episode_0005

Eugene’s funeral was held in a small ceremony.

Whether it was for political reasons or some other reason, the royal family and the religious order did not announce Eugene’s achievements.

Even though the war was over, it was a time when the concept of death was more familiar than ever, so it couldn’t be helped.

The previous Duke and Duchess had already passed away before and after the outbreak of the war.

Since his close relatives’ families were also annihilated during the war, according to Imperial law, his former fiancée, Arya, had to officiate the funeral.

First, those who came to pay their respects did not say anything more than necessary, as if they treated her as if she did not exist.

He didn’t make a fuss out of respect for the deceased, but he just glared at her coldly throughout the meal.

In that situation, Aria was unable to resist in any way and had no choice but to finish the meal silently with tears in her eyes.

After that, I lived in a semi-out-of-mind state, not even knowing how I spent my time.

A daily life where I collapse from crying so hard, and then when I come to my senses, I’m sobbing again.

It didn’t matter that the appearance I had worked so hard to maintain was a mess again.

Because there was no one in the world who wanted to show off that beauty.

If it were up to me, I would have ended this life right away and gone to Eugene’s side… .

I was so scared that he would never forgive me if I did something like that, that I couldn’t even try.

Also, I couldn’t just throw away this life that Eugene had sacrificed his life for because of my selfish impulses.

But she wasn’t dead, she was no different from a living corpse. She lived her days as if she couldn’t die.

If before, his body was like a corpse due to the curse, now his mind has been completely ruined by anger and a sense of loss towards himself.

Her wrists were engraved with countless thread-like marks made with something sharp.

Although not life-threatening, the wounds and scars were so shallow that no normal skin could be seen.

Even though I know that this behavior is meaningless.

I couldn’t stop because it felt a little better to punish myself for the act that I hated more than anyone else and couldn’t stand it.

Meanwhile, even though quite some time had passed, Aria was still staying in his mansion.

The reason why she, who was practically an outsider, was able to do that was simple.

Eugene’s will hidden in a drawer in Gaju’s office.

This was possible because it contained the transfer of the remaining assets and the family mansion with a long history to her.

Since when have you been preparing like that?

What would have gone through his mind as he prepared for death and worried about her being left alone?

Aria couldn’t help but howl like an animal in front of the will he left behind, as her heart was too deep to fathom.

All the servants of the family who no longer had a master to serve left.

Excepting the bare minimum necessary for her survival, she left the rest to her servants, who remained in the mansion and performed their duties even during the turbulent times.

It wasn’t specifically for them, but it was because if it was Eugene, if it was the kind man he was, it seemed like he would have done that.

The bedroom Eugene used… Aria buried herself in the bed where he always slept.

Now, lying in bed, where her scent was stronger than his, he absentmindedly picked up the ring Eugene had left behind.

Tears no longer flowed from the lifeless eyes that looked at it.

Because I cried so much that my tear ducts dried up. Because I cried so hard that I couldn’t speak anymore.

Now that I think about it… Eugene knew at least some little things about her.

What they like and dislike, and even what their usual habits are.

Perhaps it was possible because Eugene had always observed her closely and made an effort to get to know her.

But on the other hand, Aria, what about herself?

She didn’t know anything about Eugene.

Apart from a few fragmentary parts, nothing came to mind that surprised me.

In the first place, I wasn’t even sure if the information I knew was correct.

Aria felt ashamed at how they could be so different even though they had clearly known each other for the same amount of time… but in fact, she knew the reason.

Because she’s been receiving things from Eugene all this time.

Because she has never had the experience of giving him anything sincerely.

The brutally painful truth left her with endless self-loathing.

If… if I had faced Eugene properly, would things have been different?

‘I regret it.’

A past that wasted time and had no value.

‘I want to correct this.’

If only I had spent that precious time with Eugene.

‘I just need you now.’

I realized that fact too late.

‘…i like you.’

I wish I had realized this feeling before I broke off the engagement… before I made that irreversible choice.

‘I know it now so keenly that it hurts my heart.’

That’s why I let out my fervent wish that can no longer be fulfilled.

“I want to know you better… .”

and.

I wanted to love you as much as you gave me.

With fervent hope, the villainess fell asleep.

***

“What the… heck?”

When I woke up, time had gone backwards.

Back when she was at her most splendid and beautiful… back when her engagement to Eugene had not yet ended.

“… Dream?”

Of course, I couldn’t believe it at first. It was something that couldn’t possibly happen.

Before she was cursed, she was also a magician named Naburang, and she also knew well that magic that manipulated time was an incomprehensible realm.

So I wondered if maybe I had a long dream… .

“Eugene’s ring… .”

The worn-out ring that had been on her ring finger since she woke up.

The ring left behind by the future Eugene proved that what they had experienced was not just a dream.

The time she remembered was a clear reality.

I don’t know if this absurd phenomenon that Aria herself experienced was the consideration of God who took pity on her who was filled with regret, or if it was a trick of the devil…

Either way, I was just endlessly grateful.

Because it doesn’t change the fact that you were given a chance to correct your mistakes.

In the meantime, a letter arrived for her.

-I have something important to tell you, so come to my mansion.

The moment I read the contents of the letter, my heart sank.

Because it had exactly the same content as the letter I had received once, which gave me a strange feeling.

On the day she visited Eugene’s mansion based on the contents of this letter, she made a choice she would deeply regret.

‘… This time it’s different.’

She had no more regrets.

***

Aria arrived at the mansion of the Archduke Eberhart family, which now felt more familiar than the mansion of Count Floris, riding in a rattling carriage.

She was led into the reception room by the old butler.

And there it is.

“It’s been a while, Aria. I called you today because I have something important to tell you.”

Eugene… Eugene was there.

The person I desperately wished to see just once more, even if it meant becoming a ghost or appearing in my dreams to curse at me, was right before my eyes.

Even though he wasn’t the future him with the huge scar across his face… it didn’t matter.

Rather, before his return, he had experienced many things in places he did not know.

This time, the fact that I could watch from right next to me felt like an opportunity.

In fact, I felt like I was going to burst into tears at any moment, and I wanted to run into his big arms and hug him… .

If you behave like that, he might get embarrassed.

Because the original self of this period, who was resentful, had built a thick wall between himself and her.

‘It’s okay, let’s take it slow, one step at a time.’

Just like he did for her.

“Let’s break off the engagement.”

I knew. I knew what day it was. I knew why he had called her.

Well, today was the day she remembered as the most regrettable day of her life ever since she reunited with him in the future.

‘I was planning to deal with it calmly…’

But that decision actually came the moment I heard the news of breakup coming out of Eugene’s mouth.

It came crashing down like a sand castle on a beach being swept away by waves.

The words I had prepared, the emotions I had suppressed, and even the facial expressions I had been acting all turned white and disappeared.

That’s why….

“… I can’t.”

Actions come before thoughts.

Even though I now know that he really didn’t mean it, I couldn’t help but glare at Eugene as he tried to break up our relationship.

“No, I won’t. I won’t break off the engagement.”

Eugene looked flustered, perhaps because of the unexpected reaction.

It was cute and I felt sorry for her, but I wouldn’t stop.

Just as he had desperately refused to let her go as she was dying… now she had no intention of letting him go either.

“Eugene… Eugene Everhart.”

On the table between him and her were the engagement papers that Eugene had taken out of his bosom.

Aria’s gaze was filled with venom as she looked at it.

The seed of all her misfortunes, and the sum total of all the mistakes she has made.

… there was no need for such a thing to exist anymore.

Jeeek-!!

Without a moment’s hesitation, I tore up the engagement papers that would have ended our relationship.

He declared to Eugene, who was blankly staring at the pieces of paper falling and fluttering in the air.

I swore while shedding the tears I had been holding back.

“There will be no breakups or divorces in our lives. Do you understand?”

It’s out of the question to break up when we haven’t even had enough time to get to know and like each other.

We will be together for a hundred years, and when death separates us, we will enter the same graveyard.

Once upon a time, the villainess dreamed of becoming the best in the empire, but now that is all that remains.

No, that alone was more than enough. I didn’t need anything else.

If only Eugene would stay by her side.

therefore….

In the future too.

Forever and ever.

‘I love you.’

This time it’s my turn to make you happy.