As I kneeled on both knees and waited for Ava to tell about the tournant, I was constantly t with the guilty and apologetic gaze of Miriam as she seed to be apologizing for putting in this tough spot.
I couldn’t respond to her due to the situation I was in, but rather than being angry at her, I was rather grateful because believe it or not, I was lost on what role I would play in the Rothschild house.
Before being hauled out of the room earlier today by Miriam in preparation for the arrival of Oliver, I planned to find a job outside the Rothschild house, trying to be independent and all that.
Only after thinking it through did I realize how bad and stupid of an idea it was.
Yes, I had the knowledge of the basic things one was to know of the world, but only after conversing with one of the maids did I realize how flawed my thinking was.
Miriam’s definition of ’basic’ was absurdly different from a normal citizen and I could only bla myself for not thinking about that.
She was a royal for god’s sake and the last child of one of the strongest houses in this kingdom, obviously she wouldn’t know about the places normal citizens would know about due to the fact that she was spoiled right from birth.
The ’normal’ places one could go to buy weapons for example, are high–end smithys and weapon shops where you would need a 2–month advance booking just to be considered for getting a weapon of your choice!
That being said, it wasn’t a complete loss as I got to know details about the kingdoms and politics only high ranking individuals knew about and I plan to use those pieces of information to my advantage later in in the future.
"Now, the tournant is an annual event hosted by the four empires"
My thoughts ca to a halt as Ava began to explain the important details about the tournant.
"The belvedan empire which you’re currently in and is the major settlent for the humans"
"The yggdrasillen empire which is the major settlent for the elves"
"The Grunvaldir empire which is the orcs’ major settlent"
As Ava continued explaining, I crosschecked the mories in my mind to make sure all that I knew were correct and thankfully the mory transfer incident did not affect anything.
"It is held to strengthen rivalry and camaraderie between the four major species and the winner of the tournant has the privilege to ask of anything from the king of their respective empires."
"The families be them minor or major each send out their best fighters to defend their honor."
"And if they lose?". I asked innocently
"Then they die". Ava said coldly
I gulped as I knew that was an indirect warning to .
"Anyways, the tournant is to be held next year on the third day in the month of Zorak"
Ava continued as she inspected her nails with a bored look.
"You can choose to stay here and train to get your rank up or leave and venture out on your own and get so experience".
I fell deep in thought as I considered the two options.
’The month of Zorak from my mories should be August if I’m not mistaken, they have 12 months so it should be the sa’.
’Today is coincidentally the first of August, so I have exactly one year to get my rank to E...this is going to be tough’
I thought as I looked at my system.
: Clark Thompson
Age: 22
Lvl: 4 [Congrats to the mc for breaking through 3 levels!!!]
Skills: [Rank nullification lvl 3] [Magic fingers lvl 3] [Liar lvl 3 ], [Masseuse lvl 4 (NEW!)] [Calculative lvl.3(NEW!)]
Traits: [ slow learner, soft spoken, pushover, tenacious mind, expert masseuse, cool headed]
Mission completion: 3/??
Rank: F-
Rate of improvent: 1 level per 3 years and 11 months (improvable)
*******
I never had the chance to look at my system and get the run down of my skills since so much happened since then but looking at it now, I knew I had no chance at getting to E rank before next year.
’There’s only one option’
"I’ll leave the Rothschild house and co back before the ti for the tournant draws near." I said as I looked upwards at Ava.
Ava seed to have expected my response as there was no change in her expression.
Miriam on the other hand....
"W-wait you can’t leave, I-i’m sure we can get the best tutors to train you–"
"Miriam Rothschild, carry yourself with the grace and dignity of the Rothschild family"
Ava interrupted Miriam’s flustered please with a strict look as she looked at .
"Very well, you may leave anyti you please." Ava added.
"I would like to leave today if possible".
"Bu–"
"Miriam"
Miriam tried to stop but was t with a gaze from Ava that showed she won’t tolerate her excesses again.
"You may leave". Ava responded with a calm look
"Thank you for your kindness, Lady Miriam, Lady Ava".
I thanked the two sisters as I stood up with a bow.
"Hm". Ava humd in response as she stood up and went to her room, leaving I and Miriam alone.
"..."
"..."
We stood in silence for a while before Miriam eventually broke the silence.
"Do you hate ?"
Miriam asked as her face darkened
"Wha–"
"I know I’ve caused you alot of trouble ever since I bought you and I probably shouldn’t care...but sohow...I do"
"Miriam I–"
I was once again interrupted.
"I tortured you for my own pleasure, I nearly killed you with my mory transfer, and now I’ve put you in the sights of my brother and the rest of my family and possibly the whole world with this tournant because I didn’t listen."
"I never listen....I’ve always dove into things head first without concern for others and if things ever got troubleso, my family always handled it...."
"I’m careless, stupid and I don’t care about others....."
"But I’ll try to change I promise!"
"I-i’ll stop going on missions that are higher than my level, I’ll stop buying slaves for my entertainnt, I’ll..... please...."
As Miriam talked, tears started streaming down her eyes as she thought I was leaving because I hated her essentially abandoning her.
I didn’t know what she had been through over the course of her life, but this reaction over soone you t two days ago was rather extre.
As soone who’s EQ was extrely low due to the almost non existent emotional connection in my past life, I didn’t know how to deal with the issue Infront of and the strange feeling I was having in my heart.
But I knew I had to do sothing... anything.
So I walked over to her....
and hugged her as tightly as I could.
’Was this the right thing to do?’
I thought as Miriam buried her face in my chest.
"Miriam....I don’t hate you"
I spoke after a brief mont of silence.
"The only thing I know you did was try to help when no one even looked my way"
The words began to flow more naturally the more I spoke as Miriam’s body stiffened in response to my words.
"You gave knowledge people would die for"
"You gave a robe that your brother–whom you love so much. Wore during his younger days."
"You defended in front of your family, multiple tis."
"You gave a chance to get stronger"
As I reached this point, I held on to the shoulders of Miriam as I faced her.
"I don’t know what I would have done without you"
Sothing wet was trickling down my face.
’Tears?’. I thought
As I looked into the eyes of the shocked Miriam, I saw the reflection of my face in her teary eyes.
’Am I crying? Why?’. I still couldn’t understand why I was crying when I wasn’t hurt.
And then it hit .
I was crying tears of joy.
Joy that soone finally cared for .
Joy that soone would cry for and ask not to leave.
I was.....happy.
"I would never and can never hate you Miriam."
"You’re the only person I can ever trust and probably ever will"
"So please.....don’t betray "
I hugged Miriam once more, this ti with all my strength as I felt her warmth.
As the sound of sobbing eventually subsided, I muttered into Miriam’s ear
"I’m not leaving because I hate you, it’s because I want to make you proud"
"To make you see that the man who you face all these opportunities to isn’t so free loader"
"To one day be worthy of you"
A slight blush appeared on Miriam’s face as I said that but I couldn’t see it.
"Mm"
Only a slight nod as she buried her face in my chest was what I needed at that mont.
So we stayed in that mont for a while, only accompanied by our light breaths and warmth.
.
.
.
On a rooftop far away from the large ho, a shadowy figure watched the two individuals share a heart felt mont and moved agilely away from the location.
It’s destination?
Oliver Rothschild’s room.
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