NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: The Noble’s Awakening
Chapter 4: The Noble's Awakening
I slept like a king.
No, better than a king.
The bed was impossibly soft, like I was lying on a cloud woven from pure luxury. Compared to my past life, where I barely had a half-decent mattress, this was paradise.
For the first time since transmigrating—
I truly rested.
---
A gentle voice broke my slumber.
"Master… it's time to wake up."
I groggily opened my eyes.
Standing beside my bed was Safina, her usual nervous expression still plastered on her face. Her posture was stiff, like she was ready to be struck at any moment.
I sighed.
She really was scared of me.
I sat up, stretching. I felt no grogginess, no exhaustion—just pure energy. Damn, this body was something else.
"Everyone is waiting for you in the hall," Safina informed me, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded and got out of bed.
As if on cue, two more servants entered the room. Without a word, they began dressing me, their hands moving skillfully as they adjusted my noble attire.
At first, I felt a little embarrassed.
But then I remembered—I was a noble now.
This was normal.
Once they were done, I looked at my reflection. Dressed in a perfectly fitted black and gold outfit, I looked the part of a proper heir.
I smirked.
Time to act like one.
---
A Walk with a Ghost
Safina walked beside me as I made my way to the hall.
She was silent at first.
Then, hesitantly, she spoke.
"…Master."
She stopped.
I glanced at her. "Go on, Safina. You can say whatever you want. I won't do anything to you."
She bit her lip.
Then, after a moment of hesitation, she finally said:
"…You look different today."
I raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
"Like… a completely different person."
I smirked internally.
Well, that's because I was a different person.
But outwardly, I tilted my head, pretending to think. "Really? Can you guess the reason?"
Safina fell silent.
She seemed to be struggling with something.
Then, after a long pause, she finally said:
"…I don't know."
I chuckled.
And then—I flicked her forehead.
She gasped, her hands flying up to the spot I'd touched.
"Maybe," I said, "it's because I want to see you smile again."
A direct quote from the novel.
Safina's eyes widened.
Her face turned a little pink.
And for the first time—she lowered her gaze, looking almost… flustered.
I grinned.
Man, I was loving this life.
---
The Ainsworth Family
As I stepped into the grand hall, my gaze fell upon the people waiting for me.
Sitting at the head of the table was my father—Valerian Von Ainsworth.
The empire's strongest swordsman.
Tall and imposing, his sharp features and piercing golden eyes made him look like a war god. Even in a simple morning robe, he radiated pure strength.
Beside him was my mother—Seraphina Von Ainsworth.
The empire's strongest mage.
She was breathtaking.
Long silver hair, flawless skin, and eyes that shimmered like the stars—she looked like an ethereal goddess. No wonder she was considered the most beautiful woman in the empire.
Then there was Magnus.
My younger half-brother.
Born from a maid, he had dark hair like mine but was more charismatic. Unlike me, he was actually liked by people.
And finally—Alicia.
My step-sister.
Though not related by blood, she was adopted by my parents and raised as their daughter. At 30 years old, she was a fearsome warrior.
A future harem member of the hero.
She barely acknowledged my presence, her crimson eyes cold as she sat elegantly.
I gracefully took my seat, adjusted by Safina.
Right next to my mother.
She smelled divine.
---
A Miracle and a Mistake
As breakfast was served, I ate with perfect noble etiquette.
No spilling.
No slouching.
No improper chewing.
Just pure elegance.
The room fell silent.
Everyone was staring at me.
Like they'd just seen a ghost.
And then—
Soft lips pressed against my cheek.
My mother had kissed me.
"Oh, my dear Edric," she whispered. "You look so noble today."
My father, for the first time, looked a little sentimental.
"I always knew you would change one day."
I kept eating, pretending I didn't hear them.
Inside, I was struggling not to sigh.
I knew why they were like this.
Because in the past?
I had been a complete scumbag.
And the reason for that?
Simple.
Unlike everyone else—I had never been punished.
Ever.
Not even once.
No matter what I did—no matter how much of a disgrace I was—my parents never scolded me.
They never disciplined me.
Never once raised their hands against me.
Instead, they praised me.
Even when I was trash.
And that's how Edric Von Ainsworth became the failure of the family.
---
But why?
Because of Alicia.
The daughter they adopted when they thought they'd never have a real child.
My father, Valerian, had suffered a grievous injury in his youth.
An injury that made it impossible for him to have children.
For years, he and my mother tried.
They used magic, alchemy, divine blessings—everything.
Nothing worked.
Eventually, they gave up.
And instead, they adopted Alicia—an orphan girl with talent.
They raised her.
Trained her.
Tried to love her.
But… it wasn't the same.
Deep down, they still longed for a real child.
Fifteen years later—a miracle happened.
A genius alchemist named Nia created a revolutionary pill.
A pill that increased sex drive by a thousand percent.
Valerian took the pill.
And for the first time in years—he felt like a man again.
That night?
My mother got pregnant.
And so was a maid.
That night resulted in two sons.
Me.
And Magnus.
---
The True Heir
I put down my fork, glancing at Magnus.
He was supposed to be the illegitimate child.
Yet everyone in this house loved him.
Why?
Because he was charismatic.
He was kind.
He was good.
And me?
I was the rightful heir.
The son of Valerian and Seraphina.
But I was a failure.
A disgrace.
A selfish scumbag.
And that's why—even though I was the rightful heir—Magnus was the one everyone secretly wanted to take my place.
But that would change.
Because now?
I was Edric Von Ainsworth.
And I would make sure this family saw me as the true heir.
---
A Mother's Love
My mother suddenly kissed me again.
"Mom, please stop," I muttered. "Everyone is watching. I'm embarrassed."
She blinked, surprised.
"You… don't dislike me?"
I frowned. "Why would I? You're my mother. You can do whatever you want."
Silence.
Then—
Tears welled in her eyes.
My father clenched his fist.
"Dear…" my mother whispered, holding my face. "Edric is changing…"
My father nodded solemnly.
"Yes… he will be the one to carry my name."
I smirked.
Damn right, I will.