Chapter 50. Three Years

In a span of three years, many things have changed.

The fear of demons have faded in the distance, resembling a dove flying into the horizon, its pair of jade-like porcelain wings smoothening the rocky winds. Peace seemed to return to Lydia Kingdom. Despite there being multiple demonic activities throughout the years, all was cleanly resolved by the Royal family.

A chirp of a bird fluttered through the clouds, landing swiftly down at a cozy village.

"Young Master, are you sure about keeping your hair so long?" Willow's low voice ushered in the distance.

She hopped after a much taller figure compared to her. The maidservant dressed herself in a white and black dress, her once long wavy white hair cut to shoulder-length.

Before her was a slender young man, his height at 179 cm. A long stream of black ink hair slid down from his shoulders, the strands stretching to the lengths of his spine. His slim figure and elegant posture shone underneath the sunlight's gaze. He wore a black waistcoat, a thin white shirt underneath, the collar tussled and unbuttoned open. His lean neck baptized in the cool breeze, a light fragrance washed over the atmosphere.

The waistcoat around his abdomen was loosely buttoned, yet stuck to his lean body. An unzipped spider lily red vintage coat rested on his shoulders, its loose ends reaching to his calves, flapping to the wind. His slim black pants hugged his legs, a pair of meticulously polished black leather ankle boots—added to match.

The heels skimmed past the dirt, and a small chuckle fluttered in the wind.

"I've decided to not cut my hair," Lucilline drawled his voice lazily. It was the one thing that reminded him of Grand Duchess Rubius, "It would be a shame to cut it after growing it for so long."

"That's not true! It's not a shame!" Willow eagerly pressed. "I've cut my hair since it became a hindrance. Later on, it will regrow!"

Lucilline remembered how exasperated he was when learning of Willow's decision. Her precious white hair was cut, the strands weaved into a nest to accommodate birds.

"But now that I think of it," Willow muttered under her breath. "Young Master does look prettier with long hair..."

"What are you saying?" A push snapped her out of focus.

Augustine's eyebrows scrunched, a tint of grievance laid within his sharp grey eyes. He dressed in his butler attire, his short black hair brushed back handsomely. "If you have something to say, then say it loudly."

Willow shrunk her neck fearfully.

Having spent three years with this reincarnator, she has learned how to get along with him, and how to cooperate with him. But this guy still stepped on her nerves!

"Ahem," Willow quickly chose a different subject, "Young Master, we will be heading back to the Capital City today. Depending on the weather, the quickest time of arrival will be in approximately... hmm, midnight perhaps?"

Lucilline closed his eyes, leaning on a fence.

He was elegantly poised, while contemplating about the adventure.

"It has been three years since leaving the Capital City. Are you proud of yourself for abandoning your family?" The Dream demon scoffed in his mind.

Lucilline was unfazed. According to the original plot, I am supposed to die roughly at the age of 20. This is when I work with the demons and help them invade Lydia Kingdom. However, I have no intention of being a villain. I likely won't do the same thing in the novel-

"Are you ignoring me?" The Dream demon pouted.

No, I am merely analyzing my chances of survival in the future. Lucilline countered.

The Dream demon was at a loss, unable to argue back. For once, it found itself overpowered by the same young man that it always tortured.

Lucilline had silently celebrated his eighteenth birthday a few months ago. Since then, he had truly become an adult. It was even more difficult to take over his mind, more difficult to corrupt him, and much more difficult to talk nonsense like before. It made the Dream demon want to weep in solemnity.

Nobody understood its grief.

"Now that I think about it, Young Master is an adult already." Willow pouted. She had taken care of Lucilline when he was five, all the way until eighteen.

It was frightening to imagine how fast time passed.

Augustine's eyes softened. It has already been three years since he arrived in this world. It was ironic for someone like him who to watch—the person he attempted to assassinate—grow into a fine nobleman. Augustine's eighteen-year-old body also grew, to the age of twenty-one.

However, his growing age did not diminish his handsome features. Rather, he became more refined.

"Of course I am adult now," Lucilline sceptically looked at his maidservant, arching an eye. "I can take care of myself, I won't need you or Augustine to remind me to eat my meals, and I can finally dress myself." He seemed to be reminded of bad memories, and his face paled.

Willow rolled her eyes. "It wasn't that bad when I fed you."

Lucilline fell silent. There was nothing wrong with Willow feeding him. However, the intimidating glare of the butler still frightened him.

He had no idea what he'd done to anger Augustine.

Yet the butler had a cold gaze, as if the whole world was against him.

"Let's get on the road then," Willow had already prepared the horses, a leash fastened around their three broad and fluffy mane necks.

Lucilline swiftly jumped onto his horse, his slender body winding a dashing figure, locks of silky black hair fluttering upon the elegant whispers of the wispy wind. His slim and lean legs parting in a riveting angle, while seated upon the saddle, his heels and leather boots accurately fixated on the stirrup.

His horse neighed happily, its gorgeous complex of luxurious white and its soft lily white mane contrasting against Lucilline's dark attire.

Willow's eyes fell on her Young Master's figure.

She had the odd impression that her Young Master came from a distant kingdom, as the precious Crown Prince visiting the foreign Lydia Kingdom.

"Let's go!" She beamed.

*****

"This is for you, big brother!" A little boy skipped across the street, his fluffy locks of cinnamon hair perked upwards, the wind tussling the strands into curls.

Hugo wore a happy smile, the copper bell bracelet ringing twice around his wrist. He clutched a teddy bear in his arms, the soft fabric rustling against his skin. Compared to his starving appearance three years ago, Hugo now appeared much more healthy.

Jacques' pink eyes flickered.

He'd grown much taller, his lean figure fitting the white spotless suit he wore. His tight white pants were stretched long, fair knuckles brushing past from his knees, while he leaned poised on a brick wall. Jacques' benevolent teal blue hair tousled down a shoulder, reaching to the edge of his waist.

"...for me?" Jacques was exasperated.

Hugo handed him a small teddy bear—but he'd long since been fond of such toys. However, Jacques couldn't bring himself to refuse the little boy. He took the teddy bear, patted it twice, then thanked Hugo.

"I'm glad that you like it!" Hugo exclaimed.

Jacques just awkwardly laughed.

It was a rare opportunity for him to take a break from work. As a Royal Knight, his duties were exceptional and hard to carry out. He faced every single break/vacation as a precious moment to reunite with his family—even though he had no one else but the last remaining child.

"Y-Yeah, of course." Jacques stammered. "But you should hold onto it for now, Hugo." He handed the bear back to the little boy, and in response, the latter faithfully did so.

"Let's check out more of the stalls." Jacques led the child to the other side of the street.

Outside of the Capital City was still welcoming, filled with the warm cheers of stall owners. Hugo could not help but wander around, an excited expression written across his face. The mage had to hold onto his hand, in order to prevent him from becoming lost.

"...hm, there seems to be a loud commotion." A stall owner suddenly muttered.

Jacques was able to hear his voice, despite it being lowered. His light pink eyes squinted in suspicion. He pulled Hugo aside to the stall owner, "What's going on?"

The stall owner sighed. "There are really loud noises forward-"

All of a sudden, a flash of red splashed before Jacques' eyes. In an instant, the mage's pupils constricted— He swiftly covered Hugo's eyes, his large palm blocking the child's sight. At the same time, a scream bellowed out in the streets!

"...what! What happened big brother?" Hugo desperately clutched at the mage's sleeves.

Jacques wore an ugly face.

He quickly leaped back, his little brother pulled along. The stall owner from just then—stood frozen, a conspicuous black hole ripped through his forehead— blood red viscous liquid oozing out from the wound. A few droplets of blood was splashed onto Jacques' white suit.

Something crawled out from the stall owner's head...

A black shadow, squirming amongst the pile of blackening blood... the fleshes creeping into one fluid-like body.

An ugly expression fell on Jacques' face.

The stall owner was undoubtedly dead.

"AHHH!!! IT'S THE DEMONS!!!" A rush of fright torn the happy atmosphere into one of horror. The crowd fled, forming a swarm—a tide that overrode all other structures.

Jacques didn't have time to run.

He must face against the demon—it was his duty as a Royal Knight.

"Hugo, go with everyone else." Slowly, Jacques' fingers peeled off of the child's eyes. Due to the constant torrent of people, the sudden bloodied body of the stall owner was covered up. Hugo did not notice it.

"...no! What's going on, brother?" Hugo cried.

Jacques shook his head. "GO!" He gave the boy a light push. The brown-haired boy stumbled, his hand loosening, dropping his teddy bear. It was quickly trampled, torn to shreds, the soft fabric turned into a circus of mush.

Hugo shed tears. He wanted to crouch and pick up the bear, but the tide of the citizens had pushed him forwards.

"Brother!!!" A last cry before he completely disappeared in the current of panic.

Jacques' light pink eyes softened. Something inside of him wished to coax his younger brother, soothe his cries, and tell him everything was fine. However, he contained a bigger responsibility. One day, children must all grow up.

The light-blue-haired young man faltered.

He had no chance to say anything—when a shadow loomed over his head. The sound of flesh and blood gurgling behind him, "...are you wishing for death?"

A burst of light exploded in the vicinity!

Jacques leaped backwards, his boots sliding until they met the edge of a wall. Wind tussled his teal blue hair, his one portion of braided hair laying on his shoulder. A streak of crimson red blood slid across his pale cheek, his cheekbone sharp and handsome against the breeze's intense whispers.

"Tch, demons." Jacques did not have a magic staff, but he was still able to cast spells. "Once I capture you, I will bring you back to headquarters and expose all of your plans to the Royal family..."

The shadow begun to take form. Its black mushy flesh expanded, shaping into limbs and a torso. At last, it took form into a shadowy-like human. It had only one eye—the whites reddened in hysteria. Its teeth shone from the black mucus mouth.

"I have no time for you." The demon responded.

It seemed to be in search of something. "Have you seen a woman with white hair?"

Jacques pursed his lips. He'd not seen any woman with white hair—but a certain maidservant surfaced to his mind,

"...you know something." The demon understood in an instant.

A mere second of solemnity spread in the streets. Then, a mass of shadows suddenly launched at the white-suit mage! Jacques quickly dodged, the streak of dried blood on his cheek displayed a stark contrast. His hair was flung into the air, the strands spreading its wings and taking flight.

The demon contorted its shadows, forming into a sharp blade!

It carried the dagger, pointing the sharp glint at the mage.

Jacques felt cold sweat purge his pores. He muttered a chant underneath his breath, feeling his palms burn up in a blaze—

A burst of flames seeped out from his hands! Despite that, the fire did not burn him. Jacques gestured, the flames instantly crashing into the demon.

The demon's one eye widened. It leaped back, but was not left unscathed.

One hand was scalded, the shadow melting into viscous liquid. The hand drooped... then collapsed onto the ground. The demon was annoyed, regenerating its hand, then creating a second dagger.

"..take this!" It roared in anger.

It threw the dagger at an inhumane speed, the winds riling up from the impact.

The sharp blade was merely an inch away from Jacques' pupil—

CLASH!!! The sound of metal against metal crashed, a spark heated between the clash. A bundle of silky black hair spun in the wind's caress, and a dashing figure knocked away the blade. The young man leaped upwards, carrying a dagger in his own hand as well.

Jacques couldn't help but lurch back in surprise. Who is this young man? And why does he look so familiar...?

The black-haired young man landed, turning back to face the mage. "You are?"

"Jacques." The mage solemnly answered.

Lucilline: !!!

The black-haired nobleman suddenly jumped up, "Oh, it's you! The mage back from the Holy Church incident! I'm Lucilline."

Jacques: !!!

Meanwhile, the demon, "..." Hello? Am I just invisible to you?

Jacques couldn't control his reddening light pink eyes. The sound of the copper bell rung in the air, hitting a spot of nostalgia in his body. He hadn't seen the Young Master of House Rubius for quite a long time. Three years had passed, and the Young Master has grown up.

"...YOU TWO AREN'T EVEN TAKING ME SERIOUSLY!" An angry roar bellowed out from the demon.

It threw its second dagger—

The speed caught Lucilline off guard. However, he quickly blocked the blow with his own dagger. He deflected the blade to collapse on the ground, only to be greeted with another weapon just at a centimetre of distance from his face!

The black-haired nobleman gritted his teeth.

He spun swiftly on the spot, his mouth opening and accurately biting onto the blade of the dagger—holding it on the dull side.

Lucilline smiled teasingly, loosening his mouth and dropping the dagger. It clunked onto the cobblestone ground as well. His lips burned a beautiful cherry red.

The demon, "..." I'm done for. Who in the world is so skilled to catch a blade with their teeth!?!

"I'VE GOT YOU!" A cry alerted the demon, but it was too late.

It was tackled down to the ground, a lock of white hair dangling before its one eye. The demon was stunned, but it was already pinned—unable to move. "...you!" It was angered.

Willow just smirked, "Thanks to Young Master and Sir Mage's distraction, I was able to catch you!"

Augustine walked over, leading three horses together.

Lucilline licked his lips, feeling a gush of blood pouring from a shallow cut.

"...you..." the demon muttered, its one eye focusing on the white-haired maidservant. Something seemed to click inside its mind, "Could it be that you're the one we're trying to find!" It struggled, but was unable to break out of Willow's stone grip.

Willow tilted her head, confused.

Suddenly, the demon fell silent. "...no... it's not you." It grumbled in complaint.

Jacques saw their confusion, then explained. "According to this demon, it is trying to find a white-haired woman. But apparently, it's not you..."

Willow then shrugged. "It's fine then!"

Lucilline chuckled, his red lips burning like a rose stranded in snow.

Peace returned to the streets.

Behind them was a corridor shrouded by shadows. A pair of black heels clicked against the cobblestone, then came to a stop. Locks of glowing white hair contrasted the ominous darkness, and a pair of scarlet red eyes peeked out. A crimson red smile lifted on the woman's beautiful face, her beauty as bright as the moonlight's mournful gaze. "I've finally found you, Lucilline."

Author's Note:

A TIME SKIP! Little Lucy has finally become an adult! This means that I can fulfill our dear reader's romantic wishes and write more intimate plots— wait, I didn't promise anything 🤭

After Little Lucy's training arc of three years, HE'S BECOME SO COOLL!

SHEEEESSHHH—