…His soul was a different matter though.At least, if his theory on how he'd come to live in this body was correct.As such, little emotional disconnects like these were but one of many unfortunate and awkward tribulations that came with reincarnation.Still, mother or not, it was hard to be literally raised by – and loved by - someone for eighteen years and feel nothing for them.Hence his guilt at the pain he was causing her. He could see that the woman across from him was almost on the verge of tears. She wouldn't cry, of course. The reversed gender roles of this world, and her station besides, meant that just couldn't happen. But he could see that she wanted to."What, my son," she asked through gritted teeth, "what would you have me do now?""Have you considered bribery?"The strike across his back was instant, the pain that flared out from where the cane struck him easily a dozen times more painful than the slap that had preceded it.Yep, that's definitely Aunt Sophina, he thought.The woman was the Ashfield House's marshal - and was built accordingly.With that said, the strike upon his back could have been harder. He'd seen the woman in the training fields. He knew for a fact it could have been a lot harder.It certainly could also have been softer too though, he thought as he bit down on a grunt that tried to escape his lips, what felt like white fire dancing across his back. A lot softer.It seemed though that his latest stunt had well and truly expended his most martial aunt's patience. Which was fair. The Shards were an integral part of the countship's military power, which was her domain, and he'd basically just taken one for a joy ride.Sure, he'd saved two people from drowning or worse, but if rescuing two peasants was considered a decent reason to sortie a Shard out over water, he wouldn't have needed to steal one.On this occasion at least.He'd have stolen one for some other reason eventually regardless. His plans required it. The fact that one of the nearby village's fishing boats had gone missing had just served as an excuse to kill two birds with one stone.So it was, through long practice, he managed to keep himself perfectly upright, even as every nerve on his back cried out in agony. He showed none of it, he maintained his perfectly practiced – to be infuriating - grin.At the sight of it, his mother let out a small, almost hysterical, chuckle. "Well, even if you lack your father's soothing temperament, you certainly inherited his glib tongue."William wouldn't know. The man had died before he was born. As a result of a particularly tragic riding accident if the servants were to be believed.Naturally, his mother and 'aunts' spoke sparingly on the issue.And while the transmigrated man tried not to be garish about it, he honestly preferred it that way. He'd already had a father once. He didn't need anyone else trying to step into that position. Trying to deal with an entirely new mother and a half dozen aunts was already confusing enough.Not to mention mortifying on a number of levels.More than once, the circumstances of his new existence had left him feeling akin to a skeevy degenerate dwelling within his own skin.Over the years, he'd made peace with it on some level, but some part of him oft wondered if his self-imposed mission was not so much a goal worth lauding as a form of self-flagellation."No, I will not be resorting to bribery. Quite the opposite." His mother continued. "For though I have hoped and prayed for years that you would recant your disreputable ways, you have not. To that end, a drastic solution is called for."For just a moment, William's heart skipped a beat as he dared allow himself to hope that the last four years of… well, he wouldn't quite call it 'familial terrorism', but it was something close to that, would mean something."And what does that mean?" he asked, feigning casual disinterest."Fortunately for all of us, your latest stunt has come at an opportune time. Next month you shall reach your majority. Normally an auspicious occasion, but your recent behavior has quite soured that."The woman was reciting the words in a manner that suggested rehearsal. Indeed, he had a feeling she'd been planning this for some time, with his latest actions only reinforcing her decision.I do love it when a plan comes together, he thought excitedly as she continued. You know, assuming that I'm not about to be disowned or something like that…That would… complicate things. Which was why he'd made sure to keep his behavior within the bounds of the merely scandalous, rather than the outright destructive. Hell, from a certain angle, most of his acts of rebellion could come off as downright heroic.If one ignored a lot of the context in which they occurred.He took a small breath as his mother continued."We shall use it as an opportunity to summon unto you a hand heavier than mine own, in the hopes that a more impartial environment might correct your rebellious nature. Ironically, in punishing you, I shall grant a wish I am sure you have long forgotten."William's heart soared with triumph, even as he affected irritation. "A wish long forgotten? If you must speak in riddles mother, at least do try to be cogent with them."He tried not to shriek as the cane once more lashed across his back."What your poor mother is trying to say boy, is that you'll be attending the Blicland Royal Aviation Academy in the new year. With any luck, four years of proper military living will finally manage to straighten you out."It said a lot about how much his back was stinging that he didn't much feel like dancing a happy jig as the first stage of his plan finally came to fruition.It stung.A lot."A man, attending the Royal Aviation Academy?" He grunted through gritted teeth. "While you are right in that I had long since forgotten that particular desire, I do well recall your response to it."At his words, his mother inclined her head to his aunt, who spoke up once more. "While the Royal Academy is certainly intended for women, there's precedent for men to attend. It's rare but not unheard of. Sometimes there are fools like yourself who need bending into shape. Other times men have attended as part of their betrothed's intended Marine-Knight retinue."William grit his teeth. "Am I to be the latter then? Part of 'that woman's' group of lackeys?"Janet Ashfield rolled her eyes at his words. "That woman is your betrothed. And as you are, I'd not curse the poor girl with you, even if the dutiful young woman might accept you. No, I'll not stunt her future court by indulging your foolishness."Oh? That was a little surprising. Not bad. Merely unexpected."Then am I to have a retinue of my own? It's a little late in the year for tryouts, mother. Never mind the fact that my dearest younger sister would be most put-out by me pilfering our land's talent before her turn comes around."His mother winced a bit at the mention of his sister – and the Ashfield family's heir. Her existence was ever a sore topic when it came to him. Likely because many amongst the family assumed his turn towards villainy had been caused by his supplanting as heir by a bastard.Which was patently untrue. He adored his younger sibling. Indeed, his relationship with her was the only one where he truly allowed himself to feel… close.If only because hers was the only relationship he had that didn't leave him feeling like a pretender."And reward you for your behavior? Hardly. No, you need a hard hand, not a taste of leadership." Sophina scoffed, before gripping his shoulder. "You'll be attending the academy as part of the general intake program."Ah, that was… less than ideal.He'd be attending with the peasants. Which would be fine, if they weren't going to be the absolute bottom of the academic totem pole. In skill, status and resources.Not ideal for so many reasons, he thought. Perhaps I pushed a little too far?