The restlessness that filled the hallway had spread like a shadow over the entire estate. The whispering of the servants and the soft murmurs of the maidservants reached me faintly through the heavy wooden doors as I attended to my young friend. His face was pale and marked with exertion, but his eyes radiated determination.
"We should inform the others that you are with me," I said, concerned. His gaze indicated reluctant agreement. "But I don't want to go back to my chambers just yet. It's so boring lying in bed. I'm already feeling better," he replied resolutely.
Although I could understand his restlessness, I was aware of the others' worries and the doctor's instructions for bed rest. "The others are worried about you, and I have been ordered to ensure bed rest too," I explained gently. "But we can let them know that you are here with me and feeling well. Tomorrow, we could ask if you could show me around the estate. If you'd like?"
A troubled expression crossed his face, but eventually, he nodded curtly and agreed. "All right," he answered softly.
I rang the handbell, and after a few minutes, Isabella entered the room. She seemed equally surprised and relieved to find me and Ryota there. "You called, Lord Hik... young prince?!" she stammered, still slightly confused. "The entire estate has been searching for you. You should have stayed in bed," she added, concerned and compassionate.
Ryota sighed slightly annoyed, but he showed understanding. "It's fine. I'll go back to my chambers now," he said, slowly rising from his seat. "See you tomorrow," he bid farewell with a shy smile before leaving the room.
Now I was alone in my room again. I stood up and walked to the balcony, which offered a breathtaking view of the snow-covered landscape. A cold gust of wind gently brushed against my skin as I opened the doors. I took a deep breath of the cool, refreshing air and admired the enchanting nature.
A feeling of relief filled me as I enjoyed the cold wind on my skin. The cold was preferable to the oppressive heat that even heated the basement room. I closed the balcony doors and returned to my room.
In my absence, the nature spirits had lit the fire in the fireplace, and I cozied up to it. The flames crackled and cast a warm light. I watched the play of the flames and let my thoughts wander.
In a moment of recollection, my gaze fell upon my travel bag, which I had previously left untouched in a corner of the room. Curiously, I retrieved it and began unpacking the few items. Three books lay inside, their pages brittle and their ink faded.
I examined them in the warm glow of the fireplace and decided to give them some attention. I applied my cleansing magic to the books, and to my amazement, they transformed before my eyes. The once dilapidated works suddenly shone like new.
Finally, I could read them in their entirety without struggling to decipher a few lines or words. Perhaps they would help me in my current situation. I picked up the first book, whose cover had looked particularly worn before. Now I could finally make out the title: "Enchanted Elixirs: The Alchemical Art of Healing and Transformation."
The title alone piqued my curiosity, and I became engrossed in the book. It revealed centuries-old alchemical practices and unveiled the knowledge and wisdom behind the art of healing magic. From crafting powerful healing potions to exploring the curative properties of natural ingredients, the book offered a wealth of information
Enthusiastically, I approached my desk and began taking notes to capture what I had learned. Time flew by unnoticed, and when I looked up, the night had already settled over the estate. I smiled and kissed the book in joy. "This is it!" I whispered softly. If these alchemical practices worked, I might have found the solution to my problem.
Full of anticipation, I set the book aside and went to bed, thoughts of the upcoming adventure and the day's insights accompanying me into sleep.
I hadn't slept this well in a long time. A sense of calm and rejuvenation flowed through my body, granting me a pleasant serenity. Just as I let my gaze wander out the window, feeling the first rays of sunlight on my face, I heard a gentle knock on my door. "Come in," I called, and Isabella entered with a tray in her hands. Her radiant smile revealed her good mood as well.
"Good morning, Mr. Hikaru. I hope you had a pleasant night," she greeted me warmly. She gently placed the tray on my bedside table, and I could perceive the enticing aroma of freshly prepared oatmeal, delicately sweetened with a touch of honey. "Thank you, Isabella. It looks delicious," I replied, my eyes gleaming with anticipation.
While I enjoyed my breakfast, Isabella inquired with concern, "I'm glad to see that you're feeling better. Will you grace us with your presence at lunch today?" I was slightly confused by the question. With a faint smile, I replied, "Of course, Isabella. It will be my pleasure."
Isabella seemed to notice my confusion and kindly explained, "I knocked on your door yesterday, but you didn't respond. So, I assumed you were resting." I realized how deeply engrossed I had been in my book, completely oblivious to the knocking. I thanked her for her understanding and assured her that I was doing well.
As I enjoyed my breakfast, the cat girl who also served as my maid joined us. She moved through the room with calm elegance, patiently waiting for me to finish my meal.
Suddenly, the cat girl spoke with a serious expression, "Would you like to take a bath next, your Holiness?" The question surprised me a little, as I could easily clean myself with my magic. However, the thought of a relaxing bath enticed me, so I replied with a smile, "Certainly, that sounds wonderful."
With impressive efficiency, the two of them prepared the bathroom. When I entered the room, a sense of rustic charm and coziness overwhelmed me. The warm candlelight bathed the room in a gentle glow, while the scent of fragrant flowers and essential oils intoxicated my senses. Isabella and the cat girl stood by the bathtub, looking at me expectantly.
For a moment, we stood in silence, our eyes meeting, and a certain tension filled the air. Then the cat girl broke the silence and asked in a solemn voice, "Do you need help undressing,Your Holiness?" My heart started beating faster, and although I wasn't attracted to women, the situation was extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing for me. In my previous life, it had never gone beyond kissing, and now here I stood, with two maids in front of me, ready to assist me with washing.
Gathering my thoughts, I replied with an uncertain voice, "No, thank you. It's alright, you may leave." Relief washed over me as Isabella and the cat girl exited the bathroom. I was grateful for the privacy and the moment of tranquility that now lay before me. I leaned back and closed my eyes as the water gently touched my skin. The scent of lavender and roses filled the air, and I felt as if I were in a small paradise of relaxation. The tension of the past few minutes melted away, and I could finally enjoy the soothing tranquility.
After indulging in my bath, I dried myself off and wrapped myself in a fluffy bathrobe. The feeling of freshness and lightness flowed through my body as I left the room and made my way back to my chamber. The excitement of the upcoming adventures and discoveries in the estate filled me with a childlike anticipation.
As I prepared to change clothes, I realized that I had no other attire besides my white priest's robe. It seemed that I would have to wear the same outfit again. I scrutinized my reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but feel a certain degree of vanity. "I must admit, I do look good," I murmured to myself. Just as I started to strike poses in front of the mirror, the cat girl suddenly appeared in the doorway, interrupting me. She announced that Duke Drakonov was waiting to meet me. Blushing slightly, I nodded. How long had she been standing there, observing me lost in the depths of my reflection?
We made our way together through the long, magnificent corridors of the castle. During the walk, I asked for her name, and she kindly informed me that her name is Sophie. I instructed her to address me as "Hikaru" from now on.
As we continued, I could overhear the quiet conversations of the servants, talking about me. "I highly doubt he will really help us. Humans are all the same. To them, we are nothing more than animals," I heard the voices say before fading into the background. A sense of unease washed over me as I felt the prejudices being directed at me, even before I had a chance to prove myself.
Finally, we reached a majestic door, guarded by an imposing knight. Sophie knocked, and a deep voice came from behind the door, saying, "Enter." With a slight flutter in my heart, we entered the room that stretched before us. There was a large table, with four people seated around it. Duke Drakonov sat at the head of the table, with Wolfram standing behind him. Sophie bowed silently and left the room, leaving me alone in their presence. The gaze of all those present rested upon me, their curious eyes fixed on my face.
"You have summoned me, Your Highness," I spoke in a respectful manner, inclining my head slightly. A brief command came forth, "Take a seat." I took my place and observed the other men at the table. Next to me sat a man with long red hair and pointed ears – an elf. He exuded a certain strength and grace.
Across from me was a young man with silver hair and yellow eyes reminiscent of a snake's. He was the first to break the tense silence, saying, "I am Count Aspheart, the Duke's chamberlain."
Next to him sat an older man with a slight beer belly and a grim expression. With a mocking tone, he remarked, "I didn't know Duke Aurelius had another daughter."
Confused and surprised, I wondered what he meant by that. I clarified the situation, saying, "Forgive me, but I am a boy, and my name is Hikaru. You have probably never heard of me. I am the illegitimate son of Duke Aurelius." My words were calm and friendly, but they elicited shock and confusion from those present. The four men stared at me in disbelief, as if they hadn't expected this revelation.
"Haa!" the older man finally laughed. "Of course, he sends us his bastard!" His words sounded mocking. In a threatening moment, he drew his sword and pointed it at me. A wave of fear ran through my body. But then he glanced over at the Duke, who fixed him with angry eyes, and in a hurried motion, the older man sheathed his sword. "Forgive me, Your Highness," he apologized in haste.
The Duke raised his voice, saying, "You all may leave. I wish to speak with him alone." The other men left the room without further words and hurried out. Suddenly, it was just the Duke and I, facing each other, and the atmosphere was filled with intense tension.
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