When Lady Crarina looked at Milanion, her curiosity bordered on a certain haughtiness. She wanted him to abandon his family life in Staudan, to stop being a misfit in that castle. Narrowing her eyes, she started a conversation that resembled a chess game, where each word was a piece carefully moved on the board.
“But don’t worry, dear. I’m here to help. I can show you the right path, if you wish,” Lady Crarina said with a smile that hid her true villainous nature, which only added to the threatening tone of her words.
“Milanion, you’re like a cute kitten among the lions of this castle,” she continued, her voice laden with sarcasm. “Unfortunately, your presence here is as annoying as a mosquito buzzing around our ears. That’s why I want to offer you a rare opportunity: to escape this place and seek a glorious destiny. It’s time to leave and find a better future, far from here.”
Pierre, who was being called Milanion, took a deep breath and began to pay attention. He knew that Lady Crarina was not a woman of good intentions, but her words, though full of malice, carried a certain brutal truth.
“Druqir is already a Lieutenant-General of our Taldraex Galaxy,” she continued, “and Lulian is a prince of the renowned planet Xallyke. He’s not rude or without lineage like you. It’s my duty to ensure that everything goes smoothly.”
Pierre wasn’t surprised by Lady Crarina’s harshness and didn’t feel ashamed. He had expected the attack, and now he saw the woman behind the deceitful smile.
“I want to help you, Milanion. Your destiny will be covered in glory. It’s a beautiful moment for you to leave and study on another planet,” Lady Crarina insisted, in a tone that sounded more like a veiled order than advice. “Even though you’re a handsome young man, your presence bothers me. That’s why I want to set you free. You must want to be loved and cherished by someone, am I right?”
Pierre was speechless for a moment, trying to process all of it. Was that how things would be? Would he simply be dismissed with a malicious smile and an empty promise of glory?
Lady Crarina continued to weave her web of venomous words. “I’ll offer you 30 million galactic coins and a new identity so you can reinvent your life and start anew, far from here. Everyone wins.”
Pierre found himself thinking of the romance stories he had read. What would the hero do in a situation like this? He had a few options:
*1 – Leave offended without taking the money, acting like a true knight with a pure heart, even if that was a bit dramatic. He wasn’t the hero of a romance… or was he? *
*2 – Pretend to be helpless, like the protagonists in the books he loved, and try to convince Druqir to help him, appealing to the emotional connection he thought existed between them. But he knew Druqir had already made his choice. *
*3 – Stay and pretend he hadn’t heard anything, acting like an unimportant secondary character, which might make him a bit cowardly. But would that be the best strategy? *
*4 – Accept the bribe and leave, maybe feeling a bit dirty and regretful for succumbing to the blackmail, but at least with some money in his pocket. After all, who didn’t need money? And in the end, what did it matter what Lady Crarina thought? *
Pierre noticed Lady Crarina’s gaze, sharp as a blade about to strike. She tried to disguise her intentions with sweet words, but it was clear that it was all just a strategic move to protect her family and dynasty. He decided to emotionally break down in front of her, presenting himself as a pitiable figure.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Oh, I think I can do that,” he murmured, forcing his eyes to water and sniffing slightly to create a dramatic effect.
“Think of it as a great opportunity,” Lady Crarina insisted. “We’re not negotiating your departure but rather your happiness. Family dynasties are cruel and don’t care about human emotions. Spouses are chosen to ensure the continuity and well-being of the dynasties.”
She let out a fake warm laugh. “It’s important that you understand, Milanion. What matters is that you do what needs to be done,” she said, trying to entangle Pierre in a web of guilt.
Pierre, who had become a cold and distant person over the years, forced a sad expression. “I understand the importance of this alliance for your family,” he said in a low voice. “I hope to receive news soon about the necessary documentation and money.”
As he walked away from Lady Crarina, pretending to be upset, in reality, he was buying time to think about how to deal with the situation. “Oh, and one more thing,” he said, with slight hesitation in his voice. “I would like to choose my new name.”
Lady Crarina, with a confident smile on her face, responded indifferently: “Very well.”
When he arrived at his room, Pierre found everything neatly arranged, without any suitcases. The cryptorocks were there—miracles of modern technology—and he couldn’t hide his admiration for the ultratechnological world in which he lived. Excited, he approached Lady Peyton and hugged his robot, saying, “Let’s go! In fact, Lady Crarina is kicking me out.”
Pierre smiled with satisfaction, looking happier than ever. He explained the whole situation to Lady Peyton and added, “And I’ll have a new identity! I’m going to choose my own name. I thought of Pierre Durand. What do you think of my choice, Lady Peyton?”
She replied, with a slight tone of concern, “I’m happy to see you so excited, Milanion. Pierre Durand is a good name.” However, there was an unspoken worry in her words; after all, Sigune had made a large payment before her death, and that still weighed on their minds.
DAYS LATER... Pierre was reflecting on himself. Who was he? The coward? The sufferer? But then he had a humorous realization: maybe he was a superhero in disguise, with a hidden superpower he had yet to discover.
He had a crazy thought, dreaming of what it would be like to have dragon wings and fly through the skies of the universe. But he quickly returned to reality and laughed at himself. After all, he still hadn’t found his true mission in the world of mortals.
Pierre was on a journey to seek scientific knowledge. Despite his new ability to learn magic and achieve limited development, modern technology was still a mystery to him, though he dedicated himself fully to learning. At some point, he researched Earth, trying to find information about humans. Were they still present in the universe?
However, the discoveries he made were devastating. Humans were extinct. Even with all the technological advancements, the human body had proven inadequate for space exploration. It was fragile and full of limitations. The first astronauts who ventured on distant missions faced a series of difficulties, including weakened bones, respiratory problems, and diseases caused by radiation.
The missions to distant planets resulted in the deaths of many, and the dream of colonizing Mars, which had seemed so possible just a few months ago, turned into a nightmare. Pierre felt a hole in his chest when he realized that, in his world, humanity had come to an end. It was horrifying. He paused for a moment, completely desolate.
It was then that he noticed a small box among the books. The object caught his attention, and he remembered seeing it in Lady Peyton’s hands on some occasions. Needing to forget what he had just discovered about the extinction of humans, Pierre decided to open the box. To his surprise, it contained several small interstellar stones that, when touched, revealed sentimental accounts. Some of them were declarations of love for Milanion.
**
My dear Milanion,
Allow me to express my feelings in a more elaborate way, for this love letter is not just a declaration but also a way to show how much you mean to me. I, Lieutenant-General Druqir, though known to many as a powerful and decisive man, am here today to reveal my vulnerability before you.
I’m afraid of the possibility of rejection, but I can no longer hide my feelings. You are a unique person, beautiful, intelligent, and possessing enviable abilities. In you, I found the perfect mix of attributes I always dreamed of finding in a partner for marriage.
I understand that not everyone desires marriage, and I respect your choice, regardless of your answer. However, I can’t help but think about the possibility of a life together, building our dreams and goals in common.
I may seem a bit indecisive at times, but I want you to know that I’m sure of one thing: how much I love you. This certainty gives me the confidence necessary to make the decision to write this letter. Even if your answer is negative, I want you to know that you will always have a special place in my heart.
Finally, I want to share my happiness and peace when I received your message, which interrupted my thoughts and made me smile upon seeing your name. This simple message filled me with hope and made me realize how important you are to me.
With all my love,
Lieutenant-General Druqir.
AH…
Every detail of that story deeply troubled him, and he wondered if he should discard the box. They were beautiful accounts, written with love, but he couldn’t bring himself to get rid of them, unable to let go of the engraved words. Perhaps Milanion had been the protagonist of Lieutenant-General Druqir’s life, or perhaps not. After all, he had introduced him to love. Maybe it was just a bad phase, but in any case, he deserved to experience love and all its warmth.
As a reader of romances, Pierre thought of all the possibilities. He was about to embark on a new journey, with a new name and a new identity. But deep down, he wanted to see the universe, with his magic lessons and with the body he possessed—although fragile, it was in recovery.