In My Previous Life I Was a Saint, but Now I Want to Cut Corners Chapter 8

Since I reincarnated, I thought even if it was slim, maybe someone else has reincarnated as well… I would be lying if I didn't hope that Prince Marius also reincarnated… But what were the chances? It's impossible, right? Things don't just happen like that. But no matter how I look at it… The second prince looks identical to a younger version of prince Marius that I remember… But that can't be him… I must be delusional.

I nervously glance around, hoping to avoid eye contact with the second prince, but still catching glances to see his appearance. His hair was a royal blue that twinkled in the sunlight, unique to the royal family. His eyes were identical to mine in color and opacity. No matter how I look at it, while his hair color is different, everything else looks similar.

I couldn't help but think to myself… Maybe he is the reincarnated prince from my previous life. But if he didn't have his memories. Then he isn't the same Marius I knew in my previous life. When I look at him, my heart sinks every time I see his face. I just can't let go of how he looks, just like Marius in the past. Until now, I never considered that maybe Marius also retained his memories like I have. I'm honestly too scared to ask… out of frustration, I squeeze the hem of my skirt. Whatever the headmaster was preaching at the time went over my head. I was too focused on my frustrated and nervous thoughts.

Suddenly, the headmaster's speech finishes, and the second prince takes the center stage to represent all new students. I could see his tanzanite eyes roaming the room, they eventually reached me and quickly moved on. I was relieved as the prince gave me an indifferent look from the rest of the students. It would seem my fears got the better of me… or maybe Anna's disguise worked perfectly.

In a booming and official voice, the prince started to speak.

“My name is Cecil Ray Eltria. It is my honor to welcome all of you to the academy as the new students' representative. All of us here have been blessed with a guardian spirit given to us by the goddess herself. We all have the duty to learn and use our blessings to benefit the future of our kingdom instead of personal gain. In addition, at the academy, we are all equals, status is not considered here. Let's learn together in harmony and let us have a friendly competition with our fellow students. Also…”

I couldn't take my eyes off him. His greeting was calm and collected, powerful yet compassionate. It was hard to believe he was only ten years old. That side of him was just like Prince Marius in my previous life. He was always a compassionate and calm man. However, because his beauty caught the attention of all those around him regardless of gender, he often put a barrier between himself and those around him.

Even when we first met, he just smiled calmly with no emotional attachment as if it was a duty to him rather than a desire. Given the situation, that isn't entirely wrong. But indeed, over time, as we spent time together, things changed. He started to treat me with sincerity and a longing to be together. I had initially been thought being a saint would kill me long before we got the chance to marry. So I personally didn't develop a love for the prince as I was expecting to die long before that time would come.

Even though I tried to resist all feelings for him, I eventually turned to him for love… I grew up in the church. I had no friends that survived, let alone enough to catch feelings for anyone. I didn't know how to handle this feeling called 'love,' so I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't in a panic over these newfound emotions. However, the way he called my name whenever I saw him… I just knew whatever it was, it was not insincere. It sent flutters in my heart… I still don't know if that is what love is… But I'd like to think it was.

Once my sixteenth birthday was in reach, he often stared into my eyes with deep compassion that melted my soul. He often said he wanted to tell me something.

“Your highness… You're staring again… Is there something you wish to tell me?”

He held my hand softly as if it would shatter if he held it any harder and looked at me with starry eyes.

“I can't tell you right now… But I promise you, on your birthday, I will confess everything to you.”

Taken back with a rapidly beating heart, I replied to him.

“Yes… Of course, your highness… I will be waiting for the day…”

But the situation with the princess happened, and that promise was never fulfilled. If I had celebrated my birthday, I wonder how my life would have ended up… Maybe I would have lived a joyful life with the prince… Things could have been different. But there is no going back… I can't turn back time, whatever fate has in store for me now… I will do everything in my power to not suffer like before.

In the middle of my thoughts, a sudden loud bang rang in my ears, and the door at the entrance of the auditorium opened up.

I turned around to see what was happening. I saw a girl with pink gold hair with pink tourmaline eyes. She didn't have a considerably beautiful face, but it was certainly pretty. She stood there, breathlessly on her shoulder was a glowing light sprite. I knew for a fact it was Shine. But I'm not really sure what to say about the commotion she was causing.

I then realized that Aria had made herself visible. I could tell from her frustrated flapping wings and her crossed arm that she was annoyed. She was glaring at Shine with intense hate. In an annoying stern voice, she started talking to me.

“Ha! Shine was so desperate after being rejected by you he made a contract with that girl! I remember her from the ritual. She came in the right after you! But everyone can see she doesn't have the power to sustain him. So it's clear Shine is after you, Renaria.”

“Huh… I don't think you can just change masters and guardians, right?” I thought, this is so Aria could hear my inner thoughts so I wouldn't need to speak out loud to everyone else. I turn my attention to Aria, waiting for a reply.

“Well, generally that's the case, but… you… you're different. You have such an immense amount of power you could easily have more than a couple of spirits.”

“Wait, seriously?”

I didn't keep my thoughts in check and shouted that out loud. Luckily, people's attention was still on the girl at the door. I'm relieved beyond belief. I turn my attention to the door to join the crowd. You could tell the girl wasn't upset over the attention. In fact, she seemed to be thriving on it like this was her big entrance to astonish everyone…

I wondered to myself, who is this girl? But then it hit me… She has the guardian of light, which means she uses holy magic. In other words… She's a saint… This is how I met this world's saint… Angel Parker.

Chapter end