A clean and organized room. That's all Reis remembered ever asking for from the heavens, or at least the power to magically clean his living space at will.
Was it too much to ask for? Dropping a broom on my head wouldn't have sufficed as retribution?
He glared at the awfully shiny room that greeted him the moment he opened his eyes.
"What would you like for breakfast, Your Highness?" The elderly attendant asked. She pulled the curtains that were adding to the gloomy atmosphere.
"Poison would suffice if you can arrange some." Her gentle smile disappeared, changing into one of fear and worry.
"How could you say something so ominous first thing in the morning?" The butler ran to him. He could only stare at the overly emotional staff in disbelief.
This particular person was spoiled, huh?
"It was a joke," he muttered, "I leave it up to you, Agnes. But nothing sweet." The bitterness inside him didn't give him the appetite for sweets right now. "I want to take a bath."
"We'll prepare it right away!" The servants scrambled through the room to prepare everything. Reis waited patiently for them to finish while assuring the butler that he really was joking.
The moment the fancy doors of the bath closed, his composure cracked. With a thud, he sat square on the floor, leaning against the door.
The system screen popped up as if it were waiting for him to be alone.
|Greetings, Host.|
|The system is here to help you with missions, supply, and skill attribution.|
|The tasks will be updated according to your future choices.|
|Current Mission Status: No mission has been assigned.|
|Current Physical Status:
Health:45/50
Stamina:30/50|
|Other statuses are being updated.|
|Memory Synchronization: 60%|
|Character information:
Name: Ioannis Reis Caelestis
Age: 18
Job: 3rd Prince of Vidalia
Objective: Undecided.|
"Out of everything in the world, it just had to be a prince," Reis muttered. "I'd rather be thrown in the middle of a war zone than this."
|To make it easier for you, your original name has been synced with the character name.|
Wowww. That makes it sooo much easier.
Reis pushed himself up to get back on his feet. The small stone pool with marble carvings that could be reduced to being called a bathtub was at least 50 meters away.
So before going there, he walked to the mirror. An unfamiliar image stared back at him.
It wasn't exactly unfamiliar; the face was almost the same as what he looked like at the age of 18. But combined with the golden blonde hair and purple eyes, it was a completely different image. And unlike his teen self, who had looked like a zombie under the pressure of academics, this person was full of vitality, as if he hadn't worked a day in his life.
Then again, what would a young prince have to do anyway? "I bet he'd be the first to die on a battlefield."
And currently, the 'he' in question was himself. "At least he's not the heir apparent."
Reis didn't have much knowledge about royal structures, systems, or anything related to them in Odyssey. What he knew was the general idea that applied to all forms of government, not just hierarchical royalty.
It's a world of schemes and mind games.
"I've seen enough of it for one lifetime." He could be a scapegoat, a sacrifice, or even a mindless beast meant to be killed. But the world of politics, scheming, and backstabbing—it wasn't for him.
He dove into the water, submerging his whole body. The water was just the right temperature between cold and warm.
Nothing would come out of being angry at this point.I need to clear my mind to figure out the next step before the mission is announced.
The memories weren't fully synchronized, but there was enough to draw a picture of his current circumstances. Being a royal wouldn't be a problem for now.
But for how long will it be safe?
Reis didn't know, nor did he want to. He planned to leave before that. "There shouldn't be any problem if I want to leave." The king has enough children; one being missing won't be an issue. "I just need to prepare enough to be able to survive the outside world."
Until then, he was more than happy to enjoy the luxury this place had to offer.
Outside, Agnes had already prepared breakfast. "Are you sure His Highness is alright? To say something like that–"
"Don't worry, Ms. Agnes," Keith assured her. "Perhaps he was in a bad mood. I'm sure it's nothing serious."
Although he said so, he himself was a bit worried.
"But he's taking so long," Agnes spoke, "He even refused to let the servants help him."
"You know how he is…" Keith refuted. "I'll call for–"
*Click*
Reis stepped out and found the two of them anxiously standing by the door. He ignored them because that seemed like what this character would have done and sat down at the table for breakfast.
The two didn't waste any time coming forward to serve him.
Reis ate silently, savoring the taste of the food he didn't know the name of.
"Are you truly alright, Your Highness?" Keith asked.
Reis looked up. I guess they are worried. "Mmhm. I just slept wrong last night. I'm fine now."
They don't need to know the extent of the 'wrong'.
Keith sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I was worried that you wouldn't be able to attend the family lunch today."
|Mission Activated.|
Reis spat out the tea he had just sipped, going into a coughing fit. "Your Highness!" Agnes rushed forward to give him water. But he was sure water would also go down the wrong pipe now.
|With the Ascendency Trials fast approaching, there's a lot to do. You need to familiarize yourself with your new family and prepare for the approaching ceremony.|
Ascendency trials? Like a coronation? Why are you making it sound like a deathmatch?
|Task Category: Preparatory.|
|Meet the Royal family of Vidalia.|
|Your next task will be updated upon completion.|
|Side task: Learn to tie the shirt strings properly.|
He looked down at the straps of the shirt he spent ten minutes on.
|Your image will be affected if you go like that.|
You've got to be kidding me...