Chapter 09
I had no idea what the probability was of making eye contact with Piarone when there were so many people looking at him and me standing in a corner.
Luckily, he immediately looked away.
Only then did I finally exhale the breath I had been holding.
Wow, my heart is racing.
This is scarier than the dark alley.
While wiping away my cold sweat, I suddenly felt something missing.
This was the moment Asil should have asked if I was okay.
I turned to look at him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Cesia.
His expression practically screamed, “I like her… I must love her.”
Good grief.
While I was silently freaking out, Cesia and Piarone approached the emperor and performed a formal bow.
“Your Majesty, we greet you.”
“Rise, my proud knight Piarone Mayville, and protector of the new empire, Cesia Eos. Raise your heads.”
“Thanks to you two, peace has returned to the empire. Lift your heads and share in the glory with the people.”
Thus, the award ceremony began.
I shifted my gaze from Asil and carefully observed the crown prince.
His eyes were practically dripping with honey as he stared at Cesia.
Sigh… I knew this would happen.
She had been imitating Daphne all this time.
So did she really plan to leave the male leads alone?
No way. Not a chance.
I glanced at Asil.
He was staring blankly at Cesia, looking completely lost.
I swear, it was written all over his face: longing and heartbreak.
Unbelievable.
While I muttered to myself, the ceremony ended.
The music that had paused started playing again, and Piarone naturally led Cesia to the center of the hall.
And so, their dance began.
Yes, every banquet needs a dance scene.
The man and woman in the center of the hall spun in circles, gazing at each other affectionately.
Everyone watched them with warm, pleased expressions, while the crown prince’s face turned wistful.
Tsk tsk… he was completely hooked.
As I clicked my tongue, Cesia finished her first dance with Piarone.
At that moment, the crown prince abruptly stood up and requested the second dance.
Cesia smiled brightly and took his hand.
It seemed she was still engaged to Piarone but also on good terms with the crown prince.
Asil watched them with a sorrowful expression.
I found the whole thing rather amusing.
Life is a comedy when seen from afar and a tragedy up close.
I was stuck in the middle, witnessing both the comedy and the tragedy.
“Asil. If you keep biting your lip like that, it’ll start bleeding.”
At my words, Asil flinched and looked at me.
His eyes were trembling, so I shook my shoulders in mock imitation.
“Isn’t the music lively? I might as well keep up with the rhythm, just like your eyes~”
“Ugh.”
Asil quickly covered his eyes with one hand.
“Sorry, Daphne.”
He apologized quietly.
I didn’t respond and instead looked back at Cesia.
She had just finished dancing with the crown prince and was moving to rest.
A swarm of eager nobles surrounded her, buzzing like moths drawn to a flame, desperate to speak with the empire’s protector.
I kind of wanted to talk to Cesia too…
But if I just walked over, I’d probably get crushed by their intense stares.
No, this is when my buff should activate, right?
I checked the buff gauge, but it was only halfway filled.
Tch, what a fickle thing.
“Asil, if you feel bad, help me out.”
“Pardon?”
He finally removed his hand from his eyes and looked at me.
“I need to speak with Cesia Eos. Could you clear a path for me?”
“Daphne…”
“Aren’t you two acquainted? Or are you going to tell me you still don’t know her personally?”
“That… I’m sorry, Daphne. Are you very angry?”
“I do feel a bit betrayed, but if you help me now and explain yourself properly, I’ll calm down.”
Asil hesitated for a moment and then looked toward Cesia.
“Cesia.”
He called her name in a trembling voice.
The music and chatter were loud, but strangely, Cesia turned to look at us.
And then she froze.
She stared at Asil for a long moment before frowning.
Then she suddenly ran over and hugged him.
“Asil, you fool! Where have you been? Where were you all this time? I’ve been looking for you! I’ve been waiting!”
“Cesia…”
She pounded his chest and whimpered.
“You promised to dance with me at the banquet! You promised your first dance would be with me! Do you know how long I waited?”
Asil looked like he might cry as well.
I swear I was losing it.
I asked you to clear a path, not stage a touching reunion!
“Enough.”
I extended my arm and stepped between them.
My sudden intervention made Asil flinch.
“Cesia, don’t cry in the middle of a joyful banquet.”
“Oh…!”
Cesia finally seemed to realize and wiped her tears.
“S-Sorry. That was rude of me, especially since we just met.”
“It’s fine, Cesia. Oh, is it alright if I call you by your name?”
“Yes, of course!”
At that moment, Piarone approached Cesia and handed her a handkerchief.
Cesia wiped her tears and smiled brightly.
“Are you the partner of Asil? I was about to ask your name…”
Then she saw my face and froze.
Her expression turned pale.
In a trembling voice, she asked,
“Daphne?”
“Yes, Cesia. It’s an honor to meet the protector of the empire.”
Cesia looked at me as if she couldn’t believe it.
Her lips trembled.
“W-Why is Daphne with Asil?”
“Asil is currently serving as my bodyguard.”
“Asil?”
“…That’s how it turned out.”
Judging by her reaction, it didn’t seem like they had schemed to come see me.
Well, their heartfelt story and emotional reunion—let them sort that out themselves.
I should just state my business quickly.
“Cesia, I’d like to talk for a moment—just the two of us.”
“Stop.”
At that moment, Piarone stepped in.
He gently embraced Cesia, blocking her from me.
“My fiancée seems very tired, so we’ll continue this conversation another time. Come, Cesia.”
“Piarone.”
Saying that, Piarone lifted Cesia into a princess carry and strode out of the banquet hall.
Wait… what?
I was stunned.
If they leave like that, when will I see her again?
Cesia was the daughter of a great duke’s family, the protector of the empire, and the most popular figure in the capital—an extremely busy person.
If today passed, I might not even be able to contact her.
I grabbed Asil’s arm.
“Asil! We have to follow them!”
“W-Wait! Daphne!”
“Hurry!”
I pulled his wrist and rushed out of the banquet hall.
The nobles stared at us in bewilderment.
But their gazes—especially those of Lady Rozanna and Maria—didn’t matter right now.
The dark corridor, contrasting with the bright banquet hall, greeted us.
Where did they go? Did they already head to a carriage?
As I hesitated, unsure of where to go, Asil listened carefully and gently guided me.
“This way.”
Thankfully, he led me deeper inside instead of toward the exit.
Following him, we arrived at a corridor lined with curtained balconies.
“This is a resting area for nobles visiting the imperial palace.”
I knew this place.
It was where Piarone often brought Daphne when she felt tired during banquets.
So he hadn’t changed his routine.
“Tired guests may be resting here, so I can’t check every balcony by opening the doors. I’ll take a look and come back, so wait here.”
“Can I come with you?”
“It’s faster if I go alone. Please wait.”
Asil said that and disappeared into the darkness.
True. There were many balconies to check, and the corridor was wide.
If I followed, I might just slow him down.
So I decided to wait obediently.
But it was really dark here.
The lamps were far apart, and all the balcony windows were covered with curtains.
Hmm… I might as well.
Since no one was around and my feet ached, I kicked off my heels and tossed them aside.
“Ah, that feels better.”
Wearing heels all this time… no wonder my feet hurt.
I walked around the corridor barefoot.
If Lady Rozanna saw me, she would have fainted, but my soles were throbbing—there was nothing I could do.
Luckily, the corridor had carpeting, so the floor wasn’t cold.
I picked up my heels and approached a nearby balcony.
I pressed my ear to the door to check for any signs of people.
Nothing.
Good.
I opened the balcony door and gently pulled aside the curtain.
Moonlight flooded the corridor.
Finally, I could see a little.
I looked at my reflection in the glass and sighed.
As expected, Cesia didn’t seem very welcoming.
But I wasn’t really the original Daphne, was I?
If I explained that I had also been possessed, maybe she would lower her guard.
Honestly, I didn’t have to meet Cesia.
But I had many questions for her.
I wanted to ask about the seal of the dragon and about Piarone.
While I was thinking, another figure appeared in the balcony glass.
“Asil, you’re back?”
I turned around and first saw golden hair shimmering in the moonlight.
Piarone Mayville.
His sudden appearance made my breath catch.
He looked down at me and murmured my name.
“Daphne… Daphne Seain…”
He said it with a blank expression.
“Is your name really Daphne?”
“Y-Yes, it is.”
“Hah, just as Cesia said—you really would show up at this moment.”
He smirked as if he found it absurd.
The coldness in his voice made me shiver.
No, I hadn’t done anything wrong.
I shouldn’t be scared!
I gathered what courage I had and asked,
“Where is Cesia? I need to speak with her.”
At my words, he stepped forward.
I instinctively stepped back.
“A talk?”
He took another step.
“Do you really think Cesia would have anything to discuss with someone like you?”
I tried to step back again, but the balcony wall stopped me.
Piarone looked like he wanted to kill me.
I swallowed hard and clutched the hem of my dress.
“Right now, I’m barely holding myself back from grabbing your throat and snapping it.”
His low voice slithered into my ear.
“Run, Daphne Seain, before you lose your chance.”
