To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 39

It was the final quiz. If she scored well on this exam, her siblings would no longer be able to oppose her attending Iodes. Scarlett quickly read through the questions.

[Write about the royal assassination incident in Natalia.]

Though her major was economics, she had taken liberal arts courses, which included modern and contemporary world history.

How the royal family of Natalia, which shared a border with Wifland, had died was of no concern to her.

After executing the royals, Wifland had been a republic for a long time and would remain so. But Natalia was different.

[Natalia, where slavery still existed up to modern times, had long struggled with maintaining the class system.

A major example was the Wizard’s Union of Natalia. The wizards in this union, coming from various social backgrounds, naturally demanded the abolition of the class system.

As a result, Victor Lebedev, realizing that slavery could no longer continue in the changing times, started the abolition movement and succeeded in legally abolishing slavery.

He believed it would help suppress resentment against the class system and the resulting social demands, but this was a mistake.

After the abolition of slavery, the Wizard’s Union sought to hasten the changes in Natalia’s society. The day before the birthday of the last emperor of Natalia, Joseph, they led a rebellion and attacked the royal family.

At the time, royal security was weak… (omitted) … That night, 86 members of the Natalia Imperial Guard and Emperor Joseph were killed.

Victor Lebedev, undeterred by the rebellion of the Wizard’s Union, became a focal point for the remaining nobles. He led the military, capturing and imprisoning the rebels.

However, the rebellion sparked by the abolition of the class system led to nearly two decades of conflict between Victor Lebedev, the leader of the nobles, and the wizards. They… ]

Without stopping, Scarlett moved her pen and finished the last sentence with a deep sigh. She checked to make sure she hadn’t missed anything, but there was nothing particularly lacking.

She was the first to turn in her paper and waited for the professor to read and grade it. Normally, they didn’t grade it on the spot, but for her, whether she passed or not would be determined by this exam.

“Congratulations, Miss White.”

The professor handed back the graded paper. Scarlett’s grade was an A. She smiled brightly and placed it into her bag.

Noah had not shown up at school until the exam ended. She didn’t know where he went, and she didn’t ask.

Scarlett headed home, not to the villa. She called her family together in a triumphant voice, as though she had returned from a victorious battle.

At home were Susan, who was working from home, and Aaron, who was taking the day off. When Susan came into the living room, she wrinkled her nose at Aaron, who smelled strongly of cigarettes and alcohol.

“How much did you drink yesterday?”

“My head’s ringing, so I hope you’re not nagging me. It was all for business, so please keep that to yourself.”

“More importantly, why did you call us here? Why are you home at this hour?”

“Here.”

Scarlett pulled out her test paper from her bag and tossed it toward them. Susan stiffened as she checked the score on the paper.

“I won.”

“Oh… wow, I didn’t know Scarlett had a knack for studying. Do you think so too?”

Though his tone was threatening, Aaron’s eyes sparkled with pride as an older brother who loved his younger sibling. He clapped his hands and jumped up.

“Good job. Well done. With this grade, I should start a scholarship foundation for you.”

“Please, don’t do that. It’s embarrassing.”

“Little one. Carly. I’m so proud of you. To come home with such a confident and amazing grade and to outdo your annoying sister Susan! I’ll never forget today!”

Aaron slid toward Scarlett, took her hand, and started dancing with her. Scarlett laughed heartily, matching his rhythm.

Of course, the fun didn’t last long. He quickly collapsed, holding his stomach from the hangover, but Aaron was genuinely happy for Scarlett’s results.

After all, this was Scarlett’s first real accomplishment. She had rarely made decisions in life, having been confined to her home without friends or school.

The only decisions she could make were things like what to eat or what game to play.

“See? Sue. Don’t interfere anymore.”

Scarlett raised her chin and bragged to Susan, who looked dark-faced.

“…”

Susan’s jaw muscles stiffened. She hadn’t expected Scarlett, so whimsical and unpredictable, to focus long enough to achieve such a grade.

“I didn’t know you wanted to go to school this badly.”

“No matter what you say, I’m going to Iodes. I realized something there. Up until now, my life has been about surviving, not living.”

“Why would you say something like that?”

“I don’t want a life just about survival. I want to do what I want, even if it’s harmful to my health.”

Susan, who had been biting her lip, didn’t respond but instead hugged Scarlett tightly. Scarlett, now over eighteen, was an adult.

But to Susan, she was still a little girl, no matter her height. To Susan, Scarlett was a fragile flower, though Scarlett didn’t seem to think of herself that way.

“When did you grow up like this?”

“Susan…”

“I’m proud of you. Carly. I’m so proud of how you’ve grown.”

Susan’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m sorry for spreading those rumors.”

“No, it’s alright. That’s just how you show your love for me.”

“Thank you for understanding. And I’m sorry again.”

“I’m grateful too.”

Aaron, who had been watching the sisters, smiled softly and walked over to embrace them.

“Ugh… Aaron. I can’t breathe.”

“Aaron! Do something about the alcohol smell!”

Susan hit Aaron’s arm, and Scarlett struggled to get away from him. Aaron chuckled.

“Seeing such a loving scene, I think we should crack open that 60-year-old whiskey tonight. Oh, Susan, don’t make that face. I have money and booze.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

After knocking for hours and waiting, Noah eventually gave up on Julia coming out. He left, promising to return another day.

Julia trembled as she heard the front door close and continued reading the remaining letter.

[Convince that child to immigrate with you. Scott is tracking us. Therefore, apart from the identification and cash I’ve sent, no further assistance is possible.

The reason I’m offering this opportunity again is not for your sake, but because so many have sacrificed for your foolishness, including your parents and poor Scarlett.

As you know, Noah’s existence will cause a huge stir in international society. He’ll be at the center of a great upheaval. And that child will come to hate my bloodline because you are the one who assassinated Natalia’s royals.

Julia, this is a warning. I know your situation well, so never contact me again. Do not contact me under any circumstances.

Please burn this letter. Have a peaceful day.]

Julia placed the letter in the fireplace. It burned quickly and disappeared into black ash. Julia nervously bit her nails, fearing that her past might be exposed.

All she needed was to persuade Noah, but that was the most difficult task. Just like her stubbornness to keep secrets, Noah’s stubbornness to know the truth was equally strong.

Noah returned late that evening to the villa and was thankful to find that Scarlett was not home. He immediately went to the bathroom to wash his hands. He scrubbed them hard, but the stains of blood seemed to still haunt his vision.

‘This is a lie. I hope it’s a lie.’

Could guilt be inherited? Could a murderous nature be passed down in the blood?

Noah didn’t regret killing them. He only felt embarrassed in front of Scarlett sometimes. They were people who deserved to die.

But with his mother Julia’s confession, he had nothing left to be proud of.

In truth, Noah Ashford was a person with big ambitions, unable to be satisfied with the present. The more he loved Scarlett, the more pathetic he felt, making him more miserable.

With everything in the world belonging to Scarlett, and him holding only sin, even his love for her seemed like a crime.

“Scarlett… Scarlett…”

Could he dare to speak her name?

What would she look like if she knew that he loved her as a woman?

Would she be disgusted?

Could she forgive him, knowing that the person who washed away her sins was a criminal who had committed irremediable wrongs?

“No…”

He knew his feelings for Scarlett were not fleeting. She had saved him, and because of that, he had become a soul bound to her. Of all the ambitions he had, the greatest one was Scarlett.

“It’s okay. It’s okay…”

What mattered now was confirming that they were not siblings. After that, he could think about the rest.

His mother had never told him anything, but he was determined to uncover the truth. Only if they were not siblings would this love not be doomed.

Outside, there was noise. Scarlett had returned.

“Marie. Look at this. Isaac drew this of our family. This is me. Doesn’t it look talented? Maybe this croissant looks like me too.”

Her voice was more excited than usual, so she seemed in a good mood. Noah wiped his face and left the bathroom.

“Where’s Noah? Is he still not back?”

“Scarlett.”

“Oh, you were home? The nerd skipped school and still hasn’t shown up. What’s going on?”

Her tone was sarcastic, but her expression was cheerful. Noah, without realizing it, felt resentful of Scarlett’s laughing face. At the same time, he felt relieved.

If she knew the horrible crime he had committed, she would despise him.

Yes, she should stay just like this. Without knowing anything.

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