“Why’re you calling me by that name?” I asked, slightly offended. I had long since stopped being Arthur. It was rubbing me off the wrong way how I was called.

She shrugged. “Although your face, body and voice is different, you are still the little boy I raised with Clyde.” She spoke with a nostalgic smile.

“I’m 22. It’s basically at the prime of my life as a young woman. If I don’t find a man then I’m destined to die alone or marry a drunkard or some other washed up bastard.” Brielle took off the band that held together her long red hair. Her silky hair landed on her shoulders.

“I always thought: why not give myself to the man of the house I work at?” She said.

“And? Why didn’t you?” I was a little confused about what she brought up but I didn’t ask any further.

“That’s even worse. Uncle George is like a father to me. And can you imagine the disappointment and anger miss Eleanor will feel if I were to do that?”

“….”

“My heart never beats faster whenever I’m with him so I know it could never be love. I was only trying to secure my relationships for the future. This is what 15 year old me thought. Ridiculous, isn’t it?”

“It is. He is way older than you so it doesn’t make sense.”

“Haha…Yeah.” Brielle stopped leaning against the gate and walked over to me. She gazed up at me with her ocean blue eyes.

“Although I do cringe whenever I think of myself from back then, I realised something from that experience.”

“You did?”

“Yup. The person I want was in front of me the entire time. I just didn’t know who it was.” With her hands against her chest, she looked towards the moon. “I…realise that it is wrong of me to be so selfish. However, my heart will not allow me to stay quiet.”

I looked at Brielle silently. Even if she quit her job as a maid, she could work in any similar profession: like waitressing or prostitution.

My point is that she had the beauty and skill for both. I had no doubt that she would become famous among the common or even rich folk.

“Is it Clyde?” I already knew who she meant.

This wasn’t because I had met Brielle in the past. No. She was never part of any of my seven lives. That was why I was careful around her. I never interacted with her more than necessary.

Even an atom could impact the outcome of an event. Why had she remained undetected?

I was always reminding myself that she was just a normal orphan girl who was taken in by the Astley family.

That view, however ,changed when I heard something from Clyde when we returned to the venue.

I have no idea how the heck she could cross that forest of the Minerva. There was no one else with her. Damian and I had to use griffins to avoid fighting the terrifying monsters below.

He didn’t give it much thought but the same wasn’t for me.

I had been backstabbed and betrayed by many people such as the trustworthy friends I made along the way. Maybe it was the mental strain of seeing people I came to love die countless times, but I couldn’t help but be suspicious of everyone that appeared out of nowhere.

First it was Lym and now I had to worry about her.

A flush appeared on her face.

“…Mm.” She nodded her head. “I kissed him...He…kissed me back…”

My face twitched. She glanced up at me since I didn’t react.

“Are you perhaps mad?” There was a twinkle in her eyes. The sort of twinkle that conveyed her superiority.

It was the cute kind so I didn’t mind.

“Not at all. You may do as you please. I have no say in it.”

He could have as many wives as he pleased. It didn’t even matter who it was.

Although, I was sure that he wouldn’t take so many wives if he didn’t love them all. Someone like him who was from earth wouldn’t be used to the culture in this world.

Question was: how did he feel about Brielle?

“Really?” Brielle’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure that’s okay?”

I rubbed my forehead with my hand.

“Brielle, what is your reason for talking about this?”

Her face blanked for a second. A second later she spoke. I expected her to tell me, however, she only laughed and waved her hands.

“Hahaha…I think I’m too drunk so I’m talking about random things. Sorry for stopping you when you were about to leave.” She walked past me. “I want us to talk like this again. How does that sound, Arthur?”

“…Alright.”

I looked at her back as she walked away.

“I’m going to need to keep an eye on her….”

After saying so to no one in particular, I left the property unbeknownst to Clyde.

◇

“Attention, everyone!” While the people were busy making connections and chatting with others, Mason walked up to the main table where Clyde and Diane sat. The former was franticly looking around because he was looking for somebody.

The person in question left the party hall with a stranger. Clyde was quite worried about their motive.

‘She’ll be alright…Yeah…’

He convinced himself and turned his attention to his father-in-law.

The same went for everyone else.

“Before we end the night, I have a story to tell you all. I hope some will eagerly listen. This is the story of how I met this wonderful family.” He pointed to George and Eleanor.

The two of them looked surprised at being called out.

However, they stood up when Mason said their names. Both of them stood at Mason’s side.

“When I was just a general on the battlefield, carrying the injured back to camp, I thought we had lost all hope…”

Mason began his story. All of them eagerly listened.

“My top elites were slaughtered by the Republic of Covinia. To be specific, he was a single knight from the Republic of Covinia.”

The man he referred to was known as the strongest sword of the Republic. He was the Black Knight.

A man with no background or origin. He just appeared one day and was named commander of his own unit.

No one had even seen his face before.

“That man had caused more trauma for me than anything in my entire life. Imagine that…A man with such power that he can kill hundreds.” Mason gazed at George. “However, it wasn’t long before our saviour arrived. My son, Justin was the only one brave enough to stand up to that man. But, he wasn’t enough. We needed someone who not only had the courage but also the strength to stand up to that man. Ladies and gentlemen, George was that man.”

All the whispers died down as everyone looked at George. His face reddened but he didn’t show his embarrassment.

“He fought toe-to-toe with that man. Never in my life have I seen such mastery over swordsmanship. He could take on a Master rank warrior despite not being one himself!”

This revelation shocked the crowd. Even Clyde’s mouth was wide open as he looked at his father.

‘This guy was that strong back in the day?’

All h saw was a washed-up swordsman who only had the skills to take on recruits. His father was a man with a scruffy beard and he was an average person.

That was what Clyde saw.

“I watched this man beat down the Black Knight who was already at the rank where warriors can use Sword Aura. Imagine how powerful he will be if he reached Master rank as well!” Mason hit George’s shoulder with a hearty laugh.

Everyone could see how happy Mason was to have George next to him. Not many nobles have such trust in their subordinates.

No. George was more like a son to him. That was how everyone saw it.

‘Sword Aura, huh…’ Clyde had heard that term for the first time in his life. It wasn’t surprising as there weren’t many Master rank warriors in this world. Rather than many, there were only a dozen that people knew of.

Rosetta was one of them. As was Iris and Clark.

Sword Aura-or dubbed as soul energy for masters who weren’t sword users-is the term used to describe a person’s power that has reached the realm of master rank. They were equal in rank to 9th mana grade mages.

Soul Energy was sort of like God rank magic. It was the peak level for warriors.

However, the former had levels to its uses. Black was the weakest and White refined soul energy was the strongest.

If George was able to beat a warrior capable of wielding Sword Aura then there was no telling how powerful he would get if he trained under people like Rosetta.

Mason continued speaking to the crowd. “I am happy to bring the Astley family into my own. Not only is the father a powerful swordsman, the son is also a genius mage. I’m truly lucky to have such fine men watch my household when I pass on.”

Mason turned towards Clyde and Diane. “I am also proud to wed my daughter to his son. I am hoping to receive a grandson immediately after you’re done with your scholarship, boy!”

Everyone chuckled. Mason was really impatient. It wasn’t surprising to any of them. They understood the situation he was in. If an heir for the future is not secured then the Bentinck household will fall.

If that happened then Mason’s ancestors will look upon him with disappointment. That was the greatest shame to a noble house.

“Although my son has already lost the chance for marriage, I am still proud of him. He fought to protect my name in the frontlines. And for that, I am glad to have him as my son.” Mason looked towards Justin with a smile.

Although his son was a bachelor at his age, he was still a decorated knight in the kingdom. He could have whichever woman he wanted. Mason knew that he just didn’t want to settle down.

Because…he already lost the one woman he loved.

Mason clapped his hands once to get everyone’s attention.

“Here’s a cheers everyone! To my new son-in-law, Clyde Astley and his father, George!”

“Here, here!” Everyone lifted their glasses with a cheerful shout.

Clyde smiled and lifted his as well.