No More Regrets, Just K*ll Me

‘Gasp, gasp’

 

I ran frantically, gasping for breath.

Not far from the temple, there’s a place where the Duke visits to contemplate.

It’s right by the temple lake. The place where Carlothian and Dorothea first met. I knew he would be out here today, too.

Because that’s where their encounter was shown in the side story.

 

“Chase her!”

“Catch the wicked woman!”

 

I could hear people shouting from afar, but I couldn’t stop.

 

‘He must be around here somewhere!’

 

Just a little further!

My ankle caught on a sturdy root as I gasped for breath.

 

“Ouch!”

 

I fell and tumbled to the ground. Despite the scrapes on my knees and arms, I stubbornly got up and resumed my running.

And soon, the lake came into view.

 

‘Huff, gasp.’

 

I couldn’t afford to pay attention to the beautiful scenery of the lake.

Where are you? Where are you?

I searched around frantically until I finally spotted him.

Carlothian Denaves. The duke of the empire excels in martial prowess, surpassing even the prince.

There he is! The side story was accurate.

I approached him like a mad person. He turned toward me, sensing my presence.

As I got closer, my breathing became more erratic. I could die. I might die now!

I grinned widely, unable to hide the joy on my face.

And then I approached him and extended the crumpled piece of paper I had in my hand.

 

[Hello, my husband.]

 

With a twinkle in my eye, I showed him the next page.

 

[Please kill me.]

 

I tried to look as harmless as possible, despite my disheveled hair and blood streaming down my legs.

 

“How are you in the capital?” he asked.

‘I was brought here by your saintly lady!’

 

I wanted to scream it out loud if I could.

 

“Are you here to harm Dorothea again?”

 

His words were like a cold shower, sobering me up.

 

‘No.’

 

This direction wasn’t bad at all.

 

‘If you’re mistaken like that, I should be thankful.’

 

I grinned broadly, and he quickly interpreted it as a threat, drawing his sword in an instant.

My heart pounded in my chest. It felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.

 

“This is getting tiresome.”

‘Yes! I’m tired of it, too. Let’s end this now!’

 

He raised his sword high.

Suddenly, I glanced around. There, not far away, were the knights who had been chasing me.

However, for some reason, they had stopped and were standing still.

 

‘Ah, I see.’

 

For the first time in my life, I sympathized with Ariadeline.

 

‘So you wish for my death?’

 

They wanted Carlothian to put the greatest villainess of the age to death.

 

‘It’s your fault, Ariadeline. No one loves you anyway.’

 

I chuckled bitterly for the last time.

 

‘I’m voiceless and unloved by anyone.’

 

As I saw the descending sword, I closed my eyes.

Swoosh!

 

“Thud, thud!”

 

It hurt. It hurt so much. But I wasn’t sure what hurt more, being hanged or this.

Sensations of regurgitation overwhelmed me, causing me to vomit blood. Then, I looked at him, who had struck me, and smiled.

 

‘Ah, this must be the end.’

 

Thump.

I collapsed right there.

I felt Carlothian slowly approaching me on the grass, step by step. I felt the warmth of blood soaking my back.

I could see the tip of his sword.

 

‘Is he trying to confirm the kill? Yes, confirming the kill is important.’

 

My consciousness was fading. Deliriously, I whispered with my lips to the man who had harmed me but helped me.

 

‘Thank you.’

 

With only his foot in my sight, I didn’t know if he saw it, but at least I expressed my gratitude. It should be enough now.

As my blood drained away, my body grew cold. It was chilly, but it’s better than being strangled. At least it wasn’t an ugly sight.

 

‘Ah, I’m sleepy…….’

 

With that thought, I embraced eternal darkness. Well, at least I thought I did.

 

“Ariadeline-!”

 

If only it wasn’t Dorothea’s voice echoing from somewhere.

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

A flash.

I opened my eyes. Then I began to feel my body. Wait, why am I alive?

I lifted my head to gaze at the ceiling, then quickly scanned left and right. Wait a minute. This place is…

 

‘Isn’t this the temple?’

 

Thud.

At that moment, the door opened, and our lovely heroine, Dorothea, appeared.

 

“Ariadeline!”

‘Oh, how many times have I been called that name in the past few days?’

 

It was getting tiresome. I looked at Dorothea and gestured, indicating that I had something to ask.

 

“Oh, right.”

 

As if she had forgotten, Dorothea handed me a notebook and a pen. I wrote something down and handed it back to her.

 

[You saved me?]

“Yes, that’s right! Do you know how surprised I am? Carlothian was relentless. I didn’t think he’d swing a sword at you as soon as he saw your face…….”

 

Slowly blinking my eyes, I wrote down the next sentence.

 

[Why did you save me?] 

“Huh? Um…”

 

I wrote down just one more letter.

 

[Why did you save me?]

“Uh, because I couldn’t let you die…….”

 

Dorothea’s eyes began to waver. But I just stared at her with cold, unyielding eyes.

 

‘Sigh…’

 

Dorothea’s shoulders twitched at my sigh. I flipped through the notebook and wrote another message.

 

[Do you know why the other knights didn’t stop Carlothian?]

“W-What do you mean?”

 

Anger surged through me as I scribbled in the notebook.

 

[Don’t tell me they didn’t stop him because they were late.]

“……No way.”

[They want me dead.]

 

Dorothea closed her mouth tightly, her eyes wide with disbelief. Unreadable emotions flickered in her eyes.

 

[Everyone except you wanted Ariadeline dead.]

 

In that sentence, Dorothea spoke in a trembling voice.

 

“Please, Ariadeline. Don’t give up on your life.”

 

Ariadeline’s life was ruined by Ariadeline herself. But my death, Dorothea, you have ruined.

 

[Get out.]

“…….”

[You just hate me too. That’s right. Don’t meddle in my matters ever again.] 

 

After writing that, I threw the notebook aside and lay on the bed, turning the blanket over.

Dorothea hovered around the bed for a moment before finally giving in and leaving the room.

 

‘I thought I might finally die.’

 

Our righteous, beautiful, and naive heroine appeared and ruined everything.

 

‘What am I supposed to do?’

 

What was that side story they showed me? Wasn’t it a quest from the gods to fulfill my mission and then die? Why am I still alive, and why…

Tears welled up suddenly.

As I lay buried in the bed, I heard the creak of the door opening. Thinking Dorothea had returned, I buried myself even deeper under the covers.

However, an unexpected voice echoed.

 

“Are you sleeping?”

 

I blinked and opened my eyes. It was Duke Carlothian.

I pulled back the blanket and peeked at my face. His handsome face came into view.

 

“I didn’t know Dorothea brought you here. I sincerely apologize.”

‘Oh, so you were forced to come here to apologize because Dorotea scolded you?’

 

I gazed at his face silently. He had thick black hair, onyx-like black eyes, and a stoic expression that never seemed to waver.

He was that kind of man. He showed no interest in women, except for the saint, Dorothea.

 

‘To think that all he can say after threatening with a sword is just a simple apology.’

 

But I didn’t hate him. Because I believed without doubt that he was the only man who could save me from the repetitive cycle of life.

 

‘Yet, he’s the only one who can kill me.’

 

I slowly reached out my hand.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if not understanding the meaning of my outstretched hand. Then, belatedly, he placed his hand on top of mine.

I blink slowly and meticulously begin to write each letter on his palm.

 

[If you’re sorry.]

 

Slowly.

 

[Please]

 

Like a tickle.

 

[Kill me.]

 

Strangely, his face contorted for a moment. It was an unusual sight.

 

‘Why, did you not realize I was desperate to die?’

 

Unintentionally, I burst into a wide smile, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

His eyes flickered.

I looked him in the eye and squeezed his hand. Slowly, I rose to my feet.

 

‘Don’t hesitate.’

 

I’m the one who tried to kill the woman you loved.

I pulled his other hand towards me, bringing it close to my neck. Carlothian’s expression changed, perhaps shocked by the sight of the saccharine bruise on my neck.

 

‘Go on.’

 

I met his gaze with my bright blue eyes.

 

‘Hurry.’

 

Carlothian’s gaze shifted somewhere else. His wrist twitched.

 

‘Kill me.’

 

As I silently repeated those words in my mind, Carlothian roughly pushed my hand away. Under his force, I stumbled back onto the bed.

 

‘Ah…….’

 

As I looked at him helplessly, he glanced at me with an uncommonly perplexed expression before abruptly rushing out of the room.

 

‘Ah, darn it…’

 

I grumbled as I sat up, running a hand through my hair.

 

‘This method won’t work.’

 

Sigh, my dilemma only deepened.

 

 ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

TL/N: Hello, readers! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Life’s been a bit hectic, and I’ve had a lot on my plate. But don’t worry, regular updates will start in the second week of July. Thanks for your patience and stay tuned!

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊