from what i get, Daphne is a transmigator. shes the first person who realizes theyre all in a novel. i dont understand why the world keeps repeating, but she has regressed more than a thousand times to the point of insanity. and then she spilled to Kailus that theyre in a novel, Kailus start to gain consciousness and remember every regression along with Daphne. and Daphne told Rishar last, Rishar only experienced 49 regression so far.
as for the Duke, he gained consciousness after Rishar's 49th regression i think??? so when everything is settled, he decided to just be honest to the Emperor that the one he loves is actually him, not the Empress. He asked the Emperor, if he can't accept his feelings, then he should kill him, but the Emperor refused. long story short, Emperor decided to let the Duke lives, and then they kissed ♡
Based on the comments I read from the novel, daphne is the villain. What did she do ╥﹏╥ and what happened to the Duke and the emperor at the end