Lancelot’s POV
“Good work today.” I said. The construction workers who noticed me coming closer to them scampered around, frantically trying to make themselves presentable. I couldn’t help forming a smile.
“M-My Lord, what brings you to this humble site?” A male, presumably the leader of the team, bowed his head and spoke. I gave the people behind him a quick glance, before returning it to him.
“I thought you guys would be hungry, so I made some Polbit sandwich.”
“Polbit sandwich?” The group leader repeated. There was a spark in his dark brown eyes before he quickly looked behind him towards the whispering workers. They all shared the same expression; excitement.
“W-We couldn’t possibly indulge ourselves in that luxurious meat such as the Polbit!-”
“Oh please, just treat this as a gift from me from all the hard work you guys have done. I made a lot of it, alo
Lancelot’s POVIt’s the day, everyone.What day, exactly?No, not my birthday.It’s the day where Suna Raikan came to the mansion so I can strike some deal with him. Because I was told that I might be able to buy some Eastern goods from him, I have been feeling very excited for his reply since I sent him a letter a few days ago, and yesterday, I finally received a letter announcing his arrival to the mansion today.Amidst the bustling of servants and some knights training that I could listen through my office window, I scribbled some notes on a piece of paper, mind wandering far away through the tainted glass pane.Halfway through writing the letter C for rice, my pen stopped letting out ink, so I pulled the third and lowest drawer of my office table and took out a medium size bottle of black ink. Then I dissected the pen and took out the transparent ink tube that was connected to the tip of the pen.“…Oh.” There is still about a quarter of ink in the tube. I tried to write again at t
Lancelot’s POVMy body jolted greatly. The hand that Izana used to tilt my chin up was now placed on the upper part of my chest close to my neck, that functions as a weight for me who seemed to be possessed by something and was spasming out of control.In that moment, I lost control of my body.“Just hold still.” Izana repeated.I felt his hand pulled away from my eyes, yet I couldn’t seem to find the strength to open my eyelids, so I kept my eyes closed. No, maybe I closed my eyes a little too tight from all the voices screaming in my head.The next moment I knew, my mind completely went still. I would like to think that all that painful moment had ended, and kept my eyes closed while I catch my laboured breath. While I did, I felt myself being lifted in the air, and then sat on something warm and firm, yet strangely comfortable.“…That is quite a bad condition you have there, no?” I slowly opened
Lancelot’s POVI was never a fan of having a long hair. When my little sister complained about her shoulder length hair and about hairstyles and such, I can’t quite relate to what she was talking about. Mostly because my hair was short and messy back then.Which is why, I was having problem with my dangling ponytail behind my back. How in the world can a human have a long hair way past their chest? And how do they take care of them?“I would prefer it if you gave me a shorter hair, Izana.” I glanced to my right, where Izana is.“Well, the bigger the gap between your real appearance and your camouflage, the harder it is to recognize you, don’t you think?” Izana softly chuckled. “I don’t think anyone knows about how the new lord looks, which is why we should use this opportunity to set the image ourselves.”Walking through the hallway to the guest room were me, Izana, and Taylor who followed behind us. As I briskly walked, I noticed that Izana’s steps were slow, paced to fit my speed.“
[Meanwhile…]Asher’s POVThe cold and unforgiving North. Coming back to this place once again made me realize how heavy the weight of the crown is. As I gazed far away to the icy cold lands just across the sea, I pondered for ways to improve the kingdom to be better than it already is. Plus, another thing.“Wilbur.” I called.Wilbur, who is Henry’s cousin and is the captain of the knight squad that came with me, turned to look at me while he parked his horse next to me. I didn’t turn to look at his face, but his bright emerald eyes that I could see from my side is evident enough that he was looking at me.“What is…” Suddenly I hesitated. Because of that, I glanced to the side where Wilbur is and saw his puzzled look.“What is it, Sire?”My lips inadvertently twitched. Even though Wilbur is one of my close aides, and is good at keeping secrets, I am not brave enough to
Lancelot’s POVTime seemed to move slowly after I entered the room. While the twin secretary of Suna Raikan sat down on the antique sofa, I saw Suna standing near the window as he stared out, as if in a daze.“…Greetings, Count Vincent Gustav.” He turned around, when he noticed my entrance. “Pardon my rudeness.” Then greeted me with a curt bow.“Greetings.” I’m kind of glad that my voice also changed. Suna wore his usual carefree outlook, but there’s something dark about him that unsettles me. It was as if he was angry or something.I motioned him and the twins to sit as I walked closer to the sofa and sat on a spot across them.“First of all, thank you for sparing your time to come here. I am grateful that you agreed to do business with me, in spite of me being a no-name noble.” I started. The difference between my original voice and my current voice really is astounding.
Asher’s POVBy the time I arrived at the mansion, I heard the noise of people clamouring, particularly in front of the mansion. A group of servants were talking to each other, voice mixed with panic and confusion. I immediately jumped down from my horse after I halted, and made my way towards the entrance of the mansion, where luckily, Taylor is seen among the group.“Taylor, what’s this all about?” I paced closer. Although I can clearly see that the main balcony, one that is built above the entrance of the mansion, is shrouded with thick and ominous looking magenta aura, the people here might know better of the current situation. But that magenta aura…The butler turned to look at me, a petrified look masked his slightly wrinkled face. “Y-Your Highness? Well,” His grey eyes were frantic, glancing between me and the spectacle in his view.“I-I am not sure myself, Your Highness. I was helping the twin secret
AsherAn hour after the incident, Taylor finally managed to disperse the crowd. While the workers returned to their routine, I asked Izana and the twins to follow me, along with Taylor, for a short discussion. Because of that, the five of us went to Lancelot’s office.“Obviously,” Izana spoke. “Obviously, this is Avery Ila Ronan’s doing. But I don’t remember her magic being this potent, and a teleportation magic like that can only work if one became a high-level mage. But Avery is not a high-level mage.”I heaved a long, low sigh. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Taylor diligently cleaned the room.“Fair enough.” I replied. “Still, there’s nothing that we can do now that both the Count and the Bivorak Company’s master disappeared. What matters the most is finding them, but right now, we don’t have any clue of their whereabouts.” I paused for a bit. “I just hope that n
LancelotThey probably noticed me freezing on my spot. With a slightly concerned tone, Princess Aisya said, “Are you alright, Count Constance?”I properly but quickly shot up, and met my eyes with her. “I am good. Apologies for making you worry.”The princess smiled. “I see. Thank goodness that you’re finally awake. You have been sleeping for almost two days, me and your friend here are starting to get worried of you.”I nodded my head. Then I dithered for a moment. “…How do you know my name, your highness?”Princess Aisya retained her smile. She then tossed a glance towards Suna beside her. “Master Suna has told me a little bit about you.”I fluttered my eyes. “Do you also call him ‘Master’, Your highness?”“Yes.” Princess Aisya suddenly chuckled, probably noticed my confusion and found it amusing. She then added, “He is
Lancelot’s POV“Phew…” I heaved out a long sigh.Never have I ever imagined that I could be bruised and battered even in the land beneath my consciousness. I thought so as I looked at myself. Approximately some time ago, I got stabbed by the original Lancelot, and was fading away quite fast, but somehow my body is okay now and I don’t feel that pain anymore.“But…” I gazed towards my surroundings. There’s nothing but white all around me. And because I’m here, I don’t think my body outside is conscious. Maybe. I did feel like I had almost grasped the string of consciousness within me, but it was only for a brief time, and only happened once in a while. How do I get out from this situation?“So, you’re the one Izana has been talking frequently about.” A voice suddenly appeared, snapping me from my pondering, and rendering me to flinch in surprise.“Wha-”
Asher’s POVI was even more surprised and confused compared to Louis, who was trying to calm her down. The three of us decided to change our spot further away from Lancelot, by sitting on the sofa set nearby.While I turned on the lamp on the coffee table, Louis guided Cecilia to one of the empty spots of the sofa. Cecilia tried to stop her own sobs. Both me and Louis then gazed at her until she had calmed down for the most of it.“…I’m sorry.” Cecilia started, wiping the tears on her cheeks with a handkerchief Louis handed to her. “But you can’t be with the Count, Your Highness. You mustn’t.”I felt the surge of air in my lungs as I rapidly inhaled. Pausing, my slightly parted lips moved as I mouthed, “Why?” In an exasperated breath.Cecilia had her gaze lowered on the ground. Waiting for her answers, I tried to calm the seething annoyance within me. I know Cecilia as someone who doesn’t do something without reason. With that being said, I still couldn’t fathom why she was so against
…A pair of eyes were staring blankly at the marching of the black ants. Some ants greeted the other on its way, but they never really stopped on their tracks to idle about. However, not too far from the corner of those eyes, is a black ant that was standing idly on its feet, while looking up. As if, for some time, it has noticed of the presence of the seemingly alien looking eyes inspecting it from above.Avery smiled.As if satisfied with what she saw, she lifted her gaze. Her eyelids immediately squinted, hiding her irises from the blazing sun above her head. The sun is already high above the sky, and the temperature is rising.Avery then stood up from the ground, a sitting spot that she chose to ease her fatigue from walking for some time. She then quickly readjusted her knee length cloak around her body, before resuming her steps; destination unknown.Even so, once in a while, the flora and fauna witnessed Avery fiddling with the air just above her waist. Her index finger twisting
Asher’s POV My memory—between me preparing to leave the palace to arriving at the Great Kingdom of Sand in the South—was blurry. I heard the tap of my heels on the ground, which instantly brought my senses back to reality. It seems while I was in a daze, I have already arrived. Some attendants were escorting the horses away, while some others tended to me, along with Louis and Cecilia, who decided to tag along with me. “Her Highness is inside the guest room. Please follow us.” An attendant said. The three of us then followed from behind. We walked through a corridor. The subtle orange tinge of the sun ray that lit the marble arched corridor indicates the time. After some time walking, we arrived in front of a shiny two-leaf wooden door. A guard was situated at each leaf of the door. The attendant halted in front of the door. He briefly knocked on the wooden surface, and stepped back again. A soft, incomprehensible voice appeared from the other side of the door, before soon, the gua
Asher’s POV“There has been a report of sightings of several magenta auras located at the border of the kingdom. Albeit unsure of the source, the sentries placed there are alert.” Henry informed, while holding a piece of paper, presumably the report paper.He then sauntered closer and handed me the paper. I accepted the paper and skimmed through it, confirming Henry’s report. A sigh unconsciously escaped my lips.What does Avery want actually?After thinking of several reasons and causes for all the incidents, that occur in only within a day, I reached to that conclusion. What does Avery really want from Lancelot, that she even chased him to the ends of the world? Was the news of his death not enough for her? Was the display of the corpse not enough to make her stop?Then again, Avery was never the one to get attached to Lancelot. If that so, then why does she looked for him, and even proceeded to use a high-level dark magic
Lancelot’s POV“My Lord…” I heard my name being called. I turned behind me to see Taylor standing at a nearby distance, about a few steps away from me.I suddenly came to a realization.Ah, this dream again.I thought, while letting my body move on its own accord. It was one of those flashback dreams again, where I remembered my previous life. Though this time, I became the old Lancelot for the first time ever.How do I know that?“I told you to bring me a fancy attire, not this crappy one!” My hands moved on its own and slammed about three layers of clothing onto poor Taylor. The old butler trembled a bit due to the impact, but quickly picked himself up.I then fumed on my own while Taylor left.“Looking decent is not enough. I need to look even better when meeting my dear Avery! Should I put on more accessories on me?” Lancelot monologued loudly.As Lancelot was standing
LancelotThey probably noticed me freezing on my spot. With a slightly concerned tone, Princess Aisya said, “Are you alright, Count Constance?”I properly but quickly shot up, and met my eyes with her. “I am good. Apologies for making you worry.”The princess smiled. “I see. Thank goodness that you’re finally awake. You have been sleeping for almost two days, me and your friend here are starting to get worried of you.”I nodded my head. Then I dithered for a moment. “…How do you know my name, your highness?”Princess Aisya retained her smile. She then tossed a glance towards Suna beside her. “Master Suna has told me a little bit about you.”I fluttered my eyes. “Do you also call him ‘Master’, Your highness?”“Yes.” Princess Aisya suddenly chuckled, probably noticed my confusion and found it amusing. She then added, “He is
AsherAn hour after the incident, Taylor finally managed to disperse the crowd. While the workers returned to their routine, I asked Izana and the twins to follow me, along with Taylor, for a short discussion. Because of that, the five of us went to Lancelot’s office.“Obviously,” Izana spoke. “Obviously, this is Avery Ila Ronan’s doing. But I don’t remember her magic being this potent, and a teleportation magic like that can only work if one became a high-level mage. But Avery is not a high-level mage.”I heaved a long, low sigh. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Taylor diligently cleaned the room.“Fair enough.” I replied. “Still, there’s nothing that we can do now that both the Count and the Bivorak Company’s master disappeared. What matters the most is finding them, but right now, we don’t have any clue of their whereabouts.” I paused for a bit. “I just hope that n
Asher’s POVBy the time I arrived at the mansion, I heard the noise of people clamouring, particularly in front of the mansion. A group of servants were talking to each other, voice mixed with panic and confusion. I immediately jumped down from my horse after I halted, and made my way towards the entrance of the mansion, where luckily, Taylor is seen among the group.“Taylor, what’s this all about?” I paced closer. Although I can clearly see that the main balcony, one that is built above the entrance of the mansion, is shrouded with thick and ominous looking magenta aura, the people here might know better of the current situation. But that magenta aura…The butler turned to look at me, a petrified look masked his slightly wrinkled face. “Y-Your Highness? Well,” His grey eyes were frantic, glancing between me and the spectacle in his view.“I-I am not sure myself, Your Highness. I was helping the twin secret