My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 74

But dismissing it as mere imagination seemed too simple. It felt eerily real, almost as if she had actually experienced it.

‘Come to think of it, there’s something odd.’

When she had sensed that ominous aura at the academy, how did she know it was the distinctive energy of a monster?

No, this wasn’t the time to think about these questions. Time was still ticking. Questions that didn’t need immediate answers could wait.

She continued to delve into the documents.

The demon realm had asserted that the incident was a deviation by a minority, reinforcing the validity of the non-aggression pact, while the Middle Realm accepted this with the provision of material compensation.

The details were so well-documented that it didn’t seem like a completely fabricated event. Whether someone had attributed another’s achievements to her or there was another story, it did seem like these events had actually occurred.

Thereafter, there were no further mentions of the demon realm.

Regina replaced the book and left the archive.

“A deviation by a minority.”

And now, after over two centuries, they had reappeared in the Middle Realm. Was it truly just a minor deviation? Or had they sent a scouting party?

Unpleasant assumptions kept trying to dominate her thoughts.

As she neared the banquet hall, contemplating how to negotiate with the doctor to avoid entering that hellish place, she was interrupted.

“Miss Heather! Where have you been? We were worried.”

The runner-up grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the banquet hall.

“Senior, I’m really not feeling well…”

“You still have to go in. The Crown Prince has asked for you.”

“What?”

“More like he noted the headcount was off… but still, it seems you should show your face, even if just for a moment. Try to hang in there.”

Regina had no grounds to resist, especially when the Crown Prince was involved.

Reluctantly stepping into the banquet hall, she kept her head down like a prisoner, doing everything possible to avoid eye contact with Lennon’s reincarnation.

Regina waited for the Crown Prince to merely confirm her presence so she could escape the banquet hall. She was frustrated to see that he was thoroughly engaged in conversation with various nobles.

His comment about her absence was likely just a formality due to the headcount being off, not out of any particular interest in her. Yet, she was forced by those casual words to stay alert and wait.

“The Dean has been captured by Lady Echidnia since earlier.”

“It seems the rumors are true then. Lady Echidnia after the Dean…”

When she heard the murmurs, Regina inadvertently glanced in that direction. She saw Bliss engaged in conversation with a woman, presumably Lady Echidna, who bore a striking resemblance to Yekarna. Although their hair and eye colors differed, their facial features were remarkably similar.

‘Mixed with the imperial family’s blood?’

It wasn’t uncommon for princesses to marry high nobility within the empire. Naturally, some descendants could resemble Yekarna, but seeing a woman who looked like herself alongside Skyler’s reincarnation was unsettling. She couldn’t help but keep watching them when suddenly the crowd grew noisy.

Turning to see what the commotion was about, Regina froze.

“Would you care to join me for a dance?”

It was Lennon’s reincarnation, standing before her.

This life’s name was Count Hartman. With his blonde hair neatly slicked back with pomade, he epitomized the ideal Imperial noble—wealthy, young, and handsome. If one were to visualize a ‘prosperous, young, handsome nobleman of a distinguished family,’ he would fit perfectly.

His invitation to dance was flawless, marked by polite demeanor and the perfect accent of the upper class. Out of 100, anyone would be delighted to accept his offer, but for Regina, he was someone she’d rather avoid than a demon from the underworld.

As she looked at the hand extended toward her, she tried to gather her scattered thoughts. She wanted to refuse, but it seemed pointless. He had already seen her and knew she was a student at the academy.

There was no escaping now, she was like a mouse trapped in a cage.

As she was resigned to her fate, Regina took his hand and was escorted to the dance floor, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze. His status was one of the empire’s wealthiest individuals, everyone of age and gender would be interested in him.

‘Well, who doesn’t like money?’

But for Regina, it wasn’t about the money, it was the grim reality that terrified her.

Friedrich, Skyler, Prince Iskanda, and now Lennon.

Four of them already. How was this possible? She hadn’t even left the village for a year, and already she was bumping into them all in a row?

At this point, remembering their current names was becoming a daily chore. Friedrich was Valen, Skyler was Bliss, Prince Iskanda was Darien, and Lennon was Count Hartman…

“I’ll be direct.”

Count Hartman said, pulling Regina out of her thoughts as she looked up at him.

“I hold no grievances against Your Majesty, so there’s no need to plan an escape as if you’re a debtor running from a creditor. I’m being straightforward to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings on your part.”

Regina was taken aback by his unexpected statement. She nearly stumbled over her own feet if not for his skilled support. As he continued leading the dance in a counterclockwise direction, he added again.

“You may doubt my words, but consider this. If I intended to harm Your Majesty, there would be no reason for me to engage in such a convoluted mind game.”

His dry and matter-of-fact tone strangely comforted Regina. In his previous life, Lennon would often show his charm with her privately, but when reporting in his capacity as a Chancellor, he used a business-like, sharp, and no-nonsense way of speaking.

And he never lied.