The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Annie stood there, her mouth agape in disbelief at the sight of Laura's face. It was a face she never expected to see—a face filled with panic and distress. What had happened to these two? Annie couldn't help but wonder if their constant travel and Laura always being by her young master's side had triggered this change in her demeanor.

The Laura she knew had always been a beacon of cheerfulness, even when she became slightly colder over the months. But this panicked expression was a rarity for Annie. Even when her young master disappeared, Laura hadn't shown this level of distress.

Lost in her thoughts, Annie's eyes wandered around the unfamiliar room. It struck her as odd, with two beds placed on opposite sides, a sofa positioned in the center, and bookshelves and a small kitchen nearby. However, the strangest aspect was the flimsy curtains serving as dividers between the beds. Anyone changing clothes in one bed would be visible to those on the other side.

Annie hadn't paid much attention to this before, but seeing the peculiar setup sparked a thought in her mind.

Could it be that Laura and her young master had been engaging in intimate acts? If that were the case, then perhaps Laura's current behavior wasn't so unusual. Annie found herself staring at her young master, contemplating these thoughts.

"What are you staring at? Help me on the left side," Laura snapped at Annie suddenly, her glare piercing. Annie's face twitched at the rebuke, and she bit her lip, nodding obediently. She swiftly fetched some damp clothes and began attending to her young master's body.

In the midst of her duties, Annie couldn't help but notice Laura's hands constantly brushing against her young master's cheeks. It left Annie speechless, a desire to reprimand her welling up inside. She observed with astonishment as a subtle energy seemed to emanate from Laura's touch, seeping into her young master's body.

Witnessing this sight left Annie in shock. How could someone's demeanor change so drastically within a mere couple of months? She muttered inwardly, her eyes stealing glances at her young master's pale face.

...

Meanwhile, within Desmond's consciousness...

As Desmond gradually regained his senses, he found himself floating in an abyss of darkness. Initially, he believed this darkness resembled the room where he had encountered the black dragon, but he soon realized that this space was different. It was in constant motion, moving along with his body.

His body felt as if it were drawn forward, like a magnet with no intention of halting. After considering various possibilities, Desmond couldn't find a plausible explanation except for one.

"So, I've died, haven't I?" Desmond spoke aloud, the strange sensation, the familiar surroundings, and the darkness stirring memories of his initial arrival in this world.

Unlike his previous experiences, he retained a complete physical form along with his consciousness.

"Yes, if my assumption is correct... system?" Desmond's voice trailed off as he encountered the familiar transparent interface, visible even in the absence of light. Despite the circumstances, Desmond couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

"I knew you would accompany me even after death," Desmond chuckled wryly, though his expression hardened as certain memories resurfaced.

He sighed, "Once again, I've died at a young age, and this time, I'm left without any companions." Just like his first demise, regret and anger still lingered within him, but upon careful consideration, he managed to regain his composure.

Then, in an instant, Desmond's expression froze as his vision was engulfed by a blinding light accompanied by a high-pitched sound resembling the buzzing of a bee, right beside his ears. The brilliance obstructed his view, compelling him to close his eyes tightly.

"Young master..." As the sound gradually subsided, he heard a soft, affectionate voice near him, accompanied by the delicate sensation of something gentle touching his chest.

"What..." Desmond's eyes fluttered open, revealing the room around him. His body lay on the bed, while Laura and Annie sat on either side, their worried gazes fixed upon him.

His upper body remained unclothed, covered only by a blanket, while his lower half was shielded by a pair of pants. Beside them stood two bowls filled with crimson-tinted water, with red cloth suspended over the surface.

Furthermore, a wave of dizziness washed over him, accompanied by a throbbing ache throughout his body, making it difficult to recall his last memories before losing consciousness.

Annie's face retained its usual coldness, though her eyes betrayed a hint of concern. Suddenly, the realization struck Desmond, surprising him. Why was Annie here? Before he could question them about what had happened, Laura embraced his body tightly.

"Sob... sob... I-I'm so sorry for my rudeness. I'm just relieved... relieved that you're safe, young master," Laura sobbed, her eyes already brimming with tears even before Desmond regained consciousness.

Upon witnessing his well-being, an overwhelming surge of unfamiliar emotions overwhelmed Laura's heart, eventually bursting forth, compelling her to embrace him tightly.

Desmond remained stunned for a moment, uncertain of how to respond. He knew that Laura was his most cherished subordinate at present, but this surge of affection alone was not enough to make him sacrifice his life. His large hand moved gently, caressing her hair and patting her shoulder, before gradually easing her grip.

His eyes fell upon her flushed cheeks and delicate cherry lips, marred by tear stains, prompting him to adopt a solemn expression. "Thank you," he spoke softly, his gaze then shifting towards the rigid Annie. "And both of you, thank you for worrying about me," Desmond expressed his gratitude sincerely. He genuinely felt grateful for someone showing concern for him.

Upon hearing his words, Laura burst into tears, while Annie's expression softened slightly. Her gaze towards her young master underwent a subtle change.

Annie recalled the time when both she and Laura had accepted their roles as Desmond's family maids, their initial mission being to receive him at the guild. They had formed their own opinions based on the impressions they had of their young master. However, as time passed, Laura was the first to wholeheartedly serve him, while Annie grappled with her own conflicting emotions.

Yet, gradually, her heart had started to change, accepting his presence without realizing it.

Observing the reactions of his devoted maids, Desmond felt a sense of amusement. The teachings he had absorbed from his previous world, where family equated power and the future, were still imprinted deep within his soul and mind.

"It's quite amusing to think about leaving everything behind and dying," Desmond mused inwardly. His eyes burned with a fiery determination while emanating an intense aura of ruthlessness. "The empire still stands, basking in its grandeur, toying with the lives of my family..."

"I've been too easy to manipulate," Desmond muttered in a low, resentful tone. He had initially tolerated the Empire's interference when he first arrived in this world, hoping for a peaceful and comfortable life while allowing his family to handle the assassins sent by the imperial forces.

His intention had been to silently eradicate the nefarious organization before confronting Grimm and the imperial assassin, embarking on a journey of adventure and uncovering the mysteries of this world. However, his modest aspirations were shattered when the imperial assassins targeted him, nearly claiming his life in the process.

Desmond understood that the moment he killed those assassins, his true identity and power would be exposed to his enemies. There would be no respite awaiting him unless he chose to live as a coward in perpetual hiding or eradicated all who threatened him.

The evil organization sought to silence him, for he possessed knowledge of their nefarious plans. As for Grimm, he was regarded as a kind-hearted individual and a close friend of the king. What would happen if Desmond revealed the truth to the public?

At best, Grimm's reputation would be called into question, but it would undoubtedly attract the attention of the kingdom's ministers, especially considering Grimm's association with the organization and his assistance to them.

Meanwhile, the imperial assassins aimed to prevent Desmond from growing into a second threat, akin to his mother. "All of this because of that damned old man, Grimm," Desmond seethed. "And I foolishly believed I had put on a convincing act before him. If I were to confide in my mother, she wouldn't believe me. Even my father is biased towards my sister."

Desmond paused, contemplating the consequences of reporting the attack to his parents. He knew they would assign an expert to monitor his every move, twenty-four hours a day. Just the thought of it made him feel utterly repulsed. "I despise the feeling of constantly being watched," he added, his tone filled with disdain.

While pondering his next course of action, Desmond's narrowed eyes caught sight of a series of transparent screens spontaneously appearing one after another within his vision.