「Your evolution will now commence」
I find myself once again in the circular wooden room. The space looked the same as the last time I was here. I examined myself.
The multitude of wounds that I had concurred was still there. Among them was my destroyed arm. The walls were still made out of lumber, the symbols on the walls were still there, though some new ones were added. I tried to examine the walls, curious of its new contents. Before I could do so, however, an irresistible force dragged me towards the lone door.
It pulled me, detached from my own will. While I expected another headache-inducing barrage of pleas, this was something out of my expectations. The attractive force continued to pull me towards the door. In a blink of an eye, my hand was already at the doorknob.
…Huh?
It was odd. The force relented, its mission(?) complete. It would seem that I skipped a few steps: being dragged, approaching the door, before finally holding the handle. All of these intermediary steps had been passed like the wind. No matter how I thought about it, it was unnatural.
Don't focus on that now
I shake my head. This space was mysterious enough as it is. I didn't have to complicate it further. Turning my attention back at the dark door, I focus on the information at hand. The result of this path would decide what I would specialize in, learning about is detrimental to my survival. I open up the evolution status.
「Race: Unknown
Available Skills: None」
…
…..
.....
…Wait, WHAT?!
◆◇◆◇◆◇
"Prince Morgen! Prince Morgen!, please wake up."
A knock on the door jolts me awake. I opened my tired eyes.
"Nnnnnn~ what is it, Mary? You know I don't like being woken up so early in the morning."
I get up from the comfortable bed, groaning. I voice out my complaints through the person beyond the large double doors. Without waiting for my permission, a short, petite woman comes in my room. The woman had a tray of food on her hands along with some kind of document.
"Jeez! It would make my job so much easier if you'd just wake up on your own like a proper adult. Do you know how much needs to be done in the castle? Answer: a lot more than you think!"
Asking and answering her own question, this is my personal maid Mary. She had a small build, big round eyes, and kind of a foul-mouth. It wasn't that she cursed or badmouthed people or anything like that. Rather, it was her ability to completely ignore the atmosphere when it came to complaining about her daily problems.
Believe it or not, this was one of her better days. Often times, she would just kick my doors, pull me out of my bed, and drag me across the castle wearing nothing but my underwear. It wasn't that she stripped me or anything, it was just my preference.
Ever since coming to this world – though I don't know why – I had developed the habit of sleeping in my undergarments. It wasn't that it was unbearably hot or some kind of kink – at least I hope so – it just felt right. I sat up on the bed, still not getting out. Mary placed the tray on the bed, just around my lap. She sighed.
"Hah~~~~, the head maid scolded me again. 'You should really fix your pet's behavior' – was what she told me. Do they even know how much I have on my plate?! On top of normal maid duties, I still have to take care of some brat who can barely even wake up in time!! They should really leave these kinda stuff for your mannerisms instructor."
"Aren't you my mannerisms teacher? Besides, if you're just going to complain like that it would be better if–what did you just call me?"
"Exactly!!! They already know that I have somebody to take care of. Why couldn't they just give me a break every now and then?! …Well, given that they did take some of my cleaning and laundry duties ever since I agreed to tutor you. And ever since I became your personal maid, all the others have been looking at me like I just stole their boyfriend (even though none of them have one). But still!!–Don't I deserve a break?! A little reprieve?! Maybe even a nice vacation in one of the most famous inns in the entire Flügelheim kingdom?! Now, my best friend and lovely student. If you would just sign on these papers saying you would cover any costs that I may have – including travel, stay, and leisure – I would be ever so gratef-"
"Wait wait wait!! Just what kind of booze did you drink last night that made you come to that kind of conclusion?"
I reeled my hand back from Mary's. Despite being one of the people that I trust the most in the world, I still couldn't let my guard down around her. I almost let her lead me into signing some shady sounding contract… again. Truth be told, this wasn't her first attempt at such a scandalous agreement.
"Aren't you getting tired of this? The more ridiculous contracts you come up with, the less I trust you around documents. If you're really my mannerisms teacher, act like it. Please."
"Hmph. You're not my mom."
Mary pouted at my sudden sermon. Her red cheeks puffed up, making her look like a squirrel.
"Cute."
"W-w-what are you saying all of a sudden?!"
She panicked, her hands flailing about to hide her clear embarrassment. I pick up my fork and stab a fried egg. Bringing the whole thing to my mouth, I eat it in one bite. I had already wasted enough time with my morning squabble with Mary. Though I may act leisurely, that is only because Mary is here. If it's her, I could act however I wished – free from all the responsibilities and obligations a prince of a country has.
"Well then, why don't we move on to the important business?"
I mutter in the middle of my breakfast, my tone calm and serious. Mary noticed my sudden change in attitude. Like an actor, she quickly hid her embarrassment and nervousness. Pulling up a different document, she read it aloud.
"Marquis Lockhart would like to have an audience with you. I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that he has brought his only child – his daughter, here."
"Marquis Lockhart? Judging by the fact that he brought his reclusive daughter here, it must be something important. Do you know why?"
Mary flipped through the thick stack of documents, ignoring my question.
She doesn't know, huh….
Drinking the last of my tea, I got out of the bed. I didn't bother fixing the messy bedding. That was something for the maids to do.
I wonder how the others are doing?