The Young Raphelle

What is Raphelle Fulvous doing here before the original timeline?

In the original game, Arissae met Raphelle who is a son of a rich merchant from the Jim island because she wanted to procure the Farabella to harm the MC. Raphelle who has been a witness of the transactions of the original Arissae in the game gave his testimony that indeed doomed her to downfall proven the accusation where all true, thus the Crown Prince of Nam Empire, who is also the male target, given the order for death punishment to his fiance candidate, Arissae.

“You really are a villainous woman!” However, this kid in front of me is the young Raphelle, it is too early for my death flag but he already has a bad impression of me.

“Raphelle, my son, don’t be too disrespectful to the lady!” Sir Pavlio, he is not the biological father of Raphelle, but he still loves him like his own, which is why on Raphelle’s route, wherein his father and adopted family was in danger for providing the resources of original Arissae’s crimes, Raphelle did all he can and take the burden alone as he surrenders to the empire which he loathed. It is where he learned more about the Holy maiden and their love route started to develop. We did not procure Farabella but here he is now as a merchant’s son that we met earlier.

“You are being impudent even as a commoner, how dare you speak to a marquis’ daughter like that?” Aries spoke with clear irritation, he has always been calm and rational except when it is about his sister.

“Isn’t she the one who uses her aura first to pressure father!?” A young boy who would not be baffled to talk back against a noble, it was only Raphelle who could do that.

“!?” We are both shocked that he knew. I use only a very insignificant amount that could make a person feel pressured but not harmful enough for any normal person to notice, especially if it is a child.

“How did yo--?” I immediately cut off Aries, it is still too early to reveal Raphelle’s identity.

“How can you say so?” I said in my highest pitch trying to not tremble, but the presence of the male target in front of me and possibility of an early path to my death flag. Since the incident five years ago must have distorted the original flow of the game timeline.

“It was your father first who was rude.”

“How is it that he is? It is true that you have plenty of rumors running around the kingdom, is it not your fault not behaving with your status as a lady?” Tsk! Don’t start me with this Raphelle. What does a merchant’s son know about the society etiquette and manners, don't start lecturing me. You leave me with no choice, I cannot let them know your real identity yet.

“What is your name kid?” He was shocked as soon as I asked his name. For a noble, they don’t need to know who or what is the name of a mere servant, yet, the prideful daughter of a marquis asking him must have surprised the young Raphelle.

“Ra-Raphelle…Pa...Fulvous” with his head down he uttered his name. I knew I had the upper hand as soon as he realized his mistake, right now he is just a merchant’s son and I am a noble child.

“And I am Arissae Schauss.” Seeing him bite his lower lip, things will be wrapped soon.

“I am indeed quite famous being the only daughter of a prestigious noble, but uttering those awful hearsays without basis right in front of me is an insult that I can pass a punishment for you and your father.” he clenches his fist tightly, this is indeed the rule of society, those who are below can do nothing against to fight in the higher society, I can fabricate things to sentence them a punishment and Raphelle knew this very well.

“Princess, I apologize for my son, it was my neglect that I have not been able to educate my child, I’ll be careful so that he will not be led astray.” putting a hand on his son’s head, they both bowed before me and my brother.

Glancing at Aries, I could see how amazed he was with those sparkling eyes meaning to say ‘my sister is really cool’. I sighed, brother, don't be amazed with your little sister who is acting evil right now, I am abusing my status as a princess here.

“Ehem! Brother Aries?” Please doting enough with your sister’s cuteness, you need to start the deal.

“Well then, I hope it will not happen again, so let us start with business.” He got his composure back.

“Yes, young Lord.” As he obliged, the boxes they brought were presented one by one and inspected.

From the goods, porcelain, fabrics and other items, it is true to say that the Fulvous Merchant has the top tier quality items.

“What are these seeds for?” I asked as it was the last box that was brought.

“Ah these were resources I ordered for the research Ari.” my brother replied.

“Let me explain, young Lord, these ones are the Aloe seeds, the plant can be used as a moisturizer and helps to remove scars. This is Chia seeds, it is a good replacement for food, just needs water and it will be as good as a supplement, the knights of Sunset war survived with this as replacement for food. This one is Tea lea--”

“W-wait, why are we having these? These are mostly items useful for knights, will we have to support their rations aside from the training brother?” seeing it was a lot, that is the most possible thing.

“Yes, somehow like that, but also, I want to improve and enhance more medicine that could help the knights and soldiers.” Aries really has a knack of medicinal research!

“I see, we are going to provide medicinal items too. It is not bad.” It is also good for us to do so, in the future medicine has rocketed on price due to the war between the Nam empire and the neighboring foreign country, thus supplies were needed to be imported.

“And of course, I want to help and orient them on how to use this, with the knowledge I can help them more and even save more lives among our soldiers.” Even though he is not enlisted in the imperial knights, he still worries about them. My brother is too kindhearted to be thrown in the battle field. However, I cannot be complacent since the future may be different thus the possibility of his involvement in the army is a big no.

“Are you volunteering as a healer in the future brother? You are yet to graduate soon.”

“No, Ari, that is…” I paused and looked at him waiting for his answer. What does he mean?

“Ari, after I graduate I’ll be going to the Nam empire and join the imperial knights, having knowledge in medicine is an advantage.”

“You are joining the imperial knights!?” This is what I am afraid of.

“B-but D-Daddy is already the head of Callix knights! Why bother going to the empire when there is a possibility of going to war with the neighboring country?”

“Ari, it is also a duty of us nobles to support the empire, if it were to fall, the other kingdom's allied with the Nam Empire will weigh its downfall as well.” he explained.

“T-that I know but!... but…” I did everything so that you’ll not have to suffer.

The original timeline, Marquis Altan has been crippled that is why Aries was forced to serve the imperial knight in replacement of his father, and that is where the relationship between Arissae and her brother started to get astray. Being left alone and with no one to lean on, she was sad and alone.

Right now, I cannot tell him not to, because he doesn’t know about my knowledge of this world. I went out and got some fresh air, I left the final negotiations with Aries alone. At the back garden I watched the butterflies fly among those blooming flowers, so free and peaceful.

“Princess…” I knew this voice but I did not look back.

“I apologize for being impertinent to you, I hope that you’ll forgive me.”

“Sir Pavlio already apologizes, why bother to repeat again?”

“It was him, but I did not utter the apology myself.” I looked back, even though his attire is of a merchant, his natural air hasn’t diminished.

“You have a good face when you act like a sheep, I like it.” his face reddened as soon as I complimented his cuteness.

“I … I am !” he was stuttering, meeting young Raphelle isn’t bad.

“So why are you here?…”

“The truth is… I don’t want to be clouded and believe rumors so I want to hear it from the princess herself.”

“Like what?”

“Is it true you ordered a noble to be exiled?” What?

“If it is from five years ago, it is not in my power, that’s because the noble committed treason not to me but to the royal family.”

“What about the maid you punished and had her limbs removed?”

“...!” What the hell? Why is this young Raphelle curious about those rumors?

“She was caught stealing and selling items at auctions, and any servant who bit their master, kicked out after receiving the one hundred beating according to the Kingdom’s law.”

“Then what about you eat the---”

“Stop!”

“..!”

“Those are exaggerated, and I have never punished anyone beyond law and human rights. Is that enough?”

“I see…” I don’t know but his last response made my heartbeat jump a little.

“Then… It means I’ve been mistaken all this time, I’m glad.”