Why was I even born in this world?
Sometimes, I feel like I don't belong here — like my existence is a mistake.
Everything about me feels wrong. I'm weak. I'm ugly. Unlucky.
Maybe it's all my fault… yeah, I'm probably the one to blame.
It's not like I can pin this on my parents.
"Was."
They're not here anymore.
After they passed away, the only person who ever showed me kindness was my aunt.
But yesterday… she died too.
Now, I truly have nothing left.
No one to help me. No money to pay my bills. No hope for the future.
Honestly… I'm not even sure I have a future.
If I had just one more chance… maybe I could've lived differently. Maybe I could've made something out of this wreckage.
But no.
Maybe it's better if I die. Or perhaps I should just go to a homeless shelter.
I don't have any relatives left. No one to care. No one even looking for me.
I want to cry.
But nothing comes. I feel… numb.
As I walked across the street, lost in thought, I didn't even notice the traffic light had turned green.
A sudden blaring horn snapped me back to reality.
"Wait—"
A truck sped toward me.
The headlights flashed in my eyes.
BAM!
Everything stopped.
The world faded to black.
•
Young Master…
Young Master!
Was that… a voice?
Is this… heaven?
No. Too bright. Too noisy. Heaven's supposed to be peaceful.
I slowly opened my eyes.
A girl stood beside my bed — maybe around my age.
She wore a maid outfit. Her face was filled with concern, like she'd been watching over me for a while.
"Young Master Cale, you're awake! Thank goodness," she said with relief, her shoulders visibly dropping in exhaustion.
What is this? Where am I?
I scanned the room quickly, forcing myself to think logically.
It was large, with tall windows draped in velvet curtains. The bed was massive — carved wooden frame, white silk sheets. Old-style furniture. Clean and regal.
This definitely isn't a hospital.
In fact… it doesn't feel like the modern world at all.
Judging by the decor, the fashion, even the light outside the window…
Victorian era.
And if she's in a maid uniform…
That means I'm in some kind of noble household.
So I'm… a young master?
Thank you, God.
I clenched my fists beneath the blanket.
No more worrying about food or bills. I've been reborn into a wealthy family.
But I needed to play this smart. She will be suspicious of me if I act strange.
"Who are you?" I asked as if i lost my memory.
"What? I'm Lena… your personal maid, Young Master," she replied, blinking, clearly confused.
"What happened to me?"
"You jumped into a pond," she said softly, almost like she didn't want to say it aloud.
"I… what? Why would I do that?"
"I think… it was because of your stepmother."
"Step… mother?"
She stared at me, mouth slightly open. Shocked.
"Wait… you don't even remember her?"
"No. I don't remember anything. Just… me."
"What?!"
"What's my full name?"
She hesitated, then stepped back, voice shaking slightly.
"You've even forgotten your prestigious household? If your father hears of this, he'll be furious!"
"I am Sorry but please tell me."
"You are the adopted young master of the Laveniya family — Cale Laveniya."
Cale Laveniya…?
So I'm adopted.
That explains a lot. The previous owner of this body tried to take his own life.
It wasn't just drama — he must have felt like he didn't belong.
Now I've taken over this life… and this mess.
SLAM.
The door burst open.
A sharp-looking woman entered, her expression unreadable but clearly hostile.
Behind her stood two boys — both around my age, nearly identical in every way. They looked at me with disgust, like I was dirt under their shoes.
I met their eyes. "Who are you i asked as if I own the house?"
"What?! You don't remember me? I'm the one who fed you for over a year!"
Fed me?
Over a year… hmm.
Two possibilities.
One — the patriarch adopted me a year ago.
Two — he married this woman a year ago.
But judging by the identical sons and her tone, she was already part of the household long before that.
So I was adopted just a year ago.
She scoffed. "So this is your act now? Pretending to lose your memory so the patriarch won't throw you out?"
What?!
He's going to kick me out?
I clenched my teeth.
Damn it. I thought I finally got a break… and now this?
Suddenly, a servant's voice called out from the hallway.
"The patriarch is arriving!"
Everyone straightened.
The boys immediately stepped forward.
"I, Gellard, greet the patriarch," said the older son.
"I, Lumian, greet the patriarch," the second followed.
"I, Lena, greet the patriarch," the maid said, bowing low.
The woman shot me a glare.
"Where are your manners, you insolent brat?!"
I scrambled to copy the others.
"I… Cale… greet the patriarch," I said quickly, trying to sound formal.
The man who entered was tall. Authority radiated from him like heat. His expression was unreadable — but his eyes lingered on me, sharp and probing.
"You seem fine. But it's almost like… you're a different person."
"That's because I don't know you," I replied.
Straightforward. Honest. But probably not the best thing to say said the Patriach.
"How insolent!" the woman snapped.
The patriarch frowned. "Do you remember what you said before — that you didn't want to be part of this family? Now that you've lost your memories, do you still wish to leave?"
I hesitated.
If I stay, she'll torment me again. The same house, same hatred. The same pressure that crushed the last Cale.
But if I leave…
I have no identity, no money, no understanding of this world.
Still...
"I will leave," I said.
He crossed his arms. "Hmph. Just as I expected. You're nineteen now. I first saw you at the orphanage seven years ago — you were twelve. A genius. I didn't adopt you then because of my wife's disapproval. But when you turned eighteen, I brought you here. She didn't object… but since then, you've become lazy, arrogant, drunk on the status you gained from our name."
He reached into his coat and tossed a pouch onto the bed.
"Here — one hundred gold coins. Enough to live for over a year without working."
"I don't need it," I said instantly.
The words came out before I could stop them.
Wait — why did I say that?! I should've taken it. Now I look like some beggar with pride issues.
I cursed myself silently.
The patriarch narrowed his eyes.
"So proud, are you? Fine. Then leave tonight — by 8 PM."
"As you wish," I said, bowing slightly.
They all turned and left, one after another.
Only Lena remained.
"Young Master… will you really be alright without money?" she asked, voice low. "I can give you some, if you'll accept it."
She was kind. Too kind.
But I've seen how hard servants work. I won't let her suffer because of me.
"No need," I said.
"What time is it now?"
"It's 7:30…"
That bastard didn't even give me a full day.
"I'm leaving now," I said, standing up.
I walked toward the door. Paused.
"From now on, I don't know you. We're strangers. If I recover my memories… maybe we'll meet again."
And with that, I stepped out into the night.
•
It was raining. Cold droplets soaking through the thin clothes I wore.
The streets were unfamiliar — cobbled, winding, dimly lit by lanterns that flickered in the wind.
Everything screamed foreign, dangerous, and new.
But strangely… I didn't feel afraid. Not yet.
While walking I saw my reflection in a carriage that is passing bye.
"My reflection showed sharp features—jet-black hair and piercing crimson eyes. At least my face was one thing I didn't hate."
This world… looks like a Victorian setting. Old, noble. Structured.
I like that. But still…
A sharp pain exploded in my head.
My vision blurred. My legs wobbled.
What's happening…?
My body collapsed. The stones beneath me felt colder than the rain.
Breath shallow. Limbs heavy. The world spinning.
My consciousness slipped.
But then — faint, almost drowned by the storm — I heard footsteps.
Someone's… coming?
Who?
I didn't know.
"Judging by footsteps it seems one person"
Atleast someone found me.