# 27
“Maybe I wasn't reincarnated to begin with... Maybe I was Angelica Ratlay from the beginning!”
This assumption was not ridiculous enough to be dismissed with a sarcastic laugh.
Intermittent memories and dreams were evidence to support this idea.
The feeling of the events she experienced in those dreams was so real, that it seemed as if she had actually experienced them. Even the feelings she had in dreams were spilling over into her reality.
But…
'If I hadn't reincarnated into her body, what about my thirteen-year-long love for Hugo?'
If those weren't memories from a previous life, her love for him would be illusory and unreal.
Angelica had a hard look on her face as she recalled the memories of her previous life, then she muttered coldly:
“How could my feelings be made up?”
It was like denying the very existence of her soul, not just her past life.
She dismissed the idea as if she were escaping it, and began thinking instead of someone else.
“Whether or not I have reincarnated into her body is not what matters now! I must find the cause of these dreams and eliminate it from the roots!”
The answer was in the dream. A name that always haunted her. She muttered his name as if summoning him:
“A man's name that starts with 'she'… perhaps… Hyperion?”
Every time this name appeared in her dream, the world sank into silence as if the entire universe had fallen asleep. But she was sure.
Hyperion... This man was the reason for Hugo's suffering.
In an instant, the confusion vanished from her eyes, replaced by a flame of determination and anger.
All her previous fears turned into fuel that ignited her resolve.
“I don't know who you are... but...”
Now that she knew him, she wouldn't let him go unpunished.
Anyone who dares to hurt dear Hugo will not survive.
It will destroy him and his descendants from the roots!
❈❈❈
Since she had been in Angelica's body, she had never felt so excited.
It didn't take long until she came up with the identity of Hyperion.
“So, he is the second prince of the Gervais Empire?”
She had heard the name from the Emperor personally, and then repeated it slowly as if she was tasting it.
She always felt something suspicious when his dukedom title was not mentioned, but she had never imagined that he was a prince from an enemy country!
Gervais Empire… a country that was known in the original novel, which is why she was so familiar with it.
During his academy days, the hero's opponents would taunt him, saying that he looked like he was born in that empire, where the worst types originate.
‘A country that is strong in magic as well… It’s strange for him to know about the Eye of the Sage and approach Angelica like this.’
I felt that revealing this secret would be the key to ending everything.
'But the question is, how will I be able to detect it?'
The country is far away, and his relations with the people of the empire are even more distant. Is there anyone who knows the secrets of Prince Maadi?
She sighed unconsciously, as if talking to herself, when she felt a hand gently touch the back of her hand.
“Are you nervous about the wedding?”
Isabelle asked her in a reassuring tone.
“Oh… a little.”
“Don't worry. I'm here. If the ladies say anything unpleasant, I'll answer them.”
She couldn't say that this wasn't her real problem, so she just smiled a little.
Just then, a servant entered to announce that the preparations were over, and the hall doors began to open slowly.
The creaking of heavy doors allowed a strong stream of air into the concert hall.
The edges of her dress fluttered lightly, attracting the attention of the noble ladies who were exchanging conversations in the hall.
‘…wow.’
She didn't feel nervous yet, but with so many eyes staring at her, she felt a shiver run through her body.
'Were all these people at the wedding?'
'I didn't see anyone but Hugo during the party.'
In fact, she barely remembered the marriage ceremony. As soon as the hall doors opened and she saw Hugo's back, all her thoughts vanished.
When she regained consciousness, she had exchanged wedding vows with him and left the hall with him.
She barely remembered the feel of his kiss, but she felt relieved that she hadn't lost her composure and collapsed from the stress.
'It's enough that I didn't lose my balance.'
She should thank fate that she didn't cause a disaster during the wedding...
Calmly, Angelica began to walk into the hall, gradually regaining her calm.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Bernstein. I wish you a happy marriage.”
“I couldn't believe the news when I read it, but it seems that the Duke has finally found his partner!”
“Congratulations, Mrs. Bernstein. I wish you and the Duke a happy marriage!”
The noble ladies smiled and spoke in friendly tones, as if they were mindful of the Empress's presence in the hall, or perhaps because they feared Hugo's power and influence.
However, they did not get very close, and were content with brief conversations, as befits women of the aristocracy.
'This is better for me.'
In fact, it was better to avoid them than to cling to them.
Angelica continued to wander around the hall, while Isabelle helped her end the conversations nicely as the conversation went on.
While she was enjoying some rest amidst the small talk, she heard a voice addressing her by an old nickname that she no longer calls herself:
“I congratulate you, daughter of the Duke.”
“What ridiculous nonsense.”
Of course, this sarcasm did not apply to Angelica, who already knew everything; Hugo's past, his feelings, and the events of the original story.
“Miss Williams, I have told you repeatedly that—”
“Your Majesty, it's okay, I'm fine.”
It was Angelica who stopped Cyril when she was about to intervene in this strange situation that was gradually getting worse.
This is because Angelica wanted, in a party that included all the nobles, to strike back at the foolish girl she was now facing.
“Miss Williams seems to have wanted to talk to me a lot, but she got a little confused, didn't she?”
When she laid eyes on Penny, she suddenly remembered a scene from the original story.
'True, in the last part, when Cyril became attached to the main hero, this girl developed an inferiority complex, and out of spite decided to marry one of the princes of the Jervais Empire in revenge! '
But, why is Penny still in the Selene Empire now?
'With that arrogant nature, she may not have found a suitor in the first place, or perhaps she got married and the marriage was quickly annulled.'
Maybe she was still pursuing a suitable marriage under the table.
Whatever the situation, Angelica found her provocation worth a try.
‘With this, I will take revenge on this villain and take advantage of it to learn more about characters related to Hugo. A winning deal in all aspects! '
Angelica said with a warm smile, the tips of her eyebrows rising in a slight gesture.
“Actually, I've heard a lot about you, Miss. Not from Hugo, but from someone else...”
Her eyes sparkled with a slight blush, and a sincere smile appeared on her face, far from the fakeness that characterized Penny's expression.
"You know what? Do you think you're the only one who can make a smile like that? Even Hugo smiles at me alone!"
Angelica took a deep breath to stop thinking about his cute face that came to her mind every time.
With a small laugh, she continued:
“That person talked about you a lot.”
"That person? Who do you mean?"
“Hyun, ah, you might not know him by that name.”
She closed her lips, then moved them silently to whisper the name “Hyperion,” without anyone hearing her.
“He was saying you were an interesting person!”
Her shy smile turned into a sarcastic smile brimming with confidence.
If Penny shows an expression of confusion, the conversation will end here. If you show otherwise...
“You… how do you know that person?!”
“Ping!”
(What is meant by “ping” means it hit the target or detected it)
Angelica saw how Penny lost her mind, overwhelmed by an overwhelming sense of jealousy and an inferiority complex.
"Angelica? What's going on?"
Cyril asked in surprise.
“It's a plan.”
Cyril was surprised, but there was no way to explain the situation now.
“So, this is why you rejected marriage proposals...”
Penny said, shaking her head in surprise.
“At this party that brings together all the nobles, you speak freely about your relationship with the Gervais Empire? How interesting!”
Angelica thought.
‘If I push Penny to continue, I might reveal more secrets.’
But this time, Penny attacked first.
“You mean your marriage was forced?”
She took a step towards Angelica and a crooked, mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you know who that Duke is, right?"
“……”
“Everyone knows the rumor that he feeds on blood. It's true that it's just rumors, but… you must be worried, right?”
“Penny Williams!”
Cyril shouted, trying to intervene, but Angelica stopped her again.
“Oh, Your Majesty, I'm not saying anything wrong, am I?”
Penny said with a fake innocent smile.
“……”
“He's a very different duke from us, isn't he?”
Penny said in a sarcastic tone.
Angelica nodded, hiding the anger rising inside her.
“Yes, it is different.”
“See? I knew you would agree with me!”
“Different in a perfect way.”
"What?"
“Yes, from the first moment, he was absolutely special.”
“But... wait...”
“You know, sometimes I think that maybe in a previous life his name was William Marshall.”
"What?!"
“Because he managed to break into my heart and break it!”
A heavy silence prevailed in the hall, and those present held their breath as they awaited her next words.
Angelica looked at Penny with an innocent smile and added:
“It has occupied my heart forever.”
"What?!"
The audience exploded in whispers and comments of disbelief.
Angelica gave them naughty looks while smiling confidently.
“Believe me, I understated it.”
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