Chapter 08
“Celebration banquet for the return of Sesia Eos, who sealed the ‘dragon Radon’?”
“Yep! I heard she succeeded in the sealing in the western region and even traveled around with her fiancé. Seems like she just returned yesterday!”
The sealing of the evil dragon Radon was a major event that originally took place in the latter half of the novel.
For some reason, the dragon Radon—guardian of the empire’s western edge—was cursed, and its leaking power caused an unprecedented famine across the empire.
The righteous Daphne couldn’t just watch it happen.
So she, along with the male leads including Asil, succeeded in sealing the dragon…
But originally, that event was supposed to happen at least six months later.
Had Sesia moved it up?
“If you mean the fiancé, that would be Duke Mayville, right?”
“Correct! Sesia is truly amazing! Beauty, wealth, and honor—she has it all! And she’s even engaged to Duke Mayville, considered the empire’s finest marriage prospect! I heard she used to have a difficult personality, but after getting engaged to the Duke, she changed completely!”
In the original story, Sesia falls in love at first sight with Piaron.
She manages to get engaged to him using her ducal family’s power, but Piaron doesn’t love her.
Then, when he falls for Daphne, he demands a breakup, and Sesia—consumed by jealousy—takes the route of an evil antagonist who torments Daphne.
“But since Sesia is a reincarnator, maybe things changed.”
If they even traveled together, that would explain it.
Somehow, it made sense.
It felt like I had guessed it.
Sesia and Piaron were probably together now.
“This banquet invites all nobles of the empire. I heard they’ll also hold a ceremony granting her the title ‘Protector of the Empire’!”
After sealing the dragon in the Lake of Judgment and returning in triumph, she would receive the title of protector.
Everything Daphne originally accomplished.
Was Sesia trying to become the heroine?
Or was she avoiding the original ending and unintentionally getting entangled in it?
I scratched my head and collapsed onto the bed.
Something felt off…
“A dragon, huh…”
“By the way, you also researched dragons, didn’t you? I still remember—you dashed off after hearing about a dragon-related artifact, eyes all wide and red. It was a little scary.”
To be precise, it had been about Radon.
Perhaps because it was necessary for Daphne’s sealing success, Seain the baron had an abnormal obsession with Radon.
Thanks to that, Daphne found a clue for the sealing in one of his relics.
You might wonder how she discovered the relic when creditors had already taken everything.
Daphne had hidden Seain the baron’s belongings in advance.
I, freshly reincarnated, hadn’t had the chance to do that.
“Portal stations across regions are already starting to malfunction. Since we’re in the capital, we can still travel relatively easily!”
“Sure, sure.”
“People are saying the banquet was delayed all this time because they were waiting for Sesia! The other nobles are furious!”
“Sure, sure.”
While listening to Nana’s chatter, a question arose.
If Sesia reincarnated, she should know the ending—so why was she still with Piaron?
Maybe because they were engaged?
The lingering unease stuck in a corner of my mind.
“Lady Daphne! You look absolutely wonderful!”
“You must be the most beautiful person in the world!”
“Your beauty is blinding—I feel like I might go blind!”
“Th-thanks, everyone.”
The day of the banquet arrived quickly.
Dressed up for the traditional romance novel banquet style, I awkwardly smiled at the flood of compliments.
Daphne is beautiful even without makeup.
But the maids had poured their souls into dressing me up—how could I not look stunning?
Of course, describing the appearance would only hurt my own mouth, so I’ll skip it.
After finishing with perfume and adjusting the dress, a knock sounded and Asil’s voice followed.
“May I come in?”
“Yes.”
When he opened the door and stepped in, he paused and looked at me.
I raised an eyebrow, as if to say I understood.
“I already heard I’m the most beautiful and enough to save the world, so please use different compliments.”
“Well, you stole my line.”
Asil seemed to seriously consider new ways to praise me.
His gaze made me feel shy instead.
“Stop staring,” I said.
“But I want to compliment Daphne.”
“Then do it next time.”
At my words, Asil smiled.
We had grown much closer as we spent more time together.
He had been a character I supported in the original story, he was kind to me, handsome, and spoke gently.
Above all, I wasn’t cruel enough to keep doubting or rejecting him.
If something happened, the buff gauge would activate anyway.
Right. The buff gauge!
I had tried many experiments to figure out how it filled, but learned nothing.
Even now it increased irregularly, and I couldn’t understand the reason.
Maybe it was random?
As if the gauge had a mind of its own.
I had hoped to use it before the banquet, but that was unfortunate.
“How about me, Daphne? Madame Rosanna prepared this outfit. Does it suit me?”
“You already know the answer, don’t you?”
“But I want to hear it from you.”
Asil looked at me with expectant eyes. I might as well answer honestly.
“I never thought I’d see a walking sculpture before a flying carriage.”
“If it rains, you shouldn’t use an umbrella, Asil. Flowers need water.”
“Do you know the most precious gold in the world? It’s you, existing right now.”
“They say the empire’s treasure vault lost its most valuable item—looks like it was here all along.”
I started, and the maids behind me joined in.
Together, we raised our thumbs.
If a handsome man wants compliments? Giving them is only natural.
Moved by our sincerity, Asil turned away, trying to hide his smile.
“Lady, it’s time to go!”
“Already? Asil, calm down and let’s go.”
“Ahem! Yes, Daphne. Here, your hand.”
Asil cleared his throat and offered his hand.
I took it and headed toward the entrance.
Madame Rosanna and Maria were already waiting.
The three of us wore similar dresses, Daphne, Rosanna, and Maria.
It had been Maria’s idea to match outfits.
Rosanna enthusiastically agreed, and for some reason I—who was weak to them—also consented.
Our dresses were yellow with slightly different shades, and we looked like a family.
“Wow, Daphne, you look amazing!”
“Indeed. Very beautiful.”
“You two look amazing too!”
“I’ve always wanted daughters to match dresses like this!”
“We should get a few more outfits like this.”
More outfits?
That felt a bit too family-like…
But since I was the one receiving the clothes, I could only laugh.
“Haha!”
The carriage was too small for four people.
So we decided to split into pairs: me with Asil, and Rosanna with Maria.
After getting in, I relaxed and leaned my forehead against the window.
Asil looked worried.
“Daphne, are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine. It’s just…”
I trailed off and stared out the window.
Whenever I faced Rosanna and Maria, I felt tense.
Guilt about the original Daphne who had vanished.
And complicated feelings about my family in the modern world.
It all stirred inside me.
Strangely, memories of my real family were blurry.
I couldn’t remember faces, names, or shared memories.
I had thought reincarnation would bring homesickness and alienation…
But because I remembered nothing, only guilt remained.
Was that a good thing?
What happened to the original Daphne?
“Are you really okay?”
I looked at Asil.
Seeing his worried gray eyes brought the old questions back.
Why did Asil approach me?
“We’ve become pretty close, haven’t we?”
“Of course, Daphne.”
“Then can you tell me why you came to find me?”
I wanted to erase all lingering unease about him.
At my words, he paused and frowned slightly.
“…I can’t tell you right now. But once I’m ready, I will.”
“So you will tell me someday?”
“Yes.”
At least he wasn’t brushing it off with a smile like before.
“Then I’ll wait.”
“Thank you, Daphne.”
Asil smiled beautifully.
I smiled back.
Two handsome and beautiful smiles filled the carriage.
Anyone watching would have called us two walking sculptures.
The banquet hall glittered with chandeliers, elegant orchestral music, and people dancing in luxurious attire.
It looked exactly like something out of a romance novel.
Rosanna and Maria were talking with acquaintances elsewhere, while I stood in a corner with Asil.
Originally, people had tried to approach us when we first arrived.
But thanks to Asil’s sharp blocking, no one came near, and I could relax.
So when was Sesia going to appear?
“Daphne, aren’t you thirsty? Should I get you something to drink?”
“Apple juice, please.”
That was when it happened.
“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are entering!”
With that announcement, the imperial royal family entered the hall.
They were all splendid, impressive figures.
I focused on the crown prince with rose-colored hair and brown eyes—the third male lead of the story.
I wondered whether Sesia had offered him her hand.
Before I could think further, they already sat in their seats.
Then came the awaited announcement.
“Lady Sesia Eos and Duke Piaron Mayville are entering!”
Soon, two figures appeared at the grand entrance.
Shimmering black hair, fresh green eyes.
With slightly upturned eyes and a bright smile, a beautiful woman stepped forward.
That woman was a reincarnator like me.
While watching her, Asil murmured softly.
“Sesia…”
Asil looked at Sesia and the man holding her hand with eyes filled with lingering feelings.
…Huh?
Look at that.
If you were going to pretend you didn’t know her, you should have kept it consistent.
I let out a dry laugh and turned away—but then I felt chills.
Because I met the blazing red eyes of a man.
Piaron Mayville.
The main male lead of the story was staring at me.
