I am the Villainess

The duke, Sebastian Borfot, scowled with anger the moment he saw Daphne. "Where have you been? I gave you permission to visit for one night, and you suddenly disappeared."

He pointed at Sirius and told him to wait outside while he dealt with Daphne.

But Daphne interrupted him. "Your Grace, there is something I need to discuss with you. This person," she said, pointing at Sirius, "is not ordinary."

The duke tilted his head and spoke a single word.

"Explain."

Daphne guided Sirius to a nearby chair and helped him sit. "I am fairly certain that His Grace already knows how the Einar Empire won the war against the Theolian Dynasty."

"Yes," the duke replied.

"So this person," Daphne said, pausing as she tried to choose her words carefully, "is connected to that." She hesitated.

Cordelia had very beautifully introduced Sirius in the novel. In the story, she had appeared as a prince rescuing the princess who was none other than the mage. She claimed that he had been cold and hungry at first, but eventually, he achieved a happy ending as the court magician. I needed to explain this carefully and strategically.

"This person is Sirius," Daphne said slowly. "Well, he was the former head of the mage tower in the Theolian Dynasty."

The duke's eyes widened in disbelief. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

How could Daphne reveal something like this?

He had harboured doubts about her ever since she began involving herself in political matters.

Shaking his head twice, he addressed the man sitting before him rather than Daphne.

"Is it true?"

Sirius nodded, speaking with careful diplomacy. "I am Sirius, but my status no longer matters."

Was he speaking this way because he had just escaped a life of slavery? Daphne sighed and decided to explain the situation to the duke.

"You see, Your Grace, when I went to the festival and got lost in the crowd, I stumbled upon a small section where slavery was still being practiced. And Sirius, who was being sold," she added with a small lie, "chose to help us."

"Help us?"

"Yes!"

The duke sighed. He still could not understand how this mage was supposed to help them. He wondered why the man had not simply used magic to restore his own eyes. But no, He had not done that.

Then Sirius stood up and said to Daphne, "I don't think I'll like him. He smells like old meat."

Daphne quickly covered her mouth. I remember now. He truly had no manners.

She tried to convince him as quickly as she could. "He does not trust you yet. He is simply confused and uncertain, especially since you come from the enemy kingdom. That is the only reason."

"Oh..." Sirius muttered, returning to his chair. Daphne released a quiet sigh of relief. Convincing these people was truly exhausting. She turned back to the duke and continued, "Your Grace, I have explained to Sirius that if he assists us in gaining influence and reputation in the eyes of the current emperor, we will help him regain his former status in the Einar Empire."

The duke finally understood Daphne's plan. 

Pressing his fingers to his temples, he leaned back in his chair. "You are truly unpredictable," he said. "First, you obey my will to inherit the duchy, and now this..." He paused, then added, "You want the Borfot family to support the emperor because your engagement was cancelled?"

Daphne nodded. I had no other choice. It was a necessary act. Otherwise, Cordelia would destroy my life and I would be killed. If the Borfot family continued to support the emperor blindly, even though he was believed to be a tyrant, he might spare me, as I was the only legitimate heir to the duchy.

"Very well," the duke said after a moment. "I will see what can be done and speak with the emperor about expanding the study of magic in the Einar Empire, now that the Theolian dynasty has become part of our territory. You may go and rest."

Daphne bowed and left the chamber. She walked through the quiet halls until she reached her room. Ellet opened the door and greeted her.

"Your bed is being prepared, my lady."

"Thank you, Ellet."

Once Ellet left, Daphne quickly changed into her nightgown and slipped into bed. The coming days would be crucial, especially now that I had the three most important main characters on my side.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, outside her room, Ellet had only one thought in mind that the Duke of Borfot had broken the laws of the empire.