30 Giggles?

Victor looked gloomily at the ceiling of his carriage as he and Rufus returns to his manor. For the past few minutes, Victor has been yelling at whatever deity or fate was ruling their fates in this world. But his yells were never really vocal. He didn't want people to think he is a lunatic screaming at the heavens so he has to content himself to yell in his thoughts. There is also the case that people in Claes would not take kindly to him over cursing their gods and goddesses since a lot of people, especially in the capital, are devoted followers of many deities in the empire.

But what the h*ll kind of ranking was that? A double S rank with only 1% left to break through to become a triple S, something that nobody has ever done ever since the first emperor. Granted, the result was possibly an error. The assessment tool just crashed and the second one exploded on him. So, he could not really get an accurate reading. It doesn't help the fact that the nobles are still taking it at face value. While they were arguing about it, Victor skipped the meeting. He does not want to deal with them right now.

Victor stared at his hands as he tries to manipulate the flow of his mana. He does not feel any different or overpowered either. So, he could not understand why his ranking is very unrealistic. Of course, his ranking is probably not the actual result. The assessment tool could be wrong.

Ever since he came back, things have not gone the way of the plot of the novel. He expected some changes but not this big of a change at all. The whole removing the noble parasites after rescuing Julian is already a big change that he caused. And what is up with that gibberish words? Also, since when does he have an Earth element?

In his last life he has fire and lightning only but this time there is an added earth element before the gibberish. If he recalls, the earth was not his strongest element at all. He rarely or even uses Earth. Trying to use an element you are not gifted with takes a lot of mana and strength just for its simple or lower-rank spells. It's possible to add more elements to one's repertoire through intense training but it is impossible to use all of them efficiently. 'You will always lean towards your strongest elements, especially during emergencies', Victor thought. Is this some sort of side effect of his rebirth and reincarnation?

Victor sighed. Rufus however just smiled awkwardly at the prince but did not say anything as we watch his young master struggle with his inner thoughts. Although Rufus believes the result should be something to be celebrated, he can understand why the prince is not in a celebratory mood. He is aware of his young master's plan to get away from the palace and build his own territory. The territory they are getting to is big but impoverished but the prince does not seem to mind, "there are more opportunities in developing areas after all" he says. Rufus was not sure what he meant.

If the result is true, the royal family and the rest of the nobles are going to try to either get on Victor's side or control him. Knowing the nobles, they probably opt for control. All nobles like power especially if they hang it in other people's heads and they don't really care who they are stepping it with. They are just discrete about it. Rufus was surprised there weren't any noblewomen trying to jump the prince the moment he steps out of the assessment room. But it is still early. Nobles like powerful descendants so they like to push their daughters to marry and have children with the rich, politically powerful, magically powerful, or if possible, who has all these qualities. There is still a preference to have powerful magical abilities above all else.

Victor was not amused when Rufus pointed this out.

"Women jumping on me just because of a ranking?" He shivered. "That sounds like a nightmare."

Then, Victor raised his head and looked at Rufus with a worried look. "What about Julian?"

"What about young master?" Rufus looked at the prince in confusion.

"I don't know. I don't want him to think I'm cheating on him." Victor muttered.

Rufus actually wanted to point out that his master is not exactly 'cheating'. They don't exactly have a formal relationship yet. While the prince is very considerate, he did notice that the young bio is still a little wary of the prince. Also, they lived in a polygamous world. Rufus has never heard of this concept of 'cheating' until the prince explained it to him. Men in this world can have relations outside of marriage if they wish and their wives will not really bat an eye expecting the woman or bio only to be part of their husbands' harem.

However, according to the prince, monogamy is about having only one partner at a time, and having relations with another is seen as taboo. Rufus is not sure where this belief from the prince comes from. He has not heard of such belief at all even from among the followers of the gods and goddesses' teachings. But Rufus and many others gave up arguing about it with the prince because he was so adamant about only having one wife. Rufus did worry this will put the prince at a disadvantage because he will more likely will not have a proper heir.

The emperor did talk to Rufus and persuaded him to try to convince the prince to take on another wife or even try to demote the bio into concubine status after their marriage since the contract is only limited to the marriage portion. Although Prince Victor and Master Julian are not yet married, the emperor was guilty of what happened to his son who was tricked into marrying a bio and wanted him to get a wife with a better social station. However, Rufus could not really tell the emperor that the prince likes this bio very much and he feared what would become if anybody dared to even think badly of young master Julian.

A few weeks ago, one servant actually dared to even insult the young master for "being a bio whose only redeeming feature is his face. I bet when the prince is done with him, he'll look for better prospects." That servant was one of those servants who were there just to climb into their master's bed in an attempt to become one of their wives. That woman did not really say that straight to the young master but the prince was right behind her when she said that. The killing intent was so strong that most of the people in the hallway felt like vomiting. The woman who was the target almost cried herself to death because of it. They have to let her go.

Rufus and Aiden were so terrified that they made sure that the servants who entered in the future are none of those opportunistic ones who dared to think they have a chance to get into the prince's bed nor are they prejudiced against bios which will not be easy. Some servants actually do not have a positive opinion of their future duchess but those servants were directed to work away from Julian Monet and they know that it is best to shut up lest they face some heavy consequences.

"Ugh," The prince just rubbed his eyes. "I cannot believe this. Now I'm on everyone's radar and I do not have the energy and time to deal with all their bullsh*t right now." Victor mumbled. He noticed that ever since he came back to this life, he has been cursing more than usual. Even as Jeffrey, he rarely even curses at all.

"We have arrived, your highness". The coachman announced. Victor and Rufus stepped down.

'I wonder what Julian is doing now?' Victor thought. He knows he is at the market and that is going to be a while until he sees him again. He wanted Julian to enjoy his trip.

But before he could even step foot on the manor grounds, Victor just heard giggling.

It was faint but he heard it. It sounded like a child.

He and Rufus looked at each other. Rufus also heard the faint laughter.

"Did our servants have children on the grounds?" Victor asked. He did not mind children but he does not recall any of his current servants having children working for him. This is not unusual in this time and space in Claes to have children already working among the commoner populations. Many children of servants were raised to be servants and sometimes grew up in the houses of their masters.

"I don't think it is coming from the grounds of the manor, your highness," Rufus stated and turned his head towards the other manor across the street.

This manor also belongs to the prince except it was unoccupied.

*****

Emma glanced out the window and saw the prince and Master Rufus looking at the manor.

"Eeek!" She almost cried but plastered her hands on her mount.

"Young master! The prince is here!" She whispered. "He is early."

Julian, Hulio, and Fel who are currently trying to manage a group of children while trying to heal an adult bio who is currently unconscious in a makeshift bed looked at Emma in shock.

Julian turned towards the little children.

What is he going to do now?