"Brother brother! Let's play outside please!" Melissa grabbed my blouse and then dragged me outside. Where I can feast my eyes on a beautiful garden full of black roses.
'Black...'
"Brother, is there something wrong? Are you still sick?" she worriedly asked.
She is Melissa Gyn Welsh, the 16-year-old little sister of Lewis Ein Welsh.
'That's right, the little sister of the person's body I transmigrated into.'
"...Brother?"
"I'm alright, I just need to rest for a little bit more, so I'm afraid I won't be able to join you..."
While smiling, she let go of my blouse
"It's alright! Go sit there and rest brother. I'll go play with the sisters!" she happily runs to the group of maids holding a basket and a blanket.
I sat on the chair next to the black roses.
Earlier I woke up so confused in someone else room and inside someone else body. Of course, I freaked out. I keep asking who, where, when, how, and why I am alive but I don't have the answer for all of that. An Hour of thinking passed when the door opened again and I was surprised to be approached by a crying little girl who was shouting "Brother, brother".
It was, of course, Melissa.
I deceived her and asked her a lot of questions and she answered all of them sincerely.
'It looks like an interrogation, but lucky enough, Melissa views it as some kind of game'
She said that I am the young master of the Welsh family, and my name is Lewis Ein.
She stated that the Welsh dukedom is one of the supporters of the Floyent kingdom and I'm also one of those masters from the different dukedom who are chosen to be a crown prince because the king wants the coronation to be a competitive event. But Melissa followed up that yesterday, the original owner of this body declined the offer for some reason that Lewis himself didn't say to anyone, and that yesterday someone pushed Lewis, causing him to trip on the carpet and hit his head on the lamp, then faint in front of everyone.
I asked myself, 'Why would a person like Lewis decline the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit on a throne?'
I thought he might be a freelancer who doesn't care about the kingdom, but when Melissa spoke sharing her own opinion, I understood why.
The Dukedom of Welsh is the Moon sector, which explains why everything in this house is black. It is vice versa for the Floyent Kingdom which is known as the sector of the Sun. And that alone is a good reason why Lewis declined the offer, but of course, that isn't the main problem for me.
Floyent kingdom is the name of the kingdom where I am standing right now and it is called the sector of the sun but how? The kingdom that holds the Sun was my own, The Kingdom of Austyn.
Out of curiosity, I asked Melissa if she knew Austyn's kingdom.
She looks at me and smiles "Yes of course who would not? Austyn the Fallen kingdom, the kingdom of blight"
"Tsk."
I slammed my hand on the chair and looked at the sky.
"Damn. How many years had passed?"
'The kingdom my father and I put all our life into, the kingdom I cherished, my home...'
"its... it's all gone"
*sigh
I weakly slapped my face and stood up.
"I shouldn't be dilly-dallying; I must learn what happens to the kingdom. If children like Melissa knew what Austyn is, then that means the history of the Austyn kingdom up to this day wasn't hidden from the public. I should go check the library in this house."
I walked inside the manor climbing up to the second floor, a lot of servants were looking at me as if there was something wrong.
'Do I have something on my face?'
I used the clean glass window as a mirror
'there's nothing so why...?'
"Young master" was called by the person behind me.
I look back at him.
"Yes?"
"Pardon me for interrupting but I noticed earlier that you are lost in your thoughts, how could I help you?" He smiled and I knew that it was sincere, but I couldn't just ask 'Hey do you know where's the library?' for I am now the young master of this household and I would look weird for asking. But I can't turn down a request for help, especially since I do need some help too.
"Young master?"
"Err... You know I was just thinking if you could guide me to the library... I was- I mean my mind has not yet recovered from the shock. You know the lamp thingy incident the other day."
"Of course, young master, but are you sure you need to go to the library, not to the doctor?"
"Y-yes, I'm alright nothing to worry about. I was just bored and you know want to rest reading some books"
"I see, I'll show you the way, young master"
he started walking so I followed him. We walk towards the east side of the manor where a big dark wooden door is slightly open.
"We are here young master, no need to worry no one would interrupt you while reading... If you need help please do ring the bell on the table near the door" He explained.
I slowly entered the room but stopped myself and looked back at him.
"Can I ask"
"Anything, young master"
"What's your name? —I mean! I didn't know because you know I forgot ha-ha..."
'Aaahhh this is embarrassing'
He smiled at me and slightly bowed his head then put his hand on his back showing respect. "I am Louis, young master, the head butler. I am the one who handles the well-being of this manor"
'That's one heck of a job...'
"Well, thanks Louis I'll go check some b-"
"Are you sure you're alright?" he suddenly asked me.
"I am why? oh- now that you asked. I noticed that the servants keep looking at me, is there something wrong?"
"The thing is..."
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*Flip
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*Thud
I slammed the book on the table.
"Aaahhh no... this won't do"
I scratched my head as I sighed.
'I didn't expect Lewis to be an easy-going person, he always smiles and runs around the manor, the same personality as Melissa, and that is why the servants are worried. It's not that bad though, but I'm not that kind of person I'm always thinking about a lot of things that sometimes I daze for hours.'
"Damn... Now I need to act like a happy person in front of everyone... it's embarrassing." I covered my face with my hands because of embarrassment.
"Okay now's not the time to think about that."
I stood up and glanced at the shelves "I must look for books about Austyn"
I roamed all around the place glancing at the shelves full of books.
"Are the books here alphabetical? Because I got no time looking all over the places"
I started with the letter A going to K and now running to F. Well, I thought the titles might be like Austyn, Kingdom of Austyn, or the Fallen Kingdom of Austyn.
After of hours looking, I found nothing at all.
"None... I even looked in the fairytales section, legends, and history books but there's none. Then how could Melissa know what Austyn is if she didn't read it in a book?"
Because of frustration, I kicked the shelf in front of me which led to books falling all over the place, and one of them hit my head.
"Ouch, what in the sun gods sh-"
['''Hik hik''']
I looked at an after Image of a person who looked like me sitting on the floor crying.
"Is that lewis?? Are these Lewis memories? Why is he crying??"
I slowly approached him.
[''' That was so sad... Prince Austyn was betrayed... and Briar's the only one who is until the end loyal to him''']
"Prince Austyn? Oh, so Lewis was reading the book about me here"
['''The pain of being betrayed... I didn't know it felt like this''']
After what he said the after-Image of Lewis disappears.
"Was Lewis betrayed? What happened? —I mean, I heard he was pushed so the accident was intentional but wait! Is this a memory of the time before I came? or before? God, I have so many questions and they keep on piling up. To know what's what, I must find where is the next scene of the memory."
I run towards the door and come out.
'If Lewis was reading the book that means there's a high chance, he is still carrying it somewhere. But where should I start?'
"Young master, are you done? I heard noises inside as if something had fallen. Are you alright?" Louis asked.
'Now that I remember Louis said that he's the one who handles the well-being of this manor then he should have an idea on Lewis going in and out of the library'
"Young master?"
"E-ehem. Louis may I ask, did I go here yesterday? you know to look for some books?"
"Yes, young master" he agreed.
'I'm right'
"When was that?"
"When? now that you mention it, it was midnight, right after you arrived at the palace. You ran straight to the library and stayed there for hours and because this place is off limits to us servants— not until you called for us, we could not able to check up on you"
"Oh, so that's why there's a bell."
"Yes"
"Err... after that did I come out, you know to go somewhere else?"
"Yes, the duchess came inside and talked to you, saying that you should take some rest back in your quarters."
"Did I listen?"
"Yes, you said goodbye and walked back to your room."
"Oh, so back to my room huh."
"Why did you ask young master? Are you still having memory problems? want me to call the doctor for you?"
"Ah no. I'm fine, just curious. Well, I'm going! see you" I run as fast as I can... I can still hear Louis calling for me.
'Well, the only thing to do now is run, after all, I can't explain that I don't have memory problems and literally don't have memories on me'
After running all over the place, I finally arrived in my room.
"Damn, this place is big. huff* huff* Not that big than Austyn though but I'm more familiar there than here" I entered and locked my door.
"Okay, I— I've been running a lot this day. I need to catch some air... the book can wait."
I sat on the bed and lay down, glancing at the beautiful ceiling.
"The design never failed to amaze me. The whole room is dark but the white lines and embroidery of diamonds on the walls are the perfect match. But then again Austyn's wall is better because it has a light color and thus shines when reflected by the sun, but it does hurt your eyes when you look at it too much."
I stood up, jumped thrice, and stretched my arms. "Time to look for the book."
I glance all over the place.
"Okay so If I am Lewis... well I am Lewis now...."
'Is this what they call an identity crisis?'
"AH! Fck it! If I were Lewis, where would I put that book?" I walked towards the bed.
"Under the pillows? nope."
"Under the foam! none."
"Err... Under the bed! none again... wow the floor is clean I can't even spot a speck of dirt... EHEM! going back."
I walked to the desk and cabinets, looked at Lewis's personal things and I even walked inside the walking closet.
"That place is hugged and I don't think he came inside, after all, I wake up not wearing sleeping wears." Scratching my head, I looked outside. Glancing on the veranda.
'Moon... night... book... veranda...'
"OH, I SEE! he was outside!"
I opened the door and walked out of the veranda where I could see the full view of the black rose garden and Melissa having fun with the maids. Looking up at the sky it is already yellow-orange.
'It's already noon.'
I glanced over the table beside me, where I saw the book that I was looking for.
"Lewis was here"
I came near the table and sat on the chair. Opening the book, I read everything starting from the war to my death. And the only thing I could say is that—
"WHAT IS THIS HOLY SUN OF SH-?!"
"Prince Austyn was sentenced guilty to death for betraying the kingdom and taking the side of the blight???? HAaAAaH?! Who believed this!"
I threw the book on the floor.
"This whole shit is different from what I experience. Who writes this? why not I sentenced your death myself!"
The veranda door opened and Louis came
"Young master, are you alright??"
"Ah... yes, yes, —I was a little bit mad about something. How can I help you, Louis?" I smiled at him trying to hide my anger.
"The dinner would be ready, the duke and the duchess would be waiting at the dining hall." He said and bowed his head.
"Sure, I'll be there in a moment"
He bowed again and walked away.
I breathe heavily and loosen my necktie to relax. "Hoh. that thing got on my nerves."
I walk back inside the room to Lewis's walking closet. Looking at the blouses here...
"It's all the same, all black. But not that I hate it, It felt more refreshing to me now than when I am the prince of the sun" I grabbed the nearest blouse and a gray vest then changed myself.
I walked out of my room and saw a little guy standing outside, much higher than Melissa and he was wearing the same dark clothes as mine.
"Hm?" I said to call his attention because I didn't know what to call him
He looked back at me and smiled.
"BIG BROTHER!" he jumped up to me and gave me a big hug.
"I heard from Little sister that you are already fine and you'll be joining us for dinner that's why I came here to come and get you!"
I can feel the happiness and excitement he has.
'Hmm, Little sister... I see, so he's the middle child. Just how many children does the duke have? he got some energy to spare.'
"Big bro?"
"Ah- Nothing I'm just lost in my thoughts"
"Is it about my name?"
"Hm?? Your name?"
"Yes, Melissa told me that big brother had some kind of amnesia that you couldn't even remember your name. Sooooo— I'm Niven Zyx, 18-year-old!" he said as he hugged me tightly.
'Oh, I see, so Melissa already told him about that, quite convenient for me. But aren't you big enough for a carry???'
"Then, shall we?" I tapped his back.
He unhugged me and looked in front. "Off we go!"
I run carrying him in my arms as he points the way, seconds pass we arrive at the dining hall.
The servants opened the door for us.
"We're here!" Niven shouts calling all the attention of the people inside.
A strong figure was sitting on the other side of the table, beside him is a person with elegant beauty.
"Niven honey, didn't I tell you to not tire your big brother? You're old enough for someone to carry you!" an angelic voice comes out of her even though her expression is mad.
"But I want to play with Big Brother!" Niven strongly said, even Melissa stood up and grabbed my other hand so I carried her as well.
'Thank god Lewis's body got some incredible carrying strength.'
"Now look at you two, can't even let your brother rest," said the person who has entire control of this family, the duke.
"It's alright father and mother, I know they are just worried about me," I said to reassure them.
"If you say so, but you better rest! I can't believe that Marquis Harvey's nephew can do something like pushing you that causes the lamp to hit your head. UNACCEPTABLE!" the duchess raged; the duke could only tap her shoulders to calm her down.
'but it was Lewis your son who hit his head on the lamp though... the lamp didn't do anything wrong...'
"Don't worry son we already talked about what happened with Marquis Harvey, he said he'll be sending compensation for what happened but I told him that the children should be the ones to fix this, after all, I trust you'll do your best" the duke smiled so I smiled back at him.
'That's great news, after all, I want to know what Lewis meant when he said he was betrayed'
"Now-now come sit everyone! It's not all the time that we are together eating" the duchess smiled.
The servants served the food and we all started to eat.
The duke looks at me "Are you feeling better now?"
I stop eating and glance at him, "I am father, I got enough rest already and I'm starting to get bored"
"That's glad to hear. I guess I could ask you a favor to do something for me?"
"What is it?"
"I need you to go to the capital tomorrow morning and deliver this document to the king" The duke pulled out an envelope from his vest and gave it to me.
"You mean to the king himself?"
"Yes, I trust you could do that for me?"
"Of course, I was planning to visit the capital library as well so I could detour after I send this letter to the king before going home"
"Great! I know I can trust you" The duke tapped my shoulders and then picked up his spoon.
"But you better take care of yourself while you're in the library. I don't want to get news like hitting your head on something again." he joked.
"I know, that's not going to happen again" I heard him laugh a little and continued to eat.
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*sigh
"I'm so exhausted" I entered my room and closed the door.
'Didn't expect that Niven and Melissa would ask me to come and play with them after eating, I think my stomach is a mess right now'
*sigh
"Children do have so many energies with them."
I sat on the bed and looked back at the book again. I grabbed it and walked towards the veranda.
"Now I know that the book and stories about Austyn are saying that I am the betrayer of my people. The only problem is that what happens to the kingdom after? The book didn't say anything about the kingdom after I was sentenced to death, and what happened to Lewis? how come we switched souls? did he do something??"
I sighed and looked at the starry sky where the moon until now is staring at me.
"You're still here huh... Moon... that-"
[''' Shines brighter than the sun''']
An echo of a voice appeared beside me. It was Lewis starting at the moon, the same as what I am doing right now. He is also holding the book and is already on the last page.
"That line... where did you learn that...?" I asked but his after-Image already disappeared.
I hurriedly opened the book and looked at the last page.
"On his sentenced day. The night is darker than before, the sky is black without any stars and the moon is brighter than any other day. Prince Austyn in the last seconds of his life looked up in the sky where his eyes were mesmerized by the moon's light. He smiled and spoke his last words, [The Moon that shines brighter than the sun] as his head was cut off by his own trusted knight and friend— knight Marcus." I closed the book.
"So that's how Lewis knew my last words, but.... who wrote this? who knew my last words? I died Isolated near the forest without anyone... was it briar...? I- I need to look for the author of this book. He might know briar and then that means briar might still be alive till now." I checked all over the book cover but the author's name is nowhere to be found. I run towards the door when I suddenly remember
"But then how come we switched souls... Is it magic? but who cast the magic? Was it the sword of the sun? It can activate mana when the user is separated from it and it would trigger a mana explosion when it felt that the user dies. Does it mean that the same moment Lewis spoke those words is the same time I muttered my last words and then the mana explodes absorbing the elemental particles in the place that caused Space crack or something??? if that's what happened then that means yesterday is my death day and the moon... the moon who witnessed that is the one who changed our places, but I heard that forbidden magic like that could only happen one out of a Million chances converted to a Million life and if it does work, the only way for it to be effective is for both person, at the right time, right moment are both dying."
A moment of silence came at me.
"Oh... so that's why Lewis said he was betrayed... was he severely injured when he hit his head on the lamp? or maybe he was poisoned... I don't know anymore. I didn't expect Lewis to be dead, I- I was expecting to find his soul somewhere and give his body back to him but now he's..."
I can feel the tears in my eyes flowing.
I sniffed and glared back to the moon.
"I Clyne Austyn, crown prince of the Austyn kingdom and now honored to be named Lewis Ein Welsh will promise to do everything I can to avenge the death of my benefactor. I will punish those people who are sinned, showing no mercy"
'I will avenge you, Lewis.'