'Can't let that future happen this time.'
'Rather than healing, I should steer her towards sword training.'
'One more hero can only help the kingdom.'
"I-I-I wasn't concerned about anyone!"
Lilian Ashbourne stuttered, pointing a finger at Kayden, her cute face turning red.
"Really? Then why were you asking about young master here?"
Emilia teased.
"I-I-It's not like that! I was merely passing by and saw you. That's all!"
"Ooh~"
Emilia made a noise.
'They're making quite a scene.'
Kayden thought as he watched the maid and the girl banter.
'I don't wanna talk to anyone. I'm completely drained.'
'Ah... I wanna sleep.'
"Stop teasing me! I'm going to do my research now. Goodbye!"
Lilian Ashbourne huffed and ran away, not before taking a good look at Kayden.
He could've sworn he saw her lips slightly quivering and curving up.
Emilia waved goodbye cheerfully.
"Awww... she was so worried about you, young master."
"..."
"Young master?"
Kayden didn't reply.
'Gaining the second power could help me persuade her to change her career path.'
'Besides, there's already a healer in the family, and she has no real talent for it anyway.'
'Having someone who truly cares about Kayden is valuable, especially if I can turn her into my sword.'
The young master was planning for the future as Emilia stared at him. He didn't notice her peculiar gaze, as if she was observing him closely.
"Ah, young master, you look pale. Are you feeling alright?"
Emilia placed a hand on his forehead, checking his temperature.
"I feel sleepy."
Kayden replied, his mind still preoccupied with planning his next steps. He didn't want to deal with any more people at the moment.
So, the best thing to do was to sleep.
"It must be yesterday's hangover."
Emilia mused, placing a hand on her chin, deep in thought.
"Drinking so much on a daily basis must've damaged your liver. Young master, you should refrain from drinking. It's not good for you."
She shook her head.
"I can make you something special—"
But when she turned around, the young master had already vanished, like he had sprouted wings and flown away.
She shook her head again.
"Typical young master."
'But I can't help but wonder what happened to him?'
'He was acting very... different.'
Young master Kayden usually kept to himself unless he was lashing out. He was never this calm.
Typically, he'd wake up with a hangover in the afternoon, head to the bar, drink until he was wasted, get into fights with thugs, get knocked out, and be sent back to the castle.
The next day, he'd be raging and throwing tantrums for everyone to see and the cycle continues.
'Yesterday must've been a shock to his system.'
If it wasn't, she would have been the one to get his scorn and hate. But she never complained, though.
Even though his mother fell gravely ill and became bedridden shortly after his birth, it was Emilia who took care of little Kayden.
He was a wild, rowdy boy who couldn't sit still, but she loved him as if he were her own child, even though she had no children of her own.
She often blamed herself for how he turned out but was nonetheless grateful he was alive.
She sighed deeply.
'It's so strange.'
'He looks... more mature, like he knows something.'
'What are you hiding, young master? I'm intrigued.'
She was genuinely intrigued by the sudden change in her young master. Not to mention, he didn't throw a tantrum today, which was so weird.
'Ah, whatever.'
She shrugged her shoulders.
'I don't want to think about it.'
'This is the young master we're talking about.'
'Let's see if he can keep his word to his father.'
Of course, she had overheard the conversation between father and son, and she was flabbergasted to hear that the young master claimed he was quitting drinking.
He had never said anything like that before.
'Ashbournes are adamant about keeping their word.'
That was true.
She knew that from her countless years of service to this house.
A smile formed on her lips.
'Let's see what the young master is planning.'
...
He ate lunch at noon in his room: hot, steaming steak with a side of soup.
It tasted heavenly, the best food he'd ever had in his life.
No need for a second thought.
'I could get used to this life.'
He had thought at that time.
Of course, who wouldn't want to live a life like this?
If a survey were conducted among the people back in his world, asking if they would rather be rich there or in this world, the majority would choose this world.
Why?
Because this is a fantasy world, and opportunities are limitless.
And in Kayden's case, the opportunity is as wild as the plot of this novel.
'And the author was pretty wild too.'
'Must have sniffed some crushed titanium scrap or something.'
'An ancient civilization that was supposed to be wiped out during an apocalypse coming back to reclaim their land, huh?'
That plot was incredibly captivating to little Kael Ryuu, who had never even imagined such an idea existed.
As Kayden walked forward, he clenched his hand tightly in his pant pockets.
Inside his hand were two gold coins.
He remembered the conversation he had with the head butler, Oliver.
"Here's your allowance, young master. If you need more, just ask me."
Though the man was handing him coins that Kayden's father had amassed, he had a look that said, "wasting coins on a wastrel."
"If you have something to say, say it. Don't just stand there and look at me."
"Nothing, young master. I'm just curious if you know the value of a coin."
"Just do your job and shut up. No need for your input or thoughts."
Even after saying this, the guy just adjusted his glasses and continued speaking
He hated this Oliver guy.
"A peasant's wage is 5 copper, a basic sword will cost you 5 silver, and a chain mail will cost you 2 gold coins."
How could he not hate this guy?
He's the sole reason for the 'Night of the Ashes.'
But Kayden could understand him.
His wife and two children were abducted, and he was blackmailed into opening the castle gates for the cult to enter.
But after that night, even though he got his family back, the guilt ate him alive, and ultimately, he hung himself, leaving his family behind just days after he got them back.
'Just another Ashbourne family with a sad ending.'
'Stupid author.'
"If you're so eager, I could always donate your salary to the peasants. How does that sound?"
That shut him up alright.
But then again, who doesn't need money?
It's what keeps people going, pushing them to work until they're bone-tired and their muscles ache.
He had a hard time sneaking out of the castle with that annoying woman who appeared out of thin air.
Kayden exited the castle grounds.
There were a lot of guards stationed around, but it wasn't like he was under surveillance or anything.
They knew where he was going at this time and not to disturb him, as per his orders.
But what he didn't know were the eyes watching him from different windows of the castle.
A pair of red eyes, a pair of blue eyes, and a pair of emerald eyes.
"He must be going to drink again."
"True, true. Well, what else is there for him to do anyway?"
He heard the soldiers' voices but just clicked his tongue and went on his way.
[The Little Lady]
The title board read. It was the tavern he visited daily.
Located in a remote corner in the duchy.
It provided a convenient resting place for travelers on their journeys.
Well, "travelers" was a bit of a stretch here.
And why was he here?
Simple.
It was time to meet two of the novel's side villains.
One, an old pirate; the other, a heartbroken young man searching for his abducted wife.