The Defeated Heroine I Married Cannot Forget The Protagonist

✦  Chapter 1  ✦

「Translator - Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

A perfect happy ending.

Seven years had passed—seven years since I graduated from the academy and married a woman.

The traumas buried deep within each heroine and the countless incidents that occurred at the academy… I resolved them all successfully, and what I have now is the fruit of those hardships.

"I wonder what Yuren is up to these days~"

Silk-like black hair, golden eyes brimming with intelligence. Skin as white as freshly fallen snow, a voluptuous figure with ample curves.

In appearance alone, she was a grade-A bride. Though it felt a bit wrong to say just 'grade-A in appearance' since she was the precious daughter of a Duke.

A prim face, possessing both haughty charm and innocence.

Judith Moondust, one of the heroines who failed to win the protagonist, Yuren Stardust’s, heart. Now, however, she was my precious wife.

Reborn into this world as Mate Daylight, I ended up marrying the heroine who had always been my favorite. It felt like a dream come true.

But recently, a nagging unease has started to creep into my mind.

Whether I'm being oversensitive or not, that cherry blossom ornament decorating the side of her hair.

It's a hair accessory that her childhood friend Yuren gave her as a birthday present when they were young.

The fact that she still wears it—even after our marriage—is unsettling, to say the least.

She didn’t even remove it during our wedding. That says it all, doesn’t it?

"I'm sure he's doing well. Living a cozy life with Shirai."

Shirai was the heroine Yuren chose—a victor among the heroines.

Though she had a fatal flaw of being blind, even that was resolved seven years ago, and now she walks around with perfectly functioning eyes.

Perhaps she was living the happiest life among all the heroines.

And... she probably believes it was Yuren who cured her eyes. She must be completely head over heels for him.

"Shirai's so lucky. She gets to have meals with Yuren every day. It’s been a while since we last talked, though.”

“If you’re so envious, maybe you should’ve married Yuren instead of me,” I blurted out, unable to hold back anymore.

And her response-

"I wish I could, even without you saying it. If only I could go back in time..."

"............"

"Besides, remember how you threw a huge fit when I met with Yuren before?"

"Of course I'd be angry when you met him without telling me!"

"...Sigh, I should have listened to Father back then. Should have jumped at the chance when he offered to arrange my marriage with Yuren..."

Even as my wife spouted nonsense like that, I somehow managed to keep my composure. Why?

Because everything about this life was enviable to others — a grand mansion that screamed wealth, a high-rise terrace offering a breathtaking view of the Empire’s dazzling nightscape.

And all of it came from her family’s fortune.

It's been a while since I've enjoyed drinks on the terrace like this.

Especially with Judith, both of us holding wine glasses.

With a star-filled night sky above. A flawless, perfect scene.

On such a lovely night, there seems no need to fight. So I spoke in a tone meant to conclude the matter.

“Anyway, just let me know next time before you meet him, okay?”

"Why? Don't you trust me?"

Of course I don’t trust her. How could I?

Judith was a heroine, and Yuren was the protagonist whose sole purpose was to capture the hearts of heroines.

It was impossible not to be suspicious.

Though I don't think anything would happen between Yuren and Judith since he was already married to one of the heroines...

From the moment I intervened in this story, the word 'absolute' ceased to exist in this world.

"Why are you silent? I asked if you don't trust me?"

Judith repeatedly poked my chest with her finger.

Though I don't usually feel controlled, lately these kinds of pressuring situations have been increasing.

Particularly since my father-in-law has taken a distinct dislike to me.

"I'm so envious of Shirai~ So envious~"

Judith downed her glass of wine in one gulp.

Her face was already flushed from the alcohol, her expression dazed.

"Yuren holds special events every year for her. Makes delicious meals too. They travel often, and he shows her fascinating sword techniques. I just don't understand why they haven't had children yet."

Right. Why haven't they had children? From what I've heard, they get along well. I wanted to respond with that, but I know better than anyone that I'm in no position to comment.

We've been married for quite some time without having children ourselves. They must have their own circumstances, just like Judith and me.

"I wish I could live as Shirai for just one day. I heard Yuren is amazing in bed too..."

"That's enough already."

It's always Yuren this, Yuren Stardust that. Every chance she gets, she compares me to him. It’s not like I’m slacking off or anything.

The atmosphere turned frigid at my words.

It felt like standing barefoot on thin ice.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"...,,,,,,,"

Every time I look at her, I can’t help but feel a strange irony.

I have blonde hair and black eyes, while Judith has black hair and golden eyes. Our personalities clash just like our appearances. That must be why we fight so often.

I love Judith the most. Far more than any other heroine.

I think that hasn't changed even now. My heart still pounds when I look at her.

"...Why are you staring?"

"Can't a husband look at his wife?"

"Ugh, that's disgustingly cheesy."

They say couples’ quarrels are like cutting water with a knife—it doesn’t leave a mark. The icy tension from just moments ago melted away as if it had never existed.

We're adults. We know how to regain our senses.

And in the end, no matter how upset we are, seeing each other’s faces brings a smile to our lips.

Under the soft glow of moonlight, Judith and I calmed our tempers and silently gazed up at the night sky.

"Want to make a toast?"

I was the one who broke the silence first.

"Huh? But I just finished mine?"

"I can pour you more, here."

Judith made a reluctant face, as if to say she couldn’t drink anymore.

She used to love wine. Was I just not paying attention before?

As I half-gave up and started lowering the wine bottle to put it away, she spoke in her usual curt tone.

"...What are you doing? You said you'd pour me some."

Her expression was a mix of aloofness and feigned annoyance as she extended her glass toward me.

The soft light of the full moon reflected on the surface of her wine glass. That tsundere side of hers hadn’t changed at all. Come to think of it, that’s one of the things I’ve always loved about her.

"My arm's getting tired, hurry up."

Without another word, I poured wine into Judith's glass, and we clinked our glasses with a crisp sound together before throwing our heads back and drinking deeply.

Whoosh- Bang-!!

Just then, fireworks exploded across the night sky, lighting it up in vivid colors.

The fireworks were a celebration of our wedding anniversary.

'I'm happy.'

I truly am.

What more could I ask for? This is the epitome of a perfect happy ending.

𓆩♱𓆪

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows.

Just as I woke up, I saw Judith looking at herself in the vanity mirror.

"Ah, you're up?"

“Are you heading out somewhere?”

"Something urgent came up that I need to attend to."

Usually, the mansion's servants handle Judith's makeup.

When Judith did her own makeup, it was only for truly important occasions.

For instance, like the Academy graduation ceremony or when taking formal photographs.

At any rate, it was extremely rare to see her doing her own makeup. The servants were highly skilled, and the fact that she was beautiful even without makeup played a big part in this.

And since Judith was the Duke's eldest daughter, it was natural in a way for urgent matters to arise suddenly.

This wasn't the first time, and I've come to understand it as part of our life now.

"What's it about this time?"

“It’s a bit of a long story… It seems something happened at the trading company Muse runs. But she’s my friend, so of course, I have to go help her.”

“Do you need me to come with you?”

"..........."

A cold silence filled the room, and I had no idea why.

“Muse specifically said not to bring anyone along. You know what they say: too many cooks spoil the broth.”

The Frey Trading Company primarily deals in weapons distribution.

It is a business that has such a significant impact on the Empire that people say: if the Frey Trading Company didn't exist, weapon technology across all continents would be a century behind.

And the person who holds real power in this remarkable place was one of the heroines,

A woman named Muse Fairfield.

"Life's full of surprises. To think that perfect company would run into trouble."

"I know, and now I have to see that insufferable face again."

Golden epaulettes gleaming beautifully on her uniform top, black stockings, navy blue miniskirt, and a sword at her waist.

It was like seeing the Judith from seven years ago — a feast for the eyes this early in the morning.

"Aren't you staring a bit too lecherously?"

"What's wrong with that between husband and wife?"

"............."

Judith finally adorned her hair with the cherry blossom ornament and rose abruptly from the vanity.

"I'll head out first. Make sure you eat breakfast."

The humming while doing her makeup. The notably springy steps.

'Is she in a good mood?'

How unusual of her to remind me about breakfast.

With a small wave of her hand, she left the room.

She strode gracefully down the hallway, escorted by several maids, her movements elegant and purposeful.

That morning, I shouldn't have let Judith leave.

How could I not have realized it?

The simple fact that if something was urgent enough for Muse to contact Judith, she would have surely contacted Yuren as well.

That night when Judith didn't return until dawn.

I learned the shocking truth from one of the heroines who visited the mansion to visit me.

"Master Mate, an honored guest has arrived."

There were very few people the Daylight estate referred to as honored guests.

The Solaris royal family, the Stardust and Moondust Ducal households, perhaps the Grand Duke of the North, or Celes, the headmistress of Lumeris Academy.

Ah, and one more category.

All the heroines from ‘Romance at the Academy.’

Despite the extremely late hour of 2 AM, I immediately dressed and headed to the mansion's lobby when told of the honored guest's arrival.

Because anyone worthy of such a title was certainly deserving of my attention.

Yet the visitor turned out to be the one person in this world who would care least about whether I was properly dressed or not.

"What brings you here?"

She stood there, a petite figure draped in a black robe, her build so small it was hard to believe she was an adult.

Even after seven years since graduation, she still looked like a middle school student. If anything, she seemed even younger.

Her peculiar ability kept her appearance frozen in time, so every time we met, she looked exactly the same.

Her slightly hollow cheeks, her dignified yet delicate features that hinted at her noble origins, her silver twin tails immaculately tied, and her bright green eyes that sparkled like precious gemstones.

The Immortal Sia.

That was Sia Stella's epithet in the world.

The mansion door was already open, but she remained rooted outside, refusing to take even a single step forward. If she moved just one step closer, she would no longer be standing in the outdoors but inside the estate.

But she just stood there, rolling a strawberry-flavored candy in her mouth, never attempting to enter the mansion.

Now I could roughly guess why she acted that way.

She needed her own kind of courage.

The courage to deeply wound someone who had helped resolve her trauma.

In a situation where her words would tear someone’s heart apart, where she had no choice but to slice through another’s soul with nothing but the truth, Sia Stella had agonized endlessly.

To conceal or to reveal?

After what must have been hundreds, if not thousands, of deliberations, she finally made her decision.

To choose the path she wouldn’t regret, no matter what consequences followed.

That night, the shocking revelation from Sia Stella left all 37 servants of the Daylight estate frozen in place.

And it became the decisive moment—the catalyst—that led me to resolve to use the Regression Tome.

Her words were simple yet devastating.

"Judith and Yuren are having an affair."

END of CHAPTER