I Possessed the Villain’s Daughter – Chapter 73
The wind had already turned quite chilly.
Adjusting the thick cape around my shoulders, I quickened my pace. Ahead of me, Lucran was striding with his long legs, only to realize belatedly that I had fallen behind. Looking slightly embarrassed, he slowed down.
Since morning, the streets of Rebecam had been crowded—mostly with scholars and students. Even though the wind had grown cold, nothing seemed able to dampen the academic passion of the Rebecam folk.
Lucran and I had come downtown to visit a bookstore.
Of course, the Rebecam Academy’s library was massive in scale, but it always took at least several days before newly published books arrived there. I wanted to find a few specific books, and, truthfully, I just wanted a short break from my endless research and thesis writing.
I’ve really been buried in work and studies too much lately…
I shook my head at the thought.
Before long, hurrying along, we reached our destination: Beige Bookstore.
“Lucran, let’s go in!”
As the largest empire on the continent, the Ulysses Empire naturally published the greatest number of books. An overwhelming amount of works were translated into the Imperial language, and most modern research and academic texts were written in it as well. For any scholar, learning the Imperial tongue was practically mandatory. On top of that, with the Empire’s advanced printing technology, many people were able to publish books through printing houses, and the readership was broad.
Because of that, it was natural for nearly every city to have at least one bookstore—but among the many in Rebecam, Beige Bookstore was the largest and most famous.
They said that there was no book that hadn’t passed through its shelves, and no book that couldn’t be found here. If books could feel emotions, they’d probably consider it an honor just to be displayed in this store.
“I’m always astonished by its size whenever I come,” Lucran remarked.
I nodded in agreement.
There were more than ten clerks in sight, all dressed in crimson uniforms, busily fetching or arranging books.
Elsewhere, some people had their noses buried so deeply in their reading that they were practically glued to the pages, while others casually sat wherever they pleased to flip through books. On the terrace café, young scholars sipped tea while debating the latest research trends. A few faces were even familiar to me.
Browsing through the bestseller corner, I spotted the book that had been my main goal: my professor’s new work on magical potions. Its theme was that “depending on how they are used, potions can become either poison or medicine.” I picked it up and, as I browsed, grabbed several other intriguing volumes. Before I knew it, my arms were full.
Lucran was in no different a state. With both of us carrying stacks of books, we exchanged sheepish smiles.
“Allow me to carry those for you,” he offered.
“It’s fine, really—”
But before I could stop him, Lucran had already taken the pile from my arms.
At Rebecam Academy, only freshmen were required to live in the dormitories. I was a fourth-year, but I still stayed there for convenience with experiments and assignments. Since Lucran insisted on carrying the books back to the dorms, I stubbornly insisted that he at least let me treat him to tea. After a small tug-of-war of politeness, I dragged him into the café in front of the bookstore.
When our order was placed, I studied Lucran’s face.
Over the past few years, he had grown rapidly, yet I could still see traces of the boy he used to be. Perhaps because I had watched him and Laon grow all this time, they both felt like adorable younger brothers to me.
Noticing my gaze, Lucran turned to meet my eyes, his clear lavender irises tinged with puzzlement.
“…Is something wrong?”
“Mm? No.” I shook my head.
“I was just thinking… it’s been a while since it was just the two of us.”
“That’s true,” he agreed, then added, “I’m glad this outing seems to have lifted your spirits.”
“…Huh?”
“You seemed a little drained lately.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
I laughed awkwardly, touching my face.
Well, we had known each other for years now. And Lucran had always been quick to notice things. Reading my moods would be easy for him.
As we sat in silence, the waiter arrived with our tea. Mine was lemon tea, his was black tea, steam rising with a sweet aroma.
“There’s something I’d like to tell you,” Lucran said.
“What is it?”
“The newspaper I bought earlier at the bookstore.”
He pulled a folded paper from his bag.
“….”
My expression hardened instantly. Right on the front page were bold letters about war.
“Will All-Out War with Eden Break Out?!”
Eden—the neighboring southern kingdom stirring up conflict—was also known as the Holy Kingdom. Its people were said to be devout, filled with religious zeal. They were demanding the return of the sacred land that the Ulysses Emperor had conquered two centuries ago, declaring they would not hesitate to shed blood for it.
“…What’s going to happen now?”
My heart grew heavy at the thought of war. But then Lucran gave me unexpected news.
“Have you heard about Prince Altheo?”
“…What about him?”
With my research keeping me busy—and partly because I’d avoided current events—I hadn’t kept up with politics. Lucran’s words stunned me.
“He wishes to take the field as the supreme commander if war breaks out.”
“…What?”
“I heard it directly from officials of the Imperial court. It’s reliable information.”
“Prince Altheo?”
My eyes widened in disbelief.
“B-but… haven’t the nobles been pushing for Prince Taeroha to lead the war effort?”
“They were, until just a few weeks ago.”
Lucran answered smoothly.
The nobles supporting Altheo had wanted Taeroha to go to war, hoping he’d be weakened or even injured in battle.
“But it seems Prince Altheo now believes personally taking the field and earning military merit would benefit him more.”
“…I see.”
“Of course, the best outcome would be no war at all. But if His Highness does go, Prince Taeroha likely won’t be sent.”
“….”
My mind grew tangled with conflicting thoughts.
If Prince Altheo went, could he truly handle the role of supreme commander?
And more importantly—if war really broke out, how much meaningless blood would be spilled?
Rationally, I knew the strongest should fight, those with the power to save more lives. Taeroha was a grand mage, so his power could be crucial. But… no one wants to see their loved ones hurt. In war, no one can predict the next moment. And if Taeroha were injured, what would happen to the many nobles who followed him?
Selfish or not, those were my honest feelings.
My expression darkened further.
Glancing at me, Lucran softly asked, “Shall we go?”
“…Yes.”
I nodded. My untouched lemon tea had already gone cold.
I needed to contact Taeroha, to hear his stance on this.
In truth, if Altheo became “supreme commander,” it would be more a matter of title, while the real authority would likely rest with the lords of the South. Did Altheo even have ties there? His power base was in the North, among his maternal Peregrine relatives—not in the South.
Thoughts churned in my head—what position should Taeroha and I take if Altheo truly marched to war? I was deep in thought when, rounding a corner, I nearly collided with a boy sprinting toward me.
“…Ah!”
Fortunately, Lucran caught me quickly, sparing me a stumble, though my heart still jumped.
“I’m so sorry, my lord!” the boy bowed briskly, then dashed off again.
His loud cry rang across the street:
“Extra! Extra!”
A bag at his side bulged with newspapers. Waving one, he shouted to passersby:
“Breaking news! His Highness, the First Prince—the noble ‘Little Sun’—is to be engaged!”
“…!!!”
My mouth fell open.
Lucran’s expression was equally stunned. Clearly, this was news to him too.
We exchanged shocked looks. Had I heard correctly?
Prince Altheo… engaged?
With whom?!
“W-where did everyone go?!”
The voice was familiar.
Altheo felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
This voice…
He had heard it once before. Unbelievable, absurd—but still, his feet carried him toward it.
The outdoor corridor connecting the palace buildings was supported only by pillars instead of walls. Passing along it allowed one to glimpse the beauty of the Imperial gardens in every season, and Altheo normally enjoyed walking this way. But today, the voice bothered him more than the scenery.
At last, he arrived.
The late autumn sun shone transparently over hair the color of deep fuchsia.
“….”
This time, it was Elia who noticed Altheo first.
“You are…?”
She gaped at him in surprise. A hundred witty remarks about her unladylike behavior ran through the socially seasoned Altheo’s mind. But instead of voicing them, he chose different words.
“You truly are good at getting lost.”
“…Ah…”
“What brings you to the palace?”
“T-that is…”
At his question, Elia’s face crumpled into a troubled expression.
“I was on a field trip with one of my professors from Rebecam Academy… but I got separated from the others.”
Altheo easily recalled that there was indeed an official student visit from Rebecam today. So, this lost child was one of them.
Troublesome.
He sensed his guard glancing at him as if to ask whether to take care of it. Altheo silently shook his head.
“…Follow me.”
At those words, Elia’s face lit up brightly.
