I Became the Villain’s Lost Daughter Chapter 86

‘…What’s going on here.’ 

 

Blinking still, I looked at my father, whose face was serious as he clutched the communicator.

 

As soon as I mentioned that the clock on the table was an artifact that could identify black magic, Dad jumped to his feet.

 

He asked if there were any communicators in the room, and when I said yes, he asked if he could borrow it for a moment…

 

‘Who the hell would he need to call suddenly?’ 

 

His behavior was strange to me, as I knew nothing about it.

 

My father stood by the window and cast a spell on the receiver.

 

As if the person on the other end of the line had accepted the call, a human image appeared.

 

“Your Highness, I need you to come to the mansion for a moment.”

 

…A moment later.

 

My eyes widened like a fool at the confusion that had overtaken me.

 

“I know you’re not going to the banquet tonight anyway. This is urgent, so please hurry up.”

 

‘…What?!’

 

My eyes widened at the next words.

 

There could be no one else but Callian whom my father would call in such a manner.

 

Therefore, my father’s words must mean that Callian would be visiting us today.

Phew.

 

Not daring to ask my father what that meant, I quickly turned my head to look at Aaron.

 

‘What’s going on?!’

 

I exclaimed with all the emotion I could muster.

 

Of course, Callian had told me to be patient, that we’d have a chance to talk sooner or later…

 

‘I didn’t think it would come so soon!’

 

As I had often felt before, my father’s execution had lightly exceeded my expectations.

 

I now understood how Mary must have felt every time I made an unexpected move.

 

‘Mary, I’m sorry. Next time, I promise to warn you…’ 

 

No, not this time.

 

“Brother, what in the world is wrong with father? Is it true that he has asked the prince to come to our house, and that too today?”

 

The words, punctuated with question marks, cascaded out of my mouth.

 

“Uhm…”

 

Aaron looked at Dad with a confused look on his face. Perhaps it was just a reflection of how upset I was.

 

“I thought we were supposed to discuss these things…”

 

He muttered under his breath.

 

After a moment, Aaron tore his gaze away from Dad and let out a deep sigh, ruffling his hair.

 

“Brother— I’m so embarrassed right now.”

 

“Oh, I know. I’m sorry, you’re the most embarrassed one.”

 

Seeing the impatience in my eyes, Aaron apologized profusely and explained.

 

“ Father thought it would be a good idea for His Highness to hear about the black magic.”

 

So that’s why he called so urgently. On second thought, it was ridiculous. But I was still puzzled.

 

“Um, I get it, but why is it so urgent? We haven’t even finished talking to each other yet…”

 

It was true.

 

Although I had heard about his past, from sixteen to eight years ago, I hadn’t heard anything about the time he and Callian had joined hands.

 

“…There are things I have yet to tell you, and they are deeply connected to this prince.”

 

“Ah…”

 

I nodded in small agreement at Aaron’s terse words.

 

The story of the eight years ago, the story of the black magic, and the fact that Callian was part of it.

 

‘He knew the Queen’s death wasn’t natural.’ 

 

And Father likely told him that black magic was the reason behind Serbia’s death.

 

The two men joined hands, because the same thing was responsible for taking away their loved ones.

 

It’s not surprising, then, that Callian would suspect black magic was responsible for the death of the Queen.

 

‘I suppose you’re going to use my artifacts to narrow down the candidates.’

 

Suddenly, the father’s reaction made sense.

 

Until now, even if someone used black magic, there was no way to prove it unless we had physical evidence, so my artifact would be of great help.

 

‘Then I’ll have to tell him about the Empress later, when Callian arrives.’ 

 

Well, I shouldn’t be so grumpy now that I’ve suddenly forced him to meet with Callian, should I?

 

“Yes, please come at once, and the young man you entrusted to investigate would do well to accompany you, for I have new information.”

 

My father was about to conclude the conversation.

 

‘I suppose that new information has to do with my artifact.’

 

I thought to myself. I’ve never seen my father in such a hurry before. 

 

He’s always been emotional when it involves me, but he’s typically blunt and uninterested in others.

 

‘I’d say Tervan and Evan have taken on my father’s personality with both hands.’

 

For some reason, I suddenly remembered Evan’s comment about how it was a shame that Aaron was so much like Dad.

 

It was quite unexpected to see him treat Callian in such a gentle… well, friendly… way.

 

One might think it was because he was a prince, but my father was the kind of man who showed no sign of being bothered by the Emperor’s call.

 

‘And he seems far too relaxed to be a mere ally.’ 

 

The tone was respectful, but the substance of the words was that he wanted him to come here because he had something to tell him.

 

“Erita, are you okay? You don’t look too happy… Is it because you’re worried about His Highness the Prince coming?”

 

As I looked at my father with wide eyes while thinking about such things, Aaron asked me in a worried voice.

 

“What? Haha, no, it’s just something that’s going to happen anyway, so it’s something I have to get used to, and who knows, maybe next time it’ll be on my schedule without me knowing.”

 

Gritting my teeth, I replied with a forced smile.

 

Of course, the corners of my mouth were smiling, but my eyes weren’t yet.

 

Even though my father’s behavior made sense, the more I thought about it, the more baffled I became.

 

My father and Aaron would have been used to seeing Callian this way, but me?

 

‘I only found out yesterday that you and Callian were together.’ 

 

Besides, it’s not the first time he’s asked to meet at the house today, since it seems so natural.

 

“I’ll be waiting for you in the usual place.”

 

And with those words, he lost contact.

 

💫

 

Aslan was frowning at Erita’s pointed glare when the communication ended.

 

“…Baron, get ready. I’m going to visit the Master for a moment.”

 

Frowning at the lingering effects of his headache, Callian spoke in a low voice.

 

It was a stark contrast to the stoic expression on his crystal ball when he had communicated with Aslan earlier.

 

“Your Highness, your face is pale. Perhaps you should put it off for another time…”

 

The Baron’s voice trailed off as he looked at Callian, his concern evident.

 

Wasn’t this my lord, who had been suffering from a headache for the past hour, right up until Aslan’s call?

 

“There, all right. I’m fine now.”

 

“I’m sure the Grand Duke would understand if I told him you weren’t feeling well.”

 

Though the sight of those frosty red eyes sent a shiver down his spine, Aslan had been a very kind mentor to Callian, in the Baron’s opinion.

 

So I’m sure he’d understand if I told him he couldn’t come today.

 

“The Master does not usually speak of urgency. It’s easier to move now, when the Empress has so much to worry about.”

 

At his lieutenant’s concern, Callian shook his head and pulled his black hood back up.

 

‘Besides, there are others who have asked me to wait, as they will have a chance to meet soon.’ 

 

The face of Erita, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, last night, flashed through his mind, and he clenched his tense jaw.

 

“Is she still attending the banquet today?”

 

“…Yes. From the sounds of it, she’s going to start wooing the nobles in earnest at this banquet.”

 

At the Baron’s answer, the well-dressed Callian smirked.

 

“I see she’s a bit of a sweetheart after all.”

 

“Well… even if we’d guessed it, they’d feel like they’d gotten a good slap in the face. 

 

Baron replied with a shrug. There was a look of relief and pride on his face that he couldn’t hide.

 

He was one of Callian’s closest confidants.

 

Knowing the man’s exploits on the battlefield inside and out, he couldn’t help but scoff at the qualities of the First Prince.

 

In fact, given the Empire’s uneventful state of affairs, there was little reason for the heirs to stand out.

 

‘Someone’s got good taste,’ or ‘Someone’s got good diplomacy,’ was all that was said.

 

‘But you, my lord, are a war hero.’ 

 

In four years of warfare, Callian had won more victories than he could count.

 

His path has never been smooth, but in terms of results, his name stands higher than Thesis’ throughout the Empire.

 

The Empress’s disdain for him, which had put him in the line of fire to kill him, now served as his backing.

 

‘Everyone should know that his majesty’s qualities are unrivaled in all civilization.’

 

Baron thought of that several times a day.

 

“Baron, have you sent word to Cayden?”

 

“…Don’t you think he deserves a little rest on a day like today? I don’t know why he can’t get five hours of sleep a night after returning from the battlefield.”

 

The Baron grumbled in a tone of displeasure as Callian rose to his feet.

 

‘It’s the Grand Duke’s call, so it’s not unreasonable for him to want to rush off at once… but…’ 

 

My lord never knows how to rest.

 

“Baron.”

 

“Of course, I contacted him a little while ago. I’ve told him to be on his way, so you can be on your way as well.”

 

The Baron replied to Callian’s low call with a look of disapproval. He had told the steeds to rest, but he knew best that his lord was not one to lie down and rest.

 

His lord was the one who had taken a sword to the stomach, only to get back on his horse the next day and lead his people to victory.

 

Baron muttered under his breath as he scrambled to prepare for Callian’s departure.

 

“I’ll be on my way, so watch your back like last time.”

 

“Yes…”

 

After saying that, Callian quickly disappeared through the window.

 

“Hah… This is a real death sentence if you get caught.”

 

The only one left in the room was Baron, wearing an artifact that changed his hair color and face.