Both of them gasped in shock, reluctantly detaching themselves from their embrace.
"Who is it?" Greta inquired with curiosity, addressing the figure outside who had knocked on the door.
She had explicitly instructed the servants not to disturb her while she spent time with her son, and now she couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance that someone was interrupting their precious moment of togetherness.
"Ah! I apologize, Lady Greta." The young girl's voice came from behind the door, filled with a hint of surprise.
"I didn't realize you were inside!"
Allen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the gentle voice, a rush of conflicting emotions surging within him.
Trauma and deep-seated hatred began to resurface.
Greta's expression tightened, displaying clear signs of displeasure on her face.
Despite exhibiting a gentle nature earlier, it had been exclusively reserved for Allen.
Now, with someone unexpectedly interrupting her cherished moment with her son, Greta felt a surge of dissatisfaction.
As Greta remained silent, the voice from outside persisted.
"By the way, Lady Greta, may I come inside and see my big brother?" The voice carried a tone of anticipation, resonating clearly in Greta's ears.
However, before Greta could provide a response, the door swung open abruptly, revealing a remarkably beautiful young girl.
Adorned in a simple blue dress, the girl emitted an air of innocence that captivated the room.
Her youthful and pristine face evoked a sense of tenderness, compelling anyone to want to care for her and shower her with affection.
With her lustrous black hair neatly tied in a ponytail and her green eyes as enchanting as emerald gems, the girl exuded an irresistible charm.
Additionally, her slender and well-developed physique hinted at the promise of her becoming an exceptionally beautiful woman in the future.
Greta, taken aback by the unexpected entrance of the girl before she had a chance to grant permission, felt a surge of anger building within her.
However, before she could express her frustration, the girl's voice interjected, effectively cutting her off.
"Big brother! Are you really awake?" The young girl exclaimed in astonishment, her face instantly radiating with happiness.
Allen, his gaze fixed on the girl, felt a profound ache in his heart.
This girl was none other than his younger sister, Lecia Frey, the half-sibling who had betrayed him before and conspired alongside the villainous Hero to bring about his demise.
Julius Frey, Allen's father, not only took Greta Magnus, Allen's mother, as his wife, but he also entered into marriages with two other women.
These women hailed from respected noble families, although their status did not reach that of the Marquis Magnus, Greta's family.
Certainly, among the three wives, Greta held the highest status.
Not only was she the first wife, but her position was further elevated by being the sole daughter of the Marquis family's head.
This distinction greatly influenced her standing in comparison to the other two wives.
This fact also played a pivotal role in establishing Allen as the direct heir of Duke Frey, as he inherited the noble bloodline and rightful claim to the family's legacy.
As the firstborn son and with the backing of his mother's influential family, Allen secured his position as the crown prince of the Duke Frey family.
On the other hand, Lecia Frey, Allen's half-sister, was born to his father's second wife, Larina Cedric, who herself hailed from the Viscount Cedric family as their only daughter.
Despite the complexities and conflicts within his family, Allen's love for his sister, Lecia, persisted from his previous life.
He was keenly aware of his mother's disdain towards Lecia, yet he remained unwavering in his defense and unwavering in his cherished bond with her.
Furthermore, Allen held deep affection for all his relatives and cherished the relationships he had with each of them, despite the challenges they may face.
Nevertheless, the painful reality remained that he had been ultimately betrayed by both his beloved sister and his cherished fiancée, causing him immense heartbreak.
And now, it suddenly dawned on him that Lecia's actions, whether intentional or unintentional, had shown tremendous disrespect towards his mother.
"Was I blinded by affection all this time?" Allen sighed helplessly, finally comprehending that his past actions were a result of his own negligence and foolishness.
Without hesitation, Lecia hurriedly approached him, her longing to embrace him tightly evident on her face.
"Big Brother!" she exclaimed with a delighted expression.
However, Greta swiftly positioned herself in front of Lecia, obstructing her path.
Lecia was taken aback by Greta's sudden obstruction and halted, coming to a stop at a distance of one meter.
"Lady Greta, why are you blocking me?" Lecia asked, her confusion evident in her voice.
"I just want to embrace my dear brother!" She pouted, inflating her cheeks and protesting with a comical expression.
However, Greta seized the opportunity and cast a cold gaze upon Lecia, demanding, "Who permitted you to enter?"
"Have I granted you permission?" Her tone resembled sharp shards of ice, piercing Lecia's heart and instilling fear within her.
Involuntarily, she retreated backward, unable to meet Greta's eyes.
Overwhelmed by fear, Lecia's eyes instinctively sought out Allen, conveying a blend of sorrow and a plea for help.
"Big brother, please help me." Her innocent and trembling voice stirred a yearning within anyone to embrace and console her.
In the past, Allen would have swiftly come to her side, enveloping her in a gentle hug and reassuring her, "Don't worry, I will always protect you."
However, now there was no trace of compassion in his gaze toward Lecia.
His red eyes betrayed only indifference, leaving her feeling abandoned and utterly alone.
The remnants of affection that had once existed between them had vanished, extinguished at the moment she had betrayed him in his previous life.
Leaving behind only an overwhelming sense of indifference and deep-seated resentment.
What was the point of his past efforts to do good and constantly defend her if the ultimate result would be the same heartbreaking betrayal?
These were the thoughts that permeated Allen's mind, compelling him to respond to Lecia with an air of cold indifference, withholding any form of defense or protection.
"Who gave you permission to enter?" Allen's voice cut through the air with an icy tone, devoid of any warmth or concern.
Even Greta herself was startled by his cold indifference.
Typically, Allen would come to Lecia's defense, and Greta had grown accustomed to this dynamic.
However, what she never anticipated was her son's complete apathy and scolding of the young girl!
"This...this is..." Greta gazed at Allen with a bewildered expression, lost for words as confusion clouded her mind.
Meanwhile, Lecia found herself frozen in disbelief, her gaze locked on Allen.
"Big brother..." Her voice, stiff and trembling, failed to elicit any softening in Allen's heart.
Instead, his gaze intensified, reflecting a mixture of intensity and killing intent.
"Leave immediately!" His voice, low yet cutting, pierced Lecia's ears like a knife to her heart.
Overwhelmed by his harsh words, Lecia collapsed to the floor, her eyes vacant and lifeless, consumed by a profound sense of despair and emptiness.
Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but Allen simply averted his gaze, showing no concern.
Then he turned his attention to Greta, his eyes softening with a gentleness that starkly contrasted his earlier gaze towards Lecia.
"Mom, could you please help me back to bed?" A soft and gentle smile adorned Allen's lips.
Though still somewhat surprised, Greta skillfully responded with a charming smile and nodded.
"Of course, my dear."
With utmost care, she gently assisted Allen in making his way back to his bed, leaving Lecia on the floor, still taken aback by the situation.
Eventually, Lecia regained consciousness, and her gaze fell upon Allen's retreating figure.
Biting her lip, she mustered all her strength to stand up and cast one last look at Allen before exiting his room, her face worn and devoid of vitality.
Allen, naturally aware of her departure, observed Lecia's retreating form and murmured, "This is only the beginning!"
In the room, only Greta and Allen remained after Lecia's departure.They both wore expressions of nonchalance, as if Lecia's presence had no bearing on them.Greta gently assisted Allen in sitting on the bed, her concern evident as she asked, "My dear, are you alright?"Despite her efforts to conceal it, Greta's tone of voice inadvertently betrayed her anxiety.However, Allen simply smiled, reaching out to hold his mother's hand while offering reassurance: "Don't worry, Mom, I'll be fine."Upon hearing this, Greta remained deeply concerned, but observing her son's unwavering determination and the noticeable improvement in his countenance, she couldn't help but nod in acknowledgement."Alright, you should prioritize getting ample rest for a smooth recovery, alright?" Greta's gaze softened as she lovingly caressed Allen's cheek.Witnessing his mother's affectionate gesture, guilt intensified within Allen's heart."No matter what happens, I must preserve your smile, Mom," Allen silently
Eager to share its message, the system promptly resumed speaking.[Now, please lend me your ears, host!] it urged, emphasizing the importance of what it was about to communicate.Allen nodded attentively, focusing his senses as he prepared to listen intently to the system's explanation.[First and foremost, as I mentioned earlier, the energy I utilized has been completely depleted. Consequently, in the foreseeable future, I will not be able to assist you again until my power is replenished,] the system clarified, initiating its explanation.[Secondly, concerning functionality: while I am unable to manifest in the future, I have left behind the residual power that I had previously prepared for you.][You can experiment with it at a later time.] The system was added.[Furthermore, concerning the utilization of existing functions, I will directly transfer them to your mind, allowing you immediate access and implementation.]Upon hearing the information relayed by the system, Allen graspe
"Gift, reveal!"Instantly, the display within his field of vision brightened anew, mirroring the gift panel.----------------------------[Gifts:][1x Legendary Grade Healing Potion][1x Experience Box (Random)][1x Rare Chance for Second Class Awakening][2x Random Mage Class Title/Blessing][1x Random Special Title/Blessing][1x Awakening of Rare Affinities (Beyond the Four Great Elements)][1x Box Containing Random Mana Crystals][Open/Keep]-----------------------------Allen carefully read through all the gifts listed on the display, taking a minute to absorb the details. His eyes widened in disbelief."This is absolutely insane! I can't believe it!" he exclaimed, his shock uncontrollable as he observed the array of gifts he had received.Simultaneously, the system sent him all the information, including the reward it had prepared for him, as a means of ensuring his survival.Little did he anticipate the system's reward to be of such extraordinary magnitude, overflowing with gene
"Ugh!" Allen groaned in agonizing pain as he felt his body engulfed in flames.His skin turned crimson, emanating a mixture of blood and smoke, yet he steadfastly resolved to endure the torment."I must remain strong! This pain pales in comparison to the trials of my past life!" Through clenched teeth, he reassured himself inwardly.Betrayals and wounds had scarred him deeply, but he refused to succumb.Strength became his shield against the adversities that had beset him.After a few agonizing minutes, the searing sensation abruptly vanished, as if it had never occurred, and was replaced by a profound sense of comfort.Gradually, the skin on his body returned to its original state, not only regaining its previous condition but also appearing clearer and more vibrant."This sensation... it's truly remarkable," he contemplated silently, closing his eyes to inspect the mana channels and toxins within his body.Miraculously, they had completely vanished!He also noticed that his mana flo
The Main Workspace of the Duke Frey Mansion"So, do you have any significant news to share?" inquired a man of around thirty-five, possessing a handsome and youthful countenance with short brownish-blonde hair.He addressed another man dressed in servant's clothing."Yes, Your Majesty!" The servant gracefully bowed, demonstrating deep respect for the blond man who sat leisurely in his working chair."Well then, what is it?" The man questioned the servant with a nonchalant tone, seemingly unenthusiastic about the news that was about to be conveyed.Upon hearing this, the servant promptly conveyed his report, "I am pleased to inform you that Young Master Allen has awakened from his coma and is currently under the care of Lady Greta in his bedroom." His explanation was delivered with the utmost respect.The blond man's eyebrows raised slightly, and he emitted a soft "Oh" sound as a sign of acknowledgement.He then offered a small nod in response."In that case, relay my message to him an
"So, you've truly recovered, huh?" Julius Frey, the man who was Allen's father, uttered it with a blend of indifference and a tinge of surprise.Upon hearing this, Allen merely smiled and responded, "It was just luck, nothing out of the ordinary."With those words, he proceeded to make his way towards the sofa, settling down in silence as he leaned back.Julius's brows furrowed slightly as he observed the scene, but he chose not to pursue the matter any further."By the way, how did you recover?" Julius asked spontaneously, his expression remaining impassive.Upon hearing the question, Allen shifted his gaze toward Julius, pondering the nature of his father and reflecting on their relationship in his past life.Indeed, Julius Frey, his father, had always prioritized the family's interests above all else, a characteristic that lingered in Allen's thoughts.In his mind, Julius was a person who didn't hesitate to sacrifice his children and wife for the supposed prosperity of the family.
Upon witnessing the sight, Allen's brow furrowed, his gaze naturally drawn towards Julius, his expression filled with uncertainty. Noticing Allen's reaction, Julius responded with a subtle smile and inquired, "What seems to be bothering you?" Perched comfortably in his chair, Julius continued to pose the question, "Isn't this precisely what you've always longed for?" "A few months ago, didn't you request that I arrange your betrothal to that girl, Allen?" He chimed in, leaning back and crossing his arms, scrutinizing Allen, who appeared bewildered. Upon hearing this, Allen fell into a momentary silence, his mind striving to recall the instance when he uttered those words. Gradually, his expression relaxed, and a smile graced his face as he shifted his gaze towards the paper. "I understand now... It all makes sense," he murmured softly, then glanced at Julius. "Well, I appreciate your endeavors." Allen stowed the paper away and expressed his gratitude. However, Julius himself p
Allen's heart raced, and a surge of pain gripped his chest as he caught sight of a little girl who appeared to be crying. With a heavy heart, he whispered, "Irina..." Memories of the young girl flooded his mind, reminding him of their shared past. Irina Frey, Allen's second sister, was born to Julius and his third wife, Carina Orion. Carina hailed from the esteemed Marquis Orion family, renowned in the kingdom of Salvaria as one of the seven great kingdoms, alongside Eldoria. Sadly, the Marquis Orion family had met a tragic fate, vanishing from the Salvaria royal system amidst allegations of rebellion against the ruling Salvaria family. Deep within, Allen was well aware that the alleged rebellion of the Marquis Orion family, used by the Salvaria Royal family to tarnish their reputation, was nothing more than fabricated news. The truth lay in the Marquis Orion family's dissenting beliefs and ideas that clashed with those of the Royals. Allen's understanding of the truth was int