BK1 Chapter Two, Part Two

Chapter Two, Part Two

Sign up for the Army? Seriously?? Me?? But I can barely grip a sword! I pulled on the sides of my hair as I paced back and forth in my room.

"Vishka, you can't be serious?" I exclaimed for the sixth time without a response. Finally, giving up, I flopped onto my bed face first. I had a few minutes until the planned meal for my brother's return.

Plenty of time to freak out.

What could I even do in the Army? I'm a weakling considered mortal. I can barely control my core's singular mote of magic, let alone summoning magic that probably requires thousands.

My arms are frail and underfed, with no muscles for using a sword, bow, or dagger. I'm utterly useless at combat… perhaps I could be a designated cleaner? Yeah, that I can do, I guess. It would be gross, no doubt, but something I'm capable of.

"Arrgh", I huffed into my pillow, turning around to my back.

Maybe this was where I was going wrong in my previous lives. Was I too weak to survive? Is this Vishka's way of saying I don't belong being a regular citizen?

I released a long breath staring up at the ceiling. I had planned on leaving this house. But I wasn't sure what I would do when I did leave. Perhaps this is it? The path I was meant to take.

A minor knock on the door made me jump.

"Lynette?" a female voice called as the door opened. "Are you ready yet?"

"Kara..." I stared as my sister entered my room. Her blonde hair was in ringlets, her figure dainty, and her eyes a dazzling blue. She looked as she did when she was eighteen and was buzzing with excitement from the look on her face.

"What are you doing on the bed?" She asked, tutting, seeing my scrunched-up hair. "What happened to your hair? Here, let me fix it", she motioned to my shabby desk.

I rolled off the bed with a moan, dragged my feet to the stool, and sat down obediently. I would do many things for Kara, even let her brush my hair.

"It just kind of happened", I sighed, looking at the mess in the mirror. I had really stressed out.

"Oh yeah? Looks like you were upset about something to me" she smiled knowingly.

Damn her.

"I'm just nervous about seeing Eduard and Callan after so long" I lied but also didn't. I was nervous about seeing them again. My two older brothers, who hated me, were nothing for me to be excited about.

"What's there to be worried about?" she tipped some pins onto the desk and began to scrunch my hair up into a bun. Down is probably too messy now. The frizz won't go away without washing it.

"You know they won't be happy to see me", I sighed as she began to prod the pins into place.

"Nonsense! They will be delighted to see you, Lynette. You are their sister just as much as I am", she sternly told me, fighting a stray strand of hair that kept escaping.

"Alright, I won't argue" I bit back the frown on my lips. I wasn't their sister or Kara's by blood. As much as Kara thought of me as though I was, they definitely didn't.

"Good", she said triumphantly. "There, perfection" she made a gesture with her hand, kissing the tips of her fingers before pulling them away. It was definitely an impressive bun. She had even used the green ribbon I used as a choker earlier to tie around the bun. It did match my dress.

"Must you wear this?" she poked the leather choker I had swapped it with. It had an engraved swirl pattern, so it wasn't downright dull.

"I must. It's my new fashion choice", I told Kara, full of confidence. It technically was, even if it was out of necessity.

"It just seems so… not you", she flumped, clearly not liking the lack of jewels. She was a spoilt child, after all. Much like I had been in my first life, though she had the love of her family.

"I like it, so I'm wearing it" I smiled, making her cave.

"Fine, but there's no way that's a trend" Kara accepted my choice linking her arm through mine as I stood.

"Perhaps not yet…." I teased her.

"Perhaps never", she rolled her eyes at me. "Is that what you bought today? Nothing else?" we spoke as she expertly led me from my room down the hallway of paintings.

"I bought a couple of ribbon ones, but this one was my favourite, alongside a black version of the same design."

"You didn't get them at the Temple then?" as she spoke, I froze on the spot, widening my eyes.

"How do you know I went to the Temple?" I asked, already knowing it was Freda. She must have told her. Miguel wouldn't know who to tell. Not only my personal maid, but Freda was also my personal spy, Kara's spy. That much I learned in my second life.

"I have my ways", Kara winked at me. "So tell me, were you praying for a lover to appear?" she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Kara", I dead-panned, continuing to walk forward.

"One day, someone is going to choose you, you know."

"I know that's what worries me", I muttered as we left the hallway.

"Again worrying, you need to relax more", she scolded me playfully. "I won't tell Father or brother Eduard, so relax. It's not like you broke a statue of the gods whilst you were there", she joked before giving me a pointed look.

"No, I didn't cause any trouble" I smirked back at her, letting her lead me down the stairs and eventually towards the dreaded dining room.

As we entered, the first person we saw was Viscount Heversham. He looked up only at Kara as we entered, ignoring me altogether.

"Father!" Kara released me, running up to him to envelop him in a hug causing him to chuckle.

"Kara dear, and here I was about to get the servants to fetch you". He patted her shoulder as she broke the hug to take a seat on his left.

"I finished the handkerchiefs. Do you think Eduard and Callan will like them?" Kara pulled out two light blue silk squares of material. Delicate embroidery of blue snakes had been sewn on them with their initials.

The water snake, the symbol of the Heversham family, nearly all of the heads of their ancestors possessed the same type of summoned water snake. It had become a tradition. Thus the colour blue also followed as the symbol of water.

"They are beautiful. Your brothers will think the same", Roger complimented her as I silently chose a seat at the other end of the table.

I would have liked to have sat beside Kara, but either Eduard or Callan would make a stink about that, as they always did in the past. It was best to sit away from them, so I chose the opposite side to Roger at the head of the table, the farthest away.

"Viscount", Henley stood at the doorway, his black suit pressed neatly. "The young lords have arrived" he bowed as heavy steps echoed behind me, my back facing the door.

Please ignore me, please ignore me, please ignore me.

"Kara! Father!" Callan's loud voice erupted first as Kara squealed, pushing her chair and running up to him for a hug.

Callan stepped into view beside me, his tousled light brown hair like his father's, his steel grey eyes like Cassandra's. He stood close to six feet tall, with tanned olive skin after being in the deadland's dry heat.

My eyes widened, however, as he hugged Kara, there above his head…. Was it a number?

Vishka's guidance system

Callan Heversham

Likeability: -25%

The box popped up to confirm what I saw, likeability… was this what it was?

A literally numbered index of how much someone liked me? So if Callan ever fell to -50%, I could face death…. Well… my second life just became somewhat more transparent.

A dry cough to my right startled me. Hesitantly, I turned to see Eduard staring at me impatiently. He had steel grey eyes like Callan, though their hostility almost seemed sharper. In the proper lighting, his hair was a much darker shade of brown, almost black. He had a strong jaw, and I know many women in Talbour saw him as the most eligible bachelor. But, to me, he was the most frustrating jailer.

"Eduard", I nodded simply, eyeing the slithering water snake curling around his arm. Like Father, Eduard was a skilled water summoner. Callan was an experienced core mage but hadn't been able to summon a spirit yet.

Floating above Eduard's head was another likeability meter. My guidance system confirmed it for me again.

Vishka's guidance system

Eduard Heversham

Likeability: -13%

I was surprised to see his meter was lower than Callan's. I would have thought Eduard hated me the most. He sure acted like it.

"Have you been well?" Eduard asked me, his voice calm, not taking his eyes off me. Calculating as always.

"Well enough", I forced a reply feeling the urge to pinch my fingers. Eduard always made my chest tighten in anticipation. I never knew when he would punish me, confine me, shout at me, something that made me feel small.

"How were the deadlands?" I sensed he wanted me to continue rather than opting for silence like my usual stance. Was it six months away? Did he miss torturing me?

"It was as expected", he replied dryly, stepping closer, the hairs on my arms raised.

"Expected? It was magnificent", Callan beamed, rushing over to sit beside Kara. "Lord Elkart was fantastic, a true beast under that mask of his. I swear he could take on anything with just his sword alone. He barely used his lightning magic."

"That would have been a sight to see", I replied to Callan in an attempt to veer Eduard away from me. Eduard stopped moving closer. I could almost feel the frown on his face as I dismissed our conversation.

"I got to kill a few Fire Scorpians and even a couple of overgrown Cerue" Callan raised an eyebrow at me with a slight smirk.

Good for him. Too bad I'm not bothered by that joke anymore.

"Cerue? How interesting. Did the Young Duke train you?" I asked Callan, not reacting to his taunt. The smirk on his face quickly fell as I became less fun for him. Callan had always been easy enough to deal with. It was his temper that I had struggled with in the past.

"It was certainly successful, Father". Eduard finally left my side to sit beside Roger at the other end of the table, leaving me to my solitude.

"I'm glad to see you both home safely", Roger greeted them proudly as we settled for the special dinner they had planned.

I wonder what I'm going to get served?

"You must tell me all about it. I've been so excited about you coming home. We can go to the festival together! It's on for a few more days" Kara excitedly began to chatter to Callan as he told his exploits.

I wasn't interested in listening to his exaggerated tales of sleeping in a tent for a few months or the gruesome combat they faced with the demonic beasts in the deadlands. I had heard it all before, but also, it made a lump form in my throat at the mere thought that it could be me next year if this quest of Vishka's had me joining them.

Zoning out, sipping my tea, I leaned my head on my hand as the three chatted away. Eduard glanced at me a few times but didn't really pay attention to anything I was doing. This was the easiest way to survive most dinners. In the past, when I would try to join the conversation, I would only get scowled at, sent to my room, or flat-out ignored. So it hurt less to not say anything at all.

I watched the happy thanks Callan and Eduard gave Kara when she presented them with their handkerchiefs. Callan proudly folded it into his uniform's front pocket so it was visible. Unfortunately, it clashed horribly against his grey standard foot-guard tunic.

As he couldn't use summoning magic yet, Callan was a part of the training unit in the Army, which specialised in weapons combat.

Eduard neatly tucked his gifted handkerchief inside his black blazer jacket. Even though he was a Summoner, Eduard wasn't a part of the Army's fighting force. Instead, he had chosen to join a different division, laying the foundation for the skills he would need to become the next Viscount someday. I wasn't sure exactly what he did. However, I had never lived long enough to see him become the Viscount. Maybe I could join a non-combat division like he had.

A clatter of wheels announced the food carts' arrival, a delicious smell drifting to the table, perking us all up. I still hadn't eaten yet, so I was rather famished. The maids wasted no time leaving their assigned places at the edge of the room to pick up the plates of food. I saw freshly cooked steaks and baby potatoes, making my mouth water.

Finally, it was my turn, and I was left disappointed.

Freda was hesitant as she came over, her hand shaking a little as she put the plate down. The smell of off eggs and fat wafted to my nose; wrinkling it, I looked at my meal of lumpy white slop.

Gruel. They were seriously serving me gruel. They had hidden it well under a layer of steak. Without a closer look, it may have looked like mashed potatoes.

Snapping my head toward the chef, I saw his satisfied grin at my reaction, his eyes laced with ridicule and mirth. No wonder Freda had been nervous. She had no control over what the chefs served. I would have liked to think she would not have given me something so foul willingly.

Begrudgingly I didn't bother to pick up my cutlery, continuing to sip my tea instead. It was better than the trash in front of me, no doubt mostly made of lard from the looks of it.

Roger happily tucked into the medium-rare steak across from me, oblivious. Eduard and Callan enjoyed their fresh meal. After months of living on rations, they barely had time to look up from their own food.

Pleasant as always, Kara flashed me a quick smile before continuing to chat away, just as oblivious as her father.

The past me would have stood up by now, raised my voice and accused the chef of trying to poison me. Eduard would then get mad at me for ruining the atmosphere, telling me to stop being ridiculous and appreciate the food they provide without ever looking at it.

Next, Callan would storm out, taking his food with Kara, upset with me for ruining their meal. Finally, Roger would quietly sit at the head of the table, happy to listen and watch the event unfold without interference, leaving it all to Eduard.

Frustrated at the lack of understanding for my outburst, I flipped the table, which sentenced me to confinement in my room. I was then brought nothing but mouldy bread for a week by the kitchen staff.

I'll leave this house soon.

"I have an announcement to make now that we are all together", Roger interrupted the meal, causing us to pause. This hadn't happened before. I had usually left or already ruined the meal by this point.

"An announcement?" Kara asked, looking to her brothers for hints, but they were just as surprised. Of course, they would be. They had only just gotten back after their expedition to the deadlands.

"Yes, my dear" Roger smiled affectionately before looking directly at me.

I stilled in my seat, my tea hanging near my mouth.

"We have received a marriage proposal for Lynette from Baron Garret Asher. I have decided to accept" Roger beamed at me as though it was a gift.

"A proposal! Oh my gosh, how exciting! Lynette, did you hear!? You're getting married!" Kara clapped in glee, the thoughts of a wedding dress no doubt filling her mind.

"Ha, Baron Asher? Seriously? When did he even meet Lynette?" Callan asked, continuing to cut his steak.

Eduard remained quiet but didn't move to continue eating, looking at his father for his response to Callan's Question.

"They m-" my father began.

"It was at Sarah Gangley's ball two months ago", Kara giggled, interrupting, "I knew he had taken a fancy to you, Lynette! He was super eager to ask her for a dance, and he ended up asking her three times before she finally let him" she winked at me popping a potato in her mouth.

"Sarah Gangley? Her coming-of-age ball, was it?" Callan said.

"Yep, they looked so gorgeous together. Let me tell you, I was jealous, as only Steven Gangley asked me. Many of the other ladies told me how jealous they were of Lynette as well" Kara continued to tell them of the ball as my blood ran cold.

Slowly, I lowered my cup of tea, trying to keep my hand as steady as possible.

But, of course, I had returned later this life than last time, so there was no way to fix my initial meeting with Garret Asher. I had forgotten how we met in the years living with him, a memory I had succeeded in burning from my mind.

Was I going to suffer at his hand again?

The tea began to shake with my trembling hand. I quickly grabbed my right wrist with my left to lower the teacup properly onto the table.

"Lyn-"

What was I going to do?

Roger could definitely make me marry like he did last time, though before he hadn't announced this. Before, I had already stormed out, so Roger told me about the proposal alone in his study where I could protest. That's when he lied to me about Kara being the person that Garret wanted to marry, to convince me to agree in her stead. However, Roger didn't need to do that. As my adoptive father, he had the right to choose my marriage. He had only wanted to make it so I wouldn't protest it as much.

Is this why I have to join the Army? Is that my way to escape?

I need to hurry.

Tomorrow isn't soon enough. I must pack a bag and leave first thing in the morning. The longer I stay here, the stronger my chances of getting re-married to that bast-

"Lynette!" my body was abruptly shaken. I blinked and found a pair of calloused hands on my shoulders and steel grey eyes as Eduard stared at me in concern.

"Lynette? Are you alright?" He asked me, his voice heavy.

"I-I'm fine", I said, taken back by how close he was. When did he come over to me?

"You're as pale as a sheet", Eduard remarked, loosening his grip on me with a furrowed expression.

"It's fine. I just haven't eaten yet," I absently answered, touching my forehead. I was sweaty.

"Haven't eaten? We were just having a meal, idiot" Callan rolled his eyes at me as though I was talking nonsense. Kara, I noticed, was cocking her head curiously.

I stilled in Eduards hands. Were they going shout at me as they did in my past lives when I mentioned the food?

"I-I need to go," I said, pushing my chair back and attempting to stand. However, when I tried to, my legs betrayed me.

"Lynette!" Eduard caught me in a swift movement. I felt the pressure of his hand on my waist as he lifted me to my feet.

What was wrong with me?

Shock, I must be in shock.

The trauma Garret left me. I guess hearing his name invites fear now.

"I'm fine", I lied, trying to pry Eduard's hand away, but he held firm. What's up with him? Usually, he avoids touching me.

"Maybe she needs to lie down, Freda?" Kara stood this time trotting over to me, signalling my personal maid. Whatever good she was going to be.

"Psh, she's just overreacting again. Let her go, Eduard", Callan said, annoyed with me.

"I'm fine, Eduard", I repeated myself, trying to pry his hands away again.

"Freda, fetch her some water" Eduard ignored me and the open hand Freda offered. Freda bowed and quickly moved to do as she was told.

"Really, I'm okay. It's just a light, dizzy spell", I sighed.

Kara placed her hand on my forehead. "You do feel a little hot. Maybe you caught a fever?" she pouted. "On such a good day like today too! We will have to celebrate Baron Asher's proposal tomorrow instead."

My body flinched as she said his name.

I wonder if Eduard noticed?

"I'm sure she's fine", Callan mumbled, finally placing his fork down. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's doing this for attention" his smug look towards me shot daggers.

"Callan, don't make assumptions", The Viscount scolded him as Freda brought me my water. I didn't reject it as, frankly, I probably needed it.

"Assumptions? You know she's exaggerating" Callan's tone grew increasingly annoyed.

"I think I will excuse myself", I said, hinting at Freda.

"Yes, run away now you've made a scene" Callan shook his head.

"Callan" Eduard firmly frowned at Callan, sprouting a snarl from him.

"I'm fine, really", I sighed, my mind reeling. I just haven't eaten in a while. That's probably why I'm feeling so faint.

"What?" Eduard frowned down at me. "That's the second time you have mentioned not eating."

"Huh," I looked at him, confused. What did I just say?

"What do you mean Lynette" Roger spoke, now finally standing from his chair. "Explain. What do you mean you haven't eaten in a while?" He slowly walked towards me.

My face flushed as I realised my mistake. Crap. I said that out loud, didn't I?

"Um," how do I de-escalate this? Eduard was definitely going to put me under house arrest again.

"What a farce", Callan interrupted my response, "saying she hasn't eaten all day- Pah", he grunted. "What a ton of lies" Callan stood and began toward us.

"We feed her extravagant meals like thi-" he stopped mid-sentence, having picked up my bowl of trash for the first time and looking at it closely.

"What is it?" Roger spoke, seeing the widening of Callan's eyes.

"What the hell is this!?" Callan shouted towards the chef, who gulped in the corner of the room.

"Whats.. ah-!" Kara peeked at the bowl and gasped. Eduard's gaze bore into me, scrutinising me as he held me in place.

"Is this supposed to be a joke?" Callan narrowed his eyes at the chef as his face went white in a matter of seconds. His previous ridicule vanished.

"M-my Lord, i-it's not what you think", the chef stammered, unsure what to do with himself.

"Oh? What exactly do I think it is!?" Callan's voice never lowered as he threw the bowl at the wall beside the chef's head. It smashed on impact, sloppy gruel and steak trickling down the walls as the chef ducked. Callan had always been quick with his temper.

"Callan, enough" Roger stamped his cane on the ground, his water snake slithering around it.

"Father!" Callan complained, but a hard stare from Roger made him lower his hands and settle.

"Mr Ocra, explain" Roger directed his attention to the chef as he whimpered.

"Yes. Please do", Eduard added.

"I-I" The chef wrung his hands, lost for words.

I watched his lip tremble under the pressure of the room. Even the other staff watched him expectantly, most probably afraid for themselves as well.

Reluctantly Eduard released his hand from my waist as I finally pried it off.

This whole situation was escalating. Yet, as unwell as I felt from the news of my marriage proposal, the ridiculousness made me chuckle.

All eyes turned towards me as the laughter grew.

"Really now? I'm surprised you care at all, Callan" I wasted no time gripping Freda's hand to steady my legs. Her support was much preferred to Eduard's.

"...What?" Callan frowned.

"Your acting like this is unusual. The meals I eat are none of your concern."

"None of my concern?" Callan scrunched his face. "Of course, it's my concern, yo-"

"It's never bothered you before", I leered at him. "It's never bothered any of you, so there's really no point in caring now" I shook my head at their stupefied stares.

A cold silence filled the dining room, my meal dripping slowly down the walls, and my utensils sat on the table perfectly clean.

Undoubtedly, I hadn't eaten anything as they merrily chatted away earlier. None of them bothered to notice, though, to ever check or ask my opinions on my life.

"If you're finished, I think I'll return to my room now to rest" I broke the silence. "Freda, if you could help me to my room, I'd appreciate it" I turned to open the dining room doors.

No one tried to stop me from leaving as I walked away, supported by Freda. The moment the doors closed, I heard the muttering of voices ignite, and two boxes appeared before my eyes.

Vishka's guidance system

Callan Heversham

Likeability: -20% (+5%)

Vishka's guidance system

Eduard Heversham

Likeability: -16% (-3%)