[Anabelle's POV]
In the bustling Athen City of the Enmerkar kingdom stood a mansion that could never fall short of the dazzling estates of the elite families.
Although the mansion belongs to the infamous foreign Klent Household of the Kairo Kingdom, its presence couldn't fall short of the ruling families of the Enmerkar kingdom.
A woman stood on the balcony of the mansion's second floor with binoculars in her hands.
Her dazzling appearance was captivating as she wore a black shirt, slim jeans, and an overcoat.
Her black hair cascaded in the wind, and her captivating green eyes gazed through the lenses as she mumbled these words in a depressing voice.
"Another day, and everything's the same. What am I doing here? What has my life come to? Stalking a coma patient for two years and getting paid this much money. Is this how I wanted my life, the life of a stalker? Why are you doing this to me, Young Miss? I am your head guard, yet this? Living near the mansion, which can show a better view? Why are you so obsessed with him? Why are you making me do this!" her voice went from lamentation to a shrill scream.
"Why is this a top-priority mission?" Anabelle sighed as she remembered her young miss whom she could only see once a week and had to provide her with a daily report of this guy.
She reminisced about the mysterious boy whose mere existence brought a flicker of light in the dead eyes of the young lady she had seen since birth.
I still remember that day vividly.
In the banquet hall of the Aster Household.
The young miss, who never talked to anyone while keeping a cold façade, approached the young boy who stood silently in a corner while trembling.
His eyes were filled with pure fear and subtle rage.
The young boy with purple eyes and silver hair was the mystery that broke my image of the cold young miss I had always known.
The moment she laid her eyes on that kid, she ran without a second thought and hugged the young boy while calling his name.
"Kaizer," she whispered with emotions of pure happiness as tears of joy flowed down her cold face.
An expression on her face that I had never known would ever exist.
I had known the young lady all my life, and I had known everyone she had ever met.
I had no memory of her meeting this frail kid.
But to my utter surprise, the boy swiftly raised his head when he heard the name.
The young boy's name was indeed Kaizer, Kaizer Aster.
Kaizer's expression showed utter confusion as he questioned her in a meek voice.
"W-Who are you?...Um…D-Do I know you?" his meek voice trembling as his eyes darted across the banquet in search of the presence he feared.
The next moment, the young lady pulled his arm and ran towards the secluded area.
She instructed me to stand guard while she talked with that kid.
After they talked, she came back swiftly and left the banquet.
When I saw her, the look in her eyes thrilled me to my core.
I could see a determination in her eyes to achieve a goal.
But then, the immediate news of Kaizer's death broke her.
She looked like a dead soul when she heard the news of his death, but after learning that this kid was alive two years ago, the happiness young Miss showed again after so many years was everything.
I don't know why young Miss cares for this guy, but I will devote everything to this mission. I am not enjoying this stalking, and It's my job. I am just doing it. I am absolutely not enjoying this.
"Although I am feeling a bit suspicious these days, the doctor urgently visited two days ago, and even Lucas, Asher, and Sierra Skylar have been visiting frequently for two days straight. Did something happen to the Skylar Household?" I wondered aloud, gazed through binoculars, and noticed a black-haired kid entering a car.
His face was appropriately covered, but her heightened eyesight and the 00-model binoculars gave her a clear description of the person.
"Wait…Wait…Wait, this body structure, I haven't seen any servant with that body structure. At this point, I know who is who with just one glance, but I haven't seen anyone like that entering the mansion before." She rechecked her binoculars to confirm her suspicions.
Wait, why am I proud of knowing strangers with a glance? Am I a professional stalker instead of Klent Household's top shadow guard?
"I can lament later. I need to inform Young Miss Charlotte about this person immediately." I took a couple of pictures and called my Master.
******
[Third person's POV]
In the metropolis of Kaen City of the Kairo Kingdom, where dreams of countless souls converged, stood an extravagant estate showcasing its importance and luxury.
The dignity of its existence showed the powers held by the owner of this estate.
The Klent Household under the current Matriarch, Joana Klent, the Flame Empress.
In the main mansion existed a grand room, which was difficult to approach even for the property's residents.
In the grand room filled with intricate designs, a young girl sat with piles of books littered around the floor. Her breathtaking beauty was enough to charm any young man.
Still, her thoughts were filled with only one desire, an earnest desire to stand beside the person she cares for, her walls filled with the pictures of the person she wanted to see the most, talk with him, remind him of their memories together, and somehow wake him up from his slumber.
The books filling the room ranged from medical sciences, healing magic, and even forbidden magic.
"Soul fixation…coma…Memory implantation…" She flipped through the pages, muttering these incomprehensible words.
Her amber eyes darted across the pages in search of her goals as her long blonde hair cascaded down to her waist.
Her eyes contained a flicker of hope and longing for her desire.
Though worried about whether she can achieve her desire, she found solace in learning two years ago that he was still alive.
The despair she felt seven years ago was washed away, and she was filled with worry and longing for this person.
Ring…Ring…Ring
"Ugh…What is it, Anabelle? If it's not something important, then can we talk later? I am busy." Although calm, her voice was laced with annoyance.
{Miss, I am sorry for disturbing you. I saw a person coming out of the Skylar Household I had never seen; he had black hair, and his body looked weak. I have forwarded the pictures I took. There was also a drastic change in movements two days ago, which included the sudden visit of the Doctor, Lucas, Asher, and Sierra Skylar.}
"Send the doctor money and ask the situation." Her voice changed from annoyance to seriousness.
{Miss, the doctor isn't someone who will accept something like that. He had once already rejected sharing his patient's condition, and his history shows his loyalty to his patients. I substituted someone to take over mansion stalk- surveillance, and I am following the car.}
'Black hair…weak build…unusual movements…could it be…but he had silver hairs…artifact? Is it him?' her thoughts racing with anticipation as she bit her fingernails in agony.
{Miss, the car stopped at the Athen city library. I tried taking more pictures, but he covered his face with a hoodie.}
"Athen City Library? Anabelle, keep me updated on the situation, and don't go inside. No matter what, be careful and cautious." Her voice filled with tension.
"Miss, should I stay here or replace someone at the mansion stalk- I mean watch point?" her confusion palpable.
"You stay there and keep me updated on that boy's every move. Update me regularly." her voice filled with urgency as she hurriedly assembled her belongings.
"Yes, miss," Anabelle replied promptly.
Shortly in the room, quiet sobs echoed as the girl buried her face in the plethora of books surrounding her.
"Is it you? Are you awake? Please…Please remember me, Kaizer." Her weak voice trailed into oblivion as she fell asleep from the fatigue.
***
[Kaizer's POV]
Before exiting the car, I fixed my hoodie and ordered Helena to return at 7 p.m. to pick me up.
Although I could have asked her to stay, I don't want Alastor to know what I read at the library. Besides, there's no threat to my life in the high-class section of Athen City as no one knows me yet.
Entering the Athen City Library, I was captivated by the scenery unfolding in front of me: countless books, shelves, and silence.
The library appeared divided into three floors, with the bookshelves arranged circularly.
I thought the library was closed for a second as the silence was eerie until an older man approached me hurriedly and took my hands as he exclaimed joyfully.
"A human! Human! It's been so long." his voice was laced with happiness as if he had just met another human in an apocalyptic world.
"Hey, umm…I want to read some books if possible. Is the library closed by any chance?" Taken aback by his joyful attitude, I politely confirmed my doubts.
"Read…Someone finally came here…It's been so long since I saw a human enter the library. Young lads only use Skyionic devices for everything, and no one is interested in reading books. They want to become Awakeners and don't want to gain knowledge, child. I am so happy to see you! It's not closed, and please read whatever you want." At this point, the old man had tears in his eyes and was sobbing.
I tried consoling him a bit while I thought about my escape plan from the clutches of this old man when a young boy approached us.
He pulled my hand out of the old man's hand and apologized.
"Sorry, because of Gramp's forgetfulness, he does this to anyone who comes here regardless of how often they have been here. You can check the library for the books you need and book a private room. The library is empty because no one comes to read books in the morning these days. I hope you have a great time here!" the boy informed me cheerfully and led me to one of the bookshelves.
'Well, this is going to be a long ride.'
[Host, are you planning on reading every book here? Finishing this in a few years would be much easier with your photographic memory.]
'You want me to become a library shut-in? Does that even make sense? Although photographic memory is not as easy as it appears, I can read fast and remember, but what's the point if I can't understand those books? Besides, history is written by the winners. This means I must be extra careful when I go through the recent past. Moreover, my photographic memory doesn't allow me to read a book just by flipping it over. I need to read to learn. That's the basic of the basics.' I shared my thoughts as I roamed around, searching sections for my interests.
[I guess we are heading for an info dump, huh?]
'No shit, Sherlock.'
***