3

The next morning at nine, Kaelan Valerius arrived at our home with three carloads of Betrothal Gifts to propose marriage.

The man was handsome and tall, his identity mysterious and noble. It was no wonder Willa Aveline was so set on marrying him.

But what I saw was the demonic true face beneath the man's perfect mask.

In my past life, just because I opposed Willa Aveline's marriage to him, he drugged me, knocked me unconscious, and abducted me to Mirewood.

He had worn that evil expression as he asked me, "Noelle Aveline, do you think I'm a bad person?"

I begged him to let me go.

He held a Combat Knife, its cold blade lightly tapping my cheek as he clicked his tongue.

"Such a beautiful face. It would be a real shame to ruin it."

Then, with a flash of his blade, he dug out my eyes, my organs...

Finally, he threw my empty husk of a body into a great fire, burning it to ashes.

The Saint Heir of Mirewood?

Raising Gu-insects?

Nothing but legends.

He was just a demon who built his fortune on human hearts, livers, spleens, lungs, and kidneys!

A chill ran down my spine. I forced myself to snap out of the terrifying memories of my past life.

Willa Aveline came up to me, holding Kaelan Valerius's arm.

"Sis, this is Kaelan. Your future brother-in-law."

Kaelan Valerius's dark gaze swept over my face, so subtle it was almost imperceptible. He smiled and extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Sis."

I took a silent, deep breath to calm myself, then smiled and extended my own hand. "Nice to meet you."

Once we were seated, one of Kaelan Valerius's men immediately presented a list of the Betrothal Gifts.

After I finished reading it, I revealed a satisfied smile. "Brother-in-law, you are very thoughtful. It is Willa's good fortune to be able to marry you."

Kaelan Valerius pulled Willa Aveline into his arms and looked at her with deep affection. "To be able to marry Willa and make her my wife—the good fortune is all mine."

'I nearly threw up from disgust at Kaelan Valerius's clumsy acting.'

Willa Aveline stared blankly at Kaelan Valerius, her eyes actually welling up with tears.

"Kaelan, you spoil me too much."

...

'A love-drunk idiot. To think I was killed by someone like this in my past life... it was such a frustrating, ignominious death.'

'But thank heavens I was given a chance to start over.'

Kaelan Valerius stayed for lunch and then left. Before he went, he said to me, "Sis, after Willa and I are married, I hope you'll come with her to Mirewood. After all, you're the only family she has, and I have a duty to help her take care of you."

Willa Aveline smiled and nodded. "Yes, Sister, you should come with us."

'But her smile seemed a little fake.'

"I have a company to manage here. I can't make a decision just yet. Let me think about it for a few days."