"Eddy, I'm so hungry! Why are you taking so long…"
The smell of grilled ham and eggs wafted through the air from the kitchen, where I was cooking breakfast for the family.
"Be patient, Lucy, remember who messed up the dolls this morning?"
As I flipped the eggs, Lucy pouted, murmuring something.
Lucy Grayson is my younger sister, whom we adopted six years ago. I found her in a crib in a dark alley crying. Of course, I couldn't let a baby alone in the dangerous streets, so I brought her home, washed and fed her.
I thought of sending her to an orphanage, but my mom was completely smitten by her. As a result, we decided to adopt her instead, naming her Lucy, courtesy of Mom. It's not a bad name, but… isn't it a bit dull? Anyways, I am now a proud siscon and Lucy is the cutest being in the universe.
Thirteen years have passed since the accident which triggered my past memories.
Currently, I am eighteen years old – which means I have defeated Edwin Grayson's bleak future, where Mother died when I was 15 and without Lucy.
Perhaps it's because I have lived too much like a hermit, or information is tightly controlled, but I haven't heard anything regarding the main plot besides ridiculous hearsay about nobles and royals.
The novel's characters (except Edwin) all graduated from the Luton Academy, the story's main setting, at the age of 18. Since I'm older by one year than they are, the main plot should end at their graduation, which is about one year from now.
I mindlessly continued cooking while thinking. The food was almost finished and as always, cooked perfectly. Honestly, cooking is one of my fortes – even back in college in the other world, I never had to starve or eat cup ramen all the time like other students, because I cooked my own food with whatever ingredients were available.
"By the way, Eddy, you look weird today."
"Hmm? How?"
Is it bed hair?
"Your hair is silver, and your eyes are purple."
Clang!
I dropped the pan I was holding, onto the stove thankfully.
I turned back to face Lucy, looking straight at her eyes.
"…What?"
"I think you look more handsome now, oppa… don't be angry…"
No, no… It's not time yet!
Just then, Mother's voice rang from the stairs.
"Morning, you two. What are you cooking today, Edwin? My nose is-"
I shifted my gaze at Mother, who seemed frozen on the spot.
It seems that we are going to have a private talk later on.
***
Breakfast ended abruptly, to Lucy's complaints, but allowing her to play with the dolls and toys was enough to calm her down.
After cleaning up the dishes, only me and Mother were left on the dining table, an awkward quietness between us.
She had her head down, and emanated a gloomy aura.
I frowned seeing this. Why is she acting like a convicted criminal?
"Ed, I- I'm sorry, I can explain-"
"Mom, it's okay, I've always known. And I understand, too."
Mother's eyes widened in shock.
"What!? But how!? Why didn't you say anything?"
"I… read a book once and found that the medicine you always gave me changes a person's appearance."
Of course, I couldn't tell her about this world.
"It seems that the potion is no longer effective. But don't worry Mom, I'll try to find a way."
Mother's haggard face brightened up a little.
"But Ed… don't you want to be a prince?"
No. Those words failed to exit my mouth. I should've denied her with no hesitation.
But all of a sudden, my heart twirled, and I couldn't.
Becoming a prince. It reminded me of my past life.
What I lost.
***
In the Emperor's office in Ralthorpe Palace, three men were gathered.
The Emperor, Nestor III himself, sat on a large chair facing a large table and two sofas facing opposite of each other.
On the left side sat Ezra, the First Prince, who had an amused expression on his face.
Opposite him sat Duke Willem Grayhouse, the Prime Minister of the Ferzian Empire.
They gathered today over a peculiar report sent overnight from the Imperial Mana Affairs Council.
The Emperor's icy, powerful voice rippled across the room, which had been locked with three-layer soundproof magic to ensure utmost confidentiality.
"…Are you absolutely sure of this report's authenticity?"
Prince Ezra replied in a cheerful tone, completely different from his father's.
"Of course, Father. How can you doubt Sir Vendas? Last night, I also detected a strange outburst of silver mana coming from the Lerant District, where wealthy commoners live. Why else would I rush here from the academy in the middle of a semester?"
This time, the Prime Minister spoke up, with a half-angry, half-frustrated tone.
"Your Majesty, remember what I told you back in the day when you were chasing skirts left and right? 'You're going to regret this someday.' And you have, once. Now you're telling me that you had another child, with a commoner woman, of adult age? Do you know what kind of scandal this will create!?"
The Emperor, this time, looked guilty.
"I know, I know..." He clasped his hand on his face. Right now, instead of a scandal, the Empire's top man was worried about something else entirely.
Prince Ezra smirked as if in acknowledgement.
"Are you perhaps worried what Mother might think?"
For a moment, the Emperor looked flustered before returning to his icy demeanor.
"Ehem… Don't play with me, child. Since I cannot entrust this matter to anyone else, you will be handling it. Visit that district as soon as possible and bring him back. I will take care of the Academy."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Prince Ezra itched to meet his new family member. "Well then, if you will excuse me."
He stood up and bowed to the Emperor and the Prime Minister before leaving the room.
Only the Emperor and Prime Minister, who were best friends since childhood, remained.
"John."
John was Nestor III's real birth name, different from his regnal name.
"Are you going to take him in?"
The Emperor furrowed his eyebrows and looked frustrated, which made his young-looking face more true to his age.
"I have no choice but to do so, even if he himself declines. Who knows what might happen if an direct imperial family member without proper mana training is let loose. And like it or not, he is my child, after all."
The Prime Minister continued sipping his tea, pondering. The two simply sat in silence for a long while after that, each with their own thoughts.