The letter contained a party invitation for Duke Kinston's engagement event, all family members are required to come to enliven the event.
There is still a week to go until that day arrives.
If it was Alexander in the past, maybe he would panic to get an invitation like this. Because in the crowd, he will feel tortured. However, he is now not the real Alexander's soul. Attending a party is something he used to attend before, so the rough idea is that he knows what to prepare for the party.
When he opens the closet, that's when the thing he feared in his memory happened.
“Alexander is the saddest human being I have ever known. Just in choosing clothes alone, he can not afford them. Or, could it be that his tastes are like this?” Alexander grumbles to himself.
In the closet, none of the clothes that are suitable for use in attending a party can be seen.
Everything is casual attire, too ordinary for a noble. It doesn't matter that he is only a descendant of a noble, keeping appearances is important. At least, one of the clothes is formal wear.
Putting that aside, it's also good like this. The real Alexander hoards the monthly budget he receives in the vault. As he recalls, buying some party clothes will cost him half the money.
After so long in the residence alone or just touring the village, there was finally a reason to go to the city.
...
You can really feel the village atmosphere.
You can see a stretch of field, several fruit trees are deliberately planted, then you can see housing that is far from one house to another. It is peaceful, there is no loud noise from the screams of the people in the market or the city guards who are calling for an order for the citizens who violated it.
Or, people gossiping in the streets.
Here, they are more comfortable in serenity. Farm, raise livestock, fish in a nearby river, or say hello to each other. From time to time, several people gather to have lunch together after being tired of crouching in the fields.
"Ah! Sir Alexander..." greeted a farmer who noticed Alexander's presence walking on the path between the fields. “...Thanks for the help yesterday...” he continued.
"Yes. Thank you for the fresh vegetables too!” said Alexander with a smile.
Lately, Alexander has been traveling around the village frequently to get acquainted with the residents. That's because he likes to socialize, help people, and so on. In addition, he likes to see children playing, he who devotes himself to the king really misses the figure of the baby who is only his shadow.
As a true knight, not only master the battlefield but also must be able to protect the community. When people need help, he will come when he gets a call. However, using a pair of hands and feet it was impossible to reach many people. In an alternative way, he educates all his soldiers to be a person who is beneficial to everyone.
The king actually did not restrain him to the point of prohibiting marriage, and vice versa. The king who also took care of his honorable knight who was so loyal and versatile had asked him several times to marry. However, the knight was afraid that later he would neglect his duty.
Not only is he afraid of neglecting his duties, but he is also afraid of making his wife and children suffer because he is not cared for properly by him. The image of that worry always haunts him and makes him strongly reject such a relationship.
Seeing children playing is the thing that cures his loneliness.
"Whoa! There's Alex..." a child points to where Alexander comes from after he saw him while he is playing with the others.
"Uncle Alex! Here and here…” another child waves.
A radiant innocent face is really beautiful to look at. Its beauty is comparable to the blue of the sky, able to treat fatigue.
Alexander gives a small smile before he walks over to them.
"Oh? You guys seem to be playing?" asks Alexander who is gently stroking the heads of the two closest children.
"We're playing ho... ho what is it?"
Children forget the name of the game they are playing. The game that Alexander had mentioned, explained, and demonstrated in the last few days turn out to be their favorite game.
A game in which each player takes turns jumping over a square of land that has been made using one foot is a game that is new to them. The game is from Alexander's previous life. Turns out, the kids didn't know it at all. This unique game has become an irreplaceable game, children are so comfortable playing it.
“Hopscotch. Don't forget that, OK! If you make new friends, you will be able to explain the game later. When they ask the name of the game, you won't be as confused as this…” Alexander looks one by one at the eyes of the children.
"Yes! I will never forget it, Alex…”
"I also!"
"If it is me, I'll always remember it..."
“Cheating! I am the one who will always remember it… Hmph!”
Alexander smiles happily at their behavior, his heart really wants to have a baby. He wishes he can stay here with them for a long time, but there is something he needs to do right now.
“You guys are fine playing huh, don't fight! I want to go first…”
The children are waving, they compete to see who can wave the highest to be seen by Alexander who is going further and further away.
Alexander who occasionally glances at them just shook his head.
Between the countryside and the town that is the center of Baron Leville's domain, the village where Alexander lives is the village that is the furthest away. But as far as the countryside is, it won't take up to half a day on foot which would be roughly three hours, to be exact, to get to town.
And even then, because the village where he's exiled is located at the foot of the hill or it could also be caused by the location of the city which is in the lowlands. Who knows. To be sure, from the city to the village will take a little longer.
Starting down the hill from the village, you will see from behind the thick leaves of a city that is blocked by a high fortress. Looking at it from afar, the shadows of the city's atmosphere that seemed scary from his memory had appeared.
"Is it really like that?" mumbles Alexander in surprise.
From afar, just looking at the majestic-looking fortress has given off a very special impression. Like, maybe there the cost of living will be high with a level of comfort to live that can make everyone feel at home. The impression he gives of the majesty of the fort alone conflicts with his memories.
No matter how Alexander tries to forget the bad memories of the city atmosphere, his body's response is honestly telling him that he is afraid to enter the gate.
"So sad..." Alexander sighs.
No matter how much Alexander complains about himself, the dark history of the body that had fused with his soul cannot be changed. He just has to face whatever was coming his way.
As Alexander comes out of the dirt road that was squeezed by trees and shrubs, a clearing with a road that has been replaced with a cobblestoned road appears in his vision. As seen, in front of the gate there is a fairly long queue.
After passing the crossroads, then Alexander joins the queue.
If you look further, only Alexander is queuing with not much luggage. Or he doesn't even carry anything at all, except for a bag of silver coins that dangles and a sword that is neatly sheathed on each of his left and right waists.
Carrying sharp objects, especially weapons is not a strange thing. In fact, there is no written legal prohibition for people to bring it in public. No one complains about it, including ordinary people. Even though sometimes there are those who abuse this freedom, there are city guards who always keep intruders safe.
Almost on every street, there would be a pair of guards patrolling. So, there is nothing to worry about intruders. People will think twice before deciding to take them to court where they will receive a punishment commensurate with what has been done.
A nightmare if you get a prison sentence or become a slave for his criminal actions.
Slowly, the queue draws closer for it to be his turn to check-in. When it arrives, Alexander surprises the gatekeepers who didn't expect Alexander's arrival after a long time not seeing such a pitiful person like him.
Surprisingly enough indeed, a timid and weak Alexander dares to come alone to the city.
As you can imagine, the city behind this tall and strong fortress is actually very far from the city in Alexander's previous life.Everyone who enters the view, almost all of them are carrying weapons. The city guards are no longer surprised, but even ordinary citizens carry personal weapons. In addition to the city guards, those who carry personal weapons have various types of weapons. Not only sharp weapons but some carry blunt and long-range weapons. Such as mace, big hammer, crossbow, whip, and many more.Alexander wonders where he woke up. He is quite knowledgeable about the names of places across the mainland and some of the islands off the mainland that had been touched. However, none of them have the same name as the place in his life now. Like the name of this city that he doesn't know at all, Ympilia City.People who can't keep up with the times like the real Alexander, won't be able to survive. A small example is himself which is most likely indeed because that is the reaso
"What is he doing? Does he really like old Mama?” someone grumbles in a depressed voice, feeling annoyed at herself for watching herself lose to the charm of Azura, the mother of the owner of the Zura Clothing Store. So annoyed, she forgets that the small pillar supporting her hand seems to be starting to wobble. In wooden piles that are close to the connection or pile foundation, small cracks can be seen along with the pile tilting slightly to follow the direction of the thrust of her hand. She really doesn't feel that way, until... CTAK! Unprepared to balance her body, she helplessly falls. And, she who was hiding got the attention of Alexander as well as Azura. “Lumina!?” Azura, who is shocked, rushed to the young woman who had previously interacted with Alexander whose name turned out to be Lumina, her favorite child who is the only one she has. Alexander immediately follows Azura. "Honey, why did you fall like this?" Azura holds Lumina's face, she looks at her with so much
"HEA!!!" Dealing with someone's anger is very easy to deal with. The chaotic movement exposed cracks everywhere. With just one or two dodges, Alexander strikes back by hitting the ribs of the young man who has just attacked. "Ugh! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and help me, damn it!” he cries to his friends who are even gawking at watching him attack alone. “A-aah… Yes!” Surrounded by them, Alexander feels neither panic nor fear at all. With trained fighting instincts and rich experience against multiple enemies at once, making him who is currently facing the same thing doesn't feel like he is being surrounded and he doesn't even feel threatened. "Hmph!" snorts Alexander. Fights are inevitable. People just watching around can't believe what they see. There are those who rub their eyes, ask the person beside them to pinch them, and others to make them believe that now they are not dreaming. A shocking spectacle, where an Alexander who is known to be weak and cowardly is no
The day that has been awaited, the day where the party according to the schedule stated in the invitation letter has arrived. The day before, a fairly luxurious horse-drawn carriage and its coachman who would take him to the party venue had been dispatched to the Alexander Mansion on behalf of Baron Leville, who is now ready to depart. As for the letter that was mandated to the Charioteer for Alexander, he has brought its contents. At a party to celebrate Duke Kinston's fiancé with the daughter of the Viscount Libourne, Ariana von Libourne, all invited parties are expected to bring their spouses. There, later there will be a dance party, just like how the nobles hold a party. This is not required, but it is better for all invitees who are present to bring someone who will be an escort when the dance begins. Otherwise, Duke Kinston as the host party will feel uncomfortable. What is obtained later, of course, the relationship between the invitees and the one who invites will be a li
In the town square, there are three horse-drawn carriages neatly lined up that catch everyone's attention. There, several people seem to be waiting for something. A man whose face is still warm remembering a week ago visited the Alexander Residence was grumbling incoherently, annoyed that Alexander is late. “That might be Third Brother!” cries a man beside George waving at the carriage they are waiting for. He is Thomas, Alexander's older brother, and George's younger brother. “Tsk! You slug ..." George grumbles, staring intently at the horse-drawn carriage. A middle-aged man standing next to a beautiful woman with a few wrinkles on her face starting to show, Baron Leville, he only glances at George who continues with a long sigh after that. "Be patient, my dear. One day, they will definitely get along…” the woman beside him, Eliza who is the wife of Baron Leville, she held her husband's hand with her head resting on his shoulder before she says so in a voice so soft. Yes, Eliza'
"Looks like you're pretty sure, huh..."Alexander nods firmly in response to Leville's words."Let him as what he wants, Father. As long as later, he endures all the embarrassment at the party!” said George curtly before he leaves to take his partner into his chariot.Alexander knew very well how nobles thought. The pride is so high, they seem to think that they are special humans. To the extent, most of the nobles consider the common people are just a stepping stone for them to achieve their dreams.Memories of Baron Leville, Alexander has a pretty good impression of him.There are indeed one or two nobles who don't really care about the thought of themselves being considered special or chosen people.'But well, one or two people will definitely have a different mindset...' Alexander smiled a little, before he walks away followed by Azura who is still holding Alexander's hand towards his horse carriage to start the journey to Duke Kinston Residence.The trip will take a long time, ar
One by one the invited guests come. Slowly, the living room in the Duke Kinston Mansion begins to fill with invited guests as the sun has set.Just by watching how the nobles are proud of each other, Azura’s feeling her heart beat so fast. She is so nervous, even though no one is paying attention to her except Alexander."Want to dance?" asks Alexander who suddenly stands up from his chair and extends his hand towards Azura.Having lived for more than half a century, Alexander knows how to deal with situations. In the case what Azura’s facing, he knew how to make Azura less nervous. Only by standing out from the rest will the feeling of nervousness slowly dissipate. And of course, it’ll need a bravery to begin.Azura looks hesitantly at the hand that is being stretched out to her, then she sees Alexander seems to be smiling so sincerely. She wants to refuse the invitation, but her heart pushes her hand to accept Alexander's outstretched hand.With just one gentle pull, Azura is immedi
Alexander leads Azura to follow him and accompanied him to play the piano. With a body that is physically larger than Alexander's, Azura who is on his lap should has blocked Alexander from playing the piano.Azura does not expect, she would be in a situation like being under hypnosis. But she knows she isn't actually under hypnosis. She just feels so nervous that she was suddenly allowed to sit on Alexander's lap, while she herself did not get any resistance from her body and instead gave a positive response as if she really wanted it to happen.The audience who are waiting for Alexander's performance, who of course are curious about how the nobleman is able to play the piano which usually only musicians could play well, see how Alexander who treats Azura so sweetly makes everyone's attention more focused to be ready to listen to the game presented by Alexander.Especially the women, many of whom looked enviously at Azura, like they want to take Azura's place and sit there feeling the