A day after I woke up from that short-term coma, my parents were worried about my whereabouts, and with all the development that happened within the Royal Capital, they grew anxious and were worried that something might’ve happened to me.

My father, being the Royal Adviser, came to find me in the palace residence of the third prince to check if I was fine.

When he found me, he didn’t hesitate to arrange a carriage to bring me back home to the duchy.

I tried to persuade him that I was fine, but father was stoic about his decision.

Being a child, I had no decent excuses that wouldn’t arouse any suspicion about my involvement, and I doubt Leo would be able to back me up in this one, so the best-case scenario was to follow my father’s command.

I couldn’t properly bid farewell to Leo, but I did manage to leave a letter to explain to him the situation.

I’m sure he’ll understand and besides, he’ll probably think this was the best course of action in this situation.

“What’s this August? Is this some kind of bracelet and what’s that in the middle? Why is that arrow moving? Is this some kind of new toy?”

Alicia couldn’t contain her curiosity and kept prodding on my forearm.

“It’s not a toy, it’s a watch.”

“Watch?”

“Yeah, it’s like a clock but I wear it around my wrist.”

“But aren’t clock’s heavy?” Huh?

Dumbfounded, I scratched the back of my head and pondered on how to respond.

—I’ll break it down for her bit by bit.

“Okay think about it like this, the mechanism or the ability of the clock to tell time remains the same but the parts that make the clock function is reduced to a smaller size.” She nodded and I continued.

“With this, I could essentially wear a clock around my wrist and because the parts are smaller, I am able to wear it since it’s lighter compared to the clock that you are familiar with.”

She closely inspected the watch and cupped her chin, then as if a light bulb went off in her head, she looked at me and clasped her hand.

“So, the size of an object is relative to its weight?” Close but no cigar.

“You're partially right…”

She cheekily lets out a triumphant smirk.

“August acknowledged me!” After that, she quickly left my room, leaving the door open.

She probably went off to brag about it to her attendant…

The watch, made from scrap copper, let out a weird and scratching noise.

It seems the calibration was off this time too…

Even though I said it’s a watch, probably the very first of its kind in this world.

it wasn’t functional whatsoever.

The design was still in a prototype state, and it’ll probably remain that way for a long time…

There were probably some missing gears but what can I do?

My knowledge on watchmaking was very limited.

I let out a sigh and looked at the ceiling.

Days ago, I was in a very dangerous predicament involving the Kingdom’s future that pushed both my mind and body beyond the limit.

Where just a mishap on our part could’ve led to a disaster.

However, that was not the case, our counter to Duke Starheim’s mutiny was successful.

And now, I’m apparently part of a secret order that acts as the shadow organization of the Kingdom, becoming second-in-command.

Leo and I, being stigmatized by the Entity that brought us in this world, was given authority to take over the Templar’s Order.

Although the sigil that represented our authority was gone or rather nowhere to be seen, it was bound not by the body but by the soul or so Leo says.

That Entity who brought us here, knew of our prior existence and that had me contemplating.

Why did he choose me? Is it because of that damned article?

Or did he take pity on me considering how shitty my life was?

—What’s my purpose here? What does the Entity want to do with me?

…Just why?

Deep in thought, I stared blankly at the ceiling, meditating on those questions.

It’s safe to say that I was having a crisis of sorts.

“Young Master, I’ve brought refreshments.” Snapping out of my daze, I quickly fixed my posture.

“Thanks Hellen.”

“You’re welcome as always, Young Master.”

But now I’m back to my usual life in the duchy.

So, for now, I’ll try and enjoy this peace.

---

 

As I reflect on the past, like tracing the outlines of a faded painting, each brushstroke holding a memory, a story.

There's always that melancholic feeling that comes with remembering those chapters of my life, a mix of nostalgia, trauma and an ever-present reminder that my life back then was kind of shitty and depressing.

I remember the first days of my youth back on Earth, back when I was still the person called Theodore.

Born in a middle-class family of mages with a historical lineage that had influence within the high society of other prominent figures that made long lasting impacts that shaped the world, I was the middle child who was unfortunate enough to have inferior genetics, having a below average aptitude of mana capability and pretty shitty physical constitution.

Because of such harsh upbringing, the expectations of others within that family were quite low, treating me like an earthworm that wriggled under the dirt that they walked, and that intensified when our family was stricken with poverty.

I was looked down upon by my own siblings and neglected by my own parents.

Even my close relatives refused to acknowledge my existence.

Only my distant relatives seemed to know that I somewhat existed.

It was a very painful life.

To live my day being scolded for every small mistake, to not receiving any sort of praise or attention whenever I did well.

Was wanting to receive their approval so hard? It seems so, as their constant torment led me to the destruction of my own innocence.

Cruelly, I was berated and insulted of my very own existence, demeaning both my value and self-worth.

It was made clear that my worthless existence was a nuisance to them.

That time, I was in agonizing pain and depression where no one comforted me…

Not a single person.

In the lull of every night, I’d cry myself to sleep.

But at some point, I stopped, coming into the realization that nothing will change even if I cried myself to a river.

So, I learned how to cope.

I buried myself in the world of paper and ink, even when I wasn’t properly taught how to read, I slowly but surely learned my way through, persevering under the complexity of the unknown symbols called letters.

Even when my nose bled or my eyes strained, I kept on reading and learning on my own.

Yet even then, I was still a subject of ridicule and belittlement.

But it was okay, I thought to myself, I was already stashing away a good amount of money that I earned from distant relatives planned to use to escape from the household.

Life wasn’t going well but I was hopeful and looking forward to a future free from the grasps of that family.

However, life is a cruel mistress.

When my family found out about the funds I’ve been hiding, they brutally punished me.

I was thrown to the ground, kicked on the stomach, and whipped like a goddamn slave from feudal times.

All because they accused me of stealing them from the treasury.

After they stole the money that I have been earnestly keeping, that hope of ever escaping was shattered and I’ve come to accept that loss.

But as if to spit on my face when I was down and rubbing salt to an open wound, they sold me out.

That was the final nail of the coffin.

When I was at the age of seven, I was sold—Being subjected to human trafficking.

Abandoned by the very ones who conceived me and left behind to rot and be abused.

The future I was threading to looked bleak.

Yet I held on.

Even though I was at the very bottom, a lowlife essentially, I still looked forward despite the setbacks and mishaps that I encountered.

And thanks to my unwavering resilience, I managed to escape and found—Freedom.

With nothing that tied me down and no one to drag me to depravity, I lived for myself for the very first time in that damned world.

“August, what do you think?”

Alicia spun around, her golden frilly dress swaying, the intricacy of her dress was so eye-catching that even the servants couldn’t help being enamored by her appearance.

Beaming like a sunflower, she looked at me in anticipation as if waiting for my approval.

“You look like a fully bloomed marigold.” I string out a compliment, whilst tidying my tie.

“I’m flattered, but aren’t I much more dazzling than a mere flower?” Fishing for more compliments, eh.

When did this brat become so cheeky?

“I guess I could say that your appearance is akin to a goldfish, easily standing out from the rest.”

“What? A fish? Really? Can’t you do better than that?”

“That’s all I can offer,” Take it or leave it. “But unless you promise to pay attention to my lectures…”

“I promise! I promise! I’ll try not to fall asleep next time, okay.” I doubt that but if you’re this insistent…

Here we go, time to form some kind of cheesy pick-up line inspired by the great Shakespeare.

With a great sense of intent and sarcasm, I spoke as if I was in a theatre play.

“Whenever I look at the golden streak flowing above you, I’m reminded of the sun above that gives me warmth in my waking hours. Like a goddess descending from her throne, the sight of you lights up my day.”

This was all pulled right up from my ass and how I managed to say all of that in one go is beyond me.

I guess being an assistant and holding lectures eight hours a day without any sort of proper preparation cultivated my improv skills.

Yeah—No. If I was a smooth talker, I’d have a girlfriend back then but unfortunately, status and wealth triumphs over charm and personality.

Basically, if I were born from an elite family and have loads of money, getting one isn’t a hard task.

Still, why am I getting worked up for this?

Well, I died a virgin without knowing the touch of a woman…

I died without any sort of meaningful interaction with women in my age range.

Alicia’s face was as red as the scarlet rose that she plucked earlier.

She became a bumbling mess; I couldn’t help but stifle my laughter at the sight.

After regaining her bearing, she lightly jabbed my shoulder in retaliation.

“You're so mean! Don’t say things like that so half-heartedly!”

“Right. I apologize, would you like for me to make it up for you?” Yeah, I shouldn’t have gone that far…

“...Pat my head.” She shyly says to me while holding the hems of her skirt.

Like how a good fiance would act, I proceeded to do what was told in a calm and gentle manner delivering the highest caliber of service—

“I said pat my head not caress it.”

Never mind, doing more than what was told is never a good idea unless the situation calls for it…

Patting her head, I observe her face full of satisfaction.

“Now hold my hand…”

Like a good fiance—Nevermind, I should stop thinking like a fucking boon.

“Anything else?”

She looked at my face for a bit before shaking her head.

“Let’s go.”

 

---

 

When the sun was at its zenith, the cloudy skies departed.

It was a sunny and vibrant day where the birds tweet their song, where the trees rustle their leaves and where the forest critters bask in its glory as they lay bare underneath sunlight.

Everything seemed jolly.

But beyond the forest of oaks, there lies a clearing.

Paved in gravel and sand, the pathway leads up to a gate.

Metal gates that were slowly eroding, showing signs of rust yet despite its seemingly deteriorating state, it still held on strong with the support of intertwining vines rooted just besides the poles of each individual grills.

From afar, it looked like a wall of vines with no apparent entrance at sight.

The carriage slowed down as soon as they were a couple of meters away.

Swiping the sweat of his forehead, the coachman settled his stead to a halt.

“Duchess Rodin and Young Masters, we have arrived.”

He then stepped down and personally opened the door.

Personal attendants were first to go out.

Then then followed by the young masters.

August quietly said his thanks to the coachmen before helping another to step down.

“It’s been a long while since I’ve visited this place.” The young lady of Margatroid muses at him.

Although it was August’s first time visiting this place, the detailed instruction of the Duke on what the place is and where and how to traverse it made him quickly familiar with the surroundings.

Though it was supposed to be his mother’s role to navigate the place, the Duke of Margatroid insisted on him to be the one to do it, August wanted to argue his case but stood no chance when her mother agreed on the idea.

“August, are you forgetting someone?” Speaking of which, Aria Rodin, his mother, graces him with her warm smile.

August wanted to form a rebuttal but stopped before those words could even escape his lips.

He held out his hand and his mother took hold of it, the height difference proved to be a struggle for August, but Aria didn’t seem to take notice as she stepped down from the stairs.

She let go once she sensed his grip loosened.

The vines that intertwined with the gates began to move, wrangling and coiling around as if it was a python.

It looked unwelcoming and intimidating but August knew that this was one of the defense mechanisms that is used to deter any uninvited guests.

He took out a gem wrapped in chains with a runic symbol and raised it.

The runic symbol glowed like a glyph, the vines’ seemingly aggressive nature starts to retreat back to its root.

Then the gate was opened.

There they set foot onwards.

Following the pavement that led them to a small forest.

In front of them, there was a tree with golden leaves and brown bark with many branches.

It wasn’t tall yet its width gave the appearance of a big tree and being surrounded by a bed of white lilies, it really emphasized its distinctness among the other trees.

Standing alone, on top of a mound, it overlooks the natures within this place like an overseer.

Alicia steps forward and brushes her hand across the bark.

There were no words, only silence.

And the people standing behind gave her the space and respect she needed for this moment.

Even though it was a sunny day, the mood was solemnly gloomy…

Today was the death anniversary of Alicia’s Mother.

Although there was no tomb that symbolizes her grave, the lone tree that bore the golden leaves was characteristic to the appearances of the Margatroid lineage.

In essence, the tree that was the most distinct out of all was the grave of none other than Alicia’s mother.

—Maribel Margatroid.

 

---

 

Having been alone for most of my life, the experience of losing a loved one was not something that I could relate that well.

Call me a heartless bastard but it's the truth, at least, in my past life anyways.

“August, dear. Give us two a moment, will you?” Hearing Mother’s words and seeing Alicia’s sorrowful expression, I could tell that Mother wanted to comfort Alicia.

I wanted to do something about it too but given the unfamiliarity, I had no objections.

It was just the sensible option.

I suck at comforting others…

But thinking about it, somehow there was a nagging feeling of bitterness.

Even though I was her fiance, I never bothered to ask her about her mother more.

Who she was...

What she was like...

—Questions like that.

It could be said that our relationship was a match made in heaven, like what her attendant usually calls it, but in truth, beneath the surface of our interactions within every meeting and encounter.

There lies a certain point.

Ever since the first time we met, she and I promised to each other that although we were engaged without our prior consent, we decided to not let that dictate our relationship.

But as we grow closer, our bond with each other laxed.

And before I knew it, we got closer and closer, and she became more clingy and comfortable interacting with me to the point that I don’t really know what to make of it.

If there was ever a chance we could meet, she’d take it and spend all of that time talking with me or spending all that time doing things with me.

It was obvious, she started developing feelings towards me…

Which is a bit unfortunate as I never intended to marry her.

I mean, I’m an adult for fucks sake, mentally speaking of course.

Does that mean that I’m gonna find someone else?

—Unlikely.

There are too many things that I have to do and worry about that I won’t have the time and availability of finding someone that actually suits me.

So, does that mean that I’m gonna die a virgin?

Most likely.

---

 

“Young Master—A package from his Highness, the crown prince, has arrived.”

Hellen handed me an envelope and a letter.

I opened up the letter by tearing the royal seal and then read what it was all about.

How have you been August? I’m hoping you feel well since It's been a while.

The negotiation went smoothly and ended on a good note.

However, I may need your assistance sooner than I thought…

I don’t like where this is going.

The Emperor of Darlberg had decided to give his daughter’s blessings and my father agreed with it.

I am to be betrothed in fall.

Help me break this arrangement.

Please.

Thank you.

When I finished reading it, I couldn’t help but squeeze my temple.

Why can’t we just take a fucking break?