We arrived at the territory after nightfall.The carriage moved along a completely deserted street. Everything there felt more abandoned than merely forgotten by time.
Simple houses lined my view, arranged irregularly, while dark alleys stretched between them. In the distance, the hooting of owls echoed, as if they were the only remaining inhabitants of that place.
From the moment we crossed the territory's entrance, Lygni had remained on alert. More alert than she had been when she faced those bandits with such overwhelming skill.
The coachman guided the carriage a little farther before stopping in front of a building.
Should I call that place a house…Or a mausoleum?
The structure had been left to rot. Broken windows. Paint peeling from the walls. Honestly, it reminded me of any abandoned house from my previous life.
The door opened.
"We've arrived," the man announced.
We stepped down.
The building was large enough to be called a mansion, yet far too ruined to be considered a home.It was obvious.
This territory had never been a gift.
Perhaps it was nothing more than my grave under the open sky.Nothing about it felt promising.
I'm screwed.
Lygni's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Your Highness, please wait here. I'll go in first," she said, stepping ahead.
I doubted anyone would be inside, but I let her do her job. While waiting, I looked around. Even though the mansion itself was in ruins, the surrounding houses were in even worse condition.
A territory so far from the capital. On the border of the kingdom.Forgotten by its own rulers.
A short while later, Lygni returned.
"It's clear," she said.
The coachman carried the luggage inside, and I followed him.Once inside, the interior looked even worse than the outside.
"The bedrooms are on the second floor," Lygni informed us.
She and the coachman went upstairs. I stayed behind for a moment, observing the space. The house was far too large to be so empty. There was only a single sofa in that vast hall.
I approached it. A worn cloth covered its surface.I pulled it away.
The upholstery was dusty, worn down by time… but still usable.
I sat down.
Elias… where did you end up?
I looked up at the ceiling.An interesting world, yet a dangerous one. A world filled with people who would likely kill me without hesitation if given the chance.
I looked at my arms.Then at my legs.
No.Elias is dead.
Now, I am Aether.
This is my second chance at life. And I will not die without fighting until the very end. That's how it was in my previous life. This time will be no different.
Lygni and the coachman came back downstairs.
"Your Highness, your room is ready."
I simply nodded.
The coachman took his leave and departed.
Inside my room, I stood by the window, looking out at the territory once more. Forgotten. Silent.As if it were struggling just to endure the passage of time.
I remained there for a while.
"Lygni," I called.
The door opened almost immediately.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
I looked at her.
"You don't need to be so formal with me," I said, turning back toward the window.
There was a brief silence before I continued.
"I want to learn the Weave. Can you help me with that?"
For the first time, Lygni looked surprised.
"My lord… you never wanted to," she replied.
I looked outside again. The moon seemed to be watching me, its cold light filling the room.
"I want to disappoint those who are waiting for my death," I said, turning to face her."They think I'll die without ever fighting back."
My voice was steady.
"They're wrong."