Back in his assigned room, Fainyx finally allowed himself to breathe.
The room was already neatly arranged maybe Estrella organized it after he left. Everything was placed exactly where he preferred it to be, from the books stacked by the bedside to the chair positioned near the window. Of course, the room is also extravagant as expected of a duke household. The bed alone looked soft enough to swallow him whole.
He walked toward the window.
There, resting peacefully in a pot basking in sunlight, was the flower.
Kalmia huh... It's actually similar to a flower in my previous world but it didn't have some effects like it sucks up mana... this thing is not explained in the game.
The rare flower swayed ever so slightly as Fainyx approached, its pale petals shimmering faintly. Just like before. A subtle reaction... almost affectionate. He extended a small hand and gently fed it a thread of mana.
The flower seemed to relax.
Good, It's still responsive.
Satisfied, he shifted his gaze outside.
Only now did he realize just how vast the main palace grounds were.
Beyond the gardens were open fields and neatly arranged pathways. In the distance, knights trained with swords, the sound of clashing steel faint but rhythmic. Even farther, tall structures and towers rose against the sky. It was… beautiful.
So this is the world I reincarnated into… and I've barely seen any of it... I been so focused about my father being in the carriage that I didn't get to see the outside world...
What a waste.
As he continued staring outside, lost in thought, a knock suddenly echoed through the room.
Before he could even react, the door opened.
A woman stepped in.
She wore a maid's uniform, but unlike Estrella, her posture was casual, too casual. Her lips curved upward into what could only be described as a smug smile.
"So you're the new one," she said, eyes scanning him from head to toe. "I'll be your personal maid from now on."
Fainyx stiffened internally.
A personal maid? Why do I suddenly feel like my peaceful life is being threatened?
The maid glanced around the room, clicking her tongue softly. "Tch. Quite the room for someone like you."
Someone… like him?
She folded her arms. "You should be thankful. His Grace is generous enough to take in an orphan."
Fainyx blinked.
…Orphan?
He slowly turned his eyes toward her, then calmly looked away.
The maid's smile twitched.
"Oh?" she scoffed. "Ignoring me already?"
She leaned closer, lowering her voice mockingly. "So this is the rumored one who can't speak, huh? Don't play dumb. You're just pretending, aren't you?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Go on. Say something."
Fainyx stared at her. His face void of emotions.
Inside his mind, however
Wow. Straight into villain mode on the first meeting. Is this a scripted encounter? Did I accidentally trigger a bad route?
The maid's smugness cracked slightly.
"…Tch."
She straightened up. "Whatever. Don't get any funny ideas just because you're staying here."
She turned on her heel and left the room without another word.
The door shut.
Fainyx remained still for a few seconds.
I suddenly miss Estrella...
He sighed internally and walked back to the window, placing a hand near the kalmia.
"At least you're nice," he thought dryly.
The flower swayed again, as if agreeing.
The boy lingered in place, his brows knitting together ever so slightly.
A personal maid?
That alone was strange enough... but what unsettled him more was the absence of a familiar presence. Estrella was nowhere in sight.
His gaze flicked once more toward the smug maid inside the room, then away. Without a word, he turned and reached for the door.
As it opened—
Thud.
Someone stood right outside.
The boy froze.
"…!"
For a split second, his mind screamed.
Damn I got jumpscared why is he here?
Yet his face remained perfectly neutral, betraying nothing.
"Oh! I was just about to knock," a cheerful voice said. "Hehe."
It was Liam.
The boy relaxed internally, though he gave no outward sign. Liam tilted his head, eyes curious.
"Where are you going?" he asked, then paused. "Ah… actually, never mind."
The boy hesitated.
How should he ask?
He couldn't speak. Gestures wouldn't be enough. And writing… oh yeah...
He turned back into the room, moving straight to the desk. He retrieved a small charcoal stick he used for practice and several sheets of paper. Liam blinked, watching him.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
The boy ignored the question and began to write.
He carefully write some letters and then moments later, he turned the paper around and held it up.
Where is my maid, Estrella?
Liam's eyes widened.
"…You can write?"
The boy nodded once.
Liam stared at the paper, then at him again, visibly shaken. "I—I didn't know. Father might know the answer. You should ask him."
The boy wrote again.
Thank you.
He bowed politely and turned to leave.
"Wait."
He stopped and looked back.
"I'll come with you," Liam said.
The boy sighed inwardly.
Why are you suddenly sticking so close…
Still, he merely shrugged and walked on. Liam followed.
They passed through the long corridors of the ducal estate, footsteps echoing softly against polished floors. As the towering doors of the duke's office came into view, the boy felt his chest tighten.
Nervous…
But he straightened his back.
He knocked.
"Who goes there?" an aide called from inside.
"It's me," Liam replied, "and fainyx. May we enter?"
The door opened almost immediately.
They stepped inside.
Stacks of documents rose like small towers on the duke's desk. Quill in hand, the duke paused and looked up.
"What is it?" he asked calmly.
Liam spoke first. "Father, he wants to ask about his maid Estrella."
The duke's gaze shifted to the boy. Then he sighed.
"Ah. That."
He leaned back slightly. "Estrella is on paid leave. She has done much in caring for you, so I allowed her time to return home."
The boy stiffened.
The duke continued, "Her village lies far to the west. The journey alone takes weeks. I was planning to inform you, but matters piled up."
Relief washed over the boy.
So she wasn't dismissed…
The duke added, "I also neglected to explain about the temporary replacement."
At that, the boy picked up his charcoal again.
The duke noticed.
"…You're writing?"
The aide beside him froze. "Young master can write?"
The boy finished and handed the paper forward.
The duke read it and his eyes widened.
Not only were the words clear, but the spelling was precise. The handwriting was neat, unlike a normal two year old handwriting.
[Who is the maid who claims to be my personal maid?]
"…Impressive," the duke murmured.
He looked up. "She is assigned to you temporarily. Only for one month. When Estrella returns, her duties will resume."
The boy nodded slowly.
Concern lingered... about the new maid's attitude, but he chose not to press the issue. His father had already done enough.
He bowed deeply.
Thank you.
Without another word, he turned and left the office, heart finally settling.
Estrella was safe. I thought she might've been fired or something, It's a relief...
I'll just be strong until she comes back the new maid seems to be something problematic.
Even after leaving the duke's office, the sound of footsteps behind him didn't fade.
He still following me…
The boy stopped walking.
Liam nearly bumped into him. "Oh—"
The boy calmly took out his paper and charcoal once more and wrote.
[Why are you still following me?]
Liam read it, then grinned. "Because I want to play with you," he said easily. "And since you're free now, I should give you a tour of the house."
The boy stared at him for a second.
Well his suggestions is good since I'll be living here... knowing the place is needed so I won't say no to that…
He sighed inwardly and gave a small nod.
Liam's face lit up. "Great! Follow me!"
Without waiting, he turned and began walking, talking as he went.
"This hallway connects most of the inner rooms," Liam explained. "That way leads to the kitchen, lots of servants there, so it's always noisy."
They passed by wide doors and smaller corridors.
"Those rooms are for the servants. And over there." Liam pointed proudly, "The dining hall. That's where we usually eat... well our Father won't eat with us too much since he's always busy."
The boy glanced inside as they passed, imagining the long table filled with dishes.
After several minutes of walking, the doors ahead opened to the outside.
Sunlight spilled in.
The boy stopped.
"…!"
The mansion stretched far beyond what he'd imagined. Marble pathways, towering statues, and everywhere he looked, gold accents, embedded jewels, decorations that screamed rich.
This place is ridiculous…
Liam laughed. "Big, right?"
They continued until they reached the gardens.
Rows of roses bloomed in rich colors, surrounded by countless other flowers. The air was fragrant, alive. Even after seeing his mana-reacting flower earlier, this was overwhelming.
The boy's eyes lingered everywhere.
"Are you amazed?" Liam asked. "It's hard to tell with your face."
The boy nodded.
Liam smiled, clearly pleased. "Father says some of these gardens existed before the mansion itself. They've been cared for by generations."
They walked on, Liam still explaining bits of history, old buildings, unused wings, places even servants rarely went.
Finally, they reached a wide open field.
The sound hit him first.
Clang—!
Metal against metal.
The training grounds.
Knights filled the area, some stretching, others locked in sparring matches. Sweat glistened under the sun as swords collided with sharp precision.
"This is where the knights train," Liam said. "Father also trains here and spar with the knights, me and our older brother also use this to training ground."
The boy watched intently.
Two knights were sparring nearby. Their movements were fast, controlled—until...
Clatter.
A sword slipped from the knight on the left's hand and hit the ground.
"Match over," the referee announced. "Victory to the knight on the right Maverick!."
The boy's gaze sharpened.
So this is how this world knights fight…
Not a game. Not scripted like in the game world.
Something stirred quietly inside him as he watched the knights rest, swords raised once more.
Suddenly a loud voice behind them
"LIAM!"
A loud voice echoed.
Liam flinched. "Ah!"
A large man approached, his body covered in scars and muscles.
Roswell, Fainyx realized. It's one of the dukes knight right hand man.
"You're supposed to study before training!" Roswell scolded.
"I was just giving Fainyx a tour!" Liam protested.
Roswell laughed loudly. "So this is the youngest master! Same as ever, you don't talk, huh?"
He leaned closer. "You really look like His Grace."
Fainyx shuddered.
Similar? No thank you.
He touched his own face absentmindedly.
Liam look at his face then curious he suddenly reached out and touched his cheek.
"…!"
"Oh~ So soft!" Liam shouted.
He squished again.
And again.
Stop. Please stop.
Fainyx stood there, suffering silently.
Then suddenly Adam appeared confused at what's happening.
"What are you doing to Fainyx?" he asked calmly.
"He's really soft! Try touching—"
"Liam," Adam interrupted, "He might be uncomfortable. Stop."
Liam froze. "…Ah."
He let go. "Sorry. I couldn't help it."
Fainyx rubbed his cheeks, clearly annoyed.
Without a word, he turned away.
"Where are you going?" Liam asked.
Fainyx wrote:
[Back to my room. I'm tired.]
Adam blinked. "You can write?"
Fainyx nodded.
"…That's surprising," Adam muttered.
Fainyx bowed politely and left.
As he walked away, he thought:
Next time… I'm avoiding people...