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“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
Lancelot’s POV“Uhm, excuse me.” A female voice appeared, snapping me from my thoughts.“What is it?” Asher replied to the voice. When I turned to look at who he was speaking, the first thing that I noticed was that sparkling blonde hair, and those ears.“The chef was concerned about whether you people have eaten, so he prepared a little meal as enjoyment.” She informed, while holding a tray of cheese sandwich and a teapot. After being given permission, she set the tray down in between where Aran and Rokhan sat, and poured some tea for us.“Thank you.” I told her. Despite her smooth motion in pouring the tea, I can see a little blush on her cheeks. That somehow sent me in a state of bliss, because if I may highlight it again.Elves are beautiful.And the girl who was serving snacks to us is an elf.The elf maid was probably happy being thanked to, because I became the
Lancelot’s POV“Oh, thank goodness you’re alive, My Lord! You don’t know how worried I was when you suddenly disappeared like that!” Hans wailed as he grabbed both of my hands. Behind him, were all the servants of the County, all hoarding me and were expressing their concern of me.“Thank you, but I am fine, as you can see.” I replied, accompanied with a troubled chuckle. Even in dire situations, they never failed to light up my mood.“Lord Lancelot.” A voice greeted me. I looked around the crowd and noticed Rokhan standing at a safe distance from the crowd. He probably didn’t want to get squashed like I did.“If you will, we need to talk for a moment, along with Lord Aran and His Highness.” He pointed his gaze at me, then slightly glanced at both Aran and Asher, who was somewhere nearby.“Ehhh that’s unfair! Let us in on the discussion too, we want to know what hap
Lancelot’s POVThe first thought that I have in mind when I arrived at Isaiya was; where is my feet? I mean, I couldn’t see a thing apart from things that are very close to me, as an example, Asher’s hand that was holding mine.“Are you hurt anywhere?” Asher’s voice appeared, but I couldn’t make out his face that much, all because of the thick smog-like magenta aura all around us.“I’m fine.” I replied.“Thank goodness.” There was a hint of relief in his tone when he said that.“Where are we, by the way? I can’t see anything with all this smog.” I paused a bit as I looked around. “It seems we are also separated from everyone else.”“Indeed.” Asher said, agreeing to my comment. “Let’s try to get the feel of our surroundings first. I’ll try sensing Izana’s aura in the meantime.”The two of us be
Lancelot’s POV“That doesn’t sound like it will end that peacefully.” I commented. Noel giggled.“That’s what you’re concerned about? I thought that you would be worried about Asher or something.” Noel said. I shook my head in response, as I replied in a nonchalant manner. “Well, even if Lancelot were to fight both Izana and Asher right now, I don’t think he would have a chance in winning. Izana is a guardian, and Asher ranked just below his father in terms of battle prowess. Unless he used some kind of tricks, they won’t lose easily.”“Fair enough.” Noel nodded. “Which is why we will be leaving this near consciousness as soon as possible. Injuries might happen to this body if they fight, which might put a strain on you when you regained control of this body.”I nodded in understanding. Noel looked up, and seemed to be scanning the place. He then lifted his rig
Aran’s POVBack in Isaiya…You guys must have been wondering why the notion above stated Isaiya, and not the royal palace, even though I am among one of the royal secretaries and the crown prince’s closest aide.Yep.You’ve guessed it right.“If I manage to find Lancelot, I will bring him back to the royal palace, pronto. I want you to keep watch here at Isaiya. Keep the people safe, and if by chance Avery comes here, protect the people at all cost.”That was what the crown prince, Asher Sol Tristan, the supposedly anti-romantic, non-interested in people type of person, told me before he bolted with his horse somewhere. Because of his orders, which is second after the king’s decree, I have no power to refuse, so I stayed, with two knight companies ready at my beck and call.Man, I’m back at Isaiya again.I mean, it’s not like I hate this town or anything, but being far away from my home in the capital kinda gave me homesickness. I don’t have anyone waiting at home because my parents l
Asher’s POV“So, you’re telling me that Lancelot has been acting strange?” Izana chuckled. I found myself frowning towards his behaviour, which I deemed irked me a bit. But still, he has been chuckling in many serious occasions, so no surprise there.“What makes you think that way?” Izana suddenly asked. While he did, I saw him cupping his chin and looking at an indistinct direction. It’s hard to determine what his train of thoughts looked like.“…What do you mean?” I hesitated before I answered him. In hindsight, I was the only one who interacted with Lancelot after he woke up. Louis and Cecilia weren’t in the room with me to witness, so what kind of evidence do I have to prove it?“I think…” I muttered to myself, hesitating again. “He called me by my name, a lot. And he responded to my flirting as if I’ve flirted with him before.”Izana widened
Avery Ila Ronan“Your hobby doesn’t suit a cold-blooded murderer like you.”“Oh? What does a ‘cold-blooded murderer’ do then?”“What do you think?”Avery opened her eyes. The slight shifting of her aura woke her up from her brief nap, right at the moment where she saw that wretched man’s smirk.‘How nostalgic.’ She thought, as she stood up and dusted her clothes. ‘Even after death, you kept on haunting me, Enrique.’Avery kept her monologue internally, while she stared far at the distance. The mana that she projected to sense his trails was halted and shifted from one direction to another, stopping Avery and causing her to stay on observing mode. A few days ago, it halted on a single direction, but Avery chose to stay and foresee the situation first before moving. She wouldn’t want to waste more energy or mana after all.
Lancelot’s POVI heaved a low sigh.Alright, now that I have cried my eyes out and literally stained a part of Asher’s tunic, I feel calmer and more collected, and also quite hungry. My stomach was quite vocal about it, so in the very next moment, I saw several servants worked their way around the room, going from assisting me to the bathroom for a bath, setting the table, to serving the dishes.My cheeks felt hot somehow. I don’t think it’s the aftereffect of taking a bath, but more on me reminiscing of me sobbing pathetically on Asher’s shoulders. The more I thought about it, the more embarrassing it is. Well, aren’t I a successful adult for crying on someone’s shoulders? Can’t say I’m one but that’s sad, Sakamaki Yuu! And you’re already a middle-aged man to boot!Despite that, Asher looked more relaxed and nonchalant than I thought. He quietly ate while he sat on the chair next to my bed, with a small table set between him and my bed. As for me, I ate on the small table erected on t
(Lancelot’s POV)I didn’t know how grateful I was when I opened my eyes to a dimly lit surrounding. Upon longer dithering, I assumed that I was laying down on a bed, and that its barely dawn. I laboriously pulled myself up to sit; wanting to take a proper look at the rising sun, through the glass window across me.“…Lancelot?”I halted, upon hearing a voice to my side.It took me some time to register whose voice it was, but when I turned beside me, I saw a figure towering me. The little sunlight from the rising sun made his raven hair glimmery, and I saw those silver eyes looked directly into mine.“Ash-” I wasn’t able to finish that word, before getting wrapped up in an embrace. That caused me to flinch a bit. In that moment, a distinct amount of warmth usurped within, causing me to blush.Asher…That was the only thing I could think of. I slipped both of my arms behind his back and clung tightly onto him, as I enjoyed the radiating warmth of his body. And as if knowing my intention