Chapter 7
[Embercrown 17th (17/8), Year 1356 of the Arcane Calendar]
| 8:00 PM |
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[ Valco city, castle ]
Creak...
The sound that came as I opened the door wasn't one of a crooked type; it was the sound of status and wealth.
To the right, a row of massive twenty-foot windows stretched toward the ceiling, their panes framing the moon's ghostly silhouette against a star-strewn night sky, casting silvery pools of light across the polished floor.
I continued my steps 1, 2, 3. The closer I drew, the heavier the air grew, thick with an almost tangible pressure that pressed against my chest. Throughout this, I never lifted my gaze to look straight forward
5, 6, 7, it got tougher; at this point, the difference between each step kept decreasing.
8, 9... 11.
I stopped, after a few seconds, the air felt breathable again, lighter, as if the room itself had relented.
Huff... Huff...
"Hmm... you got closer than before. Good," came a commanding voice, rich and resonant, cutting through the stillness like a blade.
I slowly raised my eyes to meet the man behind the commanding voice.
On a high seat, his long, fiery red hair cascaded over an ornate, embroidered coat adorned with a bold cross emblem, exuding regal authority. His intense gaze, framed by a well-groomed beard and mustache, paired with his confident posture in luxurious attire, commanded the room with a mysterious, aristocratic aura.
"I, Kyzen Lunthaler Varae, son of Baron Calix, greet count Aldrick Lopez," I said, my voice steady despite the weight of the moment, the words reverberating faintly off the stone walls.
"Tsk, enough formalities..." he replied, his voice sharp yet still had a trace of warmth.
This time, I didn't hold back. A wide, unhinged smile crept across my face, my lips curling with a touch of madness.
"Thank you, Grandfather"
"I see only you have arrived this year," he remarked.
"Well, Father has been summoned to the continent of Malvo. It was a sudden directive from the royal family, mandating his participation," I explained, keeping my tone even.
Malvo? Hmm... Very well. And what about your mother? . Well, Mother, recalling her reasons for staying away, stated, 'I'm not coming. Father has gone too far. Last time, he sought to test Luca, who nearly fainted. This time, I'm sure he intends to test Lisa. I'll hit him if he does so.' Diana doesn't harbor true resentment toward him; she merely wishes him to learn his lesson," I recalled, a small smile tugging at my lips as I relayed her fiery resolve.'
"Well, Lisa was feeling sick. Mother didn't want to make her travel with her condition, so only I came this time."
The disappointment etched into his features was unmistakable. Though a laid-back, orthodox man, his deep affection for his daughters and sons remained evident.'
"Go rest in your room. We shall discuss further at dinner," he instructed, his voice regaining its authoritative edge.
I gave a slight bow before turning to depart, the weight of his gaze lingering on my back as I moved toward the door.
Thud...
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[ castle , location – unknown room ]
In a grand room decorated with vibrant pink and red walls, a young girl rested. Her face filled with beauty like a fairy-tale princess. She was asleep at a fancy desk, her right hand gently holding her cheek. Her long hair creeping down to her waist, shining softly under the light of a chandelier.
"Young miss, are you there?" a voice entered the silence.
"Hmm... Who is it? Wake me up in an hour. I keep telling you 8 AM is too early," I mumbled, my voice filled with exhaustion.
"Young miss, it is me, Sofia, your maid. I am entering the room," she announced, the door creaking open with a sound that twitched my nerves.
"Please, Sofia, I'm completely drained. After practicing my dance nonstop for the past week, my back aches more than it ever did at the academy," I complained, shifting uncomfortably, feeling every sore muscle protest.
"I regret to hear that, miss, but it is presently 7:20 PM. You have yet to have your dinner," Sofia replied.
"The fuck?" I jolted upright, pushing my numb hand away from my face, it felt more dead than my will to go eat. With a weary tug, I sorted my hair and turned to Sofia, who immediately began speaking.
"Yes, miss, the fuck indeed. Now, please wash your face promptly. I shall attire you appropriately," she said, her voice firm, tinged with frustration I couldn't ignore.
"Why so fancy? It's not like I'm in my nightdress or anything. "This is fine," I protested, glancing down at my rumpled clothes, wondering why she cared so much. Anyway, I'm on a diet—tell my father I won't be joining them.
"How many days will you be on a diet, miss?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"Oh, umm, just a couple of hours should be fine," I replied.
"Young Lord Kyzen has arrived, and the family is convening for a formal meal," Sofia declared, her eyes narrowing and her voice sharpening with each word, her anger controlled just beneath the surface.
"Oh, I see. Kyzen's come. Hahaha, poor guy must be enduring Grandfather's test as he does every year. I wish I could have seen it with my own eyes," I chuckled, picturing his ordeal with a blend of slight sympathy and more amusement, my laughter echoing faintly in the room.
Sofia's gaze settled on me, heavy with disappointment, and she said, "Miss, please cleanse your mouth."
Drip, drip...
"Ahh, shit, I'm drooling again," I gasped, mortified, as I wiped my chin, the heat rising to my cheeks under her fiery stare.
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After some servants took me to my room for the stay and put my bags by the door, I sat on the bed. Since the count is higher than the baron, the guest rooms here are better than ours .
That old man is wild. How can he use such strong spirit power at his age? Usually, it's almost impossible to do that much. It needs a strong vessel or body, and what he showed was only a small part of his real power.
God dammit! I have to stay here for a week amidst all this noble bullshit—fuuuuuck!
Calming down after venting my frustration, I recalled the reason for presence here, in four days, there will be a royal birthday celebration, and the honored birthday girl is Chloe Lopez.
Chloe is the daughter of the eldest son of the old man, who is also the likely soon-to-be count. This effectively makes her my cousin. She is one year older than I am and possesses a notably unique personality, distinct from the typical royal stereotype of a sweet, sensitive, and sheltered princess.
Anna prepared a new set of clothes. Charles assisted her afterward. You both may then rest. This week, feel free to visit the city if you wish. Charles, I apologize for the responsibility, but please accompany Anna whenever possible.
In the dim darkness, a breeze flowed through the windows, fluttering Charles's brown hair. His gaze fixed on a single person as he said, "If you're fine with that, I would love to accompany you," his smile pure and kind.
Anna watched Charles and me, shifting her direction every few seconds. "Yes, that would be great. I would love to go together with you," she agreed.
"Well, that's settled. You both may leave to rest now," Please go before I start puking my stomach empty I thought to myself, suppressing a grimace.
Clack...
Finally, a comfortable bed awaited me. After completing my daily workout, I enjoyed a warm bath, thoughtfully prepared in advance by the maids.
I should try to figure out how those gloves work. Silence filled the tub, broken only by gentle ripples.
I saw my face in the reflection—it showed Kyzen, but to me, it was Oliver.
In the bath, as I stared at Oliver's face in the water, a memory flashed—me laughing with friends back home, a life so different it hurt. The ripples blurred my reflection, and I chuckled darkly, wondering if I'd forget my old jokes next. The warm water felt like a cocoon, mixing with the steam.
Am I losing myself, or have I already lost myself?
Since arriving here, I must have changed. I disturbed the calm water's surface and leaned back against the tub; my head tilted toward the ceiling.
What is change? No one remains the same person forever. To others, I am still just Kyzen, but that feels wrong. Even change depends on a person's perspective.
People change daily. The person I knew a month ago might not be the same now. Does that mean the person I knew no longer exists, or is it akin to a feeling that the one I knew is dead? Change is a natural occurrence, so perhaps my own change will eventually feel normal.
Even with people we know—great figures—the knowledge we have of them is only a part of their lives. If we learn new information about them, the person we knew is gone, altering our opinion and view.
For example, Edison was a great person known for his many innovative ideas to many, but history also reveals another story: Thomas Edison often took credit for inventions or improvements that were largely based on the work of others, including his employees and fellow inventors.
A person's image can shift based on the truth, even if they lived in the past.
Splash...
Getting out of the tub, water dripping everywhere like I was a wet dog!, putting on a bathrobe, walking out of the bathroom to the window in the room, I threw it open and stared at the night sky, all dark and twinkling with stars. A cool breeze hit my face. I laughed at myself, standing there dripping wet, looking like a fool under the moon.
When I considered how painters love philosophy, I didn't understand it before, and now—yes,I still have no fucking understanding of it.
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In a large, opulent dining hall adorned with glittering chandeliers, many family members were already taking their seats, chatting quietly among themselves. The room buzzed with laughter and soft whispers as the long table filled with people, from young children to older adults.
My gaze shifted between the faces, moving from the kids playing with their napkins to the adults sipping their drinks, and finally resting on Aldrick, who sat at the end of the long table with a stern look.
I glanced down at my clothes, noticing I was wearing a simple formal suit with a fitted jacket, adorned with brass buttons and a subtle leaf pattern, paired with a crisp shirt and trousers.
A gentleman in a black suit beside me to the left asked, "How are you, Kyzen? Are you enjoying your life at the academy?" His voice carried a hint of curiosity as he leaned closer. "It's going smoothly and has been very enjoyable," I replied with a nice, simple answer, offering a small smile.
The man who asked was none other than Chloe's father, a tall figure with a kind face. After a few more casual exchanges, we talked about how Diana and the family were doing, focusing on their health and the usual family matters. The conversation flowed easily, with everyone sharing quick updates and smiles.
Suddenly, a large door opened, and a right leg stepped in first, the
tap-tap..
of her boots echoing off the walls and catching everyone's attention. I thought to myself, "Making us wait—do knights not have any punctuality" even though I knew her bold personality well. Chloe's dress was a long, fancy gown that fit closely at the top with pretty star-like designs, flowing out in soft layers for a grand look, colored in shiny silver with touches of deep gold, making it look bright and magical like the night sky.
Good evening, everyone. I apologize for the delay; she arrived and took her seat gracefully beside me, while the maids stepped forward to begin serving the food. I found myself captivated by the meal, focusing intently to ensure I did not start drooling in front of everyone.
"Hello, Kyzen. It has been a while. I do not see anyone else, did Sister Lena not come? I haven't been able to meet her since she graduated," a voice inquired, breaking my concentration.
"Ah, yeah, Lena's doing fine as usual a bit busy," I replied, keeping my voice steady.
Chloe leaned in closely, her low voice a rough rumble like a teasing sibling. "Busy, my butt!" she growled softly, smirking with a mischievous glint. "Bet she's dodging my letters. Tell her to drag her lazy self back here, or I'll hunt her down and haul her in myself!"
"Well, I spoke in a low voice—not everyone is a battle freak gorilla like you."
My face flinched.
"Ah, sorry, there was a fly, it's gone now. This bitch—she just punched me in my gut!"
The others didn't mind ,just seeing it as bonding .
"Oh yeah, I have a request," she said, changing her face to a calm one. "Here, please, I beg you, get this for me in two days " She handed me a paper slip.
"Normally, I would have someone get them, but the maid's sick. I'll introduce you to some of my friends—maybe find some that might want to spend the night with you after the ball for my birthday," her face had a smug look.
I looked at her in disgust. "Seriously, does she think Kyzen would want that? Well, I wouldn't mind, but I'm not so cheap," I thought. Opening the slip...
The slip contained a request for a specific alcohol product:
4 bottles of high concentration of 50% ABV from the 1132 vintage of Spirits Co.'s Eclipse Vodka.
I looked at her in shock. "Are you mad?!"