As sunlight shone through the curtains, the face of a rather handsome young man reflected faintly on the window. Standing up and rubbing his eyes, he groggily shuffled into the bathroom and picked up what looked like a toothbrush to brush his teeth. Only then did he open his blue eyes fully, taking a long look at his reflection before stepping into the shower.
When he came out, he went to his wardrobe and picked out an orange shirt and dark-blue trousers—the kind of outfit peasants usually wore in this world. But the lavish room he stood in told a very different story.
"Okay, time to find me a job!"
Clark spoke aloud as he finished dressing.
Laura popped out of his head with an amused expression.
"No one's going to hire you for a decent job dressed like that, you dork."
My mouth twitched at her signature annoying tone.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping, or doing some other guardian-y stuff?" I asked, fixing my ruffled collar.
"And miss this? Pfft, no way."
I ignored her and faced the mirror, combing my hair.
"I look pretty handsome," I muttered.
Sharp eyebrows, deep ocean-blue eyes, a defined collarbone, long dark hair, and small pink lips—yeah, not bad at all.
"Narcissist much?" Laura teased, floating lazily around the room.
"Aren't you afraid someone's going to see you?" I asked, glancing out the window.
The sight outside was breathtaking: rolling green mountains stretching into the sky, different races walking the streets, children laughing and playing.
It was paradise—or at least, it looked like paradise. But my instincts whispered otherwise, and I hoped they were wrong.
"Huh? Oh, I forgot to tell you," Laura said, zipping across the room.
"Others can't see me. Tee-hee." She knocked her head lightly and stuck out her tongue.
"Then why do you always fly into my head like it's your bedroom?" I demanded, trying to stop my eye from twitching. Damn girl might actually kill me with stress.
"Hm? I dunno. Maybe it's just fun to act like those genies I heard about."
"Genies don't hide in—"
Knock knock.
"Clark, it's me, Miriam. May I come in?"
I froze mid-sentence, interrupted by Miriam's unusually cheerful voice.
"Please, come in, Mi—Miriam."
"Mkay!"
The moment she opened the door, a sweet scent hit me—vanilla mixed with lilies. Weird combo, but my brain had no better description for the soothing aroma.
"Clark, get ready, we are… wait. What are you wearing?"
Miriam's voice was sharp as her eyes scanned me from head to toe.
What?! Was my outfit really that bad?
"U-um… these were in that drawer," I stammered, pointing helplessly.
"Ugh, forget it. You're coming with me to get proper clothes. I can't have you making me lose face today."
Before I could protest, Miriam grabbed me and dragged me down the red-carpeted corridor.
I took the chance to look around—gold-painted walls, portraits and paintings that looked like the family's history. One portrait in particular caught my eye: a tall, rugged man with a short black beard, draped in lion's fur, standing proudly over the corpses of orcs, goblins, and other monsters. His fiery gaze and domineering posture gave off the aura of an emperor, his longsword buried deep in the skull of what I assumed was a monster king.
"Who is that?" I asked as Miriam nearly shoved me into her room.
"That's my eldest brother. And he's coming home today!" Miriam said brightly, a smile stretching across her face.
'She must really love her brother,' I thought with a smile of my own… until her words sank in.
"Y-you said… h-he's coming today?" My voice cracked as dread bubbled inside me.
If he looked that scary in a portrait, what would the real thing be like? And if he noticed how well I was being treated here… my head would roll before I even knew what happened!
"Yes! So hurry up and change!"
Laura piled some clothes onto Miriam's rose-colored bed with a proud grin.
"Take your pick," she said, hands on her hips.
After some thought, I pointed at a plain purple robe. It was silky to the touch, surprisingly soft despite its rough-looking fabric.
"Good choice! That was my brother's favorite when he was your age too!"
Laura smiled, picking it up.
"Eh?" was all I managed to say, dread sinking deeper.
"Y-your brother liked this robe too?"
"Yep. Now quit wasting time and put it on."
"Fucked. Absolutely fucked," I muttered under my breath as I headed into the dressing room.
"Pfft… hahaha!" Laura burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.
"I-I'm sorry, it's just too funny. You're like a trouble magnet, hahahaha!"
I ignored her, slipping on the robe with a blank expression.
"It was good knowing you, Laura," I said as I stepped out, only to be met with more of her melodious laughter.
Miriam, however, muttered shyly, "Y-you look… good," avoiding eye contact.
"Thank you," I replied with a bow, accepting my grim fate.
'Lord, if You're still watching me… don't let me die today.'
I prayed silently as I followed Miriam downstairs.
Unlike some might think, I was a devoted Christian in my past life. Back when life still had order, He was the only one I could lean on when the pressure crushed me.
"MAKE WAY FOR THE FIRST SON OF THE ROTHSCHILDS!"
A booming voice echoed from the gates, accompanied by the thundering of hooves and blaring trumpets.
The firstborn of the Rothschild family had arrived.
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Author's Note:
Hey guys >_< just a little question for my readers—are you enjoying the story so far? If not, I'm really sorry I couldn't entertain you 😔 but feel free to tell me what you didn't like and how I can improve. And if you are enjoying it—thank you so much for giving it a shot! Didn't I say you'd like it? hehe~ Anyways, see you in the next chapter! Author out!