Previously, Nortes Angeles escorted to the medical room somewhere in the estate then the result came; the result of his sickness—Post-traumatic Amnesia—so he took it as his own shield, hiding the truth for his own personal gain and he can be himself as Nortes himself, without getting suspicion by his activities whatever he want. For he is not the original holder of the body.
At present, Nortes confronted the man clad in noble suit—it is clad around his big stocky frame in black polo coat, black necktie is visible at its window, and yet another black color for the pants, and lastly black shoes—in who introduced himself as Decherd Vulette L. Phazard and as the current Duke of the land, Archires. Also, he is part of and related to a family's name called The Phazard.
"You are my uncle?" Nortes repeat. "So then.. My full name is Aecieulette Phazard? Am I correct?"
"You are currently suffering under your illness and you are learning so quick." He huff. Perhaps I put my doubt in you." The gentleman's lips shift into an amuse smirk. As an idea came in his mind as he then execute it,
"Answer me. What is two plus three times nine minus seven?" The duke gave a test to see his nephew's mind if it can work further.
"The answer is thirty-eight."
"Good! Your mind is working fine. Ah... It only need couple of time to regain what its lost. Do not worry for nothing, someday your memories will return." The duke gave lime-green hair lad a gentle pat on the shoulder. His nephew didn't react at his gentle gesture, it was rather a blank expression looking at him. There was a moment of awkwardness between them as Decherd stopped and removed his hand off his nephew's shoulder.
"How was work?" The looming awkwardness vanished instantly when his nephew struck another conversation.
"To be frank with you, it was tiresome. In spite of that I'm happy. For my nephew came back to life and now I see him standing in front of me in full of life..."
"Enough about us, nephew. I am sure you must be hungry by now. Afterall you had awakened from a long slumber though."
"You are right, I am actually starving." His nephew responded. Then his gazes averted, that is now glancing at the vast garden.
"Come with me." Decherd declared, laced in gentleness so his nephew will feel relax and would agreed to follow him. As the duke began to move and so was Aecieulette, as according to duke's expectation. They silence within the hallway no more, it hs replaced by the numorous foosteps, crackling in its wake. While walking toward the unknown Nortes—who now is Aecieulette has yet unchanged, remained observant and vigilant like a prey preparing a plan to itself at all time to flee unless showing any possible hostility.
How to survive in an unfamiliar place or the world you have not know about, especially you have awakened in someone's house: Survival rule Number One: Always check your surroundings.
And Survival Rule Number Two: Exercise caution and be vigilant.
Those are what are inside of Nortes's mind in this situation.
The duke called Lieza who is behind Nortes as Lieza responded back with a kind manner after she present herself beside the duke. "I am here. What is it, Lord Decherd?"
"Go forth ahead of us then tell our chefs that today is a worth to bring a feast!"
Once Lieza heard the word "feast" her eyes sparks in joy but she needs to hold her excitement in order to stay in her professional composure. So she just cheered inwardly. "I understood, my lord!"
After a polite respond she followed, sprint ahead before the rest.
While Nortes still being observant he had noticed the changes of her behavior, she became serious and stoic unlike at first she was unserious and playful toward him, in other means she became lax and friendly.
"Feast huh? I wonder why..." Nortes murmured.
"You will see it soon, my boy." As when the duke suddenly stopped walking as so the others too. Then the man in suit turned around to face at his nephew.
"How about you should take this time to shower? The arrangement might take too long to complete and I found that it is a best opportunity to roam around while you are waiting for it to be completed so feel free to do whatever you want with your heart's content but EXCEPT causing disturbance and trouble. Do you-"
Geez...You almost killed me by mentioning that word, Mister Duke...
"I understand our term, uncle." Aecieulette (Nortes) intruded, respectively. "If you may excuse me I must get going." Unfortunately when he turned around he met the presence of Mikhail. He opened his palm wide like he is gesturing him to halt.
What is going on?
"I am not done talking yet, my boy." The duke declared. "Take a shower first before you may roam around. However your sentinel will accompany you whenever you go. I will not hear any objective from you. That is an order."
He exclaimed harshly. Behind Decherd's strict order was not truly for his sake but his nephew. It is pretty dangerous for him to roaming around without a sentinel by his side again, the reason was the duke couldn't tolerate to lead his nephew to any sort of danger ever since the incident happened which was led him to death.
"I have no questions to ask, uncle. For now I guess." Aecieulette impassively said. Meanwhile within his head, a storm has formed as when eagerness and anticipation shattered apart, Nortes threw tantrum upon hearing Mikhail will always be at his side so his personal plan become delayed.
Stupid Old Geezer! For ruining my plan to start my heroic tale!
The duke smiled happily at his nephew's answered. "You may go, Aecieulette. And If you have any questions to ask me. You may find me inside of my office which it can be found at second floor." The man then shift his attention to Mikhail then told him to lead his nephew to where is the shower room and also attempt to avoid his nephew to get lost in the process. Then they seperated their ways, during the marching toward the shower chamber, Aecieulette spoken,
"Hey, Mikhail. Why are you dress in black?"
"It is a mourning dress, my lord. It is an act to pay respect and weep to the departure of one's soul. Including you."
"A mourning dress huh? It is pointless now that I have returned. So go and change to your usual dress." Aecieulette uttered casually in ease now the uncomfortable pressure was not in his shoulders anymore. His eyes still stay at the path.
"Sure. But I probably change tomorrow, for now my top priority is to be always present at your side at all cost."
"You will be at my side at all cost, is that so?" Within himself, Nortes grinned almost reached to his cheeks. It is like a wicked antagonist who plan to do something evil.
"So that implies... If I go to the restroom you will go too? No matter while I take a privacy with myself?"
Mikhail got alarmed, "N-No!! That was not what I meant, my lord!" His nonchalant and seriousness faded, replacing with embarrassment. Not only Mikhail was affected by Aecieulette's statement and it was also the two guards whose behind them, trying their best to not slip a chuckles. "You have quite mistaken!"
"Naughty~ I never know you've this perverted side..." Aecieulette playfully teased while looking directly in his eyes, his own eyes sparkling in mischievous.
But that end too soon. Nortes think it is time to shift into seriousness, yet indeed he stay in cautious and by changing the mood he would flee from getting suspicious. He let out a fake cough, "Anyway..."
"Mikhail, I hope next time please try not to do the same mistake. Otherwise I'd fall again in misinterpreting your words in the future." Aecieulette lectured.
"I took a note of that, my lord." Mikhail responded.
Meanwhile Nortes was laughing constantly how well he executed the joke. Thus his mind will permanently stuck what he had done until to his life ended. Even he would recall that scene whenever he please.
Few minutes later they have arrived at the door of the bath chamber. Aecieulette reached and grasp the handle of the door then pull to open. Once it fully opened, inside is looming in darkness, not even the light from the outside can envelope completely, he turned around to look at them again.
"How do I turn on the light?"
Mikhail took a step forward to enter then gesture his lord to follow until their attentions are frozen at a huge lantern serving as chandelier in the middle of the ceiling.
It is link to its switch which was actually merely beside nearly at the entrance, and meanwhile the guards stood firmly as tough each sides of the door like they did at their previous post. And yet the door is still opened to serve as light to Aecieulette and Mikhail.
Mikhail instructed his lord how to operate according to his mind. He told him that it is pretty basic to comprehend: with a press of your finger the light will promptly ignite within the lantern, its golden light, it is illuminated in warm and cozy feeling, it had shone completely the darkness.
So it is the same as in my world... Nortes thought.
"If there is anything you need to ask I will be here behind the door at the ready, my lord." Mikhail walked past him until he reached outside of the chamber room then he carefully closed the door. Now, Aecieulette has left alone, his sharp eyes observing around and it suddenly stopped when he sought something horrible...
Water.
His outward self remained blank and nonchalant but within himself... it is chaotic!
Mikhail! Mikhail! He cried out in plea, begging like needing a water during the time of drought. Open! The darn door! Please! I don't want to shower!
Then he soon returned his normal self, he chuckled inwardly at his own satire acting. He recompose himself back to serious once again and upon his observation the bathroom is large and wide, likely it can fit of approximately thirty people.
"HA! HA-HA! HA!" The guards laughs, they still stuck at their lord's joke. "Our lord sure got you right there, Sentinel Mikhail!" One of them said.
"It was a mere little mistake, gentlemen." Mikhail responded back, still the guards keep on laughing.
"Come on then, sentinel! Open that door and join with our lord! We promise you we will stay here so that nobody will interrupt your alone time together." The guard tease in quite gesture, rose his eyebrows thrice.
Mikhail was going to protest but he soon went surrendered then eventually sighs in defeat as considering to himself that no matter what he will utter a word those bullies clad in armor will keep on messing with him. So he was simply took that he cannot corrected what had been uttered and press on.
"Ugh..." He grunt in irritation quietly. The sentinel himself low his head then facepalm, he then shook his head leisurely from side side while pinching his forehead.
And unfortunately that doesn't stopped those guards from laughing and still making jokes about their lord act to his sentinel a minute ago.
...
...
Kreek!
With a creek of opened door, the guards fell silence quickly then followed by standing firm like statues once again. Mikhail is delighted at their reaction and have finally over of their continues joke of the same topic.
A figure emerged from the bathroom and that person who left the shower room was Aecielette, he then closed the door behind afterward.
"That was a nice bath." He yawn while stretching his limbs, his back aching, and whimpers in pleasure.
"Oh! My dear sentinel, pretty please guide me to where my clothes are." He commanded, glanced into Mikhail's eyes with his cozy half-hooded eyes.
"Of course. It shall be done."
Mikhail bow before he escorted him to his room, the exact room where he was exit and gave him a wild goose chase around the building. After walking toward their lord's room, Aecieulette went inside while his three servants await outside.
"This is life!" Nortes dropped his act on as Aecieulette. He fell onto the noble bed, his back has pressed against the soft fabric, it is feels likely you are in a cloud. A pleasant smirk started to carve in his lips, his gazes remain the same, dazzling in joy.
"This is anybody's dream. A dream of to be in a rich family. You can command anyone whatever you wish and they will done it without a question, that is the only thing great about it."
"In that case I'd become a slacker... Uh just not waste too much time, I need to save an hour for myself to pack some items that could helpful in my journey as lone traveler. When I am done I will leave this house unnotice I swear. But it needs to exactly perfect. I promise I will not die so easily."
"For now I will continue on acting for them to unaware of my intention or my secret, that is I am not belong to this world. Now that I realized something, I am really grateful I read a book about survival. So this path I will take it will be easy as long as the ways to survive are in my head."
After small minutes have passed, their lord has stepped a foot outside his room and now he is in a casual dress, a medieval shirt clad in fine white and brown as leather colored pants.
"Gentlemen. How do I look?"
"You are stunning, my lord!" "Absolutely dashing!" His guards commented.
Because of their wonderful praises, they have awakened the ego of the man from other world.
Hahaha!
Praise me more!
Nortes laughing happily yet evilishly.
"I wonder what will I do next?" Aecieulette pondered. Mikhail intruded, leaning closer upon noticing his lord is in trouble in thinking.
"I suggest you could wander at the garden, my lord." He suggested. "It have flowers for your nose to be at ease. And it has a great views for your eyes too."
Aecieulette dive into deep thinking to consider. After in a second he has spoken again, "Your suggestion is not bad but I have been there before though. So now, I am seeking something quite different. Like going outside and touch grass. Hm~ Should I?"
"I dare say. My uncle had spoken of... what was it again? I can roam around whatever I wish and so that means I have not heard I had no restriction. Well that is also means, you gentlemen, you no longer serve your roles."
"You may leave me by myself and enjoy your day on your personal benefit. Don't worry about me, though I still under in memory lost but I will never forgot the art of self-defence."
Without giving them a time to spoke up. He wave his hand at them before he rush ahead through the hallway, until they couldn't reach him.
I am free!
Yay! My desire will become reality after all!
Glory to me!
Praise my acting!
Nortes took many hallways through the estate, for he had not memorize the way toward the exit. This fool, because of his own action, his stamina ran out soon after countless attempts seeking out for the exit. He is presently sat at staircase, looking down while panting heavily and replenish his energy.
This is disappointing!
This building... it is massive than what I had expected.
I should have order those men where the exit is then later when they led me outside, that moment I will made my speedy escape. That is I supposed to do.
Ugh! I've miscalculated!
What a mood killer!
Aecieulette raised his head then sighs, letting out his irritation.
I hate myself...
He stood up from the staircase then he went down, as when he sought the door, he felt he had been here. "This is annoying. Ever since I came to this world I get the feeling of... I can't understand." A little did he know, the place he is in right now was actually the exact place he originally confronted Aecieulette's uncle.
Upon getting annoyed again by that feeling, his body instinctively went toward the door and open while yet ignoring his own confusion until that was change when he saw the outside.
Nortes was stunned. As a boy who lived in an urban to his current age he had never seen or been in a rural place, inhabited in nature all around. But at this point, he has witnessed the beauty of nature itself in its glory. "It is beautiful.."
In a second he snapped out, returning back to reality, and he realized of the flaw he bear. He remind himself to not get diverted again that easily, otherwise he will loose the opportunity which had set for him on starting his own lone heroic journey.
He began to move again, sprinting toward the path that leads to the exit. But then he immediately stopped when noticing there are guards positioned at each sides of the gate outside.
If he continues to ran toward the gateway, even the guards are present. He will surely trigger a trouble and his uncle will be alarmed, but above all else, he will order to tighten the security and he will never meet the outside unless his sentinel and the guards are with him.
Nortes hate that would happen so he will try to escape in other way rather than taking the risk leading to bad ending. His eyes wander around quickly in order to reconsider his plan.
His unique, turquoise-color eyes, landed at the tree where it is in the corner, its branch is reached over wall.
A devilish grin has formed in his lips. He approaches toward tree, in such a hurry.
However when he arrived there, he froze on realization, realizing that he does not know how to climb.
Darn it! Nortes cursed.
He has confronted of another problem. To resolve that he needed to learn how to climb and it might take for several days. Nortes hate that also, waiting.
What now... He slowly falling to despair.
He squat down and look at the tree.
"Looks like this is the end." He rose up until his composure become proper, straigh he kicked at the air while looking down.
Suddenly his mind intervene as the despair left, a certain memory flooded in.
"Whenever you feel down, change your mind into positivity." A voice of an old man. "Once you try to do it, everything will become clear. Your mind is deceiving you through it, slowly it will lead you falling to despair. When it fill you completely you will become blind and never see the brightness, the route where your destiny may find, forever. Unless you break it. All of us often get that curse when life become too harsh but our choice is depends on us whether to stay in the darkness or we end the curse. To return our light back from the life itself."
"It is depends on us to choice..." Nortes murmured, his eyes went back to gaze at the tree, still choosing whether to stay and wait for the day to explore and see some landscape or try to climb on the tree and get to the other side of the wall.
Nortes exhale first, to relax his body and also his mind, gathering his strength then he reach to the tree. Finally he have decided—Trying to climb that tree!
"I want to explore further! I don't want to stay here any longer! Otherwise I'd die in boredom!"
His eyes are filled with unwavering determination!
A several minutes later, he had finally learned to climb and also reaching at the other side.
I hope nobody saw after I have failed many times
Nortes went forward, following the path that leads to the town when he noticed before. After his foot landed onto the grassy floor from the branch.
Upon arriving, Nortes dropped his mouth. The town's architectures, its buildings, it is incredibly resembling from Middle Ages or Renaissance Period. Commonly one in fantasy novels like Lord of the rings and Game of throne.
It is truly hard to accept and be grateful the fact he is living in every male's dreams, entered the fantasy world.
Oh gosh! It is real! Nortes rejoiced. But there is one way to confirm it
He raised his hand then slap himself, his right cheek in his face become red and he felt a pang of pain.
Heck yes! I am not dreaming!
A man accidentally hit his elbow against Nortes's right arm, making his distraction removed.
"Sorry about that!" The man apologized while carry a wooden box contained of oranges. He disappears when he joined into the crowds, walking towards several directions.
The town is lively, dressed in harmony and tranquility. And the people are solely drown at their own business of their daily basis. Their works and their utters were the source of the noises flowing throughout the town.
This day is beautiful, the town's image in Nortes's eye as paradise. As a fan of fantasy novel like him is still unable to move on the image of fiction has became a reality, how truly magnificent and breathtaking it is.
Nortes is grateful yet unworthy, though he is enjoying to the fullest to descended into this world like every protagonist took in their story, but somewhat deep inside he feels inscrutable unworthy. Surely something will come to ruin your joy.
As all of a sudden, a giggles, Nortes again return to his senses. His eyes slowly lighten.
The giggles of innocent, it came from to those children whose passing by. Their playfulness and also their carefree, they reminds Nortes of his childhood.
A sweet nostalgia replaced the feelings that trouble within him. The freedom. The innocence. And has not know much of the world. But comparing at his current self, it is a tragedy, he cannot return to those time to feel that for a second time.
Throughout his days in living, he learned a thing or two. That is the time itself is incapable to flow backward but forward.
Though, upon Nortes sought the faces and actions of those children, the same as he did, it make his mouth turned into a smile, a smile mixed of regret and solace.
"I am jealous of them..." Nortes muttered.
He stare in jealousy, until it became a beautiful reminder. A reminder to enjoy the life while you still have it.
So pretty soon, Nortes began to move, he walks toward the crowds in order to join them, taking several directions. But for him, he took one direction for to enjoy exploring the town himself. Alone. As his desire.
During taking a stroll, Nortes noticed the faces of the people, they are smiling, a pure joy. Due to it, it reminds him in his world, where rarely people have a smile in their faces compare to this world.
He hope the world he currently on is kind and joyful is same as his world, but he could only hope so. He wish his world could be extraordinary as this world, but he could only wish.
No matter what he will think or do, it is still nothing has change or happen, his only option, as an ordinary human, to accept on how unfair the reality.
For human cannot do impossible. But they could, through imagination. That is the truth, a hurtful truth.
A few minutes of walking later, he arrived at what it seems to be a marketplace, a vast and wide path, from right to left, at every side he will see many vendors in their places interacting with their buyers.
This hour is truly busy.
After observing, Nortes again started to move, until he stops at the vendor who sells apples. Completely distracted, his attention lost at the apples, it looks like he is hungry perhaps.
Those apples are looking they were freshly picked from the farm, no wonder he fell lost to that fruit, it was the quality.
"Hello there!" A voice intervened, Nortes's oblivious break out. His sense returned, once again.
After he regain his focus, he then meet the attention of the vendor of the apple, his eyes are locked at Nortes.
Nortes is feeling nervous and would stutter once he speak. So he take his time to gain courage then he spoke.
"I am sorry. I was lost at myself in that moment there, mister."
"Yes you were. You were looking quite starving, ain't right?" He asked Nortes.
"Uh... Yes. I am not sure about myself though."
Speaking of which, I haven't eat since I left Nortes thought.
"You havin doubt eh? In that case..." The vendor pick the apple then reach to him. "Here. Take it."
Nortes feel hesitate and unworthy at the sudden offer.
"You see? It is free! You shy or what? C'mon, take it! It is rare to get free in a life time, y'know?" The vendor seems he is about to place back the apple. "If you don't want it then-"
"I will take it!" Nortes finally decided. He took the apple from vendor's hand swiftly before the vendor could react, then he take a bite.
He savor the flavor, it is juicy and incredibly sweet than his world's, his eyes light in delight, he continues on munching every corners of the apple.
The vendor's expression turned light then chuckles, his expectation was right.
"Attaboy! I was right all along! And hey, do not ye worry. It is on the house!"
Nortes stopped munching in order to speak out, "You knew?" Then he continues, falling into munching the apple.
"Ye! I am! You ain't alone, I also do. You having doubt at yourself you whether hungry or something else. But when you start to eat, you are really starving to death."
"Well you are not wrong." Nortes walks around his store then stand beside it, there he continues to munch again, he positioned himself there was to avoid disturbing the people at the road.
"Thank you for the apple by the way." He said again.
"Nah, not at all, lad. My stocks are full as it is enough for the drought to come so it won't hurt if I gave one away."
"You would not mind if I say I want more?" Nortes asked enthusiastically.
"Hah!" The vendor scoff. "Of course! Beside there is more than where that came from. I'm ain't bother even a little bit."
"And I don't mind if you will return here for more apples. Just let me check if there is any leftover. Clean in fact! I won't let my customer to get sick 'cause of me, it will possibly ruin my reputation here." The man which looks like in 50s, added.
"Afraid of losing your business, are you mister? For such tough man as you, afraid of one possibility." Nortes joke. Then he munch apple, still in his hand.
"Oho!" The vendor heard that clearly. He speak again, just after he put his stock into the corner. "It is dangerous, alrighty! One mistake, it will spread, from gossip to gossip, then next-Oh no! Oh no! Nobody will come to buy. If that would happen my family and I are at risk."
The vendor look at Nortes, from top to bottom, taking details. Ponder about something.
"Are you new 'ere, young lad?" He asked.
Nortes stop biting at the apple which it is almost it is completely leave with its core.
"I suppose so. Though while I was exploring I can't understand the texts displayed at many stores. That was probably twenty-one minutes ago." He stated. He suppose It wouldn't be bad to share his problem to someone.
"I consider that as yes. So you are foreigner from the other side. Your trouble is understandable but someday it'll become better, really I hope. Eventually not this day, it is a day to mourn the dead. The duke of our land, his nephew died, and his brother and his wife too. From what I've heard they died from an ambush, it was last night."
"Bummer. Being a duke ain't easy." He, the vendor, shook his head then look at the sky which became cloudy. "That's life for ya! Good at treating unfairness to the good ones."
"Speaking of which, there goes the Sentinel of his nephew, alongside with the guards. Maybe they're taking stroll at this marketplace to get something valuable." The vendor looked at the sight of many familiar figures across the road overflow of people.
When Nortes heard "Sentinel" it nearly choke himself as he postpone on munching the apple, leaving nothing but its core behind.
He looked at the direction as the vendor. His eyes widened once he saw Mikhail, who is gazing at every directions. It appears it is almost like he is—
HE IS LOOKING FOR ME?!!
DID I GET FOLLOWED?!
Nortes screams inwardly. There was a hint of irritation in his voice.