My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 16
Dragging her steps, Regina looked up at the statue of Yekarna with a grimace. She was holding a sword in one hand and the hem of her cloak in the other. Her expression is excessively stern and valiant. She couldn’t recall ever having such a dignified demeanor in her life. It seemed like an artistic embellishment had gone in a strange direction.
Regina examined the statue again. The scepter-clutching first emperor, the fourth with a globus cruciger, the twelfth wielding a magic wand, and Yekarna with a sword – it was like a full display of regalia.
“It’s the end of days.”
How could she be included there?
Thinking she was seeing things out of vanity, she checked several times more, but the result was the same.
It was Yekarna.
Why was such a decision made? It defied common sense.
“Could it be because of that? Compulsion for even numbers?”
Perhaps three felt unstable, so they decided to add one more, but there was no suitable person? So they chose Yekarna, reasoning that notoriety was also a form of fame?
Regina lamented the ill-matched combination, curious who could have conceived of it.
‘I will live this life with good health and long life.’
Her descendants would probably label her as one of the ‘Four Great Emperors,’ making fun of her too. How could she become the fourth wheel like this?
Regina returned to the inn, wrapped in a subtle shock. It felt like she had seen something she shouldn’t have.
* * *
Despite the emotional toll inflicted by the horrific sight in the square, Regina’s studies progressed smoothly.
It would have been difficult if she had no foundation and had to start from scratch, but for Regina, it was merely some additional touch-ups. If she was asked to describe the difference, building from scratch was like constructing a house on an empty field, while what she did was more like expanding an existing house.
She identified and updated information that had changed in the past 200 years, and added new content to her memory. It was a straightforward task.
After reading for about five hours, she would return to the inn and take care of various chores until bedtime. This was part of an agreement where the innkeepers reduced her lodging cost by three obolos each day.
Utilizing her experience as a tavern keeper’s daughter, she tirelessly served food and cleaned the inn. The innkeepers, impressed with her work, would often sneak her some snacks.
“You worked hard today. Hungry? We have some leftover bread, have it with some fruit.”
“Thank you, Madam. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Oh, no need for formalities. Just call me ‘Auntie’. You sure have a way with words.”
The innkeeper blushed and waved her hand dismissively. However, for Regina, who had never used such terms in her life, calling someone ‘Auntie’ felt awkward.
“If I were a handsome young knight, you might have been more flustered.”
Regina playfully winked at the innkeeper and pretended to kiss her hand before taking her snack and returning to her room.
The innkeeper, who had been staring blankly at Regina’s departing back, soon came to her senses and shook her head.
“Whew, I was almost charmed there.”
For a moment, she had indeed looked like a knight. That dignified posture, confident yet refined angles…
“Could she actually be the daughter of a real knight?”
* * *
“Hmm.”
Eating the fruit given to her by the innkeeper last night, Regina stared at the statue.
No matter how many times she looked, it just didn’t seem right. She wondered if she might feel some unperceived harmony or a sense of unity upon calm reflection. But that was not the case.
Thanks to the books she read yesterday in the library, Regina had learned why Yekarna’s statue was erected in the square.
‘Why would they…’
The incomprehensible truth clouded her mind.
“Will he come today?”
“It seems about time. He usually appears at least once every ten days.”
“Is he really that handsome?”
“Of course! Don’t you trust my judgment? It’s worth the wait.”
“But why does he come here just to stare at the statue?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t that mysterious too?”
The chattering of girls nearby caught her attention. They had been lingering around, and it turned out they had a rather adorable reason.
‘Setting up camp to see a handsome man. They’re at the right age for it.’
It’s natural for young women to be interested in good-looking men, as natural as the sun rising from the east.
Yekarna was the same in her youth. Drawn to attractive men and desiring them. It was a natural instinct, isn’t it?
Nodding to herself, Regina was about to retreat into her own world when a commotion caught her attention.
“Look, look! There he is.”
“See. I told you he would come today, didn’t I?”
The much-discussed handsome man had arrived. Since he was heading this way, Regina thought she might as well see what all the fuss was about.
She was in no hurry. That was until she turned her head to see the approaching figure.
The man with loosely braided red hair and a beautiful appearance reminded her of a luscious flower. His strikingly handsome features were unforgettable, but that wasn’t what shocked her.
‘That’s Skyler!’
Just as she had instantly recognized Friedrich despite his changed appearance, Regina was certain about this man too.
That man was Skyler.
Yekarna’s lover, the Margrave, one of the ‘Seven Guardians’.
Fortunately, he was solely focused on what was in front of him, paying no attention to his surroundings. Regina quickly turned her back and moved away stealthily.
When she felt she was far enough, she glanced back to see him still standing motionless in front of Yekarna’s statue. Regina felt a mix of emotions.
‘It seems that man remembers his past life too.’
Otherwise, why would he be staring at the statue of Yekarna, who wasn’t particularly noted for any great achievements among the four?
It must be because he 100% recognized her.
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