Michael and Mallory stared at each other for a second before Mallory started a conversation.
"Michael, I'd like to congratulate you on your recovery. Since it happened so suddenly, I couldn't find time to congratulate you in person, and I would hate to just send a letter."
Michael clenched his hands for a moment before remembering the situation.
I'm Michael Burey, a nobleman who lived his whole life sick. It would be completely out of character to punch him...
But I sure wish I could. Seeing that pretentious face get hit would be satisfying...
He closed his eyes briefly before returning to the conversation.
"Oh, I totally understand, Mallory. It was a surprise for everyone—even for me." Michael made sure to emphasize Mallory's name, a deliberate move to show his lack of respect, despite Mallory's family holding a higher noble title.
Seeing how the situation was escalating, Rebecca stopped her brother.
"Mr. Mallory, we really need to go. My brother still has to speak with some guests. I hope we can talk another time," she said with a forced smile.
"Oh, I totally understand, Becca. I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk in the future," Mallory replied, smiling as he waved them off.
That guy is definitely up to something... And who does he think he is, calling her Becca? He's not even her friend...
Michael thought as he felt his body weakening. His head grew dizzy, and his body turned pale.
Rebecca, unaware of this, continued to guide Michael through the party.
I hate that ability—it comes out of nowhere, makes me see random things, then leaves me sick… At least it's bearable now. The first time I used it in the church, I thought I would die. Luckily, that journalist helped me.
....
Burey's County, Intis Empire. April 18, 428. 10:00 A.M.
"April 18, 428
Yesterday's party was incredible. Not because of the event itself, but because it made me realize that all of this isn't a dream. Mike is finally recovered. I'll always be grateful for the powers I gained and my brother's recovery.
Maybe now I can finally make my dream of becoming a famous painter a reality. I had given up on it, thought it was impossible. But with so many impossible things happening, what's one more?
I'll travel the world and paint it all. Maybe I'll even bring Mike and our parents with me. Maybe I'll even become like those painters Mike told me about—someone who influences a whole new style of art.
To whoever is reading this diary, I ask: did my dream come true?"
....
Burey's County, Intis Empire. April 19, 428. 10:00 A.M.
"April 19, 428
Today, we're going back to Trier. It's been nice spending time in the county.
Dad has been acting strange these past few days. I didn't notice it before Mike pointed it out yesterday, but now that I think about it, he's been distant. He seems lost in thought all the time. I wonder if something bad has happened…"
....
New Trier, Intis Empire. April 20, 428. 10:00 A.M. Burey's Villa, Rebecca's room.
"April 20, 428
I forgot my other diary at the county. I'll need to get it next time we visit."
....
New Trier, Intis Empire. April 21, 428. 10:00 A.M.
Burey's Villa, Rebecca's room.
"April 21, 428
Yesterday, Count Erin visited us. Hazel and Mallory came with him. He talked with Dad in the office for hours.
Count Erin scares me. I can't explain why, but his aura is unsettling, and the rumors about the Erins are disgusting…
I know I shouldn't form opinions based on rumors, but with the Erins, I feel like keeping my distance is the safest choice.
Mallory spent the entire time staring at me. He probably thought I didn't notice, but it was creepy. At least it was fun seeing Mike being passive-aggressive toward him.
Meanwhile, Hazel and I spent the day talking. Even though she's an Erin, she doesn't have that weird aura her father and brother have. I like her—she's a good friend."
....
New Trier, Intis Empire. April 22, 428. 10:00 A.M.
Burey's Villa, Rebecca's room.
"April 22, 428
Yesterday, Dad mentioned he'd make a big announcement today. I wonder what it could be…"
Rebecca closed her diary and headed to the attic to finish one of her sketches.
Dad is going to be busy all day and will only come home at dinner. That's not fair—I want to know what the announcement will be…
Rebecca thought as she searched for her sketch.
....
18:00 P.M. Dining Room
The dining table was filled with an extravagant amount of food, even by noble standards. Dishes from Intis's cuisine, as well as from Loen and Balam, and desserts from Lenburg, adorned the table.
Heh, they usually give a big meal to someone on the death row as a last one, I wonder who's going to die tonight…
Michael let his morbid thoughts fade as he noticed his surroundings. One corner seemed unusually dark, despite the chandeliers being lit. It was odd but not worth addressing.
The viscountess sat silently with a stern expression. Rebecca, seated next to Michael, nibbled on desserts, waiting for the viscount to arrive.
The viscount entered in his signature purple suit and took his seat.
"I told you I have an announcement to make. I'll share it after dinner," he said.
Straight to the point, as usual…
Michael satirized in his head.
The family ate in silence, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.
The viscountess barely touched her food, her face devoid of emotion. Michael barely eated cautious to what might happen. Rebecca, however, enjoyed the meal, indulging in all her favorite dishes, strangely, they were all present tonight.
Shit... the tension here is thick i can cut it with a knife...
Michael satirized as he waited for the viscount to speak.
Once everyone had finished, the viscount finally spoke.
"What I'm about to say wasn't an easy decision, but it's what I believe to be the right choice…"
He paused, and the silence stretched unbearably.
"Count Erin has made a proposal that I've decided to accept," he continued. "He has proposed an arranged marriage between his son, Mallory, and Rebecca."
Rebecca's eyes widened in shock. Her hands began to tremble, but she remained silent, stunned by the revelation.
"At first, I was hesitant," the viscount said, ignoring his daughter's reaction. "But after Michael's recovery, I began to see the merit in this arrangement. Rebecca should have a family of her own, and the Erins are a powerful house. Mallory is an excellent match…"
Michael stared at his father in silence before glancing at Rebecca. Her face was red, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her whole body shook, yet she didn't utter a word.
Turning back to the viscount, Michael spoke firmly. "I think you should reconsider this decision."
"There's nothing to reconsider, Michael," the viscount replied coolly.
"You're going to marry your daughter to someone she barely knows? That doesn't seem like the best idea."
"They'll have plenty of time to get to know each other," the viscount said dismissively. "I'm sure they'll even fall in love at some point. And I say that from experience. Your mother and I were once in this same position."
Michael's gaze shifted to the viscountess, whose expression remained unreadable.
So that's why she's so quiet today… She's watching her daughter face the same fate she had, and yet, she can't do anything about it...
A dark chuckle escaped Michael's lips.
I'm not the real Michael Burey. It's none of my business what they decide…
He turned to Rebecca again, her tears now streaming freely.
Why isn't she saying anything? He thought. Then it hit him.
Oh… I understand. Rebecca is a coward.
Based on Michael's memories, even though Rebecca always got herself into problems, she never, not even once, said no to what the viscount wanted...
She's a good sister, a good daughter, a good friend, she spent her life trying to please others and forgot to please herself...
During her teen years instead of going out with her friends, she stayed home almost everyday taking care of Michael and trying to learn the business of the Burey family...
Because of that, she barely had any time for what she liked...
During one of our conversations in the attic she even mentioned that she almost gave up on her dream of being a painter...
For once, Becca, please speak what your heart wants you to say...
Scream at the viscount, throw something at him...
I may not be your real brother, but I'll support you.
Michael closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath.
Even though I'm not the real Michael, seeing Rebecca crying like that hurts me...
Well, it was predictable that this would happen since I got Michael's memories...
No... I understood it wrong. I'm not Abel who got Michael's memories, nor I am Michael who got Abel's memories. I am the result of the merger between the memories of Michael and Abel...
He looked at the viscount with a cold determination.
Even though she didn't have to, she always took care of me during our childhood. We were both just children, but yet, she had to grow up quickly...
She even became a Beyonder just to cure me...
Many thoughts appeared in Michael's mind before he finally spoke.
"Becca, I need to discuss something with the viscount. Could you excuse us for a moment?"
Rebecca looked at her brother, a glimmer of hope in her tear-streaked face. Without waiting for permission, she got up and left the room.
Once the door closed behind her, Michael turned to his father, his voice low and dangerous.
"I don't agree with your decision, viscount."
The viscount raised an eyebrow. "Michael, it's not your place to agree or disagree. I've made my decision, and that's final. Now, call your sister back so we can—"
Michael cut him off, his voice rising. "I'm not going to let you sell my sister!"
The viscount rolled his eyes, visibly annoyed. "Michael, you don't understand how these things work. This is for the good of the family."
Michael stepped closer, his tone cold and deliberate.
"Based on the laws surrounding the succession of nobles, if a noble dies, their title and everything they had will be passed to the closest relative of the noble..."
"Even though the law doesn't specify gender or anything, the court will most probably decide in favor of the eldest son..."
He grabbed his father's collar, pulling him close. "So if, for some unfortunate reason, you were to die, I would become the next Viscount Burey."
The viscount's eyes widened. "Are you threatening me, Michael?"
"Oh, no, im sorry if it sounded like that viscount." Michael said with a chilling smile. "Let me rephrase it for you."
He released the viscount's collar and took a step back.
"I'll kill you and burn this house to the ground before I let you sell my sister like a commodity!" His voice echoed through the house.
The viscount stared at his son in disbelief.
"I'm serious," Michael continued. "I'll die and kill before I let Rebecca be sold like a slave for a quick buck!"
Michael paused for a second before he continued. "That was a threat viscount, now i really threatened you."
"Think well about what you want to do viscount, because in the end, you might end up with only a bunch of money."
The viscountess finally looked up, her expression a mix of shock and fear.
Michael turned to her, his voice filled with scorn. "And you viscountess, for your own good, stop being a coward and actually start to do something, because you just look pathetic."
Without waiting for a response, Michael stormed out of the dining room.
....
Outside, Michael leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm himself.
I just got myself into a huge mess didn't i? But i couldn't just let them force Becca to marry that grotesque Erin...
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Rebecca standing there. Her face was still red, her tears still fresh, but she was no longer trembling.
"You heard all that?" Michael asked, wiping her tears.
Rebecca chuckled softly. "Of course I did. You were yelling so loud the whole city probably heard."
Michael placed one of his hands on her shoulder.
"Becca, i want you to know that i did that not because i don't think you should be with someone, i did that because i want you to be with someone you love, and i honestly don't think that Mallory is going to be that person."
Rebecca smiled weakly. "I know, Mike… And I'm sorry. That most been really hard... As your big sister, I should've handled this myself."
"Becca, that wasn't hard at all. I would and will do that and more if needed. In the same way you helped me when I was sick and scared, I will help you too...." Michael said firmly.
As Michael was speaking, a tear dropped from his eye. He wiped it immediately, hoping that Rebecca wouldn't see it.
Rebecca stroked his hair, her smile growing more genuine. "Thank you, Mike."
They entered Rebecca's room.
"Goodnight, Becca. Sleep well." As Michael was leaving the room, Rebecca spoke.
"I don't think I can, but thanks, Mike."
Michael smiled as he closed the door and sat on the floor of her room.
"Then I'll keep you company."
She chuckled as she sat up in her bed.
"Mike, you need to sleep."
He took one of the blankets that were on Rebecca's bed.
"That's an interesting thing to say, Becca. Remember those times when I got really sick as a child and you stayed in my room all night talking to me? I always told you to go to your room and sleep, and you always ignored me, so I'll just do the same."
Rebecca gave up as she tucked herself into bed.
"If that's what you want, then I won't argue."
"Becca, if I'm being honest with you, I don't think that arguing with the viscount is going to change the situation. We sure can try, but if it doesn't work, what do you think about running away?"
Rebecca stayed silent for a second before answering.
"To where? We don't know anyone that can help us..."
"I thought about Balam. And we don't need to know anyone. We'll see where life leads us."
"And you could even paint about the places we go. If we need money, we can use your eyes to pretend to be seers, or maybe steal. I don't care."
Rebecca laughed as she looked at her brother.
"Yeah, we would be the best thieves. Maybe we would even have a nice nickname... I already thought of one! We would be the Swirl Brothers!"
Seeing Rebecca laugh, Michael finally felt a little relaxed.
"We would be the best!"
They kept talking for some time before Rebecca fell asleep.
Michael stared at the ceiling as he spoke in an unknown language that no one in the Northern Continent could decipher.
"I might not be fully your brother, but I love you just as much. I promise I'll protect you, Becca."
Ugh, my English has a weird accent in this body...
Suddenly, Rebecca spoke while sleeping.
"I love you, Mike."
He quietly replied, "I love you too, my dear sister."