Edric held Trey's gaze for a few moments longer than necessary before turning away.
I don't need to deal with you just yet…
I've already forgotten the original memories of Celtis, but my own goals remain.
I'll ask Lira for specifics later.
For now… I need to develop who I am.
The ones responsible for the poisoning will die first. Removing them aligns with my current interests.
***
That night, Edric sat at the dining table.
Normally, his meals were brought to his room by servants, but now he was physically capable of attending himself. His sister sat to his left, his father across from him. Trey occupied the seat beside Oriel.
Trey didn't seem disturbed by their earlier interaction, though his refusal to meet Edric's eyes was obvious.
First, I confront the problem.
"Father," Edric said calmly, "now that I'm able to move again… may I attend the next gathering between families?"
William froze slightly at the question.
"Son… are you sure?" he asked. "It might not be safe."
So he knows. Or at least suspects.
"It'll be fine. I'll stay near you. I won't cause trouble."
"You causing trouble isn't what I'm worried about."
Oriel leaned forward. "Let him go, Father. This is what he wants. You can't keep him locked away forever."
"I know that," William replied, rubbing his temple. "But he's only just recovered. Wouldn't it be better to let the rumors die down first?"
"No," Oriel said firmly. "If we hesitate now, we look afraid. We aren't cowards, are we?"
William locked eyes with Edric. After a long pause, his expression softened.
"…Alright. I won't restrain you anymore," he said. "We'll all attend next month. The wedding should be planned soon as well, correct, Sir Trey?"
Trey flinched slightly before nodding.
Edric finished his meal quickly, left his plate untouched, and headed upstairs.
He collapsed onto his bed.
I need a new bed… or an entirely new room.
The night passed quietly.
Edric woke early the next morning.
Time to test my limits.
The family's training grounds were empty. Dust coated the stone, untouched.
Unused… not even maintained.
He approached a sword rack and wrapped his hand around one of the blades.
It didn't move.
As expected.
This body was never trained for combat. Magic will have to suffice.
One month should be enough to reclaim my memories and settle into this persona.
Still… physical strength wouldn't hurt.
He dropped to the ground and attempted a push-up.
His arms buckled immediately.
"…Baby steps."
Edric rose and began a slow jog around the grounds, forcing his lungs to work.
***
Marina followed the old woman through the forest for hours.
Eventually, a large cottage emerged between the trees.
Lira laughed softly as they approached. "Well? What do you think of my home?"
"It's… nice," Marina replied, unsure.
A sprawling garden stretched before the door, bordered by neat white fencing. Flowers bloomed in orderly rows.
Marina looked at the flowers as she entered the cottage.
"They're pretty," Marina said honestly.
"Thank you. I spend a great deal of time on them."
Marina nearly coughed.
Lira raised an eyebrow. "What? You think caring for them is easy just because I use creation magic?"
"N-No!"
Marina waved her hands in refusal.
"Then that'll be your first task," Lira said cheerfully. "Tend to my garden."
She led Marina upstairs and opened a door. "That's your room. Clothes are in the closet."
Marina glanced inside the closet, and there was a line of silk dresses in prime condition.
What the hell!? Is this grandma rich? Wait! She was a criminal! Are these all stolen goods? Also, if she has these fine clothes, why is she dressed like that?
Marina stared at the outfit Lira had on. It was little more than rags and a leather apron.
The door closed behind Marina.
"Change. I'll be outside."
Marina looked into the mirror as it reflected her pale skin. She smiled lightly.
Removing her cloak and attire, she lifted one of the dresses.
How do you even wear this?
She tried sticking her leg in one of the openings and toppled over.
THUD.
Marina landed right on her head.
Dammit...
"You alright?" Lira's voice came from the other side. "Didn't think clothing would defeat you."
"I'm fine!"
Lira laughed as she walked away.
Finally, after a while of fitting herself, Marina was able to stare at the mirror with a straight face. The dress didn't fit perfectly, but it worked.
Walking down the steps carefully, she exited the house.
Outside, Lira knelt beside the plants, watering them carefully.
"Why don't you just use your creation magic to help keep the plants alive?" Marina asked.
"Why don't humans cannibalize? Or at least the sane ones?" Lira replied calmly. "That's what sustaining life from other lives means. There is no point in ruining the life of another tree or flower just to sustain the ones in front of my home when all that is needed is just a few drops of water for them to flourish on their own."
That makes no sense…
Predation exists everywhere.
Marina said nothing and accepted the watering can.
"I answered your question, so now you will answer mine. Why do you seem fine with becoming my servant like this? Slavery is illegal in these parts, and running isn't that difficult for someone like you. It just doesn't seem like a normal reaction."
Marina continued to water as she thought to herself.
This isn't normal?
"I… didn't think you were a bad person."
"Did I trick you into thinking I'm a sweet old woman? Looks aren't what you judge people on. You can probably think of an individual or two who look very normal, but aren't great people, can't you?"
Marina nodded.
"But... maybe it wasn't my own thoughts. It was just hope."
"Hope," Lira said flatly, "is an imaginary concept."
Aren't all concepts imaginary?
"That's… pessimistic."
"No. It's reasonable. Tell me, Marina, what if I weren't such a nice person? Your life would've shifted for the worse just yesterday... There is no such thing as negative thinking, only reasonable thinking."
Marina sighed. "I don't know if you're nice, but it's not like I have a choice, do I?"
Lira's expression darkened.
"Yes... You don't have a choice."
She walked off, allowing Marina to continue tending to the flowers in a still quiet.
I wonder why she decided to take me in instead of killing me on the spot? Why is she considered a criminal anyway?
She seems very knowledgeable, though, and has the same magic type as me... so staying here isn't that detrimental if I can learn a thing or two.
After waiting for Lira to leave for a bit, Marina's hands started to glow green.
Within her mind, she was visualizing the movement of energy. She thought about the colors fading away from the grass, far away funneling into the flowers.
The lush grass further out from the cottage dulled as the flowers began to shift to a brighter state.
However, despite Marina's intentions to help the flowers grow, they quickly withered after a short period of time.
"What?!"
She stared at the grey petals.
Why did they die?
Shit! I killed the flowers!
Marina held the wilted flowers in her hands with a pitiful expression.
I barely did anything…
She got up slowly, holding the flowers, and moved towards the entrance of Lira's house. Marina lightly knocked on the door.
Lira opened it with a grin.
"Hah! I knew you would try to weasel your way out!"
"Why didn't it work?"
"Is that all you have to say? No manners in you, is there? Anyway, like I said, plants need to grow properly using just the sun and the water we provide. There's no use using your powers... and these flowers that I've planted here are my own creation. The only magic they respond to is my own."
She set me up…
She smirked as she snatched the dead flowers from Marina. Walking to the patch that was now empty, she replanted them.
Her hands then gave a light pink glow as the flower's color reemerged.
"There! As pretty as before... so now I hope you won't make the same mistake..."
Marina crouched down and tilted the watering can downwards, letting droplets hit the petals.