Pub master

"Can you people...just give me the benefit of the doubt?"

He spoke, digging his fingers into his hair before sweeping it back with his head still lowered.

"I know in the past, I've acted.. without manners and consideration for those around me, and I may have slept with half the women in our barony, but I'd like to think that my own family can at least see that I'm trying to change my olds ways and turn a new leaf, I can expect that much from you guys, can I not?"

"Erica, tell the doctor he's needed, my son has fallen ill." Kika issued to her daughter, her eyes holding all the seriousness in the world.

"Right away mother." Erica responded with utmost urgency; already standing up from her chair and getting ready to sprint out of the dinning room.

"I don't need a doctor!" Alaric yelled and immediately rested his forehead on the table with a designated sigh.

'I can't deal with this...why me of all people? Is there no way to convince them?'

Even if he had somehow managed to be reincarnated as a different character, he was still Henry Bartholomew deep down, the man who hated socialising. Right now, he felt like he was walking into enemy territory with no protection.

"If you don't need a doctor, then, are you suggesting we should take your word for it... you've really... changed?" Asked Kika, her eyes locked on her son.

"Yes." Alaric could only give a single response.

"You won't go drinking at the pub and wasting the family's money on alcohol and women?" She asked another question.

"Yes..." Alaric took the effort to raise his gaze at them a bit, "Hell, I even promise to pay back every penny I owe them".

Kika and Erica looked at each other. They could sense the sincerity from Alaric's words, and yet, for some reason they still found it hard to believe him.

"You...want to pay it back?" Kika asked.

"Brother, I hope you know how much debt you are owing to the Barony's pub, it's not something to laugh about. Father has tried to pay as much as he could, seeing as he currently took a loan from the Barons next door, I doubt he can help again." That was Erica, trying to make sure Alaric understood what he was dealing with.

"I already promised, didn't I?" Alaric fully raised his head, "And from the looks of things, I doubt you guys will believe that I've moved on from my barbaric ways unless I show you that I have. If that's the case, I'll find a way to pay back the pub, will that make you finally understand me?".

Kika couldn't help but smile a bit, even if there was a tiny chance that her son had finally decided to turn a new leaf— she was more than willing to take the chance.

"If you are able to pay back the pub for the money you owe them, as your mother, I promise to trust in your words." She finally spoke, her eyes softer then they were before.

Alaric wasn't going to go off with just that, he turned his gaze to Erica too.

"Yes same here, I promise." Erica also uttered.

"Good then, now if you'd excuse me, I'd like to take my leave. I'm starting to smell like people."

He stood up and walked away, the gaze of his family lingering on him as they watched him exit the room.

....

Later that same day, Alaric and Ava made their way to the pub somewhere in the small estate.

As they walked down the road, the people of the Montclair estate began to avert their eyes, some even going as far as sending hateful glares at the first son of the Montclair family.

Which was very understandable considering Alaric has in one way or the other, annoyed or offended them.

Weather it was making the daughter of a family fall in love with him only to dump her, or crashing into their house without invite. He was truly a scum on earth.

After a few minutes of walking, Alaric and his knight arrived in front of the pub.

It was surprisingly big with two entrances, each one leading to the same place.

"Lord Alaric, we have arrived at the pub. I beg you not to make a scene. You've made a lot of enemies, they could easily see this as a chance to finally pour out their frustration on you." Ava asked, though she kept her gaze in front and didn't bother to look at him.

"Geez, I already said I came here to settle the scores, I'm not going to pick a fight for no reason." Alaric sighed.

"For now reason? Does that mean you intend to start one if a reason presents itself?" Asked Ava as she was now looking at him, her gaze staring into his soul.

"Relax will you, what kind of knight are you if you don't even trust in your lord's decision?" Alaric gave a little smile, "Come on, let's go in".

Ava sighed, her duty was to remain at his side at all times, she knew this more than anyone.

_step_

Alaric took a step in and already everyone had paused what they were doing, just to watch the Baron's son enter the pub.

While some already had veins bulging on their heads, other looked terrified, knowing Alaric would rather destroy the pub before leaving, or straight up try to take their girl.

Of all the things Alaric had done in the estate, one of the deeds with the most asked questions was how he was able to keep making girls fall for him even with his shitty personality.

'I don't even think I can use magic yet and I can already sense so many death threats around me.' Alaric whispered to himself as he approached the counter, a look of sadness and anger dawning on his face.

The owner of the bar, a middle age man wearing a hat noticed this expression on Alaric's face and immediately knew what was next.

The moment Alaric sat down on the chair and placed his hand on the counter, the man yelled-

"Please Lord Alaric! I beg you not to destroy anything! Business has been really slow, I can't afford to lose anything else! Please!" The bar owner bowed his head, begging for his life.q