Once inside, Marcus wasted no time asserting his authority over her. "Go clean yourself and put on these new clothes," he commanded, handing her a bundle of garments. "Your smell and appearance are utterly disgusting; it pains me to look at you."
Though the words stung, Seraphine held her tongue and accepted the clothing with a nod.
After freshening up and wearing her new clothes, Seraphine returned to where Marcus patiently waited in front of the bathroom. He glanced at her, silently acknowledging her presence, and then spoke with a calm and authoritative demeanor.
"We'll be staying in this inn for tonight, and we'll depart tomorrow. Do you have any questions?" Marcus inquired, his eyes appraising her reaction.
As Seraphine was about to respond, an embarrassing interruption occurred. Her stomach betrayed her, emitting a loud growl that echoed in the room. Mortified, she felt her cheeks flush crimson as she lowered her gaze in embarrassment.
To her surprise, Marcus chuckled lightly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Haha, it seems you are quite hungry after waiting at the slave market. Here, take these copper coins," he said, handing her a small pouch. "Go buy some food to fill your belly, and remember to return the change tomorrow."
Grateful for the gesture, Seraphine accepted the coins with a nod of appreciation. It had been a while since she had eaten anything more than stale bread and dirty water to keep herself alive. The simple act of kindness from Marcus, even if it was driven more by duty than genuine concern, gave her a glimmer of hope in this otherwise bleak situation.
As Marcus handed her the room key, he added, "You can rest after dinner and meet me again tomorrow. And before you retire for the night, make sure to lock the door. A girl staying alone in the inn may attract unwelcome guests."
Though his words were tinged with a harsh tone, Seraphine sensed a hint of genuine concern buried beneath his stoic exterior. She understood that he was not motivated by a sense of duty or compassion but rather by the responsibility he now bore as her new owner, or rather, as the one in charge of Marquis Ornstein's property.
Nodding respectfully, Seraphine acknowledged his instructions, knowing that her safety and wellbeing depended on following them. After purchasing a fulfilling dinner at the inn's dining hall, she returned to her room, locked the door as instructed, and lay on the bed, feeling a sense of comfort she hadn't experienced in a long time.
While she lay in bed, she turned her attention to the AI that now accompanied her. "Do you think what I should call you, Ai, system, or something else?" she inquired, genuinely curious.
The AI, responded, "You can call me whatever you please, but I think it would be convenient for you to give me a name."
Seraphine pondered for a moment, and a name suddenly came to her mind. "What about Alice? Do you like this name? It seems easy to remember and call."
"Affirmative," Alice replied. "From now on, I am Alice, your personal AI."
Seraphine felt a sense of intimacy with Alice, knowing she wouldn't be entirely alone in this world. Her mind then wandered to the idea of gaining superpowers, but Alice gently declined, explaining that she couldn't enhance her physical or mental abilities. However, Alice assured her that she could still assist Seraphine with calculations and providing information.
The concept of "information" sparked memories of the internet from her past life. Seraphine mused to herself about its convenience, only to realize that, at this moment, the novel's storyline hadn't even begun. She was two years ahead of the main plot, as Young Master Damian was only fourteen years old, and the events at the imperial academy were yet to unfold.
"Yes," Alice confirmed, "Young Master Damian is currently only fourteen years old, and you, Seraphine, were hardly mentioned in the original story. It seems you were killed not long after Damian acquired you."
The realization sent a shiver down Seraphine's spine. She knew she had to be cautious and avoid meeting the same fate as the original Seraphine. Determined to change her destiny, she resolved to get on Marcus's good side and slowly gain acceptance among the people around her.
"Alright, I understand. Right now, my priority is to build a good relationship with Marcus and integrate myself into their world," Seraphine said firmly, her determination evident in her voice.
"Very well," Alice acknowledged, "I will do my best to provide any information you may need along the way."
With Alice as her ally and newfound knowledge about the novel's timeline, Seraphine felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. As the night enveloped the inn, she closed her eyes, her mind racing with plans and strategies for the days to come.