The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Meanwhile, the city streets exuded an air of tranquility, with only a handful of guards stationed for night duty. This was largely attributed to the recent news of a gruesome massacre that had occurred in a local tavern, leaving the citizens on edge.

Rumble... Rumble...

The resounding echo of horse hooves reverberated through the nocturnal city streets. The moonlight cast a gentle glow upon the horse-drawn carriage, lending an ethereal radiance to its surroundings. Not only was the carriage present, but a pair of personal bodyguards also accompanied it, their watchful presence ensuring the safety of its occupants.

One of Desmond's trusted personal bodyguards was among the escort. This particular guard typically patrolled Desmond's premises, distinct from the gate guards. In truth, Desmond's family boasted a considerable number of bodyguards, often congregating at the port to represent their interests in various inter-kingdom trading endeavors.

...

Inside the carriage, Desmond sat, his gaze fixed upon the night sky adorned with twinkling stars. He mused silently to himself, "How long has it been? One year? I hope Alice is faring well...."

Over time, Desmond's perspective on his newfound family had softened, influenced by his experiences in his past life. In the world he once knew, the mafia showed little mercy to strangers, yet their demeanor would dramatically shift in the presence of their loved ones.

...

As the horse-drawn carriage arrived at the main entrance, the coachman alighted and promptly opened the door for Desmond.

"Please, young master," the coachman said, respectfully bowing his head as Desmond prepared to disembark.

"Very well," Desmond replied with a nod, gracefully stepping out of the carriage.

At the entrance, two maids eagerly awaited his arrival. "Welcome, Young Master. Would you like to have dinner?" one of them inquired, while the other maids proceeded towards the carriage to retrieve the acquired "item" on Desmond's behalf.

"No need," Desmond declined with a wave of his hand, pivoting to face the maids. "Take the items to the backyard. I wish to conduct an experiment."

"Yes, young master," the maid who had been handling the 'item' replied dutifully.

Turning his attention back to the maid before him, Desmond instructed, "Prepare the financial reports I will require for the upcoming month and bring some wine to my chambers."

"Yes, young master," the maid acknowledged, bowing her head slightly as Desmond strode past her.

...

Once inside the residence, Desmond proceeded to his quarters, leaving the coachman by the carriage. Curiosity piqued, the coachman directed his question to the guards who had previously accompanied Desmond.

"Hey, do you have any idea what the young master intends to do with that slave?" he inquired, his gaze lingering on the maid and guards who were guiding the acquired "item."

When the coachman's question went ignored, he snapped, "Hey!"

Simultaneously, the group responsible for transporting Desmond's precious "item" came to a sudden halt. One of the guards swiftly approached the coachman, leaning in close to deliver a discreet message.

"Lower your voice, or you may find yourself vanishing like a hired coachman who disappears into the night," the guard whispered, his voice laced with a chilling warning.

Even though this particular guard hadn't witnessed the rumored incidents, the unsettling tales had already circulated among the group. Thankfully, caution prevailed, and only those within Desmond's inner circle, including the guards and household staff, were privy to the secrets at hand.

The coachman's hair stood on end, a surge of apprehension coursing through him. Yet, he maintained a perplexed gaze fixed upon the guard before him.

"What do you mean? Wouldn't the young master enjoy his time with that 'stuff'?" The driver's grin slowly faded as he unintentionally glanced at Desmond's assortment of belongings, envisioning himself in the young master's privileged position.

The guard frowned, his voice hushed. "It's not what you're imagining. When I say 'disappear,' I mean gone without a trace, never to be seen again."

The coachman's smile vanished, replaced by a creeping dread. Perhaps it was the cloak of night enveloping them or the bone-chilling wind that nipped at their surroundings, but his body involuntarily shivered.

"I understand. Thank you, friend, for sharing this crucial information," the coachman responded with a series of eager nods, his mind eager to retreat to the safety of the awaiting carriage. Yet, his steps froze when a firm hand rested on his shoulder.

"And remember, if you value your life, keep this knowledge confined within the confines of this family," the guard whispered, his words sending a shiver down the coachman's spine. With that, the guard rejoined his fellow sentinels and maids, resuming their careful handling of Desmond's precious cargo.

"YES!!!" The coachman involuntarily screamed in terror, turning on his heel and racing back toward the safety of the carriage.

The assembled guards and maids, witnessing the coachman's frenzied reaction, couldn't help but unleash wicked laughter at his expense.

Meanwhile, within the sanctuary of Desmond's chamber, the young master himself was engrossed in studying a parchment detailing the upcoming month's expenditures. It was in the midst of this focused perusal that a familiar voice erupted outside, bellowing, "YES!!!"

Desmond let out a weary sigh, setting aside the parchment as he raised his gaze. "Ah, the night has proven quite exhausting."

Knock, knock, knock.

"Enter." Desmond's voice rang out, his eyes still scanning the contents of the parchment before him.

A maid obediently stepped into the room, bearing a delicate glass of wine and a plate adorned with a delectable assortment of ice cream. The confusion etched across Desmond's features did not go unnoticed by the attentive maid.

Desmond let out a weary sigh. "Place them here and proceed with your explanation."

The maid carefully positioned the glass and plate on the table beside Desmond, her gaze still filled with hesitancy.

Raising his eyes from the parchment, Desmond observed the maid's reticence and sighed once more. "Just speak..."

With a deep breath, the maid gathered her courage and lifted her head, locking eyes with Desmond. "In truth, today is Miss Alice's birthday."

"Ah," Desmond uttered, his gaze momentarily drifting towards the window overlooking the expanse beyond his room. "Autumn has already arrived..."

In addition to the moonlight that bathed the room, the sight of withered leaves descending outside captured Desmond's attention.

"Yes, young master," the maid replied softly, awaiting Desmond's further instructions.

For a few moments, Desmond silently contemplated the scenery outside his window, his brows knitting together in deep thought. Eventually, he shifted his focus back to the maid. "Hmm... I've finished perusing all of this." He paused, pondering for a moment. "Retrieve 60,000 gold coins from the bag I brought with me. That should suffice for the next five years."

Surprise flashed across the maid's face. Could it be that the young master, who had never possessed such a substantial sum, had brought a bag containing 90,000 gold coins to the auction?

Leaning back in his chair, Desmond continued to gaze out the window, his brow furrowing in contemplation.

Who is she? the maid wondered. Dare she question his instructions? Although she desired to offer prudent advice to the young master, considering their current circumstances, her position didn't grant her the authority to do so.

"Yes, young master," the maid responded, offering a respectful salute before swiftly departing the room, ensuring to close the door behind her. Despite her reservations, she chose to maintain unwavering faith in her young master, owing to the positive changes he had brought about in the past few months.

The way he issued his directives and his thoughtful approach to financial matters had already won over the older servants. While they may not possess extensive knowledge, they were not all mere simpletons serving under the household's employ.

In this manner, they began to gain a better understanding of the family's financial challenges. They refused to be fools who would yield to adversity or debase themselves to bolster the family's income.