My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 102

At Lennon’s suggestion, she nodded weakly. She didn’t have the energy for anything more at the moment.

“Oh, and when you return to the academy, there will be a gift waiting for you.”

He leisurely touched the bracelet around her wrist, the ring on her finger, and the earrings, adding,

“I hope you won’t refuse my gift.”

Having washed and dressed her, Lennon provided a carriage for her to rest in so she could be ready for school the next day.

The interior of the carriage was surprisingly cozy, almost as comfortable as the one she used during her time as Empress, proving the rumor that he was the Empire’s richest man.

Returning to the academy in complete comfort without feeling any discomfort, she found a small box placed outside her dormitory room.

She went into her room and checked the contents. It was as expected, though some details were surprising. She had anticipated a necklace, but the type was different from what she imagined.

Opening the enclosed small letter, her eyes were drawn to the elegant script.

“Dear Miss Heather,

With this, we can stay in touch whenever you wish. The method will be explained below.”

The necklace seemed to be very sturdy, not easily breaking despite her pulling it hard to test it. The thought of using it as an excuse not to wear it was out of the question.

Among the many types of necklaces, why a choker, and even one made of lace?

“It seems like his tastes have become… unusual since his reincarnation.”

Even during s-x, he had bound her wrists with lace cuffs, insisted on formal speech, and inserted strange implants into his own body to create protrusions. None of these things had been part of his behavior in their past life.

‘Could it be that mingling with the underworld has tainted his taste?’

Attending masquerade balls in the underworld implied his involvement in their various activities.

‘Being the richest man in the Empire, could he be entangled in some business dealings?’

She wasn’t a naive young woman just turned twenty, and though there were issues with how Lennon amassed his wealth, she was neither shocked nor betrayed by it. She had long lost her innocence. However…

Regina fidgeted with the ring, bracelet, and earrings in turn.

‘He knew they had given me these.’

He had said not to refuse his gift, and he had chosen accessories that did not overlap in their wearing locations. The academy was a place where she wore these items but she never saw him.

“The underworld. The information guild…”

Something seemed to be taking shape in her mind.

* * *

The next day, Regina stood before the mirror in her school uniform. With the ring from Darien, the earrings from Valen, the bracelet from Bliss, and the choker from Lennon, her outfit stood out far too much for a commoner.

“If I go out like this, I’ll be the talk of the town.”

There would be nasty rumors, like receiving support from old nobility or deceiving naive young masters. However, she was more afraid of the four men than the gossip, so she decided to wear them all.

When she opened the door, she found a box on the floor. Inside were the dress and wig she had removed the day before, along with the lace mask. A single red flower, either a gift or a decoration, was tied to the lace mask in a strange way, but she hoped it was just her imagination. It had to be…

To avoid being seen, she pushed the box back into her dorm room and went to her lecture. She took a seat in a suitable location, focusing intently on unfamiliar content and letting her mind wander when she recognized the material. The worry of being penalized by the professor felt like a distant memory from a past life.

‘Be it seven penalty points and getting dragged into the Dean’s office for a spanking, whatever.’

She has been punished and endured worse. There’s nothing to fear.

“As it happens, students who have chosen swordsmanship and magic as elective subjects will be going on a rigorous training exercise this weekend. Please be careful and make sure to return without injury.”

The professor made a cryptic remark as he wrapped up the lecture. Regina, curious by the unexpected announcement, looked up. But the professor said no more and simply tidied up his books before leaving.

The mystery was solved in the swordsmanship class.

“This weekend, you will all be going on a rigorous training exercise.”

“Excuse me? I have an appointment this weekend.”

“Cancel it.”

“But I need to buy the limited edition cravat being released by the Nachtwein Company…”

“Ask a friend who doesn’t take swordsmanship or magic classes to do it for you.”

“My parents are coming…”

“Explain the situation to them and see them another time.”

The students grumbled about Professor Gunter’s stubbornness. Sensing the growing unrest, Professor Gunter offered an explanation.

“To prevent any possible mishaps, the timing and location of the training will not be announced in advance, so please understand.”

The students fell silent as they grasped the implication of ‘possible mishaps’. Most of the academy’s students were nobles, including heirs from powerful families within the empire and royalty from other countries. If the timing and destination of their departure were exposed, it could lead to worst-case scenarios like assassination attempts.

In the hushed atmosphere, where even the sound of a falling pin could be heard, Professor Gunter announced in a stern tone:

“The location of the rigorous training will be shared on the day of departure. I’ll be distributing a notice now. Please prepare according to the instructions in it and pack your travel gear in advance. That’s all.”