After the duchess, now my mother, named me. I officially took part of my new role as Nicaise. With this my foreground is secured and I can relax for the next few years as the protagonist, Drazhan's life progresses.
I know that the duchess couldn't care less about anything else in life and that she simply chose me like how she did to the real Nicaise, out of impulse from the remnants of the memory of her husband where she didn't even put much thought into it. Because the duchess is nothing but a depressed and hopeless old fool all over the loss of her love so she is therefore just wasting away her remaining time instead of suicide out of fear from purgatory. Other than the real one and me, anyone else could have been chosen as Nicaise as well if they had just staged a vehement feat that catches her memories of the duke. But oh well, this works for the both of us since we are just using each other for something of our own benefits. She needs someone to remind her of her reality in order to escape her destructive mentality and I need someone with a standing in power to cultivate my own in order to save Drazhan. So this is only a matter of give and take.
Since she isn't the type to change her decision once she has made up her mind, my standing in this role is settled and I wouldn't have to worry about being thrown out so long as I provide her with her reminiscing.
I will simply need to wait here until the next progression of the plots where I will be involved in begins.
At the age of 12, 7 years from now, the then young teen Drazhan will be exiled from his own country out of false accusations of treason. That being the poisoning of the king that deemed him to stay bed ridden for the rest of his life. Under the orders of the 1st prince, he was cast out never to return again to his motherland and into the dessert near the borders of Edzhilflare where he was left to die. But he would survive and then travel into Edzhilflare all on his own seeking refuge to the only place he knew there, the village of his old childhood friend Lupa. Only to be devastated upon his arrival of the area to discover of his friend's death that was already years ago. Lost in the forests he will then be found by bandits who would then trade him in the slave market where he will be bought by Nicaise (Now me).
And that is a lot of work and much to think about for a mere 5 year old and a half so for now I must rest. I shall enjoy the pleasantries of childhood while I can and focus on my own situation.
It is the day after the duchess had named me and today, she had taken me out in the central to shop. And apparently, news of my adoption reached to everyone in the territory. Though now divided into fractions among other nobles the common folks here still respect the old duchess to be their rightful lord. For a lowly baroness she is treated well and even got to keep her dukedom's mansion after the fall of her duties because of her connection to the king who was her dear friend in the service of knighthood, it was proclaimed to be hers ever after as a gift from the king.
Now, gracefully dressed in warm winter clothing. I walk the streets of the Laurent territory with my grandmother and the servants while the town folks here awed at us. I'm also stacking up my ingredients for the potion so even though I hate being around people it's beneficial.
"Grandmother"
"Hm?"
"Where are we going?", I asked as I looked around while she carried me in her arms.
I do not like the idea of being treated like a child but sadly I am what I am right now and she reasoned that she wouldn't be able to do so when I grow up, saying it is one of my services to her as her daughter.
"We're going out shopping for your clothes. I didn't know what kid to get so I hadn't the chance to prepare"
"Your grace!", the maid warned. "What?"
"You might hurt the young miss' feelings if you keep saying that!", the head maid, Gak reasoned as she whispered.
'It's ok grandma Gak, I care not'
We entered through many children's shop and took all day trying out dresses, items, shoes and buying my other necessities. Specifically, buying loads of gifts for me that were all just toys. Even the servants bought gifts of their own to welcome me. And even though children aren't allowed in the liquor store, she still took me along anyway to which she was then scolded by the servants. She seemed very enthusiastic about spoiling me with her riches to which I have no complaints. I'm not the one who's going to be broke because of it anyway.
The store was filled with middle aged drunk men cheering drinks and praying on disinterested waitresses as my mother ordered her 5 crates of liquor which will be sent to the mansion. From this height I could not see what's above the counter she was leaning on but a jar full of colorful candies did caught my attention.
"Do you want one?", she asked when I was distracted. I simply nodded.
She talked with the bartender who then gave her a small plate of the candies. She then carried me up to sit on the counter where I then had a fair share of these candies. I've never had candy before so it was nice.
"Those are sour candies to help with drunkards, you don't find them unpleasant?", she asked. I shook my head in disagreement.
"Hm. Most people would", she shrugged and went on announcing that she would buy drinks for everyone in the store. And after she had her fair share of drinks, we went home.
Then, after that day, we didn't meet with each other again for weeks.
I was suddenly introduced to tutor where I began my training for noble etiquette and manners, where the educator was a strict and an angry old maiden. Other than that, I had nothing much to do. They simple glamoured me with more and more toys and accessories for compensation while my mother drank herself to sleep. I am pretty much familiar with the place now as I can now roam around without getting lost, I've even found the library where I spend most of my time studying and writing and making my potions.
While I am still young, I find it best to indulge myself with knowledge in order to apply it swiftly in future purposes. Learning Solkan is one of my primary goal in order to communicate better with Drazhan but sadly, there wasn't much material to work with in the library or at least, not in the ones that I could reach. Eventually I asked the butler about it and he searched for the materials on my behalf. And since the library was big, it took him 3 days to find it. With writing, my word treaty with the 7th god ended and my memory of the story is now officially in shambles but luckily I am still able to recall it through reading my scrapbook.
I noticed it a while back in the manor. I was slowly regressing to a childlike mental state if I went on a day without reading my source, my mental matching with my physical appearance. It sends chills down my spine whenever I have to cope that I my consciousness is reverting into being a child. It's beginning to be difficult for me to fully recount the story all on my own now. When I read through, the understanding of the story stays with me for the rest of the day until I would go to sleep at night where the memories disappear again. So I have to constantly remind myself, everywhere I go I'd have my outline with me in case I forget and read through it again. I've made it into a habit of always taking it around with me and reading it every morning when I wake up and not resting until it is implanted in my head for the rest of the day.
But then came the day, where I had completely forgotten how I had lived my last life. My memory is still perfect but my recollection of it is no longer vivid, it is like looking at your reflection in moving water. I know it was in an entirely different world but I can no longer describe it, like it had been purposely cut out of my memories but I know how it happened.
I am the incarnated hero who is to save and change the story. I crafted every detail of my memories of it into the scrapbook and soon when I have enough skill, I will reorganize everything.
Since arriving here, my body have also improved significantly but just as the 7th wanted, it is still very weak. I can't walk for long periods of time because my knees would ache and I'd run out of breath easily, especially with stairs as it takes too much of my time needing rest with every few steps I took. I would also occasionally get a fever because of the cold weather, I've never really considered how weak I really was until I realized that I actually almost died many times over on my journey here.
It is just as I thought…If left alone, this body will not last very long.
Unless I take counter measures of course. I've already had that in mind since the beginning, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed with the 7th god's exemptions. I know about Drazhan omnipotent power and abilities, one of which is healing. Also another reason why I chose Nicaise as my second role is so that I'll get to be with him where he can just heal me anytime. Since the effects of his ability lasts for about a week anyway as it did in the village. He will be my personal healer.
I sighed as I was relieved from my heavy thoughts. Now I feel tired from all that thinking.
"Are you still sleepy, my lady?", I had even forgotten that I am currently with Fina, my personal maid and Jhon as they were getting me ready for breakfast. With Fina braiding my hair, I must have daydreamed from overthinking again.
I yawned. "Jhon, why does Mother always look so sad?", I asked to shift my mind from heavy thoughts to which the both of them halted and didn't answer. I looked up at them in the mirror.
"Is it because Father is no longer with her?"
Jhon wore a pained expression on his face. "Yes"
"Why? Did he cheat on her? That's what my real mother did and she left my father", I played. Jhon, chuckled and sighed before answering.
"No, my lady. The Duke loved her grace dearly, they were inseparable"
"Woah. Are they soulmates?"
"Hahah. That is what many of us believe, my lady"
"Then where is he?"
The room turned silent from my intentional question.
"Unfortunately, he is no longer with us in this physical realm", Jhon looked out of the window as I feigned understanding and being sad.
"Oh, then, I won't be able to meet him?"
"I'm afraid not, my lady"
"Fina, change my clothes. I want something darker"
"Eh? But why, my lady?"
"I would like to pay my respects to father, I'll mourn for him. So from now on I will only wear something dark"
* **
The servants turned silent once more and looked at each other then understandably smiled at their young lady's request.
"Yes, my lady"
Little did Nicaise know that her mother had been with them all along, only, hiding by the door listening in on their conversation as she stopped upon overhearing them while she was passing by. She paused in silence as she sipped more liquor from the bottle in her hand.