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I have to be scum? So be it!
chapter 4:taking the villain's seat

chapter 4:taking the villain's seat

After Mr Willows left, Scott ordered a maid to bring him the local news papers from the last 10 days.

This story seems to be using a different dating system than the real world, the label 42-680-wealth was on top of the news paper, the country he's in seems to be called "Hertia" and the publishing house is located in Old Dillington. Heather changed a few things, huh?

He moved on to read the actual articles, there are several social movements politically struggling, a labor shortage, military campaigns and rebellions in the colonies. On the local news however there's reports of a new factory, a girl won a flour company's best young chef and a group of people were arrested for selling pharmaceuticals made using unauthorized magic.

Magic? So there's magic in this version. This could help him. when he moved on to the older papers he found that similar crimes happened on a regular basis although with different intensity, the punishments seemed to very based on the complexity and lethality of the products produced and sold without license but the biggest one of all was the crime of black magic which was so severe it warranted a death sentence and so taboo it was not discussed in detail but instead a bunch of religiously inspired rhetoric was used to shame the late criminal before society. Calling it crime against god and those who commit demons, the usual.

"Wow! To think that people would dare sell all those objects without going through the proper means!" He exclaimed loudly, making sure that the maid can clearly hear him, she nodded politely. "and black magic too, the audacity! To go against scripture! against god!"

The maid, affected by the bit about black magic said shyly but with determination. "They can't hurt anyone now!"

"All thanks to the police! Say, what's your name." He asked.

"..." she stayed silent, working hard to contain her anger but failing ever so slightly. He dragged a chair close so he can sit right in front of her.

"If you would please look at me, I would find the words to explain myself." He made sure to put on a pitiful face and a hopeful smile when she looked at him.

"There's no need for you to know my name, I'm your servant and you're my master." She said through gritted teeth. "It is me who's at fault for getting offended."

it was obvious she believed non of that but was trained to say it.

"I don't believe that at all." He told her. "I'm your employer's son, and your services should not extend further than your contract."

He saw a spark in her eye but there was still a curiosity he needed to feed so he decided to be creative. "I was willing to die, I was waiting for it, longing for it, even! It is a useless ordeal to live for yourself when you don't have much to live."

She leaned down to be face to face to him, her hand on the chair's back.

"See, I was trying to cut all my attachments to life. So I loathed learning new named and seeing new people." He felt a soft hand on his shoulder. "But now I know, that one's life is lived to the fullest when it's lived for someone else!"

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"It's Rose." He looked at her, when she saw the confused look on his face, she continues; "my name is Rose, Rose Fieldstone."

"Rose, I hope you understand me." He tried the name. "That's why I find those officers so breathtaking, even though they are in good health, they still risk to cut their lives short."

"I understand." She nodded. "I've always found my work loathsome but if it's to make your life easier I'll be sure to surpass my past efforts!"

He stood up so quickly he felt every joint in his body squeak in protest, which wasn't even that quick, and grabbed both of Rose's shoulders. "I'm so happy to have inspired you!"

She matched his tone the best way she could. "Yes!"

"It's why we exist in this world! to inspire!" He said a sigh escaping his lips and right before they could fall into an awkward silence a call echoed in the halls.

"Rosie! Rosie!"

"It seems I cant keep you trapped here for long." He smiled softly.

"It's been a pleasure to be in your presence." she responded, realized what she said and ran away in embarrassment, she ran so fast that he didn't find enough time to prepare himself to drop the act.

He prepared himself for lunch and called a servant to help him walk down the stairs and subsequently escort him to the dinner table. At least this illness works in his favor in a few ways.

That servant was an older man with a strong build, while walking behind him Scott noticed a few leafs on his body, Scott reach in to take a leaf from the man's collar.

startled, the man quickly turned around guarding his neck with his hand.

Scott was surprised by the reaction and reassured him by lifting the leaf to eye level and giving a silly smile.

The man sighed, and shook the rest of the leafs off. "I'm sorry, I don't usually work inside."

Does he usually walk out of work decorated in greenery? that wasn't his business. He offered his hand to he man. "well, I'm sorry you have to but I'm forces to rely on you."

The man looked at his hand, ignored it, brought his arm around his shoulder and carried the majority of his weight and walked down the stairs. Scott was sure that the only reason he didn't find the man fully carrying him was to save his dignity. It failed to do so but it did motivate him to get his health to a manageable level or at the very least some sort of mobility aid.

But upon seeing the stairs he found that mobility aids wouldn't help too much as looking at the structure bought a debilitating feeling of nausea that made it hard to settle his feet, even with the gardener's help he still tripped multiple times making the poor man lift him several times.

The walk down the stairs felt like it took a whole hour, and maybe it did, just his new body failing him more than his car in his previous life. The thing crashed upon seeing stairs! To think he was planning to bulk up!

The whole experience made him want to throw up until his blood ran dry but looking back on the underwhelming breakfast this morning, throwing up would most likely actually empty up his veins.

When they reached the dining room there was a woman waiting outside and looking at her it was like looking at the mirror again. She must be Mrs willows!

While looking at the woman he was suddenly hit with a terrible coughing fit. The woman rushed to his aid crying. "My poor baby! How you used to pace the gardens! someone bring him some water"

so he wasn't always this sick. Mrs.willows wiped away the sweat on his forehead. "I'm so glad you decided to humor your old mother."

He smiled softly and looked at the tiny woman in front of him. "You don't look old at all! I don't think you ever will."

The woman smiled sadly. "It's so nice of you to use what little energy you have to flatter your mother." she stroked his back. "But I've long accepted my age."

the table was filled with dishes which were unfamiliar but were clearly exquisite. Mrs. willows leads him to his seat and hands him a pill.

"This is to stop the vomiting." she said, and moved on to the seat right next to him. Taking a glance or 10 every now and then.

He lifted his head up and saw Mr.willows looking like this morning's conversation wasn't so lovely to him.

He took the pill and began to taste the thing that disgusted him the least, vegetable soup but one spoon made him feel like there were demons in his stomach and they did not welcome any sort of company.

This is gonna be a long lunch.