My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 38
The transfer student, beginning their academy life as a third-year, didn’t exactly intersect with the lives of underclassmen like Regina. However, as the upperclassmen created a buzz, their enthusiasm swept up the underclassmen into curiosity and led them to seek out this person of interest.
After their return, they praised the newcomer’s looks as if testifying, which sparked further interest among those who hadn’t cared initially. Thus, the whole academy was abuzz with talk of him.
It made it impossible for Regina not to be informed. She, after all, had built walls around socializing, not deafness.
‘If he’s comparable to Skyler’s reincarnation, he must indeed be handsome.’
Recalling Bliss’s smooth features, Regina was convinced.
True to her past life as an Empress who indulged in all worldly pleasures, Regina had developed a discerning eye for beauty. To think the academy housed not one but two men whose looks satisfied her critical standards was both surprising and intriguing.
Not that she planned to seek them out for a look herself.
Regina, unlike Yekarna, who reveled in beauty, was different. She had repented.
Her previous life was debauched enough. This time, she aimed to live honorably, thus steering clear of devastatingly handsome men. Looking at it, it would just create unnecessary desires.
Making up her resolve, she was about to eat her bread that had been torn to a right size.
“Hey, let me sit here.”
The wild, nameless senior appeared across from her. The senior gave hints of a past connection yet she didn’t know his identity. And for the record, they hadn’t formally introduced themselves, so she didn’t know his name.
“What business do you have, Senior Christoph?”
“Christoph? Why am I Christoph?”
“Ah, my apologies. I must have been mistaken, Senior Howard.”
“Who’s Howard now? Are you doing this on purpose?”
“Not at all, esteemed senior Sergei.”
“Okay, okay, I get it. I’m Fathom. Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. Happy?”
Fathom offered an awkward apology.
“Great. So, what’s your business?”
Regina urged him for the main issue, and Fathom gulped before responding.
“Do you really not recognize me, Your Majesty? I still feel the scars on my back ache on rainy days.”
What was that Iskanda thinking, really? Despite feeling unsure, Fathom went ahead with what he was told.
“Do you really not recognize me, Your Majesty?”
He tried to infuse his words with profound significance.
“I still feel the scars on my back ache on rainy days.”
The piece of bread Regina was holding fell from her hand at Fathom’s words, sparking interest in his eyes. He straightened up in his seat.
Unaware that she was being scrutinized with an icily rational gaze, Regina was floundering in a sea of shock.
This man was Prince Iskanda?
She scrutinized Fathom. With his dark golden hair almost caramel in color and brown eyes, he was reasonably attractive, but… Prince Iskanda’s reincarnation? This face? How could that be?
‘Friedrich and Skyler maintained a similar level of appearance to their previous lives, so why would Prince Iskanda be the exception…?’
Lost in thought, Regina soon realized.
‘I’m not one to talk.’
Reflecting upon Yekarna’s appearance, Regina admonished herself. Having lost so much herself, it was possible that Prince Iskanda might fall short compared to his past life. In fact, Friedrich and Skyler being born beautiful again was the real anomaly filled with malice.
‘But was Prince Iskanda… so simple-minded?’
As she was about to accept this, a new question abruptly crossed her mind. The Iskanda she remembered was careful and delicate, sensitive yet fragile, almost the complete opposite of the man before her.
Did his personality change with reincarnation? It wasn’t impossible, given Friedrich’s change in personality. Yet, could a person’s nature shift so drastically?
After completing her thoughts, Regina addressed him with a seemingly warm voice.
“Senior, shall we talk outside?”
Leading Fathom to a secluded spot behind the building, Regina paused to ensure they were alone.
“What’s the discussion that you’ve dragged me to such a creepy place for… huh!”
Fathom abruptly stopped his grumbling, silenced by the knife pointed just beneath his chin.
Normally, a butter knife that was blunt and unthreatening, wouldn’t cause fear, but when imbued with mana, the stakes were different.
Regina asked in a flat tone.
“What’s your intention in approaching me by impersonating Prince Iskanda?”
The possibility existed that Prince Iskanda’s appearance could have deteriorated compared to his past life, or his personality might have changed.
However, it was unlikely he had become more stupid.
This man’s actions were too foolish for him to be Prince Iskanda’s reincarnation. It simply didn’t add up that he could be Prince Iskanda.
‘Above all, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize Prince Iskanda.’
Then, who could this person be? Someone with knowledge about Prince Iskanda and enough connection to recognize her as a reincarnation. Likely, he wasn’t someone significant to her, given no immediate suspects came to mind.
After some thought, Regina opted for the simplest approach. Force him to reveal his identity then eliminate him. No one must know Regina Heather is Yekarna’s reincarnation.
“As, as expected of the reaper of Enfield… kuhk!”
“Just answer the questions I asked unless you want your face to become a butter knife holder.”
It was a cliche threat, yet Fathom began to tremble.
What’s this?
As she watched him curiously, he muttered with a pale face.
“Now I’ll end up as a butter knife holder after a dartboard?”
That word sparked something in Regina’s memory. She narrowed her eyes, sifting through her recollections.
Dartboard. Darts. Revenge.
“From the Gilagon Peninsula… Rucas?”
“It’s Rupert! Rupert!”