Even if the Villain's Daughter Regresses

Laila observed Sion with her chin resting on her hand.

Due to that, Laila’s meal was interrupted, but she showed no signs of concern at all.

 

‘Could it be worrying that leaving it alone might worsen his condition again?’

 

Laila’s eyes widened. Huh? That makes sense, doesn’t it?

When you think about it, yeah, that’s how illnesses work.

Even if the condition improves, it could suddenly worsen again at any time.

 

‘I see! I’m worried he might not want to live again.’

 

No way. After all the trouble she went through to give Sion the will to live.

 

‘Complicated grief. Just you wait. I’ll uproot you someday.’

 

Laila rested her chin in her hands and fixed her gaze on Sion.

 

“…….”

 

The guard knight chuckled slightly and continued eating, ignoring the young lady, who only stared at the slave without touching her own meal.

The young lady’s piercing gaze didn’t stop the slave from continuing to eat.

He found it difficult to understand either of them.

After finishing the meal, she couldn’t think of anything better to do outside.

After a moment of contemplation, Laila decided to return home.

Then…….

 

“Miss Laila, you’re finally here.”

‘What?’

 

The butler, who brightened up as soon as he saw Laila, then led her somewhere.

 

“Please follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the reception room.”

“Why the reception room?”

“Your guest is waiting.”

“A guest? My guest?”

“Yes, Milady’s guest. So, isn’t it natural for me to escort you?”

 

The butler replied with a hint of impatience.

Laila naturally felt perplexed.

 

‘Who on earth could it be?’

 

Who in the world would show up, claim to be her guest, and cause the butler to act like this?

 

‘Is it a high-ranking noble? But why would such a noble…’

 

Lost in thought, they arrived at the reception room.

The butler, standing before the ornate, firmly closed door, raised his voice.

 

“Young Master, Miss Laila has arrived.”

‘Young Master?’

 

Addressing someone as “young master” signified that they were a noble without a title yet.

Despite significantly narrowing down the options, Laila still couldn’t think of anyone suitable.

As Laila remained lost in her thoughts, the closed door of the reception room suddenly swung open.

 

“……?”

 

Normally, a servant would be the one to open the door.

So, Laila naturally assumed that the person who opened the door was a servant.

Until she noticed the extravagance of the attire that entered her field of vision.

 

‘What?’

 

Laila was momentarily taken aback. Because the person who opened the door wasn’t a servant? No, rather…….

 

‘Where have I seen this before?’

 

It felt familiar. It wasn’t just a mood. Laila was certain she had seen these luxurious clothes head-on before.

Where was it? As Laila stood there blankly, trying to recall, a voice called her name.

 

“Miss Laila Hildegarde?”

 

Laila looked up at the voice, and her mouth fell open.

The glossy black hair resembled a raven’s feathers.

Just beneath it, red eyes that radiated strong intensity.

 

‘Kidon Reisic?’

 

Laila’s slightly trembling lips parted.

Why is he here?

 

“Ahem!”

 

The butler coughed and nudged Laila’s back. That snapped her back to reality.

 

“Yes.”

“Right. Please come in.”

 

Kidon, holding the reception room doorknob, stepped aside slightly.

Laila entered the reception room first.

The room was empty. It seemed that the attendants, usually waiting one or two at a time to serve tea, had been deliberately sent away.

 

“Please have a seat.”

 

Kidon gestured for Laila to sit on the sofa in the middle of the reception room and slowly took his seat opposite her.

When he was standing, all she could see was his collar, but now that he was sitting, their eye levels became similar.

 

“I declined the tea. I don’t have time for a long talk…….”

“Ah, yes.”

 

Laila responded reflexively, inwardly tilting her head.

No time for a long talk? Does that mean he’s busy?

 

‘Why would a busy person bother to wait for me in the reception room?’

 

……Why?

Without a teacup, her empty hands felt lost. Laila rested her hands in her lap, lost in thought.

 

‘Kidon Reisic… I can see why the butler is in such a hurry.’

 

Kidon Reisic. The second son of Count Reisic.

Who was Count Reisic?

It could be explained simply. He was the ‘only’ relative of the current queen.

And the current king loved her to death.

The power of love was great. Count Reisic easily elevated himself to a position of power over both the king and the queen with just one bloodline.

The most influential figure among the nobles in the capital.

That was the most straightforward way to describe Count Reisic.

 

‘Moreover, Count Reisic only had two children…’

 

Count Reisic’s children were only two sons.

Among them, the second son.

Even if she was the daughter of Marquis Hildegarde, she couldn’t treat such a guest lightly.

 

‘……And the real question is, why did such an important guest come to see me?’

 

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand.

Then, Kidon, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

 

“At the library…”

“……?”

“I told you I’m not a weirdo. Do you remember?”

“Oh.”

 

Come to think of it, she briefly encountered him at the library today. It was because of that encounter that his clothes felt familiar.

Actually, the most fitting expression would be ‘passed by’, but anyway, Laila nodded her head.

 

“Yes, I remember.”

 

Kidon, hearing Laila’s response, smiled slightly with his eyes narrowed.

 

“I’m Kidon Reisic.”

“……I’m Laila Hildegarde.”

“Yes.”

 

After exchanging names, Kidon fell silent again. He seemed to be carefully choosing his words as he gazed calmly at Laila’s face.

After a moment, the silence broke.

 

“I know this may sound sudden, but…”

 

As he spoke, Kidon brushed his cheek with his hand. Laila absentmindedly observed his soft-looking cheek.

So fair and smooth. Sion is like that, too. But who’s fairer and smoother?

 

“Since our encounter at the library, Miss Laila… I’ve been wanting to see you again.”

 

I think Sion’s a little on the fairer side.

What?

Laila’s eyes widened as Kidon continued speaking.

 

“Let me get this straight.”

“…….”

“If you permit, I want to promise a future with you, Miss Laila.”

“No…….”

 

Laila froze, almost blurted out her true feelings, then clamped her mouth shut.

 

‘Is he crazy?’

 

She seriously doubted it.

Perhaps this powerful man’s son in front of her was, unfortunately, not in his right mind.

Perhaps he had suffered a head injury in an unfortunate accident.

But when did he get injured?

Before their encounter at the library?

Ah, that’s right. He must have already been dealing with mental health issues at that time! That’s why he said something about “dancing butterflies” when he saw her hair for the first time…

Laila’s expression grew serious. Waves of concern about how to handle this patient flooded her mind.

Should she call Elvin? But would he even know about his injury? What if he doesn’t?

If she suggests an examination and he reacts negatively,

As Laila pondered how to smoothly pass Kidon off to Elvin, Kidon spoke again.

 

“I’m not expecting an answer right now.”

 

His voice was cautious.

Laila stepped back from her dilemma and looked at him. Kidon smiled at her.

 

“I’m going to study abroad in the winter. I’ll be back in five years.”

“…….”

“I’d like to hear your response, then.”

“Ah…….”

 

Laila’s expression relaxed instantly.

Not even five months, but five years?

 

“By then, he’ll probably be back to normal.”

 

When he returns to his senses, he’ll surely retract any crazy confessions he made.