After returning from the ducal estate, I took the initiative and told Kaelen everything about my rebirth.
From Josh’s words today, I knew he was regaining his past–life memories. Rather than let him use them to drive a wedge between Kaelen and me, I would seize the narrative myself.
The tale of past lives and rebirth was fantastical, but because it came from my lips, Kaelen believed it without question.
He pulled me into a fierce embrace, holding me so tightly it felt as though he feared I would vanish.
“My lady, I am so sorry. In our last life, I was too slow. Thank goodness Josh was a fool; it gave me the chance to slip in this time.”
I hugged him back with all my strength, my voice choked with emotion. “My lord, and I must thank you for choosing me so steadfa-
stly.”
After this heartfelt confession, our bond grew even deeper.
There was one small matter that troubled me, however. Ever since Kaelen learned the origin of the scar on my palm, he had been collecting all manner of salves and ointments, hoping to make it disappear.
Just after the scar had finally faded to a faint white line, I was diagnosed with a joyful pulse. I was with child.
Kaelen was lost in the bliss of impending fatherhood when news came that the border clans were raiding. The King commanded
him to lead the army out at once.
As I prepared Kaelen’s travel pack, my right eye wouldn’t stop twitching. I remembered that in my past life, there had been no such raid at this time. I had Rose bring me a map. I scanned it and found that the name of the county bordering the clan lands was eerily
familiar
I remembered. It was the very county where Josh had been appointed.
I immediately told Kaelen my discovery.
“My lord, I believe that now that Josh has his past memories, he would never be content as a minor magistrate. I suspect… I susp-
ect he has committed treason.”
Chapter 2
21
04.50
In our past life, with the full support of my family and me, Josh had gained the King’s favor from the very beginning, eventually rising to the rank of Prime Minister. This time, he was a lowly seventh–rank magistrate. He could never accept such a drastic fall from grace. It was not unthinkable that he would take a desperate risk.
“Thank you for the warning, my lady. Do not worry. I will not let him succeed.”
On the day I saw Kaelen off, my mother stood with me on the city walls for a long time.
“Daughter, don’t worry. Kaelen is a valiant warrior. He will return safely.”
I stroked my still–flat belly and nodded firmly. “For our sake, he won’t let anything happen to him.”
The days without Kaelen were an agony of waiting. My belly grew larger by the day, but the letters from the front lines had stopped.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Eve of the New Year. My parents, fearing I would be lonely, came to the General’s estate to celebra-
te with me.
“Daughter, I cooked myself today. All your favorite dishes. Here, try some.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
1 had no appetite, but for my parents‘ peace of mind and for the child in my womb, I forced myself to eat.
CRASH!
The door was kicked open from the outside.
