Chapter 2: Chapter II

“I’m home.”

 

No one responded to Midnight’s words which was no surprise to him. He had just awakened from his previous loop. Besides, even if he did, he had nobody that cared for him. Even when he belongs to a well-off and renowned family; the House of Carwyn.

 

In the kingdom he lived in, Yevia, to be exact, there was no soul that didn’t know the surname: Carwyn. It was a grand bloodline known for its numerous successes with investments and businesses. However, that wasn’t really the only reason. This name was cursed by the gods of their world because their origin was a taboo love between god and mortal. The ancestral mother was supposed to die alongside her unborn half-god, half-mortal child but, due to the deep affection the god had for her, she lived. 

 

Although the story would always be told in a romantic sense, unfortunately the end wasn’t too pretty. The mother and her child never saw and met the god ever again. A curse had forbidden them to. 

 

That wasn’t the only thing as well; no generation is guaranteed a child of godly powers.

 

However, because of the nature of this family, the House of Carwyn is affiliated with the Temple. One or more of the family members per generation must become associated with them, especially when the child has been proven to have the blessing of their ancestral god. This generation, the family’s fortunate enough to have two of their four sons be born with the said blessing.

 

Midnight, on the unfortunate side, was one of the two who did not receive it.

 

Bang! Bang! Bang!

 

The scrawny young man flinched at the sudden banging on the door. Though, he knew who was knocking in such an aggressive way. After all, it wasn’t the first time he woke up to this scenario.

 

“Midnight!” His name was said with much anger as the door was swung open. There appeared a middle-aged woman with a scowl on her face. Ah, just in time, he thought.

 

The woman wore the uniform of the servants in the manor but due to the silver brooch of a wolf, she was distinguished as the head maid. “Your dinner is to be served. Better move it or you’ll have nothing to eat at all until the next batch of leftovers.” 

 

Without responding, Midnight got off his creaky bed, standing on his feet as he was never given shoes to wear inside the manor. The head maid sent a glare of disgust and contempt, an attitude unbecoming of a servant towards their supposed master.

 

“Hmph, as silent as a mouse as usual. Now, run along. As if I have the time to escort you to your dining room,” and just like that the head maid walked away, leaving Midnight by himself. He then walked into the silent hallways but he wasn’t heading for the room where he dined. During his walk, passing servants would notice him and instead of greeting, they gave the stink eye. Murmurs were even heard…

 

“Isn’t that Midnight? What is he doing here?”

 

“His dining room isn’t that way.”

 

“Ugh, look how unruly he is. Why couldn’t he just stay in?”

 

“Then again, what do you expect from a child like him?”

 

“True, he is unwanted by the family.”

 

“As he should be! He’s nothing but a nuisance!”

 

The hisses of hate, disgust and disapproval; Midnight grew immune after the numerous times he had to hear them. If it was before though, he would have already served these foolish servants a hell to remember for life. The current him would rather ignore them as he has better things to dwell on. They can say whatever they want.

 

That being said, his cold bare feet have finally brought him to his destination–

 

I’m leaving anyway.

 

–The bathroom. 

 

This should attract someone at least, knowing how much the servants love to gossip. He sniffed himself and winced at the smell he had from barely having the opportunity to shower. I also can’t meet Lord Edward like this. Usually, in a manor as grand as this, servants would take care of their masters’ bath hours. When neglected like Midnight, these things he must do himself.

 

Back then, however, he couldn’t do it himself. There was a reason why.

 

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“You!!” A familiar woman barged into the bathroom just when Midnight was about to remove his tattered nightgown. His shoulder showing a bit, he side glanced at the furious head maid accompanied by gossiping maids. “What do you think you’re doing?!” She stomped towards him. “Haven’t I told you that you’re not allowed to waste the precious water of the Carwyn manor?! You don’t deserve the privilege! Leave this bathroom immediately, scoundrel!” 

 

Midnight didn’t budge, imperial red eyes staring at the head maid without emotion.

 

That only pissed her more, her glare seemingly piercing his soul although it didn’t have any effect on him. It was strange to her, after all, Midnight before now, was known to be a weak and meek coward. She had to brush that feeling off though as she must not falter; for the sake of dealing with this eyesore.  She believed she had all the authority to do so since Midnight was a nobody in the manor. In her eyes, he doesn't deserve the same treatment as the rest of the family.

 

“Are you being deaf to me right now?...Ah, the audacity of this scum– You know what, forget dinner, you WILL go back to your room! Maybe by then you'll remember your place!” She grabbed Midnight’s arm harshly thus making her grip painful to him. Since he had a frail body, the pain was considered excruciating to him. He winced, displeased by the pain but he remained still. He wasn’t letting himself be taken away so he did his best to pull his arm away. Hold on a little longer… It shouldn’t be too long right now.

 

During this part of his life, the immense magic flow Midnight knew he had was not yet available for usage. Even if he had the power to end these fools’ lives, he preferred he didn’t use it. He had other intentions for this new life.

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Ah, what should we do?” One of the maids whispered, watching the two cause a ruckus. “Should we tell the masters?” The other returned the question with another. 

 

“What good would that do? You know how the brothers are towards that fool?”

 

“Fair point.. I doubt they’d care if that man was being scolded by the head maid…”

 

“Maybe we should stop them?”

 

“As if! You know we’ll only get reprimanded as well! Perhaps far worse than Midnight’s!”

 

As the girls gossiped, they failed to notice a young man with the same hair color as Midnight was approaching them from behind. The commotion was rare in the manor, but it was a signal that a certain someone was out of their room. The servants were diligent after all; they barely gossip unless the topic was a big one. “Excuse me, may I ask what is going on?”

 

The maids turned around and they immediately became flustered. They bowed hastily and apologized almost in unison. Before them was a beautiful man that even the same sex would fall for him; he had gentle, sparkling emerald green eyes accompanied by long eyelashes; dark midnight blue hair that could be mistaken for black unless under the sunlight; a feminine face line yet still masculine enough to understand by first glance that he was male. When it came to his physique, he was indeed lean and slender. He stood tall beside the maids who were of average female height. About two or three heads.

 

“Master Austan!” The maid in front of her co-maids said his name, ready to explain the situation to him. “Y-You see… The youngest of the masters is…well…” And yet, when it came down to it, she struggled to find the right words, her eyes glancing at the scene still occurring in the bathroom.

 

Austan blinked, tilting his head, curious. “Youngest?” His gaze fell inside the bathroom and that’s when he saw how the head maid was yelling at Midnight. His younger brother, other than being in a pitiful state, seemed in a bit of pain. 

 

He entered the bathroom, to intervene. “Mathilde? Is there something wrong?” Although it was already obvious, he still asked in order to catch their attention.

 

The sudden appearance of Austan caused the head maid to let go of Midnight’s arm in a rush. The poor youngest had almost lost his step but he was able to keep his balance. If he didn’t, he could have fallen backwards and onto the floor rather painfully. “Master Austan, forgive me for the commotion,” she responded as she bowed.

 

“It’s alright, just give me an explanation,” Austan’s tone was sweet and kind, the head maid feeling more relaxed. With Austan, she would get away with it.

 

“Master Austan, Master Midnight wanted to take a bath. However, I was told that he has to take his dinner first.” 

 

What a terrible liar, Austan thought whilst keeping a smile. “I see..” He then looked towards Midnight. “I understand you’re only doing your duties, Mathilde, but you shouldn’t stop him from taking a quick bath first.”

 

Said man averted his eyes from his older brother, covering his arm with his hand as the pain remained and pounded due to the lingering grip left. Ah, here he is… He glanced back at him.

 

“How about you and the rest go back to work and leave this to me?”

 

The Carwyn's parasite.