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Chapter 02
The novel I was reincarnated into was called “The Baby Saint from the Future”, or simply, Future Saint.
It was my favorite work, one I had read over five times in my past life.
‘But liking it doesn’t mean I wanted to be reincarnated into it…!’
Just because you like horror doesn’t mean you want to become a ghost, right?
Anyway.
I first read the novel because its setting was unique.
Future Saint wasn’t about reincarnation, possession, or rebirth—it was a time-leap story.
The plot was a bit complicated, but in short:
Melody, awakened as a saint, suffers abuse and exploitation from the temple people at a young age.
One day, she gains the power to leap back in time and decides to escape to seven years before she was born.
She arrives in the year 636 and is adopted by a woman, starting a happy life. But…
‘If it ended here, it wouldn’t be a parenting story.’
Suddenly, her adoptive mother dies, and Melody risks being taken back to the temple. Then, miraculously, she becomes the adopted daughter of the Dragon Duke.
From there, it’s a typical parenting story:
A cold duke slowly becomes a doting father, and the children become little family fools.
‘I don’t remember the ending clearly…’
But surely, it had a happy ending, as stories like this usually do.
I sighed.
Yeah, well, a happy ending for Melody isn’t bad… but honestly, it was also terrifying.
‘Because I’m the mom who dies at the beginning!’
Please… let the mother live.
Even in a parenting story, I’m still human!
I wanted to grab the author by the collar, but it was impossible now.
“Ha… my fate.”
It always happens like this when things could be happy.
In my past life, I was a kindergarten teacher.
It was my dream job, and I loved it.
A little physically exhausting, but seeing children smile melted all fatigue away.
I had dreamed of living surrounded by children forever…
‘Who knew I’d die less than a year into the job?’
Even now, after reincarnation, I was destined to die soon. Sigh.
I raised my head and saw Melody tiptoeing.
This little rascal—my head was spinning, and she was acting like nothing was wrong.
“Stop sneaking away, little one.”
“Yawn… Uu?”
She pretended to yawn, but it was obvious she was faking.
I called her firmly:
“Come here, Melody. You have something to tell Mommy.”
She hesitated, then slowly approached.
“Mommy! Hehe.”
Trying to charm me, she lifted her chubby cheeks and smiled mischievously.
This naughty little child… thinks I’ll give in?
Of course I did.
Ugh, so cute. Her smiling face was adorable—I pinched her flour-like cheeks gently.
“Hehe…”
Melody continued her playful charm. She knew me too well.
I held her hand so she wouldn’t run away. She rolled her eyes.
“I’m not scolding you.”
“Uu.”
“Really. I’m not.”
I didn’t even ask questions. I already knew the story from the original novel.
‘Most importantly, Melody is a traumatized child.’
I didn’t want to stir up her trauma from temple abuse, which even caused mutism.
But she still worried, fiddling with her fingers.
“Melody knows, right? Those with saintly power must go to the temple.”
“Uu?”
She pointed to herself with a shocked expression, as if asking if she’d have to go.
“No. Not at all. Nothing will be done that Melody doesn’t want.”
“Uu?”
Really?
“Have I ever lied to you?”
She shook her head furiously, trying to calm herself.
She had hidden such a huge secret all this time…
‘Once the temple realizes Melody’s powers, they’d cruelly kill me to take her.’
To survive, I had to change the original story.
But how?
‘There’s a holy relic that can block saintly power.’
A necklace lost 23 years ago.
If I could get it, things would be easier… but could I? Even the mighty Dragon Duke failed in the original.
Then only one choice remained.
‘Cain Ashlern.’
In the original story, he adopts Melody as his daughter and protects her.
He could protect both Melody and me from the temple!
Honestly, meeting him was terrifying… but I had to do it—for Melody’s sake.
“Melody, get ready to go.”
“U?”
“We have a long way to go. I’ll explain along the way.”
Melody looked confused but obediently followed, as if she expected this.
“First, brush your teeth.”
“Uu… bleh.”
“Now, arms up!”
“Uu.”
Her head slipped through her coat. Warm and snug—ready!
“Let’s go, Melody!”
“Uu!”
Her stomach growled. She scratched her cheek bashfully.
I closed the wide-open door.
Let’s go meet your dad. But first, a little snack!
And now, the present:
“Wow!”
Melody bounced excitedly, then wobbled as her legs got tired.
“You’ve been naughty enough. Tired, huh?”
She nodded. Small head moving.
‘Of course. It was a long trip.’
Three full days in a carriage.
We arrived at a city, heading to a street full of houses. We knew someone nearby, so we would stay a few days.
“Rest, Melody.”
“Uu, Mommy?”
“I’ll check the area. Stay here.”
Melody fell asleep while I stepped outside. The sun was setting.
Stores lined the streets, and people hurried by. The scenery was very different from peaceful Heyron village.
‘I really am in Winterwald.’
The central city of the Ashlern Duchy and a main location in the original story.
I inhaled deeply, nervous.
I had left the village boldly, but meeting Cain directly was impossible.
‘The duke’s estate is very private.’
I, not a noble, wouldn’t be allowed in. I’d be lucky not to be dragged off.
So, I planned to stay here for now, gathering information.
While walking, a colorful toy caught my eye.
‘Perfect for a child! Melody will love it.’
I could come back with her tomorrow to look closer.
Then—
I froze.
A man covered in dark red liquid appeared in the shop window.
Instinctively, I turned—mouth open.
No way… that’s real blood?
Even for a city, this was extreme.
A man soaked in blood walked casually through the streets. People avoided him quietly.
‘Still, I’m a pharmacist.’
I couldn’t ignore him. I rushed over.
“Excuse me! Are you okay?”
“……”
The man ignored me.
“Wait, please!”
He walked fast, even though he seemed injured.
“It’s not my blood.”
Ah… okay. I see.
‘Then whose blood is it?’
As I was stunned, the man in a heavy robe looked down at me.
I froze.
His sharp nose peeked from under the black robe. Even partially hidden, his face was unrealistically handsome.
