A white carriage adorned with intricate golden inscriptions arrived at the Grand Palace of the Selvius Kingdom, and two individuals disembarked from it.
A line of maids and servants had gathered to welcome the carriage's arrival.
Ryuk emerged from the carriage, helping Adanyl down before turning his gaze toward the waiting maids.
"Tend to her burn injuries," he instructed.
The maids promptly bowed and took Adanyl with them, who kept looking back at Ryuk as their hands separated, her mind filled with inexplicable emotions.
It was the first time someone had tended to her injuries without her having to beg Kermit for help.
She couldn't help but steal glances at Ryuk until he disappeared from view as she entered the palace gates.
"Johan, come with me,"
Ryuk commanded, leading his butler through the palace. They reached a specific area outside Princess Olivia's palace.
"Don't panic," Ryuk cautioned.
His hand was suddenly shrouded in black mist, causing Johan's eyes to flinch momentarily. But he maintained his composure as the black mist enshrouded his body and then disappeared.
A black, material-like substance wormed its way into Johan's facial orifices—nose, ears, eyes, and mouth—before completely dissipating.
Even in those unsettling moments, Johan didn't flinch, displaying his unwavering loyalty to his master. Ryuk had faith in him, considering he had always been by his side even in the past life.
But Ryuk couldn't blindly trust anyone as no-one knows what variable can effect their loyalty, especially after witnessing the true faces of some ungrateful individuals.
"Here,"
Ryuk passed a glass bottle filled with a water-like liquid, completely transparent. He continued, "Give it to Priest Kermit and tell him to mix it in Maria's food every day for two months."
Ryuk chose to avoid these actions in front of Adanyl and that's why even if he had already noticed Maria looking in their direction. He remained unfazed by her presence.
"I understand, Your Highness," Johan replied, bowing respectfully before leaving with the vial in his hands. As he walked away, a small smile graced his face.
For him, his master had only one weakness, and that was his sympathy for people in pitiful states.
Even though Ryuk never let his guard down and understood the motives of others, he often tried to alleviate their suffering.
But after witnessing how he had been targeted by one of Ryuk's spells that seemed to keep his loyalty in check, as he can feel something crawling inside his body, it became clear to Johan 'Guess Master has removed his only weakness after all'. not even trusting him.
...
Ryuk entered the gates of Olivia's Palace and strolled towards the garden area. As the area came into his sight, he spotted two individuals seated on chairs next to a table adorned with cakes and pastries.
Upon his entrance, the maids in the service of the two individuals bowed to him. "Greetings, Your Highness. Please, this way," one of the maids guided him to the pair.
He approached them: a woman with blonde hair and striking red ruby eyes, and a little girl beside her who shared the same features.
"Greetings, Lady Venessa," Ryuk bowed courteously to the woman. She maintained a polite smile as she reciprocated his greetings. "You too, Ryuk. Come, have a seat. I was just speaking to Olivia about you."
Ryuk understood the underlying motives behind Venessa's words, but he kept his smile and maintained his focus on the main reason for his visit.
He paid little attention to the presence of the little girl, who wore a pout on her face, arms folded, and her gaze averted, seemingly waiting for someone to break the silence.
"I wanted to ask Lady Venessa for a favor, if she could," Ryuk spoke without giving Olivia a single glance. Olivia's presence didn't go unnoticed by Venessa, but she maintained her composure, asking, "Oh, just tell Ryuk, what do you want?"
"I want a VIP pass for the underground auction house," Ryuk declared, his need for it being more urgent than his status as a prince.
Obtaining such a pass was a challenge, considering the underground auction was controlled by the Silvester house.
While they appeared friendly on the surface, they had been the first noble family to challenge Ryuk's ascension to the throne after his mother's disappearance.
However, these conflicts were far in the future, and for now, he needed to secure the pass to attend the auction.
"Hmm, I can indeed provide you with the VIP pass, but..." Venessa, Lady of the Silvester house, exchanged small glances between Ryuk and her daughter, Olivia, making her unspoken request clear.
Ryuk understood her intentions and also noticed Olivia keep glancing towards him, but it didn't mean that the urgency of his need compelled him to entertain her request.
In his past life, Ryuk had attended the underground auction house to rescue a girl who had been auctioned as a slave.
This time, his motivation was different. He had observed an item during his previous visit that he required for his current mission.
"Then, I will excuse myself," Ryuk announced, standing as if he were truly compelled to attend the auction house.
The acquisition of the VIP pass was not that crucial for him to make him form a friendly relationship with Olivia.
He would rather kill ten thousand people by his hands than compromise on this.
Yes, the item Ryuk sought was a «Soul Orb » an artifact created through the sacrifice of individuals, typically by dark mages. Ryuk remembered the item's details, which included the containment of ten thousand souls.
According to the system's knowledge, «kill points » were awarded after the system absorbed the souls of those who died by Ryuk's actions. There was a peculiar aspect to the system: it didn't mentioned about the deceased individuals to must have a living physical body.
Soul orbs functioned as isolated containers that trapped souls within, preventing them from moving out, much like a living human body confirming his theory to ryuk of breaking it akin to killing.
"W-wait, Ryuk, at least eat something," Venessa pleaded as she saw him preparing to leave, her panic evident.
She offered him some sweets, which appeared as ordinary confections to others but were clearly part of a bargaining proposition in Ryuk's eyes. He smiled and took a seat, recognizing Venessa's shrewdness.
Ryuk recalled a situation from his past life when he had faced an entire army. It was evident that the heroines and the so-called «son of heaven» lacked the organizational skills to assemble such a vast force.
This was where the Silvester family, particularly Venessa Silvester, came into play, Venessa was the brain behind such large army gathering in the civil war.
"Hmm, it is indeed delicious, Lady Venessa. Where are these from?" Ryuk asked politely as he took a bite of one of the cakes.
He observed Venessa slightly widening her eyes, realizing that the boy had a motive behind his question.
"It's from Baron Carlo's bakery," Venessa replied, playing along with Ryuk's game as ryuk too didn't backed away "Guess I have to visit it,"
Then she continued, indirectly acknowledging her part in the bargain as she glanced at her daughter. "Why don't you accompany Ryuk there, Olivia? you can show him around."
With this simple exchange, the deal was finalized.
Ryuk had provided Venessa with an opportunity for Olivia to spend some time with him in exchange for the VIP pass. They had come to an understanding without the need for him to have a direct conversation with Olivia— he got the deal and also his next target.
Ryuk had already planned to deal with her once he is done with his work at the Auction.
Olivia's POV
I sat there, my heart racing with anticipation as Mother shared the news about Ryuk's impending return.
Memories of his past indifference and my own past injuries flooded my mind, but I tried to maintain a facade of indifference, though I have faith like always he will come running when he got the news of my injuries.
"Greetings, your highness, please this way," the maid's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I turned to see a young man with captivating amber eyes making his way towards me.
'Heh, finally came, didn't you,' I mumbled to myself, 'like always, come running when got news of my injuries '
As he drew closer, I found it increasingly difficult to keep my composure. His amber eyes as always felt alluring, but I couldn't let myself be taken in by those eyes again, not after he ignored me all this time.
Ryuk greeted Mother with politeness, as always, before taking the seat across from me.
I couldn't help but sneak a quick glance in his direction though I quickly averted my eyes.
Hmph, I clenched my fist and determined ,' I will not talk to him, even if he does speak.
'How dare he, I fall due to him, it's all his fault!'
It wasn't just about the injuries; it was about feeling invisible ,'How many times I sent maids for a simple visit but he, rejected all of it!'
I had brushed it off thinking it was him being busy but he's done it multiple times,' he can't be busy all the time,right?'
Over time, I had come to realize that he is ignoring me, though I don't know why, ' could it be possible for him to know about past life too'.
I brushed off that thought as it was impossible for him, remembering his anger at that time when he mercilessly attacked me, 'no, if he knew then....'
GULP
I can't even imagine what would have happened to me, so I came to conclusion, 'Chances of him possessing memories is Null, '.
As the moments ticked by I couldn't help but notice how he conversed with Mother, how they talked about cakes and all. It was as if I were sitting in the shadow.
My cheeks flushed with anger and frustration but I kept my gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the carpet beneath my feet.
I would not give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his presence. But he must see me, 'he must know I'm here'
But suddenly he stood, trying to leave, making me feel surprised due to sudden departure but then mother offered him cakes making him took the seat again 'Isn't this a joke, why would he even stay for a mere cake, don't tell me'
I suddenly got a realisation , 'maybe he wants to apologise'
In that fleeting moment, I felt a rush of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, he had changed. Maybe he would acknowledge my presence and apologize for all this time he ignored me, 'I guess, I will forgive him only this time'
But as quickly as our eyes had met, he looked away, returning to his conversation with Mother. The hope I had briefly entertained turned to disappointment, and a deep sadness settled in my heart.
As they continued to talk, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation.
....
Olivia listened as her mother discussed cake and bakery matters with Ryuk, slightly puzzled by the conversation.
She had expected her mother to facilitate a more personal interaction between her and Ryuk.
"Why don't you accompany Ryuk there, Olivia? You can show him around," her mother suddenly suggested, catching her off guard.
"O-ok," Olivia nodded, trying not to show her excitement on her face. Deep down, she felt this was a chance to rebuild her relationship with Ryuk.
She remembered how in her past life he had changed and always made her feel like a child, telling her that she wasn't one anymore.
He had been busy with other women while giving an excuse of helping them not only that but he even rejected the Aidiac kingdm's offer just when she thought to get rid of that bitch that's why she resented him.
Now, she had an opportunity to start anew. As she watched him leave, she made a decision.
She stood and rushed to the royal kitchen with a determined look on her face.
'If I make a cake for him, he will definitely like it,' she thought.
In the royal kitchen, she approached the Royal Chef and asked, "I want to make a cake for my brother. Can you help me?"
"Greetings, Your Highness. May I know what type of cake His Highness likes?"
Olivia paused, trying to remember Ryuk's favorite cake. She struggled, unable to recall it.
'What was it?'
She felt a bit frustrated, blaming Ryuk for not sharing his preferences.
Olivia left the kitchen, pondering the day when she would take him to look for a bakery to find his favorite cake.