I sighed helplessly, then looked at the grand feast laid out before me—perfect for nurturing my Golden Body Technique.
Without hesitation, I walked straight toward it like a moth to a flame. The smell of roasted meats and seasoned delicacies made my stomach growl in anticipation. I started munching on the food casually, stuffing bits of tender meat into my mouth. But I didn't
dare go all out. If I devoured everything like a starving beast, people might get suspicious. I mean, come on—this was me we were talking about. The infamous lazy, arrogant scumbag of the family. Suddenly becoming a glutton with a good appetite? Alarms would ring. Literally.
As I was halfway through a juicy roast duck leg, Selena walked up to me. Her brows were raised high in surprise.
"What's with the sudden change?" she asked, tilting her head, clearly baffled.
Her voice was laced with curiosity. After all, she hadn't seen her "troublesome little brother" eat like this—or act so composed—in years. Last time, I think I threw a bowl at a maid's head for slightly lukewarm soup.
I chuckled mid-chew and smiled at her. "That's not what you're supposed to ask, sister. You should be asking why I only changed just now."
She blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before letting out a laugh. "Hmm. I guess you're right. Still, don't eat too much. You might turn into a walking meatball if you keep that up."
"Can't help it," I replied, chewing thoughtfully. "This duck is talking to me. It's saying 'Eat me. I'm crispy perfection.'"
Selena rolled her eyes and chuckled again. For a moment, it felt like we were kids again—close, happy, carefree.
We used to be tight, especially during childhood. But as she got older—and this body's previous owner turned into a certified scumbag—we grew distant. She couldn't stand the sight of me. Rightfully so. He, no—I—wasn't exactly a model sibling back then.
And Karina… well, I barely interacted with her. Ice cold and distant. My memories with her were a blurry mess. Like vague dreams you half-remember after waking up. I shook my head, brushing away those thoughts as the banquet continued.
Eventually, the feast ended, and the maids and servants began clearing the dishes. I stretched my arms, sighing in satisfaction. The food had been good. Now, I needed to cultivate and digest it properly.
I yawned dramatically, already imagining a comfy pillow and some peaceful meditation—until a knight in polished armor approached me. "The Queen requests your presence," he said, bowing slightly.
I blinked. "...Huh?"
He didn't elaborate. Just stood there like a statue waiting for me to follow. So I did, walking beside him while pondering the possibilities. Why would the Queen summon me of all people?
Was it because I arrived late to the banquet? Nah. The Queen was cold, but she wasn't petty enough to bother with minor tardiness. Besides, punishing the family's black sheep wasn't worth her time. I wasn't exactly royalty material. More like... scrap metal.
Then a thought hit me, and my eyes lit up. Could it be… she noticed the illusion I cast on Edward? That was no small trick. Only someone close to 9-Star Power would've sensed something like that.
If she really had noticed... then that meant she'd been observing me intensely the entire time.
I felt a headache coming on. Great. She probably checked my core too. Broken, shattered like an abandoned teacup. That would mean she didn't think I was strong—but rather, that I had a powerful Familiar. A rare one. And knowing nobles, she probably wanted it for herself or for something
Well then... time to prepare a perfect excuse.
We soon reached a lavish room where my father, Charles, stood stiffly, along with the Queen herself—aloof, cold, and stunningly beautiful, like someone sculpted out of perfection and frost.
My father gave me a sharp look and gestured quickly. "Bow down," he whispered like a man praying for mercy from the heavens.
I obeyed, bowing respectfully, keeping my usual smug and arrogant expression completely off my face for once. The Queen eyed me carefully, then gave a small nod of approval.
"Let's not waste time," she said coolly. "Tell me… what do you want in exchange for your Familiar?"
Straight to the point. No pleasantries. No wasted breath.
My father, who had already been informed by the Queen of my supposed rare Familiar, looked at me with eyes full of anticipation. You could practically see signs—dancing behind his pupils.
I calmly shook my head. "I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
The Queen blinked, taken aback. Her elegant expression tightened, and my father nearly keeled over on the spot.
"Y-You—!" He looked like he was about to scream, but no sound came out. Offending the Queen? That was practically signing a death certificate. Or worse—losing noble status.
The Queen sighed and rubbed her temples. "Fine. Then how about this: if you give me your Familiar, I'll let you marry my daughter."
…Wait. What?
Even I had to do a double take. Did she just offer me royal marriage?
My father almost had an aneurysm beside me. His face turned red, then pale, then red again like a malfunctioning traffic light. If I accepted, our family's status would skyrocket. He'd probably throw a parade in my honor. He didn't even care that this could offend the Elean family. They'd just get compensated. No big deal, right?
I looked at the Queen, assessing her power. She wasn't weak—not at all. In my past life, she'd have been troublesome to fight. Still, marrying her daughter?
No, thanks.
I already had Silvia. Even though she kicked me in the face during my transmigration—what a welcome that was—she was 100% my type. Honest, feisty, and not afraid to dropkick a man. My kind of woman.
Besides, marrying the Queen's daughter would mean the end of my peaceful life. It would be trading one prison for another. Sure, I'd no longer be the family's scum. I'd be the royal consort. But with that would come endless attention, assassination attempts, political schemes… possibly a cult or two trying to kill me for "stealing their princess."
Nope. Hard pass.
I smiled politely and shook my head once more.
This time, the Queen was visibly shocked. Her interest in my Familiar seemed to grow tenfold.
She gave a long sigh and finally said, "Fine. But you'll join the academy next week." Her voice remained authoritative, leaving no room for debate. She turned gracefully and left the room.
My father was still frozen in place, staring at me like I'd just slapped him with a gold bar. He finally snapped out of it when the Queen left, exhaling like he had just survived a war.
I, on the other hand, was still thinking.
I couldn't enter the academy before because of my shattered core. With that, I couldn't become a knight or a mage. I was practically the family's decoration piece—useless and ignored.
But now… i sighed Trouble Again my Peacefull life is getting torn bit by bit..,