After a refreshing bath, a footman brought in a change of clothes for Carseain. Nox helped him change into it, while Rovenin oversaw it.
"Anyways, who's that geezer? He dared run his mouth like that despite my wonderful reputation." asked Carseain, chuckling.
'It's not the first time that the Young Master joked around about his reputation but this time it rather felt like he didn't care than highlighting the irony.' thought Nox.
Rovenin said very politely, "Which wonderful reputation do you mean? 'Sword psychopath'? 'Lunatic Esselgarde?' or perhaps ----"
"Just answer the Question, Rovenin."
'But only Sir Rovenin can put it out so bluntly.' thought Nox.
"Well, there's a chance he doesn't know. Doctor Whildem is a reputed travelling Doctor who was invited by the Royal Family to conduct a Conference. He happened to be here as the chosen place was the Academy. I told him about Young Master's unusual condition and it seems he came out of interest. Would you like me to investigate more? " asked Rovenin.
"Nah…it's fine. We can't hurt a big shot invited by the royals anyway. But I must say it was rather amusing to see him treat me as nothing more than a bratty young noble." He grinned.
Carseain wore a comfy white shirt and black trousers. His hair was still wet, dripping a little water.
He then looked at Rovenin and suddenly said, "Rovenin, you look like a wrinkled carrot."
"Pardon?" Rovenin asked." Is this a new form of---"
Carseain flicked his head with his index finger imbued with Green coloured magic. Rovenin fell towards Carseain and he caught him.
"That's all it took to take you out? Seems like your fatigue has accumulated too much. Your fox eyes looked like panda's. " He grinned.
"Young Master…" mumbled Rovenin.
"Sleep Rovenin, sleep. It's a small gift from the Forest spirit." He said softly.
Rovenin fell asleep. The other servants stood there frozen, unable to think ahead. Carseain knew that.
"Nox, Take Rovenin to his quarters and put him to sleep. Also, don't send anyone in until Lunchtime. You all are dismissed."
"As you command," said Nox.
All the servants left in a hurry.
'That scared the shit out of me. I thought he killed him.' thought Nox
....
"Haa...it's finally quiet," mumbled Carseain.
Carseain went and sat by the large window.
' All the servants were baffled that I didn't go wild. It seems like they saw a savage beast who acted a little more civilized.
Hmmm... Rovenin noticed it too but he was the same as usual. As expected of an excellent butler.
Anyway, the change was inevitable after I saw the past and future.'
For the past five days, I was asleep, I felt like I'd been reliving my life on planet earth. I lived in Asia as a bottom-feeding engineer transferring from country to country very often. On the surface, it might have felt like a pretty stable and worthwhile job but it was a dog eat dog world.
Geez, I don't even wanna remember it!
I lived my whole life as a puppet, my strings were always manoeuvred by someone else starting with my parents to society. I cannot even be sure if I can even say that I 'lived' my life. It's not that I hated my job but I hated the drudgery and the monotonicity that came with it. It was suffocating. But I didn't give up 'cause someday I hoped to live, not just survive.
But fate played a cruel prank on me, I was diagnosed with cancer on the day I lost my job. The company faced some huge losses due to an error made by someone on my team. Someone had to step up and take both responsibility and downfall. The woman who messed up was a single mother who hastily caused a mishap as her child got into an accident. And I impulsively decided to take the downfall.
How very noble of me!
Although, I was seen as a pathetic pushover. That's how I ended up on the streets jobless with the meagre money that I saved. It was enough to get by if I lived a little frugally but not enough for the treatment. I didn't regret it.
The woman thanked me a thousand times, bowing her head with gleaming teary eyes. There was no way I couldn't feel her sincerity. However, I for the most part did it for her children and out of respect for her. I didn't even want to begin contemplating her world if she lost her bread and butter. Those vulgar wolves would prance at her in no time. I believe it's too early for children to know the cruelty of this world. They're suffering enough as it is. I didn't have a family of my own but still the mirth I felt watching those children smile and thank me so sweetly, unbeknownst the gravity of the situation was impeccably opulent.
I motivated myself by remembering those children's faces. I went job hunting again.
It was a dark night. When I was crossing the road I saw a truck running amok and a stray dog in its way. My body ran hysterically before I could even begin comprehending the situation. I was hit by the truck and the dog was saved. I was shrouded in my own blood. I knew instinctively that I was dying despite being so conscious.
Did I just literally die a "dog's death"? It's not even funny anymore.
The despondent beagle I saved was howling and licking my blood.
Hey, pal, are you sad? Don't be.
I was going to die anyway. This is better than counting forlorn and prolix days on a hospital bed wondering if death would darken my door first or my bank balance would reach zero.
I don't' regret saving you but I do have a lot of regrets in my life. I wanted trustworthy friends, not fake ones for namesake. I wanted to have my own family with someone who loves me dearly.
But more than anything, I wanted FREEDOM. Freedom from those puppet strings and those who manoeuvred it. Probably the kind where you can swear all you want at anyone and wreak havoc every place you go. I laughed. Is it a late rebellious phase?
Only if I were strong. Only if I knew how to be strong. Perhaps, it wouldn't have been this suffocating. That's what I mumbled breathing my last as an earthling.
Only when I woke up did I realize I was actually 'Carseain Esselgarde' and that dream-like situation ( actually a little nightmarish) was my past life.
'The Marquis family of Esselgardes'
The only Marquessate in the Empire whose power and influence rival the Dukes. It is also the linchpin of the centrist faction that balances the power betwixt the Aristocratic faction and the Imperial faction. It has a history and heritage that dates back to the foundation of the Empire.
Having produced a myriad of talented and capable individuals for generations it continues to prosper even today under the leadership of Marquis Johann Esselgarde, The current Head of the Esselgarde family and Carseain's father.
Carseain was the first in line for the Title of Esselgarde. Although, he wasn't the brightest child out there but was a diligent and hardworking kid. He would eventually surmount all his shortcomings.
However, a child that he was, his heart was fragile as glass. After losing his mother he became twisted and that was the advent of him treading down the path of self-destruction. The opposing factions and jealous peerage did not let go of this opportunity and named him 'Disgrace' of Esselgardes.
Later, it became a widely known fact that he was a sword prodigy. Nonetheless, his temper became only worse to snap at the most trivial things. The Marquis turned a blind eye to all this and Carseain grew up more distorted and dissonant. All the havoc he wrecked earned him the name "Mad hound".
'I seriously went on rampages as and when I pleased.'
Carseain felt surreal.
' It seems both my dying wishes were granted generously. I have innate strength and can be free. However, I need to blossom this 'innate strength' and turn the 'can be free' to 'being free' with my own power. I know what truly matters since I died drowning in regrets in my past life-
A warm and loving family. '
It'd be nice if I could simply go and set things straight with my inflexible father and my lovely sister and live happily ever after.
However, this is not a fairy tale.
I don't have that luxury of happily ever after as the future I saw was too bleak.