Chapter 3

In my previous life, my job was in international sales planning.

I remember someone laughing and saying, "You'd probably die if you lost your job," with amusement.

Back then, I found my job incredibly enjoyable.

I traveled to many countries, talked to many people, and proposed and sold products that would make them happy.

Over time, I developed the ability to judge what the other party needed and desired, as well as the courage to venture abroad for work.

Learning about different cultures was also a joy, and I traveled the world.

I felt a great sense of fulfillment when customers praised my products or specifically requested me, and I remember diving deeper into my work.

I was so passionate about my job that I worked hard, believing it was my calling.

One day, while on my way to a business meeting, I died... or so I think.

The view I loved the most was the blue sea seen from the airplane window.

No matter how many times I saw it, I never got tired of it, and I always gazed at it whenever I was on a plane. My last memory is of falling into and sinking in that sea.

That's all I could remember from my previous life, including my name and family.

Despite the pain in my head from the overwhelming amount of memories, I eventually realized that my chances of survival had increased.

The items I prepared for Fakul were good, but not something they absolutely needed. Therefore, my success depended on how much they liked me.

Until then, I only had the memories and knowledge of living in this world for about ten years.

However, now I have the memories from my previous life when I traveled the world.

The idea of a previous life and the reason why I have such memories are unbelievable.

If I can avoid the possibility of dying tomorrow, anything is acceptable.

I had no choice but to put everything I had into surviving.

With the fear of death, I stood before the king of the monsters, hoping my judgment had not dulled amidst the laughter directed at me.

I knew that even as a child, they would not show mercy to a stranger.

However, if the conditions I presented were not too bad, there was a chance.

The only thing I could offer in the barren Aldina was a special fertilizer that promotes the growth of the fruits they enjoy eating.

This fertilizer, which has been passed down in Aldina for generations, is so common that it has never been considered a viable option.

I had three paths to choose from:

Fail the diplomacy with Fakul and be killed, leading to the destruction of Aldina.

Fail the diplomacy but not be killed, and be sent back, closing the path to ensuring the safety of the people.

Succeed in the diplomacy with Fakul, receive their benefits, and use it as a stepping stone for successful diplomacy with other countries.

If the alliance with Fakul succeeds, we would be respected by other countries.

Fortunately, the negotiations were successful.

I still remember the monster king's surprise and loud laughter when he saw my trembling hands after I sighed in relief.

The verbal sparring with the king, a negotiation in name, was something I, a child, engaged in.

I don't know what touched the king's heart, but since then, he has treated me very kindly.

Thanks to him, I was able to rise in status as a diplomat, and most importantly, I met Philo because of the successful diplomacy with Fakul.

As a reward for the significant achievement of successful diplomacy with Fakul, my parents, who were not as strict with me at the time, bought me various things.

On the way back from shopping, I fell in love at first sight with those sea-colored eyes in the slave market, a place I usually tried to avoid.

It was a strong case of love at first sight.

I fell in love again with that blue, which reminded me of the blue I was once obsessed with, but in a different form.

... The slave market is not illegal in this world.

Many servants are former slaves, and there are stores in the market, even if they are in a corner.

That's why I felt frustrated and helpless, and I tried to improve the treatment of the servants in my household by appealing to my parents.

That day was the first and last time I asked to buy a slave for myself.

I believed that my request to have him as my personal servant was granted largely because of the successful diplomacy with Fakul... at that time.

"Would you like a refill, Rium-sama?"

"Yes, please. Thank you."

Steam rises as tea is poured into my now empty cup.

When I bought him from the slave trader, he was in tatters and had lost even his childhood memories. Now, there is no trace of that.

When I first met him after my parents had cleaned him up, I saw ambition in Philo's eyes.

To him, I was probably just a whimsical young lady who bought him, and it was natural for him to try to use me to rise in status.

I hoped that over time, he would let his guard down a little.

Contrary to my hopes, he softened his attitude within a month and has been my strongest ally ever since.

He is gentle, studious, and always kind.

Even when I saw him violently drive away people who were my enemies, my feelings for him did not change.

‘Rium-sama, is something wrong?’

‘Thank you for your hard work in diplomacy. I have brought your favorite tea, Rium-sama.’

In front of me, he always uses polite language, smiles kindly, and refers to himself as "I."

‘Do you think I don't know your purpose for getting close to Rium-sama? Trying to use her is beyond your limits.’

‘It’s useless to complain to anyone. I will not cause any trouble for Rium-sama. Too bad, no matter what you say, neither I nor Rium-sama will be doubted. I have already taken care of such trivial matters.’

In private, he uses a rough tone, has cold, ice-like eyes, and refers to himself as "I."

He probably intends to hide his other side from me, but I have long been aware of both sides of him.

Moreover, I never intended to distance Philo from me, even after seeing his dual nature.

Especially since, even back then, I was not well-regarded by others.

If the plans of the people he drove away had succeeded, my position would have been even worse, so I am only grateful.

The love I felt at our first meeting still burns in my heart.

When did I realize that the same fire was burning in the gaze Philo sent me?

The joy I felt when I realized it, and the pain of being instantly thrown to the bottom of the earth.

The difference in our social status will never allow us to be together.

I already had a fiancé, Yuto-sama.

My future husband, chosen for me at the age of ten.

He is the first prince of this country and told me he would be a king who thinks about his people.

His straightforward eyes and the smile that appears when he thinks of his people.

Without the memories of my previous life, I believed him and thought he was a wonderful person.

Until I regained my memories and began traveling the world as a diplomat.