Chapter 49
A moment later, Reina carefully placed her hand on the sacred tree.
She gained courage from Kaiden’s words.
Since he said it’s okay, it should be okay.
It’s true that it’s much easier to help him if she can see.
Even knowing it’s greed, she couldn’t refuse the sweet offer in front of her.
Before regression, he didn’t marry, so the statement that this oath is useless isn’t a lie.
Of course, Reina only knew that this oath is something a duchess must do unconditionally.
Even if it’s a contract marriage, she was the duchess of Crencia in name and reality.
So, she had the qualification to fulfill this oath.
“I’m ready.”
As their eyes met, Kaiden placed his hand over hers.
And slowly drew a magic circle with aura.
As the magic circle completed on the tree, Kaiden and Reina’s names were engraved inside it.
While watching that ecstatic scene, Kaiden said.
“If you want to fulfill the oath, repeat after me.”
When Reina nodded, Kaiden opened his mouth.
“I, Kaiden Crencia, swear before the great Crencia to take only Reina Eve Mernie as my wife.”
An oath reminiscent of a marriage vow.
When he signaled with his eyes, Reina followed.
“I, Reina Eve Mernie, swear before the great Crencia to take only Kaiden Crencia as my husband.”
At that moment, a bright light began to envelop Reina.
As a cozy energy enveloped her whole body, she became drowsy.
It was even more so because her body had been heating up since earlier.
When Reina staggered, he held her from behind and said.
“The energy is strong, so you’re starting to feel sleepy, so don’t worry. After a nap, it will all be over.”
“……Yes.”
“Happy birthday.”
“…….”
“Good night, Reina.”
Kaiden’s words gradually became distant.
Eventually, Reina fell into a deep sleep.
He carefully held the sleeping her and reverently kissed her forehead.
As he finished even the final oath’s kiss, the sacred tree that had been pouring out flashing lights became quiet.
* * *
Reina falling asleep was not solely because of the oath.
When the fever starts, Reina gets trapped in consciousness to contract with the divine beast.
The divine beast tests the royal who will become its master, and in the past, Reina barely passed that test.
It was because the divine beast fled from Reina, taking a long time to catch.
But this time was different.
The divine beast that was busy fleeing in the past came on its own and sat in front of Reina, bowing its head.
Moreover, the feather color changed.
Clearly, the feathers that were blue at the time of awakening now had a red hue like what she saw just before regression.
It looked as if it was saying that it was the one who turned back time.
The raptor-like golden eyes stared at Reina intently.
With eyes seeming to say why aren’t you petting me yet, Reina dazedly brought her hand.
And the moment she touched the divine beast, the enlarged divine beast trapped her inside its wings.
At the same time, intense light poured fiercely around her and the divine beast.
It was a blinding light as if losing sight, but her eyes didn’t ache like before.
It was thanks to Kaiden’s aura surrounding her.
At that time, the divine beast’s voice was heard.
– Congratulations on complete awakening. You who came against the past while seeing the future.
“!”
Reina widened her eyes at the words that she came against the past.
The divine beast flapped its wings and said.
– My name is Ritsi. Seeing the future, surpassing the past to change the present is my power. Since you stood here surpassing the past while seeing the future, you are sufficient to be my master.
Ritsi.
The divine beast’s name changed.
The name she first heard wasn’t that.
That means the name told now is the true name.
“As expected, my regression was due to Ritsi’s power?”
She had guessed inwardly.
Because after pouring power with her last life, she immediately returned to 10 years ago.
Moreover, seeing the divine beast’s feathers red like just before regression, she could be sure.
That the authority she used in the past was only partial.
Only after dying and reviving did she truly become Ritsi’s master.
To Reina’s question, the divine beast lightly nodded.
“Then, now if I want, can I go back to the past again?”
– No. Going against the past is only once.
“That’s a relief.”
If she could freely go back and forth to the past, Reina might have stayed only in the past.
Because the people she misses are in a farther past.
Of course, now she can’t leave Kaiden behind.
Rather, it was a power better not to have for her.
“Well, to be faithful to the present, I shouldn’t look back. Ritsi’s power is amazing.”
To the obedient attitude, Ritsi flapped its wings and said.
– You who obtained the dragon’s heart as the price of regression and gained his protection. Do not forget the weight of your power.
The weight of power meant her life.
– My foresight ability is a power that mortgages life force. I hope you do not harm yourself by following the past’s footsteps for evil deeds.
With those words, Ritsi shrank back. As it reduced to the size of a pipit, the light gradually subsided.
And when completely submerged in darkness, the first foresight ability manifested as a token of awakening.
Reina carefully examined the future shown by Ritsi and paused.
What she saw was the emperor and Michael.
The emperor handed something to Michael.
‘That is…….’
Reina, who recognized the object’s identity at once, clenched her fist. The emperor said to Michael.
– You personally lead the delegation and go to the north.
– I receive the command.
Michael received the object with both hands while prostrated.
He was appointed as the leader of the delegation heading to the north.
The procession was to include the palace maids that Reina couldn’t bring because she hurriedly left for the north, and wedding gifts.
Reina stared blankly at Michael in the prophecy.
He was one who received the emperor’s favor even among the royals.
A person with vast knowledge, later called the emperor’s encyclopedia.
Having the person the emperor had earmarked as chancellor before regression join the gift procession was not something to overlook casually.
And the reason for sending him must be to find out her ability.
Seeing that he entrusted that object to him, it was clear he was determined.
‘As expected, he’s not easy.’
Reina let out a low sigh.
Although not a conspicuous princess, a royal is a royal.
If judged as an ability needed by the emperor, he will surely try to collar it.
The fortunate thing is that she already knows what Michael’s ability is.
Since the opponent doesn’t know this, it’s good to use reversely.
‘I need to show it as a useless ability as much as possible.’
There was quite some time until the delegation arrives.
She made a quite serious expression.
After crossing a big mountain, another mountain was approaching in front of her.
This time, she would absolutely not be swayed by the emperor’s grasp.
☆☆☆
Chapter 5. Hook Top
Reina’s fever only subsided the next day at dawn.
Reina, who fell asleep right after the pact was completed, only opened her eyes after the morning sun rose.
“If the sun starts to rise, the fever will subside. So there’s no need to call a doctor.”
It was exactly as she predicted.
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By Anna 💓
