Chapter 2

(Lancelot’s POV)

          “This is nice.” I muttered, letting the morning breeze passed through my face and into the pores of my skin.

          I feel like I’m frozen in time as I assimilate with the nature; the breeze, the fresh smell of grass and the scent of flowers, as well as the damp and slightly prickly sensation of the grasses pressing beneath my legs. It was a completion especially when I feel it with every fiber of my being, including my able legs.

The breeze died down for a bit, replaced with the sound of ceramic surface clanking together as Taylor—who supposedly is Lancelot’s butler, but because I am inside his body, he became my butler now—was pouring a cup of tea for me after preparing my breakfast.

“This is...” I gazed at the assorted shortcakes and pies. Some of them were decorated with colorful slices of fruits and even flowers, while some other is decorated with chocolate or even red velvet.

“It is your favorite food, Master. I hope the incident doesn’t deter your taste buds.”

“The incident?”

Taylor avoided the question by handing me the cup filled with steaming tea topped with sprinkles of small pink colored flower petals.

“It’s chamomile tea, sire. I figure it would be to your liking.” The butler skillfully explained. Him being so overly discreet with me makes it hard to revert back the conversation into the earlier topic. But really, did something happened to Lancelot that I forget?

My ponder stopped when I heard a distant neigh amidst the chirping sound of the birds. Turning towards the sound, I saw a tall, masculine figure of a guy, probably in his twenties yet the dark brown wavy long hair that is tied in a loose ponytail makes him look old, was calming down the horses used to bring me here in this grassy plains.

I do remember him from the earlier scene. After informing Taylor that I want to go out, the butler quickly disappeared, only to appear once more with casual pair of clothes for me while stating that the preparations to go out will be finished soon.

Lest I probably be daydreaming, the soon came right after Taylor bathed me and put on my clothes. It was shorter, way shorter than I expected.

After that was the time where I met this rough looking guy. His behavior contrasted his looks. Despite looking so overwhelming, he is just a sweet kid who likes horses.

If I remember correctly, his name is Hans. Just Hans, as he said he came from a poor family without a family name. It’s a twisted setting of this world that servants weren’t allowed to have last names unless decreed by the royalty.

Despite that, the kind guy willingly led us to a good spot to have an outdoor breakfast. They could have just take me to the gardens of my mansion, but for some reason, here I am, sitting in a vast green field that is located on a hillside and is filled with patches of flowerbeds, big and small included, spread across the perimeter. At the far end of the lining between the field and the air, I could see a view of a small town, the sight is a bit blurry but it’s definitely a town.

“Master, have some cake.” Taylor handed me a plate filled with various flavors of cakes made in small bites. I gasped in awe and gratefully accepted it from him while he took away my teacup to put it on the even surface of the basket.

I moaned in joy the moment I bite into one of the cakes that was filled with chocolate. I am not a fan of chocolate actually but probably due to my body changed, my taste bud too had changed.

As I was busy enjoying the cakes, suddenly I heard a rustling sound coming from nearby. I turned my head to the source of the sound, just to be surprised by the appearance of a white hare that leaped to my side. For a moment, I was caught speechless.

“Why...” I tittered. Meanwhile, the hare was staring intently at me, before all of a sudden, swiftly snatched one of the cakes that was dressed in small pieces of nuts before running back into the woods nearby.

I burst out giggling in amusement.

“Oh... The hare just stole one of the cakes.” Taylor sounded a bit surprised.

“No worries. We still have many cakes to enjoy.” I reassured, picking another cake with red velvet flavor before putting it into my mouth.

The butler went still.

“Master...” There is a slight confusion in his tone. I paused my eating and turned to look at him.

“What’s wrong?”

The butler pursed his lips. For a brief second, gush of wind blew past the two of us before he finally decided to tell.

“It’s nothing.” He tried to hide the reluctance with a professional smile. Despite that, I already caught his hidden emotions that I don’t seem to understand.

I guess it’s a given that he usually hide his emotions, as servants, especially in the Constance household weren’t allowed to go against Lancelot primarily after he became the head of the family. Because of that, most of the servant became frustrated and left the mansion. Now that I think of it, those people that are with me must really be strong willed people.

“Taylor.” I put down the plate after finishing half of its contents. “I remembered we were talking about this family’s riches, right?”

He instantly pulled a tight expression.

I cracked into a smile briefly, before uttering,  

          “For this month, increase the salary for all the servants by tenfold...”

          Taylor suddenly froze.

“Pardon? What do you mean by that, Master?”

I retained my smile. “I mean as it is. You guys have worked hard for me for all these years, so you guys deserve a bonus.”

The butler still looked unconvincing. It’s a given when your bastardious employer suddenly wanted to give you bonus, and not twofold, but tenfold of bonus. They must have thought I am crazy or something.

Talking about they, I specifically meant Taylor and Hans—who was on his way to the two of us—before he stopped just a few feet behind Taylor in shock of my news.

I passed my gaze between those two. Just 500 gold coins probably won’t be enough for the future event that will unfold, so, “...If by any chance, something happened to me by the end of this month, you all take 10 thousand gold for each of you and flee from this household. Understood?”

“Master!” Taylor cut in. His expression is filled with exasperation and slight anger as he said, “I can’t seem follow what you are saying at all. What is the meaning of all this?”

I heaved a sharp sigh.

“I... I don’t think I will live long.”