My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 76

Having no choice but to accept the gloved hand, Regina was escorted to the dance floor by Bliss, who seemed to be taking the opportunity to get uncomfortably close. As she wondered whether he had completely forsaken his reputation as the Dean, he whispered in her ear.

“About Count Hartman. He was married but is widowed now.”

Bliss appeared happy to share in this piece of gossip, much like a student tattling on a disliked classmate to a professor. Regina internally scoffed at his character.

‘It figures.’

Regina clicked her tongue inside, trying to dismiss it.

Considering the conservative nature of the social circle and the Count’s age, it wasn’t surprising. Was it such a marvel that an eligible man had been married? It was nothing remarkable. Not at all.

‘Lennon being married to another woman…’

Regina unwittingly dwelled on the matter more than she intended and tried to shake it off, though ultimately, she couldn’t. It was supposed to feel trivial, but somehow it disturbed her.

She acknowledged the uncomfortable truth that she might not be mature enough to remain detached after hearing her past lover had been married to someone else. Especially when she herself had lived a promiscuous life with three spouses and four concubines. It was a stark double standard, even by her own judgment.

“I am single, Regina. Unlike some, I’ve lived cleanly without a hint of scandal. A man as pristine as fresh snow, untouched and unblemished.”

Bliss boasted in fine detail. He was in his late twenties yet still single. Curious, Regina cautiously asked.

“Why haven’t you married, Dean?”

“No woman has caught my fancy.”

It was typical of Skyler, who lived as if the world revolved around him, unbothered by others’ opinions. He embodied the very essence of solitude. Often, she wanted him to at least pay attention to what others think.

As they spun gracefully, Regina found herself face-to-face with Bliss’s unabashedly brazen expression. He flashed a smile and smoothly spun her. The dance was men to lead, and she had no choice but to follow.

As he firmly hugged her waist and supported her upper body, their bodies were close enough that his leg slipped momentarily between hers. The solid legs brushed in and out between her own. Regina stood frozen not merely from the thigh touching itself. But because of what else brushed against the inside of her thigh.

Despite this audacious move, he continued on as if nothing had happened, maintaining his act as a decent gentleman.

As she was led through the dance by him, Regina found herself unintentionally recalling the sensation of his thigh against hers. It was a fleeting contact. She could barely tell its shape. But the pressure was vivid, almost as if a forearm had grazed her instead of a leg.

‘Why am I even thinking about this?’

She grimaced in self-disgust, her lips pursing tightly. Just as he drew closer, reducing the distance between them, he whispered softly.

“But now I have one.”

Confused by his cryptic statement, Regina paused.

She realized it was a continuation of their conversation that was paused a while ago. She caught his gaze that were looking down at her slightly crazed. She was overcome by shivers down her spine.

Regina understood why Yekarna had adored those eyes. It was because she had the power to control them. Regina belatedly grasped that people feared him as the ‘Crazy Eyed Sword Demon’ because they lacked the means to oppose him. That included her current self.

‘I really need to master my mana blade as soon as possible.’

Since dealing with him socially was no longer an option, she needed to ensure she wasn’t physically overpowered at the very least.

Oblivious or indifferent to the wariness overtaking her mind, he continued to smile and lead her through the dance. He lifted her, spun her around, and showcased his dancing prowess, capturing the attention of everyone in the ballroom before finally stepping back with a satisfied expression.

Even his desire to show off was so typical of Skyler that she couldn’t even be angry. She was just drained by the unnecessary spectacle.

‘Really, I hate this.’

As Regina was contemplating escaping the gazes pouring in from all sides, saw the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince gestured for her to come over.

‘If only he had called me sooner.’

If he had, she might have been able to leave the ballroom without encountering Lennon’s reincarnation.

Grumbling about her descendant being no help at all, she approached him reluctantly and greeted him with the required decorum. The Crown Prince acknowledged her with a nod.

“Ah, you were the academy student I didn’t see earlier.”

“Yes, I wasn’t feeling well and had to step away for a moment.”

“Hmm.”

The Crown Prince didn’t bother to voice it, but he knew it wasn’t just a moment. Voicing it would mean admitting he had been paying attention to her all along.

The Pope couldn’t take his eyes off her throughout the swordsmanship tournament, the master of the underworld had asked to be her dance partner first, and the academy’s Dean, who had remained a wallflower until then, claimed her on the dance floor in a showy display. This woman made it.

His curiosity was piqued.

It wasn’t a romantical attraction. The Crown Prince was already married and genuinely loved his wife and family. However, he couldn’t help but wonder why these prominent figures were all drawn to a mere commoner girl. Her skills in swordsmanship were excellent. But that alone seemed weak.

Could there be some other secret about her? The Crown Prince looked at Regina more closely.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Regina began to step backward.

Suddenly, a chill of unease ran down her spine, and she jerked her head up, and scanned her surroundings.