chapter 2

The celebration was the temple’s annual event. During this period, many people were required to visit the temple, especially the four major families.

It was a good opportunity for Daina, who could not go outside of the temple, to meet many outsiders.

‘Grand Duke Deheen. That person will come too’

A person came into Daina’s mind; he was only cloudy as if he was surrounded in fog. It’s the grand duke.

He was the patriarch of the Grand Duchy of Tersia, one of the great families that supported the empire. His fighting ability was particularly good, and he was always in the vanguard during war. The wars he led never lost, and he was notorious for not letting a single life remain.

People called him a ‘war-and-slaughter killer’. In the story of a cruel rumor, a newborn infant who was about to be breastmilk by his mother was killed the moment he was taken away from her arms.

Furthermore, Grand Duke Deheen was not on good terms with the temple. In the past, there was a time when he scared a priestess who delivered blessings to him, knocking her out.

In many ways, Deheen was the best person to choose to kill her. She knew her plan was full of loopholes, but she wanted to grasp at straws.

“I’ll try it.”

Daina wanted to cut the damn cycle of her regression.

She couldn’t miss the opportunity of the acceleration of her regression. To do so, she decided to die in the hands of the monster, who was crazy about slaughter.

★★★

Daina walked out of the chapel with drooping shoulders. The structure of the temple was captured in the eyes of Daina, who was walking slowly in the corridor.

For Daina, who wandered along the streets of Goara, this was her hometown and home. It was such a precious space.

But now, she was so distressed to be in the temple. She felt nauseous for a moment, and everyone who were passing felt disgusted.

“Huh…”

Her head was about to get dizzy again.

‘I must hurry up and go to my room.’

Daina’s hurrying face was pale despite it being no longer stark white. Behind Daina, whose stomach seemed like it would burst flame, someone who was silencing his footsteps came close to her.

Daina didn’t notice him, as she couldn’t afford to care about anything else.

“Daina!”

The man standing behind her struck her shoulders. Surprised by the sudden contact, Daina froze on the spot. She didn’t scream, but her body stiffened by fright.

It was because of the memory of being abused. The touch of the hand made Daina’s heart beat. The more painful the life that was repeated, the worse it became.

“Why are you so surprised? It’s me, Khalid.”

And Khalid, was one of those who took part in the terrible abuse.

Daina’s view was filled by his brilliant hair, which seemed to be similar to sunshine.

‘Khalid Dimaroye.’

He remained the same as Daina had always liked. The eyes, which seem to be a little slanted, were shaped like a half-moon, and looked attractive to anyone.

It was the 14-year-old Khalid before he was transformed by Rabienne.

Daina’s hand throbbed as she met him in the eye. At the same time, she vividly remembered the memories of him, putting a sword in her without hesitation.

‘No.’

Daina backed away from Khalid who felt the rejection.

“Daina?”

Khalid, who felt Daina’s condition was strange, tried to get closer. Daina felt uncomfortable and quickly straightened her back.

“Hello,”

Daina thought she was fortunate to have made a more casual voice than she expected.

“What happened? You don’t look good. You’re pale.”

“No? Exactly… It’s the same as usual.”

Khalid, who was two years older than Daina, was a paladin apprentice. He was a child of a well-known noble family, and many of his peers followed him because he was the best.

It was such a coincidence that such a person like Khalid became acquainted with Daina. Khalid went out of his way to take care of the outcast candidate.

Daina liked that kind of Khalid. He was her first love that she kept inside because she thought she could not dare to reach him.

But after becoming a paladin guarding Rabienne, he turned into a completely different person. He did whatever Rabienne told him to do. He didn’t hesitate even if it hurt Daina. He stabbed Daina and stood on the sidelines.

In her repeated lives, he never saved her.

‘Hypocrite.’

Daina’s heart did not beat for Khalid anymore. He was nothing more or less to Daina.

“Daina? What are you thinking? Did the top candidates bother you again? Is that so?”

“Not really. Can I leave?”

“Huh? Well, yes.”

Khalid stammered, bewildered at Daina’s dry response. Daina turned around as soon as Khalid gave his permission.

She didn’t want to face him even for a moment more, so she walked away quickly. But Khalid, who was trying to follow Daina, took a step and stopped. It was because he felt that Daina was avoiding him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Khalid, who was confused, scratched his back. His eyes relentlessly pursued Daina’s back.

★★★

Ben Haber, a competent assistant, was next to Deheen, who was known as a war maniac. After becoming the grand duke, Deheen was famous for constantly changing his aides.

Most aides were not satisfactory for the demanding Deheen. It was Ben who Deheen chose to settle with.

Based on the other aides, who had never been around for more than three months, people were able to see how competent Ben was. He was by his side for 10 years already.

For this reason, Ben was popular among nobles. There was even a line of people who wanted to be introduced to him as an excellent aide.

In fact, Ben’s ability to handle his work was remarkable. Even when he was in charge of difficult tasks, he completed them well.

Unless Deheen is stubborn as he is now.

“Are you really going to go with that outfit?”

“Yes. It’s strange that you must wear a white uniform to go to the temple. It’s the most formal I could see.”

Deheen, who said that, was dressed in formal armor as he was in the war. Ben couldn’t say no, he could only stroke the tip of his chin in perplexity.

Deheen’s attire was not appropriate for temple events where most of them were dressed in white. Although he knew about that, Deheen wore armor because he was antagonistic with the temple.

He had a very bad relationship with the temple. It was a gossip that was never missed in social parties.

That’s why Ben was worried that Deheen relationship with the temple would be irreversibly wrong if he wore something like this.

“Your Grace, if you’re like that, I’ll pack some clothes… No.”

Ben tried to suggest taking white clothes separately, but he quickly swallowed his words when he saw Deheen’s cold gaze on him.

Deheen was born to rule people. His physique, which was clearly bigger than the average person, was in high spirits, and his unique youthful eyes overwhelmed his surroundings even if he remained still.

No matter how often he encountered him, Ben’s lips were always burning whenever he had eye contact with Deheen over ten years.

“Okay, then let’s go.”

“What about the kids?”

“They’re waiting on the first floor.”

Deheen’s eyes glistened for a moment and quickly buried under languid eyelids. They were very beautiful eyes when they shine properly, but only very few people saw them.

It was because people felt overwhelmed and fearful before even making eye contact with him. Most of them were reluctant to make eye contact, they tended to avoid his gaze.

“Let’s go down.”

Deheen lightly walked down the stairs in a neat and tidy manner.

When he arrived on the first floor, his twin sons, Dennis and Judy, who were playing on the sofa, jumped up and welcomed him.

“Daddy! Are you leaving now?”

“Yes.”

Deheen looked at the twins casually. Even though they are twins, the atmosphere of the two was very different.

Even those who met them for the first time could easily distinguish between the two. Just looking at the outfit they’re wearing now, something like that.

Dennis’ undisturbed and neat clothes were flawless. The books and glasses in his hands created an intellectual atmosphere.

But Judy’s clothes were covered with dirt from where he came from. His shirt was buttoned up incorrectly and his hair was sticking out.

Deheen, who saw the scene, let out a sigh.

“Judy… Where else did you fight?”

Judy laughed innocently and raised his voice.

“I just had a race with Chen a while ago. But I won.”

There was no sign of being ashamed of his messy clothes. Rather, he triumphantly stretched out his shoulders and showed off with pride.

“Good job.”

Deheen tried to praise Judy for his victory, but he regained his composure, recalling that it was not the time.

“Don’t make a thing too big while I’m away.” A heavy voice came out between Deheen’s lips.

Deheen’s look of warning was on Judy.

“Oh, then can I cause a small thing?”

But Judy smiled regardless of Deheen’s cold gaze.

“If you don’t make it, would you listen?”

“Of course. I listen to my father very well.”

“Mhm.”

Deheen did not expect Judy to stay prim and proper from the beginning. He knew he would cause trouble, so he said to smoke as little as possible.

“It’s a surprise, think of the people who have to clean up your mess.”

“That’s what they are supposed to do.”

“No, no. Those are the people I hired for me, not for you.”

As the conversation between the two seemed to grow violently, Dennis intervened.

“Daddy, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Judy.”

His eyes were trustworthy. Deheen was embarrassed, but he decided to trust Dennis’ straightforward answer.

“Yes. Dennis, please.”

‘They are so different in many ways.’

Deheen shook his head as he looked at the two contrasting children. Soon after, Deheen, who was about to leave the mansion after being seen off by twins, paused.

“I’ll buy you a present when I get back. Tell me what you want.”

Deheen had a lot of work and was often away from home. He used to replace the feeling of being unable to be with the children through material gifts.

“Please buy me the written work by former Chief Crisper. There’s an updated version, and they’re selling it for a limited time during this event.”

Dennis thought about it for a moment and said just the book would do. Deheen patted Dennis on the shoulder and nodded.

“I see. Judy, what about you?”

“I do.”

Judy’s eyes twinkled as if he had been waiting. Deheen frowned a little at Judy’s eyes, thinking that Judy’s eyes were shining too much.

“I want a sister.”

And Deheen’s ominous foreboding was correct. The air in the living room froze as if he had already promised Judy’s wild remarks.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***