Chapter 12: Disowned

The burning sensation on my forehead made me grumble as I opened my eyes and looked around my room.

Last night, I left and immediately went to sleep because... I was beyond tired. It looks like I overslept.

[Morning.]

The rune shifted to my wrist and greeted.

It's still hard to believe that these things are happening to me like this.

I got up and walked towards the mirror, admired myself in the mirror for a minute or so, and turning my back towards the mirror, I saw the "GOD RUNE."

One snake was not there, as it looks like -

[It's part of you.]

Said the rune, and it looks like there are six more to go. I wonder what this big eye is supposed to be; I look like a tribal man with all these inkings.

"You know what other six skills are?" I asked.

[Depends on what Middos decides to bestow on you, the contractor.]

And that's it for now, I guess.

I am sure that this mythos is quite hard to find, but if I get it for Middos, then there won't be any other loop.

Each second feels great to be able to breathe in a new moment.

I stretched a bit and got ready, taking a bath and changing into a white shirt and grey pants. I left the room - as for hair... well, I just like them a bit messy.

I walked down the hallway, my mind filled with the anticipation of what lay ahead. The rune on my wrist remained silent, seemingly absorbed in its own thoughts, and yeah, it shifted its position to my forearm so no one could see it.

I am not sure that I want them to know that I have a rune too - and unlike Eldric, my rune is on my back.

The mansion seemed to hold a different energy today; yesterday's event created an atmosphere of happiness for everyone, huh.

I descended the grand staircase, catching sight of Esme talking with Eldric in the foyer. Their conversation halted as I approached.

I too said nothing to them; I just looked at them.

I still feel weird that I am seeing them in this situation and timeline for the first time.

Esme wore a white dress, and Eldric was in his usual expensive three-piece suit.

Their expressions shifted when they saw me, and I -

I walked past them towards the diner and saw Elaria and Amire sitting there already and were talking about something happily but stopped when I entered.

I sat on the farthest seat from them and looked for the servant, who was serving.

"Food," I pointed at the plate as the elderly guy flustered, flinched, and dashed towards me.

Carefully filling up my plate, I picked up my fork and knife and began cutting the slice of chicken while Esme and Eldric came and sat on the side of their parents.

"Hmm?" I looked up at them and saw that they all were staring at me, like they saw some kind of animal.

But no one said anything, so I turned towards a maid who stood way back from me.

"Do I have anything on my face?" I questioned; I think my voice was a bit deeper than what I actually use, so her face went pale.

But I waited for her to answer, but she just shook her head in denial, a bit more vigorously.

I sighed, and I know what this is going to be, but I am prepared.

"Asher -" Amire's voice echoed in the silent diner.

"Give me the papers to sign in return for a small piece of land at the end of the capital and the title of a house vessel alongside five hundred gold coins." I scraped off the last bits of chicken on my plate, tapping on it and asking for more.

I am hungry.

"So you do comply with the decision of disownment?" He asked, his eyes settling on me.

"Do I have to write it on my forehead?" I gestured, and I could see a look of surprise flash across everyone's faces.

"Once you sign, you won't-" He was quite blabbering.

"I know, give me the documents." I pushed the half-eaten plate and waited.

Amire's jaw clenched, but he remained silent.

Why won't he? He's getting his long-time wish fulfilled.

His personal valet, Alfred, a man nearing his death bed by each passing day, walked up to me with a tray, roll of paper, and an ink bottle alongside a quill on it.

"Quite interesting of you to be the one serving this to me," I smiled at the man who was the same person serving my mother as her loyal servant when she was alive.

An expression of regret flickered across his face as he placed the tray in front of me and -

"You might want to reconsider this, young master." His voice a bit shaky as he spoke.

This was the second time he spoke words to me after my mother's death.

I picked up the quill and read the document.

The document outlined the terms of my disownment, simply severing ties with the Vaishè family.

It stated that I, Asher Amire Vaishè, legally give up my right to the marquis position and cannot be considered as a successor. In return, I receive five percent of the Vaishè estate, which is just barren land, and a sum of gold. Other than that, they didn't offer me anything.

I can't complain, as I don't think I'll be able to live in this household anymore, and Vaishè family won't be mine in the near future. Living here won't get me anywhere.

I scanned through the legal jargon, memories of heated arguments, strained relationships, and the weight of familial expectations flooded my mind. The ink bottle glistened as I dipped the quill, ready to etch my signature. The pen scratched against the paper, leaving a mark that would redefine my destiny. The silence in the room mirrored the weight of this moment.

"Your wishes have been granted," I uttered with detached calmness. I am trying to keep my cool, but I am feeling a lot inside.

Years of expectations and hopes were shattered.

Because this was not a place where I can deny this disownment, and that won't change anything.

Haa, no point in thinking useless things.

"I'll leave for the academy; make sure my luggage and the new house are ready by the end of the day before I return." I got up from the table.

After leaving the diner, I navigated through the corridors of the Vaishè mansion, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallways. The servants averted their eyes.

I got out of the mansion, and the old man was there with a carriage.

I walked up to him, and before he could greet me like usual, I opened the door a bit aggressively and entered the carriage.

Inside was my robe, something that's compulsory in the academy.

"Get me out of here," I said.

[You crying?]

I saw the rune before I could close my eyes all the way.

I am not crying... at all.

[INSIDE THE DINER.]

There was a pin drop silence as nobody believed what just happened here.

Asher just kicked his rights without even flinching.

When Amire gave the news to Asher last night, he was quite disrespectful about it, and that was something that Amire expected.

Everyone here knew what the house meant for that guy; it was his sole goal and something that he actually cared about.

But other than his passion, he had nothing that can get him the succession besides his engagement with the daughter of Duke Decrux.

Elaria sat there trying to hide her smile; this was a great opportunity. Now there's no one in the way, and any one of her children can get the house without competition.

Amire was scared.

He had never seen that look in Asher's eyes; they looked dead whenever he looked at everyone.

Every other time it was anger, sadness, but this time it was nothing.

It's still an eerie feeling about how easy it was for him to get Asher out of there.

It's now better for him to repair his relationship with the Duke.

Eldric and Esme, on the other hand, were... For them, it was a mix of happiness, surprise, and excitement.