My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 66
Risking the peace of a simple life for just 1 mina was a terrible deal.
“I shouldn’t have fallen for Professor Gunter’s trap.”
Regina lamented, carelessly setting the coin on her bedsheet as she clasped her head in her hands.
‘Maybe I should strike first?’
Criminals can reduce their sentences by confessing, don’t they? Why not confess her identity to Prince Iskanda, who must have realized through Fathom. And to Skyler, who is likely almost certain that she was Yekarna.
She could propose a deal: ‘Yes, I am the reincarnation of Yekarna. To atone for past sins, I’ll serve as a bond servant for 5 years each to you. In return, help me keep my identity from Friedrich and others hidden…’
That way, she could regain her freedom after just 10 years.
“Impossible.”
Regina quickly came back to reality. There was no guarantee that Skyler or Prince Iskanda would agree to just 5 years, or that they’d even want to help her. Considering that one of them might wish for her death, the risk was too high.
The possibility that one of the ‘Seven Guardians’ who wanted her dead could be among them was a notion too grim for even the stoic Regina to dismiss lightly. She was rubbing her face in her palms when she heard a knock at the door.
Regina got up from her bed, and approached the door.
“What is it?”
“A guest is waiting for you in the reception room.”
“Alright, I’ll be there.”
Having responded to the dormitory staff, Regina prepared to leave, puzzled.
Who could it be?
No one who would visit her at the dormitory came to mind. She hardly had any close friends.
‘Could it be Hailey and Arthur?’
Perhaps they had something to discuss related to a group project. That seemed likely.
With a somewhat lighter heart, Regina made her way. However, the person who greeted her in the reception room wasn’t Hailey or Arthur.
“Hi.”
Regina froze in place, as she stared at the man sitting casually on the couch, waving lightly. With dark brown hair and eyes a shade lighter, the handsome man looked gentle.
It was Darien, the reincarnation of Prince Iskanda.
“Why is Se, Senior here…?”
The feeling of calling someone who was far younger in a past life ‘senior’ was indescribably odd, causing Regina to stumble a bit.
“I have something I’d like to ask my lovely junior.”
Darien spoke with endless kindness. His voice is tender enough to be mistaken by anyone as flirting. Of course, Regina, well aware of her standing, did not fall for such an illusion.
“What is it?”
“You were ambushed by someone unidentified at the swordsmanship tournament, right before the finals. Were you scared? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Facing Darien, who asked the questions kindly, Regina swallowed dryly.
Yekarna had one theory. She learned from experience: a predator always shows up at the scene of the crime. Perhaps they were unable to resist confirming.
Was he here because he was concerned about her, or to see the results of his actions firsthand?
He gazed at the frozen Regina. Darien continued to look at her with an inscrutable expression. Finally, he spoke.
“You know, Junior.”
He tilted his head in a showy manner, and asked in a syrupy sweet voice.
“Do you trust me, Junior?”
Regina was silent. There hadn’t been enough interaction between Regina and Darien to speak of trust. This question was something Prince Iskanda would ask Yekarna.
‘Does Yekarna trust Prince Iskanda?’
One of the seven suspects potentially responsible for Yekarna’s assassination. From a motive standpoint alone, it wouldn’t be strange if he killed Yekarna.
She wanted to act ignorant and retort, ‘Have we known each other long enough to talk of trust?’ But something told her not to. It wasn’t right to shrug it off or lie.
She stared into Darien’s face. She had never been fond of this type of questioning. It felt similar to the tiresome questions like ‘Do you like me?’ or ‘Do you love me?’. At first, one might respond with a dismissive ‘yes,’ but repeated over time, it starts to get frustrating.
She couldn’t understand the psychology of the question. Would he take her words at face value? What was his plan if she didn’t say yes?
From her days as the Empress, her honesty often returned to her, becoming a weakness others exploited. These experiences with these questions and answers had made Regina hesitant to reveal her true feelings.
Yet…
‘I’m weak with those eyes.’
Why did he have to look so pitifully at her, like a puppy caught in the rain. It’s making her heart soften.
With a grimace, Regina responded abruptly.
“I trust you.”
Darien looked as if he was trying to gauge her sincerity. His intense gaze could have been intimidating, but Regina stood her ground and didn’t flinch.
To be precise, she felt she had no choice but to trust him. Her heart was compelling her to do so.
Yekarna does not change easily. Especially once trust is given. Regina knew this flaw in Yekarna all too well, yet she had not managed to correct it. After all, they were the same person.
To be speaking such words to someone who might have killed her in a past life, who might even wish her dead now, was both absurd and irritating to Regina.
Just as she furrowed her brows in annoyance, Darien smiled brightly.
Mesmerized by his beautiful smile, Regina momentarily lost her train of thought as he rose from his chair and approached her. His black robe rippled with his movements, making him appear like a large, graceful bird.
“Then please accept this.”
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