[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
Chapter 95 - Another Possibility (3)
Isabel Yustia.
Once, she was my favorite heroine in a game.
She was the woman who had been Kyle Winfred's wife.
A woman with unparalleled divine power.
And in the end, she was the woman who poisoned me to death.
I still vividly remember coughing up blood from the poison, but I don't resent her for killing me.
After all, I am just a foreigner here, and her killing Kyle was a predetermined fate.
— Just as darkness exists, so does light; your death is necessary for the world's salvation.
— Die like the villain you are.
When she handed me the poison, as per the original story, I was almost glad.
After decades of struggle, I had finally met all the conditions required by the system.
So I was sure.
I could finally return.
Not to the game world, but to my original world.
But surprisingly, I failed.
Whether it was a trick of the system or because I missed something, no one knew the exact reason.
The only certainty was that I was once again trapped in this damned world.
And with the cursed penalty of the heroines regaining their memories from the previous run.
It was absurd.
Decades of effort had evaporated like mist.
Everything felt cursed.
The world I was trapped in, the original owner of this body, the system—everything.
And.
— Who says I hate you?
— I have no intention of breaking this engagement.
Isabel, who now wants to break free from her rotten past.
— I was young then, and there were reasons I couldn't help.
— Fine, I admit it. I was clumsy.
Luna Winfred, who apologized as if she were doing me a favor, saying there were reasons for her actions.
I couldn't stand it.
Why?
Why now?
What do they hope to change by struggling so much now?
Changing the past wouldn't change anything, nor would it allow me to return to my original world.
So I became even more heartless.
I no longer held back or kept my emotions in check.
You could blame it on my delayed outburst.
You could accuse me of taking Kyle's body.
I just didn't want to be involved with them anymore.
How long had it been?
As time passed, Isabel gradually began to fall apart.
I didn't acknowledge her.
I didn't want to give her hope by showing that I cared about her at all.
I didn't want to sympathize with her just because she was a character in a game, following a predetermined script.
It was none of my business.
So I consistently ignored her.
Then one day, Isabel crossed the line.
Hypnosis, kidnapping, imprisonment.
A crisis I never imagined.
"It's all your fault."
That's what Isabel said that day.
She didn't cry, but her eyes were clearly wet.
Her face was utterly broken as she spewed her emotions at me.
I was so shocked when she stood in front of me, declaring she would kidnap me.
I knew she was out of her mind, but I didn't realize she was this far gone.
It was laughable.
The ugly truth behind her mask was almost satisfying.
At that moment, any remaining guilt towards her burned away to ashes.
So, without any hesitation, I chose to die in front of her.
They said she jumped to her death, unable to bear the shock.
I was a bit surprised when I first heard that, but it's fine.
It was all just karma for the sins she had accumulated.
Kyle Winfred.
That transparent gaze cut off the words stuck in my throat.
"......"
My lips froze.
The veins on the back of my hand gripping the side table bulged.
Faced with enormous confusion, my entire body stiffened.
The woman in front of me was far too different from the Isabel I knew.
I thought for a moment.
What had changed to make Isabel this way?
Luna had finally become a candidate for head of the family, so that could be it, but what about Isabel?
'Is it because the Duchess died?'
Yes, with the Duchess who tried to kill me gone, Luna didn't have to exclude Kyle anymore.
Naturally, all the gossip about me would have disappeared too.
A minor yet massive change.
Just that alone had completely altered Kyle's horrible past.
But...
'What is that?'
Something had been bothering me.
'A box?'
On the side table, there was a velvet box sitting alone.
Its luxurious packaging made it stand out.
"......"
Isabel's gaze began to follow something.
She was looking at the same thing I was—the velvet box on the side table.
"Aha."
She chuckled and quickly grabbed the velvet box.
"I almost forgot to give you this."
She carefully opened the velvet box.
Inside was a ring, encrusted with precious gems.
A familiar ring.
How could I forget this?
'Engagement ring...?'
The large gemstone set in the center and the intricate lettering and engravings.
No doubt about it.
This was the engagement ring Kyle had foolishly presented to Isabel when proposing.
And a moment later.
Isabel grabbed my left hand and pulled it towards her.
"Hold on."
Her innocent and clear voice echoed in my ears.
What is she doing?
"There, all done!"
She smiled brightly and gently slipped the ring from the box onto my ring finger.
"It suits you."
I looked at her as if she were crazy.
Ignoring my stare, she continued.
"Actually, I came to give you this."
What?
"Isn't it pretty? Do you know how expensive this is?"
Of course I do.
Selling this ring alone could buy a mansion in the outskirts.
"Hmm."
She kept clearing her throat.
Then, with a deeply blushing face, she muttered.
"As I said before, I have no one but you."
Isabel's voice trailed off.
She chuckled and scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed.
"It's an engagement ring."
An engagement ring?
Is she proposing now?
Her gaze shifted from the ring on my finger to my confused face.
Then, she smiled brightly.
"Surprised?"
She was sincere.
"I love you, Kyle."
And with that, I lost consciousness again.
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]