The young pale boy stared at the faces that were filled with shock and frustration as they gazed at him. He robotically turned his head and stared at the cat and scratched it gently behind its left ear which was still by his side, purring.
He had pitch-black hair, a trait only passed down who had the imperial blood running in them just like their mother. And his eyes...
He had heterochromia eyes. His right eye was misty grey and his other was red. Though, unlike the color of blood, it isn't as strong as the color of crimson.
"Uh...Uhmm..."
Maverick stared at him blankly but snapped his consciousness back. He glanced at him with a frown, wondering how to address him. As if the boy was reading his mind, he inwardly scoffed and spoke.
"Alastair."
Edwin flinched slightly, rubbing his arms, completely confused as to why he felt a sense of deja vu. The people in the room looked even more certain at his name being revealed by the suspect party minus the twins. Some nodded in understanding, thinking he might be uncomfortable so they didn't question it out loud. Maverick silently examined Alastair and nodded his head in respect.
"You are within the inn of the imperial capital and we noticed a pendant's crest representing the imperial family and wish to confirm before sending you to the imperial knights."
Alastair gazed at Maverick, annoyed, then halted, glancing at something that caught his eyes. He looked at the beings closely while responding nonchalantly.
"Do as you please."
Linda held her twin's sleeve and shivered at Alastair's direct and obvious stare. Edwin also felt bothered by it and took a step back while grabbing a hold of her hand correctly.
"Uhmm, Brother... We would like to take a breather if it's alright with you?"
Confused at why they needed to ask for his permission, nodded his head despite feeling they should stay since they were more worried about the boy and had discovered him. Watching them walking hurriedly to the door, he tilted his head in puzzlement at their rushed appearance.
Shaking his head, Maverick turned his attention back to Alastair. He knitted his eyebrows at the prince who appeared even more mature, far from his weak look, seemingly to possess more intelligence than the twins. And the way he stared at them...
"Do you need something from them?"
He asked nervously, noticing Alastair's interest in not leaving his sight from the now-shut door. Alastair stared blankly at the door before shaking his head and mumbling.
"Familiar..."
Maverick glanced at him, inwardly heaving a sigh of relief, and introduced.
"We will take you to the imperial knight as soon as you recover and be able to move on your own. My name is Maverick Bernstein and the twins that left a few moments ago are Edwin Bernstein and Linda Bernstein. My younger siblings."
"Different features."
Alastair stated icily, giving only short expressions. Maverick couldn't help but pull his tight collar back a bit and smiled.
"If you don't mind, we would like you to stay at our mansion in the capital for a few weeks on our stay."
He carefully examined Alastair's expression for any changes. Alastair thought for a moment and inwardly clicked his tongue but nodded to his suggestion. He yawned, allowing Henry to carry him knowing he wasn't able to move due to something he wasn't able to forget before he met the trio and their subordinates.
———
Linda smiled sweetly and hugged Rebekah's leg tightly. The twins laid their heads against her legs without letting her go.
Rebekah smiled happily at her children who were holding her legs from each side, not minding that she couldn't move. Her big hands full of scars stroked the two's light blonde hair which reminded her of her late mother's traits.
'Rather than inheriting from their parents, they inherited them from their grandmother.'
She looked at them more dotingly and she reminisced about her childhood memories.
"Did you miss Momma so much that you won't let her go!"
She chuckled deeply at the two's pouting faces. Linda stared at Rebekah deeply and worriedly gaze. Edwin stared at his sister and thought for a while.
"Momma, there was a small boy we met who was badly injured and had black hair like yours!"
Edwin looked up to meet Rebekah's eyes with his innocent grin.
"..."
Rebekah widened her eyes and stilled for a second. She stared at her children's innocent expressions and looked at the knights with serious faces.
A female knight with a ponytail ash grey hair stepped up professionally and put her hand on her left chest as she bowed.
"We suspect him to be the second prince, although we are still investigating his origins."
She nodded towards her short explanation and ordered.
"We will continue this in my office. Bring him to the diner area during dinner later."
"Yes, your grace."
She bowed once again before she slipped back to her position.
She patted their heads twice to let her go, they did as she wanted and let her go. They silently stood close to Rebekah as she picked both of them up into her arms on each side. Linda looked up at her with a hint of worry.
"Aren't we too heavy for you to carry the both of us?"
She hummed and walked towards the mansion.
"You are far too light for me to worry about."
Edwin was flustered at her comment and told her with determination as he put his fist up.
"Then I will grow bigger by eating lots and you won't be able to hold the both of us!"
Rebekah chuckled at her son's odd determination and looked at him softly.
"You can do that but by then Momma will be too old to move~"
They both looked at her blankly at her words. They suddenly jumped closer to her face, terrified. Linda hugged her neck tightly which made her halt to hold them securely from falling from her grasp.
"Momma! Don't say something like this again!"
Her eyes were shaken with intense emotions swelling within her and teary eyes looking at her.
"Yeah! Even if you are in trouble, we will be there to lift you to continue your pride to rise even higher!"
Edwin raises his voice with a hurried tone as he scans Rebekah's complex or perhaps an unusual condition with his eyes. She chuckled at her children's unneeded worries.
"Shall we head to the diner area now?"
Looking at their small nods, she held them gently in her arms and headed to the mansion.
She can't help but worry about the children's odd morals. She calmly thought to herself as she stared out blankly toward their destination.
———
Linda held the stem of the white anemone that had been put in her hair by her twin previously awkwardly. She looked at Edwin who was also awkwardly looking at Alastair, who they found fragile previously, now with an indifferent look and mature actions.
They still wonder if this world's children are even considered normal innocent children like back on Earth. Linda slowly looked at each member at the dining table...
Rebekah was sitting at the head of the dining table as Maverick was on her right and Alastair next to him followed. Linda was on her left and Edwin was next to her.
Rebekah smiled at them and beckoned them to eat their meal. Linda put the white anemone back into the back of her hair with the help of Edwin and rubbed their hands with wet towels before starting to eat their meals.
Edwin took one of the small forks and stabbed at one of the sliced steaks. He slowly chewed on the squishy and soft meat. He gently put the fork down and took hold of a spoon.
Edwin took a peek at Alastair's side. He wondered if he was able to hold and eat his meal with a smaller structure than themselves.
He knows there isn't much to worry about as the cutlery set is small enough to fit their tiny hands.
Linda looked at her brother's face who was in deep thought and quietly whispered to herself. She continued her meal, scooping mashed potatoes with corn toppings into her mouth.
She slowly munched it down and grabbed the glass of water near her. She slowly drank it so she wouldn't choke on her food.
After completing their meals, the maids took the servings in front of them away. They brought in the desserts and fruits and served them on top of the table.
Linda looked over Edwin again and saw him still secretly glancing over at Alastair. She thought for a moment and secretly smiled.
She nudged him to grab his attention and pointed at the apple slices in front.
"Eddie, can you get the apple slices for me~?"
Edwin froze in shock at his sister's sudden nickname she gave him but moved his hand to the plate of fruit slices robotically.
As he was about to take hold of it, he stood on the chair his other arm holding the table to balance himself. He couldn't help but stiffen once again at Alastair's colored eyes coldly gazing at him in front of him.
"I-! Ummm..."
He immediately took four apple slices and put them on Linda's plate.
He put his head down and started shoving a cupcake into his mouth but stopped to breathe. His face was flustered from embarrassment. He didn't need to do it for her.
Knowing she tricked him somehow she could just ask the maids by their side to serve her.
Thinking that way, he couldn't help but glare at the bowed-down Linda who was trying to hold back her laughter as she held her hand on her shaking lips and held her skirt with her other free hand, tightly.
Rebekah couldn't help but chuckle at their interactions. She looked at Alastair silently and had a sudden gleam in her eyes. Before anyone had noticed she returned to her silent eyes and continued eating her pudding.
Rebekah looked up at Maverick and opened her mouth.
"Tomorrow we will be leaving to meet one of your fiancé candidates."
Maverick looked at his mother with surprise. He hid his excited smile. He couldn't help but feel happy that his mother was going to travel with him somewhere even if he disliked the main issue. He nodded obediently.
"Yes, Mother."
"Eddie, Lindy."
Linda flinched at her mistake which caused Rebekah to grin playfully at them. She wasn't sure but she thought she heard her twin groan bitterly.
"I would like you both to play with Alastair as your playmate while I'm gone~"
She smiled so sweetly that they couldn't help but stop themselves from complaining.
She stood up from her seat and walked toward the twins. She stroked their silky hair from behind and walked away as she called,
"Ricky, we should get our duties taken care of before leaving the capital."
He stiffened at his mother's call but happily speed-walked towards his mother. He followed her from behind as they went out of the dining area.
The room stayed silent. So silent that you can hear a hairpin drop...
They quickly turned to the sound at the same time, the three young heads watched one of the servants awkwardly picking up his hairpin that had fallen to the floor.
'Men also wear hairpins in this world as well, huh.'
———
Edwin looked out the window as he swung his legs back and forth on the couch. He looks in front of him where Linda is sitting on the other couch playing with the teddy's plush arms cautiously.
He looked at her for a few moments of his daze. He stiffly looked at his side as he saw Alastair quietly reading a book. A book that isn't read easily by normal children.
He sighed as he looked out the window in boredom but he also took a book from the bookshelf which helped him look more at the history of this world.
Linda raised her head from the bear and stared at her twin. She secretly watched her brother who isn't usually that diligent in reading books of knowledge and thought for a moment.
He would always read comics full of actions and adventures back home. She felt nostalgic thinking about Earth, their previous home world.
She got up from her seat and walked to her brother's side. She reached her hands on top of the cushions and she lifted herself to sit beside him. Looking at his sister's actions, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Lin~ Do you want to read with me as well?"
He teased her with her new given nickname. He might continue calling her Lin now with their new lifestyle.
"Ugh. Seriously..."
She grumbled in embarrassment but nodded nevertheless at his question. She scooted herself next to him so she could see the context of the book as well.
She gazed at the map that was open in front of them, hugging the teddy gently.
Unknown to them, a gaze was silently observing them at their interaction and behavior.
———
I hated it.
I hated everything that made me this way.
I hated my mother who brought me into this world and left me alone.
I hated my father who conceded me to be a bad omen that brought only suffering ever since I was born.
I hated my brother who got all the glory and love that I had desperately tried to reach for.
I hated every death loop I had to go through continuously!
It wasn't my fault I was brought into this world. It was his actions that made my mother suffer during labor with me.
Even my so-called nanny hated my existence because she was brought by force to separate her children from her.
People thought I was easy to bully because of my weak position. How pathetic of them to call me a monster and run away from me as soon as my ability was revealed to them due to my carelessness.
What was the point of giving me the name, Alastair, who can't even defend himself?
"My cute baby brother of mine..."
I heard a young woman's voice who was speaking so sweetly. That made me disgusted at hearing her familiar yet soothing tone.
I slowly looked up to see a charming young lady with her long black raven hair swaying slowly from the wind. Her beautiful crimson-red eyes stared at me which made chills run down my spine.
We coincidently locked our eyes together. But I didn't look away, though it was sickening just watching her as I was badly wounded, I couldn't help but call out her name...
"Elena..."
I hardly could speak as I coughed out blood looking at her, calmly.
Yes, she was the lost princess who had disappeared after months of me being brought into this unfair world.
She looked at me with sympathetic eyes though I'm not sure if it is one of her tricks again as I'm not able to read her.
She hummed once and raised her hand. I shut my eyes and bowed down at what will come next. Every death has a different kind of pain. It will be like every one of my deaths I had to go through.
Surprisingly I didn't feel any pain but a sudden weight on top of my head. I looked up and saw her smiling at me. I couldn't think of anything but dumbly stare at her in shock.
"I didn't think I would see something other than my boy's blank expression~"
She chuckled at my expression which turned flustered at her words. I breathed out raggedly, I looked up at her and spoke with a raspy voice,
"...C..can't you just end me now?"
"Right~ Well it's too bad that a brother of mine who has similar traits to me has to put to this end... But as they always say, we villains have our unhappy endings."
I looked up at her without any emotions. That was all I could do. I didn't like lying on the floor as she looked down at me from above. I wanted this to end but I guess something has to be given before letting me go of this hellish life.
I couldn't hold my head to look up at her anymore. I just laid my head back on the bloody ground that was once a green luxury forest. I couldn't help but flinch and glare at her hatefully after hearing her next words.
"Those cousins of ours... The golden ones wanted that cure that the hero held for their mother but ended up having a terrible ending by getting killed by their own blood. How pitiful, am I right?"
She giggled at her brother's rare change of intense emotions.
She knows how much they meant to him and if something were to happen to them, he would go insane just by meeting the culprit. She stared at his ruby red eyes back bravely not minding the bloodthirst aura he was releasing.
I looked at her as I gritted my teeth and couldn't help but laugh sarcastically at her.
"So are you going to do the same, killing me, your own blood?"
She laughed even more loudly, holding her hands against her stomach. She replied to me with a cheeky smile of hers.
"Why not~ After all I can't let your big brother kill you and carry the burden, could I?"
She lovingly smiled at me as she raised her hand once more towards my neck raising her demonic mana surrounding her palm.
"I hope you live well in your next life~"
AGHHHH—!
———
'Hah...'
There was a black void surrounding me. I waited in this timeless space.
This has been happening multiple times. The world shook for a second then stayed still once again.
'Hah...'
I looked down at my feet and then my arms. I could feel the familiar burning sensation and pain as my body shrank.
'I guess I will be meeting them soon once again.'
I thought happily.
My expression has been hard to express only when around them or in dire circumstances after their end.
I couldn't help but feel the guilt burden on my shoulders in not being able to succeed in any of the plans I carefully put in during the past few lifetimes.
'Will the cycle of death continue until I lose my last strand of sanity...'
Or even my memories...
This is already my 11th life and I have experienced 10 of my deaths that hurt badly. I feel my facial expressions fade as I suffer all those as if they want to see me continually suffer the pain of all kinds.
My ability... The ability that everyone feared and called me a monster with no tears nor pity to shed.
I'm able to read people's minds except for the people who have the imperial blood of Valiquette running within them or the chosen ones.
I started to hear the familiar murmur and painful whispers of the unknown. I slowly tried to open my eyes.
'Whew...'
I hated this fragile body of mine, a body you can't use to defend and attack for yourself and protect the people you care for.
As I had difficulty opening my eyes, I could feel the familiar sensation next to me. I looked to my side to see a black cat lying down beside me with unfocused eyes.
'Alan...'
Alan, the one who stayed by my side till his end. The one who only follows me which makes mad people target him even though he was just a normal animal, not a magical nor demonic beast, following his owner.
His life always ended until I was at the age of 9. I couldn't help but slowly rise and look at my surroundings with a blank expression.
I spoke calmly to the ones in front of me.
"Where am I?"
I couldn't help but look expressionless at them who had expressed different feelings across their face.
The boy with shining jewel-like violet eyes and silver hair looked at me nervously. I think he is trying to think about how to address or call me out. I inwardly rolled my eyes. I hated him when I realized who he was. I replied.
"Alastair."
Although I dislike my birth name, while the other one gives me a heavy burden as it is given to me by them, I held it in as I didn't want suspicion of me to begin so early. They probably recognize that I am the second prince of the empire simply by looking at my inherited black hair.
I looked at them bore out of my mind and did not focus much on their conversation.
Then something caught my eye. No. It's them. The ones I always couldn't help but miss their strange presence and the ones I feel regretful towards.
I silently gazed at the twins who were now holding each other's hands and looking at him blankly.
'I forgot they were extremely keen when they were young...'
I couldn't help but widen my eyes from adorableness as I looked at them but I didn't let anything show.
Without realizing their exchange, I looked at them as they departed towards the door. They left with hurried steps. I couldn't help but inwardly sigh regretfully.
I inwardly shook my head and lightly coughed at my unusual behavior.
I'm sure I will be meeting them later. I couldn't help but inwardly smile at their future interaction once again.
I will just have to pray that this life won't end badly. I want to fix a new plan to survive this horrible world within my mind.
AKS