36 HI, BYE, ZOANNE

ZOE knew that she'd meet Zoanne in her dream when Yosef Geronimo told her to sleep in the prayer room that he referred to as 'The Hang-over Healing Room.'

But she didn't expect her dream to be very vivid.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself in Zoanne's bedroom. While she sat on the bed, her companion sat on the chair next to her.

Her heart thumped against her chest hard and fast.

[It's the real Zoanne…]

Oh my god.

Zoanne's vibes were so different from hers. The real one looked very solemn and elegant, even though she was just sitting there.

[If in this dream she's in her real body, then…]

She looked at her arms and she was surprised to see that she was still in Zoanne's body, even though the real one was in front of her.

Now it looked like Zoe and Zoanne were identical twins facing each other for a heart-to-heart conversation.

[Is it because this is just a dream?]

"Miss Zoe Kim?"

Zoe raised her head to meet Zoanne's pretty sunset-colored eyes. "Lady Zoanne Rochester."

Zoanne smiled timidly at her. "Miss Zoe Kim, the God of Ecstasy only gave us a brief moment to talk, so may I be straightforward?"

"Sure."

"First of all, I'd like to apologize," Zoanne said in a soft, solemn voice. "I don't really know the details of how you were able to possess my body after I took my own life, but I don't wish to return to that world anymore."

She clutched the hem of her dress tight.

To be honest, she wanted to ask Zoanne why she took her own life. But the exhaustion that she saw behind the calmness in her eyes made her stop.

[Those are the eyes of someone who's already tired of living.]

"Second, I'd like to ask you to take care of my father, Miss Zoe Kim."

The image of Marquis Rochester crossed her mind, and she felt a sting in her heart.

"For all that it's worth, Marquis Rochester truly cared for you, Lady Zoanne Rochester."

The young lady smiled sadly at her. "I know, Miss Zoe Kim. I know," she said softly. "You can tell him the truth if you want to. I promise you that Father will understand my decision. And he might even tell you why I had to do this."

She blinked in confusion. "Does the marquis know whatever it is that you went through?"

"I have a feeling that Father does," Zoanne confirmed while nodding thoughtfully. "So, please, Miss Zoe Kim. If ever you decide to tell Father the truth, please let him know that I loved him and I did my best to be the daughter that he hoped for."

She was confused. "But you're already precious to the marquis…"

Zoanne just smiled sadly at her, then she quickly changed the topic. "We're running out of time, Miss Zoe Kim," she said in a hurried voice. "My last request is for you to live happily in my stead."

She gulped, thinking that the hypothesis that she was stuck in this world was now 100% a fact.

"I'm sorry that you're stuck in this world because of my selfishness, Miss Zoe Kim."

"I'm not mad or upset," she said to console Zoanne. "Just a little shocked, I guess? I have nothing that I'm attached to in my previous world. In fact, I'm grateful for the chance to start a new life in a world where the people I hate at home couldn't reach me."

Well, she would dearly miss her Korean barbecue restaurant.

But it was something that she could build in this world, too. She was just glad that her cooking skills didn't disappear when she occupied a new body.

"I'm relieved to hear that, Miss Zoe Kim," Zoanne said, then she smiled warmly at her. "That body is yours now, so you're free to get married and…" Her cheeks turned red. "You can have babies with the Grand Duke."

She almost choked on her saliva. "H-How did you know about my current status with Isaak?"

"The God of Ecstasy who summoned me here gave me a brief explanation of what you've been up to recently."

"Lady Zoanne Rochester, can I… consummate my wedding with Isaak?"

Zoanne's ears turned red as well this time. "O-Of course, Miss Zoe Kim. Like I said earlier, you are now Zoanne Rochester."

She smiled brightly, but she instantly turned serious. "Lady Zoanne Rochester, are you happy?"

The young lady looked surprised by her serious yet gentle question. "I am," she said softly, then she smiled warmly at her. "I am happier now, and I don't feel tired anymore."

It certainly looked like Zoanne was happier now compared to the Zoanne in her memories.

"Zoanne," she said, addressing the young lady in a friendly manner this time. "Can I hug you?"

[Argh, I sound like a pervert. But whatever.]

"Alright," Zoanne said shyly, then she stood up and sat beside her. Much to her shock, the young lady hugged her first. And Zoanne didn't hold back– her hug was warm and tight. "Thank you for everything," she whispered, then, much to her surprise, Zoanne cried. "And I'm really, really sorry, Zoe."

Huh?

Sorry for what?

Zoe wanted to ask Zoanne why she sounded like she had wronged her when this was the first time that they met.

Unfortunately, she suddenly woke up from that dream.

And that was when she realized she had forgotten to ask the most important thing that she needed to know about Zoanne's past.

Zoe literally face-palmed. "I forgot to ask Zoanne about her relationship with Vaughn Wilson!"

[This is what I get for thirsting over Isaak at the most inappropriate time!]

***

"DON'T CALL Zoe 'zombie' again," Isaak warned Yosef. "That's rude."

"What should I call her then?" Yosef, who was acting innocent, asked. "Ah, should I start addressing her as 'Grand Duchess Viotto' from now on?"

He looked at his friend coldly.

After Zoe entered the prayer room, Yosef dragged him back to the drawing room to drink more. Thankfully, the room was next to the prayer room so he could reach Zoe easily if he needed to. Although he knew that the temple was safe, it wouldn't hurt to be extra careful.

"Isaak, I'm only saying this because I care for you," Yosef said, then he hugged his arm again. "But I find your lovely bride strange. How did she know that I'm a High Priest? She called me 'Your Eminence' from the beginning. Did you tell her?"

"It seems like she already knew from the beginning," he said. "She has Lady Zoanne's memories."

"I see."

"And why would that be weird?" he snapped at his friend. "You're the only High Priest who serves the God of Ecstasy. It's a known fact all over the continent."

"I see."

"If you say that one more time, I'll hit you."

The High Priest's face lit up. "If you hit me, I'll even say 'thank you!'"

[This damned masochist.]

Now, even if he wanted to hit Yosef for real, he knew that it would only make him more annoying. And so, he just ignored him.

"Isaak, you're only going to marry Lady Zoe to adopt Princess Runa, aren't you?"

Yosef was one of the few, select people who knew about Princess Runa's existence.

"Yeah," he said bitterly. He didn't know why, but he felt annoyed by the reminder that his wedding with Zoe was only contractual. "What about it?"

"You know that the god I serve is really… carefree, right?"

"Calling your god 'carefree' is putting it nicely," he said bluntly. "Your god is reckless and too indulgent."

"My precious Isaak, that's blasphemy."

"You can't expect me to respect a god who made you an alcoholic at such a young age," he said sternly. "Is your liver still fine?"

"My god is taking care of me and my body well, so don't worry too much," Yosef said cheerfully. "Anyway, I'm asking because I can bless your marriage for a limited time only. Doing so will quicken your divorce procedure once your contract ends. As you know, getting a divorce isn't easy. You have to show proof to the temple or church where you got married that the gods have truly agreed to break your–"

"I don't need that," he said, cutting Yosef off. "Just do it normally."

"Normally, you say," his friend said, then he laughed. "Isaak, don't you know that my god is also known as the 'God of Divorce?' He's the only god known to "bless" couples who are going through a divorce process."

He looked at Yosef with judgmental eyes. "Yosef, I'm worried about the names attached to your god."

"Divorce isn't a bad thing!" the High Priest said defensively. "It's a lot better than staying in a hellish marriage!"

"Okay," he said. "But I don't think I'd need it."

"Oh, really?"

"Yosef, describe me in three words."

"Handsome, sexy, and strong."

"Do you want to die?"

Yosef smiled brightly. "You're crazy, possessive, and veeery persistent."

"Exactly," he said bluntly. "Do you think I'm the type of person to easily let go of my possessions?"

"Exactly," Yosef said in an annoyingly cheerful voice. "I suggested divorce because I want to save Lady Zoe from you if ever you become a bad husband to her. Toxic and possessive men are only attractive in fiction, my friend. In reality, those types of men usually end up as abusive partners."

He flinched at his friend's sharp words.

"Ah, she's already awake."

He immediately stood up after hearing that. "I'll check on her."

"Isaak, treat her kindly, okay?" Yosef said in an unusually serious voice. "She's not from here, and she's used to cutting ties with people who annoy her."

Isaak ignored Yosef as he bolted out of the room.

But it wasn't like he completely ignored his friend's warning.

[It's just that I can't help but feel possessive of Zoe.]

"Isaak."

Hearing Zoe's voice calling his name interrupted his thoughts.

Only then did he realize that he already arrived at the prayer room.

Zoe was stretching her arms while yawning. She didn't bother to cover her mouth with her hands. It was so unladylike but, surprisingly, he didn't care.

In fact, he even found her careless attitude endearing.

[I'm going crazy.]

"How was it?" Isaak asked, then he got down on one knee to meet Zoe's eye level. "Did you meet Lady Zoanne?"

"I did," Zoe said in a sleepy voice while rubbing her eyes with her hand. "Ah, right. I asked Zoanne's permission, and she said it's okay."

"Okay with what?"

"Babies," Zoe said, still sleepy. "Zoanne said that it's okay for us to make babies."

The quiet temple suddenly vibrated with Isaak's lively, rich laughter.

***

NOTE: Hi! Please consider ADDING 'I Won't Let The Ghoul Duke Go Hungry!' to your LIBRARY. Thank you! <3