The carriage ride home felt like an eternity.
I almost regretted not accepting Julius's offer to get cleaned up at the palace. Almost. In the end, home was where it was best, especially since, at this point, it wasn't burnt down to a crisp.
I jumped out of the carriage and strolled towards the mansion's front entrance. Bright lights illuminated my way.
The two guards stared at me but didn't say anything about my bloodied attire. I overheard one whisper to the other as I passed through the opened doors. "I win the bet. I told you he'd pull some prank at the ball."
"Psh… It's too early to tell. Wait till we hear what the prank was first," the other whispered.
Tsk.
Even my disheveled appearance didn't raise alarms within the household. Instead, they thought it was one of my usual pranks.
I needed to do something about this.
"If you wish to know," I said and looked back at the two guards. "A mage exploded the heads of two men in front of me. That's why I look like this."
"Wh-what? Oh." One of the two men stumbled on their words.
"Ah, we're sorry. We meant no offense, young master Luca," the other man said.
By their expressions, I could tell they thought I was continuing to pull some elaborate joke.
I sighed. Oh well. They'll find out tomorrow morning.
I continued walking inside across the quartz floors towards the long staircase leading up to my room. My steps echoed through the large area.
Or perhaps not. My brother and Princess Evelyn might keep the assassination attempt under wraps to avoid unnecessary alarm.
"Young master Luca, you came home earlier than expected." Remlend greeted me at the top of the stairs. His eyes looked me up and down. "I can have your bath ready in a bit."
What good timing he has.
"Yes. Please do." I wanted to run my hands through my hair but felt disgusted again at how filthy it was. "I'm going to come up and douse off my face at least while you get it ready."
Remlend didn't ask me any questions the entire walk back to my room.
I watched him set up the bath through my mirror's reflection while I washed off the gunk on my face and hair. It had dried and was even more annoying to get off.
"You're not curious why I came home early and look like this?" I asked.
Remlend gazed at me through the mirror's reflection and gave his ordinary smile.
"When I took this job, I was informed that I might see quite a few unusual things take place at the Frey Household and that I ought to ignore any oddities and treat them as ordinary events."
He turned his face back to the now full tub and placed a stone ball embedded with an orange mana stone inside to heat the water. "This job pays extremely well, so I avoid being too curious."
I nodded in approval.
This fellow understood how the world worked rather well.
"Remlend, what did you do before coming to work here?" I asked.
He had served me for quite a while, and yet I had no recollection of him and how his fate went. But then again, he did have a rather forgettable face.
"I worked at a few other wealthy households. I had obtained this job on those referrals," he explained.
"Do you have any siblings? And are your parents nearby?" I splashed more water on my face to get the blood dried on my eyebrows and ears off.
"…"
I wiped my eyes and looked up at Remlend's reflection.
"Sorry, is that a sore subject?" I asked.
His expression didn't betray any emotion I could pick up on, but the short silence was unusual.
"I don't. I used to have two siblings and parents, but they have passed on."
"Oh." I did pick a sore subject, even if his expression looked unchanged.
"It was a long time ago, so it's alright." Remlend smiled.
"Your bath should be ready now." Remlend pulled the heat-stone from the water with a pair of tongs. "I'll leave you be."
"Thank you," I said.
Remlend bowed and pulled the bathroom doors closed behind him.
I wondered how his family died and when. And if his family was dead, did he have anyone he cared about? Was there anyone and anything that drove his motivation?
My eyebrows furrowed.
There was something about Remlend that was odd. He was too good at his job and yet had zero presence. He had mentioned that this job paid well, and while it did, there were undoubtedly better prospects for someone like him than serving the Frey Household, which was surrounded by shady gossip.
I need to look into him.
[ Perception : +1 ]
[ Perception : 41 ]
I gazed at the blue screen.
Is that perhaps a hint?
My Intelligence had increased on Round 5 when I realized what Bob, Bob the Second, and Gavin Graves had in store for me.
So perhaps there's a pattern to these notifications?
I watched the hot water change color slightly after I dunked my whole body underwater and came back up. It didn't change by much, though.
I suppose most of the blood was on my clothes and face, which I had already gotten off.
Nonetheless, I grabbed the soap and scrubbed every inch of my body to ensure no speck of blood remained on me.
I had underestimated having come back to this period of time. I was naive. I had an overly rosy memory of my younger years within the Frey Household and had forgotten that danger was always present, even during this somewhat peaceful period.
I slapped some shampoo on my hair and got to work getting every bit of gunk out.
I need a proper plan from now on.
Yes, I was weak and, according to the System, not that intelligent. But I still knew the future. Sure, my memory wasn't perfect, but something was better than nothing. I possessed knowledge that no one else had. That had to count for something.
Had I planned ahead earlier, I would have realized the danger at the ball the first time around. I knew Gavin Graves spelled trouble. And I knew the crown princess would die soon. I even knew or suspected which families would undermine the Frey Household.
I summoned my stats for a quick review.
[ Strength : 4
Dexterity : 35
Perception : 41
Intelligence : 15
Charisma : 7
Mana : 2 ]
"Hey System, my Intelligence has come up by +1 again."
There wasn't a notification for it to clue me in on what I had done.
[ Indeed it has. 15 is still relatively unimpressive, but I am most certainly happy if you're happy with this. ]
This damned blue screen…
I imagined the stats moving, and the screen changed.
[ Player: Luca Frey
Age: 19
Title: Observant Ex-NPC
Round: 6
Level: 7 ]
"And my level has gone up by a point!" I smiled brightly.
[ Of course, you had finally managed to obtain a skill, and you have made some improvements. ]
"Will it go up if I obtain more skills?"
[ You can obtain new skills or improve on existing skills. ]
A new screen appeared without me summoning it.
[ Skills: 1 ]
[ Character Check : Level 1 ]
[ As you can see, you are presently merely at Level 1. If you improve this skill, you'll be able to observe more details about other characters. Currently, you can use it only once daily and see only one piece of information about other characters. Nor will you have a choice in what appears. It will be at random. ]
"And to improve it, do I need to continue to improve my Perception?"
[ Correct! Luca, I think those 4 points of Intelligence have done you some good! ]
My hands rolled into fists within the water. This System was rather annoying. I wish it had a physical form so I could smack it once or twice.
Then again, as annoying as it was, it was thanks to this System that I obtained this chance to save my family, friends, and kingdom.
But I couldn't just keep going like this. If I wanted to save everyone, I needed some sort of plan.
***
I laid down the two dozen parchment papers before me and gazed at what had taken me well into the dead of the night to write down. I rubbed my tired, bloodshot eyes.
I had written out every single major event and notable piece of information that would take place in the next seven years. There were many dates of deaths, names of those I either knew or suspected to be behind the evil doings, and opportunities I could take advantage of.
My memory wasn't perfect, however. I guessed many of the dates on when certain things would take place.
"Ah damn it. And I'll have to account for all my butterfly effects and how I'll change the future."
I rubbed my temples. I was getting a headache imagining how the future would change.
I pulled the parchment papers together in a stack and looked around my bedroom for a safe place to store them. I couldn't have anyone discover them, but I needed to be able to access them.
My memory was decent for now, but I suspected the more I went through this new timeline, the more I'd forget. Memories were faulty and easily erasable.
My eyes stopped on a large bookshelf on one end of my room. The books on it were probably decorative or were placed there with the hope that I might pick one up. A wide grin spread across my face.
It was known within the Frey Household that I did not enjoy studying at this point. Not that I ever found it enjoyable in the future either, but it meant that these books would make for a great temporary spot to hide my notes regarding the future.
I stood up and pulled down two dozen books. I placed parchment paper between each book's last page and hardcover. This method kept each of them slim without the book appearing modified.
I placed the books back onto the shelf and admired my handiwork.
A colossal yawn forced itself out.
I looked over at the decorative clock and realized I would not get much sleep before the morning sun came through the curtains.
Oh well.
I lay down in bed and closed my eyes. I looked forward to waking up to a new day rather than reliving the same day all over again.
Hopefully, tomorrow is a gloomy and cloudy day, so I can see my favorite information broker. I have far too many requests stockpiled for her.
"–Luca?"
Hmm?
"Young master Luca? Are you awake yet?" Denise's voice sounded nearby.
I rolled the bedcovers off my face and squinted at her. She was looking down at me from a few steps away.
My eyes moved towards the window, letting the sunshine pour into my bedroom.
Damn it. Another sunny day.
"I brewed you a new cup of tea. You were unresponsive when I first came by." She set down the tray with the tea and a washbasin.
"How's Micah? Did he get home fine?" I groggily sat up in bed.
"Yes, he and your mother returned late from the palace. He is downstairs finishing breakfast with the rest of your family."
Good. I was indeed on my second day, and Micah was alive and well.
"How is Jasper? Did the doctor come by?" I reached over to pick up the cup of tea.
However, a gag reflex took me over as soon as I saw the tea inside.
"Are you alright!" Denise appeared alarmed. "Did you drink too much at the ball?"
Drink? I didn't even get to eat anything.
I set the teacup down. The red liquid with little chunks of brown flowers floating at the top reminded me of the two exploded necks of Bob and Bob the Second.
"I'm alright," I lied. "I assume the doctor saw him already? What was the prognosis for Jasper?"
Denise straightened and regained her usual stoic expression. "The doctor said he just needs rest. He had provided medicine to help Jasper sleep better."
I frowned.
"Please have another doctor come and take a look at Jasper. I want a second opinion."
Denise blinked. "Why? The doctor said it wasn't anything serious."
"No. It's very serious. Get another doctor to look at him by this afternoon," I ordered.
Denise looked a little perplexed, but unlike her, I knew that Jasper's illness would take his life soon.
"Very well. Understood. I'll have someone come by right away." Denise bowed and headed out of my room. "I'll contact another doctor and will come back to help get you dressed."
"Thank you," I said.
With Denise gone, I got out of bed and began my usual routine of washing my face and tossing the tea into my potted plant.
I had thought it might have been just the first day Denise's tea was undrinkable, but the second day was equally as bad, if not worse.
I rubbed my temples.
There's something wrong with me.
I recalled that I could drink my morning tea just fine in my original life. And Jasper, in this life, drank Denise's tea without a problem either. And it was just her tea that caused issues. I drank tea prepared by the other maids just fine.
What's wrong with me?
I shook my head.
Oh, forget it. There are bigger things to worry about.
My eyes landed on the bright blue sky outside.
My favorite information broker wasn't working today either.
I guess I'll go see Natalia again.
***
"Henry, do you have any siblings?" I asked. I decided to ask him the same question I had asked Remlend since I didn't know much about Henry either.
Henry sat across from me on the carriage. This time I remembered to take one into town. I didn't need to be huffing and puffing, trying to walk a few blocks to the Ashford Bakery.
"I do! I have five younger siblings," he replied brightly. "They all live in the countryside, though. My parents have a farm where they grow various vegetables."
I frowned.
"Where is the farm located?"
"It's in the west, within the Genuiver Dukedom," he answered.
"Ah, is that so?" I said.
Damn it.
I rested my chin on my hand and looked out the carriage window at the pastel-colored city buildings.
Anastasia Genuiver will take over that region in two years as its new Duchess. And once she does, it'll be a complete disaster. In my original life, she had allowed water to be redistributed towards creating a new lake. I had heard it was a beautiful lake. But, its creation caused half of the dukedom to undergo a devastating famine.
I knew it was ironic for me to criticize another heir, given how shitty an heir I was. Still, at least I didn't single-handedly cause a quarter of a million people to starve to death.
Should I do something about it?
I looked at the smiling Henry, gazing out the carriage window.
Damn it. How many more people will I have to add to my 'to-save list'? I'll think about it later.
The carriage halted. Henry jumped out and held the door open for me to get out.
"I'm going to go inside again. You can grab something for yourself." I tossed Henry a coin.
"Will do!" Henry replied and ran over to the end of the line of the Ashford Bakery, which seemed somehow even longer than the previous round.
I went inside and looked around the bakery. Like the outside, it was full of young and wealthy individuals chattering away and enjoying their food. I frowned, spotting the eccentric Daylan man from the ball sitting at one of the tables. He smiled and toasted his cup of tea at me.
I ignored him and walked over to the same young man wearing a red cap as yesterday.
"Good morning. I'd like the special menu," I said.
"Certainly," the young man nodded. "My mistress is currently out but will be back soon. Would you like to have breakfast in the back garden while you wait, or did you prefer to make an appointment?"
My stomach growled in response.
"I think breakfast will do nicely." I smiled.
"Wonderful, please follow me in that case."
The young man led the way to the same wisteria garden I had met Natalia in last time. I sat in the chair I had sat in the day before.
"What would you like?" He set a menu in front of me and pulled out a notepad.
I glanced down. The prices on this menu were far more reasonable than the 'special' menu.
"A cup of black tea and a stack of crepes," I said.
"Wonderful. Someone will bring that out for you shortly." The young man took the menu and went back inside.
I glanced around the wisteria garden.
It was a small space surrounded by pastel-colored buildings on all sides. Purple wisteria trees encompassed the entire center area, and along the building walls, white star jasmine climbed its way up.
It was a relatively peaceful area, and the surrounding flowers' fragrance was quite pleasant. I closed my eyes and let them rest while I waited. I was running on barely three hours of sleep.
"Hello, Luca Frey?" A plump woman came over with a tray of food and tea.
"Yes," I said.
"Here is your order. Oh, and the pastry is complimentary." She smiled brightly.
I picked up the pastry and noted the red filling spilling out.
"…it's not strawberry, is it?"
The woman shook her head. "Oh no, it's a raspberry and cherry mixture. It's a new dessert."
Hmmm.
I smelled the pastry. It even smelled of strawberries.
Or maybe my nose was off.
I took a tiny bite from the corner to test it.
I looked up as I gauged the taste.
It even tastes like strawberries.
"It's not strawberries?" I asked again.
"Nope," she replied.
I waited for the familiar blue screen warning me that I'd been poisoned to appear, but it did not.
"Huh. I guess it's not." I smiled and bit into the pastry again. It was awfully delicious.
"Please enjoy!" The woman left.
There really is something wrong with my nose and taste buds.
I finished the pastry and crepes faster than I intended. And downed the meal with a cup of black tea.
"Ahhhh…" I sighed and leaned back.
That really hit the spot.
"Meow."
I blinked and glanced down at the fluffy white cat near my legs. It rubbed itself against my leg and meowed again.
I reached down and petted it. Its fur was incredibly soft. It felt as luxurious as any fur shawl Mother owned. It was something out of this world, especially with the slightly violet hue at the tips of its fur.
"Where did you come from?" I smiled down at the cat, continuing to pet it.
"Meowwww."
The cat looked up at me with its giant golden eyes.
"You brought your cat with you today?" Natalia walked into the wisteria garden. Her eyes twinkled. "I always saw you as more of a dog person."
"Ah. This isn't mine," I said.
"Really?" Natalia raised a brow and sat down across from me. "Well, he's certainly taken a liking to you."
The young man with the red cup came behind her and placed a cup of tea before Natalia.
"Now then," Natalia picked up her cup and took a sip. "What brought you in today?"
I clasped my fingers together and leaned forward.
"The Selvine and Mentisun families. What do you know about them?"
I decided to start with the most prominent and enormous headache in my future.
The Selvine family was a good friend and partner to my parents. We did quite a bit of business with them.
The Mentisuns were an ancient family that had been part of Adovoria's history for many centuries. They ran a merchant guild as well. While we competed for business with them, overall, the relationship was friendly.
In my original life, these two families had orchestrated my family's downfall. The reason for the betrayal was a piece of the puzzle I never figured out, but it was likely obvious. Money and power.
Natalia's eyes twinkled. "That's a rather broad request. I know quite a bit of gossip regarding them. Any specific area of focus?"
"Their relationship with the Frey Merchant Guild. Any gossip that could indicate a strain," I said.
"Hmmm…" Natalia smiled. "I assume you have something to exchange again of equal value?"
I nodded.
"Well, let's have it. I'll reciprocate," she said.
"Lord Blanche had recently won the phoenix eye pendant of the first queen of Adovoria," I said.
"I heard." Natalia's long purple nails tapped her saucer.
"He's had it exchanged for a replica and resold the original."
"Oho?" Natalia smiled.
"He has a massive gambling debt," I continued talking. "He has also been selling off magic stones belonging to The Order to help cover his debt."
"How's your source?" Natalia picked up her cup and took a sip. "I recall you said I had to double check, didn't you?"
I smiled. She was taking my advice seriously. Perhaps she might survive in this lifetime.
However, it did complicate things for me. Anything I offered, I had to back up. And I couldn't just say the source was myself from the future of the original timeline.
"The pendant was sold to a Daylan Princess on the black market. She had lost to Lord Blanche in the original auction and had purchased it from him under the table," I explained. "She's not stupid enough to wear it out, but if you check some of the private events she attends, you should be able to see her wearing it. And she'll acknowledge that it's the real deal. She's too prideful not to."
"Meow."
The cat under my legs stirred for the first time.
I glanced down and saw it staring up at me with its golden eyes.
"Hmmm, and the magic stones from The Order?" Natalia tapped her long purple nails on the table.
I turned my attention back to her.
"You can check the records against the royal storage. You'll see they don't match. And the guard in the front will complain to anybody that hears about having to repeatedly open the storage up for Lord Blanche's inspection. Or rather his thievery."
Natalia's expression was intense. It was uncharacteristic of her. "This is beyond mere gossip. If this continues and Adovoria were attacked–"
"We'd be at a complete disadvantage," I completed her sentence.
She looked up at the wisteria in thought.
"This is severe information. But, I think I have a buyer in mind." She turned to look at me, and a smile grew across her face. "I'll send over the gossip regarding the Selvine and Mentisun families like last time."
I nodded and stood up from my seat.
The young man with the red cap had come by and took my plate and cup.
"Mistress, your next appointment is here," he told her.
"Well then, this has been a pleasure, Luca Frey. Feel free to flutter in again!" Natalia cheerfully said.
"I will." I walked back inside the bakery. At the front desk, I noted the hooded individual waiting to meet with Natalia.
Someone certainly likes their privacy when obtaining their gossip.
"Meow."
The white fluffy thing had followed me out of the bakery.
"Young master Luca!" Henry jumped up from a bench. "I wasn't sure how long you would be."
His eyes moved down to the furry creature, and a giant smile filled his face.
"Did you get a cat?" he asked and bent down to attempt to pet it. However, the cat wouldn't have it and trotted behind my legs.
"Hmm. It just followed me," I said.
I gazed down at the elegant little thing rubbing against my legs. There was something about it that felt oddly familiar. I couldn't quite put the finger on it.
I looked up at the sun in the center of the sky. It was the afternoon already.
"Let's go home, Henry. I'm sure the doctor had already come by and checked on Jasper."
My family's destruction was still years out. Jasper only had two months.
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