"Have you arrived? Young Master."
As I approached the carriage, I saw Caron waiting in front of it.
I wondered where she had gone, only to find out she was preparing here.
As I walked, the knight accompanying me and the coachman greeted me.
I watched Caron open the carriage door for a moment before stepping inside.
Then, Caron followed me into the carriage.
"...?"
She entered the carriage with me. I thought we would depart like this, but Caron stood still, silently gazing at me.
"What are you doing? Sit down."
"Yes."
The Caron I knew was meticulous and didn't easily show emotions to her master. She was known for her unwavering devotion, much like a maid pursuing perfection.
But today, she seemed a bit different. I didn't know the exact reason, but I didn't pay it much mind. I was quietly enjoying the tranquility.
It had been a long time since I felt the urge to kill others. And I didn't have any enemies trying to kill me.
I closed my eyes and relaxed.
It didn't take long before I drifted off to sleep.
**
"Young Master has changed."
Caron quietly closed her mouth and sat across from me.
Normally, maids didn't sit with their superiors inside the carriage, unless there was a special reason.
However, Caron sat inside the carriage this time, and she even tolerated my questioning gaze, which was out of the ordinary.
"Have you been acting strange since this morning?"
As the personal maid who greeted Young Master every morning, brought water and clothes, she knew every small habit and behavior of mine. While habits could change gradually, there was usually a limit.
But this time, something about me seemed different.
From the moment she opened the door and greeted me, a strange atmosphere seemed to weigh down on Caron.
"Where on earth did Young Master go?"
Caron worried that perhaps she was not attending the real Young Master, but someone else entirely.
Yet she didn't have the strength or the courage to reveal such a fact. Whether a monster had taken the place of Young Master, or he had simply changed, she watched.
As I closed my eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep, I truly seemed serene.
**
Refreshing.
That word best described the sensation I was feeling.
Without any worries or the madness that used to gnaw at my mind, the sleep I welcomed after gaining "immortality" was a first.
I adjusted my clothes and spent a little more time.
The Britten family estate and Karis Manor weren't particularly close. It would take about a week of continuous carriage travel to arrive.
That's why there were only four people accompanying me.
So, my kidnapping happened quite easily, almost to the point of absurdity.
Kidnapping a boy like me with no trouble at all was as easy as plucking a feather.
Clatter-clatter-
The carriage gradually slowed down.
The path revealed signs of frequent human activity on the flat road.
Although Karis Manor was considered a rural estate, the Karis family's territory had developed considerably.
There was a kind of city built, and a large castle wall surrounded their estate.
The guards recognized the emblem on the carriage and cleared the way.
The carriage, moving smoothly, soon arrived within the castle.
The steward of the Karis family greeted us.
"Welcome, Master Britten."
He exuded more of a soldier's robustness and administrative demeanor than what one might expect from a typical steward. This was because he was a war hero.
Most of the attendants around him were also former soldiers, given Karis Manor's proximity to the frontlines.
"Please entrust the carriage to me."
"Please, come inside."
I entered the castle with my knight and maid in tow.
The steward left shortly after welcoming us, excusing himself with the usual business he had to attend to.
As I was the guest, there was nothing to be done but wait. He would come to me.
"Please wait here in the reception room. I will fetch Master Karis."
"Very well."
The wait was not particularly long.
As the door opened, a large, scarred man appeared.
His scars ran from his forehead down to his cheek, leaving an impressive mark.
The reddish-brown hair was quite a contrast to his dark scars.
With a hearty laugh, the master of Karis Manor took his seat.
"It hasn't been long since you sent the letter, but you've come so quickly. It almost embarrasses me."
"Not at all. It was a pre-arranged matter. Shouldn't we meet as soon as possible?"
"That's right! Well said! I quite like you."
No matter what, the faster, the better.
That's why Karis Manor's master was satisfied with my slightly early arrival.
"Oh, I almost forgot something important. Come here."
With those words, a girl of petite stature, who was closer to half his size than not, followed.
Nevertheless, she wasn't short. It was just impossible to compare her when Karis Manor's master was so towering.
Her hair, down to her neck, was a pale pink. Compared to her father Karis Manor's fiery red, it was closer to a light shade, bordering on pink.
Her clear, confident gaze revealed her personality.
Judging by her slightly hardened expression, something must have displeased her, or perhaps she didn't like today's match.
Her attire was more akin to casual wear, allowing for freer movement, rather than what one might expect from a noble young lady.
It was light enough that she could easily wield a sword and engage in training.
Although it might have seemed impolite, it was much more practical than the elaborate garments of noblewomen.
At some point, we stopped and stood still.
There was no special reason.
One by one, thoughts about what might have happened here occurred to me.
I found it astonishing how I had so completely forgotten about such a major event.
Since I was standing still, Young Lady Karis turned and regarded me with an inquisitive look.
Perhaps she was worried that her carefully laid plans were about to be discovered.
Her red eyes trembled quietly.
Maybe she feared her secret plan was on the verge of exposure.
After all, one of her eyes had been shattered since that day.
A great tragedy and misfortune had occurred.
It was almost as if she had brought the punishment upon herself.
"Laely Karis, Young Lady."
Given the curse of immortality.
And the madness that followed.
The madness swallowed up the emotions, leaving behind only a terrible desire for revenge.
The Karis family had become the target of that revenge.
The result of my rash actions had led to this.
After being kidnapped and brought here, it was only natural for this to happen.
In reality, it had been revealed that the kidnapping that day had nothing to do with the Karis family.
"Nice to meet you."
However, I greeted her, calling her name.
There was no need to hold onto feelings about something that hadn't actually happened.
Now that I had returned...
I had become the honored guest of an innocent noble family.
"...Nice to meet you."
She responded, seeming somewhat discontented.
Whatever had happened between us, I couldn't recall much.
My memories weren't precise, and there wasn't anything particularly significant connecting us.
Besides, she clearly disliked me, so there wasn't much to ponder.
She had likely come here to pay me back in kind for my previous behavior.
"Come, sit."
Her father gave her a reassuring look.
Laely let out a small sigh and sat next to me.
Her mouth was tight, but she didn't protest further.
There was an awkward silence.
It seemed like we would stay that way for some time.
However, I was surprised when Laely spoke up first.
"Have you been well, Young Master Britten?"
"Yes, I've been well. Thank you for your concern."
Laely glanced at me as she began to speak.
"But...you've changed, haven't you?"
She stared at me intently, her gaze piercing through my eyes.
Her father observed her carefully, sensing that this might be an important moment.
From what I remembered of her, Laely was a very rational individual.
But today, something was different.
I wasn't entirely sure why.
Perhaps it was because of the trauma she had experienced.
Or maybe, my appearance had changed considerably since that time.
Regardless, it was a conversation that needed to be had.
"Yes, I have changed. In a way, you could say I've been reborn."
Laely's eyes widened in surprise.
"Reborn?"
"Yes, it's a long story. I'll tell you everything later."
Laely fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.
The room was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Despite the silence, it wasn't uncomfortable.
Rather, it was as if the quiet allowed for reflection.
I patiently awaited Laely's response.
"Alright, Young Master Britten. I'll listen to your story."
Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of determination in it.
It seemed that Laely had decided to trust me, at least for the time being.
This was a positive turn of events.
The conversation we were about to have was crucial, not only for the Karis family, but also for me.
And so, I began to recount my tale.
I told her everything, from the curse of immortality to the madness that had consumed me.
Laely listened attentively, her expression becoming more serious with each passing moment.
When I finished, she sat in silence for a while, processing what I had shared.
Finally, she spoke.
"This is quite a burden you bear, Young Master Britten. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you."
Her words were sincere, and I could sense genuine empathy in her voice.
"I appreciate your understanding, Laely. It means a lot to me."
I truly felt grateful for her willingness to listen and empathize.
"Of course, Young Master Britten. We will do our best to support you in any way we can."
Her father, who had been silently observing, nodded in agreement.
I was deeply moved by their kindness and willingness to help.
From that moment on, I knew that the Karis family would play a significant role in my life.
And so, a new chapter began, one that would shape the course of my future in unexpected ways.