The next day brought with itself an unnatural serenity and comfort for me.
I woke up well, so well rested and perfect that I felt full of energy. It was one of those sleeps that you hit once in a while and just makes everything so beautiful.
Your financial situation? All is okay. Your mental problems? Never been better. People after your life? Let them come for tea.
For a whole 5 minutes after waking up, I felt that euphoria of undeadness and daydreaming about how beautiful life really is. As if I could do anything.
And then my brain said -fuck you- and came back full force with all the depressing thoughts; the pain of last night, the lack of sense of security, the lack of someone to confide in, the lack of just basic fucking control of my life; and instantly soured the day.
Where everything was so beautiful and vibrant just a moment ago, was replaced by the dull dark teal coloured room of mine. A cloud of negativity shrouded the room.
My eyes drooped low as I sighed and got up following the motions of the day. Brushing my teeth without choking on the brush, taking a shit without sitting there for hours, taking a bath without drowning myself, and getting dressed without strangling myself.
Just the usual stuff.
After 40 minutes, I sat back on my bed and wondered what I should do today? Did I even wanna do anything?
‘Maybe I can try cutting myself a bit…’ Now that intrigued me. Not like I can die anyway. Hopefully. As for the pain? ‘At least I’ll feel something.’ I thought.
Then I faced the problem of not having something sharp on me. I wondered if that was arranged purposefully, or a coincidence. It dulled my mood a little. But not enough to not at least order one in.
As I was about to order someone to bring me one, I heard a knock on y door. As I wondered if they could sense my intentions, I opened the door for Hiruni.
She stood at the door as she said, “Good morning sir. The Viscount has ordered you to inspect the borders on the northern front. He expects you to leave as soon as you can.”
‘Yea, that certainly beats some good-ol’ self-mutilation.’ I mused internally. I wondered why he would ask that of me. Even with my new-found awakening, I was pretty much useless.
Not to mention, my weakness to any exposure to magic.
“Can I meet him to discuss this sudden posting?” I asked.
“I’m sorry sir, he’s currently busy in a meeting and will not be meeting you or anyone till it’s over. He sent the orders for you to go as soon as you can.”
“But why me?”
“I’m not privy to the thoughts of Viscount, sir. I only follow it.” She said, a sternness in her voice ensuring I wouldn’t get anything else out of her.
‘Ugh, things just keep piling up.’ I said as I rubbed my face with my hands, a headache threatening to erupt.
“Hahh,” I sighed as I looked at her again, “Please tell me I at least get an entourage right?”
“Of course sir! Your party is waiting for you by the northern exit, ready to depart at any moment.” She said, much enthusiastic.
“Just give me a second.” I told her as I went back in and got a pocket mirror for emergencies. Placing it in the inner pocket of my coat, I walked out.
“Please lead the way.” I said to her as I followed behind at a brisk pace.
I kinda hated the hallways ever since my newfound weakness to magic, although I would have loved nothing but to sit there staring at the amazing mastery of Art before me, I had to try to escape it as quickly as I could.
Finally, after a few minutes of walking, something which I’m starting to hate about huge manors, we reached the northern gate. My entourage consisted of 10 men, on 10 horses, 1 knight leading them, 1 guy with 2 horses as he held onto one in the middle of the formation.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
I realized the one belonged to me, and giving a nod at the knight, who in turn saluted me, I climbed on my horse.
I have never ridden a horse in my past world, but this world was different for I suddenly felt myself fitting in a routine of sorts. My past self, a natural at horse riding was the one thing he prided himself in.
And so despite a small nervousness at my eventual fall, I eventually climbed it perfectly with muscle memory. With newfound confidence in myself, our horses trotted towards our destination as I followed them steadily.
- - - - * - - - -
“How certain are you of success?”
“Why do you doubt all of a sudden? Could it be that you suddenly care for your brother?” A gruff voice asked as he eyed the man sitting two chairs away from him to his right.
“Care is only natural within the family.” The man answered in a neutral tone.
“Why go through so much drama to put him out of the race if you care so much, First?” The Viscount asked his eldest son.
“Care is for the blood in his veins, but respect is not so easy. I do not respect him, nor do I think he’d be a good candidate for the Viscountcy.
“He’s too frail, too unstable. I feared for him to grow nefarious intentions with his sudden awakening, and they needed to be curbed before they could manifest.” The man concluded. His suit is as crisp as when he started.
“But this whole mess has been because of him. You obviously didn’t curb him enough.” Another man on the opposite side of the table commented. He looked much like the First, younger and with a rounder face and a longer neck.
“None of us could have ever expected something like this to happen. He had never displayed any such behavior to warrant a deeper level of surveillance. Even his artistic talent seems out of place and too sudden.”
“That is true… I wonder if sister knew about it?” The Second wondered.
“We can’t even contact her. At least she is safe for now in Emeist County.” First said, and he seemed a little relaxed as he said it.
“Let’s not change the subjects now. Viscount, what do you propose to do if your test succeeds?” An older man on the direct right of Viscount said.
“What do you suggest should be done, Minister of Home Affairs?”
“As per endangering the Viscountcy and attracting dangerous individuals in the city, under Code VII of Treason law, he’s to be executed publicly.” The minister finished with a silence which pervaded the entire room.
Everyone fell silent, as they didn’t dare utter a word of support or averse to the claim. They were talking about the son of the Viscount, who even if less loved and respected had to be treated carefully.
They all gazed at the two brothers and found the General and Financial minister to be silent as rock and lost in contemplation. A lost look in their eyes told them what they wanted.
Even his brothers aren’t so open to sacrificing his brother openly, despite the graveness of his crimes.
‘Blood runs thicker than water.’ They thought as they all switched to looking at the Viscount. The man still looked silently at the Home Affairs minister and they feared the worst for him.
The man in question met the eyes of the Viscount with his own determined ones. He’s old and has known the Viscount for years. He knew the only thing Viscount hated was indecisiveness and if he faltered in his suggestion here, then he’d lose more than his position.
After a grueling minute of staring, the viscount sighed and looked away. His sigh echoed across the room as loud as a siren and everyone knew what was coming.
“So be it! If the changes at the northern front are confirmed to be caused by a third party, then Conor Servouz would be renounced of his position as the prince of this Viscountcy and executed as soon as we are over this disaster.” The Viscount announced.
A strange silence only broken by gasps of shock and surprise invaded the room again. They expected it, and yet they didn’t think it was possible.
A crime so big even a prince can’t bend the rules in his favor. A first one, and one they’d always remember.
- - - - * - - - -
At the same moment as when the forever condemned kid was condemned to an even worse fate, a deception much critical and strategic was taking place in a different part of the manor.
A man made his way through the empty hallways and out of sight. His clothes hid him from the worst scrying probes of the manor and he walked almost fearlessly. He only had two turns of this, and although he had wished to save one for himself later, he’d use it if the situation calls for it.
Finally after walking through many stairs, he was underground and in front of a door leading to the basement with guards around it.
He knew it was but a blockade and with 30 more minutes of use left, he willed it and shifted his clothes. In less than 10 seconds, he dressed like the Viscount and as if agreeing, the door instantly opened.
As they say, clothes make you who you are.
Passing through the blockade, he continued through a tunnel and after a few minutes of walking reached the final blockade. No trap jumped to harm him along the way.
At the final step he once again willed and changed his clothes to look a woman’s. He now wore a maxi dress with floral designs on it. His body changed ever so slightly to a woman’s and as he spoke, his words sounded much feminine, “We are sorry.”
With those words, the final gate opened and he too changed his clothes, the female body much too discomforting for him.
Beyond the gate lay an altar. A pyramid of red on the altar as it supported a skull. Two lines of red flowed through his eye sockets and dirtied the pyramid.
The man looked at it and let himself be consumed by avarice and satisfaction for a minute. He couldn’t sense it yet, but he knew it was there.
’Soon soon soon!’ He calmed himself, but he couldn’t hide his smile at the skull as he wished he had wine to celebrate this instant.
- - - - * - - - -