A Noble Dinner and Dangerous Decisions

Travis stood in front of the tall mirror, adjusting the collar of his ceremonial night tunic, lost in thought. A sharp glint lingered in his eyes. The transformation he had undergone in the past three weeks was stark—his height had increased by nearly a foot, his frame stronger, his skin fairer with a faint red hue from body training. He looked less like a boy and more like someone born to command.

But what unsettled him wasn't his physical growth.

It was something deeper. Something... missing.

"There's a void," he muttered under his breath. "A piece of my memory—no, something buried in my soul. Not from Travis. From my world."

His brow furrowed. Even though his soul had fused with this body completely, fragments of power, thoughts, and truths from his past life still remained tangled. Yet some threads were hidden, locked, and it gnawed at him.

Still, he shrugged off the thought. "I'll deal with that in time."

For now, he had a role to play. Young Lord Travis Sean—first son of the wealthiest Duke in Norma Kingdom. He had to maintain the façade and not raise suspicion, especially after his rapid growth.

The Duke's estate was extravagant as always, glowing in warm candlelight. When Travis arrived at the dining hall, he was met by an unusual sight—only three people were present.

Cameron bowed low at the door. Travis gave a brief nod and stepped inside.

At the long table sat his father, Duke White Sean, his mother Candace, and his elder sister Tatiana. A curious quietness hung in the air.

As soon as Candace saw him, her face lit up. She stood quickly and rushed to her son, looking him over with disbelief.

"My baby... you look so handsome!" she exclaimed, placing her hands on his shoulders with pride.

Travis was caught off guard. He had Candace's beauty etched in his memory—graceful, elegant, and exuding charm. But seeing her now, in motion, with her hair cascading in soft waves and wearing an evening dress that complemented her hourglass figure—he was momentarily dazed.

He managed to stammer, "T-Thank you, Mother," though his gaze lingered longer than it should have.

She embraced him warmly, and he almost lost himself in the surreal moment.

'Travis... was your mother always this stunning? No wonder your childhood was filled with confusion,' he thought, keeping his expression respectful.

After the hug, he composed himself and walked to the table, offering a greeting to his father before sitting beside his mother. He noted the exquisite dishes laid out, but he kept his focus and maintained manners—a sharp contrast to the old Travis who often made a mess during meals.

The reactions around the table were telling.

His mother was pleased. His father—surprised. His sister Tatiana… visibly uncomfortable. She barely touched her food and seemed restless, casting quick glances his way filled with unease.

Travis noticed it all. 'Poisoning me may have been your plan, dear sister, but don't worry—I have better ideas than revenge through violence.'

To break the tension, Duke White Sean cleared his throat and spoke, "Travis. Tonight's dinner is smaller because we wanted to speak with you. Your change these past few weeks has not gone unnoticed. You've begun training. You've changed your behavior. Explain."

The words were calm, but firm. There was a weight behind them. A test.

Travis lowered his gaze briefly, then stood up. He kept his posture confident but respectful.

"Father," he began, "our house is known for its wealth. Our lands flourish. But there are no notable military accomplishments. That weighs heavily on me."

He paused for effect.

"I want to join the Seventh Battalion of the Lost Hell Hounds."

It was a bombshell.

His mother gasped, clutching the edge of the table. Tatiana froze mid-bite. The Duke, however, narrowed his eyes, the temperature in the room seeming to drop.

"Do you understand what you're saying?" White Sean's voice was low. "They're not a school or a playground. The Seventh Battalion is sent into the unknown. Half don't return."

"That's why I must go," Travis replied calmly. "I want to earn honor for House Sean through action, not name alone."

A tense silence followed.

Finally, he softened his tone and added, "But I won't leave immediately. I know I'm still too young. I'll wait until I'm ten."

Candace looked torn. Her gaze was filled with both pride and fear. Tatiana simply offered a forced smile. The Duke stared at him for a long moment before nodding, seemingly approving the ambition, if not the plan.

As the dinner wound down, Travis caught one last glimpse of Tatiana's conflicted expression. He chuckled inwardly. 'Even poisoners have charm, don't they?'

Returning to his room, he found a neatly folded night robe waiting.

But no Aria.

'Guess she's still flustered from earlier,' he thought with a smirk.

Still, tonight had gone better than he expected. His family saw a change in him, and the next phase of his plan had begun.

He stepped onto the balcony, staring out into the starlit sky.

"Step by step," he whispered. "Let the world believe Travis Sean has returned. Meanwhile, I'll shape him into something far greater."