Anna's tent looked similar to mine and Andre's. Rugs, enchanted brazier, wooden furniture, and so on. However, everything was of a much higher quality. It made sense. Andre and I were guests, while she was the young mistress around here.
Anna's tent was also suffused with her vanilla scent, which I found enticing. I didn't know when it happened, but at so point, I beca addicted to it.
"I apologize for my warriors' crude behavior." Anna said as we entered the tent. "They're not used to seeing soone like you."
I shook my head.
"It doesn't bother ." I said. "Okay, that's a lie. It bothers a little." I snorted. "Still, considering what you're like, I'm not surprised that your people are the sa way."
Anna walked over to the wooden chest at the first of her bed. She rummaged around for a bit, before pulling out a bottle of wine and two tin mugs. The two of us sat down at her table, before she filled both mugs with wine and handed one to .
I accepted the mug and took a sip. It wasn't the best I've had, but it was still pretty good. If nothing else, it ward my stomach.
"Are you sure you don't want to rest first?" I asked. "We can talk later."
Anna shook her head. Unlike , she didn't drink her wine. Instead, she stared at her mug and ran her thumb along the rim.
"Who are you?" She asked.
It took a mont to realize what she ant. Right. I went through this before with Cally.
"Gabriel Sturm." I said, taking another sip of wine.
Anna gave an unamused look.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes." She said. "Kaylee was one of my comrades in the First Tiline. I don't like the idea of a stranger inhabiting her brother's body." She frowned. "My feelings for you are a problem. It feels like I'm betraying Kaylee. I'm hoping that if I know who you really are, it will simplify the matter sohow. Make things less ssy."
Anna's concern for my younger sister touched . Perhaps she was a better person than I gave her credit for.
"I told you," I said, "I'm Gabriel Sturm."
Anna clenched her jaw.
"Don't lie to ." She said. "Gabriel Sturm is dead. You're a transmigrator from another world."
I nodded.
"Yes. However, I'm also Gabriel Sturm." I leaned my elbow on the table and propped up my chin. "Just as people can transmigrate into Lumina, they can transmigrate out. That's what happened to when I died in the First Tiline. I reincarnated in another realm. Twenty five years later, I died again and ended up back here."
Anna's eyes widened.
"Wait, are you saying that you're the real Gabriel Sturm?"
I snickered.
"As I've said this entire ti, yes. There's no reason for you to feel guilty. Your feelings aren't a betrayal of Kaylee."
Anna let out a relieved sigh.
"Thank the gods." She muttered under her breath, before she raised her voice again. "Does Cally know about this?"
"She does."
Anna looked annoyed.
"That… I'm going to make her pay for this. She should have told ."
"She kept silent out of consideration for ." I gestured to my face. "She warned that if you saw this, you'd never let go."
Anna scoffed, but I saw the corners of her lips turn up in a smile.
"Well, she wasn't wrong. I'm almost tempted to kidnap you and drag you back ho. That way, you can't get away from ."
I narrowed my eyes at her. While I enjoyed my interactions with Anna, far more than I should I might add, I still had my boundaries. There were so lines that one shouldn't cross.
"Don't worry," Anna said, "I won't." Her expression grew serious. "However, this is your last chance to walk away from…" She gestured to the both of us. "… This. I'm not giving you another one. Right now, it's taking all of my self control to hold myself back. Make a choice."
I fell silent for a while.
"You know why I've hesitated this entire ti." I said, feigning nonchalance. "If I say yes, can you promise that you won't abandon ?"
I moved my free hand under the table, to hide the trembling. At the mont, I felt like I stood at a precipice that overlooked a yawning abyss. Would it lead to heaven, or hell?
"Brand-Gabriel, I don't know what kind of woman you think I am, but I already have marriage in mind. That was true before I saw your face."
I ignored the ticklish feeling in my heart when I heard this.
"Why don't we start with courtship?" I asked. "It's a bit early for marriage."
A wide smile spread across Anna's face.
"So that's a yes."
"It's… Not a no." I sighed. "I don't want to rush my first, and last, romantic relationship."
Anna nodded.
"I understand." She said. "As I said before, you have the heart of an innocent maiden."
I glared at her.
"What is that supposed to an?" I asked.
"You want to be romanced."
I grimaced. She wasn't wrong, but…
"Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"
Anna chuckled.
"I think we can both agree that I'm the more assertive one here." She said. "At least, when it cos to matters of the heart." She gave a predatory smile. "I can do romance. In fact, I'm rather excited by the idea. A slow hunt is more rewarding."
A thrill ran through . My heart started racing.
"Why don't we start now?" Anna asked.
She picked up her mug and chugged its contents, before slamming it on the wooden table. She then stood up and walked over to . No. Stalked would be more accurate. Her movents were lithe and smooth, like a cat hunting its prey. A chill ran down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Fear and anticipation filled .
"Start what, exactly?" I asked.
Anna smirked and didn't answer. Instead, she used her foot to nudge my chair, so I faced her. Afterwards, she grabbed the back of my chair, her arms flanking my head. I felt trapped, caged even. Yet, despite that, I didn't want to break free. Her brilliant blue eyes bore into mine, as if piercing into my soul.
"Look at you," Anna whispered, "So innocent, yet so eager. I can see it in your eyes. Gods, it makes want to eat you right up."
Anna let out a low, seductive laugh. My mouth felt dry. I swallowed, but that didn't help. Still holding the back of my chair, Anna straddled my lap. Her body felt warm and firm. Our faces were inches apart. Her breath slled like wine, mingling with her usual vanilla scent. Together, they inundated my senses, overwhelming . I felt lightheaded, as if drunk. Maybe I was.
Anna leaned forward, bringing her lips closer to mine. I waited with eager anticipation. However, in that mont, my internal injuries flared up. I groaned, overco with pain.
"What's wrong?" Anna asked, pulling back. She frowned at .
I gave her a strained smile.
"Nothing much. Just my internal injuries acting up."
Anna narrowed her eyes at .
"What? I thought Cally had already started treating them."
I shook my head.
"She's looking after Leroy at the mont."
Anna stared at in disbelief.
"Then what are you doing, walking about? You should be resting! What's wrong with you?!"
"It's fine. I can handle a bit of pain."
Anna got off of my lap.
"Idiot. When you're injured, you should rest and recover." She clicked her tongue in displeasure. "You need to take better care of yourself. You're my man now. That makes you soone important to . Co here."
Anna grabbed my arm and dragged to her bed.
"Lie down."
"It's not that big of a deal-" I started to say, but Anna silenced with a look.
"Lie down." she repeated.
Deciding that it was easier to listen rather than continue to argue, I laid down on her bed. To my disappointnt, it didn't sll like her. I guess she hadn't used it yet.
"I'll be back."
With that, Anna left her tent. I stared at the ceiling, waiting for her to co back. It didn't take long. Anna returned a few minutes later with Cally in tow.
"What's wrong?" Cally said. "Why the urgency?"
"Heal him." Anna said, pointing at .
Cally looked in my direction and blinked when she saw in Anna's bed. I waved at her. She gave a look that was equal parts resigned and amused.
"I see you succeeded in seducing Lord Gabriel." Cally said, giving Anna a sideways look.
"Just heal him like you should've done in the first place," Anna said, "Instead of wasting ti on a broken shoulder."
Cally gave her a flat look.
"It's easier and faster to heal a broken shoulder than internal injuries." She glanced at . "Besides, knowing Lord Gabriel, he would've insisted that I look after Leroy first."
"It's true." I said.
Anna scowled at .
"You're not so bleeding heart who keeps sacrificing himself for the sake of others, are you?" She asked.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not ant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"I wouldn't describe myself that way, no." I said.
"Yes, he is." Cally said at the sa ti.
Anna looked up, as if beseeching the heavens for aid.
"I have my work cut out for ." She muttered under her breath.
Cally took one of the wooden chairs and sat down next to , while Anna lood behind her. I admitted, I felt a little intimidated.
"I told you to rest." Cally said, scolding even as she checked my condition with her magic.
"It's not like I was doing anything strenuous." I said. "I was just walking around."
"In your condition, even that much puts a strain on your body." Cally gave a hard look. "Stay in bed for the next several days. You've done enough. Leave everything else to us."
I rolled my eyes.
"Fine."
Cally snorted and shook her head. After that, she began healing . My internal injuries itched as Cally literally worked her magic. It was maddening. I wanted to claw at my insides, but held back. I talked with Anna to distract myself.
"So, why are we still here?" I asked in a strained voice. "Why haven't we returned to Icefall City?"
Anna crossed her arms and gave a look.
"Oh co on. You can tell that much at least. I already promised to stay in bed for the next several days."
Anna held my gaze for a mont, before she sighed.
"I wanted to see if the fiend and the demon summoner left any tracks that we could follow back to their hideout." Anna shook her head. "However, even after searching all night, Shannon and I found nothing."
Shannon? Ah, she ant the Third Star martial artist from earlier.
"Besides," Anna continued, "You're in no state for travel. We'll stay here until you're healed."
Cally scoffed, pausing her work for a mont.
"Why don't you tell him the real reason?" She said.
Anna put on a haughty expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She said.
I looked between the two of them.
"The real reason Anna insisted we stay out here is because she didn't want other won to see your face." Cally said, smirking at .
"Just shut up and get back to healing Gabriel." Anna said. "Stop saying useless things."
Cally chuckled, before she resud healing .
"Is that true, Anna?" I asked, flabbergasted.
"Of course." She said without an ounce of sha. "Look at you! What if so other woman stole you away from ? I couldn't take that risk."
My jaw dropped.
"You're exaggerating."
Anna gave a pitying look.
"Gabriel," she said, "My people may be crude, but they're still trained and disciplined warriors. Despite that, your face made them lose their composure. If you walked around Icefall City, I guarantee you would've caused a commotion."
I wasn't sure how to react to that.
"You don't believe , do you?" Anna asked.
I shook my head.
"I don't. I an, nothing like that has ever happened to before."
Anna pursed her lips with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"If I recall, Kaylee said that you spent most of your ti at Sturm Manor."
I nodded.
"I disliked going to social events." I scowled as I recalled unpleasant mories. "My few forays into high society ended in disaster."
Anna nodded.
"You kept yourself shut away from the world, so you never got to see what kind of impact your face had on others."
I scoffed.
"If that's true, then what about the servants at Sturm Manor? They never reacted to my face."
Anna smirked.
"Not in front of you, no. However, I can guarantee that they did as soon as they were behind closed doors."
I stared at Anna for several seconds.
"In that case, what about Cally?"
Cally paused her work again.
"I don't like pretty boys." She said, looking dead in the eyes. "I prefer my n rugged."
After saying her piece, Cally resud healing .
"Accept it, Gabriel," Anna said, "Your face is a work of art." She grinned. "Now it's all mine."
Cally paused her work for a third ti.
"Will you two stop flirting?" She snapped. "It's distracting. Contrary to how this looks, healing internal injuries is a difficult process. So unless you want Gabriel to end up crippled, I suggest you remain quiet until I'm finished."
With that, Anna and I kept our mouths shut until Cally finished healing for the day.
The next several days passed by in agonizing slowness. As I promised Cally, I spent all of that ti resting in bed. No training, no cultivating, no moving around at all. I didn't even have any books to read. It was mind numbingly boring.
At least my friends ca by on a regular basis to give updates on what was going on. For example, Leroy focused most of his ti and energy on training. After what happened with the fiend and demon summoner, he realized that he would fall behind Cally and I if he didn't push himself.
As an added bonus, this gave him an excuse to spend more ti with Richard. They practiced the sa fighting style and used many of the sa techniques. Trading pointers with each other helped the two brothers grow at a rapid rate. I also gave Leroy so advice, which sped up his growth even further.
Leroy wasn't the only one. When Cally wasn't healing , she focused all of her ti on cultivating. Like , she already had the knowledge and experiences from her previous life. She just needed to grow her strength and reach Second Circle.
Andre also spent a lot of ti training and cultivating. Witnessing kill the fiend had lit a fire under him. He said, and I quote, "I can't fall behind my younger cousin." When I heard this, I made a ntal note to kick his ass as soon as my internal injuries healed. Arrogant little punk. Who did he think he was, acting like my senior?
Anna spent a lot of her ti scouting with her people, looking for the demons and their summoners. However, their efforts bore little fruit. Our enemies had hidden themselves too well. At this rate, it looked like we wouldn't be able to prevent the demonic incursion. The attack on Icefall City seed inevitable.
Our best hope at finding our enemies' hideout was Glasses. However, from what Cally told , he was late. The ti for his arrival had passed, yet he hadn't shown up. This boded ill for us.
Still, at least things weren't completely hopeless. Cally managed to convince her father to evacuate all the settlents around Icefall City. That way, if the demonic incursion attacked, there would be less casualties.
However, less didn't an none. If, and perhaps when, the demonic incursion occurred, people would die. That was unavoidable. The only question was how many.
Despite the dire situation, I found myself confined to my bed. Remaining inactive with an impending demonic incursion on the horizon left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Still, as much as it irked , I kept my promise to Cally. If I pushed myself and aggravated my injuries, I wouldn't be in any position to help when it ca ti to deal with the demons. So, I kept my impatience in check.
The days passed like this, one after another, until Cally finished healing my injuries.
"Phew." Cally said, wiping her brow "With that, we're done."
The two of us were in my tent. I sat on my bed, while Cally sat in a chair next to . It was mid morning. Cally arrived at dawn earlier today and had spent the past few hours healing the last of my injuries. We were alone. The others were busy with their respective tasks.
She looked tired. Not that I blad her. Healing internal injuries was a tiring process. It took little mana on the healer's part, but required focus and precision. Otherwise, the healer could aggravate or worsen the injuries. In the worst case scenario, they could even cripple their patient. However, I had faith in Cally's skill.
"Finally." I said, standing up and stretching. "Thank you, Cally. I was going crazy, just lying around and doing nothing."
Cally snorted.
"You're similar to Kaylee in that you both lack patience."
I shrugged.
"More like I had nothing to do. If I'd had sothing to read, that would've been a different story. However, it's hard to find a book when camping in the middle of a barren wilderness." I paused, glancing at Cally. Her words earlier sparked my curiosity. "What was Kaylee like? In the First Tiline, I an."
We didn't know who the other regressors were. Anna and Cally discovered each other when the forr arrived at the Icefall region to deal with the impending demonic incursion. However, the others' identities remained a mystery.
It was possible that Kaylee was a regressor. It was also equally possible that she wasn't. We wouldn't know until we t with her, when the current sester at the Solarian Imperial Academy ended, which was just weeks away.
"Driven." Cally said after a while. "I first t her after House Sturm fell. That's how we bonded. We understood each others' pain. Kaylee dedicated herself to getting revenge on the ones who killed her family. There were tis when I thought she cared more about vengeance than saving Lumina."
I paused before I asked my next question.
"How did House Sturm fall? While we're not as powerful as we used to be, we're still one of the strongest Houses in the entire Solarian Empire. It must have taken considerable effort to destroy us."
Cally frowned.
"It was a combination of factors." She said. "More and more demonic incursions were occurring by that point. Unable to deal with the flood of demons, many Houses called on House Sturm for aid. They stretched themselves thin. When they were at their weakest, a horde of demons attacked Sturm Manor." She looked in the eyes. "At the sa ti, enemies attacked House Sturm from within."
I understood her aning right away.
"Traitors." I said.
Cally nodded.
"A lot of people defected to the demons' side in the First Tiline." Cally said. "So turned traitor before the demonic incursions even began, while others switched sides to save their own skins."
I let out a disgusted sound.
"Please tell you know who these traitors are," I said. "The ones who betrayed House Sturm, I an."
Cally nodded.
"I do." She said. "I helped Kaylee in killing them."
"Thank you for that." I said. "I know it doesn't an much, since your regression undid everything, but thank you regardless." I sighed. "You were there for Kaylee when I wasn't."
Cally gave a soft smile.
"In your defense, you died."
I snorted.
"That's not much of a defense, since I got myself killed. If I hadn't been such a desperate fool back then, chasing after an impossible dream, I would've lived."
Cally's smile fled and she looked away from .
"I don't know if I should tell you this," she said, "However, now that you brought it up, I don't feel right keeping it from you any longer."
I frowned.
"What do you an?" I asked.
"In the First Tiline, Kaylee and I discovered that your death wasn't an accident. It was orchestrated."
I stared at her, stunned.
"What?"
"Soone tampered with the magical procedure you attempted, the one to increase your talent in magic. You didn't kill yourself. They murdered you."
I felt detached as I listened to Cally, as if all this was happening to soone else.
"Was it the traitors?" I heard myself ask.
Cally shook her head and let out a bitter chuckle.
"No." She said. "That was the worst part. It turned out that a few key mbers within House Sturm conspired to kill you. They thought that with you out of the way, your father would declare Kaylee as his heir. When Kaylee found out, she killed everyone involved in your murder. Her wrath was… Terrifying to behold."
I sat down on the bed again and covered my eyes with my hand. My first death, the Incident, was one of the defining monts of my existence. This entire ti, I thought it was my fault. Finding out that soone orchestrated it shook to my core.
"Who?" I asked, still covering my eyes.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Cally asked.
I uncovered my eyes and looked at her.
"Who?" I repeated.
Cally sighed.
"Kurt Traylor, Aleah Jeffers, and Kellan Sturm."
I clenched both my fists, until my knuckles turned white. Kurt Traylor, the head of one of House Sturm's vassal families, was Sturm Manor's butler. He had served my family his entire life. I considered him an important figure from my childhood. He watched grow up. I learned etiquette from the man! His betrayal stung my heart.
On the other hand, I felt less betrayed that Aleah Jeffers was involved in the Incident. Part of it was because I wasn't as acquainted with her as I was with Kurt Traylor. The other part was because I think I knew why she did it. The Jeffers family had served House Sturm for centuries. They were loyal to their core. My existence was a stain on House Sturm. Aleah Jeffers' betrayal wasn't personal. It was for House Sturm.
However, a betrayal was still a betrayal. She would pay for what she did.
As for Kellen Sturm, I never actually t the man. I knew he was one of the most influential figures of House Sturm's collateral family. However, the two of us never interacted with one another. Everything I knew about him ca from rumors and hearsay.
He was one of Kaylee's more vocal supporters. Of House Sturm's collateral families and vassals, he was the one who pushed the most for Kaylee's appointnt as heir. I guess he grew tired of waiting for my father to make a decision and decided to take matters into his own hands.
"How are you feeling?" Cally asked, pulling out of my thoughts.
"Furious." I said. "Furious and betrayed. I knew that House Sturm's collateral families and vassals despised . However, I never expected them to try and kill ." I paused. "Well, they succeeded in the first tiline."
"What are you going to do? Now that you know, I an."
"Get revenge." I tapped my chest, just above my heart. "Otherwise, I'll never know peace. Those people killed and took away from my family. Things are different this ti around, but that doesn't change the pain and suffering I experienced because of them. I refuse to let them get away with it." I shook my head. "Besides, even if I took my personal feelings out of it, they betrayed House Sturm and interfered with its succession. They deserve death for that alone."
Cally studied for several monts.
"You and Kaylee are alike in that regard." She said. "She said sothing similar when she found out the truth."
I gave Cally a grim smile.
"We're Sturms." I said. "We tend to hold grudges over matters like this."
Cally nodded, before she stood up.
"I'll inform Anna that you're ready to travel." She said, changing the subject. "Now that your injuries are healed, there's no reason for us to linger here. We should return to Icefall City."
I nodded, but then paused.
"In order to deal with the coming threat," I said, "I need to go into seclusion. That's the only way I'll beco powerful enough to be of so use. Do you know of any suitable locations?"
While I could seclude myself in the ditation chamber located beneath the rented house, that wouldn't be enough. I needed sothing more, a place that stood apart from the average ditation chamber. As long as it helped reach Second Star, I didn't care what kind of place it was.
"Ask Auntie Charity," Cally said, after mulling it over, "She might be able to help you. However, be prepared to pay a price."
I nodded. I thought as much. Houses and Clans tended to have special locations set aside for seclusion. Given Clan Frostheart's na, I assud it was related to ice and cold sohow.
"Thank you, Cally. I appreciate it."
Cally nodded, before leaving my tent. I sat on my bed for a while, stewing in my own thoughts. After a while, I shook my head. Getting revenge would have to wait. Right now, I needed to deal with the coming demonic incursion. So I buried my anger and focused on the present.
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