Ten days had passed since William's death.
As the days blurred together, the event itself seemed to grow distant, and despite Edric's unyielding insistence that assassins had been responsible, investigations seemed to find no evidence of such circumstances.
They must've covered it up...
Honestly, if I'm lucky, Rhysek will assume his own assassins killed my father.
Edric stood motionless in his study, staring down at a half-written letter clenched in his hand. It was the letter his father had failed to finish and send before meeting his demise.
"I'm gravely sorry for obstructing your plans, Rhysek. I will allow you to once again poison my son..."
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"Hah... wow..."
The words felt unreal, even now.
"Master Curteis, it's time."
A maid's voice drifted in from the doorway. She was dressed entirely in black, her posture stiff and formal.
Today was William's funeral.
Edric straightened his collar and adjusted the tie of his black suit with practiced precision.
I've gained so much control in such a short time...
But why haven't investigative mages been summoned? Why hasn't anyone questioned how my father really died?
The funeral was held in the estate's garden. Gray skies loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the gathered servants and relatives. No one spoke loudly. Even the wind felt restrained.
Trey stood beside Oriel, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as they watched the burial. When the ceremony concluded, Oriel stepped forward and placed a delicate flower atop the grave.
"I'm sorry, Father..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "I—I don't know what to do anymore. Why did you leave me alone? Both you and Mother... I can't take care of Edric on my own."
Her composure finally cracked.
Trey stepped back, giving her space, and turned toward Edric—who stood nearby, tears streaming freely down his face.
"So… what do you plan on doing now?" Trey asked quietly.
"How would I know?" Edric snapped, his voice sharp with grief and anger. "I was stuck in that goddamn bed for years! Do you think I know how to lead everyone?"
Trey winced slightly.
"Well... you don't have much time to get accustomed to things."
They stood in silence for several moments, the weight of the moment pressing down on both of them.
Then Edric spoke again.
"Are you still marrying my sister?"
He hesitated. "It's... not called off, right?"
"Yes," Trey replied without hesitation. "I don't plan on going back on my word to your father."
"Then will you support us?" Edric asked. "We need an alchemical mage to supervise the mechanisms spread throughout the main cities."
Trey nodded. "Marrying into your family means supporting it. I won't shirk that responsibility."
"That's all I need to know then."
Edric walked off towards the manor, leaving Trey to wait for Oriel.
Trey watched him go, his thoughts unexpectedly calm.
The boy seems lost... hurt.
I don't know why I was so suspicious of him before. Maybe now I can live without constant worry.
Inside the manor, Edric's expression shifted instantly.
The tears vanished.
In their place, a wide, unsettling smirk stretched across his face.
The real reason I was poisoned, he thought, was because Valter ordered Rhysek and Trey to slaughter the villagers.
So if I want my revenge... I must climb all the way to the top.
And you, Trey, are the perfect tool to let my vengeance bloom.
"Butler!"
An elderly man hurried down the corridor, bowing deeply.
"Yes, Master Curteis?"
"I want you to send a letter to the Aurethien family."
"Of course, Sir! What shall it say?"
"Inform them that we're cutting ties. The Curteis family will no longer supply alchemical plumbing or lighting to them."
"WHAT!?"
The butler clamped his mouth shut too late.
Edric turned slowly, his gaze cold.
"I— I mean..." The man swallowed. "Shouldn't you reconsider? This decision could alter the fate of the entire family."
Edric's eyes narrowed.
"Mr. Vanthe," he said calmly, "what is your role here?"
"I—I'm just a lowly butler, Sir."
"Then act like one. Butlers do not oppose their master's will. Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"N-No, Sir!"
"This is your first warning. Question me again, and you're dismissed."
"O-Of course, Sir."
The man trembled as Edric strode past him down the corridor.
My father was weak, Edric thought. Obsessed with alliances and connections. His entire livelihood was threatened, yet fighting back must've never even crossed his mind.
I've lived countless lives, he continued inwardly, and those connections never mattered.
Could any family truly accept me if they learned I was merely wearing the skin of their loved one?
I shared familial moments, romantic love, and many bonds while wearing another's skin, yet those seem to shatter the second I reveal who I am.
This is how the world works.
Except...
A strange sensation lingered.
I feel like I'm forgetting something.
But he dismissed it.
Connections are meaningless.
If Edric dies, I'll simply shed this skin and move on.
Until then... I will walk in his body. I will become him.
I understand this boy better than anyone.
This is what he would have wanted.
I am Edric.
I have his memories. His body. His emotions.
What more does it take to become a person?
***
Rhysek glanced down at his pocket watch.
He sat in a meeting with his brothers and father, their voices overlapping in heated debate. Yet he absorbed none of it.
He waited.
One by one, his family members left the room, irritation etched across their faces.
"Why aren't you leaving?" his father asked, pausing by the doorway.
"I'm just thinking," Rhysek replied politely. "I'll follow shortly."
His father smiled faintly.
"I wish your brothers had your composure. You didn't voice your opinion today. What do you think about the Curteis family cutting ties with us?"
"It's... unfortunate," Rhysek said carefully. "But Edric has only just taken control of his household. It may simply be a rash decision. An apology from the Curteis estate being sent out soon wouldn't surprise me."
"Hah," his father scoffed. "Wishful thinking. The new head of the Curteis family isn't like William. This isn't impulse—it's suspicion. They believe we were responsible for Edric's condition."
"So... what do you plan to do?"
"Since I believe the marriage was the problem, you wouldn't mind us asking Edric if canceling it might repair relations, right? I don't see any other way of putting us on good terms with the Curteis family. Your brothers were really fighting for us to immediately cancel it, but there's no reason for us to lose something if we aren't sure it can elevate our current circumstances."
"I agree," Rhysek said smoothly. "There's no better option."
"Then I'll draft a sympathetic letter."
Once his father left, Rhysek's calm smile twisted into a bitter scowl.
This isn't how it was supposed to go!
How did Edric survive? And now, with William dead, he has complete authority!
My idiotic brothers jumped at the chance to cancel the marriage... ruining my chance at becoming the heir!
But... I have Valter on my side! I can ask him for help! A weakling like Edric can't oppose the council.
I just need to act before he forces my father to call it off.
I don't have much time.
Rhysek shot to his feet and bolted from the room.
***
"Edric! A letter arrived for you!"
Oriel burst into the study, holding an envelope that had been partially torn.
Edric glanced up from the documents on his desk.
"Did you read it?"
"Y-Yes... sorry."
"It's fine. What did it say?"
"They want to mend relations. They're willing to cancel Rhysek's marriage to Astraelle if you want."
"They're offering me a path to royalty," Edric murmured.
Oriel hesitated.
"...Brother. Was it the Aurethien family who killed Father and caused your illness?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because... why else would you act so harshly toward them so soon? And... even I'm not so ignorant as to miss the fact that Rhyseks magic type is related to poisons."
"...Yes," Edric replied quietly. "There is indeed a high chance that it was Rhysek. Don't tell anyone."
Oriel covered her mouth, trembling.
"Then... will you accept their deal?"
"No."
"What!? Why?" she cried. "You shouldn't throw away your future just for revenge!"
What do you know? Revenge is my life! Nothing else in the world can satisfy me!
"That's not why I said no."
"But—you asked Father to arrange that marriage! You've known Astraelle since you were little!"
"But there's already someone else I love," he said instinctively.
Oriel froze. "Who?"
Edric stared at her, confused.
Why did I say that?
There's no one I love.
...Isn't there?
He fell silent, searching himself.
"I... don't know," he said finally.