Born as the Hidden Daughter of a Villainess and the Male Lead

<Episode 14>

A confined Prince.

The palace of Grand Duke Haelian was beautiful beyond comparison; due to its resemblance to a white jade, it was dubbed as the pearl palace of Perfala.

Entering the entrance of the passageway decorated with the simple yet cozy taste of the hostess, the man walked silently, the hem of his gray robe fluttering. Colorful morning glories grew like an ivy vine in the hanging pot, stretching their roots to wrap around the pillars.

“…”

The woman sitting there alone lifted her cup gracefully.

The man, Perion, suppressed his shaky breath and took off the hood that casted a shadow over his face.

“Oh, Perion.”

That made her aware of Perion’s arrival.

Her pink, wavy hair shook behind her back. Chastia turned her head around to face Perion.

The lovely beauty said with a pure smile as her eyes met with Perion’s,

“You rushed out with him all of a sudden, and now you’re back? You didn’t even send me a letter…you’re so cold hearted. By the way, what about Roberick?”

And she looked for her husband right away.

Perion felt like his heart was going to break.

“..Perion?”

Perion looked at Chastia with bloodshot eyes, and Chastia looked clearly surprised.

His silence was only prolonged.

Chastia slowly stood up from her seat, perhaps sensing the ominousness of whatever was coming next.

Clink, clink-

Oh, talking about ominousness.

Chastia hit the teacup as she stood up, and it crashed to the floor, breaking.

Tadak-

“Mother, are you all right?!”

Then, a pretty little girl came running with her small footsteps. She looked to be about 9 years old. The child was clutching the hem of her lovely pink dress in her hands as she ran, her silky black hair fluttering behind her, and with anxiousness evident in the pink eyes resembling her mother’s, she asked,

“It’s all right, Allea. It’s nothing.”

The princess of Haelian with no blood ties.

The child’s name was Allea Seraphina Haelian. The fairy-like mother embraced her precious daughter with gentleness.

The daughter checked for her mother’s safety then hugged her in peace.

Perion, who was watching the warm appearance, knelt in sorrow.

“I’m afraid the grand duke did not return with me.”

“What? What do you mean…”

Chastia sounded flustered.

Perion spoke with difficulty, suppressing the pain in his heart..

“And there is something I have failed to tell you yet. The reason why his grace and I suddenly went undercover a few months ago…it was to find and visit the daughter of Mariette Aidin, the young lady of the former Duke of Bastevan.”

The former Duke Bastevan.

Mariette Aidin.

As soon as the name left Perion’s lips, Chastia’s face turned pale.

“Ma-Mariette? What do you mean Mariette’s daughter? Did she have a daughter?”

Though she asked in a trembling voice, Perion did not answer.

Chastia screamed with the anxiety that crept up.

“Perion! Where on earth did you go with him?”

Perion answered with difficulty.

“Mariette’s daughter…is the illegitimate child born between his grace, the duke, and Mariette Aidin Bastevan. I apologise for not telling you right away – but it was all so sudden.” 

Perion could not bear to look at Chastia and continued.

“The now-dead Mariette’s old henchman suddenly appeared before the Grand Duke and handed him the facts and evidence. He led us to the place of the Bastevans exile, and the reason why his grace hasn’t come with me is…that he’s taking care of that child.”

Flap- Something fell to the ground.

Perion, who raised his head abruptly, exclaimed a cry.

“Chastia!”

Chastia had fainted due to the shock.

“Mother, mother! Wake up, Mother!”

“Madam!”

Allea called her mother frantically. The maids rushed to take a look at Chastia.

“That devil…”

rising–

Perion stared at the unconscious Chastia while recalling the small child whose existence he had already established as a devil in his mind.

Edith Ronen Bastevan, daughter of the filthy Mariette.

How did you come out alive after you were set on fire?

“…”

Yes, there was a way to kill her so she wouldn’t suffer.

But he didn’t choose it, so he could avenge himself.

She would suffer a great deal of pain and burn to death.

Mariette also tried to burn Chastia and Allea alive, so he thought it was only fair revenge to kill Mariette’s daughter like that.

He did, and yet…

“I’m proud of you, I’m so proud of you. You look like Mariette, and even inherited the blessing of the spirit king of water! It is great!”

“You inherited my blood and were born with the qualities of a spiritualist.”

The daughter of that dirty woman was blessed by the Spirit King, who was out of her league just because of her noble blood.

Perion sincerely resented God at this moment.

They didn’t care for the good people who truly ought to be blessed.

To the daughter of the wicked woman, they gave all of Roberick Arne Haelian’s talents.

The investigation to find out who was behind the assassination attempt came to an abrupt and painful end when the body of a spiritualist was found nearby, burnt to death.

It was clear that he’d been killed by a fire spirit, but rumors said that he’d been so charred that it might have been a very long time since he’d died.

It was only for one reason that the identity of the assassin was concluded to be that particular spiritualist.

‘There’s no record of the entry of a spiritualist in the city of Therma.’

The remnants of the spiritualist’s body revealed he was an untapped priest, but he did not match the identity of any of the spiritualist residing currently in the city.

In order for a spiritualist to go to and from through cities without inspection, there needs to be help from a high-ranking official, in other words, a back-bone.

‘We’re not sure of the exact workings behind it, all evidence points to this man causing the fire… the investigation will be concluded here.’

Roberick concluded the case and urged the schedule to move up to head to the Grand Residence of Duke Haelian.

‘I know you’re uncomfortable. I understand why. But it would be safer to return to the mansion early rather than live on the outside in danger like this.’

To be honest, it was uncomfortable, but it was also true that there was no other alternative.

I agreed with Roberick.

But the weight on my mind hasn’t disappeared.

“Now that we’re truly going directly to the Grand Residence…’

I’ll be Roberick’s daughter.

I’ll have to say goodbye to my grandfather.

I dare not ask you to stay in the Grand Duchy.

Nor would Roberick agree to it.

“Now…”

You’ll truly be left alone.

…shall we run away now?

At that moment, such temptation rose in one side of my mind.

When I told Roberick I’d follow him to the Grand Residence, I wasn’t aware that I possessed powers of a talented spiritualist.

With this level of talent, no matter how afraid they might be of the Rothian Empire and Archduke Haelian, wouldn’t there be at least one kingdom that may covet my talent and shelter me and grandfather?

“…….”

But I know that that’s not possible.

If we escape like that, on top of being the father of a wicked woman and having the stigma of being a greedy authoritarian, he would now be dubbed as a villain who used his granddaughter as a way to betray his country and fill his own belly. 

The very people of Rothian would speak ill of him in unison.

The dishonour he would face will never be repaired.

Oh, I just can’t stand it.

Why should we run away?

Why do they only point fingers at the villainess?

Why are the male and female main characters praised and loved as if they have done nothing wrong?

[Edith.]

While I was drowning in the negative feelings I’d created myself.

A longing voice called my name affectionately, as if in a dream.

“Ilipia.”

Ilipia was approaching me before I knew it.

The black eyes containing the dazzling stars fixed themselves on me as she gave me a warm smile.

[You seem to have a lot of troubling thoughts.]

I hesitated and asked.

“..Ilipia. Ilipia, you’re going to stay by my side forever, right?”

Have I truly become a child after living all these years as one?

She was the only guardian and family member I would have left with me, and since knowing I had to part with my most loved person in the world, I wanted to hold on even to the spirit king I’d seen not long ago.

The very moment I uttered those words, I lowered my face in a swarm of embarrassment.

Her soft skin caressed my cheek.

I slowly raised my head under the gentle force.

Ilipia looked at me as if she was peeping at my soul.

Her smile, unlike before, looked somewhat painful.

[Until the day the universe comes to an end,]

She spoke softly.

[I will always be with you]

I swallowed a stinging pain in my heart and laughed out.

“..the universe.”

Isn’t it suddenly too grand?

“Thank you.”

Still, it cheered me up.

Let’s pull ourselves together. You must never back down.

I mustn’t forget my initial resolve.

I’m going to return the lost Duchy of Bastevan to my grandfather.

And I will take the Grand Duchy of Haelian from Roberick and avenge all the humiliation that my grandfather ever had to suffer.

And, if I can.

I wish to reveal the truth about my mother.

Maybe there was a reason why things had to be the way they were.

So, if the day comes when I know all of my mother’s secrets…

I want to break all the chains of stigma that have been latched to the name of my mother, Mariette Aidin Bastevan.

Farewells often always come too soon.

“…I can’t give you much time, Edith.”

Roberick let go of my hand, speaking as if he were not happy.

And he fled from the spot first like a coward, as if he wasn’t able to listen to it.

“…Edith.”

In front of the official residence, my grandfather’s collar fluttered in the wind.

My grandfather, standing opposite me, smiled.

His brilliant golden eyes were as beautiful as ever, and his smiling face is familiar, as it always has been.

Tok.

Warm droplets of water flowed down my cheeks.

“Edith…”

Grandfather’s eyes grew bigger.

I’m a fool.

“I don’t want to part with Grandpa.”

I was going to say goodbye with a smile so that my grandfather wouldn’t worry.

I raised my hand to wipe away the tears that flowed down my cheeks and said,

“But I’ll put up with it. I’ll bear it.”

Nevertheless.

“Becoming a grand princess will be the way I regain my Grandpa’s honour.”

I don’t like my grandfather being insulted.

I will return everything to those who have caused all the pain and humiliation you have had to receive. In order to do that, the level of difficulty and hatred I will have to face-

It’s really nothing.

Having wiped off all the tears, I smiled.

“I can do it. I will definitely send you letters at least once a week, and come see you every month. By the way, Ilipia and Nyad care about me a lot, so I’ll always be with spirits and there will be nothing to worry about.”

I ran towards my grandfather, who could say nothing with his burning red eyes.

“So please go in peace, Grandpa.”

And at last I hugged his warm arms.

“……!”

Grandfather’s body fluctuated a little.

The decrepit body knelt on the floor as if it were falling apart.

He hugged me face to face, as if his trembling hands desperately embraced what he could not hold. I buried my face in my grandfather’s chest.

And silently shed tears.

---

yeah, I cried.