Chapter 5: Old Man

"What does that mean?!" Vincent was startled when I grabbed him. "Ah.. I didn't mean to do that."

He just lightly raised the corners of his lips with assurance, "It's fine, lady. As I was saying, for two months you weren't around, my lord, a monster attack was recorded on the outskirts territory of Trovis Duchy."

Monster's attack? What kind of monsters was it?

This never happened before and even a news of something like this never made its way to the tower— where every sorts of news and information from nook and cranny of the continent go in!

Or is it because the people from the tower made those monsters…?

"For now, we should head inside. It's cold, isn't it?" The old man smiled kindly. I pursed my lips and just nodded at him.

'Is my brother.. all right?'

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"Here, my lady." Vincent placed the tea cup at the table in front of me while my eyes had been wandering here and there.

What an amazing interior designs. It's amazing outside but it's even more breathtaking inside!

The marbled floor with red carpets, the statues and renaissance paintings lined up, and the gold intricate linings of the whole manor was spectacular.

'This is living a dream..'

"Amazing, isn't it?" The old man, Rodine, drank from the tea cup. "The manor of your duchy is even more splendid."

I drank from my tea cup as well and freshen my mind again. I keep getting distracted from the flashy place this old man has!

"Uh.. Vincent, right? Could you tell me more of that earlier..?"

"Right, my lady. As you've heard earlier, the duchy of Trovis— which belongs to your family and is headed now by your brother, got attacked by monsters two weeks ago. The duke personally went to subdue it."

I gripped the handle of the tea cup, "What kind of.. monsters was it?"

"Pardon?" Vincent who was startled at my strange question, fumbled. "Ah right.. this is the unusual thing. The duke included at the report that the monsters.. doesn't have the usual characteristics."

Doesn't have the usual characteristics… it must be that then.

"What do you mean by that?" The old man, who had been acting happy-go-lucky, now wears a serious expression.

"My lord, based from the report, the duke found and subdued monsters that have a mix of animals' physical traits. Even a goblin was found with wings."

'A chimera.'

It is the monsters experimented back then. When I was still free at the tower, I saw them make it. But I didn't know they would use it like this.

Even the war… started because of those chimeras. When Iarkial ordered to release them at the capital where a lot of citizens and a member of imperial family died.

A moment of silence passed. They probably also knew the seriousness of the situation. I can't also believe they're telling me all the information despite me being new here and probably knew nothing.

"Then.. is my brother all right?"

"He is fine, my lady. There were a few injured at the subjugation but they were able to return safely."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew my brother is strong from the rumors back then and yet.. I still worried for him like this.

"Child. We should probably bid goodnight for now since I knew how messy these things for you as well." Rodine rang a bell beside him and a maid entered and bowed before us.

'They're probably going to talk about these more.'

"Ah. Right. Then I'll talk to you tomorrow..?"

Rodine laughed softly, "Yes child. I'll tell you everything tomorrow."

I bowed a little at him and made sure it was a little imperfect to avoid suspicions, "Well then.. goodnight."

When the door finally closed, I followed the maid in front of me. Some of the magic lamp were already out of power so it was changed into candles.

Just how rich is he? To think he would use magic stones like they're tissues.

"Lady, here's your room. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ring the bell." The maid opened the door and a huge space comparably to half of my apartment outside appeared!

'I've spent five years locked up in that suffocating tower that I'm getting amaze at something normal!'

"Thank you." The maid bowed and I was finally able to lay down comfortably. The bed and duvet is so soft, I'll melt from the feeling!

I blew off the candle on the side that's been lighting the room. Crickets are the only thing I can hear and the light from the moon was seen from the windows nearby.

"Haa.. so much happened today."

But still, my problem of how to cross the worlds was finally solved. Even though this place is conservative since the setting of this world is kind of fixed in the western history.

'Kinda like… the baroque period?'

This is just the first step. I need to plan a more detailed method from here on out after I finally reunited with my brother.

Everything now is different but I'm happy with the changes. It eases me to know that at the very least… something about my past life was different.

Those changes will slowly determine my future, for sure.

'First, I need allies.'

※※※※※

"Lady, His Lordship is calling for you." A maid came in while another maid was dressing me up.

Damn corsets, it's tight, woman!

"Tell him I'll come after this." The maid finished encircling the braids around my head. She put on a ferronnière on my head and with that, it's finished.

A green dress with laces and puffy sleeves, the ruffles at the end complimented the dress as well.

'The empire's fashion taste never disappoints but these corsets does.'

With the maids, I trudged towards the old man's office where we talked last night.

I knocked at the door, "Old— Sir, it's me." Biting my lips, I almost curse at my stupidity.

That old man is who I needed and I'm going to ruin it by being too comfortable!

Let's think clearly, Zaria.

I sighed before opening the door and Rodine, the old man, was seen sipping tea while reading some papers at the couch.

'He's a laid-back old man, isn't he?'

Although this old man right here… should be my first ally in this world.

It should be him, no matter what.