CHAPTER 66 - HEINRICH’S REGRETSHeinrich walked in the garden with his mind deep in his memories. His identity as Henry and his identity as Heinrich merged into one, but he still felt that his identity as Henry was his true identity. He had lived longer as Henry than Heinrich, and he regretted everything he did as Heinrich.
Stupid!
What an idiot, he didn't know how to curse himself.
Not only did he involve himself with Liam Almandine again in this life, but he also did something very dishonorable. Taking the Alpha Lycan's daughter hostage to use Lycan troops as disposable soldiers? For the sake of what? Starting a war? Gaining power and honor?
Foolish.
He was glad to get his memories back before he acted like a stupid edgy teenager again. Luckily he was able to remember everything before he violated his teacher's teachings even more.
If Cindy was here, she would have punished him severely and would never recognized him as her student anymore.
Hopefully, he could still straighten things out and reconcile properly with Almandine…
Oh. No, no. He should apologize to the girl. What was her name? Miriam?
Aaargh… what had he done? Could suicide wash away his sins?
Heinrich paled at the thought of Cindy's charming and terrifying face in the afterlife.
But if he thought about it, he had also done far worse things decades ago… before he died as Henry. For the sake of trying to resurrect Cindy, he had almost caused a lot of pain in this world. Luckily, he knew Cindy wouldn't like it all, so he never tried to hurt anyone to get what he wanted.
But about Liam Almandine…
Well, he might as well thank that guy for killing him before he got even crazier and messed up the world. The man must have killed him knowing it all.
But he still didn't like that terrifying monster.
As he turned onto the garden path, the sun began to scorch him, no longer obscured by the shady trees. Suddenly, something sparkling entered his vision.
He saw a woman walking down the halls of the castle in her beautiful dress adorned with jewels. Her hair ornament was made of rose gold, in the form of leaves and flowers with a tiny pink pearl in the center.
However, all that was lost to the shimmer of her pale lavender hair that reflected the sunlight. On her arms and shoulders was also a necklace of pearls of the same color, gleaming in her beautiful white lacy dress.
But that wasn't what had Heinrich transfixed.
The woman's face was very familiar. It was a face he had imagined would greet him with a terrifying expression in the afterlife–
Unknowingly, his body was already running towards her and his hand had reached out to catch her arm.
"Hah-!" the man laughed sharply, staring in disbelief at the woman.
“So you're still the same snake woman–you were the one who planned it all, right?” Subconsciously, Heinrich pulled the woman's hand closer to him roughly, and his other hand gripped her chin.
The woman looked confused and surprised. Perhaps she wondered how Heinrich knew. But how could Heinrich not know? He knew all of those plans were very similar to the way she had solved the problem in her previous life.
“You must have known that our kingdom wouldn't be able to challenge you to war in the first place, right? That's why you even dared to turn my brother into a Lycan–” Crown Prince Heinrich smirked with a strangely teary look.
“Seeing you here makes me believe that it was you… you were the one who planned all of this! Cindy!"
Cindy!
Cynthia Delaroche–his dear teacher!
Heinrich, no, Henry recognized the face that shone gently like the moon in the darkness of the night–
Meanwhile, deep in disbelief and emotion, Heinrich did not realize he had hurt the woman.
"Ugh!" the woman struggled to free herself.
But Heinrich's grip on her hand tightened.
"It hurts–"
Grab!
Someone's hand from behind Heinrich gripped the man's collar. When they turned around, he was surprised to see Ezekiel grit his teeth and force Heinrich to let go of the woman. "So what if she planned it all?" asked Ezekiel coldly.
“Back off, Your Highness, before I worsen your dislocated shoulder,” threatened Ezekiel, who was glaring at him sharply.
Heinrich was shocked to realize what he had done.
He slowly managed to contain his emotions and let go of the woman, while feeling full of guilt. He smiled sadly and his eyes looked poignant.
“You misunderstood,” Heinrich said quietly.
Heinrich was not angry about the woman plotting and turning his brother into a Lycan. He wasn't even mad at all.
At this moment, Heinrich felt happiness spread across his chest. His emotional reaction earlier was because he knew Cindy's ability to plan it all, and he was very happy to find her here.
Cindy… how could he have missed that woman? In his heart, he tried to remember the woman's new name. Who? Harriet Goldlane? Did, like himself, Cindy also reincarnate…?
"It's true that I, Harriet Goldlane, planned the whole thing," said Harriet, who had returned her iron face. She spoke flatly, “You were trying to save your brother with those unreasonable offers, so it's obvious that you are trying hard not to involve your kingdom in the war. At least for now.”
Meanwhile, Heinrich was still staring at Harriet with teary eyes. The woman he longed for most was now standing, alive, and speaking before him–
He wanted to come closer and hug her, tightly.
“Well, forget about that,” said Heinrich. “I already told the Old Duke that I will not start a war, nor the West Continent. Don't worry, I'll make sure of it all,” Heinrich continued and waved his hand.
"About my brother," Heinrich lifted his head and looked at Harriet in awe. "Thank you. He'll be able to learn from his mistakes this way.”
Heinrich had decided not to do anything stupid again after remembering his previous life. Moreover, with Cindy in front of him, he did not want to be made fun of by this charming snake woman.
Harriet was confused by Heinrich's drastic change in attitude.
Heinrich rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, and his cheeks slowly turned red.
“Umm, uh, I'm sorry, Cindy–I mean Harriet. Ma-Madam Goldlane…” he breathed slowly. “…sorry for being rude to you…” he said and bowed respectfully.
So confused by this, Harriet turned to Ezekiel, who was making the same confused expression.
"Um, you see about it. Madam Goldlane, you are… so beautiful–I mean! I mean, you look like someone I really like–” Heinrich stammered with a terrible blush, “...forget it. Please forget everything I said, thank you, I'm sorry, see you later.” Heinrich bowed his head deeply and ran away from there.
Harriet and Ezekiel were still rooted to the spot.
“Does Crown Prince Hyacinth have multiple personalities?” asked Harriet quietly.
“Huh,” Ezekiel himself was also surprised.
Then Harriet narrowed her eyes at Ezekiel. With a suspicious face and an astonishing smile, she looked at Ezekiel with a hint of interest that confused him.
"Thanks for your help, Your Highness," said Harriet.
Receiving Harriet's gaze which was slightly different from the default gaze that she used to use on everyone, Ezekiel swallowed nervously. But then he furrowed his brows.
"How dare he touch a Euclase Empire's noble in such a rude manner," he said irritatedly, then turned to leave Harriet without a word.
Harriet now furrowed her brows with narrowed eyes.
“Do all crown princes have personality problems?” she muttered. She shook her head in confusion and stroked her reddened arm.