Kole stood up and basked in the morning sunlight for some time.
Later on, he entered the bath and felt a giddy feeling bubbling in his stomach as he soaked in the hot water.
Since last night, he has had a long internal struggle and debate.
He didn't know who he was exactly as the shadow of the previous Kole lingered in his mind.
He tried his hardest to control the emotional attachment to various people Kole had but couldn't get a hold of it.
He couldn't eliminate the shadow of the previous Kole!
It was still there in his mind!
All Kole could manage to do was not influence the decision-making.
He was still his previous self with desires soaring the sky, but when it came to people, the feelings that came with them, sparked something inside his heart.
Was it really an after-side-effect of transmigration?
Fortunately, somehow, he was able to separate the existence of the previous Kole from his mind, except for strong emotional attachments.
It was still a better deal if overlooked, objectively.
Kole didn't want to have a connection with his family members as it was very awkward for him to call someone "mother" who looked way younger than his old self.
His mind was still in the process of adjusting to this body, and it would take days if not weeks!
Hah. Novels that I read downplayed the effect on the psyche a little too much on transmigrators. How do they get used to everything so easily?... Kole let out a hollow chuckle.
As he gazed upon his young body, Kole felt it could take some exercise and a little bit more muscle.
He was lean and tall, but it was on the thinner side. He took a mental note of it and planned a workout session.
Once cleaned, Kole wore light clothes and trotted downstairs, and entered the dining hall.
Only one person was sitting at the table, his mother wearing a long complicated black dress.
In front of her, simple dishes, bread, butter, soup, beacons, and eggs were placed. It was enough for three servings and Kole was glad that was the case.
He has made a preliminary judgment that the previous Kole didn't eat much and that is why he didn't develop some well-required muscles which Kole planned to change.
Not to mention, he didn't do any exercises.
It was already a saving grace that Kole's body didn't fall ill with such a terrible lifestyle!
When Faneia saw him enter the dining hall, she didn't say anything and waited for him patiently to take a seat next to her, which Kole did just like his past self.
It was a routine where Faneia would make breakfast early in the morning, and the previous Kole would arrive with a few minutes for breakfast, and Kole did his best not to appear out of ordinary.
He followed the time, religiously.
Maybe, factors like muscle memory and the biological clock were also involved… Kole didn't know, though he didn't care either, because these minor overlapping of character traits didn't hamper his original goals.
Kole greeted his mother with a smile, "Good morning, mother!"
To which, she nodded lightly.
The Duchess and her son had a silent breakfast.
Kole felt slightly nervous, but he could only steel his heart and stuff himself with the appetite he intended to, to make his body more muscular.
Although he didn't wish to be a hulk, he still wanted to be in the ranks of abs and muscles.
He could swear he saw his mother narrow her red gem-like eyes at him when she saw him eating more than usual.
Kole explained with a gulp, "Sorry, I'm too hungry… I don't remember eating anything yesterday, after all."
After taking a sip of wine, Faneia said tonelessly, "Seeing you weren't in any condition to eat, I fed you energy potions instead. It can provide nutrition though it would not quench hunger."
You fed me what?... Kole eyes seemed to have popped out hearing such a ridiculous thing.
But he calmed down quickly as he had already made mental preparations not to be surprised by magic or any of that stuff.
It would be too embarrassing for him to react exaggeratedly to everything that he believed to be fantasy, every single time.
As such, with a low nod, he went back to eating.
Fortunately, his mother's cooking was great. Even the simple dishes had a tinge of exquisiteness.
He wondered briefly why she left the huge mansion to live here in the suburbs, without any servants.
It was very strange from every angle!
In the end, Kole ate almost everything on the table with relish. He felt bad for appearing like a glutton despite being noble, but he couldn't help it.
If Kole wanted to improve his physique, he had to start from somewhere and yesterday's tragedy was the perfect excuse for him to take advantage of and let Faneia know about the increase in his appetite.
He didn't mind cooking more food for himself when alone, if it was necessary, though it would appear extremely out of ordinary. Because the previous Kole had never cooked in his life.
Kole could only take the slow route to introduce his habits to overlap with previous Koles'.
Although he didn't believe he was the smartest person on the planet, he still considered himself wise enough to have good foresight!
Luckily, Faneia didn't say anything and waited for Kole to finish his meal.
"Mom, you can cook more beacons. If I haven't mentioned before, they are delicious." Kole said with a smile.
Proteins! I need more proteins!
An imperceptible nod came from Faneia in response.
An awkward silence descended again before Kole hurriedly stood up as if he wanted to escape.
He honestly felt like he was in a tigress's den. Even if the tigress wasn't hostile, who knew when she'd change her mind? It was better to stay as far as possible.
Despite having some questionable thoughts, he didn't want to push his luck.
He knew she was powerful, and who knew if she had super senses or what not to notice his eyes lingering at inappropriate places which the original Kole would never even dare to think about.
"Hold on." As Kole was about to run back to his room, Faneia's voice floated from behind, catching up to him.
Kole stiffened.
Did she notice? But I tried my hardest to not look at her. And whenever I did, I maintained eye contact!… Kole felt his heart sinking.
Don't tell me this was the most abnormal part. Was the previous Kole shy and I behaved in a way that wasn't Kole's usual self?... Kole thought and tried to analyze the memories but couldn't find any change except the appetite.
But even that had an excellent excuse!
"Meet me in my study in an hour."
Don't tell me this will the final hour of my new life… Kole didn't know whether to feel happy about transmigration or sad about landing in a house with a strange and powerful Duchess.