"You must go to the Town of Ascot. Attend the Summer Festival taking place in a few days. You will come across a young man who has lived… multiple lives there."

  Duncan frowned, recalling the old woman's cryptic words as he took in the young man with short black hair and golden eyes that Glenda must have referred to. As the old woman predicted and evident by the hovering number above his head, he had lived through several lives.

  Luca Frey, as he had introduced himself, stopped in the middle of the busy street and motioned to Duncan to come over.

  "Get in. I'll help you save your dukedom," Luca said matter-of-factly as if discussing the color of the sky.

  It was an odd introduction for a first meeting. Duncan trusted the fortune the Misfortune Sisters gave him but felt out of balance by the abrupt turn of events. He had expected to be the one doing the approaching rather than the one being approached.

  His attention shifted to the black snake coiled on Luca's left shoulder. Its gleaming purple eyes fixed on him, radiating an unnerving intelligence.

  "Also, with him shall be a companion most unusual. Go to him for help. Help him, and he will, in turn, bring an end to your misfortune."

  Duncan's blue eyes widened as he noticed the peculiar numbers and symbols swirling faintly above the serpent's head.

  That must be the companion. It certainly is no ordinary snake.

  Steeling himself, Duncan strode toward the carriage.

  It's him. It must be him.

  "Perhaps I should've asked Ben for an extra carriage," Luca muttered under his breath as Duncan approached.

  Peering inside, Duncan immediately saw the issue. The carriage was crammed to the brim with boxes of festival food—pies, pastries, wrapped bundles of roasted meats, and more. There wasn't a single seat left unoccupied by the feast.

  Duncan raised an eyebrow, unsure how to proceed, when Luca's expression shifted. A mischievous smile spread across his face, the kind that suggested a plan—or a scheme.

  "Ah, Duncan, just a moment," Luca said cheerfully, shutting the carriage door in his face as abruptly as he had invited him in.

  Duncan blinked, startled by the sudden dismissal.

  Did I misremember Glena's words? Perhaps the young man is the unusual one rather than the companion. Then again, if anyone can help avert the deaths of millions, it would make sense they'd be… peculiar.

  His gaze lingered on the family crest emblazoned on the red carriage door—the unmistakable symbol of the Arankagul family. His stomach dropped slightly, and his fingers fiddled with the golden signet ring on his left hand, symbolizing his noble lineage as he took in the significance of the crest.

  Ah. He's connected to that dangerous family. Is that the misfortune those two alluded to?

  However, the carriage door swung open again before Duncan could ponder further. The mounds of food were gone, leaving the interior spotless and spacious.

  "There we go! Now you can sit comfortably," Luca said proudly, gesturing for Duncan to enter.

  "Do you have a Pandora's Box artifact?" Duncan asked, entering inside. The only trace of the mounds of food was the scent left lingering behind.

  Luca smiled slyly. "Something to that effect."

  Duncan nodded, accepting the answer.

  For someone who can help save my dukedom, someone with a few tricks up their sleeves is an expected partner.

  "You said you'd be able to help me?" Duncan asked as he settled into the seat across from Luca. The carriage jolted lightly as it began to move, the rhythmic clatter of wheels filling the air.

  "Indeed," Luca replied. "To start, we need to do something about your tarnished reputation."

  Luca leaned forward slightly, pulling out a leather-bound notebook locked with a shimmering rune. The subtle confidence in his movements didn't escape Duncan's notice.

  He handed Duncan the notebook and a key to unlock the rune.

  "I already had a servant request Natalia Ashford to spread a few positive rumors about you in the capital," Luca explained.

  Duncan's brows furrowed as he unlocked the notebook and flipped through the pages, his hands tightening slightly on the edges of the book.

  This thing… it's talking about events that have yet to pass. And he knows about my ability.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Duncan's eyes snapped up from the notebook, and he looked at Luca in wonder. However, the young man across from him appeared unfazed, leaning back with an air of casual confidence, one leg crossed over the other.

  "Additionally," Luca continued, "my brother has spoken with Princess Evelyn about appointing you as her royal minister. That position has been vacant for some time now. Ironically, your current poor reputation will play to our advantage—it will make the approval council less likely to view you as a threat."

  "Why are you helping me? And what do you want in return?" Duncan inquired.

  He knew better than to trust blindly, no matter how desperate he was to save his dukedom. The Misfortune Sisters stated that he'd need to help the individual he'd receive help from in return, but there was evidently going to be a cost. A misfortune of some sort was sure to follow.

  "Our goals align," Luca said simply, meeting Duncan's gaze without hesitation. "You want to save the Genuiver Duchy. I want to save Adovoria. But saving the country becomes infinitely harder when its largest duchy loses millions of people to an easily preventable famine. I aim to ensure you take your rightful place as Duke and prevent the disasters that would otherwise devastate your people. In return, I ask for your assistance in saving Adovoria."

  Duncan's gaze sharpened. "But how do you know all of this?" He tapped the notebook with a finger, his voice low, scrutinizing Luca's body language.

  "We have met before," Luca explained, his voice weighted with confidence. "In my previous life—you already know I've lived several lives. See, we're in a loop, and it won't end until Adovoria is saved from the Kobar Empire's invasion in a few years."

  Duncan frowned at this. He leaned back slightly, his arms crossing over his chest.

  "How many times have we met thus far?" Duncan asked, accepting the bizarre reality.

  "This is our third time," Luca said, his tone as matter-of-fact as before. "And it likely won't be the last."

  Duncan nodded thoughtfully, though his jaw tightened as he glanced out the window. The town's bustling streets whirred by as the carriage made its way up. The people outside were joyous in their celebration. However, Duncan saw a grimmer reality. All of them had single digits above all of their heads.

  This may be what the Misfortune Sisters meant by one misfortune to prevent another misfortune.

  Duncan exhaled slowly, accepting the misfortune he was going to undergo.

  It's a much higher price than I expected.

  * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

  "Young Master Luca, welcome back." Remlend stood at the villa's entrance, his posture impeccable, as always.

  I had arranged for him and Ben to return separately in another carriage. Their presence wasn't needed when I went to fetch Duncan, and I preferred privacy for our conversation. Besides, with my birthday gift already purchased, I suspected my grandmother could benefit more from Ben's assistance than I did.

  Only Henry had accompanied me, riding on the back of the carriage. He now held the door open, waiting patiently as I stepped out.

  "The room and clothing for your guest has already been prepared, and the bath has just been drawn," Remlend said as he escorted Duncan and me into the villa.

  The perfect attendant, as always.

  "Thank you, Remlend," I replied before turning to Duncan. "It'll be some time before dinner—wash up and go through the notebook. We'll talk after dinner if you have any lingering questions or topics you'd like to discuss."

  As we passed through the corridor, I noticed Duncan's complexion—at least what was visible, given the lower half of his face was covered in white bandages—grow noticeably pale. His gaze flicked sharply to the tops of the servants' heads, his body stiffening with unease.

  Ah, it must be his ability.

  I remembered how terrified he had been in the previous loop. Considering what I knew about my family and their methods, his fear was understandable—even expected.

  [[ Don’t worry. All the servants here are my family's people. They may have taken lives, but no harm will come to you. What they've done was in service to the family. ]]

  I spoke directly into his mind, aware I hadn't given him prior warning of this ability. Sure enough, his blue eyes widened and stared at me, indicating that I'd startled him.

  "Are you sure?" Duncan whispered, leaning closer, his voice barely audible.

  I offered him a reassuring smile. "Of course."

  Yet, despite my assurances, his eyes lingered on Remlend, darting back to the spot above the attendant's head more than once.

  That's odd.

  "Remlend, could you please arrange for tea and light snacks to be delivered to Duncan's room?" I asked.

  "Most certainly, Young Master." Remlend bowed smoothly before proceeding soundlessly toward the kitchen.

  As soon as Remlend was out of earshot and no other servants were nearby, I spoke into Duncan's mind again.

  [[ What did you see above Remlend's head? You kept looking back at it. ]]

  Duncan hesitated, his gaze sweeping the hallway to ensure we were truly alone. "I know he's loyal to your family," he said in a low voice, "but… seventy-two deaths? That's quite a number for someone who serves as an attendant, not a guard."

  My eyes narrowed, my thoughts churning at this revelation.

  Seventy-two.

  Remlend had always been efficient, discreet, and unfalteringly forgettable. But this insight painted him in a far more lethal light than I'd ever considered. His Wallflower Curse made him blend seamlessly into the background, but perhaps he had already used that to his advantage in ways I hadn't imagined.

  I'll have to run a Character Check on him. And have an investigation into his background. I can't have another 'Denise.'

  There was clearly more to Remlend than his unassuming and forgettable presence.

  Parting ways with Duncan, I made my way to the kitchen. Besides addressing the matter regarding Remlend as soon as possible, I needed to speak with Arnold about preparing some energizing snacks for me until I could get my Strength up to a less depressing state.

  But as I walked, the frown on my face deepened.

  Something else unusual stood out from today's events.

  [[ Duncan didn't notice Leona at all. His Grim Reaper Eyes didn't even register her. ]]

  I directed my thoughts to Apophis and Leona, both resting on my shoulders.

  Duncan possessed a remarkable ability to perceive what others could not. During the carriage ride, his gaze had repeatedly shifted to the space above Apophis' head and had lingered on the numbers above Remlend's. Yet, not once did he show any awareness of Leona perched invisibly on my right shoulder. It wasn't indifference—it was as if she didn't exist to him.

  ~Of course not. Apophis replied, his voice slithering into my mind. The necklace she wears renders her invisible to most, even those with extraordinary vision. Only those who have honed their minds to orderly clarity and attuned themselves deeply to their surroundings could hope to sense her presence.

  I nodded slightly, though the revelation sparked a new line of thought.

  If I could refine my mind to a state of order, what depths of perception might I unlock? How much more lay hidden beneath the surface of my current awareness?

  For once, beyond the urgency to heal Leona's fractured mind, I felt a spark of excitement about the potential and practical benefits of meditating in the Desolate Desert alongside the monks.

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