CH 4

Wow, that’s crazy. Nothing else came to my mind other than that.

After I lived N lives, I wasn’t particularly surprised. In particular, since I possessed several times in novels, there was nothing to be surprised by someone’s appearance.  How many face geniuses have I seen in the meantime?

Their appearance, created by the writers with all kinds of fantasies, couldn’t be found in reality. I was surprised at first, but after my 10th time, the excitement just disappeared.

This one is definitely on a different level. But this time, it was surprising to find someone like this in the novel that everyone went crazy.

“You’re Redian.”

“…”

I muttered as I looked at Redian, who was sleeping in a curled-up position.

How handsome will he become in the future if he’s this handsome now? Long eyelashes draped through silver hair. A straight nose and cold eyes. Skin and red lips that are even fairer because of the wound.

At that time, three questions popped up in my mind.

How much did he suffer in Felicite’s basement to become a madman with such an angelic face?

What are these wounds? Could it be the trainer torturing him?

And… What will he look like when he opens his eyes?

What is this? After a moment of being dazed, I found a glass of dirty water and dry bread on it. “Sedative?”

It was shocking to feed someone with something like this, but the white powder that seeped through the bread was the biggest problem.

“Now, scrape it off so there is no trash left behind. You should be grateful I gave you something like this.”

“My wife is kind-hearted, even taking care of meals for a skinny girl who couldn’t sell herself.”

At the same time, memories of what I had experienced one day passed by. As soon as those humans came to my mind, I felt nauseous.

This is why he swept this family as soon as he became the crown prince. Thinking of Siani’s atrocities, which must have added fuel to the flame, made me feel uncomfortable. I have to raise him well in this life.

“I don’t think he’ll be able to wake up in this state for a while.”

“…”

I looked down at the drooping boy and pondered briefly. Although I found Redian’s location. Getting in and out of this basement would be difficult until I received the key from the duke. So today, even for a moment, I have to make Redian see my face and remember it… But it won’t be easy in this state.

Ah, right. I took out a piece of candy and a handkerchief I had tucked inside my sleeve.

Because he’s young, he must like sweet things. He’s probably about a year or two younger than Siani, right? If I added up all my N lives, he was just a little kid in front of me who was already over 100 years old. Well, whatever.

I wrapped the candy in the handkerchief by his bedside and took out a pen. “Hello, Redian. If you don’t forget me, I’ll give you two candies.”

After scrawling roughly on the handkerchief, I hesitated for a moment. Even if I throw a bait like this, it’s useless if he can’t remember. That’s why I have to write down who I am and make him remember…

“What are you doing? Bringing a little Norma to make him feel sorry for you. Really.”

But the harsh voice came again.

“Hey, Siani Felicite.”

Irik’s expression hardened as he looked back and forth between Redian and me. “Are you serious? Are you really thinking crazy idea that you can make this Norma yours?”

He seemed to feel that it was no longer something to laugh about.

“Why are you stepping out when you’ve been living quietly for so long?”

“…”

“Are you trying to covet the successor position now?”

The burning eyes looked impatient.

“Or are you going to play with a half-spring Norma?”

However, he was still about ten years old. There was no way I didn’t know why he was deliberately spouting more harsh words.

“I’ve been protecting this basement so far. What qualifications do you have to cross mine?”

Of course, he has to be anxious.

“Why are you doing this now? Pay attention when I say still talk nice. You’re just as stupid as you are right now—!”

“Is this yours too?”

“What?”

But that’s your situation.

“I don’t think you’re in a position to talk about qualifications against me.”

After hearing the voice of the successor here and there, it seemed like he had completely lost his sense of reality.

“Just answer what I ask you.”

I touched the bread rolling on the floor with my toe. “It’s a sedative. Did you feed it to him?”

I already knew that Irik was doing it. He must have put Redian to sleep to reduce my interest.

“Does Father know?”

In any case, the basement belonged to Duke Felicite.

“Someone wants to touch mine recklessly.”

“…Mine?”

So, as long as the duke allowed it, Redian was mine.

“Should I teach you these basic things one by one?”

Irik only opened his mouth. My cold appearance seemed unfamiliar to him.

“Also, no matter who I play with, whether or not I aim for the position of the successor to the Felicite family…”

I lightly stroked the sleeping Redian’s hair. He’ll wake up soon. His eyelashes twitched as if he could feel my warmth even though he was drugged. I was able to relax for now.

“I’ve had enough of tolerating someone who didn’t know his subject and keeps blabbering.”

“You…”

“We’re not even real siblings, right?”

I stood up and grabbed the glass of muddy water. “So, something like this.”

“Uugh!”

Then, the water slowly poured over Irik’s head.

“Just eat it yourself.”

* * *

“No matter what you do, you will never leave me.”

“…”

“Listen well. I will find you even at the end of hell.”

“Gasp.”

The back of the boy, who had been lying dead, shook greatly.

“Water, water…”

Waking up from the nightmare, the boy groaned in agony, covering his neck. After this dream, a burning thirst rushed through his body.

“Water, please…”

But, as always, there was only silence and darkness. Knowing that no one would help him, Redian forced himself to stand up.

There must be water somewhere. Even if it was muddy water and dry bread that was hard to chew, he had to eat them and endure them. However, when he groped the floor, he couldn’t find anything. There was only empty glass and bread crumbs.

“Damn it.”

Redian shook his head. Although he had a handsome appearance, his eyes were terrifyingly cold.

What had happened while I was asleep? He knew a stranger might have entered, but he couldn’t remember. He only remembered a gentle voice and the warmth that touched his forehead…

Handkerchief? Redian’s gaze stopped as he nervously brushed his hair. As he grabbed it, something round fell into his palm. Candy…?

As if the pink handkerchief wasn’t enough, there was a candy in it that smelled sweet. He felt puzzled and displeased. But he had to push something before his blood came out.  

“Ugh.”

Redian, who swallowed the candy as if taking medicine, frowned slightly. It’s… too sweet. To the point of disgusting. He wanted to spit it out right away, but Redian desperately swallowed the candy. Thanks to its poor taste, his consciousness was returning.

Who left this behind? Then he examined the handkerchief.

[Hello, Redian. If you don’t forget me, I’ll give you two candies.]

Two? You’re giving me two of these? Are you crazy?

The blue eyes that looked at the writing on the handkerchief became strange.

This was the only trace left by the stranger. He had been through all kinds of traps since in the basement, but this was the first time.

Who are you, and how did you get here?

He thinks he saw their face dimly…

“Ah.”

As he tried to recall his memory, his head ached again. Redian pressed his eyes tightly.

Why on earth? He closed his eyes at the blurred vision and heard things like tinnitus.

“Answer… Siani!”

“Someone… mine…”

“What? Mine?”

“Siani.”

He spat out faintly, recalling his memories.

“Mine.”

…Siani, mine?

It was like that. The only words he remembered were those two words. But strangely enough…

Golden hair and red eyes. Only the figure of the woman looking down at him came into his vision clearly.

* * *

“Oh my gosh!”

The maid, who was making my bedding, was startled.

“Oh my gosh, Lady. W-where did you come from all of a sudden?”

I had been fighting with Irik, who was covered in muddy water.

He kicked me out with the necklace. Then, in an instant, I was teleported back to my room.

Is he embarrassed? Well, he looked like a mouse that got wet in front of me…

Irik won’t take me to the basement anymore.  Now this has happened, it was impossible to get help from Irik. I also had no intention of asking for his help.

I have to get the key from the duke. I never thought it would be such a sad thing not to have that key. That’s why I had to curry the duke’s favor somehow. After all, that was the only way to approach Redian.

Duke Romeo Felicite. The head of the family must be good in both business and politics. But the current duke was different. He was a soldier who rose to the rank of commander-in-chief of the imperial army. In other words, he had no choice but to have a bad hand in family politics and money-rolling businesses.

On the other hand, I…

Shall I help him?

I have a golden hand who has achieved great success in various aspects throughout my N lives.