Even if the Villain's Daughter Regresses

Laila nearly bit her lip again but managed to hold back.

She forced herself to approach her biological father, suppressing the urge to gag.

It was fortunate that the Marquis was wearing gloves.

Laila placed her hand on the Marquis’s black-gloved hand. She minimized the area of contact and made sure not to add any weight.

Even though her lingering discomfort was likely evident, Marquis Hildegarde showed no signs of concern.

The Marquis began walking, escorting Laila.

Laila felt a slight dizziness as she walked beside the Marquis and thought to herself.

Today’s birthday is going to be a memorable one, in a bad way.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Congratulations poured in. Amidst the surprisingly overwhelming attention directed at her, Laila found herself thinking of Sion.

Sion was not at the party. She waited, wondering if he might show up, but as time passed, she didn’t catch a glimpse of his golden hair.

 

‘Maybe he can’t come?’

 

Sion was still officially considered a slave within the marquisate.

They might not allow him to be in a place like this.

 

‘This is boring.’

 

Laila lowered her gaze.

She had never particularly liked parties. They were similar to hunting—just not fun.

 

‘I wish I could take a walk with Sion.’

 

What might Sion be doing right now? Was he in the bedroom?

She hadn’t seen Sion even once today.

They had always taken walks and shared meals together, but today, neither of those things happened…

 

“Miss Laila.”

 

Amid the crowd, feeling a sense of emptiness, Laila heard someone call her name.

It was a familiar voice. Laila looked up.

 

“Sir Taylor.”

“Happy birthday. And…”

 

With a sword at his side, Taylor donned his usual knight’s attire. Instead of enjoying the party, it seemed he had taken it upon himself to keep watch.

 

“You look different.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course.”

 

Laila chuckled at Taylor’s words, then thought of Sion again.

… What would Sion say if he saw me like this?

Suddenly, she became unbearably curious. Her curiosity was so intense that she began to feel a bit anxious.

Laila eventually led Taylor to a corner of the party hall.

 

“Why?”

 

Taylor, looking puzzled but obediently following Laila, asked. She whispered.

 

“Is there any way to bring Sion to the party?”

“Eh? Sion?”

“I’d rather leave this place, but… it seems I can’t.”

 

Laila was the guest of honor today.

It would be unusual for the guest of honor to leave the party so soon after it started. Even if Laila wanted to leave, the Marquis would not permit it.

 

“I understand. So you’re saying you’re bored without Sion?”

“……Well, something like that.”

“Then shall I dress Sion in servant’s clothes and bring him here?”

 

Laila’s eyes widened. It was a fantastic idea.

 

“But wouldn’t he stand out even in servant’s clothes? If it’s Sion…”

“We’ll need to put a wig on him too.”

“And his face?”

“Just a moment,”

 

Taylor replied and looked around the party hall.

There were a few maids and servants wearing masks, possibly for hygiene reasons.

Laila also glanced at where Taylor was staring.

Her eyes sparkled. Taylor said,

 

“Please wait a moment.”

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Laila was thirsty. She sipped on some non-alcoholic champagne.

When would Sion arrive? If he did, would she be able to recognize him immediately?

She felt like she would, but maybe she should have asked Taylor in advance what kind of wig he would put on him.

As Laila let her thoughts drift, the party hall suddenly became noisy.

It hadn’t been quiet to begin with, but at that moment, the commotion felt overwhelmingly loud as it erupted from all directions.

What’s going on? Laila muttered inwardly but continued to focus on her champagne.

Then she imagined, just for a moment, Sion appearing at the party without hiding his appearance, but rather dressed up.

It would surely cause the same kind of stir in the hall as it did now.

Sion was becoming more handsome by the day. Even those who treated him like a slave and looked down on him couldn’t deny that fact.

In the garden, the courtyard, the dining room, the library, or the hallway.

Laila had already seen several people who, upon accidentally encountering Sion, became entranced and unknowingly fixed their gaze on his face.

In those moments, Laila often found herself overwhelmed with complicated feelings.

An unexpected feeling of dissatisfaction would immediately follow an inexplicable sense of pride.

In words, it was like this:

She would think, “See that?” and then immediately follow up with, “What are you staring at?”

Laila couldn’t understand either feeling. Why did she think that way?

Meanwhile, Sion seemed indifferent to whether others were captivated by his face or not.

Laila absentmindedly recalled Sion’s indifferent expression while bringing the champagne glass to her lips.

 

“Laila!”

 

At that moment, Marquis Hildegarde called out to Laila in a slightly excited voice, more than usual.

Startled by the sudden voice from behind, Laila nearly spilled her champagne.

To prevent any further accidents, she set the champagne glass down on a nearby table and turned around.

Then she saw Marquis Hildegarde, unexpectedly smiling broadly. And he said,

 

“Say hello.”

 

Laila blinked slowly.

 

“This is Lord Kidon Reisic. He came all the way here to celebrate your birthday.”

(TL/N: Kidon Reisic was addressed as ‘소백작’—it means like he’s going to be the next count or he is the successor (Correct me if I’m wrong). The literal translation is Little/Young Count. But I don’t think that’s the right term so I used ‘Lord’ instead. I)

 

As if to say she should consider it an honor, the Marquis finished speaking, and the boy standing next to him greeted Laila.

 

“It’s been a while, Lady Laila.”

 

Strictly speaking, he was somewhere between a boy and a young man. He seemed a bit closer to the latter.

 

“…Lord.”

 

He had once been called Young Master Reisic, but now he is referred to as Lord.

Has the heir always been decided this early? She couldn’t remember that detail. However,

 

“Happy birthday. You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”

 

With Kidon’s playful remark, Laila fell silent.

She had forgotten.

Really, completely.

She had no idea why her birthday party was being held today—especially so grandly—or why she had to submit herself to the maids at the crack of dawn.

All her questions were answered, and the color drained from Layla’s face, which had been covered up with makeup.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Kidon Reisic had become a tall, handsome young man.

It didn’t stir any feelings. She had expected as much.

Laila, however, was so anxious that she clenched and unclenched her fists several times on the terrace.

 

“I missed you very much while I was studying abroad, Lady Laila.”

“Ah… yes.”

“Didn’t you think of me, Lady Laila?”

 

Not at all. It was hard to believe that she could forget someone so easily.

When Laila didn’t respond, Kidon smoothly changed the subject.

 

“I’ve been waiting for the day I could return, and now I’m finally back in our kingdom.”

“Are you going to stay in the kingdom from now on?”

 

He probably would. As the heir, he wouldn’t be going abroad again.

Laila thought it was a foolish question, but she had nothing else to say to him.

Kidon smiled and answered.

 

“Yes.”

“….”

“When shall we hold our engagement ceremony?”

 

This crazy. Laila almost blurted out her surprise at his sudden statement.

Why is he suddenly talking about that? It was a confusing turn of events.

Laila, sweating nervously, opened her mouth.

 

“Engagement ceremony?”

“Don’t you remember? I proposed to you, Lady Laila.”

 

Of course she remembered. However, Kidon seemed to have forgotten an important fact.

 

“But I haven’t given you an answer yet.”

“Then please give me your answer now.”

“….”

“When would be a good time for the engagement ceremony?”

“I have no intention of getting engaged to you, Count.”

 

She said it. She had hoped that Kidon would forget about her and spare her the trouble, but it seemed that wasn’t going to happen.

Kidon’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but that was all.

 

“Is that so?”

“….”

“Why?”