The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Meanwhile, Bastian and Leona's elegant carriage continued its steady journey toward his ancestral house, the wheels creaking softly with each turn. The coachman, his gloved hands firm on the reins, guided the horses with practiced expertise.

As they finally reached the imposing main door, it swung open, revealing two maids who had been part of their household for years, standing there with welcoming smiles.

"Ah, welcome, esteemed lady and lord," one of the maids greeted them warmly, her voice carrying a note of genuine fondness. With graceful gestures, she reached out to relieve Leona of her belongings, her delicate hands expertly handling the weight.

The other maid, her eyes bright with anticipation, stood by the open door and addressed them with genuine curiosity. "Shall Lady and Lord indulge in a delicious breakfast first?" Her voice held a hint of anticipation, as if eager to please their refined tastes.

Yet, instead of answering the maids' questions or returning their greetings, Bastian and Leona's eyes swept over the grandeur of their ancestral home, their gazes tracing the intricate details from roof to foundation. The maids, sensing the weight of their contemplation, nodded in unison, understanding the unspoken desire for quiet reflection.

One of them positioned herself quietly by Bastian's side, attentive and prepared to fulfill any command, while the other exchanged a subtle glance with the coachman, signaling him to discreetly depart with the carriage.

"It feels like an eternity, doesn't it?" Bastian remarked softly, his voice resonating with a mix of nostalgia and appreciation as he beheld the timeless beauty of the house, preserved unchanged over the years.

Leona, her eyes now fixated on the courtyard where their children had frolicked in happier times, let out a wistful sigh. "Yes," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy. "Is Desmond at home?" Leona's gaze shifted to the maid standing beside her, still holding her belongings.

The maid's face lit up with a warm smile at the mention of her young master. "Indeed, the young master is presently enjoying his breakfast in the dining room," she replied, a touch of pride evident in her tone. The fact that her master showed such concern for their son brought her genuine joy.

Upon hearing this, Leona's heart swelled with anticipation, a surge of happiness coursing through her veins. Without further ado, she hurriedly made her way into the house, disregarding her husband's meticulous inspection of every architectural detail.

Observing Leona's swift departure, the maid who had been attending to her belongings offered a wry smile, silently acknowledging the eagerness of her mistress. With a graceful wave of her hand, she gestured for the other maid to attend to their master's needs, recognizing the man's penchant for thorough analysis.

...

Leona, her steps brimming with delight, walked briskly toward the dining room, her heart pounding in her chest like a symphony of excitement. Finally reaching the grand entrance, she could no longer contain her anticipation and swung open the door with a flourish.

"Oh, my precious boy!" Leona's eyes lit up as she caught sight of Desmond engrossed in a lively discussion with the kitchen maids, the aroma of freshly baked goods enveloping the air.

As Leona entered the room, her son's expression transformed into one of pleasant surprise. An endearing smile spread across her face as she enveloped him in a tight embrace. "Oh, how I've missed you, my sweet baby," she whispered, her voice filled with tenderness.

Desmond, aware of his mother's imminent arrival, allowed himself to be embraced, though a hint of annoyance flickered in his eyes. "Mother..." he attempted to call out, but his words were lost amidst his mother's joyful humming, her heart overflowing with maternal love.

"Mother," Desmond raised his voice, causing Leona to loosen her grip and meet his eyes. Her loving expression shifted to one of concern as she inquired in a soft tone, "What's wrong, my baby?" However, her eyes froze as her sharp maternal instincts sensed something amiss. It was as if a silent alarm went off within her, prompting her to take notice, to delve deeper into the situation.

Leona took a deep breath, her motherly intuition guiding her. Without hesitation, she pulled out a dining chair and seated herself right in front of her son, her eyes locked onto his, determined to uncover the truth.

While Desmond's physical appearance remained unchanged, Leona felt a subtle shift in his presence—a rough edge, an aura tinged with something different. She even noticed an unusual interaction between the energy surrounding her son and his own body, a discordant harmony that set off alarms in her mind.

Meanwhile, the maids in the dining room, who spent every day in Desmond's company, were equally intrigued, unaware of the transformation that had taken place.

Desmond couldn't help but feel surprised by his mother's astuteness, her quick grasp of something being amiss. It was expected, given her perceptive nature. "I accidentally consumed the blood of the Husk Wolf..." he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation. Carefully, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing the bite marks that had been concealed beneath fabric and concealed their true extent.

Leona's eyes widened in shock at the sight, her gaze shifting to the maids in search of an explanation, only to be met with perplexed expressions. Before she could utter a word, Desmond stopped her, determined to provide the details himself.

Meanwhile, Bastian, having completed his thorough inspection of the house's exterior, coincidentally entered through the back door of the kitchen, his eyes falling upon his wife and son locked in conversation. A lighthearted comment lingered on his lips, but he abruptly silenced himself, sensing the weighty atmosphere that permeated the room.

"Ah, well, perhaps I should excuse myself..." he stammered, attempting to retreat.

"Honey, please come here. You need to know about our son's situation too," Leona calmly called out to her husband, preventing his escape. Bastian turned slowly, his steps carrying a mixture of reluctance and curiosity, and settled into a chair beside his son. Observing Desmond's silence and the deep breath he took, Bastian sighed inwardly, resigned to the thought of yet another unforeseen challenge.

With the entire family now gathered, Leona gave a gentle nod and instructed the maids to fetch refreshments, their soothing presence providing a sense of normalcy amidst the unfolding uncertainty.

The maids nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded to retrieve a large bottle of wine. Carefully, they poured the crimson liquid into each of the cups belonging to the Desmond family, the sound of the wine gliding smoothly into the vessels filling the room.

Leona, her eyes narrowed with intensity, broke the silence with her probing question. Her index finger tapped repeatedly on the table, punctuating her words. "So, you purchased a pet as a toy, and in a mishap, you were bitten and consumed its blood. Is that what truly happened?" Her voice carried a mix of suspicion and concern.

Desmond, meeting his mother's gaze head-on, responded with a calm demeanor that only served to deepen Leona's frown. Meanwhile, Bastian, upon hearing his son's admission, was taken aback, his eyes instinctively drawn to the creases in Desmond's clothes.

Leona's frustration erupted, and she slammed her hand on the table before her. "Isn't it glaringly obvious that this incident is utterly improbable?" Her anger simmered beneath the surface, but a trace of profound worry lingered in her eyes.

Caught off guard by his mother's outburst, Desmond froze momentarily. He had solid evidence to support his claims, such as calling upon Annie or Laura, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it would only exacerbate the situation.

Bastian, silently observing the tense exchange between his wife and son, made a decision. He glanced at Desmond, his gaze filled with both firmness and tenderness. "Listen to your mother this time," his words carried a restrained authority.

Silence enveloped the room, each member of the family lost in their own thoughts, until Leona finally broke the stillness. "First, there was the murder, and now this..." She raised her head and locked eyes with her son. "I know you possess intelligence and talent in magic, but this matter extends beyond personal affairs; it touches upon the kingdom's laws."

Confusion etched across Desmond's face. What did she mean by kingdom rules? All he did was consume blood, didn't he? Yet, as he pondered, his mind automatically connected to certain memories.

Status.

[Scanning Host Body...]

[Scan Complete!]

[

-Status-

Name: Desmond

Gender: Male

Age: 7 years

Race: Half-Human (50%)

Class: 1st Swordsman / 0th Dragonslayer

Occupation: None

Unique Energy: 32.78

Strength: 27.49

Agility: 20.4

Stamina: 6.35

Dragon Essence: 0

]

Narrowing his eyes, Desmond's gaze shifted to the words beside his race. Ah, now I'm considered half-human. I recall that demi-humans in this kingdom are treated with great cruelty and discrimination.

Drawing his attention away from his thoughts, Desmond found his mother's concerned gaze fixed upon him. "Calm down, Mother; I have a plan to outmaneuver this situation," he assured her, then turned to his father, acknowledging him with a solemn nod.

Initially puzzled by Desmond's actions, Bastian gradually comprehended the gravity and determination reflected in his son's expression. "Let us trust our son once again, my dear; if not, let him bear the consequences alone," Bastian's voice took on a cold, stern tone, emphasizing the importance of teaching Desmond a sense of responsibility.

He turned his face away, intentionally hiding his worries from his son. Leona, with a dismissive snort, averted her gaze, her frustration lingering in the air. Desmond, caught between their conflicting actions, felt at a loss. Despite his extended time in this world, the warmth of his new parents hadn't yet penetrated his young heart.

Accepting them as his true parents was still a challenge, perhaps exacerbated by their frequent absences due to duty, leaving him feeling alone. Only Alice, the first person who had embraced him as family, had truly made an impact. Thoughts of family evoked memories of his previous life, and a tinge of sadness welled up within him as he recalled the moments he had left behind.

His reminiscences also stirred memories of his own death. That thief! It must have been affiliated with one of the mafia families. The more he dwelled on it, the stranger the entire situation seemed. It wasn't his carelessness alone; the fact that the thief had lured him to the rooftop of the building added a layer of mystery. And why had the thief only brandished the gun upon reaching the rooftop?

Why hadn't they used it earlier on the bus?

Lost in his thoughts, Desmond snapped back to reality when one of the maids approached, holding a mirror used for communication with Clementine.

"Young Master, it seems you have a communication call," the maid informed him, placing the mirror on the table, capturing the attention of his parents.

Desmond contemplated channeling his energy into the mirror, but a sudden chill sensation disrupted his flow. Puzzled, he frowned. "Hmm? Didn't I say our connection was severed?" His confusion piqued Leona's curiosity.

Having a clear understanding of mirror magic, Leona often employed it for her duties. She swiftly blocked her son's energy flow and substituted her own.

"Well, well, you finally answered," a voice rang through the reflection of the mirror. The image revealed a red-haired girl with a strikingly beautiful face, her arms folded, subtly drawing attention to her moderate-sized breasts.