The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Grimm's face lit up with delight as he caught sight of Desmond's faithful servant opening the grand door for him. A smirk played on his lips as he rose from his seat and made his way toward the exit. Outside, Grimm's servant patiently waited, a warm smile adorning his face.

"Be gone," Grimm spat, his expression contorted in disgust.

Deep within, Grimm pondered the idea of severing ties with his servant after this encounter. The servant, however, remained oblivious to the disdainful gaze, keeping his unwavering focus on his master. With a graceful gesture, he opened the carriage door, granting Grimm passage, and thus began their journey.

...

Desmond and his loyal servants stood at the grand entrance, bidding farewell to Grimm's horse-drawn carriage as it gradually faded into the distance. Yet, as the carriage disappeared from view, the light-hearted smiles on their faces melted away, replaced by stern and icy expressions.

Desmond turned to Annie, his eyes narrowing with intensity, and inquired, "How did you manage it so flawlessly?"

Annie, well-prepared for this question, replied with confidence, "Indeed, young master. Laura has masterfully manipulated those memories. Not a single trace of error remains. You need only observe the servant's gaze towards me."

Satisfied with her response, Desmond nodded curtly before turning his gaze back towards the imposing mansion. However, the rhythmic sound of a horse-drawn carriage reached their ears once again. Their eyes fixed upon a different carriage approaching them, curiosity mingling with Desmond's growing annoyance.

A furrow formed on Desmond's brow as he contemplated the unexpected arrival. "Are we expecting any further guests?" he inquired, his memory failing to recall any prior notification.

The bewildered expressions mirrored on the faces of his servants provided no answers. One of the servants mustered a response, "Forgive us, young master. We are unaware of the situation, and we cannot fathom why the guards permitted the carriage's entry."

The perplexity deepened within the ranks of the servants when, unexpectedly, Laura broke her silence, her voice tremulous yet resolute. "Such audacity..." Desmond thought, his gaze turning to the trembling figure of Laura amidst the gathering.

"Very well. Inform the guest that I am indisposed at this moment," Desmond commanded, determination emanating from his every word, as he readied himself to reenter the mansion.

"Master Desmond!"

The familiar voice struck Desmond like a bolt of lightning, causing him to freeze in his tracks.

...

Meanwhile, after Katrina's departure from the Guild, she embarked on a pursuit of Desmond, finding him lost in his thoughts, oblivious to his surroundings. Though she yearned to call out to him, concerned mercenaries intercepted her, bewildered by the sight of her bleeding forehead. Some inquired about her injury while others offered their assistance with handkerchiefs.

Being a respected member of her own guild, Katrina couldn't simply brush off her comrades' concerns. Thus, she skillfully fabricated plausible but deceptive explanations to appease their worries.

After explaining her situation to the concerned mercenaries, Katrina watched as the crowd dispersed and returned to their respective duties. With Desmond nowhere in sight, she strained her memory to recall the voice of the person who had called out to him near the shop.

"Now, which shop was it?" Katrina mused, her gaze scanning the storefronts in search of a clue. Realizing she needed more information, she decided to inquire around the area. Engaging with people on the bustling street, she hoped to uncover the identity of the individual she sought.

Eventually, Katrina received a lead. A passerby informed her that the woman who had called out to Desmond had entered a nearby clothing store.

"Thank you," Katrina expressed her gratitude to the helpful informant before setting off towards the designated shop.

"Clothing store, huh..."

...

Stepping into the clothing boutique, Katrina immediately noticed the presence of King Edward's daughter and a former noble's wife as they perused the garments. Approaching them with a warm smile, she greeted the women politely.

"Hello, please pardon my intrusion. Did either of you happen to call out for a child with a single arm?"

Katrina studied the two individuals before her, attempting to discern which one matched the description of the person she was seeking.

...

Meanwhile, Elizabeth felt compelled to respond to Katrina's question, but Yasi intervened, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Who are you?" Yasi inquired, her gaze scrutinizing Katrina.

Elizabeth glanced around and noticed the shopkeepers directing their attention towards them. Sensing the tension, she spoke up.

"I apologize for the interruption. I am an important guild member," Katrina explained, attempting to diffuse the situation.

However, her attempt fell short as the guards grew wary, and one of them shouted, "Remove your hands from your pocket!" They braced themselves for a potential threat.

Katrina realized her oversight in disregarding the guards' presence and failing to notice the "Closed" sign on the shop door. Furrowing her brows, she internally acknowledged her mistake.

"May I at least provide proof of my identity?" she requested, turning her attention to Yasi, who seemed to hold authority over the shop.

"No, I have no interest in guild matters unless my husband issues an order," Yasi firmly declined, her reservations growing stronger upon mention of the child Clark had spoken about.

Elizabeth was taken aback by Yasi's response, hoping this would be her opportunity to share information about Desmond. However, it seemed the situation was unfolding in the opposite direction.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry, Mrs. Yasi, but actually..." Elizabeth began to speak, but Clark grasped her hand, silently signaling her to withhold her words.

"Take it easy, Elizabeth. My mother has made her decision. Perhaps it's for the best," Clark consoled, his tone gentle.

"Please depart if you have no business here," Yasi emphasized, motioning for the guards to escort Katrina out of the shop.

Katrina couldn't help but let out a snort of disdain. "Very well, I don't require your assistance."

Her demeanor had shifted dramatically from her initial politeness.

"Just remember, Mrs. Yasi, if my suspicions are correct, your choice could have grave consequences for the kingdom," Katrina warned, her voice carrying a note of seriousness, before finally making her exit from the shop.

Yasi seethed with anger at the audacious warning. "Hmph, what can an ordinary staff member do to affect my shop?"

Clark, who had been listening in on the conversation, shared in Yasi's frustration.

"Don't be so arrogant! This may be a shop near the guild building, but it's our establishment that we've built over the years, and my father is a noble!" he shouted at Katrina, who appeared unfazed by his outburst. With that, the shop door was forcefully slammed shut.

...

After leaving the exasperating shop behind, Katrina decided to follow the path she believed Desmond had taken.

"If I continue straight ahead, I should reach the town square... Wait a moment... Why don't I consult the book?" she pondered.

She let out a frustrated sigh, realizing that even such a simple task had slipped her mind. Then, a realization struck her—Desmond was the son of a renowned Witch Master. Retrieving a book from her pocket, which contained information on the residences of prominent individuals, she hoped to find valuable insights.

This book was a privilege reserved for high-ranking guild members, authorized and crafted by the king himself, as all guild activities were intricately intertwined with the kingdom and its influential figures.

After perusing through several lists of esteemed names, Katrina's eyes finally landed on the crucial details she sought regarding Desmond's family.

"At last!" she exclaimed, a sense of relief washing over her.