Chapter 21: Painting I

The room Herbert was in had been cleaned. Although he was the supposed owner of this room, he hated it so much that he seldomly used it. After changing from his traveling garb, Herbert glanced at the mirror in front of him. No matter how many times he looked at it, he didn't think that he would get used to such a flamboyant appearance. His shining silver hair and his bright blue eyes were the trademarks of the Ravenmoons, but he also had memories from being on Earth where he had the most common appearance with black hair and brown eyes, these memories strangely overlapped for a moment.

"I don't want to admit it but this body… No, it's my body."

Herbert sighed as he continued talking to himself.

"I could use some therapy."

Herbert grimaced at the fact that he didn't read any self-help books back on Earth. The current him has a huge trauma and it shows when he kept on having an upset stomach just by thinking about seeing his father. After glancing at his own reflection, Herbert smiled before bursting out in a fit of laughter.

"Oh, how ironic. Did the author bring me to this world just because my father abused me and my name is Albert?"

He could still remember the reason why he got hooked on reading the novel Glory to the Emperor. That novel wasn't the first novel that he had ever read, nor was it the most interesting. He only read it because it was famous at the time so he felt that it was convenient to read every time he was abused and needed an escape to temporarily forget reality.

After psyching himself up, Herbert went out of his room in a confident and straight posture. Despite his nervousness, he desperately tried to keep himself calm by thinking about things that he would say to his father and simulating the conversations that they could potentially have. He was walking fairly slowly so by the time he reached the guest room where Ingrid had stayed, he had already simulated ten different scenarios.

"Sir Herbert, shall we go ahead and meet the duke?"

Looking at Ingrid who had put on a red dress, Herbert was temporarily stunned. Her current appearance looked just like the fan illustrations of herself as the Blood Queen. He felt his heart beating, although he may find her annoying at times, he once again reminded himself that she was someone who is bound to grow stronger. Her original character template is going to be someone who is second only to the protagonist, this means that she would one day be able to potentially kill him with just one wave of her hand. She is a target who should be contained or killed while she still hadn't reached her full potential.

"Sir Herbert? Is there something on my face? Or perhaps you've once again been smitten by my beauty? Don't worry, you can stare as much as you want, take your time. I don't bite."

When he realized that he had been staring for so long, Herbert finally snapped out of it and offered his hand for Ingrid to grab a hold on. As the Albert from Earth, he felt excited to see one of the characters from the novel that he is reading come to life, as Albert who is roleplaying his twin brother Herbert, he felt unnerved, and a little bit disgusted that he still has to play the role of being the lover of Ingrid.

"It's nothing. Just act natural and keep my rules in mind."

"Fine, fine, listen, no talk, no touch."

Hearing her words, Herbert felt all his nervousness boiling away and slowly turning into the feeling of being annoyed. She just has that certain way with words that somehow infuriates him every time she decides to open her mouth. He didn't want to believe it, but it appears that there really are people who just want to see the world burn.

Being escorted by Herbert, Ingrid finally reached the study of the duke. Herbert knocked and declared their presence. He only opened the door when his father's voice had come to tell him to enter. Because of his gloved hands, Ingrid had been unable to feel how sweaty it had become.

"Father…"

In front of Herbert, a man with the same color of hair and a darker shade of blue eyes stared back at him. Despite being around in his forties, his looks had aged well like fine wine. He was fairly well-built and he had a clean appearance.

"It seems like you've brought a visitor."

"This is-"

"Greetings, Lord Herman. I am Ingrid Rozenblood, and I am here today to accompany Sir Herbert on a trip to visit his hometown, the place that he told me so much about."

Ingrid did a curtsy after greeting Herbert's father. Herbert once again felt annoyed that Ingrid did not follow his rules. He was already about to introduce her, but she still had to get in his way and do it on her own.

"It's been a long time since we've last met, my lord."

"Indeed it has, you've already grown a lot since that time."

At first glance, their conversation appeared cordial and friendly, just like how one would visit a relative from the countryside. However, this facade was soon broken when Herman closed the book and set it aside. With a serious look on his face, Herman removed his reading glasses and placed them on top of his desk.

"Herbert, it seems like you've made quite a lot of friends on your trip to the capital this time."

"Yes, father. I have also brought with me both good and bad news."

After Herbert uttered those words, Herman glanced at Ingrid. At his gaze, Ingrid once again felt the same feeling as when she had been negotiating with Herbert back then. Only this time, it was much stronger. Ingrid would never have thought that she would once again be feeling the fear of being prey after finishing her negotiation with Herbert. However, this time she didn't feel as scared as she had Herbert with her as well as the fact that she had already awakened. Like father like son, Ingrid thought and kept this to herself.

"She's fine. She can listen to it."

"Continue."

"Yes, father, which news would you like to hear first?"

"Give me the bad news."

"The original plan has already failed."

Herman narrowed his eyes. As far as he knew, it was Herbert who had originally strayed far away from the plan when he decided to publicly show his disrespect for Princess Amelia by leaving early from her birthday party and openly disagreeing with her in front of everyone. However, since he gave the mission to Herbert, he naturally trusted him in his decisions and is willing to wait for him to explain.

"There will be another Transcendent who will stand together with the royal family in the near future."

Herman raised his eyebrow after hearing Herbert's words.