CHAPTER 13 — Deal
The maid—Lucy— walked ahead of me with her hands folded neatly at her waist, her steps brisk and quiet against the polished stone floors. Her black hair swayed with each step, the two white rabbit ears on her head twitching now and then as if reacting to every sound in the manor.
"This way, young ma— … Mr, Kyree," she corrected herself gently.
I let out a sigh as I pretended not to notice her struggle. She was trying, at least. I was no 'young master' and it felt weird to be called that, so I insisted that she just use my name. She was still trying to find a title to add though.
As we passed through long hallways lined with portraits and frosted windows, Lucy spoke softly, almost rehearsed:
"To your left is the west wing bathing hall. It is reserved for guests of the estate. The water is mana-heated, so it stays warm even in deep winter."
I nodded. Sure it made sense they had a goddamned 'bathing hall'. Cause why the hell not.
To my right, a series of glass doors opened into a sprawling indoor garden filled with luminescent flowers glowing pale blue. Snowhare gardeners tended to the plants in silence, their ears twitching rhythmically.
"The Harewyn family maintains the frost gardens year-round," Lucy said. "Lady Isabelle walks through them every morning."
Her voice was careful—formal—but I could feel it:
She wanted to ask me something. Several somethings.
Every time she glanced back at me, her brows softened in curiosity before snapping back into neutrality.
I didn't say anything. Not because I was hiding, but because I didn't even know what answers I could give her.
What was I supposed to say "Hi I'm a newborn with no memories, but a week of life and death experience from living in the forest. Now I'm a rabbit-turned-boy, who somehow is staying in this castle for the night. Nice to meet you." Not exactly something you dropped casually in conversation.
We finally arrived at a tall wooden door inlaid with silver frost patterns.
Lucy stopped and bowed.
"Your room, Sir, Kyree."
I sighed but didn't comment. She opened the door, and I stepped inside—
—and froze.
The room was massive.
A thick fur rug covered most of the floor, soft enough that my bare feet sank in slightly. The bed was king-sized or larger, framed with carved wood and layered with blankets that looked so plush I wanted to dive into them head-first. A wardrobe stood against one wall, neighboring a polished wooden desk with inkwells and parchment already prepared.
The window was the best part.
A wide glass pane stretched across the far wall, revealing a breathtaking view of the distant mountains. The snow on the peaks glowed faintly with reflected moonlight, and beyond them I could see the shadow of a forest. No of Coldwood Forest.
Where I had almost died. Where I had lived. Where I had been reborn under the random chance of fate or whatever plans that figure of light had...
I let out a low breath, and forced myself to not think about that anymore. I turned to Lucy.
"…This is a guest room?" I asked softly.
Lucy blinked, confused. "Of course. Would you prefer a larger one, Sir, Kyree?"
"Oh—no. No, this is… perfect."
More than perfect. It was already bigger than anything I'd ever stayed in, in either of my lives.
Lucy smiled politely.
"Dinner will be in two hours. Please make yourself comfortable. Clothing has been prepared in the wardrobe. Should you need anything, pull the cord by the bed—it rings the service bell and one of the maids will come to see to your request."
She bowed again and closed the door gently behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
I walked to the bed and pressed a hand into the blankets. They were soft and warm. I wasn't sure what kind of fabric or cloth this was, but it was almost divine.
Looking at the room, at the bed, my chest tightened in a way I didn't expect.
A real bed. A real room. A place to breathe....
I sat on the floor instead.
My back against the wall, legs crossed, eyes closed. Now wasn't the time. I finally was in a safe place where I could let down my guard, meaning I can finally do the one thing I've been dying to do... Play with magic.
And began practicing.
I didn't dare use anything big—not in a rich man's house where accidentally slicing a single furniture chair in half would probably cost more than I could made my whole last life and would get me thrown into the snow.
So I focused on the smallest, gentlest ripples of space. Sensing it.
A subtle wave radiated from my core, bending a faint circle around me. The air shimmered like distant heat. My mana dipped by one, as the world around me was brought into vision. Not with my eyes, but with my Space sense.
I could see and feel the world around me, slowly fade out as the last bit my wave faded. I exhaled then as my mana was slowly being refilled.
I send another ripple out. Again.
Another ripple.
Then a tiny compression—barely visible, but just enough to feel pressure shift against the walls.
Again.
A twist—like pinching a sheet of reality between two fingers.
It wasn't much, but my fine control grew with each attempt. Space magic felt… instinctual. Like breathing. Like something I was always meant to use. I didn't need to make big flashy moves, I simply needed to think about it and space would move.
A twitch of my fingers bent space, an exhale of my breath straighten space out. A single thought and spend warped and bent forming a pocket hole.
Hours passed before I realized how dark the window had grown.
Then—
Knock, knock.
"Kyree? Dinner is ready."
A maid's voice through the door.
I stood, opened the wardrobe, and found neatly folded clothing: black trousers, a soft white shirt, and a gray sweater with embroidered frost patterns along the sleeves.
Simple—but comfortable. And very modern and warm. I had realized that as I was wondering through the city. These people know good fashion. I wasn't even confident in my fashion sense but I had to admit that these people knew style and flair.
After washing my face in the basin and straightening my hair as best I could, I made sure to give my bunny ears a good wash. They were soft and fluffy. Im not gonna lie, it felt rid but also super nice. The nerves are super sensitive so it was a very pleasant experience washing my bunny ears.
I stepped out into the hallway.
Time for my first dinner in this world that wasn't berries and dried bread.
Lucy was standing there like a statue, she didn't say anything about my appearance and simply led me down the hall.
Eventually we reached a set of doors.
The dining hall glowed with warm golden light. A long table stretched nearly the length of the room, though only three seats were occupied:
Lord Harewyn at the head, Isabelle to his right, and to Isabelle's right a young boy, maybe 7 or 8?
On the other side of Lord Harewyn, sat an empty seat across just across from Isabelle.
Mine.
I swallowed and approached.
"Kyree," Lord Harewyn said with a nod. "Good of you to join us."
I took my seat carefully. The cushion sank under my weight, and I forced myself not to stiffen.
Servants entered with plates moments later—steaming roasted fish glazed in herbs, soft winter vegetables drizzled with something buttery, fresh bread, and a bowl of clear broth that smelled like heaven.
My stomach growled loudly.
Isabelle's eyes locked on to me, she didn't say a word, simply siting there and watching me. While Lord Harewyn pretended not to notice, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
We began eating.
It was absurdly good.
Halfway through the meal, Lord Harewyn set down his utensils and looked at me with quiet deliberation.
"Now that you've delivered Garron's letter… what do you intend to do next?"
I wiped my mouth with the provided cloth, and set down my utensils. While I may not have had the grace that these nobles did, I could be respectful.
"I plan to find work," I said honestly. "Something that pays enough for an inn or room rental while I adjust to the city."
His expression shifted—surprise flickering in his eyes.
"You're… aware of how money works?"
I nodded. "Garron explained some things before I left. If I have a job, then I get money to pay to eat." I said as if I was some sage. In reality Garron didn't mention any of this, but I'd been thinking about this the moment I set to the city.
After all I didn't have any money, if Lord Harewyn hadn't offered to let me stay here I would been out on the streets right now looking for someplace to sleep. It wouldn't been the first time I wouldn't forced to find a place to sleep outside.
Before I cold get lost in thoughts about my mother and my previous life, he hummed thoughtfully.
"Most children your age—and certainly newborns—don't consider employment as their first step."
I shrugged awkwardly. "I just don't want to rely on strangers more than I already have."
A pause.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"You remind me of myself at your age."
I nearly dropped my spoon.
He continued:
"The school term begins soon. Isabelle will be attending the Wilnex Academy. The Snowhare children of noble and notable families all study there. If you wish, Kyree… you may remain here until you are ready to enroll."
I froze.
A warm home. Food. Safety. Education. A chance to learn in this world.
But—
"That's very generous, but I—I don't want to take advantage," I said quickly. "I can't repay you right now."
Lord Harewyn nodded softly.
"A fair concern. But a child with nowhere else to go should not be left in the cold."
Before I could respond—
A new voice slid into the conversation.
Smooth, light, teasing.
"Then how about," Isabelle said, resting her elbows lightly on the table,"you work for me until you pay off your debt?"
The room went completely still.
Lord Harewyn blinked.
While I stared, Isabelle. At first I thought she was a beautiful girl and thought to simply ask for directions. But looking at her now up close. Beautiful doesn't begin to describe her.
Her features hit me all at once, sharp and soft in the same breath.
Her rabbit ears were the first thing I noticed — long, pristine white, soft-looking in a way that made something traitorous flash through my mind:
I wonder how they'd taste.
Not literally eat her, but… yeah. I shut that thought down immediately.
Below them, her elf-like ears peeked elegantly through her hair — long, sculpted, almost shining. Perfect in a way that made you think she was a model.
Her hair was a waterfall of pale blue, so light it almost glowed under the lanterns and candle light. Every strand swayed gently with her movements, too silky to be real.
Her eyes met mine.
Bright blue. Wide yet sharp. There was a mischief flickering behind the softness, like she was already judging me and having fun with it.
Her lashes were long enough to cast faint shadows on her cheeks, fluttering once as she assessed me — and somehow that tiny motion nearly took my soul.
Her skin looked impossibly smooth, like fresh snow with warmth hidden underneath. And her lips — thin, soft-looking, the faintest natural pink — made her look delicate in a way that was dangerously distracting.
She wasn't just beautiful.
She was stunning.
Striking.
The kind of girl you'd assume walked out of some divine artist's sketchbook.
For a moment, I completely forgot what she said in the first place.
One of the servants at the back coughed into their sleeve.
Isabelle only smiled—small, graceful, but undoubtedly amused.
"What?" she said innocently. "If Father insists on letting him stay, he should contribute. And I could use an attendant."
"A—what?" I managed. It was then that I remembered. She said I would work for her. As an attendant?
Her eyes sparkled.
"You'll learn the estate. You'll help me during errands. And perhaps…" she tilted her head slightly, letting a strand of blue hair fall over her shoulder,"…I can keep a closer eye on you, as Father requested."
Lord Harewyn rubbed his forehead.
"That is not what I meant."
"But it's practical," she argued lightly. "And fair. He gets a job, a place to live, food to eat."
Her gaze slid to me again.
"So, Kyree~… what do you say?" the way she dragged out my name, like she was testing me, teasing me.
My fork hovered in mid-air.
Work for Isabelle. Work with Isabelle. Every day.
If I had to be honest that was a ... dangerous idea. A terrible idea. Absolutely terrible. Still...
"…I… can do that," I said slowly.
Her smile widened the tiniest fraction.
"Good. Then we have an agreement."
My heart thudded—louder than it should have.
The world was changing fast.
Too fast.
But maybe…
Maybe in the right direction.