Arthas April 14, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
Have you regressed as well?
Have you……regressed as well?
Have you…5
I was struck by Rudine's words, echoing like tinnitus in my ears; my brain throbbed, my eyes stinging.
"Hm? Kyle?"
Until she stood before me, her face drawing near, I remained frozen, as if bound by ropes.
"Kyle."
Her voice, brimming with conviction, reverberated through my skull.
I barely managed to regain my ashen complexion.
"I've missed you, Kyle."
Rudine's voice was laced with moisture; a mix of tenderness, longing, and a hint of reproach.
'Damn it.'
Rudine would never reveal her hand without absolute certainty; her nonchalant admission of having regressed meant she had some hidden agenda.
My mind suddenly cleared.
I need to stay composed.
Didn't I anticipate a situation like this the moment the penalty was revealed?
There were only two choices now — Either admit it, or deny it.
And I only had one option to choose from.
"Rudine."
I blinked my eyes innocently.
"What do you mean, 'have regressed'?"
"Huh?"
"Are you upset because I didn't visit the imperial palace as often as I promised? I'm sorry. There were unavoidable circumstances."
"Ah."
Rudine murmured in a melancholic tone.
"It's not that... there's no need to hide it from me..."
She took an exaggerated deep breath and theatrically sniffed her nose. Even then, her gaze remained fixed on me. Soon, she let out a deflated sigh as if she had realized something.
"Ah, I see."
She sighed as if reproaching herself.
"I'm sorry, I was too hasty. You must still be utterly confused, Kyle," she asked cautiously. "But isn't it wonderful in a way? That I can see you like this."
"Wonderful?"
"Of course! Didn't I just say? I've been waiting for this moment."
Rudine began rambling incoherently.
Those words - that she's waiting for this moment - hardly sounded like they would come from the lips of a woman who had plotted to kill me at every turn.
Could it be that she's subtly warning me this time, that she's determined to kill me with her own hands?
Suddenly, certain scenes flashed through my mind.
'Come to think of it...'
It's not just Rudine, is it?
Isabel, and Luna as well.
At some point, they too had begun pleading for my affection, for reasons unknown.
A question mark appeared in my head.
What could possibly drive those who so despised me to seek my affection?
Can this be explained solely by the inheritance of memories?
"Kyle, when you finally severed ties with that foolish Isabel and left the Winfred mansion..."
"........."
"And when I heard the news that your ex-fiancée and your sister were heading to the imperial capital together..."
Rudine continued, as if she had been waiting for this.
"My heart raced."
Her face flushed as red as a ripe apple.
"That the tangled threads of our past, scarred by wounds, would finally be untangled, and the place you arrived at was my coming-of-age ceremony."
Can that really be interpreted that way?
...Yeah, I can see how it could be misunderstood.
I barely managed to suppress the boiling unpleasant emotions.
For now, the best I could do was blink innocently.
"Ah, the opportunity has finally come to me as well."
She wiped away her tears, smiling pitifully.
"I've always longed for you."
"........."
"You're all I have, Kyle."
A chilling sensation ignited, racing up to the top of my head.
Yet, a part of me felt a sense of relief.
'If that's the case... it may have just gotten easier?'
My objective was not to flee from those crazy women who have inherited the memories.
It was to swiftly secure the Sacred Artifact and tear open the dimensional fabric for the dimensional gateway.
Rudine's twisted emotions, festering like a black tumor in her heart?
I could handle it.
There was no better excuse than cultivating a relationship with Rudine moving forward.
But there was one thing that's bothering me...
'Just how much does she know?'
Was it simply about the regression, or does she also suspect that I'm not the real Kyle?
The former had a solid basis for inference, but the latter was pure delusion.
Rudine was not the type to get bogged down by such baseless fantasies.
"Rudine."
And yet, I couldn’t seem to be fully convinced.
Perhaps it was an instinct, akin to a primal intuition in nature.
Most of all,
"I don't understand what you're saying... And as for the auction, I'm also at a loss as to how you know about that..."
The lingering guilt gnawed at my insides.
For a moment, the question of whether there might be a way other than killing flitted through my mind.
But I no longer have any other choice.
I ached to hear the voices of my parents calling my name.
I simply cannot bear to remain in this world.
"Me too."
So, it has to be this way.
"I missed you."
It couldn't be helped.
"I'm grateful you told me that, Rudine."
I smiled brightly.
That is when it happened —
"Silence!"
—the chamberlain's call echoed through the hall, followed by grandiose titles - the heart of the empire, the guardian, and the like.
There were only two individuals in this entire empire who could have such lofty epithets attached to their names.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Aleot, and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress enters!"
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Not even a single applause could be heard.
It was the etiquette and custom of the imperial family to remain silent and bow one's head when the Emperor and Empress entered.
The Emperor and Empress approached with leisurely steps, facing our direction.
Moments later,
"How beautiful you are, Rudine."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You and the Empress are both dazzlingly beautiful as well."
Rudine rose from her seat, exchanging greetings with the Empress.
After the brief exchange, the Empress's gaze shifted towards me.
"...Rudine, it seems an explanation is in order."
The Empress asked in a reluctant tone.
And Rudine beamed in response.
"This is Kyle Winfred, who has kindly agreed to be my escort today."
"That is not what I am asking. What reason is there for you to have one who dims your radiance at the very place where you should shine the brightest?"
The Empress admonished her gently, yet with a hint of venom.
Rudine simply smiled, unperturbed, "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"This is not a matter of mere evasion."
"I chose him of my own volition, as Your Majesty had commanded me to select my own partner."
The Empress clicked her tongue, then turned her gaze to me.
"So this is Kyle Winfred, you say."
"I am honored to be in the presence of the Empire's sun."
"Enough with the formalities. Now, you - why did you not flatly refuse this escort request, which is clearly unsuitable?"
To kidnap the Sacred Artifact.
I already had a clear answer, but I circumvented it to provide the response the Empress was seeking.
"How could I ever dare to defy the imperial decree?"
The Empress's lips, poised to reply, closed abruptly, as if it had been a lie.
The Emperor, observing the situation, let out a chuckle and intervened.
"That's enough of that."
"Your Majesty!"
"The ceremony is not yet over. I shall have a separate conversation with Rudine."
"...Very well."
The Empress clenched her fists, smiling through gritted teeth.
I already knew the imperial family was not exactly a bastion of normalcy, but their antics were still rather impressive.
After the brief altercation, the Emperor and Empress took their seats.
"Your Highness, Lady Rosette of the Trevian Ducal House has arrived."
"Then I shall go greet her right away."
As Rudine, the protagonist of the coming-of-age ceremony, briefly stepped away upon hearing the chamberlain's report, I stared blankly at the floor, then lifted my gaze, only to meet the intrigued eyes of the Emperor fixed upon me.
Eyeing the consequences and connections at play, I had prepared meticulously for this moment, aware of the delicate balance that dictated interactions within the imperial court.
According to court etiquette, those of lower status do not greet those of higher status first.
I waited in silence for the Emperor's greeting.
After a moment, the Emperor's tightly closed lips parted.
"Kyle Winfred."
"I am honored to stand before the Son of the Empire."
"Ah yes, it's been a while since I last saw you at the imperial palace. My memory is a little hazy."
"It was eight years ago, Your Majesty."
The Emperor rested his chin with an ordinary expression.
"I heard you recently annulled your engagement with the Young Lady of Yustia."
"That is correct."
"Do you have any idea how many business deals were tied to the marriage talks between the Winfred family and Yustia?"
Business, just the topic I was waiting for.
I bowed my head with an indescribable expression.
"I deeply regret the consequences."
The Emperor, the lord of this land and the protector of the Empire.
I must somehow get his seal of approval.
Free access to the imperial palace was crucial, as it would allow me to look for an opportunity to steal the Sacred Artifact.
Suddenly, the Emperor's expression soured.
"Some of those businesses had investments from the imperial treasury."
His eyes were filled with annoyance and irritation.
Such a gaze was troublesome.
Unconditional imperial favor was necessary for me to freely come and go in the palace.
The solution was simple.
Act as a possessed one, as a regressor.
Utilizing information from the future was the way to go.
And now, with Rudine briefly away, was the perfect timing.
"I have a way to make up for the losses."
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly; he gestured for me to continue.
"The losses were solely due to my actions as a member of the Winfred family."
"I see you understand."
"As a Winfred, I feel a deep responsibility for this."
I carefully pulled something out from within my robe.
"Compensation for the losses, and all the consequential damages caused by the delayed businesses."
A blank check fluttered in my right hand.
"Winfred will fully cover the repayment."
A blank check.
Literally, a check with no amount filled in.
Normally, a blank check would have a predetermined upper limit.
However, in this world, the blank check was a bit different.
The stamp of the lord.
And the imperial seal of approval.
A blank check that could only be issued with these two conditions met has no upper limit on the amount.
That's why blank checks were generally not issued.
Unless a 'special event' occurs, that is.
‘Well, that's not my problem.’
The blank check may have been obtained through bloody means, but it clearly bears the Winfred seal and the imperial seal.
In other words, having this one check means I can effectively drain the Winfred family to the maximum.
"...What?"
The Emperor's startled expression wavered.
I added calmly, with a faint smile.
"It is the sincere loyalty of Winfred towards the imperial house."
"Are you serious about this?"
"Absolutely."
The Winfred family was a core force of the nobility faction.
In other words, they were a thorn in the side of the imperial family.
However, as the guardian family of the Northern Continent, they couldn’t be subjected to unjustified sanctions.
The Winfred family was well aware of this, and had been cautious over the years.
But the situation is different now.
The Winfred's recklessness had resulted in clear losses, and with the blank check bearing their seal in the imperial hand?
'It's essentially having a leash around their neck.'
Since it was not my money, I had nothing to lose.
After all, it was most thrilling to showcase someone else's money, wasn't it?
"Haha, haha."
The Emperor let out a hollow laugh, his expression dazed.
And soon, a smile blossomed on his face.
The face of someone who had undergone financial therapy.
But it was still not enough.
A single blank check was hardly enough to get the imperial seal of approval.
Moreover, there was a specific reason why I was handing over the blank check to the imperial family.
I carefully spoke up, "I happened to hear about the details of a business that the imperial family had invested in. Research for a permanent cure for alopecia, if I'm not mistaken."
"...I see you're well-informed."
Alopecia, literally hair loss — a gradual thinning of the hair.
I discreetly glanced at the Emperor's crown; it looked lush at first glance, but that was a wig.
Winning the Emperor's favor was simple.
It was all about...
"I know the cure for alopecia."
Arthas April 14, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
Have you regressed as well?
Have you……regressed as well?
Have you…5
I was struck by Rudine's words, echoing like tinnitus in my ears; my brain throbbed, my eyes stinging.
"Hm? Kyle?"
Until she stood before me, her face drawing near, I remained frozen, as if bound by ropes.
"Kyle."
Her voice, brimming with conviction, reverberated through my skull.
I barely managed to regain my ashen complexion.
"I've missed you, Kyle."
Rudine's voice was laced with moisture; a mix of tenderness, longing, and a hint of reproach.
'Damn it.'
Rudine would never reveal her hand without absolute certainty; her nonchalant admission of having regressed meant she had some hidden agenda.
My mind suddenly cleared.
I need to stay composed.
Didn't I anticipate a situation like this the moment the penalty was revealed?
There were only two choices now — Either admit it, or deny it.
And I only had one option to choose from.
"Rudine."
I blinked my eyes innocently.
"What do you mean, 'have regressed'?"
"Huh?"
"Are you upset because I didn't visit the imperial palace as often as I promised? I'm sorry. There were unavoidable circumstances."
"Ah."
Rudine murmured in a melancholic tone.
"It's not that... there's no need to hide it from me..."
She took an exaggerated deep breath and theatrically sniffed her nose. Even then, her gaze remained fixed on me. Soon, she let out a deflated sigh as if she had realized something.
"Ah, I see."
She sighed as if reproaching herself.
"I'm sorry, I was too hasty. You must still be utterly confused, Kyle," she asked cautiously. "But isn't it wonderful in a way? That I can see you like this."
"Wonderful?"
"Of course! Didn't I just say? I've been waiting for this moment."
Rudine began rambling incoherently.
Those words - that she's waiting for this moment - hardly sounded like they would come from the lips of a woman who had plotted to kill me at every turn.
Could it be that she's subtly warning me this time, that she's determined to kill me with her own hands?
Suddenly, certain scenes flashed through my mind.
'Come to think of it...'
It's not just Rudine, is it?
Isabel, and Luna as well.
At some point, they too had begun pleading for my affection, for reasons unknown.
A question mark appeared in my head.
What could possibly drive those who so despised me to seek my affection?
Can this be explained solely by the inheritance of memories?
"Kyle, when you finally severed ties with that foolish Isabel and left the Winfred mansion..."
"........."
"And when I heard the news that your ex-fiancée and your sister were heading to the imperial capital together..."
Rudine continued, as if she had been waiting for this.
"My heart raced."
Her face flushed as red as a ripe apple.
"That the tangled threads of our past, scarred by wounds, would finally be untangled, and the place you arrived at was my coming-of-age ceremony."
Can that really be interpreted that way?
...Yeah, I can see how it could be misunderstood.
I barely managed to suppress the boiling unpleasant emotions.
For now, the best I could do was blink innocently.
"Ah, the opportunity has finally come to me as well."
She wiped away her tears, smiling pitifully.
"I've always longed for you."
"........."
"You're all I have, Kyle."
A chilling sensation ignited, racing up to the top of my head.
Yet, a part of me felt a sense of relief.
'If that's the case... it may have just gotten easier?'
My objective was not to flee from those crazy women who have inherited the memories.
It was to swiftly secure the Sacred Artifact and tear open the dimensional fabric for the dimensional gateway.
Rudine's twisted emotions, festering like a black tumor in her heart?
I could handle it.
There was no better excuse than cultivating a relationship with Rudine moving forward.
But there was one thing that's bothering me...
'Just how much does she know?'
Was it simply about the regression, or does she also suspect that I'm not the real Kyle?
The former had a solid basis for inference, but the latter was pure delusion.
Rudine was not the type to get bogged down by such baseless fantasies.
"Rudine."
And yet, I couldn’t seem to be fully convinced.
Perhaps it was an instinct, akin to a primal intuition in nature.
Most of all,
"I don't understand what you're saying... And as for the auction, I'm also at a loss as to how you know about that..."
The lingering guilt gnawed at my insides.
For a moment, the question of whether there might be a way other than killing flitted through my mind.
But I no longer have any other choice.
I ached to hear the voices of my parents calling my name.
I simply cannot bear to remain in this world.
"Me too."
So, it has to be this way.
"I missed you."
It couldn't be helped.
"I'm grateful you told me that, Rudine."
I smiled brightly.
That is when it happened —
"Silence!"
—the chamberlain's call echoed through the hall, followed by grandiose titles - the heart of the empire, the guardian, and the like.
There were only two individuals in this entire empire who could have such lofty epithets attached to their names.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Aleot, and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress enters!"
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Not even a single applause could be heard.
It was the etiquette and custom of the imperial family to remain silent and bow one's head when the Emperor and Empress entered.
The Emperor and Empress approached with leisurely steps, facing our direction.
Moments later,
"How beautiful you are, Rudine."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. You and the Empress are both dazzlingly beautiful as well."
Rudine rose from her seat, exchanging greetings with the Empress.
After the brief exchange, the Empress's gaze shifted towards me.
"...Rudine, it seems an explanation is in order."
The Empress asked in a reluctant tone.
And Rudine beamed in response.
"This is Kyle Winfred, who has kindly agreed to be my escort today."
"That is not what I am asking. What reason is there for you to have one who dims your radiance at the very place where you should shine the brightest?"
The Empress admonished her gently, yet with a hint of venom.
Rudine simply smiled, unperturbed, "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"This is not a matter of mere evasion."
"I chose him of my own volition, as Your Majesty had commanded me to select my own partner."
The Empress clicked her tongue, then turned her gaze to me.
"So this is Kyle Winfred, you say."
"I am honored to be in the presence of the Empire's sun."
"Enough with the formalities. Now, you - why did you not flatly refuse this escort request, which is clearly unsuitable?"
To kidnap the Sacred Artifact.
I already had a clear answer, but I circumvented it to provide the response the Empress was seeking.
"How could I ever dare to defy the imperial decree?"
The Empress's lips, poised to reply, closed abruptly, as if it had been a lie.
The Emperor, observing the situation, let out a chuckle and intervened.
"That's enough of that."
"Your Majesty!"
"The ceremony is not yet over. I shall have a separate conversation with Rudine."
"...Very well."
The Empress clenched her fists, smiling through gritted teeth.
I already knew the imperial family was not exactly a bastion of normalcy, but their antics were still rather impressive.
After the brief altercation, the Emperor and Empress took their seats.
"Your Highness, Lady Rosette of the Trevian Ducal House has arrived."
"Then I shall go greet her right away."
As Rudine, the protagonist of the coming-of-age ceremony, briefly stepped away upon hearing the chamberlain's report, I stared blankly at the floor, then lifted my gaze, only to meet the intrigued eyes of the Emperor fixed upon me.
Eyeing the consequences and connections at play, I had prepared meticulously for this moment, aware of the delicate balance that dictated interactions within the imperial court.
According to court etiquette, those of lower status do not greet those of higher status first.
I waited in silence for the Emperor's greeting.
After a moment, the Emperor's tightly closed lips parted.
"Kyle Winfred."
"I am honored to stand before the Son of the Empire."
"Ah yes, it's been a while since I last saw you at the imperial palace. My memory is a little hazy."
"It was eight years ago, Your Majesty."
The Emperor rested his chin with an ordinary expression.
"I heard you recently annulled your engagement with the Young Lady of Yustia."
"That is correct."
"Do you have any idea how many business deals were tied to the marriage talks between the Winfred family and Yustia?"
Business, just the topic I was waiting for.
I bowed my head with an indescribable expression.
"I deeply regret the consequences."
The Emperor, the lord of this land and the protector of the Empire.
I must somehow get his seal of approval.
Free access to the imperial palace was crucial, as it would allow me to look for an opportunity to steal the Sacred Artifact.
Suddenly, the Emperor's expression soured.
"Some of those businesses had investments from the imperial treasury."
His eyes were filled with annoyance and irritation.
Such a gaze was troublesome.
Unconditional imperial favor was necessary for me to freely come and go in the palace.
The solution was simple.
Act as a possessed one, as a regressor.
Utilizing information from the future was the way to go.
And now, with Rudine briefly away, was the perfect timing.
"I have a way to make up for the losses."
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly; he gestured for me to continue.
"The losses were solely due to my actions as a member of the Winfred family."
"I see you understand."
"As a Winfred, I feel a deep responsibility for this."
I carefully pulled something out from within my robe.
"Compensation for the losses, and all the consequential damages caused by the delayed businesses."
A blank check fluttered in my right hand.
"Winfred will fully cover the repayment."
A blank check.
Literally, a check with no amount filled in.
Normally, a blank check would have a predetermined upper limit.
However, in this world, the blank check was a bit different.
The stamp of the lord.
And the imperial seal of approval.
A blank check that could only be issued with these two conditions met has no upper limit on the amount.
That's why blank checks were generally not issued.
Unless a 'special event' occurs, that is.
‘Well, that's not my problem.’
The blank check may have been obtained through bloody means, but it clearly bears the Winfred seal and the imperial seal.
In other words, having this one check means I can effectively drain the Winfred family to the maximum.
"...What?"
The Emperor's startled expression wavered.
I added calmly, with a faint smile.
"It is the sincere loyalty of Winfred towards the imperial house."
"Are you serious about this?"
"Absolutely."
The Winfred family was a core force of the nobility faction.
In other words, they were a thorn in the side of the imperial family.
However, as the guardian family of the Northern Continent, they couldn’t be subjected to unjustified sanctions.
The Winfred family was well aware of this, and had been cautious over the years.
But the situation is different now.
The Winfred's recklessness had resulted in clear losses, and with the blank check bearing their seal in the imperial hand?
'It's essentially having a leash around their neck.'
Since it was not my money, I had nothing to lose.
After all, it was most thrilling to showcase someone else's money, wasn't it?
"Haha, haha."
The Emperor let out a hollow laugh, his expression dazed.
And soon, a smile blossomed on his face.
The face of someone who had undergone financial therapy.
But it was still not enough.
A single blank check was hardly enough to get the imperial seal of approval.
Moreover, there was a specific reason why I was handing over the blank check to the imperial family.
I carefully spoke up, "I happened to hear about the details of a business that the imperial family had invested in. Research for a permanent cure for alopecia, if I'm not mistaken."
"...I see you're well-informed."
Alopecia, literally hair loss — a gradual thinning of the hair.
I discreetly glanced at the Emperor's crown; it looked lush at first glance, but that was a wig.
Winning the Emperor's favor was simple.
It was all about...
"I know the cure for alopecia."
