Daphne stood outside the manor, the carriage waiting patiently beside her.
She turned to her grandparents, her eyes shining with tears. "I'll miss you both so much," she said, her voice trembling.
Lord Illawarra's expression was stern, but his eyes betrayed a hint of warmth.
"Remember, Daphne, a true warrior, is not just strong in body, but also in mind and heart. Never let your emotions cloud your judgment."
Lady Isabella stepped forward, her hands grasping Daphne's. "And never forget, dear one, that a woman's strength lies not just in her sword arm, but also in her wit and her charm. Use both wisely."
Daphne nodded, her heart swelling with love and gratitude for her grandparents. "I won't forget, Grandmother, grandfather."
Kael, who had been waiting patiently nearby, stepped forward. "My lady, we should be off if we're to reach the capital on time."
Daphne nodded, hugging her grandparents tightly one last time. "I'll write to you both as soon as I arrive," she promised.
With a final glance at the manor, Daphne turned and climbed into the carriage.
Elara sat beside her, and Kael mounted his horse, ready to escort them.
Together, they set off towards the capital, the sound of the horses' hooves and the carriage wheels filling the air.
The carriage rolled away, leaving the peaceful manor behind.
Elara was fussing with the pillows, but Daphne's mind was already on the journey ahead.
She reached for her luggage and pulled out a wide-brimmed hat, adorned with a delicate lace veil that fell from the brim. She placed it on her head and began to adjust the fabric over her face.
Elara's eyes widened in surprise. "My lady, why a hat?"
Daphne's movements were as graceful as a dance, her gaze distant and thoughtful.
"Because beauty is a dangerous thing, Elara. It is a gift that others feel they have a right to. Sometimes, a beautiful face is not a blessing, but a target."
It was a perfectly composed answer, one that spoke of a wisdom far beyond her years. Elara simply watched, too stunned to reply.
In Daphne's mind, the truth was far more vivid. She remembered the Emperor's eyes on her, a gaze that wasn't just admiration but also possession.
She remembered the cruel, twisted smiles of the Empress and her ladies-in-waiting, the malicious glances that had followed her everywhere.
Her beauty had been a prize for the Emperor, and it had made her an enemy of his most dangerous weapon: his Empress. It was this beauty that had condemned her.
This time, she would not be so foolish.
She would not allow her face to precede her wit or her strength.
The veiled hat was her shield, her first line of defense. She would decide when to be seen and by whom.
The fragile, timid girl was gone. She was now a warrior, and her face would be a weapon she wielded, not one that was wielded against her.
...
After a long and grueling journey of two whole weeks, the carriage rolled into the Imperial Capital City of Eldoria. Daphne's eyes widened in wonder.
The streets were bustling with people, all of whom seemed to be in high spirits. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and music, and the smell of food wafted through the air.
The air buzzed with an energy she had not felt in years.
"What's all the commotion about?" she asked her maid, Elara, who was peering out the window.
Elara's eyes were wide. "It's because of General Alaric's victory, my lady! The Skyblade Knights have won the war! The city is celebrating his triumph."
At the mention of his name, a familiar flicker sparked deep within Daphne's heart. It was a memory she had fought to suppress for three years, a ghost of a life she was desperate to change.
She felt a shiver of anticipation and unease. She wanted to meet the man who had loved her secretly in her last life.
The carriage door opened, and Daphne stepped out onto the cobblestones.
She was a vision of graceful poise, her form elegant even beneath the cloak. A wide-brimmed hat, with its fine lace veil, obscured her face.
Her family was waiting on the steps of the manor, their faces a mix of relief and adoration. Her parents, her brothers, Aidan and Finn, all looked at her as if she were a long-lost treasure.
"Daphne! My dear child, you've returned!" her mother cried, rushing forward. "Oh, thank God!"
As her parents embraced her, genuine love washed over Daphne. "I'm so glad to be home, Mother. Father," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
Aidan leaned in with a grin. "You look like a mysterious princess, sister. I'm intrigued by that veil of yours." He winked.
Finn stepped forward, his smile wider than ever.
A gentle curve played on her lips.
"The journey was long, and the dust relentless," she replied, her voice soft and composed. "I am simply taking precautions."
Kael and Elara gave respectful bows to the family. "Lord and Lady Thomas, it is good to see you again," Kael said softly.
They were acknowledged with quick, warm smiles before the attention returned to Daphne.
"Come inside, darling, you must be tired," Lady Elizabeth said, her voice full of a mother's impatience.
Once they were inside the foyer, a fire crackling cheerily in the hearth, her mother turned to her again.
"Daphne, my darling, we have so much to catch up on," she said, her voice soft. "But first, please, take off that hat. Let us truly see you."
Daphne hesitated for a brief moment. With a quiet grace, she raised her hands and slowly, deliberately, removed the hat. The lace veil fell away, revealing her face completely.
Her family collectively gasped. Finn, who had been grinning, froze, his smile vanishing. "Daphne, is that really you?" he stammered, his eyes wide with stunned awe. "You're... you're a work of art."
Aidan's mischievous smirk fell away completely. "Heavens," he breathed, as if seeing her for the first time. "I thought you were a princess before. But you've come back a queen."
Her mother's hands flew to her mouth, and her father's eyes filled with tears. "My goodness, child," her mother whispered, her voice trembling. "We knew you had grown, but… you are a masterpiece."
Her father, Lord Thomas, watched her for a long moment, a proud smile spreading across his face. "This isn't the fragile girl who left us," he said, his voice firm with a deep sense of pride. "This is a woman. You've come home to us as a true nature."
Daphne's heart swelled with a mix of affection and a quiet sense of vulnerability.
She was home, and the love in their eyes was a warmth she had craved.