Chapter 3, Someone Else's Life

48/Autumn/1666

As the late afternoon sun dipped toward the horizon, Lucas found himself reclining on a makeshift bed of newspapers atop a park bench, surprisingly comfortable amidst the urban chaos surrounding him. Gazing up at the reddening sky, he couldn't shake the feeling that had settled over him.

[This is definitely ranking as at least the second weirdest day of my life. I mean, seriously, who would've thought I'd end up being ‘murdered’?"] He paused, reflecting on the absurdity of it all. [Well, one thing's for sure, that park is loaded with cameras. He's 100% going to jail.]

[Hopefully,] he continued, his thoughts drifting to Emily, [I hope this whole fiasco doesn't mess with her in any way. Especially since, technically, I didn't really die. I mean, I did, but you know, I'm still here, thinking and all. So, all's well that ends well, I guess. Now that I think of it I hope the folks back home manage alright without me. Mom and Casey are probably going to bawl their eyes out, but aside from that, I think they'll cope with my 'death' without too much difficulty. If there's at least one silver lining in all of this, it's that Jake is now stuck with that mountain of work.] He smirked, the events of the day still swirling in his mind as he watched the last rays of sunlight fade away.

As the gas street lamp began to illuminate the surroundings, Lucas pondered the necessity of finding accommodation. Despite being a frugal college student well-versed in the importance of money, after such a taxing day, he craved a semblance of comfort. [I have 19 of these silver coins left, and my attempt to ascertain their value has been less than successful. I don't know how much this is... Screw it, let's just wing it.]

Armed with just his newspaper, Lucas set out into the bustling arterial streets. The streets were still a little damp from the afternoon rain shower, nevertheless, the city was full of energy even after sunset. Laughter, music, and the buzz of conversation filled the air, guiding him through what appeared to be downtown. Searching for some sort of hotel or inn his eyes were drawn toward a fabulously ostentatious building that had a large beautiful sign reading 'Azure Retreat'.

Approaching the grand entrance, Lucas encountered a man whose posture was so still that it resembled that of a mannequin. Dressed in a formal uniform, the man radiated an aura of flawless professionalism only achievable with years of service,

Offering Lucas a polite nod he greeted "May I help you, sir?" His voice was smooth and practiced.

Lucas straightened his posture. "Ah, yes. Would you happen to have any rooms available?"

After giving Lucas a quick look once over he replied "Of course, right this way. Follow me," leading Lucas toward what appeared to be the front desk, its dark wood gleaming under the soft glow of the nearby oil lamps.

At the desk, a receptionist adorned in professional finery greeted them with a smile, "I apologize, your Lordship, but your regular accommodations have already been booked. However, you are in luck. A recently refurbished Luxury Suite has just become available. To apologize for the inconvenience, we would like to offer some of our magnificently crafted confectionery, using ingredients freshly imported from the Far East."

Despite his shock at the receptionist's apparent familiarity and unexpected method of address, he managed a polite response. "Ha, it's fine, no worries. Due to the recent refurbishment, has the price changed at all?"

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"No, your Lordship. It is still one Argentum a night."

"Oh, good. Here," Lucas placed five of the coins on the desk.

Counting the coins at a glance, the receptionist remarked, "You're staying for five days, correct?"

"Of course. And may I ask what type of confectionery you're offering?"

"Crèmpetto, using none other than the finest ground Havanna from Karnove. It should be ready in fifteen to twenty minutes. ”

Turning her head to a young bellhop she ordered“ Aaron, get over here. Lead young Master Hawthorne to his accommodation, room 348.”

Looking back she smiled “Good night, your Lordship. I hope you have a pleasant stay."

As Lucas trailed behind Aaron through the opulent corridors of the hotel, the unsettling sensation that he was stepping into a life that wasn't his own grew more and more palpable. "Master Hawthorne, right this way, sir," Aaron spoke with a courteous nod, leading him to a lavishly adorned door, its number '348' engraved in polished brass. "Thank you," Lucas replied, still grappling with the peculiarity of his situation. Stepping into the suite, he was greeted by a spacious room with a large lit fireplace surrounded by plush furnishings, the scent of unknown floral perfume adding to the sense of luxury.

"Anything else you require, sir?" Aaron inquired, his demeanor respectful yet professional.

Lucas hesitated momentarily before asking, "...Do you know who I am?"

Aaron blinked, then broke out in a cold sweat panicking by the possible implications of the question. "Ah, why of course... sir. You are Lord Solomon Hawthorne, the esteemed heir of House Hawthorne. Renowned for your... personality, generosity, and impeccable taste!"

Lucas frowned inwardly. [Personality? Impeccable taste?] Oblivious to Lucas's internal questions, Aaron nervously continued, "If there's anything you need during your stay, please don't hesitate to ring for assistance. The staff is always at your service."

"Sure, thanks" Lucas muttered as Aaron exited the room. Alone at last, he set all of his heavy equipment on the floor and slumped on a plush armchair, the weight of his newfound identity pressing down on him. "Solomon Hawthorne," he whispered, the name feeling foreign on his tongue. Drawing upon the only clue he had—a newspaper clutched in his hand. Lucas decided to reread it, searching for any instances of the name Hawthorne or Solomon. As he sunk into the plush armchair with the paper unfurled before him he awaited his promised Crèmpetto.

About halfway through the third page he finally stumbled upon something that caught his eye.

'In the bustling streets of Blackport, the whispers of triumph dance upon the lips of our Citizens, Lord Rhodan Hawthorne, esteemed pillar of our community, has announced a gesture of grandeur befitting his stature. With unwavering resolve and a heart brimming with pride, Lord Rhodan Hawthorne has decreed the erection of a majestic fountain in the heart of our fair city, dedicated to immortalizing the valorous victory achieved at the Battle of Winterhaven. “This monument shall stand as a testament to the bravery of our gallant soldiers and the indomitable spirit of Blackport's people, forever enshrining our triumph in the annals of history. Let the waters of this fountain flow eternally, a symbol of our resilience and our enduring legacy.”-Lord Rhodan Hawthorne'

Lucas furrowed his brow as he managed to uncover a few clues. The family Lucas nominally belonged to was Noble, affluent enough to afford a lavish fountain in the heart of a massive city, publicly supported the military, and had a member named Rhodan Hawthorne. Despite these details, the information didn't provide much insight into Lucas's own identity. Context clues from Aaron's reaction and responses to his inquiry hinted that he was well-known, at least among the service staff of this establishment, and not necessarily viewed in the most favorable light judging by the young man's nervousness.

Knock knock

Lucas stood up, walked to the door, and opened it, fully expecting to find Aaron standing there with whatever a Crèmpetto was, only to be met by three large gruff men who, to state the obvious, did not appear to work there.