The Villain Family Opposes Independence (13 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 12
It was when Carlot Ferdia was five years old.
Carlot had one older brother and one older sister.
Among them, his sister Elodie Ferdia, who was two years older, was a somewhat unusual presence within the family.
Not exceptional—unusual.
Despite being siblings, Carlot could count on one hand the number of days he had seen Elodie’s face before his fifth birthday.
This was because Carlot, Yansi, and the Duke and Duchess Ferdia resided in the main mansion, whereas Elodie lived in the annex.
When they were young, they didn’t even share a meal together once a month, so there was even less reason for them to meet.
Carlot was always curious about his sister.
The people of Ferdia were indifferent toward one another and strongly individualistic, so no one ever spoke to him about Elodie.
Carlot wished he had a friend.
But his family never fulfilled that wish of his.
His parents existed in name only; his older brother was kind yet subtly distant; and the household servants treated him with stiff formality.
When Carlot occasionally attended gatherings with other noble children his age, he realized his family situation was far from ordinary.
One child whispered first, opening the conversation.
“My mom and dad are always kissing.”
“Oh! Mine too!”
While everyone clamored, claiming they’d seen the same, Carlot sat silently, listening without saying a word.
He’d never even seen his parents sit side by side—let alone kiss.
Even during tea time, they usually sat facing each other.
One child, noticing Carlot’s continued silence, finally asked him,
“Carlot, what are your mom and dad like?”
“My mom and dad… they’re not like that.”
“Not like that? They don’t kiss? Don’t even hold hands?”
“No. They don’t hold hands.”
As the direct heir of one of the Four Great Houses, Carlot was a remarkable figure among the children at these gatherings—after all, their parents constantly reminded them to behave well in front of him.
Yet, the children who secretly envied him seized the first opportunity to tear him down once they noticed a flaw.
“Why are your parents like that, Carlot?”
“That’s weird!”
“Ahahaha!”
All at once, as if they’d rehearsed it, the children who usually never dared speak to him burst into mocking laughter. Carlot was furious.
But he couldn’t quite understand why he felt so angry.
One day, while exploring the mansion alone, Carlot overheard a conversation between servants.
“It’s really creepy. She’s pretty, just like her mother, but apparently she never cries.”
“Do you think that bastard actually believes she’s a true Ferdia?”
“She can’t even manifest the bloodline ability—what kind of Ferdia is she?”
Carlot narrowed his eyes as he listened.
‘My sister… isn’t a true Ferdia?’
The servants kept talking.
“Their lordship and her ladyship were never particularly affectionate to begin with, but ever since that bastard arrived, they’ve grown even more distant, don’t you think?”
“Hmm… Maybe it does seem that way.”
“In any case, that bastard is the problem—a stain on the Ferdia name.”
Bastard.
It was a word Carlot had never heard before.
‘So it’s all my sister’s fault that Mom and Dad don’t get along…?’
He’d never even called her “sister” before.
Though their voices had never reached him when he was indifferent, from that day onward, the servants’ words became crystal clear in his ears.
Carlot learned why Elodie lived in the annex.
They said she was born outside the mansion to a woman who wasn’t his mother, and that since Elodie came to Ferdia, his parents’ relationship had only worsened.
Whether it was true or not didn’t matter. Young Carlot believed every rumor circulating among the servants without question.
Aside from scheduled lessons and training, no one in the mansion cared what Carlot did.
Roaming the main residence one day, Carlot impulsively headed toward the annex. Expecting no one to be there, he was surprised to find Elodie in the annex garden.
A lovely little girl with pale platinum hair and brilliant pink eyes stared at him in astonishment.
Without even greeting him, his sister hesitated and took a step back.
‘How dare she avoid me?’
Petulant anger surged in Carlot’s heart. He pointed at Elodie and spoke.
“Bastard.”
“Huh…?”
“That’s what everyone says. You’re a bastard.”
Elodie said nothing—she merely blinked. To Carlot, it felt like she was ignoring him, souring his mood even further.
“Bastards are dirty. So you must be really filthy!”
“I’m not dirty. I wash myself clean every day.”
“But you’re still a bastard, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Go away, you bastard.”
Carlot’s small hand shoved Elodie’s shoulder.
“Ah!”
Though he hadn’t pushed hard, Elodie collapsed weakly onto the ground.
“What’s wrong? Don’t act weak! You bastard!”
“I’m not pretending to be weak. I was just startled—”
“Young Master!”
The head servant, who had been searching for the vanished Carlot, rushed over in a panic.
“Oh dear, Young Master! What if you disappear suddenly like that? Come back at once—you shouldn’t be here.”
“I came because they said the bastard was here.”
“Y-you mustn’t say such things!”
The nanny glanced briefly at the fallen Elodie but left her as she was, ushering Carlot back to the main mansion.
After that, Carlot often visited the annex to hurl sharp words at Elodie.
Elodie simply ignored him with a blank expression.
Ironically, whenever Carlot verbally lashed out at Elodie, the servants excessively comforted him. Though he was the one behaving badly, it was he who received their pitying, sympathetic looks.
‘I’m the pitiful one. It’s because of that bastard that my parents don’t get along.’
He liked the attention people gave him.
Even though his parents’ relationship remained cold and distant, and they fulfilled only formal duties toward him.
Time flew quickly for young Carlot.
A few years later, once again acting on impulse, Carlot headed for the annex—and upon hearing muffled sobs, instinctively hid behind a large tree.
Elodie Ferdia was crying.
“I want to die, Nanny. I didn’t even ask to be born.”
“You mustn’t say such things, Miss…”
Elodie’s nanny grimaced as she pulled the girl into an embrace, but Elodie’s shoulders still trembled faintly.
“You probably think someone like me would be better off dead too… a filthy bastard…”
“Oh dear! Who on earth told you that…!”
“Is Mother really dead? Can’t I ask her to take me with her?”
“Mercy! You must never speak of her aloud—His Grace would be furious. Do you understand?”
Seeing Elodie—normally so indifferent toward him—break down sobbing that she wanted to die was a shock to Carlot.
After overhearing that conversation, he never called her “bastard” again.
But by then, their relationship was already beyond repair.
The two of them desperately clawed at each other, eager only to inflict pain.
Perhaps hatred had simply become a habit.
.
.
.
Why, of all times, did those childhood memories resurface now?
Carlot raked his fingers roughly through his hair and gritted his teeth.
“Where the hell did that idiot go…?”
Even the famed Ferdia power—so lauded by all—was useless for finding someone who had vanished.
‘Should I tell Father? No… if I do, he’ll think I’m incompetent—’
He’d rather die than be seen as a useless son.
Therefore, he couldn’t report Elodie’s disappearance.
Carlot resumed searching the nearby area for Elodie.
[This is the timeline separator]Far in the distance, the towering silhouette of a mage tower rose into view.
There were only four mage towers on the continent, each overseeing a cardinal direction—and the one I’d found was the Western Mage Tower’s Somnia Branch.
Suddenly, I realized the sunlight was blinding and my hands felt unusually light.
“Oh—I forgot my parasol.”
It had been a parasol I particularly liked.
Returning to retrieve it would risk running straight into Carlot, whom I’d just managed to shake off. In the end, I abandoned the parasol and quickened my pace.
From the very beginning, when I’d first planned to go out today, slipping away from Carlot to act alone had been part of the scheme.
To fool Carlot—who’d nearly reached swordsmanship’s quasi-master level—I’d deliberately led him into a crowded patisserie, where I could vanish among the throng.
This plan involved multiple layers of calculation.
‘Carlot won’t report it to the Duke right away.’
Given his prideful nature, I figured he wouldn’t immediately admit that his charge had disappeared.
Most likely, once he noticed I was gone, he’d search the area alone.
Though I hadn’t ruled out the possibility of the Duke eventually hearing about it, I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
After all, if Carlot discovered I’d slipped away to visit somewhere, I might face another period of house arrest.
My immediate goal was to reach the patisserie.
‘I’ll just say I got thirsty and went to a nearby café for a bit.’
With an excuse already prepared, I stepped inside the Western Mage Tower.
My eyes were drawn to the unique interior layout—the spiral staircase stretching all the way to the tower’s peak.
I approached the reception desk, where a clerk greeted me with a polite smile.
“Welcome, honored guest. What brings you here?”
“I’d like to invest in the Mage Tower’s operations.”
“Recently, gold mine investments have been especially active—would you be interested in that?”
Gold mines were certainly appealing, but so many investors had already poured money into them that significant returns were unlikely.
I’d already decided where to place my investment.
“I heard there’s also an option for named sponsorship.”
“Ah, yes, of course. Do you have a particular mage in mind?”
“I’d like to invest the full amount in Mage Elbi.”
The clerk’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Excuse me…?”
“Eight thousand larits.”
Still dazed, the clerk took the coin pouch and hurried away.
The reaction was understandable.
Mage Elbi was a brand-new, low-ranking mage who didn’t even appear on investment brochures.
“Are you certain you wish to invest all eight thousand larits?”
“Yes.”
“Might I suggest reconsidering? We have far better investment opportunities.”
“No. I’ll invest the full amount.”
I had a specific reason for choosing Mage Elbi.
According to the book, this mage would soon invent a magical artifact that became a phenomenal hit, earning an enormous fortune.
Seeing my firm resolve, the clerk abandoned further persuasion and handed me a magical contract.
It was enchanted to verify the investor’s identity, preventing impersonation or forgery.
“May I have your name, please?”
Since it was a magical contract, using my real name wasn’t necessary.
In fact, using my real name risked tracing the source of the funds—and ultimately exposing my power—so a pseudonym seemed wiser.
Yet, for some reason, my mother’s name came to mind.
‘Arcelia…’
Still turning that name over in my thoughts, I answered the waiting clerk.
“Lily Arcel.”
My nickname was Lily, but it was common enough that no one hearing it would connect it to me.
“Yes, Miss Lily Arcel. Your application has been processed.”
Having successfully completed my final errand for the day, I promptly left the mage tower.
Would Carlot be waiting back at the patisserie? Or should I head straight to the mansion?
‘Just in case… there might be quite a commotion when I return.’
As I walked toward the patisserie, resigning myself to whatever might happen—
Someone rushed up and grabbed my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.
‘Carlot…?’
I thought it was him—but it wasn’t.
He stood out with his exceptional height and robust build.
His hair was blacker than darkness itself, and his captivating red eyes seized my gaze.
He was astonishingly handsome—rarely seen even in this world.
His lips parted slightly.
“…Found you.”
‘What did he say?’
Unable to hear clearly, I frowned and focused—then a single, distinct voice cut through to my ears.
“Yoon Ga Eul.”
“…!”
It was a bizarre sensation—as if his voice had been etched directly onto my eardrums.
My thoughts froze.
Those desolate red eyes stared straight into mine.
Instinctively, I stepped back.
“Who… are you?”
Why did this man know my name from my previous life?
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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MANGA DISCUSSION
1 Comment
Chapter Comments (57)
What if Yansi is worse than Karl? I hope he doesn’t try to get rid of Lily.
Yance is a vile villain. Why does he hate Lily and the Duke? Doesn’t he realize that she’ll be in danger because of this?
Yes, yes, you should reward her well. Lily is very smart. I hope Yancy doesn’t try to kill her.
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Miioo