“…!”
Seeing the jewel, both Lupe and the nameless lady froze in shock.
And understandably so.
It was a diamond necklace Eddie oppa had given me. Since he often participated in merchant business and auctions, he’d occasionally buy things he thought would suit me—this was one of them.
This necklace, centered around a large pink diamond, was surrounded by smaller diamonds, crafted into a teardrop shape. When the light hit it, it sparkled with countless colors. Though the design was simple, the quality of the central gem gave it a timeless elegance.
Lupe and her companion, staring at it with greedy eyes, asked with trembling voices:
“Th-then… who will you wager it on? For the runner-up bet, I must remind you that Lord Lucran is already fully booked.”
“No.”
I shook my head kindly.
Their faces twisted in visible confusion as I continued.
“I will bet this necklace on —.”
And with that, I smiled sweetly.
