The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 3
Chapter 2.1
I knew it was cliché to say, but I thought I was dreaming.
Could the massacre of my family by nineteen-year-old Emil be nothing more than a dream created by the early morning hours? But I quickly shook my head. As much as I wanted to believe it, the sensation of the cold blade piercing through my stomach felt too vivid.
That sensation couldn’t have been false.
‘What happened?’
I stepped onto the floor with my trembling legs. My nanny, Isana, who noticed my tremoring, approached me and quickly checked my complexion.
“My lady, are you alright?”
Isana looked much younger than the evening when I died. She had fewer wrinkles, and her sparse gray hair was almost nonexistent.
“May I touch your forehead? You don’t seem to have a fever.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine… I had a bad dream, that’s all.”
“Your face is so pale. What kind of dream did you have… Would you like a warm glass of milk to calm your nerves?”
“Please.”
As Isana went down to the kitchen, I staggered over to the front of the mirror.
Nineteen-year-old me stood there, yet, something was different. Instead, a little girl with chubby cheeks stared back at me. I’d been growing my hair quite long, but now its length barely extended beyond my shoulders.
Parted, silky hair that was naturally well-nourished, with barely a hint of curls, gleamed softly with an ivory hue. Distinct red eyes stared back at me in the mirror, failing to hide their bewilderment.
‘It’s unmistakable. This is real.’
I couldn’t fathom how I had returned to the past. Going back in time, that couldn’t possibly be true…
Then, suddenly, one fact came to mind. I knew someone who had gone back in time, and it wasn’t anyone else but my mom.
‘Could it be that my mom too?’
It could be possible. Even though I hadn’t witnessed my parents’ deaths firsthand, Emil had confessed to killing both of them.
Emil.
As his name crossed my mind, I was overcome with mixed emotion, and at the same time, I was consumed by questions.
‘What could he have been aiming for to bring such destruction to our household?’
The silence in the corridors suggested that even the servants had been killed.
“Urk…”
It was so shocking and horrifying that it made my stomach churn. Even though I tried to block it out, the lingering smell of blood seemed to tickle my nose.
Could it be that the madness that plagued the villainess had manifested in Emil as well?
The Emil I’d encountered seemed that way. The Emil I knew would never have committed such actions.
‘What did he mean by “live as puppets”?’
My best guess now was that Emil had inherited Roveline’s madness.
‘…But what’s most important right now is the possibility that the same events could repeat themselves, even if I’ve gone back in time.’
Just as my mom hid the fact that she had gone through twelve regressions from my dad, I had also concealed the fact that I possessed memories of my past life.
I was afraid they might see me strangely. They were my new family, and I worried they would abandon me one day or distance themselves. So, despite being happy, I was always anxious.
On my fifteenth birthday, I couldn’t overcome my anxiety and confessed my secret to my mom.
—Mom, I remember my life before I was born.
She was momentarily surprised, but she soon reassured me and, in turn, told me her own secret.
—Who could ever say you’re not my daughter when you’ve lived a life similar to mine? The truth is, I’ve gone back in time a few times myself.
I felt like I had finally found a “real” family, not just one that came into existence.
One that understood me and accepted me fully, regardless of who I was. I couldn’t afford to lose this peace again, knowing what would happen if history repeated itself.
‘I first need to find out why Emil killed our family.’
I managed to calm down and took a seat in the plush chair. Just in time, Isana returned.
“It’s a bit hot, my lady.”
“I’ll have a sip while it cools down. Thank you.”
As I held the steaming cup, my racing heart began to gradually calm itself.
“Please let me know if you feel a fever or any pain. His Lordship can cancel every invitation if need be.”
“Invitation?”
Come to think of it, I’d forgotten. I didn’t even know today’s date.
“While your birthday celebration is just tomorrow, my lady’s health is far more important.”
I’d intended to ask about it sooner or later, but her explanation made me realize that I had regressed to the age of ten.
A ten-year-old’s birthday celebration. Ironically, it was the first time Emil had appeared at a public gathering.
“We’ve also sent an invitation to Young Lord Calixt, but I’m sure he’ll understand if you have to postpone the event.”
Isana draped a shawl over my shoulders and smiled proudly, apparently pleased with the improved color on my face.
“Your complexion seems to have gotten much better. What a relief.”
“The warm milk helped. And since I’m not feeling sick, there’s no need to cancel the celebration.”
“Are you sure, my lady?”
“It wouldn’t be right to pretend I’m sick while I’m clearly not.”
I had to host this party because Emil would be attending. Sooner or later, I would have to interact with him, and I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
“What’s the harm in a little pretending? If you want it, my lady, His Lordship is perfectly willing to cancel anything, no matter what reason you give.”
‘Well, that’s true…’
My dad had shown his affection in various ways. If I said I was feeling unwell, he would cancel all plans without hesitation, even if I was faking it.
Despite the shock of my family’s massacre and going back in time, my tremors had somewhat subsided by the time I finished the milk.
“It’s almost breakfast time. Since the weather is a bit chilly today, I’ll prepare a warm, thick dress for you.”
After checking the empty glass, Isana called for a maid to prepare the bathwater.
With Isana’s help, I washed up, changed, received meticulous brushing for my hair, and finally, I was led to the dining room.
Sitting carefully to avoid wrinkling my light gray dress, my mom, seated across the round table, cast a gentle glance at me.
“Did you sleep well?”
To pretend everything was normal, I nodded right away. But the moment I saw my mom’s face, the image of the red footprints and the corridor flashed through my mind. It was difficult to erase the memory, even though it weighed heavily on me.
Since I’ve already mentioned it, Isana may have told Mom about me this morning.
Above all, considering I went back in time immediately after my death, I wondered if Mom might have gone through the same, as she’s already experienced multiple regressions herself.
‘Did my mom also go back in time?’
I hesitated, and as my mom’s expression shifted from curiosity to worry, I finally replied.
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