The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Desmond, focused on resolving the mysterious occurrence, issued a command to the system within his consciousness. "System, please conduct a thorough scan of my body and search for any signs of abnormal energy," he ordered, his voice firm and resolute. A transparent screen materialized before his eyes, displaying the progress of the task.

[Task in progress....]

The results of the system scan appeared, indicating no abnormal energy within Desmond's body and affirming his overall good health.

Desmond's expression grew more serious as he absorbed the information. "This seems to be directly linked to my consciousness," he muttered, his mind racing with possible explanations.

At that moment, the door to his room swung open, and another maid entered, ready to assist. "What can I help you with, young master?" she inquired, her voice filled with readiness to fulfill his requests.

Remaining seated, Desmond pondered for a moment, his conflicting emotions evident on his face. "Hmm, perhaps some wine first," he mused aloud, his thoughts briefly drifting. "But let's prioritize the pursuit of power before indulging in leisure."

Rising from the bed with a determined air, Desmond's gaze fell upon the maid before him. "Purchase all the items available at the enigmatic shop near the bakery, but ensure the total expenditure does not exceed 10,000 coins," he commanded, his focus shifting to acquiring resources.

"Additionally, gather information regarding the families that have survived, been expelled, or directly targeted by King Edward within this kingdom. Also, procure details about the ranks within the army."

Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, within Clementine's residence, a young girl wandered through the corridor toward her room. Her face wore a somber expression as she clutched the hem of her shirt tightly. "Hmph, I just want to retrieve something I left behind," she thought, her determination evident.

Upon reaching her room's door, the girl hesitated, her hand tentatively reaching out to grasp the handle before recoiling, her gaze fixed upon the door. Uncertainty lingered within her.

Meanwhile, a maid carrying a tray of food observed the young girl from a distance. Her features softened with empathy as she approached the child. "Young lady, what seems to be troubling you?" she inquired gently, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Startled, the girl took a step back, surprised to see the maid's kindness. Realizing it was her trusted maid, she sighed in relief and replied with a tinge of embarrassment, "It's nothing, really."

Moved by the girl's expression, the maid couldn't resist the impulse to offer comfort. She enveloped her in a warm embrace, a smile gracing her lips as she fought back her own emotions.

Taking a step forward, the maid beckoned the girl, prompting her to widen her eyes in anticipation. Extending her hand, she invited the girl to join her. "My lady, Lady Diana is waiting by the door," she revealed, her eyes conveying warmth and reassurance. The girl hesitated for a moment, then eagerly took the maid's hand, feeling a sense of security.

"I hope you two will get along well," the maid added with a genuine wish before departing.

As the maid left, Diana stood alone at the door, her impatience evident as she tapped her foot repeatedly. "Come here, my daughter," Diana's mother called out, her voice reaching Diana's ears. She waited a few more moments, hoping to hear another voice besides her mother's, but silence persisted, leaving her disappointed and yearning for companionship.

Diana cautiously pushed the door open, peering into the room. Inside, she found her mother hunched over, her gaze fixed upon a mirror she held in her hands. Determined not to disturb her, Diana tiptoed inside, attempting to remain unnoticed. As she approached, her mother suddenly turned around, offering a weak smile.

"What are you doing? Come here. I have something to discuss," her mother beckoned, her voice tinged with a hint of weariness. Diana noticed that her mother kept her head lowered, still fixated on the mirror. A furrow formed on Diana's brow, perplexed by the situation.

Drawing nearer, Diana observed that the mirror had reverted to its ordinary appearance. "What's the matter, Mom?" she inquired, glancing at her mother's twitching expression.

Her mother's response was brief, yet Diana could discern a deep sadness in her tone. "Is this about Desmond?" Diana probed, attempting to gather more information by mentioning his name. The moment she spoke his name, a shadow of melancholy passed over her mother's face.

"Yes, my daughter," her mother replied, the words trailing off. Diana sensed the weight of sorrow hanging in the air.

Growing frustrated, Diana grasped her mother's hands, locking eyes with her. "Did that boy speak to you disrespectfully?" she demanded, her gaze filled with a fiery anger.

Clementine was taken aback by her daughter's abrupt attitude, stunned to witness such fury in her eyes. She mustered a smile, her voice softening as she gently cupped Diana's cheek. "No, it's just..." she began, her words tapering off as doubt seeped into her thoughts.

Before Diana could offer further comfort, her mother suddenly rose from her seat, startling her.

"Ah, why did I say something like that?!" Clementine exclaimed, slapping her own cheeks in frustration.

Initially, she had intended to teach Desmond a lesson about the perils of arrogance and overconfidence. Yet, to her surprise, Desmond had resisted rather than accepting the lesson. Memories of her painful past resurfaced, haunting her as she recalled a harrowing incident where vile nobles had nearly subjected her to rape.

Disgust twisted her features, and in that moment, when she looked at Desmond, her vision blurred, and he transformed into that loathsome noble, intensifying her rage.

However, Desmond's next words snapped her back to reality, dispelling the illusion. She only caught fragments of his words, mentioning "friendship" and "end" before she severed the connection out of shame for her own behavior.

As she realized the extent of her actions, she felt a profound sense of confusion and helplessness. Every adult possesses a pride that earns the trust and admiration of children, but Clementine found herself grappling with the weight of her own shortcomings.

If Clementine were to beg for forgiveness, it would be akin to surrendering her pride and bowing down before a child. Such an act was inconceivable for her, even though Desmond was the child she had known for so many years.

Diana witnessed her mother continuously slapping her own face, completely lost in her inner turmoil. Unable to bear the sight any longer, tears streamed down Diana's cheeks. "Sob... sob... please... stop, Mom..."

Clementine, in the midst of her frenzy, snapped back to reality upon hearing her daughter's desperate plea. She noticed the pain in her own cheeks as she looked at Diana, who was now sobbing and covering her face. In an instant, Clementine rushed over to embrace her daughter, gently stroking her hair. "Hush... hush... please forgive Mom...

Mom just..." Her words trailed off, unsure of how to explain her behavior to her daughter.

Clementine halted her speech, offering a wry smile as she continued to caress Diana's hair. "Yosh... yosh..."

After a few minutes of soothing, she managed to calm her daughter's sobs. Relinquishing the embrace, she observed Diana, whose eyes were reddened from crying. "Can... you tell me what happened?" Diana asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

Clementine's faint smile persisted as she recounted the events that had transpired between her and Desmond, providing a summarized version with only the key points.

Upon finishing the story, Clementine noticed Diana clutching her own cheeks with both hands. "So, Mother made a mistake with that foolish child, and the foolish child took it seriously. So why don't you apologize?" Diana's direct and honest remark caused Clementine's face to twitch in response. She gazed at her daughter, and an idea flickered in her mind.

She held Diana's shoulders with both hands, her eyes gleaming with a newfound determination.

"My love, what if you represent Mother's apology?" she suggested, her voice laced with hope.

"Okay." Diana's unexpected response took Clementine by surprise. She had anticipated resistance and had prepared herself to convince her daughter earnestly. "I don't want to see Mom suffer anymore," Diana added, her gaze radiating unwavering support.

Hearing her daughter's words, Clementine's eyes filled with profound gratitude. "Thank you, my little princess." She pulled Diana into a tight embrace, gently rubbing her cheek against her daughter's.

"Stop, Mother..." Diana mumbled, her face turning a deep shade of red as she tried to push her mother away with all her might, albeit unsuccessfully.

Following that, Clementine guided Diana to sit in front of the mirror. She began chanting an incantation, and the mirror held by her daughter began to emit a radiant glow...

After that, Clementine directed her daughter to sit in front of the mirror. She then chanted a spell, and the mirror held by her daughter began to emit a dazzling glow, enveloping both of them in a radiant aura.

Within the shimmering light, images started to appear in the mirror. They flickered and shifted, forming scenes that seemed distant yet familiar. Diana's eyes widened in awe as she observed the magical display before her.

Meanwhile, at Desmond's house...

"Young master..." The maid's voice resonated through the room, accompanied by the sound of a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in," Desmond responded, intrigued by the arrival of the maid. He watched as she entered, carrying an abundance of parchments in her wake. It was an impressive sight, as the parchments seemed to float effortlessly behind her, forming several lines in mid-air.

Desmond's eyes widened slightly, momentarily considering the possibility that his maids possessed telekinetic abilities. However, upon closer observation, he realized that it was the wind itself that supported and lifted the parchments, creating the illusion of levitation.

"Place them in front of my closet," Desmond instructed calmly.

Extending his hand towards one of the parchment books, a gust of wind materialized into the shape of a hand. The ethereal hand gracefully picked up the book and delivered it to Desmond, gently placing it on the table.

The maid who witnessed this extraordinary display stood in awe. Each time a maid entered Desmond's room, they encountered something unique, and this time was no exception. However, it was not a common occurrence for the maids to discuss their experiences with one another, leaving them unaware of Desmond's developing abilities.

Desmond caught a glimpse of the maid's bewildered expression and offered her a reassuring smile. "You can inquire with the other maids," he suggested, though his smile couldn't conceal his slight unease in response to her gaze.

"Excuse me, young master..." The maid exited the room, leaving Desmond to ponder the book he held in his hands. As he flipped through its pages, he discovered that it contained a comprehensive list of the families within the kingdom.

"Vesta, Grimm, Andre, Clark, and finally the royal family," Desmond muttered, his brow furrowing at the absence of his own family's name. The Noel and Weston families were also notably absent from the parchment. Confusion and a tinge of disappointment welled up within him. "Why isn't my family included?"

In addition to the Desmond family, the Noel and Weston families held significance in the kingdom, and their absence from the list stirred curiosity within Desmond's heart. The realization sparked a newfound determination within him to uncover the truth and understand why his family had been omitted.