Vanitas Astrea [4]

The evening unwinded, and Astrid couldn't find an opportunity to speak with Vanitas Astrea.

In fact, the event was about to end soon.

Each time Astrid tried approaching the handsome Professor, she would be swarmed with nobles, trying to curry her favor.

And, whenever it didn't happen, Vanitas would be busily chatting with other nobles who were of the same profession as him.

She was the Princess!

Yet, Vanitas, who was a lower–noble, wasn't even trying to curry favor with her!

"He's avoiding me."

That much became clear to Astrid.

Since it was her party, why wouldn't any of the invitees greet the woman of the hour?

"...Suspicious."

***

"...This is so exhausting."

The first two to three nobles were fine. But the more nobles approached him, the more his social energy drained.

As an officer–worker, it was hard to maintain decorum appropriate for an aristocrat.

He could only somehow maintain himself, due to a slight feeling of the previous Vanitas' personality overlapping with his from time to time.

It was an odd feeling.

Like he was in control, but not at the same time.

"Vanitas?"

A soft voice broke his thoughts. Turning around, Elsa was giving him a skeptical look.

Vanitas composed himself.

"Hey."

"Hey, you know, I didn't know you would show up. You didn't show up last time, after all."

According to the nobles he spoke with, that seemed to be the case.

Apparently, there was a gathering between Professors of the Silver University Tower a while back to welcome the newly appointed ones.

However, from how they spoke to him, it seemed like Vanitas never attended.

In other words, the Professors who approached him were 'checking him out'.

"Well, it's the Princess's party. I should at least present myself properly since there's a chance she'd be in my lectures."

"Always business first with you."

Elsa tilted her head then, placing a finger on her cheek. Vanitas found it cute.

"Still, you seem a lot more lively now."

"Is that so?"

Cold sweat ran down his back.

He wasn't particularly sure of how the old Vanitas used to act outside of the Tower. However, Charlotte had never found anything odd.

"Yes, kind of? Not sure, but I heard from the students you were quite strict. They called you a bunch of names. I've even received a file of complaint."

"Ah."

That was the case. But of course, those led to nowhere with no valid proof.

"I didn't know my students were speaking behind my ba—"

"..."

Step—

At that moment, Elsa leaned close. Vanitas, who was startled, stepped back.

"What are you—"

Elsa wiped his nose with a handkerchief.

Turning the handkerchief for Vanitas to see, his eyes widened.

"....."

There was a bloodstain on her handkerchief.

"Not sure what you were up to. But you should probably head home and rest. The party's practically over anyway."

Vanitas blinked as Elsa walked away at that moment.

Poking his nostril with his finger, Vanitas stared at his finger.

There it was.

"..."

Blood.

But it was odd since he felt no fatigue whatsoever.

Rest? He had only been in this body for six hours at best.

However, thinking that he should probably heed her advice, Vanitas found Charlotte amongst the crowd and whispered.

"I don't feel so good. So, I'll head back first."

".....!"

Charlotte flinched at first, then blinked her eyes with her brows raised.

Looking around, then back at Vanitas, Charlotte whispered back.

"...O–Okay, I'll go home with you."

Vanitas nodded his head. The two siblings left the venue and went to the parking lot.

To– Tok!

Vanitas knocked on the car window, and it slowly rolled down. The driver groggily blinked his eyes.

He seemed to have dozed off.

"...M–My Lord, I…. Apologies!"

"No need. Please start the car."

Vanitas opened the backseat door for Charlotte, and together, the siblings stepped into the car.

Silence lingered during the drive.

Vanitas, finding it awkward, tried striking up a conversation with Charlotte.

However, she seemed to be lost deep in her thoughts.

Thinking he shouldn't disturb her, Vanitas turned his head and gazed at the scenery.

He'd seen this world countless times, but always through a screen. Now, it was all real, right in front of him.

The cityscape stretched beyond anything he'd imagined. 

People strolled by in robes and finely tailored coats, others casting practiced spells to aid their daily tasks.

It was probably 11:00 PM. But the city was still lively.

He couldn't help but smile slightly. 

This world, once only lines of code and pixels, now felt alive.

And here, he had an opportunity to live a decent life.

Chae Eun-woo, who had lost his parents young, leaving him and his little sister with no choice but to live under the roof of their abusive aunt. 

They had no one else—no other family, no financial support.

He could practically remember the smell of alcohol lingering in their apartment.

Their aunt constantly threatened to throw them out, especially when money was tight.

But Eun–woo was relentless. 

He studied day and night, achieving top results to prove his worth and promising he'd become wealthy if only she'd leave his sister alone.

Then, everything fell apart. 

Debt collectors came, and in the chaos, his aunt was killed, his little sister too—caught in the crossfire.

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue unknowingly. He didn't want to be reminded of a past that burdened him.

A past that he had forcefully buried deep in his thoughts.

"We're here, My Lords."

Before he realized it, they had already arrived at their estate.

As a Viscount family, the Astrea Family's estate was rather humble.

It wasn't as big as compared to higher ranked nobles. But it was still much larger than what Vanitas was used to.

"Welcome home, My Lords."

The servants, who were waiting for them by the entrance bowed their heads in respect.

The two siblings nodded their heads and entered their own separate rooms.

Flick—

Vanitas flipped the switch on, illuminating the dark room.

He approached the drawer and took out a bunch of dusty notebooks.

It was a diary.

They were highlighted with years on the cover.

Of course, Vanitas chose the oldest year to start with.

He had read a bit of the diary earlier. However, he didn't have any time to finish reading.

Flip—

The first line of contents were rather simple.

—Today was a good day. After all my practice, I made a Water Ball. Mother said I did great, and I was happy all day.

Flip—

—I went on an outing with Father and Mother today. It was really fun. We saw a lot of animals I've never seen before.

Flip—

It was mostly Vanitas talking about his daily life.

No wonder there were a lot of notebooks.

However, he thoroughly read the contents.

He couldn't help but let out a small smile as he read through its contents.

Vanitas lived a happy childhood. He couldn't help but feel envious.

But there were questions that lingered in his mind the entire time.

'If he lived such a life, then what drove him to become a villain? And, where's the Mother he had spoken often about?'

He had his own set of speculations. But his conjectures would only be proven if he kept reading through the diary.

It was truly intriguing.

Flip—

—I'm so happy. I have a little sister now. Mother wanted to name her Alicia, but I didn't like that name because a girl at school with that name was mean to me. I suggested Charlotte instead, and Mother agreed.

"Haha."

Flip—

Vanitas kept reading. He had reached the fourth book. On the cover, imprinted "Year 2008."

Flip—

—A group of noble kids tried to pick on Charlotte today. They were younger than me, but I didn't hold back and protected my little Sister. I got in trouble, but I didn't care. Father praised me, but said I shouldn't make it worse. Why? They were in the wrong, not me. Why is Father the one apologizing to them?

"..."

Flip—

There were happy, sad, and questionable moments in his life.

He practically had a grasp on Vanitas Astrea's personality now.

From what he could see, Vanitas treasured his family a lot.

Sooner or later, he reached the final volume.

"2010."

Flip—

He continued reading.

—I got the highest marks during the exam today. Just like back at home, the Professors, too, kept praising me. They called me a prodigy. But I never let it get to my head. I knew I was lacking in some aspects. They didn't know, but I ran out of mana a lot.

Flip—

—My family attended Charlotte's school play today. She was amazing, I knew my little Sister was talented in magic. But I was surprised she had a knack for something like acting too. I'm so proud of her.

Vanitas smiled once more.

Throughout reading the diary, his reactions kept shifting.

The last volume, as always, was normal. Nothing noteworthy.

But then, something caught his attention.

—I awakened my stigmata today. I don't know if it's normal, but I can cast spells without chanting. Stigmatas were rare, and Mother says I shouldn't tell anyone about it.

"Oh?"

Indeed, so the stigmata he had now was originally Vanitas's.

There was nothing remotely interesting in the following contents.

So, it was peculiar why there were no other diaries left.

Maybe, he had gotten tired of writing daily.

But then.

"..."

—Mother is dead.

Flip— Flip—

A certain page.

—Why? Why? Why? WHY!? WHY!?

Flip—

—It's my fault.

"..."