“im...”

“axim..”

“Maxim, wake up, will you? You're late for breakfast.”

I jolted awake. Where am I now? How am I not dead yet? This place looks way too fancy for a simpleton like me. The bed is soft, though, unlike the cheap one I used to have, so I’m not complaining.

“Quickly change into your clothes and get to the dining room; your brother is already waiting for you.”

She closed the door as she left a pile of clothing nearly folded, but then again, too extravagant. Regardless of that, did she just call me Maxim? As in Max, the protagonist of Horizon? There’s just no way—

“Maxim! Hurry up already!”

Her voice sounded like that of an angry mother, even if she didn't seem that old. I quickly put on the clothes and took a peek at my reflection. The first thing I notice are my eyes, with a slight red hue, shining slightly as the sun lightly embraces them, and my brown hair with a modest blonde mixed in. There's no mistaking it; I match the novel’s description of Max’s appearance. I’ll meditate on this later. For now, I’ll go get some breakfast.

As soon as I step out, I’m met with various people who look in a hurry, bowing lightly in my direction before scurrying away and disappearing into another room. I continue walking and suddenly realize that I have no idea where I'm going. Luckily for me, the motherly lady from before finds me and takes me by the arm, guiding me through the long hallway.

“If you weren't coming out because you had no idea where to go, you should've told me, Maxim. After all, it's quite normal for the recently conscious to have problems remembering even the slightest information about their personal lives.”

Recently conscious? Oh yes, I’m definitely in Horizon.

She continues to guide me towards a large, ancient wooden door, but before it, what appears to be a family portrait hangs beautifully on a golden frame. As I stare at it more attentively, I realize that Max’s father, who is supposed to be dead by now, is depicted in the portrait along with his two sons, while Max’s mother, Carmelia, is missing.

Does this mean that Lord Laszlo Milanovic survived and is somehow still holding his title? If that’s the case, then what other changes have been made to the story?

“Here we are, Maxim. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“Wait–”

Before I can finish explaining, she closes the door, leaving me alone with a person I’m not particularly excited to meet in person. I slowly step into the large room, and before I can take a seat, a low voice startles me.

“Ehem, what do you think you're doing sitting down before giving me a proper greeting? How disrespectful of you! It seems like some people just don't finish their development after awakening like the rest of us, or else have you forgotten your manners?”

I can simply tell who this person is just by hearing him speak. Who else would have such a snarky tone if not the high and mighty older brother himself, Bertram Milanovic?

“I apologize, Bertram. I didn't mean to offend you.”

Even if I slightly dislike him, Max was extremely devoted to him for some reason or another (maybe guilt), so it's better to treat him this way as to not alter the timeline any further.

“Well, greetings to you too, I suppose.”

He murmurs and looks away, dissatisfied with my face, I imagine, so I take this opportunity to take a good look at him. Even if everything else about him is horrible, his looks sure aren't average. Long, lucious brown hair and the same sharp, slightly red eyes as their father. As much as I hate to admit it, he isn't unpleasant to look at.

Sadly, he breaks the illusion as soon as he opens that mouth of his, but he would be a great candidate for a male lead if he weren't so frail—wait, I had completely forgotten about his sickness; why does he look so alive? In the novel, his sickness is cured by Maxim, but that is years after he became Lord Milanovic. Did Laszlo find the cure faster than Max? Is this related to his survival?

“Young masters, Lord Milanovic is here.”

The large door opens with a small squeak, and a tall man in his late thirties enters the room. As I stare blankly at him, I realize that Bertram is a carbon copy of their father. Even if his main features are shared by Max himself, Max resembles Carmelia in the shape of her face and soft gaze.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Greetings father.”

Bertram gets out of his seat and bows at Lord Milanovic. Shoot, was I supposed to do that too? I quickly try to bow as well, but a strong hand on my shoulder pulls me back to my seat.

“Don't follow your rigid brother’s example, Max. Your brother just doesn't know how to be casual with his very own dad.”

He laughs as Bertram retreats back to his seat and takes a seat in the armchair between both of our seats, facing us. It is true that Horizon didn't go through all of the details of the former Lord Milanovic’s life and personality, but I didn't expect a war hero to be this relaxed.

“Say, Maxim, how are you doing? It seems like you're adjusting well to your conscious state.”

“Yes, I’d say I’m really—”

“Excuse me for my interruption, father, but I feel like there’s a bigger issue we should talk about.”

Did Bertram just butt into our conversation? How classical of him! Even so, what kind of issues is he talking about? Maybe their conversation will get me more information, so I’ll just sit back and listen for now.

“Yes, I feel your concerns. Is this about Max’s birthday party?”

“Indeed. With Dante taking over the Psyche, I don't feel like hosting his birthday party would be a good idea for us.”

“It is true that the Rojas have been stirring up more trouble after his ascension, but my main concern is the vultures that are the Queen.”

“Yes. With both sides being this volatile, how are you planning on introducing him to the Psyche?”

He sighed, as if this trouble had been on his mind for weeks on end.

“I wouldn't risk it if it weren't necessary, Bertram. You know how things work here. Do you not think that my mind has been plagued with worry for the past few weeks, preluding Max’s awaking?”

His foot started to bounce against the wooden tiles, anxiety flooding his senses.

“I will call Lord Bazarov and set up a meeting to discuss this. I understand your stance, Bertram, but you don't need to worry about these things, even if you're the heir apparent. Leave this to me and focus on your own duties.”

“I get what you're trying to say, but have you forgotten about the former Lord Bazarov?! What happened to their family?! We can't just—”

“That’s enough!”

He slammed his hands against the table, starting not only us but also the staff that was on their way to serve breakfast. The look on his face expressed the deepest of sorrows, as if he were about to shed a tear.

“I apologize, but I’ll have to leave early today. I hope you two have a wonderful breakfast.”

And so he left without saying anything regarding their previous conversation. Bertram just sat there, not daring to say anything or even look up. Suddenly, he got up, opened the door, and slammed it hard enough for the room to shake slightly. I simply sighed and ate my food. How could I miss such a large breakfast?

I grimace as I remember their conversation. While some details are too vague to tell what they were referring to, the main point of their conversation was clear to me. Since I’m now “awake,” they are demanded by their little supernatural organization to organize an event to introduce me to all their important members, and since their higher-ups are in a dispute because of a change in leadership, they feel concerned whenever my safety will be secured after said event. Said leader is Dante, someone I’m certainly familiar with as a reader. Dante Rojas is one of the main antagonists in Horizon, a highly trained general whose sense of justice is sharp and unusually bloodthirsty. How did this lap dog become the leader of their organization? No wonder they are concerned for the stability of their family title.

I finish my meal and head to my room, only to find the lady from before is already inside waiting for me. With everything that's been going on, I didn't realize the strange manners of this woman. Not only does she use an unusual tone with me, the son of her likely boss, but she also calls me by my name and isn't dressed in the usual staff clothing.

“Why, hello Maxim, you sure took your time. I don't blame you though, especially with all that delicious food and heated conversation to go along with it.”

She slowly sips her tea and puts it down on the small table next to her. Is it okay to talk about their issues like this? More importantly,

“Who are you? How come you're always near me, even following me to my room?”

“Suspicious already? That's the spirit! You won’t survive long if you give your trust to anyone, regardless of how close they may seem to you.”

“What a dark view of the world.”

“One adapts to what’s presented to them. Now, as for your other question, I’m here to answer any questions you might have about your life here and to guide you through your newly-acquired self-awareness! My name is Cassandra, and it's a pleasure to officially meet you, Maxim. I've heard a lot about you.”

She shakes my hand a little too eagerly while grinning from ear to ear. I can't help but feel like she's being sarcastic.

“Greetings, Cassandra. Would you tell me how you ended up here then?”

“You mean how I got this job? Well, while I might seem a little... unorthodox, I used to work for the former Lord Bazarov. After his tragic passing, Lord Bazarov sent me here after he got the news of your nearing awaking, with the hopes that I would find better job opportunities here. What a fine gentleman!”

She worked for Lord Bazarov—that stern man? She seems too bubbly to work in such a strict work environment. I imagine it wasn't easy to get a recommendation from him.

“Anyhow, enough questions for today. You seem like you have a lot to think about, so we shall see each other next time.”

“Yes, thank you for your cooperation.”

“That’s what I’m here for!”

She closed the door after her and quickly left the room. What a shame! She seemed like a good source of information. Still, the fact that there isn't a character called “Cassandra” in Horizon is concerning, especially since she's interacting with its main character.

I lay down on my bed, the food finally getting to my head and causing me to get lightheaded as sleep tries to take over. There is so much to think about, yet all I want is to take a simple nap.

I’ll just solve it all later...