NOVEL NEXT Going home
We have some time before we arrive home. I should take this time to remember the events that would happen around this time. The beginning of the month is different depending on the protagonist that you choose. When you choose the prince, you will spend two weeks in the capital doing some things. There would not be any free time and it would only be a series of events that you will have to watch. Meeting other nobles, introduction of new characters, studying on certain topics related to the royal family. It is all just a long string of cutscenes.
“Wait.”
“Mistress?”
“It is nothing.”
I only realized it now but the commoner should have other people with her as well. When you choose her, she stays in school for the rest of the break. She would be spending time and getting along with some of her new friends. It is at this point of time that her feelings would mellow out and she would be more open in finding new friends and trying to live her life properly. That is what is weird. The only person I see her hanging out with is Juliet. Why is that? At this point, I would assume that she would have at least 1 or 2 more friends other than Juliet and the prince.
“Is it my fault?”
I ignore Sylvia’s glance as I consider the possibility. In the previous months, the villain did not interact that much with them even if you do play as the prince. Most of the harassment and attacks were due to the villain group that consisted of those five girls. During the break, I would never show myself and some characters are never available. Most of them were the nobles but some commoner characters were also not available. Knowing this, it seems that my involvement with her early on has disrupted some elements of the storyline. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing does not matter.
“That is how it is.”
“Mistress?”
“Just talking to myself.”
This means that nothing significant should occur while I am not present. There are no events that would occur during this break period. There would be no incidents, at least reported within that period. Although, when playing the prince. There was that rumor that surfaced. Apparently, there are some villages that were attacked in other regions. Luckily, our country does not suffer any attacks during the time and it was speculated that this is thanks to the kidnapping incident that occurred. Could this be related to what I will be doing?
“This might be the answer.”
I already know that father is involved with those bandits. So, it is not surprising if he is also the one behind those series of attacks. Judging from how he has summoned me. I can assume that he plans on making me facilitate that operation. Remembering the parts where Sylvia chose the protagonist over me, I do not remember if she ever shared this story. This means that she was not included in this operation.
“Sylvia.”
“Yes, mistress?”
“How long until we arrive?”
“30 minutes.”
“Good.”
Then my plan is truly set. I have been wondering for some time if it is the right time to expose Sylvia to more of the underhanded activities of my father. This is the perfect time to see what her reaction would be. Would she loathe me even more? Would she pity me? Would she side with me? Any answer to these questions would be interesting. But what if she cannot handle it? What if she would go mad with anger? What if she would kill me? I would not be averse to such a conclusion. If there is any other person in this world who deserves to kill me, it would be Sylvia after all. Even if everything fails, even if I fail. I would be satisfied if Sylvia was the one to kill me.
“Mistress. We have arrived.”
I get down from the carriage and stare at the mansion. I have returned to the place of my suffering. The beginning of my evil. The place that nurtured me to be who I am. I have no love for this place. I am not happy to be home but this is where I belong. In this den of evil and corruption. In this lair made by a man on the verge of madness. It is here that I will be born and it is here where I will fall. But it is still too early for the event to occur. There are too many things I still need to do. Too many things that still need to be finished.
“Mistress, please rest for a while. I shall take care of everything we have brought.”
“Go ahead, Sylvia. Make yourself useful.”
Head maid has not arrived. Father is still not here. That thing is still with him. I have returned to the beginning. This is where I opened my eyes for the first time. This is where I defeated my fear and became and knew me. This is where I started the road to my downfall. This is the place that made me suffer. This is the place that brought me to the depths of hell. And this is the place that I was created.
“But what if that was not the case?”
I awoke here with memories of another life. What if I just replaced them and never thought about it. If I came here and took over their lives, then where could they be now? If I, the person who arrived here with my own memories invade this person’s body. Then, where could the real Athena Eterna be? I look in the mirror and address myself.
“I have no idea why I am here. I do not know where you could have gone but I can promise you one thing. I have inherited these memories of yours. I know and understand how you have felt for your whole life. So, I cannot promise a good life. I cannot promise happiness. I cannot promise a good ending but what I can promise you. Is that my goal in this life that I have taken from you, is vengeance.”
