My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 23
“Truly, my Majesty has an exceptional talent for tearing my heart apart.”
Though her hair was not the flame-like color of the past but wheat-colored, and her eyes were not the mystical gold but a common brown, even her height and face had changed, but this one thing remained the same then as now.
It wasn’t bad, actually, it was rather good. If even the essence had changed along with the exterior, how could they ever be certain of each other?
After taking a sip, he placed his palm over his heart, feeling its vigorous beating. He was finally feeling alive.
His body warmed up, and desires he had long forgotten began to surge.
He put down his empty glass with a loud bang, and laid down on the bed. He pulled down his trousers and underwear to reveal himself, and slowly began to stroke himself while thinking of a woman. He pondered between the familiar image from his past life and the new one and chose the former. He wanted to save the current image for future pleasure.
“Hoo…”
Even before he touched himself, the flesh was already half standing, and just a few strokes made him fully hard. His fully aroused member was too much for one hand. It looked formidable with its veins bulging.
But he was pleased. His Empress had always favored big things in the past life, and it would likely be the same now. People’s tastes don’t change easily.
Feeling the need for lubrication, he grabbed a vase from the side table. Then he took the flowers in a rough bunch and poured the water onto himself.
The water, having contained flowers, left a faint scent of blossoms with each stroke.
He recalled a time when he met her in a garden. A fire ignited and they ended up entangled and rolling through the flower beds… The water from the crushed petals had stained their cloaks and clothes, leaving them a mess as they roamed the palace.
He chuckled and moaned with a mix of amusement and arousal, spurring himself further.
His forearm muscles, which were clearly well trained at first glance, bulged with veins. The large bed that was too big for one person, began to shake violently.
“Yekarna… My Majesty, uht…”
Rough breathing and eager murmurs filled the bedroom.
* * *
“Haa.”
After checking the final list of successful candidates on the academy’s bulletin board, Regina let out a sound that was part exclamation, part sigh.
On the way there, she had secretly imagined. If she failed the interview and got rejected, having no choice would not be so bad. It would be embarrassing to face her family, but she wouldn’t have to feel guilty for not enrolling even though she could.
But, as expected, she passed.
‘Considering that interview, it seemed more like a formality than a discerning process.’
However, there was one thing that didn’t sit right with her.
‘Why is my name listed first?’
Considering alphabetical order, there were names that should have been before Regina’s, and it wasn’t by exam number either. Claiming to boost a commoner’s confidence by listing them before nobility was… utter nonsense in this strictly hierarchical society.
‘Could it be… by grades?’
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the ominous hypothesis that had sprung to mind.
It made no sense. Not a perfect score but 85 points, and everyone else scored lower? It’s implausible that the future of the empire could be so bleak.
Regina remembered the talents she had encountered during her time as Yekarna. Excluding Lennon, who was undeniably a genius, the others were exceptional, and most of them were graduates of the Imperial Academy.
No way she was first.
She quickly regained her composure and concluded it must be random, or perhaps there was an internal order unknown to outsiders based on their own regulations.
“Those who passed, please follow the arrows to the building. Inside, you will be issued your admission certificate.”
Following the staff’s directions, Regina went to collect her certificate and headed to the counseling office. She wanted to ask about student loans.
“I’d like to take out a student loan under the condition that I repay the costs incurred during my studies after finding a job after graduation. Is that possible?”
“Yes. Just fill out the application form. Would you like to do that?”
Filling out the application was straightforward. Finishing quicker than expected, Regina packed her belongings and prepared to leave, knowing the innkeeper couple and their daughter Garnet were waiting for her.
“Leaving now?”
“Yes. Thank you for everything. I’ve been in your debt.”
“When will you come again, sister?”
“Uh, in about 4-5 months?”
That would be around the time of admission. Not knowing what might happen, she planned to arrive a few days before the opening ceremony, intending to stay here again.
“Promise you’ll come?”
Regina nodded as she patted Garnet’s head, who was looking up at her with bright eyes.
“I promise.”
“Take this for the road. You might get hungry. I packed some food for you.”
The innkeeper handed over a small package, surprisingly heavy from being tightly packed.
“You didn’t have to do this… but thank you. I’ll enjoy it, Madam.”
Goodbyes are best kept short. Regina left the inn without looking back. She then went on her journey home, crossing mountains, rivers, forests, and sleeping on the ground along the way.
The physical distance was the same, yet strangely, the journey home didn’t feel as long. Emotionally, it seemed only half as daunting as the trip from home to the capital had been.
Arriving at the town, where she had lived uneventfully for over a decade, Regina paused to watch her busy parents through the tavern window. Thankfully, they seemed well. After dusting off the dirt from her clothes, she opened the door and stepped inside.
“I’m back.”
“Regina!”
Melissa dropped the tray she was holding and rushed towards her daughter.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“Any pain?”
“None.”
“You must be exhausted from your journey. Go rest. Henry! Close up the shop. Regina’s back. We’re ending business early today and heading home!”
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