(Continuation…)
(Rai Karnal's POV–MC)
With the water still cascading down, I slowly lifted my head, gazing at my reflection in the long mirror beside the shower.
The anticipation in my eyes was evident as I took in the sight before me, a 16-year-old.
"[Silverthorne Rai Karnal]"
-Prince of the Xantrinia Kingdom-
Water droplets gracefully trickled down my face, revealing the distinct features that belonged to me.
Staring back at me was a youthful and attractive face, enhanced by a strong jawline that added a touch of maturity.
The contours of my face displayed a pleasing combination of sharp angles and gentle curves, creating a harmonious and approachable appearance.
The shower's cascade accentuated my well-toned physique, each curve and line a testament to the countless hours spent honing the current physique.
At my age, I stood at an ideal height, radiating a quiet confidence from within.
With my hair still slightly damp, its black strands framed my face in a tousled yet effortlessly stylish manner, adding a touch of casual charm to my overall presence.
Meeting the gaze of my dark eyes in the mirror, I felt drawn into their deep obsidian pools, brimming with curiosity and captivating allure.
My well-defined and meticulously shaped eyebrows struck the perfect balance between thickness and subtlety, intensifying the expressiveness of my eyes.
They were all the same characteristics I'd had from birth, yet I felt like I was seeing myself for the first time, or at least a part of me did.
The part I didn't possess until an hour ago.
I felt the emotions, the joys, the heartaches, and the regrets of someone I had never met or known.
Faces flashed before my eyes, strangers yet not so strangers, and their lives intertwined with mine in this bizarre moment of memory infusion.
I can't deny the vividness of these memories and the sense of déjà vu that accompanies them.
They are too real to dismiss as mere figments of my imagination.
No matter how baffling or strange this situation may be, it's my reality now.
I can't escape it.
…and perhaps I shouldn't.
It's a part of who I am.
These memories, this connection to a past that isn't mine in this lifetime.
However, that doesn't mean they weren't mine to begin with. They were mine.
I can't change what has happened, but I can choose how to respond.
Maybe, just maybe, I need to embrace this Gift or
…Burden.
I'm not sure which it is yet, and I guess only time can say that.
Then my gaze landed on something in the corner of my eyes…
In that moment, a sliver of hope pierced through the uncertainty within me.
I realised that standing under the cold shower was an act of purification, a symbolic washing away of my past, and a chance for change.
As I stepped out of the icy torrent, my body was both shivering and invigorated.
Drying myself off with a rough towel, the texture providing a tangible reminder of the unexpected realities I had faced.
In the end, I may not have all the answers, but I'm willing to accept everything this journey has to offer.
It's a part of who I am, and I won't turn my back on myself—past, present, and whatever lies ahead.
.
Alright, so I stepped out of the bathroom and put on some mediaeval-style clothes, you know, to blend in with the whole vibe of this train.
I walked back to my compartment, which consisted of two cabins.
My compartment was a rare privilege, designed akin to a lavish room, befitting my current royal status and lineage.
I come from a fancy lineage, so I guess it's only natural.
The interior was all decked out in royal colours, deep blues, and rich golds. The interior designers went all out to showcase our family's prestigious heritage, and I must admit, it's quite the sight.
A grand and fancy chandelier hangs from the ceiling, giving everything a warm and classy glow and adding to the overall ambiance of the space.
Oh, and let's not forget about the little dining area, perfect for enjoying meals during the journey.
The finely crafted table and cushioned chairs added to the royal ambiance.
Unbeknownst to me-'words'-that I didn't even know an hour before came into my mind fluently.
It's evident they spared no expense to create an atmosphere fit for royalty, and I can't help but appreciate the attention to detail.
But honestly, I'm not in the mood to explore all that fanciness right now; I just wanted some time to myself away from all the hustle.
There's this maid outside my Sister's cabin, and she gave me a polite half bow when I passed by, and I returned the gesture with a quick nod, of course.
Soon, I find myself on this comfy sofa, trying to take a breather from all the fancy stuff going on around me.
As I laid back on the comfy sofa, my thoughts started wandering all over the place. But man, I gotta say, that cold bath earlier was so refreshing, but it left me feeling kinda stiff physically. But mentally, I'm feeling pretty relaxed.
My mind was on a rollercoaster, going from the present to the past. Speaking of the past, the old me was quite something.
I used to be overly optimistic and naive—a total Goody Two Shoes.
Simply put, I was a complete pushover, no doubt about it.
My thoughts drifted aimlessly, exploring the new me.
Mom, Dad, is this how you raise your only son in a cursed world like this?
I know that they likely acted out of love and a desire to shield me from the ugliness of the world, but really…
And here I am, living this carefree life, clueless about the real darkness out there.
But damn, all that changes now…
And I have to–If I don't want to repeat the same horrible fate that transpired in the Novel "[War Zone]"
.
(After two minutes…)
—knock~
Just as I was delving deep into my thoughts, someone had to go and ruin my brief moment of peace.
A soft knock on my compartment door startled me, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Still keeping my eyes shut, I gave a nod in the direction of the maid standing outside my Sister's cabin, giving her permission to let the intruder in.
Gradually, I could hear the door creak open, followed by heavy approaching footsteps, accompanied by the clinking of knights' armour.
Great, just what I needed - a bunch of armoured folks crashing my relaxation time.
The sounds finally stopped right in front of me.
Despite closing my eyes, I had a good sense of who had entered the cabin.
Not wanting to drag it out any longer, I finally opened my eyes, only to be greeted by four Knights standing stiffly while three bandits kneeled in front of them, the source of the commotion.
And in front of them all, leading,
-Noir Kavir-
My loyal Shadow and Protector.
His brown skin, brown hair, and deep brown eyes matched the earthy tones of his appearance.
His green military outfit added to the aura of dedication and discipline he carried.
A small, pointed scar adorned his right cheek, a reminder of his past.
Despite his unassuming presence due to his short height, he exuded a sense of strength.
The situation became clear to me as I thought back to how I lost my consciousness in the first place while trying to block one of the bandits outside my Sister's cabin from hitting me on the head.
"Your Highness, these bandits managed to sneak onto the train at the previous stop, when it made a halt to load goods onto the last compartment.
"And as your Shadow, I apologise for my incompetence in failing to keep you out of harm's way."(Kavir)
Kavir, explained with a respectful tone, taking responsibility for the situation.
The Knights accompanying him seemed bewildered, for encountering such a situation on this opulent train was a rare occurrence.
Ignoring his self-blame for now, I pondered their findings and how the bandits managed to enter.
Even though I have three luxurious compartments for myself, I understood the constraints of practicality and necessity in sharing the others with goods for transport.
In fact, I already feel it's too excessive for this privilege, even if I were a Prince.
However, the most reality hitting point that makes me realise the harsh but true identity of the world I am living in is expecting the eyes of the Knights and my Shadow for the following order regarding the bandits lying chained down in a kneeling position.
The four Knight escorts, standing vigilantly, looked to me to make the decision.
Can you believe it?
They are leaving the fate of these criminals in the hands of a 16-year-old Kid.
It was really an unsettling sight.
I mean, shouldn't adults handle this kind of stuff?
But I know that all doubts were popping up in me because of the new part of me, and I am sure I would have felt normal if it was the same as before.
Feeling all confused and overwhelmed.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.
I turned to Kavir, looking for some advice.
I thought he'd give me the usual "follow your lead, my Lord" kind of gesture with his face.
"What do we do with them?"(Rei)
Even so, I asked him out, Kavir.
.
(To be continued…)
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Chapter words : 1595
Total words : 5.99K