2 Who Am I (2)

"You are Lord Ciaran Maxamus. Heir to House Maxamus." She answered

"Ah." Was my only response, as my heart stopped for a moment.

The character I despised the most in Chronicles of Ineilall and whom I took great pleasure in defeating for hurting my dear Callista, and I was just told I was him.

I can't say I wasn't surprised because Callista was calling me master. But still, I felt defeated and hopeless. I was reincarnated into the body of Lord Ciaran Maxamus, who was destined to be killed by the protagonist.

A tiny seed of hope bloomed within me as I thought to myself. I was reincarnated, but for what reason? Was I supposed to be killed by the protagonist? Was I going to let myself be killed?

The answer was no. I was not going to let myself be killed, no matter what. Be it by hook or crook, I was going to survive, and since I had no system or entity telling me what to do, I had free reign to do what I needed to.

First order of business, I thought and looked at Callista.

"Callista." I spoke. "Can you tell me what happened before I woke up?"

"Yes, master." She said before taking a deep breath, "A week ago, you suddenly started feeling ill, and your father had called a few doctors to determine what was wrong with you, but they could not figure out what was wrong, and you were getting worse as the days passed." She paused before continuing, "Two days ago, you fell into a coma as your fever shot through the roof. The doctors still couldn't figure out why you weren't recovering. Your father even called Magus Anora, thinking it may have been a curse or spell, but even she could not determine what was wrong with you." She paused again, looking into my eyes to see if I had the answer.

I was nodding my head once, I thought to myself. Yep, I have no memory of this, wasn't I supposed to get the memories of my predecessor? Being reincarnated sucks. No system, no memories, and I'm in a kid's body. At least give me a direction so I can start somewhere.

"Continue, please." I said, my voice slowly gaining more confidence.

"Yes, master." She said, "As I said two days ago, you fell into a coma, but you only got worse. Your breathing became erratic." She paused, shifting uncomfortably. "About ten minutes ago, you ceased all movements, and no reactions came from you. Head maid Paula ran to inform your father, and suddenly you jumped up, and here we are now." She finished becoming silent once again.

Putting my hand to my chin, I thought, the pieces falling into places. Young Lord Maxamus became very sick a week ago and, for the record, died. Someone or something did not want his story to end and chose me to replace him, but they didn't give me a direction or objective, so I could do whatever I needed to do to survive, and believe me, I was not about to let myself be killed by the protagonist.

"It seems I don't remember much while I spent the last week sick," I said, resolve filling my voice.

Now knowing what I needed to do and the steps I needed to take. I began to get off the bed and stood Infront of Callista, she stood nearly a head taller than me for being a kid, or maybe I was just short. Her silver hair flowed down her back, and her cerulean eyes stared at me with a hint of apprehension.

"Callista." I started, "What I am about to ask you, I need you to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth."

She stood there and nodded her head once

I took a deep breath, knowing this would devastate me. "Before I became sick, did I do anything to you that caused you harm?"

Silence.

"Callista." I said softly

"I'm not sure I understand the question, master." She said, now avoiding my eyes

Realizing what the answer was, I began, needing to hear everything.

"Did I ever lay my hands on you outside of training? Did I ever yell at you for no reason?" I asked directly as I needed the answer.

The frozen look of fear on her face was shattering my heart, but I needed to do this as this would affect the next step in my plan.

"Y… yes." Was her reply, as she subconsciously tried to create distance between us.

"Did I ever sexually assault you?" I asked

Now she was avoiding eye contact with me, and for a moment, my heart dropped. How could a five-year-old boy do something this horrible at such a young age?

Thankfully, she shook her head, indicating I didn't do anything to her, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"How long have you been my aide?" I pushed on

"About three months now, master." She said, her voice turning into a whisper

It's only been three months, and this kid had already done so much to her. I sighed as I thought to myself, more pieces falling into place.

Now, although it sucked, it wasn't as bad as I thought; only three months, I can work with that, and I know a few things that could help me win her over.

Throughout medieval times and most fantasy stories, an aide serves their master until death.

Technically, Callista served as Ciaran's aide, but he was now dead. So, I just had to figure out how to convince her that the old Ciaran was now dead and make her swear an oath to me. Suddenly an idea came to mind.

"Callista," I began, "What I am about to say will remain between you and me."

A deep breath from me and a nod from her

"I died…" I paused, looking at Callista's face and waiting for her reaction.

Seeing the realization dawning on her face, I continued.