Michaelo POV.
The loud sound of a horn that would send chills to the normal citizen continued to disturb the peace and tranquility of my home even as I hurriedly walked down the stairs.
My wife rushed after me while Raffaelo took his time to get down. I didn't realize when the same smile appeared on my face again.
The same smile that appears when I feel proud of my children. I chuckled at the thought as we finally got to the front gates.
Jerome and Gilda, our new headmaid, were already conversing with the familiar-looking man in white armor holding a golden horn.
"How may I help you ? Sir Alex".
His expression changed quickly on seeing me from his usual arrogant demeanor to a respectable knight. I laughed at the thought as he said.
"You have been summoned to the royal court in 3 days by the king! Please do well to attend with your family and my niece, Rachael Jun"
'Oh….' I thought as I slowly turned towards my wife beside me. She held a bitter expression and her hands strangled the helm of her pretty dress.
I sighed and held her hand and she seemed to have tensed down a little on seeing my expression.
'She always did have a cute reaction' I thought and turned back at Alex.
"We will be there…please tell the king".
Alex bowed and walked back into the carriage that brought him over here.
The coachmen struck the whip on the horses and they were on their way.
"That old man! He knows that it takes 3 days to get to the Royal Castle from Pasville.
Pasville was the closest city we governed, and we lived at the end of it, away from the townspeople.
"Hmmm….It seems we'll have to be on our way to the capital…" I muttered as Raffaelo walked up to me.
His expression seemed anxious and I couldn't shake off the feeling that came with it.
"Is there something wrong son ?" I asked as we headed back to the Mansion. I turned to Gilda and Jerome.
"Do you mind…we'll most likely be back in a week. You'll have to handle the affairs of the mansion during that time"
Gilda shook her head. "It is my duty to serve you, my Lord".
"Oh…." Raffaelo muttered while he waited.
My gaze jumped to him and my eyebrows furrowed. He shook his head and turned around. I sighed.
"Alright…you too Jerome ?"
He nodded, giving me a thumbs-up at the same time. "No worry Big bro. I'll handle things here". He chuckled and I waved them goodbye while entering the mansion.
"I'll get the maids to prepare as well," Rachael said as she walked away.
"I guess it's just me and you then….". My gaze couldn't leave my wife as I opened the doors of our study. Memories of our past before we finally settled in together were filmed in my head on entering the room with my son.
She's been through a lot as well, and all because of her Uncle.
I sighed, slumping back on my chair.
"Father? Do you think the King would want to take one of us ?" My son asked.
My expression slowly turned to disgust as I was about to refute the idea when I pondered on it more.
The King had Phillip as his left sword because he was a Jun. The thought of losing a Jun must be a shocking blow to his military power.
'In that sense….he'll try to take one of mine to make up for it…..that sounds like something he'll do'
A small sigh escaped my lips. 'How did I not think of this ..'
"Why did you bring this up?" I asked while going through the papers I had dropped. It was best not to think of it until it happened. 'Maybe it's about time we fight back?' I thought
"I want you to give me to him…"
I froze on the spot. My expression slowly turned to confusion and worry. 'Was it because I let him read so many Prince and Princess novels ?' I thought as I looked him over. "What ?" I asked. Maybe he has a plan in mind.
"The King…..is an extremely suspicious person…and we won't be able to refute his request to have one of us work directly under him. In that case….I want you to use me instead of my sisters but he'll have to wait for when I come of age".
The plan he had in mind, whatever it was, began to play out in my mind as well.
"Do you think you could last in the clutches of the king ?" I asked with a serious expression.
Someone else insisted on the same thing and that was Philip. He's ended up dead now….and after losing his mind to the King at that.
"I was going to talk to you about that…." He said as he came closer to my desk.
"About what ?" I asked, raising a brow.
"About the true nature of my other trait….."
*****
"Oh…." I muttered staring at my son. "When did you have the time to plan something like that ?"
He shook his head in reply.
'Like my wife always said….He doesn't act his age….and he seems to have great insight'
I nodded. "If you put it that way then I agree…..though you'll be doing something extremely dangerous…so ensure you get strong enough when the time comes". I waved my arm, dismissing him when he stopped at my door just before leaving.
"Father…..then the Jun Swordsmanship Training starts after the meeting with the king ?"
I nodded my head.
'I can at least tell him the basis of the First chapter. It'll be easier if he understands it on his own when the time comes' I thought as he shut the door behind his back.
Raffaelo POV.
A small sigh escaped my lips as I left my Father's study. I had expected to meet the king much earlier than in my previous life since I've changed so many things already.
'The king sided with the demons…it was a personal matter that wasn't disclosed to the public in my last life….it was my duty to eliminate the demons so rumors such as that would be avoided'
I thought as flashes of memories of my past life played in my head as I headed back to my room.
I chuckled. 'I was pretty miserable wasn't I…'
On getting to my room, I noticed the familiar presence of his unique aura through the walls of the room. 'Oh yes….there was also this….system…' I thought, turning towards Jerome who greeted me with a bright smile.
"Seems you've found someone you fancy…" I muttered as I sat on my bed next to him.
He laughed out loud.
"Just don't let Fiona find out," I said with a straight face as my gaze was fixed on the floral paintings on the ceiling.
His attention was focused on my movement.
"What are you doing ?" I asked.
He looked me over and looked away. "You're pretty strong for your age…and you have a mana heart as well".
"...how ?" My words couldn't describe how surprised I was at his statement. I bit down on my lips as I asked. "How did you know ?"
"..hmm….mana hearts are quite similar to mana stars…the major difference is their purpose in the body…..you see a master can feel both of them and make a rough gauge of how strong they would be in the real world"
"I see…..is there a way to hide it? My mana heart ?"
My mana heart had recently just reached the 3rd circle, and I've been doing a lot of research with Fiona's books, which have been a great aid to the things Swordsmen lack.
"Magic is pretty interesting isn't it…" I mumbled but his ears picked up my words with keen interest.
"Just having a human with both makes you a certified test subject for magic researchers"
"Don't say weird things''. I shrugged my shoulders.
He was right, if I didn't have such a strong backing like my family, I would have probably been kidnapped and used in all kinds of ways. "Is there a way I can hide it ?"
Jerome took a glance at me while humming. "It's when you reach the stage of a Master. Only then will you gain the ability to hide your mana heart".
I contemplated his words for a few seconds when I heard a knock on my door. We both turned towards it to find Morganna all dressed up pretty.
She gave me a knowing look before turning around and walking away.
"....she can be so weird…" I murmured as I jumped down the bed but Jerome could still clearly pick up my words.
He chuckled. "Alright then….I will see you in a week….."
I nodded my head, walking towards the door.
"Do be careful….the King of the West isn't….a worthy King".
I paused for a moment contemplating his words. Yet again, another point: he is most likely comparing him with the King of the Northern capital, Noure and compared to him, our King is more like a child.
I continued, taking slow steps as I headed down the stairs.
*****
About 30 minutes later, we were all suited up and my father had prepared two carriages. One has our load for the week and the other is where we stayed.
We said one final goodbye to the new maid and Jerome as the coachmen stroked the horse to start moving.
"...the capital, huh?" I muttered to myself as I stared through the window of the white well, well-crafted carriage. I still have memories of the days I spent there and the torture I went through.
The imperial family never liked our family from the very beginning and they weren't keen on hiding that fact either.
"I heard the king has 5 children," Morganna said, probably in an urge to break the silence.
"That's right," my Mother sighed. "And they all take after him…."
'Well, that's horrible….' I sighed. ' But it's through….' The 13th King of Lumbrica, Lord Marcello the IV, had five children. The first three are males and the last two are females.
I still remember how they fought for the throne before my regression and I am well aware that none of them deserved that throne. '.....should I have that on the list of things I want as well…..' A flimsy thought appeared in my mind causing my lips to curl into a devilish smile.
"....What are you thinking of ?".
I slowly turned away from the window only to find my parents and Morganna's curious gaze on me. I chuckled. "It's nothing…it's just….I hope this goes on smoothly".
My mum nodded while my dad continued staring into space. Morganna seemed to have seen through me but I didn't think much of it.
"Thalia and the rest….would they be given an invite as well ?" She asked, staring at my father.
"Knowing the king….well yes".
The uncertainties that would take place in the King's palace were numerous and we were still far from being strong to protect ourselves. However, this would be the start of the turning point when my destiny comes back to haunt me but in all, I was prepared.