It has been a week since Lily visited me and everyday I receive letters from her how stupid I am. As I read the letter that just arrived during breakfast. I let out a smug chuckle. She's pretty cute I must say. Is this her way of showing her affection towards me?
"Is there something that matters, young master?"
Heran asked as he placed down the yoghurt in front of me. I shook my head in response.
"There is nothing. I'll write to her soon."
Last week I woke up as someone else. Someone from a game who is destined to be a villain and dies in the end. If this truly is a game, then my future would be a cold one as well. I need to find a way to change the future for sure. First I need to figure out beforehand who the murderer is and why Lily was never mentioned in the game, it was also never mentioned anywhere outside the game. This is truly unknown for me. Maybe she was mentioned in the previous games? I never played the first two games. This is bad. All I know is that our parents are business parents and very good friends. Lily's parents are not that wealthy like mine, and neither are they strong in magic.
Her mother's magic is extremely weak, and her father's is basically just useless. I can't seem to dig any memories before I became Zafron, maybe he has met them before? Besides that I also need to make up a plan on how to make my parents avoid their future death. If I didn't… would I also feel remorse and pain if they do die? Just like Zafron did?
"Young master?"
Heran's voice snapped me out of my endless thoughts. I lifted my head up. A little flustered, I quickly chowed down my breakfast.
"Ah, I have some news to tell you."
As Heran spoke and cleaned up the table, placing down the utensils and plates on a dining cart.
"Your parents are returning later this evening."
He showed me a smile and left the dining room. Leaving me surprised. Argh! I wasn't prepared for that! I got up fast from my seat. My parents- no, Zafron's parents are returning. What am I even going to say? I don't know what they're even like. Judging from their looks they must be strict parents who expect a lot from their son. That must be. How am I going to greet them?
"Hello, father and mother. I hope you're well."
What am I even saying?! No way I can just say that to them. Calm down. Calm down. I breathed in and out. I just have to stay calm even if they're intimidating. I'm their son now. As I thought about that, something inside aches.
Guilt.
I clutched my hand against my chest. My breathing became heavy. It almost felt like I couldn't breathe. I'm not the real Zafron. I'm just a mere soul that possesses this body. The owner of this body had died a week ago. I'm just an intruder that doesn't belong here. My body trembled. I'm not…
The knock on the door turned me back to reality. And the door opened as a young maid walked in and bowed before speaking.
"Young master, I am here to take you to your room and prepare you for the arrival of the count and the madame."
She sounded humble and didn't dare to even look at me. I didn't protest and followed the young maid back to my bedroom where two other young maids waited for me. They have already prepared an outfit for me. A navy blue outfit, embroidered with red and gold lines on the jacket. Black shoes are perfectly polished. All three of the maids started to dress me up. I felt uneasy and didn't like it. I can dress myself up perfectly by myself. In the end they are finished. Started praising how cute I looked. I glared at them with a pout as they all three giggled and only praised me more. The door opens and I am saved by Alia, the head maid.
She clapped in her hands to get attention from the three maids who giggled and left the bedroom.
"These girls."
She let out a sigh and pointed all her attention to me.
"You look great, young master. Look at you so handsome."
"It's just an outfit. Don't know why they have to pretty me up."
"Young master, don't be like that. You should be proud that you are blessed with the looks of your parents."
Alia gives me a soft smile. After the short little talk we had, Alia brought me to the garden to a small table in the middle of the garden. That's where my parents are waiting for me. And they both are just like the picture. Graceful and intimidating. I swallowed my nervousness. Even the way mother held up the teacup is held with grace and etiquette. I waited for them to notice before sitting down. Better be safe. I slightly bowed in front of the married couple.
"Father. Mother. Welcome home."
Hoping they wouldn't notice a strange change in their precious son. But as any parent would. They would notice. As the soul changes, the personality changes too. I just hope I can last this long.
"Oh my, how grown up you have become. It seems we're gone for too long."
The woman is talking and it surprised me how ignorant she sounded.
"Indeed he has. Almost like I barely know him."
They both chuckled at each other. Are they just pretending to not know or they do know? It only made me more nervous.
"Yes… I studied a lot during the time you were gone, mother and father."
"Come sit with us. Don't just stand there."
The woman waved at me suggesting I should sit down at the empty seat. As I sat down a maid that I hadn't seen before quickly poured a cup of tea for me. I lifted the cup and took a small sip. It's sweet… flavored with honey and milk mixed into it. Even the milk tasted nice and comforting. I glanced at the married couple. They seem to be busy chatting to each other. Should I break the ice and start a conversation? No… what if they are going to suspect me? And if they do, will they banish me or worse…
"We heard that you fell off a tree, Zafron. How are you feeling?"
I looked up directly into my mother's eyes. Her deep navy blue eyes locked with my blood red eyes. I could drown easily in her eyes. They look sharp, but there is also a hint of softness and kindness in them. She's wearing a dark blue dress that matches her hair and eyes. I could say the same vibes from the husband too. Should I tell them?
"Father… Mother…"
I hesitated as I gently bit my lip.
"The truth is… I lost some of my memories of the fall. I apologize."
Both of them are silent. I couldn't dare to look in their eyes. Do they believe me? It's not entirely a lie.
"Oh my… we shouldn't have left you alone for more than a year. We even missed your birthday this year. We even brought you the present you so wanted, but we understand you would lose some of your memories from such a fall. Don't worry, Zafron."
I didn't even notice the madame kneeled next to me. She reached her hands to me and pulled me close into an embrace. Zafron's parents, Madame Meredith and Count Conan are kind people to their own and only son. It's comforting to know that they still accept their son losing some of his memories and being 'different'. But how long can I keep this act up? It bothers me…
"My sweet and handsome child. It's alright. We promise to stay with you. We'll get rid of anyone who upsets you. It's a promise."
Her gentle voice is soothing, but wasn't that a bit extreme? Were his parents like this before?
"Nevertheless, we still want to give you the gift you so wanted even if you didn't remember."
Father flicked with his fingers as the unknown maid bowed before leaving. Minutes later she returned holding a long chain in her hands and next to her walked a docile, large leopard.
What's with this family?!