I awoke to the irritating chirping of birds outside my window.
The very notion of a peaceful morning was an absurdity in my life, as was evident by the first blue message that greeted me as I blinked the sleep from my eyes.
[YOU ARE AWAKE]
Well, thank you for stating the obvious. I suppose I should be grateful the system didn't decide to rudely drag me out of my slumber as it usually does.
[SKILL: 'WILL TAKER' HAS BEEN PAUSED]
[WILL: 'I WILL BECOME A KNIGHT!' HAS PROGRESSED]
[PROGRESS RATE: 1.6 %]
[WILL: 'I WILL GROW UP TO BE STRONG! WOOF!' HAS PROGRESSED]
[PROGRESS RATE: 0.9 %]
Splendid. Simply splendid. I'm working twice as hard now, all for the sake of these childish wills. A knight and a strong dog?
How utterly droll.
At this rate, I'll be playing babysitter to every idiotic dream that crosses my path. As if I haven't got enough to deal with already.
[ASSIMILATING PROGRESS REWARDS]
[ASSIMILATION COMPLETE]
The status window appeared before me, listing my capabilities in a neat, numerical format.
How delightful.
I'm sure many would find this sort of information fascinating—if they were simpletons. It was just another reminder of how much this cursed system had disrupted my life.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[NAME: KALTES HERZ VESPERTINE]
[AGE: 5]
[TRAIT: PSYCHOPATH (NEGATIVE)]
[TITLE: THE ONE WHOSE NAME IS 'COLD-HEART']
[SPEED: 16 (COMMON) +1]
[STRENGTH: 19 (COMMON) +1]
[INTELLIGENCE: 52 (RARE) +1]
[CHARM: 40 (RARE) +2]
[MANA: 1145 MP (TRANSCENDANT) +3]
[POTENTIAL: ERROR]
[SKILL POINTS: 0 (CAN BE USED TO INCREASE STATS)]
The numbers and stats stared back at me, indifferent to my irritation.
I noticed, with a tinge of curiosity, that my potential was still marked as an error.
How quaint.
I suppose the system itself is unsure of just how far I could go—or perhaps it's simply broken.
[SKILLS]
[COLLECTOR OF NAMES (LEVEL:2)]
[WILL TAKER (LEVEL:2)]
[WORLD EYES (INCOMPLETE)]
[HIMMEL'S GUARDIAN (LEVEL:2)]
I skimmed through the list of skills, each one a burden in its own right. Yet, before I could delve deeper into my growing annoyance, another message appeared, this one far more concerning.
[HIMMEL IS FRIGHTENED!]
I stared at the words in disbelief, a curse slipping through my thoughts as I leaped out of bed.
Of course, my darling fiancée would find herself in trouble at the crack of dawn!
It seems the only thing she's truly skilled at is getting into danger.
I threw on whatever was at hand, barely registering that I was still in my nightclothes as I bolted out of my room. There was no time to waste—if Himmel was in danger, then by extension, so was I. And I wasn't about to let some idiotic situation cut my life short.
As I raced through the halls, another message popped up, further worsening my mood.
[HIMMEL IS IN DESPAIR]
How wonderful!
It seems things have escalated quite spectacularly in my brief absence. What could possibly be causing such distress to her puny mind this early in the day?
I arrived at the courtyard of Maria House, my breath coming in short, controlled bursts as I searched for any sign of Himmel.
My eyes searched the area, and there, standing—or rather dangling—at the edge of the cliff, was Himmel, held up by none other than the Crown Prince of Scadrial, Arthur Balthasar.
I ducked behind a stone pillar, watching the scene unfold with a growing sense of disbelief.
Arthur held Himmel by the throat, his expression was twisting into a bitter, vile smile as he spoke to her. I couldn't make out the words, but the tone was enough to tell me that this was far from a friendly encounter.
Himmel, for her part, looked utterly terrified, her tiny hands clawing at Arthur's arm as she struggled to breathe. It was a pitiful sight, really.
The poor girl couldn't catch a break, could she?
First, she nearly falls into a fireplace, and now this. It's as if trouble seeks her out like a moth to a flame.
As I continued to observe from my hiding place, another message popped up, further confirming the dire situation.
[HIMMEL IS IN COMPLETE DESPAIR]
Arthur finally released her, dropping her to the ground like a discarded doll.
He then leaned down, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face with a disturbingly soft gesture. The contrast between his previous actions and this faux tenderness was almost nauseating.
How very like him.
Himmel gasped for air, clutching her throat as she looked up at him with a mixture of fear and confusion. She tried to say something, her voice trembling with desperation, but Arthur merely smirked and walked away, leaving her trembling at the edge of the cliff.
She called out to him, saying something desperately as if her life depended on it.
Arthur merely mocked and desperation and left with a furious face that he might not be pleased to know that I saw.
It was enough to make me feel something—a faint flicker of anger, perhaps? Or was it just irritation at the sheer absurdity of the situation? Either way, I had seen enough.
As Arthur disappeared from view, I stepped out from behind the pillar, my mind already working on what I had just witnessed.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that there was something between Arthur and Himmel—something complicated and undoubtedly problematic.
But did I care? Not particularly.
Their love story, if it could even be called that, was of little consequence to me.
What mattered was that Himmel remained alive and well, so would I.
If it came to it, I wouldn't hesitate to lock her away, to keep her hidden from the world if it meant preserving my own life. Orchestrating her death was also an option, though a less desirable one, given the complications it would bring.
With those thoughts in mind, I turned and made my way back to my room. There was no need to intervene directly—Himmel was still alive, after all.
And as long as that remained the case, I could focus on more important matters, like this very unpleasantly cold carpet-lacking floor of this place where I am walking bare feet.
Once inside my room, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My red eyes stared back at me. I noticed, with mild surprise, that I had grown taller since the system had appeared.
My body felt more responsive, more capable than before.
Perhaps losing all that sleep hadn't been a complete waste after all.
With a sigh, I changed into my formal clothes.
The moment I opened the door to my room, contemplating the various ways I could possibly salvage this wretched morning, I was met with an explosion of brightness so intense that I momentarily considered retreating back into the relative safety of my chambers.
"Good morning, Kaltes!" Licht beamed at me, his smile so wide and enthusiastic that it could have powered the entirety of Einar for a week.
I blinked, taken aback by the sheer intensity of his greeting.
Was it truly morning?
Or had the sun itself decided to personify and stand before me in the form of this overly cheerful boy?
Suppressing the urge to shield my eyes, I mustered a polite smile, the kind that didn't quite reach my eyes but was sufficient for maintaining appearances.
"Good morning, Licht," I replied.
Before I could utter another word, Licht had seized me by the arm with a level of enthusiasm that bordered on alarming.
"I thought today would be perfect for giving you a proper tour of Maria House! You arrived so late yesterday, and with all the commotion, I'm sure you haven't had a chance to see everything properly."
How joyous.
A guided tour of this medieval relic masquerading as a residence. Just what I needed to start my day.
"That sounds... delightful," I responded, allowing myself to be dragged along as Licht led the way with the excitement of a puppy discovering a new toy.
Perhaps that analogy was too generous; at least puppies had the decency to tire themselves out eventually.
We began our grand expedition down a long corridor adorned with what I assumed were meant to be decorative tapestries. They appeared more like faded rags desperately clinging to past glories. The walls themselves were a dull shade of grey, their surfaces cracked and worn, telling tales of neglect rather than nobility.
It wasn't just the entrance of it, the entirety of Maria House resembled relics. I wouldn't be surprised if a skeleton popped out at the next turn.
"This is the Hall of Ancestors," Licht announced proudly, gesturing to a series of portraits lining the walls. I glanced at them briefly, noting that each depicted stern-looking men and women who all seemed to share the same perpetually disapproving expression. It was as if someone had told them that smiling would result in immediate exile.
Their resemblance to Duke Einar and Licht was unquestionable.
"Impressive," I lied effortlessly, my eyes scanning the peeling paint and warped frames.
If these were their ancestors, I couldn't blame them for locking away their portraits in this dreary corridor.
Perhaps they were attempting to hide them from unsuspecting guests to avoid scaring them off.
Licht continued leading me into what he called the "Sunroom." The irony was not lost on me as we entered a space that was, in fact, devoid of any sunlight whatsoever. The windows were small and covered with grime, allowing only thin, feeble beams of light to penetrate the gloom.
"This is where Mother used to spend her mornings," Licht said, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
I glanced around, taking in the threadbare furniture and the wilted plants that lined the windowsills. It looked less like a sunroom and more like a place where joy came to die. I resisted the urge to comment, instead offering a sympathetic nod.
"She must have enjoyed the... ambiance," I said.
Licht smiled wistfully. "She did. She loved tending to these plants." He reached out to touch one of the drooping leaves gently. "They haven't been the same since she passed."
I could see why. The poor things looked like they were begging for a merciful end. Perhaps I should suggest a gardener—or a funeral.
Before I could dwell further on the state of the botany, Licht was off again, pulling me toward the next destination on our grand tour.
We passed through several more rooms, each more underwhelming than the last.
There was the so-called "Grand Library," which consisted of a few dusty shelves filled with outdated texts and a distinct lack of actual literature.
The "Music Hall" boasted a single, out-of-tune piano that looked as though it hadn't been played since the last century.
"And here we have the Courtyard!" Licht announced with the same unbridled enthusiasm, pushing open a set of heavy wooden doors to reveal an outdoor space that could generously be described as rustic.
The courtyard was overgrown, weeds sprouting between cracked stones, and the fountain at its center was dry and chipped, its once-elegant carvings eroded beyond recognition. A few forlorn benches sat crookedly along the edges, their wood splintered and worn.
"Charming," I commented, allowing my gaze to wander over the desolation. "I can see this is a place of great... tranquility."
Licht nodded earnestly.
"It's a bit neglected now, but it was beautiful when Mother was alive. She had a way with the gardens, always knew how to make everything bloom."
I resisted the urge to suggest that perhaps hiring a gardener would honor her memory better than letting nature reclaim the space entirely. Instead, I offered another polite nod and hoped we would move on swiftly.
As we made our way back inside, we approached a large, ornate door at the end of a dimly lit hallway. Unlike the other doors we had passed, this one was locked tightly, chains and all, with a heavy padlock securing it in place.
"This was Mother's private chamber," Licht explained softly, his previous enthusiasm dampening. "Father locked it up after she passed. No one's been inside since."
I studied the door, noting the intricate carvings that hinted at a room far more lavish than any we had seen so far.
It struck me as odd that there were no portraits or reminders of the late duchess anywhere in the house, and now her very room was sealed off like some forbidden tomb.
"Strange," I muttered, "to hide away all memories of her. One would think preserving them would be more fitting."
Licht's expression grew somber.
"Father doesn't like to talk about her much. He says it's too painful. Himmel never got to know her, and I barely remember. Sometimes I wish I could go inside, just to feel closer to her."
I regarded the locked door thoughtfully. There was more to this story than met the eye, but probing further would be unwise, at least for now. I placed a reassuring hand on Licht's shoulder—a gesture that felt foreign and mildly uncomfortable.
"Perhaps one day," I said cringing at my own words, "your father will find the strength to open it again."
Licht offered a small, grateful smile before stepping away from the door.
"Yes, perhaps. Come on, there's still more to see!"
How tiresome.
The remainder of the tour continued much in the same way, with Licht eagerly showcasing each room and corridor while I internally critiqued every flaw and shortcoming.
By the time we reached the dining hall, I was thoroughly exhausted—not physically, but mentally drained from feigning interest in what could only be described as a monumental display of mediocrity.
As we took our seats, the servants began bringing out the morning meal. My stomach, already unsettled from the morning's exertions, clenched uncomfortably as plates of eggs were placed before us.
Scrambled, fried, boiled—every variation imaginable, all emanating a distinct, sulfuric aroma that made my appetite shrivel up and die on the spot.
I stared down at the yellowish mass on my plate with disgust.
Eggs.
Of course, it had to be eggs.
The one food I despised above all else, now staring back at me mockingly.
Across the table, Himmel sat quietly, her small hands neatly folded as she waited patiently.
Licht and Duke Einar dove into their meals with gusto, chatting animatedly about the day's plans.
I contemplated the possibility of skipping breakfast altogether.
I would give Diener a raise as soon as I return to Vespertine. He'd not even let the sight of eggs befall me much less serve them to me in a plate.
Steeling myself, I picked up my fork and prodded tentatively at the pile of scrambled eggs before me. The texture alone was enough to make my stomach churn, but I forced a small bite into my mouth, swallowing quickly and resisting the urge to gag.
"Is everything alright, Kaltes?" Licht asked, his mouth half-full as he looked at me with genuine concern.
I summoned a strained smile.
"Quite alright, thank you. Just... savoring the flavors."
He beamed, oblivious to my urge to puke out my guts.
"They're great, aren't they? Our cook makes the best eggs in all of Einar!"
I refrained from commenting, instead taking another reluctant bite.
As I struggled through the meal, I noticed Himmel watching me intently, her eyes wide and somewhat... impressed? It was an odd expression, as though she were witnessing a heroic feat rather than a man battling his gag reflex.
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.
"Not enjoying your breakfast, Kaltes?"
I looked up to see Arthur seated across from me, a sly smile playing on his lips as he observed me with keen interest.
"On the contrary," I replied. "It's delightful."
Arthur's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Is that so? Because it appears to me that you're turning a rather unflattering shade of blue."
I bristled inwardly but maintained my composure.
"Must be a trick of the light."
He chuckled softly before gesturing to a servant standing nearby.
"Well, perhaps we can remedy that. I took the liberty of requesting something a bit more substantial for myself this morning."
At his signal, a platter was brought forth, revealing a perfectly cooked steak, its aroma rich and enticing. My stomach, as the traitorous organ that it was, perked up at the sight, practically begging for relief from the abhorrent eggs.
Arthur slid the platter towards me with a gracious smile.
"Please, have some. I find that starting the day with proper food does wonders for one's energy."
I eyed the steak warily, my mind immediately jumping to the possibility of poison. It wouldn't be beyond Arthur to employ such tactics, especially given his affection to Himmel.
Across the table, Himmel's face had gone pale, her eyes wide with what could only be described as horror.
I glanced back at Arthur, who continued to smile innocently, though there was a glint in his eye that suggested ulterior motives. We locked gazes for a moment.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I replied, inclining my head politely. "How very considerate of you."
Reaching out, I cut a small piece of the steak, lifting it to my lips as I maintained eye contact with Arthur.
If this was some sort of test or trap, I wasn't about to back down.
The meat was tender and flavorful, a welcome respite from the eggs that still lingered unpleasantly on my palate.
"Delicious," I commented, dabbing at my mouth with a napkin. "Your taste is impeccable."
Arthur's smile widened just a fraction.
"I'm pleased it meets your approval."
Himmel continued to watch with a mix of apprehension and unease, while Licht and Duke Einar remained blissfully unaware, engrossed in their own conversation.
I took another bite, enjoying the steak nonetheless.
Finishing the steak, I set down my utensils and offered Arthur a gracious nod. "Thank you again, Your Highness. That was truly enjoyable."
He inclined his head in return, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Anytime, Kaltes. After all, we must look after one another, mustn't we?"
"Indeed," I replied. "It's important to cultivate... mutual support."
Our exchange was interrupted by Licht's cheerful voice.
"Oh, I didn't know you liked steak for breakfast, Kaltes! We should have it more often."
I turned to him with a slight smile.
"Perhaps. It does make for a hearty start to the day."
Himmel remained silent, her expression troubled as she pushed her eggs around her plate.
She looked at me, and her face horrified as if she had seen a ghost.
I coughed. I gagged as my hand rose to stop the efflux from my mouth. A bloody mess covered it.
I saw Arthur, Licht, and the duke rushing towards to as I lost my sense of self and balance.
Another cough and spurt of blood. And I was on the floor.
It was cold.
Ting!
[YOU HAVE BEEN POISONED!]
So it was indeed poison.
How unpleasant.
My throat burned, and heart felt like it had been gnawed at.
I could hear Duke Einar shouting at the servants to call for a physician and Arthur had clearly mastered the art of looking shocked as it appeared to me too that he was. Licht was shaking as he held my head in lap pressing on my chest to keep me breathing.
At least he had some use. Unlike his dearest sister and my darling fiancé that just stood there... frozen.
'You stupid stupid girl, tell them who it was,' I yelled at her, but pray she heard nothing as words never left my mouth.
[PUTTING YOU IN SELF RECOVERY MODE]
[SHUTTING DOWN TAXING BODILY ACTIVITIES]
[INITIALIZING DETOXIFICATION]
.
.
.
[DETOXIFICATION FAILED]
[REINITIALIZING DETOXIFICATION]
.
.
.
[DETOXIFICATION FAILED]
[REINITIALIZING DETOXIFICATION]
.
.
.
[DETOXIFICATION FAILED]
[SEARCHING ALTERNATE OPTIONS TO PRESERVE LIFE]
.
.
.
[WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE FORM?] [YES] [NO]
I stared at the system desperately trying to keep me alive. Change life form? As in stop being human? What would I become then?
I had no time to contemplate. The poison was killing me.
'Yes'.