บท 1: Prologue
### Earth AU - December 21st, 2020 - Juneau, Alaska - Hospital
George Franklin born December 21st, 1967 turns 53 today. He expected that when he woke up he would be in his home in Miami, Oklahoma; and not a hospital bed. The room was slightly cold, as you would expect for December; but maybe a little too cold for a hospital. He was used to freezing temperatures during night, but the daylight would typically bring warmth.
The average low for December is 26 degrees Fahrenheit for Juneau, Alaska; which is 2 degrees lower compared to Miami, Oklahoma. However, the average high for December is 34 degrees Fahrenheit for Juneau, Alaska; which, shockingly, is an entire 14 degrees colder than Miami, Oklahoma.
He saw a small tablet on the table to the side of his bed, it was not his phone as he remembers. However, it felt familiar. He wanted to unlocking the device, but 9 dots came on screen... He guessed it was a connect the dots type of puzzle, but did not know the shape required. By mistake his index finger touched the fingerprint scanner and he unlocked the device. The device UI (User Interface) was different from what he was used to. He did manage to find the all-apps button on the home screen and started to scroll through what was installed on his phone. Before spending more than 15 seconds on the phone scrolling through the apps, two women entered his room.
### POV George
When I heard footsteps of more than one person enter my room, I moved my eyes from the phone to look at who entered the room. I saw a nurse with a clipboard and a woman wearing business suit with white gloves, who looked like a butler now that I think of it.
The nurse started a conversation, "Hello. Please try not to move rapidly. Can you hear me? My name is Alice and I am a nurse. What is your name?"
I managed to hoarsely reply, "Hello. I uhm, George, Franklin." It felt a little difficult to speak. I noticed a glint in the other woman's eyes, but didn't put any thought into it.
She smiled with a reply, "Hello George. How are you feeling?"
I replied with a frown, "Thirsty." I didn't notice the thirst until I had mentioned it unconsciously.
She gave me a small cup with barely a quarter ounce of water. I think I saw a shimmer of a blue glow from the water. It felt the water was adequate only to wet my mouth and lips. It felt like something was hitting me as soon as the liquid touched my lips. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep.
### POV Claire
My name is Claire Evans, and I am a new personal servant to Sarah Raeturn. The previous personal servant apparently betrayed mistress, which seems impossible from my viewpoint. Servants are trained from young age while a ritual using their masters' blood would be used to key their loyalty. The ritual can only be done once while the person is still a young child. The ritual makes it so that the person in question would die if the keyed person dies while also inducing honesty when talking to the keyed person.
Everything started 4 days ago, December 17th 2020, when the Frankenstein clan was massacred by the Deulis clan. The Raeturn and Frankenstein are less allies and more neutral in recent years; however, we have an old pact where we would protect each other from extinction in the event the other met calamity providing the other a sanctuary and protection.
The Deulis clan are recognized as allies with ties to the second branch family, and this is definitely known to the Frankenstein clan. The 4 surviving elders and their core younger generation, who had escaped the yank of their roots being pulled, arrived at our door steps knowing our ties with their pursuers. Deulis clan has it out for the new mine that was discovered between their and Frankenstein territory. The Frankenstein clan thought the mine was merely a copper mine, unaware of the silver and gold it also had veins of. The Deulis clan wanted to swallow everything up and grabbed 2 like minded conspirators, with our second branch being one of the conspirators. In reality the Frankenstein should have been our choice to help, but apparently the branch family thought was less favorable as that wouldn't give benefits to their branch.
The first and second branch families have always been in conflict with our main branch family, and mistress is the only descendant left of the main branch; the only other member being her great great grandfather, one of two clan ancestors. The personal servant, who betrayed, was indoctrinated with a ritual operated from the second branch for mistress when she was 4 years old.
I arrive at the hospital ward where the fiancee to mistress is located. She has had over 10 fiancees over the last 10 years. They almost always end up dead. Numerous bad rumors have tarnished mistress's reputation. They say becoming her fiancee is the same as a death sentence. As the last descendant of the main branch, her children will inherit the family. The young master from the first branch Luke Raeturn has always vied for her hand in marriage. The clan ancestor had said 12 years ago that if she can't marry and have children by 30 she would be given to Luke for the sake of the family. Ever since that announcement Luke has done everything to mess up her relationships, leaving no incriminating evidence of his involvement. The clan ancestor has no interest involving himself in matters he believes are mundane issues, such as reputation.
I look at the young man I have seen images of, he is 18 years old today as it is his birthday. I can empathize with him considering that he will be marrying into our family. He will need to go through training and brainwashing for such responsibility of course, as today is also the day he is officially an adult.
He observed me, almost like an appraisal. The nurse introduced herself trying to keep Georgick as calm as possible. When asked for his name he said George Franklin instead of Georgick Frankenstein; I hope he hasn't had his memories tampered with. I tried to see through his facade staring at him for a moment, a glint in my eyes while my imagination ran full throttle.
I had decided that we need to place him back to sleep while I report the news to mistress and receive further instructions.
When I text my mistress the information related to everything that happened, I received her intentions instead of any direct instructions. She wants him to be an ally rather than a plaything if possible. I have heard of cases where people believe they remember previous lives before; while rare it is not unheard of. However, many such people are skeptical to mention this fact thinking that they would be viewed as a danger for being too intelligent or powerful. I was told to just directly ask. Maybe he would prefer being called his new name anyways. At the end of the day, he will still be joining our family regardless of his intentions, desires, dreams, or other nonsense.
### POV George
I woke up again, but this time I felt less stiff and thirsty apparently. I had a few dreams, and realize that I have memories of a Georgick Frankenstein. I saw the same two women from earlier. The nurse was replacing the nutrient bag on my intravenous (IV). When my eyes met the woman in a suit, I could feel her inquisitive gaze wishing to speak.
"What name do you wish to be identified with?"
I felt an extreme infliction hearing this question in my heart. I remember earlier I identified myself as George, but considering my name is Georgick it shouldn't be too far fetched to be a nickname. However, I also stated my family name was Franklin and not Frankenstein. I also feel that there are no bad intentions from the question, but I feel off from it. My memories from Georgick show this is a world with magic so maybe this is not as uncommon as I think.
"My first name is Georgick, but I also feel comfortable going by George. Just call me Georgick. My family name is of course Frankenstein, I have no issues with my memories if you are wondering."
I don't think this is too weird, but the silence is very awkward for me. She then starts to explain slowly to me.
"I was tasked to identify if you have received maliciously altered memories or just a previous life. I will just ask a few probing questions. You need not answer these questions, but if you feel a question or one of your memories or thoughts are different bring it up. Who are you loyal to? Are your personal interests the only important thing? Is there someone you love that you don't know? Are you allowed to make your own decisions? Are your thoughts important? What types of magic do you know? Do you believe in fate? Do you feel any of your memories are out of place? Do you remember what happened to Stephanie? You can answer that last question, actually mistress wants to know if you are going to attempt to commit suicide, so that last question is important."
"I remember Stephanie Thompson and how she died. I do not feel the desire to end my life. I feel indifference actually."
"So I want to ask to clarify, you don't think there are maliciously altered memories and are they your own?"
"Yup."
"Okay. Young master Georgick, you are the fiancee to my mistress. In 6 days you will begin to receive the family training in the mornings. It should be a few hours of etiquette and self-defense. Your Frankenstein family is known for their spatial and pressure magic. My mistress has our family's lightning and metal magic talent blossoming. From what I hear from others, you have never had magic training. Is this because you do not have the talent, or is it for a different reason?"
In my first life, magic was not a thing people could use. I am a 52, no 53, so I was a 53 year old year old accountant at a brickyard for crying out loud. My memories of this life was very dull. I have been on house arrest as far as my memories are concerned. Ever since I have been 7 years old, when my mother died, my servant named Stephanie was my confidant that I told everything to. I don't think I ever saw her as my friend or lover, but the only person I could trust to keep all my secrets. However, there was an insidious event that I choose to ignore and continued to trust her, because she was the only person I could speak to in my family. She was 7 years old than me, and on my 12th birthday I was humiliated in front of my entire family. However I also didn't notice the physical abuse she probably received either until now when I think of the signs. I was blindfolded and wore a dress to the party for my honor. When I arrived at the venue the announcers yelled, 'If I was a princess I would be very very pretty too. Entering the scene the birthday boy Georgick!' However, when I took off my blindfold, I couldn't find Stephanie, and thought It was not her who tricked me.
I do remember before my mother's death, she told me I have very high potential and affinity in our family's magic. I think that was right before her death.
"I remember before my mother died, she once told me I have a very high potential and affinity in our family's magic; but after she died everyone started to call me useless or worthless."
"This can be a blessing in disguise. Our mistress said you will be joining our family regardless of your intentions, desires, dreams, or any other nonsense. You can freely use any magic you learn and anyone you teach must join our family."
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