CH 76

Chapter 76/77│Read translated stories and daily updates at: Awebstories.com

“…This is.”

I was, for some reason, in the palace garden.

But… My body is that of my childhood self… And I’m wearing the same clothes I wore back then…

And there was a girl praying desperately in front of the fountain.

Of course, there was no mistaking her.

“She is… Liz.”

“…What are you doing?”

I repeat what I said the day before.

There is only one reason she is praying at this time.

“…My precious is lying in bed—If I offered a gold coin and a prayer to the palace fountain, Goddess Dahlia-sama would help him…”

The girl continues to pray, her eyes welling up with tears.

Her words, however, are a little different.

After all, she’s her own mother, so she is unquestionably important.

Then I’ll do what I did before.

“Ah…”

“…Two is better than one.”

I rip one of my clothes’ gold buttons and toss it into the fountain, lightly clasping my hands together in prayer.

I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but Liz’s mother miraculously recovered after praying. There is no reason for me not to pray.

But, unlike then, I continued to pray.

I prayed that my mother-in-law’s health would improve, even if only slightly.

And then…

“…As expected, you are very kind.”

Before I knew it, the girl was standing in front of me, smiling.

“Haha… I am not a nice person. I simply love you. I wanted to pray for you, my love, and for all those who care for you.”

“Fufu… Isn’t that what I mean by being kind? That’s why, my beloved Dee-sama, at the time, Goddess Dahlia-sama heard my request and gave you a second chance.”

“Huh?!”

Liz’s words suddenly made me gasp.

What was that time? What is Liz’s wish…!

“Are you the Liz of that time who prayed for me in front of the guillotine?”

“Dee-sama… My Dee-sama… who is clumsier than anyone else, kinder than anyone else, and loves me more than anyone else—I will always, always love you more than anyone else. “

Liz’s body floated away as she said this.

“Liz!”

“Dee-sama… Everyone who loves you is waiting for your return, Marguerite, Hanna, Nora, and Yennie. Now go.”

Liz smiles at me, and my vision becomes bright.

—○█○—

“Mmm… Mmm…”

I felt dazzled and slowly opened my eyes.

The light in my dream could have been caused by sunlight streaming in through the window.

But…

“…What an odd dream.”

I muttered to myself, my hands covering my eyes.

Then…

“Ah… Ah…!”

I heard a voice and turned my head to look at it. Hanna was spilling a large drop of tear.

Yeah… that’s right …

I fell ill on purpose… after taking the poison, didn’t I?

“Hanna…How long has it been since I ingested the poison?”

“It’s been ten days…”

“Really…”

So, the schedule is a little… off.

I’m slowly straightening up… Huh?!

“Ha-Hanna…”

“Your Highness… Your Highness…”

Hanna jumped into my chest.

“Haha… I had already taken the antidote beforehand, so you don’t have to worry too much…”

“But… but… If it were true, His Highness should have awoken three days ago!”

“Well, it does happen.”

As Hanna sobs, I stroke her hair gently.

In fact, I’ve devised a strategy to completely destroy Oscar.

I drank poison at the party and collapsed, giving the impression that it was the work of Oscar or someone close to him.

Of course, no matter how many antidotes I take beforehand, there is no guarantee that I will be completely safe.

But… even if it meant going to such lengths, I decided Oscar should leave the scene.

Oscar…I can no longer afford to stay in the dark.

And I only asked Hanna for her cooperation.

“No more! I don’t want to do this anymore! I don’t want you to be in this pain anymore.!”

“Hanna… I swear this will never happen again. So please forgive me.”

In retrospect, I also mistreated Hanna…

She couldn’t tell anyone. She disguised herself as a waiter, poisoned me, and just kept waiting for me to come back…

” Your Highness…”

Hanna’s face appeared to be in pain as she stared at me.

“Mm?!”

“Chu…”

To my surprise, Hanna kissed me on the lips.

“Puah… Please pardon my first and last selfishness…”

“N-No, that’s… fine…”

After kissing her, Hanna again nuzzled her face into my chest.

I just accepted her as she was.