Chapter 52: Affiliated Symbols (1)
Cavelier Family Mansion.
Vega's birthday party.
TANIA
Everybody finishes eating, Lavinia wiping her lips, Melancholy using a toothpick and Keaton leaning his back with a satisfied face. When the maids re-enter to get the dishes, Keaton immediately looks at the table and spots some unfinished dishes. He put it all on his plate, wrapped it in a table napkin before leaving, carrying the plate.
"Thanks for the food, I'll go rest."
We silently watch him until his figure is gone. How dare he act cool with his dirty face?
"Hey Lady Cavelier, is your brother a glutton?" Melancholy asks like a gossiper… tch.
"Ahh, he's not usually like that, it might be because he's been in a coma for days that it made him hungry after regaining consciousness." I answered naturally, "but Lady Reginleif, won't your stomach explode and rip your dress after eating that much?"
Heh… it's sarcasm, how dare she call my brother glutton, but anyway I didn't mean to tease her.
"It's not possible, you know, even if my stomach explodes I can heal my wounds. Unlike a certain someone who can't wield mana. Oh my, my tongue slipped." Then she smiles widely like a retard.
"Hayst, Lady Reginleif, please mind your words." Lavinia commented, she folded the table napkin into place before looking up at me. "Now, Lady Cavelier, do you mind telling me why you invited me, someone who wasn't even close to Caveliers, to this party?"
"Eh? I wasn't the one who invited you though, did you not read the invitation?" I acted like I'm confused.
"…" she remained silent, "What is your business with me to the point of using your sister's party to contact me."
'…she really changed. This isn't the Lavinia that's described in the book, she's completely different, though the system can't confirm my suspicion for some reason. Haist, she's no fun. Fine let's get to work.'
"Alright, alright… I give up." I chuckled.
'Activate Lie Detector.'
*dingg!*
♤Skill Activation♤
Lie Detector Lvl. 1 activated.
Truth bonus: 7 / 20
"It is I, that told her to invite you, and even Lady Reginleif. Ahh, wait, let me ask you a question first Lady Eckardes…" I said with a playful expression, "Do you perhaps believe in reincarnation?"
There was a long silence in the dining room, and it was Melancholy who answered it.
"Reincarnation? Do you mean it in the sense of being reborn after death or in the sense of reincarnating as someone but knowing it's not its own body?"
I was surprised but Lavinia's reaction didn't even change. How can Melancholy know this? No, I mean, she's dumb as the book describe but now that I experience it first hand, I guess a book is just a book, nothing can describe someone in one book. I get it. Lavinia, Melancholy… and every character in Fateful Asterism can be different in reality, that book might just be a guide from someone's point of view.
"The latter" I said while tapping the table with my nails
"No, I don't believe in any of it. Do you?" Lavinia answered.
*dingg!*
♤Notification♤
Lie detector: The statement said is determined 'true'.
"As I thought, it's absurd, right?" I nod my head but I stop forth when I saw Melancholy frown
"I don't think it's purely absurd. I know someone that said she's from another world, and I believe her because she described it as if it really exists. Though I won't force you to believe it-"
*dingg!*
♤Notification♤
Lie detector: The statement said is determined 'true'.
*badump*
"Do you mind telling us how she describes her world?" I tried my best not to show desperation but deep inside I'm desperate to know which world is it and who is it. Is it the other variable?
"Hmm? Do you promise not to laugh if I said something unbelievable? It'll sound weird for you but you'll come to realize that it makes sense later on." Melancholy crossed her arms and avoided our gaze, but I can see that she's also looking forward to talking about it.
"Alright, alright, I promise." I smile cheerfully.
"I promise not to laugh either." Lavinia agreed
"Alright, here we go. I have met a new servant in our house not too long ago, but this servant is a bit weird. She's not polite to the head maid nor polite to the butler, she even talks to me casually but she's diligent to her work. But one day I got drunk in the garden and forgot to go back to my room, this servant came in and found me."
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"Maybe because she's new, she still does not know my reputation in the house and chooses to impress me, she told me her secret, and that secret is her being a reincarnator from another world called E- oh, I forgot the name. She also told me that this world is just the same as our world and that the only difference is their world doesn't have mana. All they have is what she called Machinery and Technology."
"A world that is manaless? how would they fare if they don't have mana?" Lavinia seems interested in what Melancholy is saying but I remain silent.
So… There's someone like me. Did she also read about the book? But I remember grandma saying this is the only copy in the world and I was the second person to read it- is it the first reader? Is that even possible? But shouldn't it have been about centuries ago since the first reader read it?
"That's what I'm saying, it doesn't make sense but apparently, they could survive even without mana. It's because of the help of what they call Machinery and Technology. They have a thing she called Car that is similar to a carriage, it's a type of machinery that could transport people without any horsepower. She said it could run endless as long as you have a certain oil to refill it. And also a thing she calls the Phone that is similar to our Communication orb. What is more amazing about this thing is that you can talk to anyone at any moment, and send them a message at any time, there's no limit to distances as long as the phone has enough energy and has what she calls internet."
"Now, that sounds more impossible. What is this Energy she talks about? Is it similar to our mana in any way?" Lavinia asks with a curious gaze.
"I don't think it's similar because I remember her saying it is an electric type of energy to charge the phone to continue using it. I think it's more similar to the oil of the Car, to keep it running you need to use oil. I don't know where they get these resources but if it's in our world, we need mana to keep magic items working."
"Hmm… then this electric energy and oil is like the alternative of mana… if my second brother heard about this, he might recruit this servant of yours right away. I wa-" I cut off Lavinia's sentence
"I wanna meet her, is that possible Lady Reginleif? In return, I'll let you in on a secret… about your second ability."
Both Lavinia and Melancholy look at me in surprise, especially Melancholy who flinches after I mention the word 'Second ability'.
-----
"Is this fun to you?"
A serious voice of Melancholy was heard. I can't see her reaction because she suddenly lowered her head.
"What?" I asked. I didn't mean to make fun of her, and I wasn't laughing either, in fact I was also serious when I said it.
"I SAID IS IT FUN POKING TO SOMEONE ELSE'S WEAKNESS?!" Lavinia and I were startled when Melancholy suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, her chair even flew to the corner.
"Lady Reginleif get a hold of yourself." Lavinia tries to calm her but she only glares at Lavinia
"Stay out of it Lady Eckardes. She started it by bringing up my second ability which she has no business with. How do you think I would react? Laugh it off? What if I also bring up something you really hate? Aren't you a fake Eckardes? A commoner?" Melancholy look at Lavinia's grim expression, "See? You do know how I feel now, right? She's being insensitive now that she's not mute and acknowledged by everyone." Melancholy stated
"Ahh… is that how you perceive what I said? Oh god, I'm not the one who's insensitive here, Lady Reginleif. You are just over sensitive." I saw how angrier she'd become after my remark, "Then if you don't like it, I won't tell you a way to overcome your second ability nor do I bring up any of your insecurities. I apologize if I touched something I shouldn't have, I only meant to help rather than make fun of you."
After I said that, everything became silently awkward.
'This is why I said she is the calamity character in the novel aside from her ability, there's also her personality. Well, I guess I won't be able to help he-'
"What did you say? T-to overcome the second ability? I-Is there really a way?" Melancholy no longer looks furious instead she's dumbfounded and looks a bit disparate. But I ignore her words.
"Please apologize to Lady Eckardes."
Lavinia only sits there looking serious, it seems like she was unaffected by what Melancholy said to her. Though I saw how she was taken aback because of it, but now it's like it didn't happen at all.
"A-Ah that, Lady Eckardes, I'm sorry for what I've said. I was so furious that I blurt it out without thinking." Melancholy apologized but she immediately turned to me without waiting for Lavinia's reply
'…Wow. Should I really help someone like her?'
"Something like that doesn't even bother me." Lavinia said even though Melancholy attention is on me
"Now Lady Cavelier, what is the secret to overcome it." Melancholy looks desperate this time… hah, how shameless.
"Look here, Lady Reginleif, I don't give out information for free. You should know better." I smirk, "Don't worry, I'll give it to you, however, instead of money, you'll have to offer me something in return. You know, information like this is very valuable and expensive."
"Whatever it is, I'll accept it. Now, tell me." She demanded.
Haa…
"Dear Lady Reginleif, that's not how you do it." I chuckle then I pull out two contract papers.
I saw how Lavinia's brows raise up. But only Melancholy frowned deeper.
"When did you prepare those? You… Did you already plan everything beforehand?" Melancholy doubted
"Hmm… not all, it's not finalized yet. To be fair, you can write down at least three conditions in these contracts." I show her a copy of my conditions, it's up to her now whether she accepts it or not.
Party A is me and she's party B.
The conditions are…
1. Party B must comply with Party A's command every now and then. In return, Party A will help Party B overcome the 'Cursed' second ability of Party B.
2. Party A will give financial support to Party B during the condition 1 period. In return, Party B must manage the money responsibly.
3. Party B must train to become the Saintess after overcoming the 'cursed' second ability. In return, Party A will give Party B the Reginleif household.
While waiting for her to finish reading, I observe how her face sweats and her hands trembling holding the paper.
"H-Hey… what is the meaning of this…? Saintess? Are you for real? And you… you will give me the Reginleif Household? Ha-haha… Is that even possible?" Melancholy's eyes tremble while asking me.
After hearing Melancholy's words, Lavinia's eyes widen slightly in disbelief.
"I don't have time to tell jokes, so what? Are you up for it?" Then it's my turn to cross my arms and give her a grin.
"Umm… Is… Is it alright for me to hear all of these?" Lavinia still has an expression of disbelief written on her face.
"Oh yes, Lady Eckardes, you'll serve as a witness for this contract." I answered her, "Please wait for a bit."
"Ahh, it's fine. But… Why me though?" She responds with a deep gaze
"You asked me earlier, right? This is the reason why I ordered my sister to invite both of you."
"*sigh*" Lavinia then said, "But is it fine for us to discuss this in the dining room?"
"Ahh, you see, before the servants left, I told them to lock the doors then I activated this magic tool to make this room soundproof from the outside. So don't have to worry."
"I didn't expect you to be this cunning, Lady Cavelier."
*laughs*
"I'll take that as a compliment." I proudly answered. "Now, have you decided, Lady Reginleif?"
My eyes flew over to Melancholy who was now sitting down and staring at the paper intensely. Maybe if stares could burn, that contract paper has long disappeared to ashes.
"W-Wait a moment, I'm still organizing my thoughts."
If she can control her prediction well, and with the help of her healing powers… She'll be a perfect candidate to be the Saintess. The only problem will be her personality, that's why her part in condition 1 exists. I'll make it work somehow. On the other hand, Alta may be suited as a candidate because of her perks like her Light ability that is strong enough to be one of the 10 legendary heroes, and her high-quality acting as a kind-hearted person when in fact she is a bitch with a sheep's face.
"I'm not pressuring you anyway, take your time." I turn to Lavinia. I look at her carefully, while recalling a part of lost memory that returned to this body earlier this morning.
I pull out another two contract papers, though these ones are barely blank, I only put one because I haven't thought of the others yet. "For the time being, let's talk about my business with you, Lady Eckardes."
When she heard the word 'business', she flinched. Are my conditions for Melancholy that bad for her to be like this? I handed her one of the papers and she read the contents.
Party A is me and she's party B.
The condition is…
1. Party A will grant Party B independence. Party B must trust Party A and is free to do what pleases with her life.
Lavinia then shot me a glare, the paper on her hand was now wrinkled because of her grip. I didn't mean any harm though, I just don't want to see her act and die pathetically just like in the novel.
"What the fuck is the meaning of this condition, Lady Cavelier?"
There's anger in her voice. I understand that from her perspective, I'm an arrogant person who acts like I know everything, when I do not. To counter her beliefs I do know everything about her from the book and I don't want to beat around the bush…
"Before I answer that, have you ever wondered if you deserve what you received until now?"