IBYVS 26

Chapter 26

Daphne had died at sixteen in her previous life, and in this one, she had lived another six years.

Since she had regressed, she was, strictly speaking, far more mature than other sixteen-year-old girls.

After her regression, Daphne had devoted herself entirely to ensuring that Renoa would not fall under the curse.

For that purpose, she had lived every moment with passion.

But the peace she gained after achieving her goal turned out to be much less satisfying than she had expected.

“It’s true that I love getting along with Father now. I love being loved, too.”

But that was all.

Reliving events she had already experienced once before was unbearably tedious.

“Sigh… I shouldn’t complain when I’m blessed with happiness.”

In truth, before her regression, Daphne had been neglected.

“Our family has always been skilled at handling water-attribute magic. But I couldn’t even use magic—couldn’t even manage simple mana control…”

Because of that, even her bloodline was doubted.

The heir of Indigentia, the Empire’s only ducal house, had once returned after being raised in an orphanage.

If even a duke could fail to protect his own child, then being born a duchess’s daughter was no guarantee of legitimacy. At least, that’s what the vassals whispered.

“Of course, Father harshly scolded those vassals… but still.”

That was all he had done.

Duke Calvados of Marinnest had long since given up any expectations of Daphne.

He no longer tried to teach her any magic whatsoever.

In a world where magic was as natural as breathing, Daphne’s inability to use even the simplest mana flow seemed to him shameful.

“He was too focused on suppressing rumors.”

Then came Renoa’s sixteenth birthday banquet.

And at that banquet, Renoa fell under the curse of an evil fairy.

“Even though I was by Renoa’s side, the fact that I couldn’t throw myself in front of the curse made me a criminal in everyone’s eyes.”

‘If you couldn’t use magic, you should’ve at least used your body!’

The sharp, accusing voice of Jeril Babylon still lingered vividly in her memory.

“After I regressed, I actually thought about taking revenge on Lady Babylon.”

But Lady Babylon was eventually ruined on her own, condemned for betraying and mistreating the heir.

That alone had socially destroyed her, and Daphne no longer cared to add to it.

In any case, Daphne had been branded a great criminal for failing to protect Renoa and was imprisoned.

Her sentence was life imprisonment, with execution scheduled after she came of age.

For sixteen-year-old Daphne back then, it had been a bolt from the blue.

“Since I couldn’t even be granted bail, I thought I’d be stuck rotting in prison forever…”

And then Calvados appeared.

“Run away.”

“F-Father?”

“I only ever wanted you to live doing what you wanted… even if you can’t use magic, I just wanted you… to grow up happy.”

For the first time, Daphne realized her father’s true feelings. She was deeply moved.

“So he hadn’t given up on me. He was working so hard to suppress the rumors just so I could live freely, even without magic.”

Calvados opened the door for her and guided her through a secret waterway to escape.

To ensure her safety, he chose to remain behind in the prison.

In the end, Calvados was caught and sentenced to death for aiding a great criminal’s escape.

But his sacrifice never saw the light of day.

Because the imperial palace immediately pursued Daphne.

“With no ability to use magic, there was no way I could outrun the imperial mages.”

Not long after Calvados was executed, Daphne, too, lost her life.

And yet, somehow, she regressed. This time, things were a little different.

“To think that the Mirror Shield magic manifested, even though I’d never learned it.”

The Mirror Shield magic summoned a shield of mirrors that could reflect all magic and curses.

In fact, the current Imperial House itself was built on rebellion.

About 200 years ago, the present ruling family, the Ifrecent line, had risen up and succeeded in a coup.

Their unique family magic was none other than the Mirror Shield Magic.

“Only the Mirror Shield can block the fairies’ powerful magic.”

Back then, the Emperor himself had been a fairy. The curse he unleashed had been reflected by the Mirror Shield, and he had been defeated.

“It was unexpected for me to manifest the Mirror Shield magic, but not exactly strange.”

That was because the House of Marinnest had originated as a branch of the Ifrecent family.

Thus, Daphne’s ability to wield the Mirror Shield was proof of her bloodline.

“I’ve heard that sometimes even distant branches can awaken the family’s inherent magic on their own.”

Moreover, before her regression, Daphne had discovered a teleportation artifact in the attic and used it to visit the Sanctuary of Knowledge.

Perhaps, while reading countless books there, she had unconsciously learned about the Mirror Shield Magic.

Renoa spoke.

“Lady Daphne, your magic was incredible again today.”

“Your compliments are always too much.”

“When do you think I’ll be able to master it?”

The Mirror Shield was undoubtedly an exclusive magic of the Imperial Family.

That was why Daphne was secretly meeting with Renoa to personally teach him how to use it.

Unfortunately, Renoa had shown little progress so far.

“You’re working so hard. I’m sure you’ll bear fruit soon.”

Daphne smiled kindly.

“In my past life, Renoa studied in the Sanctuary of Knowledge with His Majesty when he was about ten.”

So she didn’t necessarily have to take it upon herself to teach him so early.

“Still, the sooner he learns, the better. I’ve heard the Imperial side is already wary, worried that I might obstruct Renoa’s claim to the throne.”

Since she was using the Imperial Family’s magic, they feared she might assert her own right to succession.

In her previous life, entanglement with the Imperial Family had brought ruin to her house and death to herself.

“I have no intention of letting that happen again.”

After finishing Renoa’s magic lesson, Daphne boarded her carriage back to the ducal estate.

“Young Lady, here. The newspaper.”

Her waiting nanny handed her a paper.

Daphne carried the newspaper everywhere, checking daily to confirm the changes caused by her presence.

“Hm? News about the Indigentia Ducal House again?”

“After Lady Babylon’s betrayal, their affairs keep making the news. With the heir’s upcoming marriage, of course people are paying attention.”

“‘A Happy Time with Potato Pancakes’… Potato pancakes? What’s that?”

“They say it’s a dish invented by the woman the heir is marrying.”

The nanny answered while working on lace.

A picture of the future duchess was printed in the corner of the paper.

“Silver hair that turns pinkish toward the ends… and pink gemstone eyes… Hm, she looks just like a fairy.”

Since fairies had once ruled this Empire two centuries ago, the look felt oddly familiar.

“But gemstone eyes are incredibly rare…”

Daphne couldn’t take her eyes off the awkwardly smiling woman.

“Come to think of it, unlike last time, the evil fairy’s curse came much earlier in this life, didn’t it?”

Originally, the evil fairy had appeared at Renoa’s sixteenth birthday banquet.

But this time, it had appeared at his sixth birthday party.

The timing had been moved forward by a whole ten years.

And while Daphne was deflecting the curse aimed at Renoa, Cedric had accidentally been cursed instead.

“That fairy disappeared afterward, leaving the Indigentia House with a grave burden.”

Because the incident occurred while Daphne was protecting the prince, the ducal house could not demand compensation.

“Unfortunate… but it can’t be helped.”

After staring at the photo of the future duchess for a while, Daphne turned the page.

And just then, she was kidnapped.

The Indigentia ducal castle was peaceful as ever.

“I’m so happy eating lunch with Elia. And I’m even happier because it means my brother can eat food Elia makes, too!”

Kaliv chirped brightly, just like a real seven-year-old.

Since yesterday, the three of them had been sharing brunch together.

Strangely, Cedric could only taste food that she herself had cooked.

Because of that, she had been going in and out of the kitchen since yesterday, whether she wanted to or not.

Cedric had felt terribly guilty, saying he would assign her more personal funds.

But regardless, she cooked diligently.

Not just for money’s sake, but because someone who had lost his sense of taste deserved at least one satisfying meal.

And if she was the one responsible for that loss, then all the more reason to help.

“Thank you for the meal,” Cedric said, dabbing at his lips with a contented expression.

She quietly observed him.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing… I was just thinking that your expression relaxes a little when you’re full.”

Kaliv, who had been looking at his brother too, nodded eagerly.

“Yeah, maybe because the food was good? Your face looks so much brighter, Brother.”

“…Hmm.”

Cedric touched his cheek as if uncertain.

Then, with a faint exhale, he laughed softly.

“Perhaps it’s simply because I’m alive.”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

Both she and Kaliv tilted their heads at his words, but Cedric didn’t answer.

He simply looked quietly satisfied.

And at that moment—

“Excuse me, Lord Cedric.”

Edwin approached with a grave expression.

“There’s something you need to confirm immediately.”

“What is it?”

Edwin hesitated, unsure whether to speak in front of the others, but then leaned closer and whispered.

“…Lady Marinnest has been kidnapped.”

“Pfffft!”

She had just taken a sip of tea and immediately spat it out.

What the hell?!

The original heroine… had been kidnapped?!