Regis rubbed his temples, hoping the current situation was just a figment of his imagination, but the burning wound on the back of his hand brought him back to reality.
Ah! This wasn't a dream.
He had been reincarnated into another world!
But why?
The question lingered in his mind.
He didn't particularly like reincarnation stories, nor did he hate them.
Stories of heroes and villains, battles between demons and humans, the development of civilizations... so many themes.
Eventually, the clock hanging from the ceiling brought him back to his senses.
Regis sat up straight in bed. He turned, confused, as he began to assess his surroundings.
The room wasn't very large, with two brown doors on either side. Against the opposite wall stood a wooden desk.
Between the desk and the door on the right was a wardrobe filled with suits whose hinges seemed precarious, ready to give way at any moment.
Next to the wardrobe was a low table with a bell on it. However, it was connected to a strange mechanism, with visible gears and bearings in several places.
A sword adorned with decorations hung on the wall near the desk, along with medals and provisions like white bread and wine.
On the other side of the room, the door to the left led to the bathroom. A vanity mirror stood in the center of the room, framed in wood.
With one glance in the mirror, Regis caught sight of himself.
White, ash-like hair, red eyes, a linen shirt, a lithe frame, majestic features, and soft, rounded contours.
Is that...! Regis gasped as countless thoughts raced through his mind.
The nightshirt, the European-style furniture in the room, and the rising smoke beyond the bedroom window could mean only one thing!
I've been reincarnated into a post-industrial world? Regis widened his eyes slightly.
He had grown up like everyone else in elementary school and knew the popular history books about the industrial era. However, accepting his current reality proved challenging.
Is this possibly a return to the past? Within a minute, Regis was already complaining about his reincarnation. The industrial era wasn't particularly appealing.
The harsh conditions for workers and frequent labor revolutions defined that time.
Had it not been for the throbbing pain in his right hand, he might have believed he was still dreaming in the library.
Thinking rationally is the best approach in these situations. Regis quickly calmed himself.
At that moment, as he pondered countless things, memories began to surface slowly in his mind.
Lucian Polaris was a noble of the Gorgone Empire, in the Barony of Polaris, located in the city of Luaso on the northern continent. He was also the fiancé of a duke's daughter.
His father, a retired soldier of the imperial army, had stepped down following a peace treaty with neighboring kingdoms. His merit had allowed him to establish a barony in the eastern empire and create a stable environment for his family.
His mother, a commoner, had been assassinated by nobles jealous of the baron's position.
He also had two elder sisters. They lived in a home built with their father's savings during peacetime.
A manor, an aristocratic estate.
Their family wasn't wealthy, and their situation was precarious by noble standards. Currently, the family was negotiating a military alliance.
Neighboring lords were silently observing the marital arrangements.
"Young master, your meal will soon be ready." After tapping on the door several times, a maid awaited a response.
"Yes..." Lucian responded slowly.
She remained silent, her footsteps echoing outside the door.
Is she suspicious of me? He raised an eyebrow.
"...I'll come after getting changed." Finally, the maid, startled, stammered a reply before fleeing.
Lucian sighed, holding his confused head. The back of his hand still ached.
He suspected the family meal would turn cold due to his previous actions.
Even if it wasn't directly his actions, he would still be the subject of blame.
Grabbing a clean white shirt and slipping it on quickly, he exited his room, glancing around.
Behind the door was a corridor towering three adult men high. It stretched thirty meters, leading to various unused rooms. Maids could be seen between portraits, dusting.
Are those my ancestors with brown hair? Each portrait depicted ancestors and their families.
He walked forward steadily.
Simultaneously, everyone avoided eye contact or stared blankly.
Did I hit my head? He asked a maid but was met with a blank refusal. Had he forgotten to zip his pants?
He heard laughter behind him. Turning around, he found everyone averting their gaze. Some even trembled, hiding behind ornate vases.
Lucian concluded that he was being deliberately ignored and was the target of collective bullying. Since there was no reaction from above, the maids openly mocked him.
Only two or three remained expressionless. He made a mental note of the mocking maids' faces.
Lucian nodded and continued on his way, using the remaining minutes to summarize the events that had transpired.
Duke Hawkins had visited their barony for a matter involving his father. He discussed private affairs and ended up with his fiancée, naturally accompanied by her childhood friend.
Lucian Polaris, now her fiancé, had tried to place his hand on her.
Her red-haired childhood friend defended her. She cried and leaped into his arms, leaving Lucian, who had lost his temper, attempting murder.
Others intervened quickly. It was a guest room, with adjoining spaces. Since the door hadn't been closed beforehand, the handle turned, revealing Lucian raising a ceremonial sword against their children.
Fortunately, Baron Polaris intervened immediately against his son. Although the situation was utterly ruined by Lucian himself, he could only remain silent.
While stepping over his small legs, he took quick strides and turned toward the main door.
Lucian clicked his tongue at fate and entered the dining hall.
Light briefly illuminated his eyes. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling resonated like a lullaby, with candles burning scented essence. The red table in the middle of the room added a certain charm.
If not for the dozens of servants lined against the walls, I might have jumped directly onto the table. Lucian shook his head, clutching his chest deeply.
"Tssss..."
A tongue click echoed in his right ear. He turned his head to the right to meet the gaze of his elder sister.
"Aina." The second daughter of Baron Polaris. She excelled in many fields, such as the study of monsters and civic duties.
She was twelve this year.
Aina, standing at 1.70 meters tall, abruptly rose from her chair. "You shouldn't use my name as you please. You're unworthy of uttering it with your mouth."
As he fixed his gaze on her beautiful face, golden hair fell over her slender shoulders. Her silhouette was slim, with soft curves.
A noblewoman with blonde hair. Clicking his tongue, Lucian had already categorized his sister in his mind.
Ignoring his sister, who was as red as a tomato, he took a seat in the second row of chairs to the left of the rectangular table. Before him sat a copy of his second sister, but with a mature expression.
However, she remained silent. Perhaps she was contemplating ways to undermine my position as heir in the household.
In his memories, he recalled numerous schemes surrounding his household staff. She had dismissed many trusted individuals, including his nanny.
She was sixteen this year.
As he waited silently, the double doors opposite his entry opened, and two people walked in close together.
Brown-haired, blue-eyed, with a sharp nose, followed by a noblewoman with hair resembling that of his sisters and a gentle expression.
Lucian instinctively disliked her.
The heads of the house took their usual seats and clasped their hands together. "Let us bless our lord and thank the emperor for allowing us to live this way."
Hands clasped, Lucian squinted as he glanced at the entire family but quickly closed his eyes when the maids turned their heads toward him.
He couldn't afford even a moment of slack under all those watchful eyes.
When the prayer ended, the maids approached and served several appetizers, including vegetables.
Garen Polaris held a knife in his hand, slicing the meat and taking a bite with the shining fork in his grasp.
The meal was silent. Eating in such a tense environment was uncomfortable.
Only two minutes passed before Asia spoke, her tone curious. "How are the negotiations with Duke Hawkins going, Father?"
She probed the wound with her knife.
Hearing her words, her father's expression tightened. "..."
Are you trying to steal my title as heir with manipulations like this? Taking a bite of beef, Lucian contemplated methods of torment.
He shot her a piercing glare.
"...!" He was pleased that the piercing look of a modern man was useful in this situation.
His sister's confused expression felt naturally refreshing.
At the same moment, Garen Polaris opened his mouth. The silence was heavy, the clattering of utensils ceased as everyone quieted down.
"...Lucian Polaris." His father addressed him by name, not his title. Lucian waited silently, anticipating his next words. "You are no longer the heir. Asia Polaris, you are."
The gleaming knife in his elder sister's hand fell onto the plate, the juicy chicken thigh bouncing out of her dish.
But she didn't seem concerned and suddenly rose from her chair. It was a sign of disrespect, yet her mother said nothing.
Beatrice Polaris appeared rather pleased. Contentment was reflected in her eyes, though she tried to suppress her emotions.
"Father...?" Asia's gaze turned wild. She trembled, clutching her fork, suppressing the smile on her face.
Garen's expression showed no change. He watched his heir's reaction closely, perhaps anticipating rising anger.
In this situation, Lucian laughed and stood from his chair with a hum.
Garen shook his head, but his next words left him speechless.
"I understand, Father." Lucian nodded and immediately exited the dining hall, thinking the discussion was over for the day.
"Wait." Garen halted him. He could no longer retreat now.
Lucian met his gaze.
Since when could Lucian look me in the eye? Garen was puzzled but continued to speak.
"Do you know why I disinherited you?" Lucian squinted at the question. Was this an attempt to humiliate him in front of everyone?
But his mind worked quickly.
In just two seconds, he understood the question. "Yes, I've made many mistakes. Abusing my position, raising my hand against my fiancée, attempting to kill her, and causing numerous problems for the family."
That's what you wanted me to say, isn't it? Listing all my wrongdoings so no one could openly belittle me.
As expected of an intelligent man who became a baron.
Now that the question was answered, Garen Polaris stepped back, and Lucian was allowed to leave the dining hall, his plate empty and his family's eyes fixed on him.
Ah, you don't even hide your gaze. He felt a burning sensation on part of his back. Lucian chuckled as he gently closed the door.