32 1.31 resentment runs deep

"Blake, how has your investigation gone?" The duke asked. Blake sat across from his father at his father's desk. The brown mahogany desk was tapped slowly by the duke, letting his finger rise up and down as he placed his pen down to the side.

"I found it too easy," Blake mumbled.

The duke hummed and raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?"

"It was as if he wanted me to find him," Blake mumbled.

"And what would you like to do about it?" the duke asked.

"I've asked my subordinate to look deeper into it. I'll be waiting for news on their end," he replied, placing a hand on his mouth and picking on his lips.

"Don't worry too much about it. I can always take over for you, son," the duke said, getting off his chair and going over to pat Blake's head.

"Thank you, father. But I would like to avenge Flora on my own,"

"I understand, just… keep it in mind,"

****

Blake stood in the middle of an empty field. Grass tickled Blake's feet as the sun shone brightly above his head. He didn't know what came over him, but he started walking. Soon, he reached a large lake. Peering over the edge, he looked into the water and saw his real appearance in the reflection.

"I haven't seen this face in a while," he mumbled, touching the water.

His black hair fell gracefully around his face, framing his round cheeks. His eyes, the shape of a willow leaf, stared into the water as he examined his other features. His thin red lips followed every small movement of his mouth. His golden-brown irises shook violently as he realized how he actually came back to his original body.

"How… how is this possible?" he mumbled. Every single feature of himself from his original world was right in front of his eyes in the reflection of the lake.

He brought his hand up to his face, in the reflection, it followed. However, as he touched his hair, he felt the long silky hair he had been stuck with for the past 2 years. Slightly tugging the hair on his head to see it clearly, he saw the same dark blue hair he had maintained carefully.

"So this is a dream…" he let out a soft defeated laugh before turning back to the water, sighing.

He had hoped he could see his father again. But… it seemed to be an impossible thing. With another sigh, he stood up and was met with a pair of eyes. Giant eyes the size of his head. Backing away, he saw a large dragon emerging from the water. A low growl came from the dragon as it let out a cloud of steam, blowing it right at Blake.

The dragon bored its eyes straight at Blake before saying, "Return,"

****

Blake shot up from his bed, cold sweat running down his forehead and his back. By his bed, the maid that was assigned to wake him up was still stunned silly seeing the young master shoot up from the bed so suddenly.

Blake glanced to the side ad saw the maid, still stunned as he let out a soft huff before apologizing. The stunned maid became flustered as she shook her head at the apology and advised Blake to get ready, also telling him that one of his subordinates was outside waiting for him.

After dismissing the maid, he went to take a short bath before putting on his normal everyday clothes. A white blouse and a pair of shorts accompanied by two white calf-length socks and a pair of dark brown shoes. By his collar, a light blue coloured gem brooch set perfectly, complimenting his dark blue hair tied up into a low ponytail.

Walking out of his room, he was met with the same subordinate of his as last time. The woman who reported the findings of the noble and the mine. She bowed, showing respect to her lord before clearing her throat to tell Blake of her findings.

"The noble whom we held suspicions for had been found dead in his study. Our men had infiltrated the Viscount's house and found nothing suspicious about his death except for a few hints of a break-in," she reported.

"I see… it must be a cover-up. It seems as if there is someone else behind all this,"

"I agree, my lord. May I ask what you shall do?"

"Let's stop the investigation for now. Any more than this and it could put the duchy in a dangerous spot. For all we know, the one behind this would be in much higher standing," Blake reasoned, to which his subordinate nodded and bowed.

Blake turned to walk to his father's office before mumbling, "…would be another duchy? An archduchy? The imperial family? What would they gain by poisoning flora?"

****

"So that's what happened… have you stopped the investigation?" The duke replied after hearing Blake's report.

"Yes, father, I have…" Blake nodded.

"Okay, good. At times like these, we shouldn't pry any further for the sake of our safety. For now, you can only sit and wait until another opportunity comes. Keep that resentment and remember it. Use that resentment to rise even further and trample over all those who try to look down on you and your loved ones. Whatever happens, the duchy and your maternal family will always be behind you and support you,"

"Yes, father… thank you,"