Did I Become the Eldest Son of a Margrave in a Romance Fantasy?
I woke up again two days later. My unique ability had to be something like premature ejaculation, no doubt about it. It flipped the board with one explosive activation, but the price was lying helplessly bedridden for days afterward. The cost of that short, intense burst was two days of unconsciousness—efficiency-wise, it was the absolute worst.
When I tried to sit up in bed, muscle pain like my whole body had been wrung out and a profound weakness pinned me back to the sheets. It wasn't that I couldn't move at all, but... it was just a hassle. Since I was already down, I wanted to milk this free ride for all it was worth.
Too much effort...
But my modest dream shattered quickly. Servants swarmed in like ghosts, sensing I'd woken. The priest who came with them checked my condition, declared me fully recovered, and urged me to eat plenty to regain my strength. I could only nod dumbly.
The moment the priest left, the servants bathed me, changed my clothes, and dragged me straight to the dining hall. They treated his words like sacred scripture.
It's for my own good, I get it, but come on.
My stomach was growling anyway, so I didn't resist too hard and let them half-drag me along.
Anyway, once we reached the dining hall under their guidance, I leaned back in the chair they'd pulled out for me and waited for the food. As I watched the maids bustle about preparing the meal, the head butler entered.
The head butler?
The head butler, who managed the household's army of servants and attended my father closer than anyone, was naturally swamped beyond belief. For him to come in person was no small matter.
I couldn't think of any reason he'd seek me out specifically. Mother had already come and explained everything about Kalia, and Rona Scott and her cronies had been dealt with decisively. With the family holding such a key position, nothing came to mind that would bring him to me.
Maybe something personal? But he didn't strike me as the type. In the four months since I'd possessed this body, I'd barely crossed paths with him.
Is it something involving the whole family?
A chill ran down my spine, but I kept my face neutral and greeted him first.
"Head butler, long time no see."
"Yes, Young Master. It's been a while."
He returned my greeting crisply, then cut straight to the chase.
"My apologies. Time is short, so I can't chat leisurely. I hope you'll understand."
"No worries. I know how busy you are. I get it."
"Thank you for saying so. Then, to the point: His Lordship the Margrave has summoned you."
"For real?"
I had to ask. My father, who I could barely even glimpse unless I faked memory loss, was calling for me personally. This was no trivial thing.
"Then, Young Master, I've delivered the message. I'll take my leave."
He moved to slip away like he was escaping. Snapping to attention at his demeanor, I grabbed him. The usually dignified head butler was glancing at me cautiously. Something was definitely up.
"You can't tell me what it's about?"
"Well... it's not for me to say. His Lordship will explain himself."
He saluted evasively and hurried out. Watching his retreating back, my suspicions and unease only grew.
He can't even tell me? That means it's real family business. What the hell?
But the questions faded as food started arriving the instant he left. The maids bustled, setting the table, and their aroma stole my focus.
Truly, the best part of being nobility was these lavish meals. I shoved the ominous feeling aside and dove into the feast before me.
Everything's for survival anyway. Gotta fill the tank first.
I set aside my tangled thoughts and picked up the utensils. The foreboding lingered, but I couldn't pass up this mountain of delicacies. My body, starved for three days, reacted fiercely to the savory meat scents and sweet sauces.
Slicing off a tender piece and popping it in my mouth, juices burst forth, coating my tongue. Yeah, the best thing about possessing this body was definitely the food.
After finishing the meal, I headed straight to Father's office. At first, lost in the rare feast, I'd sampled everything, but as my stomach filled, worries about why he'd summoned me invaded my mind. By the latter half, I barely touched the food, just fiddling with my fork in a daze.
Feels like indigestion now.
The head butler was too much. I got he was busy, but he could've waited till after the meal. Dropping a bombshell like that before I could even digest, and now the precious food felt like it was clumping in my gut.
That's why my steps felt so heavy heading to Father's office now. The afterglow of the feast had long faded.
The ornately embroidered corridor carpet felt as plush as ever. The portraits of past Valenvalt heads on the walls seemed to glare down like, 'We know what mess you've made.'
No, I haven't done anything wrong.
From the butler's odd expression to this weird tension permeating the family—it had to be my imagination. As I neared the office, the corridor air grew subtly colder.
Before the Northern Margrave's office. Standing at the massive closed door, I took a deep breath and exhaled.
"I'm coming in."
My words barely out, the guarding soldiers flung the doors open in unison, their intimidating stances and clanking armor shattering the corridor's silence. Normally I'd nod hello, but not now.
Cool air whooshed from the gap. The room was brighter than expected, pale northern sunlight filtering through huge windows. But Father's presence at the desk swallowed even that light, heavy and oppressive.
He reviewed documents without looking up, the only sound his quill scratching. Swallowing dryly, I stepped to the room's center. The door thudded shut behind me.
Only then could I take in the room properly, Father's aura having blinded me before. On the guest sofa sat Mother, sipping tea and watching me quietly. Relief washed over me. At least she was reasonable.
I bowed politely to both parents, then clung to Mother's side like a lifeline. The sofa's plushness finally let me breathe.
Among everyone since possessing Akai Mage, Father was the hardest to face, right before me now.
"Mother, you're here. Sorry for worrying you."
She patted my shoulder warmly. Tension eased briefly—until the papers stopped rustling across the desk. A cold, heavy gaze pierced me.
Father set down his quill, fingers steepled, staring silently. Even beside Mother in this safe zone, his intimidation choked me.
"How's your condition."
Father spoke first, his usual curt tone.
"I'm good now."
He nodded faintly.
"I called you here about your brother."
The sofa suddenly felt rock-hard. Thinking it over, Kyle's affairs probably wouldn't affect me much. Our eldest brother and I had little overlap—nothing to shake my cushy 'free ride' life.
Still, with both parents so grave, curiosity won.
"Brother? Something happen to him?"
Instead of answering, Father slid one of two letters on his desk toward me. Mother sighed softly watching.
Ominous. Not light like mere mischief, nor despairing obituary, but some eerie weight in between pressed on me.
Swallowing hard, I picked up the letter Father pushed over. The crisp paper heightened my tension. Carefully peeling the envelope's red sealing wax...
Just as I was about to uncover the truth hidden within, Mother's voice broke the silence.
"Kyle eloped."
...Mother, that's a spoiler.
My fingers froze mid-air, seal half-off. I'd braced for shock from reading, but her blunt one-liner deflated me.
Staring blankly at the unpeeled seal, I tilted my head up at her.
"...Huh?"