Rein's desire to survive made him recall the story of the novel and anything he could possibly use before he died.
At least, he decided to enjoy his life and reduce his pain as Reinhart.
After talking with Elie and finally reaching an agreement, Rein wanted to get to know the original owner of this body and what he had done.
Of course, Elie must know because he had received detailed information about the schedule typically followed by Prince Reinhart. That information was obtained from the previous personal servant who had resigned.
'I have to make my life as comfortable as possible. Hmm, at least like a death row inmate, heh…'
Rein mocked himself inwardly as he asked Elie to escort him to Reinhart's library.
Though his body was weak, he could still walk, though not for too long, as his breathing would become laboured.
'Elie is like Sebastian. Well, it feels similar because he'll protect me by any means necessary until the time set for my death.'
Rein watched Elie's back as he walked ahead, thinking about a comic he had read.
By the way, he had asked Elie when that set time would arrive. It turned out to be three years from now.
If that's the case, Rein's current age should be fifteen because in the novel, Reinhart died at eighteen during his coming-of-age ceremony.
Rein had reached the point of accepting his situation because there was no other choice. Still, with Elie's protection, there were some things he could do to ease his pain.
As Rein was lost in thought, they finally arrived at the double-door reading room.
"Your Highness, according to the records, Prince Reinhart always used this room before his health deteriorated," Elie informed him of new information about Reinhart.
Now, there was no need for them to pretend, as Elie clearly knew that Rein was not Prince Reinhart.
He took out the key and opened the door, adding, "However, this room has not been used for two years, but there is a special magical device that automatically maintains cleanliness inside, so you don't need to worry."
'A magical device? Is it the same as the one that maintains the temperature in my room?'
Rein was curious why magical items in this palace were so limited, even though he knew the background of this world was filled with magical things and even holy powers.
Additionally, he wasn't surprised by the fact that it seemed like two years ago, Reinhart's health wasn't as bad as it was now. His unknown illness had been present since Reinhart was born, as written in the novel, and it worsened as he aged.
Rein followed Elie, who had entered first. The room was well-lit, with two large bookshelves on either side of the wall and a table and chairs near the window facing the garden.
There was also a long sofa and a tea table, seemingly for resting and lying down rather than having to go back and forth to the bedroom.
Of course, the quality of all those items was beyond question. Prince Reinhart had only ever enjoyed luxurious things throughout his short life.
As Elie had said, the room was spotless, not a speck of dust in sight.
"Your Highness, if that's the case, I'll take my leave. I won't disturb you. If you need anything, you can ring the bell over there," Elie said, pointing to the bell-like device on the table.
"Alright." Rein nodded and let Elie leave.
'What an extraordinary personal servant, very professional.'
Rein quietly praised the villain for being such a dedicated servant.
After Elie left and closed the door, Rein moved to check his surroundings. He first went to the desk with several stacks of books and stationery. Then, he headed to the bookshelf containing various thick books with covers and several documents bound together.
'Why does this feel like a research room?'
Out of curiosity, Rein picked up one of the books on the desk, which seemed to be a notebook.
Strangely, Rein could read it even though he wasn't sure what language it was. According to the transmigration trend, this is what's called a universal language cheat. So, he didn't think too much about it and immediately read the first page while sitting down.
He immediately regretted it because the content was incomprehensible despite being readable. Various symbols and letters resembled complex mathematical equations, along with intricate circular diagrams featuring diverse patterns.
"Is this a magic book?" Rein flipped through the pages, and the contents were completely beyond his understanding.
The latest fact that hit him like a slap in the face was that Prince Reinhart was a genius. It was clear from the books here, which were personally handwritten by him.
No one else was allowed to enter this room and scribble on his notes, right?
"What does this formula mean? Why did he draw this complicated circle? Heh, an ordinary person like me can't understand it at all," Rein muttered as he set aside the magical books and looked for others he could understand.
"...." Rein felt more and more that he wasn't worthy of being Reinhart.
Even though Reinhart had a bad personality, he was still a prince and had talents inherited from the emperor.
'Oh, no. I forgot the most important thing. The emperor will immediately know if I'm not his son.'
Rein hadn't thought about it because he had originally intended to end his life tonight, so he didn't care what would happen if the emperor discovered his true identity.
Now it was different; he absolutely couldn't die before his time. What if the angry emperor killed him because his son's body had been stolen?
"What should I do?"
He thought about Elie's protection, but he wasn't entirely sure because Elie and the emperor seemed to be collaborating in the novel.
There was a loophole in Elie's words and agreement, as if Elie could renege on the agreement at any time and let his soul be destroyed. Besides, Elie didn't seem to be suffering any great loss.
It felt like Elie was pitying him and giving him a chance because, to him, it was like watching an interesting show.
"Hah… Alright, I'll face it honestly," he finally said to avoid tormenting himself with thoughts of things that might not even happen.
In his real world, he had survived by doing just that. He always tried to accept his circumstances, no matter how difficult they were. It's not that he didn't try to change it, but there was no other choice, was there?
At least that's how he saw it.
If he ran away, Elie would chase him, and he'd still be captured by the imperial forces. Was there any other choice?
Rein slapped his cheeks and regained his spirits. He continued searching for books and notes.
After going through a pile of books, he finally found a thin, small book.
"Diary?"
The format was different this time, with dates and moods, and the writing style wasn't about abstract symbols but pure text.
Each page revealed what kind of person Reinhart de Elvis was.
[ ||Date 28th Month 7th Year 392 Elvis Imperial Calendar||
They are so annoying. If it weren't for my father, how could they be in such important positions?
Now they want to exile me? ]
The first page entry clearly shows Reinhart's frustration and disappointment with certain people.
[ ||Date 16th Month 8th Year 392 Elvis Imperial Calendar||
I hate my father. Why did he listen to them and exile me to this palace?
He said it was for my health, but I think he has abandoned me. ]
[ ||Date 20th Month 9th Year 392 Elvis Imperial Calendar||
My health is getting worse. This cursed disease!
That silly girl is just as annoying as those people, always chattering away. I can't stand looking at her. I don't understand why my father gave her the authority to become an imperial doctor?
Hehe, don't expect me to be nice to her. ]
[ ||Date: 18th Month of the 10th Year of the Elvis Imperial Calendar||
I think I now understand why he abandoned me. He is not my father; he is merely a cold-blooded emperor.
Mother stopped paying attention to me after I was sent to this palace. I am not qualified to compete for the throne with my siblings.
Very well. Alright, I'll prepare a surprise for them. ]
[ ||Date 14th Month 11th Year 392 of the Elvis Imperial Calendar||
That cold emperor summoned me for an audience? He must be dreaming that I'd agree to come.
He couldn't possibly be worried about me. ]
[ ||Date: 24th Month 12th Year 392 of the Elvis Imperial Calendar||
New Year's celebrations, and I'm not allowed to participate. Locked up in this damn palace!
Even now, I know why I'm not allowed to leave. It seems I can only live in this palace's special environment.
No random people are allowed to meet me because my body would be affected by their energy. Only a few people, like selected personal servants and the emperor himself.
Of course, I didn't accept his visit. I refused to meet him even though that cold emperor came here several times. ]
[ ||Date: 30th Month of the 1st Year of the Elvis Imperial Calendar||
I began a specific research project and ignored everything outside the palace.
Many letters arrived from my siblings and the emperor. The letters had been sorted to ensure no external energy or harmful elements were present.
This mysterious illness I have is very strange. It is not like an illness, but a curse.
My chaotic and hate-filled mind has changed slightly, but I remain angry at them. ]
[ ||Date 22nd Month 2nd Year 393 of the Elvis Imperial Calendar||
I have discovered something!
It is indeed a curse! No wonder there is no cure. I have studied formulas in various alchemy and curse books, then conducted personal experiments on this body.
The emperor seems to have forgotten that he passed down his genius to me.
The books arranged as decorations in this palace are both useful and dangerous.
There is one very strange book. Did the emperor really allow such a book to be in my palace?
This isn't a conspiracy, is it?
The book discusses things beyond reason. What does soul transfer mean? ]
The readable entries stop there because the following pages until the end are filled with unrecognisable scribbles.
Rein's eyes trembled violently, and an unknown fear filled his heart. The final entry pierced his doubts about why he had come into this world.
The last diary entry was written two years ago, and today is the 27th day of the 3rd month in the 395th year, as indicated on the magical bell-shaped device. The day Rein entered this body, and Reinhart's soul went somewhere unknown.
With trembling hands, Rein flipped through the pages again to see if there were any recent entries after the wild scribbles. Then, he found a few words among the scribbles, as if the person who wrote them was in a half-mad state.
[ Father is in danger. ]
[ Family.... ]
[ Brother.... ]
[ Fregrace ]
[ Fregrace ]
[ Fregrace ]
[ Save me! ]
[ Don't save me! ]
Rein's eyes froze on the last two sentences tucked away on the final page of the diary. A chill crept up his spine with a buzzing in his mind.
***