[Is that your plan?]
Jarvis's question hit me with a hint of condescension, a feeling that made me annoyed.
"Yeah." I replied, casting a glance at the mansion ahead. It was undoubtedly smaller than my former residence, Duke Falkrona's mansion, but I wasn't concerned. In my previous life, I had lived in an apartment, so this was already a luxury by my standards.
Luckily, the mansion was situated within the Falkrona dukedom, so I didn't have to trek far. Still, the travel took me a good three hours by foot. The evidence of that travel clung to me as my entire body was soaked in sweat. Passersby recognized me, of course, but they kept their distance, their expressions a mixture of fear and wariness. Some even hid their children from me.
While Edward might have been a despicable character, he wasn't depraved enough to attack children— much to everyone's relief.
I ignored the lingering gazes and pressed a switch embedded in a pillar near the mansion's entrance. In the game, despite the medieval backdrop, it existed in a futuristic world, with floating mana trains and levitating carriages. I could have easily taken the mana train, given that news of my departure from the house had likely not yet circulated. However, I was wary of the attention that a train journey might attract, so I opted for walking—an endeavor that was, surprisingly, doing my slightly overweight frame some good. I was convinced I'd lost at least a few grams along the way.
["Who?"]
A woman's voice rang through the speaker.
"It's me, Auntie. Edward…"
I summoned the most innocent tone I could muster.
["..."]
The mammoth ivory gates creaked open, revealing a pathway.
Smiling, I took a step forward.
"What brings you here, dear nephew?"
"...!"
Before me materialized a striking grey-haired woman, Belle Falkrona. She was Edward's paternal aunt, the younger sister of Edward's father. I'd chosen this place of refuge with the knowledge that Belle held her nephew and niece in the highest regard especially Edward, as he was the first born from her brother and her best friend. She was even responsible for the name 'Edward.' Yet, right now, she regarded me with a cold demeanor. She had probably heard about my unsavory behavior, even if I hadn't gone as far as physically assaulting anyone. If I'd committed such an act, I would have never dared to seek refuge here. But with mere molestation on the slate, I figured there was a chance she'd extend her compassion… maybe.
[So, your brilliant plan was to run away in your aunt's house.]
'Yes, and it beats living on the streets!'
"My nephew...possibly the only person who would chase after girls like a beast while engaged to the Royal Princess."
Belle's words hung in the air as she surveyed me.
I averted my gaze, feigning a sorrowful expression. Spare me, please. I'm already aware of my award-winning performance.
A silence that stretched for an eternity seemed to pass before Belle finally spoke.
"Come inside."
I had anticipated this.
She truly cared for her nephew!
Relief surged within me, because I had no Plan B.
[Isn't that pathetic?]
I disregarded Jarvis's snark and walked towards Belle. She gently grasped my arm, and the sensation of floating engulfed me. As I opened my eyes again, I found myself in a spacious living room.
Perhaps she'd inscribed a teleportation spell within the house.
"What happened, Edward?"
Belle reappeared, now donned in a black skirt and white blouse. Observing her closely, I detected a resemblance to Edward's father. A strange pang of nostalgia hit me.
"I… I renounced my position as heir and left the mansion."
A moment of silence preceded Belle's response.
"You've truly done that?"
"Yes."
I nodded, sensing her genuine surprise.
"I'd never have imagined that, out of everyone, you would cast aside your status."
Though her words stung, they were accurate. Edward would never have forsaken his position or comfort.
"Nobody there cared about me, and it felt suffocating."
I admitted. It was, in essence, the truth. No one cared about me, and I was effectively confined to my room by the numerous glares directed my way.
"And you're here because I care about you?"
"Well…"
I was at a loss for words. Belle likely saw through my intentions—that I had sought refuge here out of necessity, not to visit my aunt. Indeed, Edward, after his mother's death, had shunned Belle due to the painful reminders she stirred of his mother and Belle accepted without feeling the slightest hurt by Edward. She loved him too much for that and she knew what he was going through.
Did she realize that?
I think she did.
"..."
Was she hurt by my selfish motivations for coming here?
[You're just as selfish as Edward in the game.]
'Yeah, probably.'
I had to admit that I wasn't a gentle-hearted soul transmigrating into a villain's body.
Belle sighed, her hand tenderly ruffling my hair—a gesture that genuinely caught me off guard.
I stared at her in astonishment.
Belle smiled wistfully, her gaze fixed on my face.
"You resemble your parents—your mother's eyes and your father's recklessness."
She commented, affectionately patting my cheeks.
"Recklessness, from him? No way. He's far too stuck-up."
I involuntarily sneered in response to Belle's words.
And...
She playfully pinched my cheeks.
"Ouch!"
"But you certainly didn't inherit their kindness, you rascal!"
"Ouch!"
It genuinely hurts!
A minute later, she released my cheeks and turned away.
"I have work to attend to. Take this key— you can use it to access the house. Just make sure not to lose it, Edward."
I caught the key, my eyes welling up involuntarily.
"I think she doesn't hate me."
I confided, a sense of relief flooding over me at the thought that at least one person in this world cared about 'me'.
[She's pampering you.]
"Just like any aunt would."
I said, collapsing onto the sofa, which groaned under the strain as my bulk descended upon it.
"In a month, by the time the entrance ceremony comes around, I'll have the physique of an athlete."
[I don't think it's that simple.]
I brushed Jarvis's response aside, plunging myself into deep thought.
...
[Falkrona Mansion]
Over five hours had elapsed since Edward Falkrona, the heir of the Falkrona family, renounced his claim to the title and departed the mansion.
Thomen Falkrona promptly designated Simon Falkrona as the new heir. The preparations for this transition were proceeding at a rapid pace. The top priority was notifying the King and the significant nobles of this change, informing the other Dukes about the decision.
Thomen Falkrona was hunched over his spacious study, rapidly penning official letters before impressing the Hawk emblem, the Falkrona family crest—onto the parchment. His countenance remained serious as he worked with remarkable efficiency.
-Knock!
"Enter."
Thomen said still focused on the papers.
"Father."
"Elona."
He continued to write, not sparing his daughter a glance.
"Father, please..."
Startled sobs reached his ears, finally prompting Thomen to lift his eyes from the page.
Elona's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Elona…"
Thomen moved towards her, enfolding her in a comforting embrace.
"Brother is…"
Thomen didn't need to ask which brother she was referring to. Elona considered both Edward and Simon as her brothers, though she held a special attachment to Edward. Before their mother's passing, she had been particularly close to him, but after that incident, Edward had undergone a drastic change. Despite her outward indifference towards him, Elona couldn't help but worry about her older brother. She despised his actions, yet her affection for him still lingered.
"He's at Aunt Belle's estate."
"Really?!"
Elona's head snapped up.
Thomen offered her a reassuring smile, his hand patting her head gently.
"Yes, you don't need to worry any longer."
His gaze then shifted to the ceiling.
'I'm sorry, Lydia, and to you as well.'
His words were directed at a photograph hanging on the wall to his right.
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