Even if the Villain's Daughter Regresses

Laila asked why Marie didn’t bring the tea herself. The maid answered,

“She’s taking care of her younger brother. He suddenly has a high fever.”

“Ah…”

Laila sighed softly. Although Marie’s younger brother had become much healthier since he first arrived at the marquisate, he was still somewhat weaker than an average person. 

He often fell ill with minor ailments whenever the seasons changed. Although it wasn’t that time of year now… regardless, he was still more fragile than others.

It wasn’t surprising for him to have a fever in the middle of the night.

“Um, Miss Laila.”

“Yes?”

“Marie asked me to bring her the empty teacup.”

“Oh.”

Laila understood the maid’s words easily. So, she wanted to make sure she drank the tea.

Marie, now that she thought about it, was quite a worrier. Did she become so concerned naturally from taking care of her sick brother for so long?

In any case, Laila willingly lifted the teacup. If Marie wanted the empty teacup, she should give it. It wasn’t a difficult task.

It wasn’t too hot, so it was easy to swallow. After finishing the tea, Laila set the empty cup back on the tray.

The maid, as if waiting, took the tray back and stepped away. She bowed her head slightly.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Sleep well, Miss.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry, but… what’s your name?”

Since she had been asked by Marie to bring her something, she must be a maid close to her, so Laila thought it would be good to remember her name.

The maid spoke up.

“…It’s Audrey.”

“Okay, Audrey. Thank you for bringing the tea today.”

“It was nothing.”

“Rest well.”

The maid bowed again and left Laila’s bedroom.

Laila then lay down on the bed in the darkened room.

Whether it was because the worry over Kidon had disappeared, relieving her tension, or because of the tea, her body felt much more relaxed than the previous day.

Laila closed her eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Sion opened his eyes. At the same time, he rolled out of bed. Thud! A sword struck the empty bed.

“This is…”

Suddenly, the bedroom was brightly lit. Ignoring the blinding light, Sion stared at the intruder who had appeared in his bedroom.

Black hair as dark as the night. Red eyes.

The moment Sion’s eyes met those of the boy who was about his height, he remembered the intruder’s name.

Kidon Reisic.

A name he had heard almost everywhere in the castle over the past week, without exaggeration.

Sion’s eyes narrowed.

Why was Kidon here?

In fact, Kidon’s intentions seemed clear. With a blank expression, Kidon pulled the sword out of Sion’s bed and muttered,

“They say you’ve trained with a sword… Is that why you’re so quick? What a surprise.”

While letting Kidon’s words pass through one ear, Sion focused all his attention on the bedroom next to his.

Was Laila in her room? He couldn’t hear any particular sounds…

“Hey.”

At that moment, Kidon lunged at Sion again. Sion furrowed his brow and dodged the blade aimed at him.

He gently rolled on the floor, contemplating. Should he go to Laila’s room? However, was it really the right choice to go to Laila with that guy following him?

If this guy does something to Laila,

Maybe he should just go outside?

Just as Sion’s thoughts reached that point, Kidon, having failed to strike Sion, stood there dumbfounded and spoke up.

“What are you?”

“……”

“According to the Marquis, you’re Laila Hildegarde’s dog.”

Sion hesitated. Dog. That was quite a new term.

“Do you agree? Are you a dog?”

“……”

“They say the reason you don’t run away even though your leash is broken is that you’ve found a master or something.”

“……”

“Is that right? Are you a loyal hound? Will you do anything for Laila Hildegarde?”

It was similar. To be precise, Sion would do anything for Laila’s ‘survival’.

Laila had to live. Just as she wished, until ninety years old.

Laila’s goal had now become Sion’s goal, too.

“If it’s true, then die. Quietly.”

Sion frowned.

“I guarantee Laila Hildegarde’s safety if you die here at my hands. For life.”

“……”

“I swear on my name.”

With one step, Kidon approached Sion. Sion did not back down.

“But if you end up rebelling and manage to escape here with your life intact…”

Two steps.

“Well, I won’t do anything to Laila Hildegarde myself. She’s too lovely for that.”

Three steps.

“But I can’t guarantee that I’ll keep her safe from the surrounding dangers. I won’t even try.”

Three and a half steps.

Kidon and Sion stood face-to-face.

“Every time I try to protect her, I’ll think of your face.”

“……”

“I think I’ll feel like protecting Laila Hildegarde after seeing your face rotten and torn.”

“……”

“What do you think? Dog? This is your only chance to protect your master’s safety with your worthless life.”

Are you going to strike? Kidon asked in a low voice. Sion stared at Kidon, who was within arm’s reach, and then spoke.

“Dying is not particularly a difficult task.”

Kidon’s eyes widened slightly. However, the look of surprise quickly disappeared from his face.

Kidon, regaining his composure, murmured.

“So you’re not mute. I thought so. I had a feeling.”

“Kidon Reisic.”

“What…”

“You might see my heart stop, but you won’t see my face rot. Does that not matter?”

As soon as Sion finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed the blade of Kidon’s sword. Sion’s grasp caught the blade of the sword Kidon was holding.

Kidon reflexively put strength into his wrist and arm to pull out the sword. However, the sword didn’t move at all.

Kidon’s expression cracked. His previously smooth forehead now showed clear lines of anger, and Sion continued speaking.

“Swear again.”

“……”

“Swear that if I die here, you will ensure Laila is unharmed for as long as you live.”

Thick veins stood out on Kidon’s neck and arms. Yet the sword Sion held remained unmoved.

Eventually, Kidon spoke.

“……I swear.”

“Swear.”

“I swear on my name and family. You bastard.”

Not only was Sion a dog, but now he was a bastard. Sion smirked. What people called him didn’t matter. It always had been that way.

“Keep your promise.”

“……”

“If you don’t…”

You’ll find yourself begging to be allowed to die. Every time life is given to you, again and again.

Sion pulled the sword, finishing his words while looking into Kidon’s eyes. The sound of the sharp blade piercing through something echoed in the bedroom.

Kidon froze, gripping the hilt tightly. The sensation in his hand was entirely different from when he had plunged the sword into the bed.

Kidon gritted his teeth.

“You… fxcking bastard…”

The strength in Sion’s grip on the blade loosened. Kidon finally retrieved the sword. As he yanked it back roughly, Sion’s body slowly collapsed.

Kidon unconsciously took a step back, then stopped.

He belatedly realized he was holding his breath. Consciously, he took a deep breath.

“What the hell… why did you…”

As he roughly brushed his bangs aside, Kidon threw the sword down.

Breathing deeply, his chest heaved up and down.

Kidon glanced briefly at Sion lying on the floor, then nudged his body with his foot.

Tap, tap.

He lightly prodded at first, then kicked harder, but the limp body showed no signs of movement.

Only then did Kidon open his mouth again.

“Come in!”

As Kidon’s command rang out, the bedroom door, which had been firmly closed, swung open.

A group of people poured into the bedroom.

The ones at the front of the group froze upon seeing Sion collapse on the floor, but they quickly composed themselves and approached Kidon.

“Milord, are you finished with your business?”