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

<Episode 36>

 

***

Our plan for heading to Litera was like this.

To get to Litera faster, which would normally take over a month, we decided to take a floating ship powered by a wind spirit stone.

The boarding point is Epis, a city located about two days from the Capital.

If we travel by floating boat, the time to get to Litera would be cut in half, so arriving at Epis City as quickly as possible was an important factor in ensuring a comfortable trip.

“How about taking a break for a while? As the Marquis Reiner’s residence is located nearby, if the 2nd Prince and the Grand princess convey their wishes, the Marquis will gladly open the castle gate.”

But after about three or four hours.

While driving along a forest road where all traces of the city had disappeared, the carriage stopped for a moment to give the horses water and rearrange their weapons.

The imperial palace maid opened the carriage door and said.

…Why? I’m not really tired.

I turned to Ashamed and asked for his opinion.

“I don’t think there’s any particular need to rest.”

I thought he would have a lot of trouble getting used to his new position after being freed from confinement, but was I mistaken?

“I can handle this much, so let’s leave quickly.”

“…I understand, Your Highness.”

Ashamed ordered clearly with a chilling attitude.

The maid flinched at the attitude of the second prince, who seemed to have a natural tendency to intimidate others, and quietly retreated, showing an expression of being submissive.

The wheels of the carriage began to move again.

Today and tomorrow I will be locked up in here.

I leaned back against the soft backrest and sighed.

…This somehow reminds me of the old days. When I ran away with my grandfather.

Once I turned on my memory, my thoughts began to flow towards my grandfather.

 

***

 

‘Edith! What does this mean? You are engaged to the second prince!‘

A year ago, when we reunited after a few months, my grandfather cried out in a voice full of shock without even having time to say goodbye in tears.

…..Ah, to my grandfather, it really must have been like the sound of lightning striking from a clear sky.

The hidden second son of Emperor Oswald, the enemy who brought down the family along with Roberick, and his granddaughter, whom he carefully raised while avoiding the eyes of the imperial family and the Grand Duchy, became engaged.

…Wow, the relationships were even more shocking when I list them out.

Of course, Ashamed had a deep story even though he was Oswald’s child… but I was at a loss and chose not to say anything.

‘There is no doubt about it, this marriage was forced upon you by the Emperor who coveted your talent! No, besides, what does that mean? The Spirit King of Fire has disappeared, the crown prince is nothing more than a normal person who has not received any blessings, and the second prince who was betrothed to you has received the blessings of Arkane’s descendants! You got engaged to that guy?!’

‘Hey, grandpa. Just calm down first. My engagement to His Highness the 2nd Prince’s happened because I wanted to.’

‘What⋯?’

His golden eyes filled with dazzling light grew so big as if they were about to pop out at any moment.

I said while sweating.

‘I can’t tell you the details, but His Majesty the Emperor did not love His Highness the Second Prince. They hated and abused him because he was born with the dark attribute. And I thought that it would be much more advantageous for my future to be engaged to His Royal Highness the Second Prince than to the Crown Prince, who did not receive any blessings. So, these are all decisions I made. His Highness the Second Prince held my hand and was released from captivity, and was able to avoid being executed because he was born with the dark attribute. And by having a marriage contract with the royal family, I gained a status of my own that I could not expect getting from my father.’

I thought my grandfather would understand this much. Because had always been indulging me.

‘I don’t agree.’

‘……yes?’

However, my grandfather’s reaction was completely different from what I expected.

‘……..That doesn’t even get ashes gets in my eyes! You’re doing this because you don’t know how vicious Arkane is!’

My grandfather’s eyes, which showed even more intense hatred than when he talked about Roberick, and his voice trembling with passion, were extremely shocking to me.

‘I didn’t want to bring up that story so I kept it secret… How can things go on like this! Fate had been vicious, taking away Mariette so mercilessly, and now even you, Edith…’

As I watched in bewilderment the image of my grandfather slowly collapsing, I suddenly remembered.

Decades ago, dark elemental spirits and humans who worshiped Arkane rebelled across the continent, throwing the world into chaos.

It is said that the tragedy at that time was so terrible that it continued for a long time and was given the name ‘the beginning of the disaster.’

I had no way of knowing exactly how the massacre came to an end, as it was not mentioned in any of the books I was allowed to look at…

Considering my grandfather’s age, the era of repeated horrific massacres and wars would have dominated his childhood.

If the memories of those times were so deeply imprinted in his mind, would he be so distressed just by hearing that the unrelated young second prince received the blessing of the spirit of darkness?

 

***

 

“……Ashamed.”

In the end, the reunion with grandfather I dreamed of so much ended badly.

Even when we met after that, my grandfather always reacted negatively to my engagement to Ashamed.

“What?”

I just stared into the cold, clear wall like someone lost in thought, and with difficulty I let out a sigh.

“Have you ever met Arkane…?”

“…Why do you ask that?”

“Just because.”

The beginning of the disaster.

It was one of the most intriguing past stories along with Mariette and the Spirit King of Wisdom, but strangely enough, Count Jupes did not give a proper answer and avoided mentioning it.

There was no clear record in any of the books allowed to me.

……Does Ashamed know?

I wanted to ask what exactly caused the disaster that occurred decades ago and how long it lasted.

I couldn’t even dare to ask that of Ashamed, who was forced to spend most of his life in confinement in the aftermath, with his faked death.

“I’ve never met him.”

Ashamed spoke slowly.

“There was a time when I felt like I was going crazy with hatred, so I asked Tregard and Wheelkassel to tell me how to summon Arkane because I was willing to give anything in return…”

The voice trailed off and continued as if hesitating.

“Those guys stopped me with a reaction that I couldn’t understand. I can’t explain it to you.”

“…They stopped you?”

I asked back blankly.

Ashamed nodded slightly.

“I asked why wasn’t he the master they all look up to and worship? But it was of no use asking why you were stopping me. They just shook their head and saying, ‘ No. That shouldn’t happen yet.’ They just kept repeating those words and eventually disappeared.”

Tregard, the spirit of hatred, and Wheelkassel, the spirit of fear.

Those spirits born from negative emotions were undeniably the descendants of Arkane, the spirit king of darkness.

But why did they stop Ashamed from summoning Arkane?

“…I feel like I’m trapped in a labyrinth with no way out.”

I lay down on my side, muttering something as if I was lamenting.

Ashamed pursed his lips and remained silent.

We stared into space in silence for a while.

It was at that moment that the wheels of the gently moving carriage began to move slowly.

“……hmm?”

I turned my head from looking at the ceiling of the carriage to the side and stared at the window.

The scenery did not move.

The carriage had clearly stopped.

We clearly ordered them to run to the city without stopping.

I slowly got up and thought it was strange that there was no noise outside.

Knock–

At that moment, a small knock was heard on the carriage door.

She may be a maid, but why did they stop?

Goosebumps ran down my spine.

I exchanged a look with Ashamed.

Ashamed also seemed to notice the strange atmosphere outside.

To summon a spirit, I must recite a spell.

If I do that, it is inevitable that my voice will come out.

But fortunately, there was someone in front of me who could use the power without summoning a spirit.

Ashamed quietly stared at the carriage door.

How long did the moment of silence last?

Like breaking a frozen wall with a sharp blunt object.

Shiii-

A brilliant, sharp sound pierced my ears.

“There is no way an imperial knight would destroy the ice wall that was obviously made by the second prince.”

As expected, it seemed like Ashamed had created ice as a test.

Ashamed stood up from his seat, his face turning cold.

“I’ll block them first, so hurry up and summon the spirits.”

“Okay.”

I hoped not, but in the end I had to admit it.

Outside, unwelcome guests were waiting for us to open the door.

If we stay silent any longer, they’ll break down that door and come in.

“You, children of indestructible life. Answer the call of him whom you have blessed with an immortal heart.”

Kwaang-!

A loud roar rang out, incomparable to anything before.

A strong gust of wind struck, causing my hair to flutter into the air.

“[Naiad]!”

Against the cold that fiercely clawed at my face, I closed my eyes tightly and cried out.

Shii-!

“Careful!”

White fog and dust from the crash of the carriage filled the surroundings, making it impossible to even see them, while Ashamed’s sharp voice echoed in the air.

Something big and black was rushing towards me.

I quickly threw myself under the half-wrecked carriage.

[Edith!]

At that moment, a familiar voice roared.

“…Naiad!”

It was Naiad.

Even though my whole body ached after rolling on the dirt floor, I raised my head in joy.