A Rebirth Entwined with Fate

Early in the morning, when the baron's bell rang, I quickly left the dining table and brought a pot of warm tea to the baron's bedroom on the second floor.

The baron would usually drink his first cup of tea while still in bed before getting up, at which point I would assist him in getting dressed.

It was always an awkward process, as I had once asked Billy about it. Billy told me that, apart from the coat, the baron never needed help dressing. But now, the baron stood before me, having taken off his nightgown, completely naked...

I remember the first time I served him this way, he suddenly asked me, "Did you see?"

My face flushed red, and I stood there frozen, clutching the clothes. What kind of question was this? What was I supposed to see? What did he want me to look at?

Perhaps my blush was too obvious, as after a moment, the baron's face turned red as well. He coughed and said, "No… um… did you see my back?"

Only then did I realize that the baron was asking about his hunched back.

The baron was a tall young man, but unfortunately, his spine was curved. It wasn't extremely severe, but it was noticeable. In aristocratic society, where external beauty was valued above all, his appearance undoubtedly subjected him to endless ridicule and scorn.

I didn't know why he suddenly asked me this, as in our previous life, he had never asked such a question.

I stammered in response, "Y-yes, my lord… it… it…"

The baron smiled but didn't say much more. He simply extended his arms toward me.

It took me a moment to react, and I hurriedly unfolded the shirt in my hands and helped him put it on.

Men's shirts were typically made of cotton or silk, usually white and knee-length, with lace lantern sleeves. The trousers were tight-fitting, with white stockings pulled over them. Lastly, he wore a belt, a vest, and a coat.

I pulled the lace trim out from the collar and cuffs, tidied everything, brushed off any wrinkles and dust from the shoulders with a small brush, and finally put on the rings and necklace. Only then was a gentleman truly ready.

From that day on, I dressed the baron every day.

The baron wasn't immune to embarrassment. When I helped him put on his trousers, his breathing often became rapid, and his face would flush. I felt ten times more awkward because, in our past life, the baron had never been like this. Even when facing each other naked, he remained calm and composed.

As time went by, I started to understand that perhaps I had never truly known this man. In our past life, I hadn't cared to understand him, or maybe the baron had never shown his true self to me.

Later, I learned bits and pieces of the baron's story from the other servants.

The baron's father, the younger brother of Viscount Bruce, didn't inherit a title since he was a noble's second son. He was driven out of the estate by his elder brother and never received a penny of inheritance.

But the baron's father was wild by nature. He followed a fleet to sea, becoming a sailor, and thanks to his noble status and bravery in battle, he earned countless honors. Eventually, due to his merits in a campaign in Fa Country, he was granted the title of baron.

He later married a noblewoman, and they had Oscar, the current baron.

Unfortunately, this baron was never content with a quiet life. He often went to sea with the fleet, rarely returning home. His wife became restless, engaging in affairs with other men. She never cared about Oscar, preferring parties to her son. Even when her son fell ill, she remained indifferent. This illness left young Oscar with a lifelong disability.

When the baron died in a shipwreck, Oscar's mother openly brought her lover home. The two adults squandered the entire estate, and by the time Oscar grew up, all he had left was the title of baron.

Oscar never attended university, but he read widely, especially about his father's experiences overseas. He had a sharp business mind and seized every opportunity, starting with investments in textile mills and mines, and eventually venturing into maritime trade.

Many called him a mere opportunist who made his fortune through investments, but without a keen eye, it's hard to succeed even as a speculator.

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**Spring is a season of revival, a time when noble gentlemen also enjoy the glory brought by the goddess of spring.**

While the farmers began spring plowing, the nobles started their spring hunting.

Although Baron Oscar led a rather simple life, he enjoyed hunting.

Today was the day the baron had chosen for hunting. The servants rose early, even before dawn, to prepare.

The kitchen began preparing food for the hunt, the stable hands saddled the horses, and the hunting dogs were driven out. The male servants donned walking boots, each equipped with a gun and rope.

By the time the first ray of sunshine touched the earth, everyone had gathered at the castle gate.

The baron appeared in his riding attire, wearing a light gray tight-fitting robe, leather boots, and a sword at his waist. The baron didn't carry a gun; I handled his firearm as his personal servant.

The party set out, with the baron the only one on horseback, while the others followed on foot. Once we reached the forest, the dogs began searching, flushing out rabbits or pheasants from the underbrush. Others moved quietly, hoping to encounter deer or antelope during mating season.

I began loading the baron's gun, a task that required loading a single bullet at a time.

Powder first, then grit, followed by the iron bullet, all compressed with a long iron rod. This process took time, so after handing over one loaded gun, I immediately prepared another, leaving little time to observe my surroundings.

Suddenly, everyone held their breath as a hunter made a silent gesture. Soon, we spotted a lone fawn.

The fawn was on a nearby hill, trying to cross a fallen cedar tree to reach the creek. Before it could reach the water, a few shots rang out, and it fell in a pool of blood.

Cheers erupted, and two servants with dogs moved forward to retrieve the deer.

The baron took a freshly loaded gun from me and said, "Today is going well; you're good at loading."

These days, he praised me for almost everything I did, even though he was known to be a silent man who rarely spoke to others. His compliments were frequent.

I always replied, "You're too kind, my lord." I said it so often that even I felt embarrassed.

Gradually, the hunting party dispersed.

I stayed close to the baron, who seemed intent on heading deeper into the forest.

An old hunter warned him, "My lord, the ground is soft in early spring. It could be dangerous."

The baron hesitated but nodded, ready to change direction. Suddenly, his beloved horse, Terra, neighed loudly.

Terra reared up, and the baron tried to control her, but she became increasingly agitated.

"Not good! The horse's been stung by a bee!" someone shouted, "Quick, help hold her!"

Without thinking, I rushed forward to grab the reins.

Facing Terra was dangerous; a wrong move and her hooves could kill me.

"Terra, calm down," Oscar tried to soothe her. Seeing the danger, he shouted, "Owen, let go! Let go!"

But I couldn't release the reins. If I did, the baron would be thrown off.

Luckily, Terra calmed down after a few moments.

The baron jumped off his horse, grabbing me, "Are you alright?"

"No, are you alright?" I responded.

Soon, we were surrounded by hunters, and after confirming no injuries, the hunt ended.

The head servant praised my bravery, promising a reward.

I was confused. I hadn't realized my boldness in facing the panicked horse.

But I couldn't let him die again.

In our past life, I betrayed him, causing his death. In this life, I'd give my all to make amends, even if he never knew.

And now, the baron stood before me, unexpectedly confessing his feelings.

His expression was earnest, his brown eyes reflecting me.

I heard his deep, raspy voice.

He said, "I... I accept you... You shouldn't do such dangerous things..."