Chapter 8 Truths and News (part 2)

Under a sky of perfect midnight velvet, stars so brilliant they drew the eyes' heaven bound. In the orange-painted mansion, there was a brightly lit room. Opening the door all could one hear was the festive sound of laughter, getting high on the jovial atmosphere.

Looking at the starry sky made me come back to myself. Checking out the time I found that it was already past midnight. What the freak had just happened? I was supposed to be the MC for tonight getting my long-awaited answers from mom and the scum Alexie.

But instead, I got carried away with the flow of the conversation... I looked at Alexie and saw his goofy and perverted smile which made my blood pressure rise to unseen degrees.

"Ptooey..."

Damn this lucky dog getting two willing babes to himself. Maybe Alexie has a protagonist halo, even stronger than mine. I think my protagonist's aura might be broken, using all of it to crossover. Otherwise, why haven't I had to find a devil fruit since coming here? Not even a system. (┳◇┳)

Sigh.... nowadays, every other transmigrator got some sort of cheat helping them to get fast powerups, slapping their enemies in the face, and even having a harem of ice jade beauties. While mine is just being born into a richer and noble family.

Shaking my head to put these messy thoughts away. I coughed loudly.

"EHMM EHMMM..."

... What? Are they still ignoring me? No, on a closer look, I could feel the atmosphere was getting more romantic by the second, and what I saw next almost gave me a heart attack. The scum's hand was going in aunty and moms pants, and as I felt that situation was getting in the traumatizing territory{at least for me}, I loudly screeched:

"NAURRRRRRR. DON'T TAKE MOM AWAY FROM ME."

Which by the looks of it worked its wonder, clearly giving them fatal damage. Instantly pouring cold water on them and washing their horniness away.

After waiting a few minutes for these supposed adults to bring themselves back from the LALALAND. I noticed the dejected look on Alexie's face, putting an involuntary smirk on my face.

Ava then said:

"All right then my lovely boy. Since Jimmy is back we could talk about the matters that you asked me yesterday, and Wednesday should be here as well since there would be no need to explain matters to her later."

Hearing that I could see a smiling Wednesday. Ava then gestured for me to start.

"I don't even know where to start from my mountain of questions..."

After some time sorting my thoughts I then asked.

"Alright, then I would like to know why you guys are away a lot of the time. Who is grandpa? Who are the Armstrongs? Why didn't you let aunty not teach me properly?"

After I bombarded them with the question, I saw both Mom and Alexie looking at each other seemingly communicating with their eyes. And a smiling Wednesday. I heard a sigh coming from Alexie indicating the loser of the staring contest between mom and Alexie.

However, what I saw next completely subverted my expectation. Alexie bowed down and apologetically said:

"It's all my fault, Jimmy. First for being part of the accursed Armstrong family. Second for underestimating you, my son. And third because of my fear of the council. We should have come clear with you sooner, but I just thought of you as a dumb kid."

Then he sat down beside me.

"Before answering your questions first I have to fill you in with some details. You know being born into nobility is every civilian's dream, especially one like the Armstrong boasting a history of more than 800 years, and effectively ruling 4 countries even today. But there is a down for every up in the world. Same as being a member of Armstrong's. You get a lot more luxury but at the cost of losing your freedom and free will."

Exhaling loudly Alexie went on to say:

"Armstrong used to be a symbol of courage and strength. Holding everything up to shield their subjects and citizens. But since 400 years ago when they first settled at the 2 new islands in the grand line. They have been faltering and losing their creeds. Even going as far as kneeling to celestial dragons and joining the allied nation 200 years ago for whatever reason."

While Alexie was explaining things, I saw that aunt was starting to shiver while Ava was also getting paler by the minute.

"Hmmph."

I was ridiculing them in my mind for being this scared just by Alexie's tame words.

Noticing the ignorant brave looking Jimmy, Alexie put up a pleasant smile and said:

"You know there is a rule in family, indicating every child born into the side branch of the Armstrong dynasty is a property of the council, to put it in other words, they are glorified, slaves to the family. Living for the sole purpose of benefitting the family. And nowadays even we from the main families are not that safe from this. If caught disobeying the rules and orders of the council we will be sent to the world government and celestial dragons as representatives or even tributes. Working as government lapdogs or even worse at Mary Geiose."

As Alexie finished his piece I noticed Wednesday closing the windows and my now pale pinkish mother locking the doors sending the maids away. Hell even I was starting to feel nervous from all the info dump that Alexie was doing, as I think even my protagonist aura might not be enough to save us from a buster call or map erasure if he keeps on going with this.

"Now back to your question about why your mother and I left for the past several months. I had to visit your grand uncle king Louise V and my father to get their support in council giving you the freedom to choose your future."

Agreeing with him on this since both Wednesday and Mom looked like they could pass out at any second now. But as I was kinda puzzled I asked:

"I don't understand how does their support give me freedom? Aren't I free already as part of the main family?"

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Authors note:

I would recommend reading this chapter with the next one. In fact, they are one long chapter that I divided to avoid having a super lengthy one.

I also hope you've noticed jimmy sounding more cheerful in conversation and inner monologues, just like before he reincarnated. Because of the conversation with Alexie, recognizing them as human, with their flaws and goods, instead of NPCs.