Chapter 46: Richard Aurion

The rest of our carnival date turned out far more enjoyable than I’d expected. Not the kind of thing a decorated general would normally admit to, but having a beautiful woman on my arm did wonders for the experience.

For a few hours, I almost felt young again.

Though that was probably an exaggeration. I wasn’t exactly ancient in my past life.

Still couldn’t believe a nuclear warhead had killed me in my prime... at the ripe old age of twenty-five.

"Y’know, Reyn, I’ve been thinking lately..."

Trish said, biting down on a candied apple, her fourth one today. I was surprised she still had an appetite after everything we’d done.

The archery range, which I failed spectacularly at but Trish dominated. The test of strength, which I aced decisively. Then a ring toss, which turned out to be an even match between the two of us.

And all of it had benefits beyond just fun. Watching me actually fail and be average at things had made Trish far more comfortable with me than ever before.

Before this, her entire view of me was probably that I was a kind and talented prodigy who could rival anyone in the shortest time possible.

Now that I think about it, it’s a miracle she wasn’t more awkward around me before this.

"Thinking about what?"

The two of us walked side by side along the sidewalk back to the estate, carriages rolling past us as other families headed home from the carnival. Dusk was already settling in, and the carnival itself was packing up for the night, set to resume operations at daylight.

"About the other Trish. I’m already grateful, but that experience really made me realize just how much that letter mattered..."

"Are you thinking about what-ifs?"

"Yeah. I knew the consequences if the Brimstones couldn’t help, but I guess I never really let myself go that deep into it."

Trish shivered at the thought. Losing her family wouldn’t have just meant losing her noble status. It would have been a cascade of ruin.

Her tuition couldn’t be paid, which meant transferring academies or working a hundred times harder for a scholarship. The abuse and discrimination from other noble students would’ve been relentless. And there was even more she didn’t want to think about.

"Don’t think too much about it."

"But..."

"It’s an impossible future, remember?"

"Yeah, but... it could have been possible if you were just a slightly different version of you. That meant me becoming vengeful and everything we saw in the trial."

"This is just a roundabout way of saying you owe me a lot and want to repay me again, isn’t it?"

I asked directly, and Trish slumped with a sigh.

"Yeah... I was trying to fish for a request. But you’re far more stubborn than you look."

"Just be patient. I might ask something from you someday."

"...Very well, but please do think of something soon; the more I think about it, the more guilty I get for being saved by you."

✧ ✦ ✧

We entered the mansion just as the sun had set. I found Yuria lounging in the foyer, reading a book on swordsmanship and artifacts to increase her strength.

"Evening, sister."

She didn’t reply. Instead, her eyes locked onto Trish, who had a satisfied look on her face after the carnival. Her earlier concern about repaying me had faded somewhat, replaced by the hope that I’d eventually ask for something significant to show her gratitude.

"Lady Fillaunete, I suggest you don’t head to the dining room—"

She was cut off by another voice from the aforementioned room. A fairly overweight merchant emerged, laughing and grinning while my father followed suit.

Immediately, I felt the air around Trish distort. Her eyes wavered, her hands trembling at the sight of the merchant.

I recognized him as well.

The novel had described him simply: the mortal version of a monkey’s paw.

The man who had led to the destruction of the Fillaunetes in one timeline, and one who had nearly done so in this one.

Richard Aurion.

First child of the founder of the Bank of Aurion, the third strongest of the three great banks of the five kingdoms.

"Why is he here...?"

Trish muttered in a voice so low only I, with my enhanced hearing, could catch it.

"I trust you’ll think about my proposal, Lord Brimstone?"

"I’ll give it some thought."

"That’s all I needed to hear."

Richard smiled and bowed to my father before noticing Trish beside me. He clearly recognized the dynamic immediately, and seemed to take pride in seeing a precious daughter of a noble house reduced to a maid for another.

Even if he hadn’t fully destroyed House Fillaunete like in his original plan, he still seemed to take pride in his work.

"I will take my leave now."

He opened the door and left. Father noticed the way Trish trembled, having some knowledge of her connection to the merchant he’d just spoken with.

"Lady Fillaunete, it seems you have something to discuss with me."

Trish opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked at me first.

"Reyn, I’ll be back," she whispered.

Then, louder, "Yes, Lord Brimstone, if you may allow me."

"Then head to my study if you’re ready. If it’s related to Lord Aurion, then even better."

✧ ✦ ✧

Trish left shortly after changing her clothes, leaving me alone in my room to study for the upcoming test. All of it was simple, really.

After graduating from a military academy that combined academics with physical hell, this was no problem. I could snack on whatever I wanted while keeping fatigue at bay with my magic.

Money and being born powerful sure is the best~!

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

"Reyn, are you studying?"

Trish opened and closed the door, resting against the frame with a wide smile on her face. Whatever she and Father had talked about, it looked like it had gone well.

"Yeah, but what about you? With that smile, I’d think you’d—"

"You’ll see, Reyn. You’ll see~"

She practically sang the words.

Trish, talking to the head of the family that saved her, about the man who had nearly destroyed her life...

A smile was one thing. Singing was another.

Especially for a woman like Trish Fillaunete.