Basil Eryndor was a name that commanded respect—or fear—throughout the entire realm. The Eryndor family was one of the oldest and most powerful bloodlines in Realm of Eternity, its wealth and influence stretching far beyond the borders of kingdoms. Known for their incredible strength, political power, and unmatched legacy, the family had risen from humble origins to surpass even the royal bloodline.
And Basil was supposed to be their shining heir.
But reality had painted a far different picture.
Leon—Basil—was in no mood to admire the grandeur around him. The fine silks, the marble floors, the towering walls of the Eryndor estate, all meant nothing to him. His mind was consumed by one thought: survival.
He had to survive.
But first, he needed to understand the depths of the mess he was in.
Basil had never been a beloved son. In fact, he had been despised by nearly everyone in the family. His father, Lord Eryndor, a man feared and respected across the entire continent, barely acknowledged him. Basil's every misdeed was excused by the family's wealth and power, but none of it ever earned him true affection.
Leon stood at the entrance of a grand hall, gazing at the intricately carved stone pillars and the long table where his family often gathered. The members of the Eryndor family were a strange mix of warriors, scholars, and diplomats, each one more skilled and accomplished than the last. Yet, there was an undeniable distance between them all—except, it seemed, when it came to one person.
Basil.
His reputation had stained the entire family, and it showed in their cold, disdainful glances. They had once hoped he would grow into a respectable heir, but after his reckless behavior, the family had all but given up on him. His crimes were infamous, from drunken brawls to the public humiliation of servants. The women he had courted were not from noble families, but courtesans, and his affairs were the talk of the court.
And then, there was the maid.
The maid whose death had sealed his fate in the original storyline.
As Leon walked down the corridor, the sound of hushed voices caught his attention. He turned toward the source and found a small gathering of servants in the grand kitchen. Their faces were filled with unease as they whispered among themselves.
Basil's name came up in hushed tones, and Leon overheard bits of the conversation.
"The young master is…" one servant began. "Is he really going to… change?"
"I don't know," another whispered. "He's always been the same—reckless, cruel. How could someone like him ever change?"
Leon's heart tightened in his chest. The reality of the situation hit him harder than ever. No one expected him to change. In their eyes, he was a lost cause, a disgrace to the family name.
"Can't say it's a shame," the first servant muttered. "That maid died because of him. No one will forgive that."
Leon's fists clenched. The maid, a humble servant, had been the catalyst for his downfall in the game. She had been the one to bear the brunt of Basil's cruelty until she couldn't endure anymore. The moment her death was discovered, his father had been left with no choice but to execute him publicly to preserve the family's honor.
That was where it all ended.
Leon's mind raced. The path ahead seemed clear: he had to act quickly, or he would fall victim to the same fate Basil had met in the game. But there was one thing he couldn't ignore—the maid. He had seen her condition the moment he had transmigrated. Her life was hanging by a thread.
And Leon wasn't about to let history repeat itself.
He found his way to the chambers where the maid was being treated. The room was dimly lit, and the scent of healing herbs filled the air. A group of servants bustled around, preparing potions and bandages. At the center of the room, lying motionless on a simple cot, was the maid. Her pale face was bruised, the signs of her abuse still visible.
Leon's heart sank.
"Where is the head doctor?" he demanded, his voice sharp.
The servants froze, their eyes wide with shock. "M-Master Basil?" one of them stammered. "The head doctor isn't needed here, sir. We—"
"I don't care what you think!" Leon's voice was cold, his expression hard. "Get the head doctor here now, or I will make sure every one of you regrets it!"
His command sent a wave of panic through the room. The servants scrambled, afraid to disobey.
In the distance, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. A moment later, the door burst open, and the head doctor entered, his expression tense.
"I'm here, Master Basil," the doctor said, bowing slightly.
Leon nodded curtly. "Treat her now."
The doctor wasted no time, immediately getting to work. Leon stood at her side, watching intently as the doctor tended to the maid's wounds. He didn't leave, not even when the maid began to stir.
As the doctor finished, Leon stayed by her side, watching over her like a sentinel. Slowly, the maid's eyelids fluttered open, her confused gaze locking with his. Her face, usually filled with fear and uncertainty, was now softening.
And then, she saw it.
Basil, the man who had tormented her, was now kneeling at her side, his expression one of genuine concern.
She blinked, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Leon stayed silent, unsure of what to say. Her confusion mirrored his own, as if neither of them could comprehend this sudden shift.
But in that moment, something began to change. A flicker of hope, buried beneath years of torment, started to stir within her.
And that hope… was something Leon couldn't afford to let die.