I awoke to someone shaking me. Groggily opening my eyes, I saw the woman who just yesterday, became my new mother. Sitting up, I grinned as she scratched my ears, making me realize I had become addicted to headpats and ear scratching. If it felt this good now...
My mother lifted her hand, and moved over to the small dresser, grabbing our clothes. I watched her do so, and even though she looked a lot like how I used to, I admired the view of her walking away. I understood now why it had been so easy to hookup in my last life. In all honesty, I couldn't wait to grow up. As I was thinking about the future, my mother came over and wiped my face with a wet cloth, before repeating with a dry one. The she pulled my dress over my head, and sat behind me, combing through my tangled hair before tying it into a braid. As she started to do the same for herself, she spoke.
"In an hour or so the Marquess and Countess arrive. Be nice to them, and be respectful, understand? They are our Master's, and it is by their grace that we can live a peaceful life. More then likely one of the two will drag me away to give me a... report, so you will be alone with one of them and their daughter, your Master. Listen to them like you listen to me. Understood?"
I nodded. I can't wait to see what my 'Evil Villainess Master' will be like. Will I have to deal with a petulant child? Or an arrogant prodigy? Either way, eventually they will be the main source of my xp, and hopefully she will be bearable and extremely fun to be with. And if she looks anything like the painting in the room outside, then she should be a looker in the future. The exoticness of the blue skin and horns, paired with the stern, serious expression was an amazing look.
My mother gave me a one over before grabbing my hand and leading me towards the door. We continued towards the kitchen, where Les gave my mother a nod and handed her a basket. After accepting it, my mother kept leading me through the hallways before we reached what I assumed was the Entrance Hall. We stood at the top of a large elaborate staircase made from marble. A long black rug started at the base of the stairs and led to the large double doors. The walls were, like everything else in this castle, white. The pillars were made from marble, and the walls were covered in numerous paintings, horns, teeth, and other parts, as well as weapons. Every few feet in front of the walls were suits of armor, each different from the last. Some were large and bulky, others thin and lanky. Each suit had a plaque, which I guess told the name of the person who donned that armor. Before I could truly take in the entrance, my mother was leading me down the stairs, and I had to focus all my attention on trying not to fall down the large stairs, since my legs were quite short. When we reached the large doors, my mother traced a few of the runes, causing the doors to open by themselves.
As I watched the doors open up into the mild light of dawn, I was taken aback by the sight before me. The long pathway leading to a large set of gates was bisecting a beautiful garden. On one side was large trees and bushes, while the other side was a beautiful sea of flowers of all colors. Both had paths leading to what looked like picnic areas or general meeting areas. In my previous life I had been unfortunate enough to not be able to see the beauty of nature up close, as I had lived in the center of a large bustling city, and even when I traveled it was always by plane or train, so I only saw trees and such from afar.
I was taking in the sight, breathing in the scent of so many different plants, when I felt my ears being ruffled. God was it addicting. As I leaned further into the hand, I barely registered my mothers voice.
"We are to meet them at the gate. Apparently the Marquess is to start finalizing some paperwork, while the Countess wants to tour the city. We will eat when we get to the gate."
I looked at the path, wondering if it was due to my height or not, but it looked very far. Oh well, time to walk. Besides, this would get me closer to the flowers. My mother started walking, staring straight ahead, while I ran around her, looking at both sides of the path. Sometimes a bush filled with small berries caught my attention, and other times it was the beautiful color of a flower. Halfway there I heard my mother call my name, and as I turned towards her I saw a small red flower in her hand. She kneeled in front of me, gently inserting the stem into my hair in lieu of a clip. Then she raised her hand and whispered something. Before I could ask what she said, a thin mirror made from water appeared above her hand. I stared at myself, entranced. It had been a long time since I had seen my younger self. When I was shown my 'character', it was the me in my prime. I didn't even think to look at what my younger self would look like. The thin eyebrows, wide amber eyes, small nose, wide smile. The long brown braid over my shoulder. And finally, the crimson flower nestled just below my triangular ears.
'Damn I'm cute'
[Should I just award you with the shameless skill now?]
'Wait that's a skill?'
[...]
'More importantly, that's magic! Even though it wasn't flashy, that's so cool!'
"Mother, I want to make water!"
Se chuckled before starting to walk towards the gate. "You need to awaken your Elemental Core to do so, my little flower. Children are able to sense their Core when they reach their fifth year. If you have an affinity, you will learn magic with the Young Lady. After all, you are to be tied to her for life."
'That sounds like marriage. Do I really have to wait a whole year? Can't I just like, awaken it now? I want magic now!'
[Impossible. The Core is still forming inside you at this age. Sometime during your fifth year alive is when your body either accepts the Core, granting you access to mana and magic, or your body rejects the Core, resulting in you being normal. Since you chose magic, naturally your body will accept the Core. Have patience.]
'So is it an organ? You said it's forming inside of me.'
[It is located next to your heart. Just like how your heart pumps blood throughout the body, the Core will pump mana.]
'So mana is a physical thing? Like I can touch it?'
[Yes and no. However, you will need to learn the rest yourself.]
'Why though? You have the answers, so just tell me.'
[No.]
Sighing, I resumed my frolicking. The flowers helped calmed my mind. I might not admit it, but I was nervous. After all, if the person who is supposed to be my master hated me, then my life was going to be hell for a few years. Obvious reasons like age and strength aside, all it takes is the Marquess telling other nobles not to employ me, and I would be hard pressed to find a job. After all, my system revolved around serving someone. I might be able to work as at a tavern or something, but I reincarnated! This is supposed to be a brand new life doing what I want when I want! So I am going to do everything to make sure I can stay here.
We reached the gate, and my mother showed a token to the guards. They nodded at her before pointing to a table. "Wait there. The Marquess informed us that she is 30 minutes out."
When we sat down, my mother opened the basket. Inside were two sandwiches, made from some sliced meat and lettuce. Additionally there was what appeared to be a mango inside. My mother set one sandwich in front of me on a plate, before she took out a knife and started cutting the mango into cubes. I stared at the guards as I took a bite. Chainmail covered in a white tabard. Silver gauntlets covering their whole arms, and thick leather boots. Some held long spears, others had swords sheathed on their hips. There was one man, dressed in full plate armor, who had a book chained to his hip. On his back was a giant hammer, and as I was staring at him, he turned. With that simple move he made me feel fear. The front of his helmet was a depiction of a screaming man. The empty mouth was covered in a black mesh, and before I could look into his eyes my mother grabbed my head and turned me towards her.
"Never look at them again. Understand? They're cursed. If you stare for too long they will eat your soul."
"Wh-What was that?" I noticed my voice was shivering. I was truly scared. There was something drawing my eyes towards his, even now. Not only that, but the previously warm air was now chilled.
"The Asmodian Banshees. When you are older, I'll tell you. For now though, never look at them."
I looked to the opposite side, away from the 'Banshee', and noticed that all the guards were ignoring him. Even those walking in his direction had their heads turned, avoiding looking in its direction.
And so, in silence, I started nibbling on my food. I had lost my appetite, but I knew I needed something in my stomach. Time passed quietly. I don't know how much time passed, but eventually I heard the clopping of hooves. Looking towards the noise, thankfully in the opposite direction of the banshee, I saw a horse drawn carriage approaching. Staring closer, I noticed the horses were giant. Two large horns grew on the sides of their heads, and they had two large crimson eyes. Their coat was dark gray, and as they got closer I noticed that they had scaled legs, reminiscent of a lizard. Turning my attention from the horses, I looked at the carriage. White and silver, like everything in this castle. However, I noticed that the entire carriage was covered in shifting runes. My mother stood in front of me, blocking my view.
"When the door opens, bow. Don't raise your head until you are told. Understood?"
I nodded. Time to do my job.
The carriage stopped in front of us, and it made me realize that the carriage was gigantic. Easily four of me tall, and doubly wide, it was definitely bigger than some cars. Before I could marvel at the size, I felt my mother push my head down.
Right. Bowing.
I heard the door open, and then I heard...
"JULIEEEEEEEEE!"
A high pitched scream, followed by a thud next to me. Looking over I saw a blonde woman holding my mother down while giving her a deep kiss. Before I could rush over and help my mother, I heard another voice.
"Ria, really? Calm down."
Turning back towards the carriage I saw an absolutely giant woman get out. If I was about 2, maybe 2.5 feet tall, she was definitely at least 7 feet. And the horns didn't help either.
Clad in silver plate armor, holding a helmet in one hand, she stepped out of the carriage. Even though the armor was bulky I could see the curves of her body, only emphasized by the fact that she was giant. Her skin was dark blue, her eyes a deep ruby red, the long horns pointing towards the sky, and her lips pulled into a slight smile as she observed the blonde woman continuing to sit on top of my mother, though now I could see her face, albeit drawn in a cute pout.
The blonde woman, who I assumed was Countess Haniel, had long golden blonde hair, sapphire eyes, and was dressed in a white priest robe. She was a thin woman, and the only other notable feature other than her beauty was the long sharp ears, indicating she was an elf.
"No, I will not calm down. I finally get to see our cute Julie! This means I can finally have some time on top!"
"Ria, there are children present."
At that the elf snapped her head in my direction before suddenly appearing next to me. She dragged me up into a hug, rubbing her cheek into mine. "Look Chordeva, its Katherine! Look at how cute she is! Look! Look! This little flower!" The rubbing started to get more intense, before a shadow loomed over us. I felt cold metal on my skin, and noticed that Chordeva Asmodia, the Marquess, had lifted me up, holding me arms length away.
'If she drops me I might actually die. I can't see the ground!'
Gently she brought me closer, before kissing my forehead and setting me on the ground. Looking back towards my mother, her entire face was crimson, and I was surprised I didn't see a stream of blood or actually steam popping out of her head.
The Marquess strode over towards my mother, leaning down to give her a deep kiss.
'I am now starting to wonder if one of these two are my 'father'. I mean what is this?!?'
I watched as Ria Haniel walked back to the carriage, and lifted out a small child. Even with the hood covering her head, I could still see what appeared to be rams horns poking out. Countess Haniel walked over to me, gently placing the chid on the ground. She pulled back the hood, and staring me in my eyes was a light blue skinned demon, with beautiful amethyst eyes. Her eyes kept drawing me in, and I was lost even deeper when she smiled at me.
"Katherine, this is Jahi Asmodia, the next Marquess Asmodia, and your master."