The Defeated Heroine I Married Cannot Forget The Protagonist

✦  Chapter 4  ✦

「Translator - Creator」

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

A slender figure.

Yet blessed with an ample bosom and gracefully tapered waist.

Healthy, shapely thighs and beautifully curved legs completing the vision.

A man stood transfixed, gazing vacantly at Judith's flawless beauty.

Yuren Stardust, wealthy and handsome — an apex predator at the summit of love's food chain.

With his white hair, piercing blue eyes, and a delicate beauty that rivaled that of a pure crystal, Yuren resembled a boyish angel with skin fairer than that of most women.

While he was undeniably kind and considerate, his virtues brought with them no shortage of corresponding flaws.

Lacking conviction, easily swayed. He acted as though his mind were empty, a man who feared even the killing of ants.

Thus, the Stardust family had been eager to find him a spouse as quickly as possible.

"Please, eat comfortably. If you need anything, be sure to say so-"

Six people were gathered in the Stardust mansion's vast dining room, engaged in quiet conversation.

On the left side of the table sat, in order: Family Head Lahart Stardust, Adela Stardust, and Yuren Stardust.

On the right: Family Head Crypto Moondust, Elena Moondust, and Judith Moondust.

Yuren was impeccably dressed in a pristine white suit, while Judith had adorned herself in an elegant deep purple dress reminiscent of the night sky.

"So it comes to this - meeting the families this way."

Lahart Stardust, a handsome middle-aged man who looked exactly like Yuren.

"Indeed. Our troublesome daughter has been making such a fuss about not wanting to marry."

Crypto Moondust - living proof of the saying that Judith took after her mother.

In truth, only their parents were engaged in conversation. Yuren and Judith had not exchanged a single word since entering the dining room.

"Judith, is the food not to your liking?"

After Elena's final words, an icy silence enveloped the dining room.

Crypto clicked his tongue, seemingly accustomed to this, while Lahart and Adela watched Judith's discomfort.

Unlike Yuren, who continued chewing his food calmly, Judith’s utensils lay untouched. The spoon, knife, and fork before her were spotless, as though they hadn’t been used at all.

"Judith, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?"

As Judith's complexion grew increasingly dark, even Yuren's mother Adela began to worry.

Surely not a matter of taste - they'd hired only the finest chefs. How could that be?

Adela always prioritized hospitality. She consistently served the finest meals and did her utmost to ensure guests' comfort. After all, they couldn't allow any blemish on the perfect Stardust family her husband had cultivated.

Yet never before had a guest refused to even touch their utensils.

Even Lahart, who was well aware of Judith’s haughty and sharp-tongued nature, couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion at the unusual sight.

"Dear... perhaps you're uncomfortable with this setting? You could dine separately with Yuren if you prefer."

"...What is this."

For the first time, Judith, who had been as stiff as a statue, finally spoke.

Already pushed past his limits, Crypto’s fury erupted, throwing decorum to the wind, "Judith! What disgraceful behavior at such an important gathering!"

"...Does everyone truly not remember? Am I the one who's gone mad?"

"Judith!!"

How could anyone erase from their memory the catastrophe that had unfolded?

Stars and the full moon plummeting earthward, a pillar of light devouring a frozen world, the night sky shattering like broken glass.

“This… this has to be a dream, right? This doesn’t make sense. Time has rewound? That’s impossible. And yet I’m the only one who remembers?”

Faced with her daughter’s undeniable outburst, Elena bowed her head in shame,  “I apologize. Judith seems unwell today. I think it would be best for us to leave early.”

"Elena! Who gave you permission to apologize! That deranged girl needs to be—!"

"Yuren! You were with me! You don't remember either?!"

Suddenly singled out, Yuren couldn't hide his bewilderment.

What did she mean by 'you were with me'? Not remembering? Remember what?

"........."

In that brief moment, Yuren inadvertently caught sight of something else entirely. His gaze fell onto Judith’s slightly exposed cleavage as she leaned toward him.

The sight was enough to almost make him nosebleed, leaving him unable to tear his eyes away for a good while—long enough for even the distressed Judith to notice.

"This... madness..."

"S-Sorry!"

Judith pressed her fingers to her temples, as though trying to calm the headache brewing from sheer frustration. Meanwhile, Crypto, still fuming over her erratic behavior, continued shouting.

But then—

—Aaaaargh!!

A bloodcurdling scream rang out from outside the dining hall.

*Creeak—*

The door to the dining hall opened, and everyone inside turned toward it, bewildered—except for one person.

"W-Who is that girl?"

Crypto asked fearfully.

"Little one? What brings you here?"

Adela stammered in shock.

"........."

Lahart drew the sword at his waist, sensing an ominous presence.

"It seems this young lady... has taken down all the guards?"

"Thankfully, they appear to be merely unconscious. She's no ordinary person."

Elena pinpointed the critical detail amid the chaos.

Twin-tails swaying subtly beneath a hood.

Judith could never forget that face.

"...Si-Sia Stella?"

"Hello."

A silver-haired, green-eyed girl wrapped in a black robe.

"I've come to get you."

She waved her hand with a bright smile.

𓆩♱𓆪

Judith could not comprehend Sia's way of thinking. She never had, but in a situation like this, it was even harder to grasp.

To storm a duke's mansion without warning—this was an act even an imperial princess would not dare commit.

"You, you know this lunatic? Huh?"

Only after witnessing Sia's mad act with her own eyes did Judith accept reality. For some reason, they had returned to the past, and Sia—who alone retained her memories—was the only one who could understand her now.

However, if this continued, Sia would undoubtedly become a wanted criminal. This wasn’t some minor noble family they were dealing with; it was the Stardust Ducal House. The consequences of antagonizing them would be catastrophic.

Only Judith could defend her here.

"She's my friend."

Judith stated flatly as she approached Sia.

To prevent any further casualties.

The guards Sia had incapacitated numbered no more than a dozen or so. None had sustained serious injuries; they were merely unconscious. This was damage Judith could plausibly cover for.

Reaching Sia, who stood impassively amidst the chaos, Judith bit her lip, cursing silently as she glared at her companion.

“My friend isn’t exactly the brightest. I sincerely apologize on her behalf.”

Gone was the petulant Judith from earlier. Now, she carried herself with a maturity beyond her years as she bowed deeply.

One hand rested on her chest, naturally preventing her dress from slipping out of place as she bent forward.

Crypto, Lahart, Adela, and Elena could only stare in bewilderment at this complete transformation in Judith's bearing.

“The truth is, I had plans with her beforehand. She acted out because she didn’t know how to handle the situation. In fact, I was the one who called her here. I deeply regret disappointing you all after this gathering was arranged so carefully. My sincerest apologies.”

Finishing her apology and straightening up, Judith pinched Sia's cheek as she moved toward the exit.

"That hurts."

"Come on, let's go. Do you know how hard it was waiting for you? Hahaha..."

"Judith, stop right there."

*Crack—*

Her father, Crypto's voice—she didn't need to turn around to know.

Judith let out a small sigh as she turned back.

"Promise here and now to wed Yuren. Then we'll overlook your friend's transgressions."

"I promise."

Though she felt slightly vexed that he'd stolen glances at her chest instead of answering when she'd asked seriously.

Well, marrying Yuren had been her desire anyway.

The sun veiled by dark clouds, the weather slightly hazy.

The mansion's wall clock pointed to two o'clock.

Though guards lined the corridors due to the emergency, they left the mansion unhindered.

Only then did Judith breathe a sigh of relief.

"You're doing something you'll regret."

"What?"

“That promise you made to your father. You’ll regret it.”

For a moment, Judith couldn't comprehend what those words meant.

Could she mean my betrothal to Yuren?

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing at all."

With those words, silence fell between them.

Even after they had long passed the gates of the Stardust mansion, the tension remained unbroken.

Judith, who had been quietly following Sia’s shadow for some time, finally couldn’t take it anymore and broke the silence.

"You remember too, don't you?"

Sia, however, offered no answer. She merely hummed contentedly, her face serene. She had always been the drowsy-faced, taciturn one—when had this change come about?

Had returning to the past unhinged her mind?

"And where are you going? Are you even thinking about where you're walking?"

Somehow, the further they followed her, the fewer people seemed to be around; the crowds thinned with each step. It almost felt as though they were being deliberately led to some desolate place.

She couldn’t even get a single word from her about time turning back, let alone a proper conversation. Judith had even cleaned up the mess Sia caused at the mansion, but instead of receiving gratitude, she was being outright ignored.

Just as these thoughts churned in her mind, Sia’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

They were standing in a quiet, empty alley with not a soul in sight.

"I despise you."

Judith froze, stunned.

It wasn’t the words themselves that shocked her — it was the fact that Sia had turned to face her, and she was smiling as she said it.

Now that she thought about it, even when Sia had barged into the mansion earlier, she’d been smiling like that.

— I've come to get you.

"........"

That radiant, carefree smile was one Judith had never seen before—not in the ten years they’d known each other, from their first year at the academy through her married life.

“You know something, don’t you?”

“You betrayed Mate. I know that much.”

"...What?"

"Am I wrong?"

Judith had no desire to fight with Sia.

Their relationship had always been cordial, even pleasant, and they’d exchanged polite greetings whenever they met, both in private and in social settings.

But the way Sia smiled now… It wasn’t just different—it was unnerving.

Yet seeing Sia's bright smile, she realized.

That Sia truly despised her.

The two women locked eyes, the unspoken tension sparking between them as their gazes clashed in the air.

𓆩♱𓆪

“Have you woken up?”

Opening her eyes, Shirai experienced a profound sense of déjà vu.

The texture of bed sheets and blankets transmitted faithfully through her fingertips, the pillow cradling her head.

Her sight remained lost no matter how many times she blinked.

The only difference now was the presence of someone nearby.

Though she couldn’t see their face, Shirai recognized the voice instantly. Identifying someone by their voice was still second nature to her.

"...Ihwa? Is it really you, Ihwa?"

A woman with bangs split into three parts, brown hair tied into a ponytail, and striking blue eyes—Ihwa Cloudraine, her former chief assistant.

How could she forget the voice of a partner who had shared twelve years of her life?

"...Hah, have you forgotten even my voice now?"

"Why are you... here? I heard you had become Assistant to Princess Niphia..."

Shirai’s confusion rendered Ihwa momentarily speechless. Then, as the realization dawned on her, she let out a sigh filled with unfiltered honesty.

“This is seriously screwed.”

END of CHAPTER