I Raised the Villain's Daughter Too Well-Chapter 14: Didn’t Know! -

I halted mid-swing.

“My Lady, your breathing is uneven.”

“Haa... haa... Sorry, just give me a moment.”

A momentary silence fell over the training grounds, where only the sound of wooden swords clashing had filled the cold dawn air.

Firnea wiped the sweat from her brow and gasped for breath.

She had just turned fourteen.

The features of a young girl were fading, giving way to the poise of a proper young lady.

Thanks to daily training over the past year without missing a single day, her body had become slender yet firm with balanced strength—proof that she was far more than just a noble’s daughter.

But the cost had been brutal.

After her father’s death, Firnea had driven herself relentlessly, as if trying to punish herself.

She rose before dawn every day to begin with sword training, followed by magic practice, swordsmanship, and close combat in the morning; in the afternoon, she either studied estate management with Chief Butler Maclaine or trained with me in the theory and simulations of noble society's dynamics and political warfare.

Even after dinner, dragging her exhausted body, she would pour herself into research on dwarven relics late into the night.

Because of this murderous schedule, Firnea had averaged less than four hours of sleep per night over the past year.

It was a grueling pace no child should endure. She came close to collapsing several times—and indeed, actually collapsed more than once.

Each time, I had to force her to rest, but the next day, without fail, Firnea would be back on the training grounds.

“Again.”

Firnea, having steadied her breathing, readjusted her grip on the wooden sword and spoke briefly.

A cold flame now burned in her previously empty eyes.

But she hadn’t been consumed by rage.

Firnea was striving to move forward while still holding on to who she had once been.

“Hup!”

Firnea’s sword flew toward me with a sharp slicing sound. The speed and weight were incomparable to a year ago.

Not only was she gifted in magic, but her physical ability and combat instincts were extraordinary as well.

Now that she had mastered the basics of the Serbus family’s secret swordsmanship and assassination techniques, she was capable of taking on most knights alone.

However—she was still far from complete.

Clack! The wooden swords collided and splinters flew.

I deflected Firnea’s strike and slipped into an opening.

“There’s no weight in your blade’s tip. Channel more killing intent.”

“...Ugh!”

When my wooden sword grazed her shoulder, Firnea clenched her teeth and stepped back.

It was only a practice weapon, so the injury wasn’t serious, but the sharp pain made her furrow her brow.

Of course, I didn’t apologize.

“You’ve still got a long way to go.”

This was training.

At my cold evaluation, Firnea bit her lip silently. Her expression wasn’t one of frustration, but of deeply acknowledging her own shortcomings.

This was our daily life for the past year.

I was Firnea’s teacher, her observer, and the witness closest to her transformation.

To be honest—I was proud of her.

Watching her follow that brutal schedule without complaint, not even once, even made me feel respect.

Especially given the girl I had met at the beginning.

Of course, I couldn’t show any of that emotion on the surface.

“This is enough for today. It’s nearly time for breakfast.”

“...Alright.”

Firnea lowered her wooden sword with a hint of reluctance. Her whole body was drenched in sweat, yet her eyes still burned brightly.

We left the training grounds without another word.

The mansion was bustling in the early morning. After Duke Pitus’s death, the Seriratus Family had wavered for a time, but under Maclaine’s skilled leadership—and above all, the solid presence of heir Firnea—it had quickly regained stability.

Of course, that stability was only on the surface.

Underneath, the power struggle continued.

Rival houses seeking to weaken the Seriratus Family’s influence were constantly scheming, with House Laurencia in particular moving with relentless persistence.

The imperial court, too, kept a close eye on the Seriratus Family, trying to either restrain or exploit ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ it depending on the shifting power structure after the Duke’s death.

Firnea paused as we walked down the corridor toward the dining room and looked out the window.

The sun had already risen, bathing the garden in golden light.

It was a peaceful scene, but her eyes betrayed no reaction.

“Virdem.”

I responded to the quiet murmur that was barely louder than a whisper.

“Yes, My Lady.”

“I’m going to get stronger.”

“Yes, My Lady. You will grow stronger than anyone.”

“Really?”

“Without question. Though... the process may nearly kill you.”

“That’s... fine.”

Firnea nodded with a gentle smile.

“No matter what happens, I’ll endure it.”

“My Lady...”

“So support me.”

“Whatever may come, I will do exactly that.”

Looking at Firnea’s resolute face, I felt proud.

The girl standing before me now—

For some reason, I truly felt that I could give my life to serve her.

****

And time passed—until the day of Firnea’s 19th birthday arrived.

And I was now actually in a situation where I might lose my life.

There was no killing intent, no venom, no rage—but her sultry voice, filled with sweetness, rang in my ears like a death sentence.

“Virdem, how do I look?”

...To me, it sounded nothing short of a public execution notice.

I clenched my teeth and shut my eyes tightly.

“My Lady, I beg your forgiveness. I don’t recall what crime I’ve committed, but whatever it is, it’s entirely my fault.”

“What are you talking about? I asked how I look. Give me your thoughts.”

“...”

At the mischievous tone in her voice, I sighed deeply.

Where the hell did the vengeance-obsessed girl go?

Up until sixteen, she was absolutely brimming with murderous aura.

After she learned to conceal her emotions as she matured... she changed.

It was the right direction. Still, I hadn’t expected... this.

I cracked one eye open—just barely—

And the sight of bare skin made me recoil in terror and immediately attempt an escape.

But the doorknob instantly turned hard as steel.

Silent cast. Telekinetic magic. Instant activation. That could only mean one thing.

...Seventh Rank.

It seemed the grueling training hadn’t betrayed her.

A god of magic, cloaked in human skin, stood before me.

And yet, Firnea strolled up to me with a carefree laugh.

“I am wearing it properly. Come on, take a look. I won’t let you leave until you give me your thoughts.”

“Haa...”

I silently offered a mix of apology and resentment to my former master, Duke Pitus, as I slowly opened my eyes.

—She was wearing it, no doubt about that. A beige dress, understated accessories, and above all, those eyes—clearer and more radiant than any gem—blinked at me expectantly, urging me to comment.

I liked that last part the most. She was breathtakingly beautiful—so much so that it nearly stole my breath—but I had to return the favor, so I exaggeratedly stroked my chin and hummed.

“Hmmm...”

“What, what?”

“Hmmmmm...”

“I said, what is it?”

“My Lady.”

“?”

“Do you want an honest opinion, or one that won’t hurt your feelings?”

“...”

Firnea gritted her teeth and mercilessly kicked my shin with the heel of her shoe.

It hurt quite a bit, but it wasn’t sincere.

If it had been sincere, I’d already be ground meat.

I let out a short laugh, then quickly gave my honest answer as Firnea’s expression sharpened.

“It’s a joke. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on in my life.”

“...Hmph. That’s the kind of answer that wouldn’t hurt. I said be honest.”

“In my opinion, no outfit could ever do justice to your beauty.”

“This is a custom-made dress by Raiganarin, you know?”

“Then even the capital’s greatest designer falls short. I fear you’ll never find clothes that match you for the rest of your life.”

“To think a butler would dare curse his master. How rude.”

Despite her words, the corners of Firnea’s lips had already softened.

Click. The door creaked open behind me, and I exhaled quietly and bowed my head.

“Please make sure she’s ready by 3. Many guests are already waiting.”

“Can’t I just tell them all to get lost?”

Having spent so many years with her, I knew. Firnea meant that quite sincerely.

But the fact that she wouldn’t go and say it herself—that was the only thing that separated the girl she used to be from the woman she was now.

Now, Firnea could distinguish what should be done from what should not.

“That would make future social gatherings quite difficult.”

“Hmph. Shame.”

Leaving Firnea’s room, I made my way to Chief Butler Maclaine to give the final status report.

“Ah, Virdem. Is My Lady ready?”

“Yes. She said she’ll come down by 3 at the latest. However...”

I studied Maclaine’s expression. He seemed troubled by something.

“Has something happened?”

“...Well, I wouldn’t call it a problem, per se...”

After some hesitation, Maclaine let out an odd sound.

“We’ve got a rather special guest today. Armeria of House Paltis. Ever heard of her?”

“...What’s a hero’s descendant got to do with My Lady that she’s showing up here?”

Armeria.

Not a major house, but her ancestor was a Hero, and thanks to that lineage, her descendants were born with monstrous martial power that rivaled the greatest warriors of their time.

Sounds like some fairytale about bodybuilders producing weightlifters when they marry, but in this world, what gets inherited isn’t things like baldness or cancer—it’s magic ability, sword talent, things like that. In other words, bloodlines account for ninety percent of everything.

“I find it strange myself. I wonder if she’s come with some ill intent...”

“I doubt there’s much to worry about. My Lady’s temperament is much more stable than before. Even if someone picks a fight, she won’t be so easily rattled.”

“That’s true. And that’s entirely thanks to you.”

Maclaine looked at me with a satisfied expression. But there was a subtle trace of bitterness on his face.

“If it weren’t for you, My Lady would’ve... likely gone astray.”

“...You flatter me.”

“No. I watched everything you did after Lord Pitus passed. None of it can be brushed off as mere loyalty. You gave My Lady purpose—you supported her, stood by her, and because of that, she’s grown into who she is today.”

Maclaine closed his eyes, envisioning a future that had never come, then declared solemnly:

“Today may be My Lady’s birthday, but you, Virdem, deserve a gift as well.”

“A gift, sir?”

“Yes. You’ve earned it. But first, I’ll need your help with running the party. I’ll call you separately this evening.”

“Ah... Yes, sir...”

I bowed in silence and stepped outside.

A gift... from Maclaine.

Not that I wasn’t a little curious, but...

Something felt off. Maybe I’m being a bit too suspicious, but— freewēbnoveℓ.com

They say dogs resemble their owners. And Maclaine, just like Firnea, had a tendency to be... unpredictable.