Heyo! Here's the new chapter, I hope everyone is doing fine. Anyway, I am going back to work on the new chapter, so I'll see you all soon, stay safe peps. Byeeeee!
The Worst Reincarnation Yet
Chapter 6: Neopolitan
A young girl stood on the balcony contemplating the beautiful stars shining like diamonds in the dark sky, she too wished to glow perfectly like them, though it was impossible since she was defective in everyone's eyes. The sounds of people talking and laughing behind her had a feeling of joy, but this was something she could never experience as no one welcomed her because of her sickness, not even by her own parents. To her family the girl was nothing more than a burden, if she disappeared they probably wouldn't care much, they actually might feel relieved.
Such dark thoughts always filled her heart with despair and pain, but she remained strong no matter what they do to her, giving up wasn't an option. I hate it when they throw these boring parties, all, so they can find someone stupid enough who is willing to marry an imperfect thing like me. The breeze played with her brown pigtails like ocean waves, the cold passing across her face was refreshing and felt nice. A chip to be traded off that's what I am to them, when will I wake up from this nightmare?
"Ah, Trivia! There you are!" A middle-aged woman called out, she wore a white dress and a quite pretty pearl necklace that glistened under the moonlight. "Have you no manner's girl?! The guests are inside waiting to know you." Carmel was displeased with her daughter's unruly behavior. "Do you understand the amount of effort your father and I made to have this banquet happen? You're lucky to have a pretty face, my precious child, otherwise you wouldn't be able to find a man willing enough to take you, even defective as you are."
These harsh words were something that Trivia was accustomed to, though it still stung her heart a little. She bowed her head in a gesture of remorse, and Carmerl's smile turned wicked, as if she had some kind of twisted pleasure in belittling her own child. "Good girl, now follow me, there's a man that is simply perfect for you, my dear." The woman guided her daughter back inside the dining hall, there were several noble families enjoying themselves with their drinks and chats.
Many eyes were focused on the poor girl as Carmel pushed a few people aside to make her way toward Trivia's supposed fiancé candidate. The rumors surrounding her were numerous, and while everyone was aware of her muteness, they were unaware of the other condition that afflicted her eyes, which caused them to be different colors. Stop! P-Please! Stop! D-Don't look at me with those expressions of disgust. Uneasiness was all she felt, being surrounded by such despicable people judging her because of a problem she was born with and had no control over it.
"My Lord! May I present you my daughter and possibly your future bride." Carmel said with an exciting tone.
Trivia looked at the groom in question, her expression quickly changed to one of panic. He was an old man in his late fifties dressed in an expensive suit, his hair was grey, and he had a scar under the lower lip. "Such a lovely flower we have here, allow me to present myself." The Lord took her hand and kissed it. "I am Lord Coralion Lambent, founder of Lambent Industries." His green eyes were focused on the young girl, he noticed how displeased she was, but it didn't bother him. "Have no concern, I know you are not yet of age but if you are looking for a stable life, that I can provide my lady."
"Haha! Indeed." Laughed Jimmy Vanille while raising his glass in a sort of toast. "In one year my child will have her come-of-age ceremony, and then she will be married to you, my friend." He wrapped his arm around lord Coralion, which made him scowl. "With your support, my influence will grow larger than before, those other fools in the council shall agree with any laws we present them. Vale will be ours and if anyone tries to stop us, we just have to send Maelstrom after them."
"Of course." The old lord agreed. "Joining our families shall bring us plenty of rewards."
...I-Is this really what I am to my father, mother... She stared at her parents pleased with themselves with big grins. Trivia's heart sunk deeper into darkness as she couldn't believe what was happening. A piece of meat to be sold off to this senile bastard?! I-I knew they hated me but...w-why? I never did anything to deserve this! Her eyes welled up with tears. I...I won't, I refuse! Trivia lunged at her fiance with an uncontrollable rage, both fell down to the floor the sound of the impact drew the attention of everyone present.
"Ahh! Let me go! Stop! Stop!" Ahhh!" Trivia hit him again and again with incredible fury, Coralion screamed in pain but then he pushed her aside. "Ha! Haha! Feisty bitch aren't you?"
Jimmy and Carmel restrained their daughter. "Forgive her my lord, this won't transpire again, I promise." Said the woman in the white dress, she then stood in front of her child and slapped her, Trivia was knocked down to the ground. "You spoiled little brat! We raised you and this is how you repay us?!" The girl glared at her mother. "You are nothing but a worthless worm, not capable of even speaking, you bring this family nothing but shame!"
ME?! I...I am not worthless! Stop staring at me as if I am a freak! LET ME GO! JUST LET ME GOOOOOOO!
Junior's Nightclub, Industrial Sector
Suddenly, Neo awakened and rose up with a cold sweat all over her body. W-What?... W-Where am I? Her balance was lost because of a sharp pain in her shoulder, and she fell back to the bed. Oh, what a mess, I remember being carried away by that Schnee guy, but after that I have no idea. She turned and looked at the wound she suffered during her battle against the mercenary commander. The bandages were clean, and the pain wasn't too strong, so whoever took care of her injury was quite professional in their work.
Ughh! I still can't believe that dirtbag saw through my illusions! How was that possible? The feeling of being defeated by such a bastard made her frown, there was no way she was going to forget this. Maelstrom... I'll rip them apart alongside that senile dog! Neo gathered the remaining strength and arose from the bed once again. The bedroom was incredibly luxurious, boasting numerous cupboards and closets, as well as the vivid hues that adorned the walls. Huh? This place is certainly much better than any of my previous bedrooms... I don't belong in such a pretty setting.
The door handle turned, and when the door opened a white-haired boy came in accompanied by Junior, who had with him a tray of delicious food. "Ah! Finally, you have awakened lady Neo, I'm glad you seem to be fine, though you shouldn't force yourself that will only make your recovery harder." Whitley smiled as his feelings were genuine, while Hei Xiong simply remained silent. "Also, before you ask, you are currently at our nightclub and Roman is recovering well on the third floor. The injuries you guys had weren't life-threatening, so in a couple of days both of you will be back terrorizing the city."
Junior rolled his eyes in annoyance. "We have more pressing matters to attend to than dealing with this." He walked toward the girl, but the young man quickly stopped him. "What?"
Whitley noticed that Neo was glaring at them, she didn't feel comfortable being there and maybe thought that she and Roman were prisoners. "Forgive me for being rude, my lady." He bowed his head, which left the pink-haired girl puzzled. "Allow me to clear any misunderstanding you might have, both you and Torchwick are our guests, not prisoners, I assure you." Whitley approached his guest and handed her Hush. "I hope this shows the sincerity of my words."
Neo inspected her weapon and found no signs of foul play, having Hush back curled up her lips into a small smile. Whitley then took the tray of food from Junior's hands and said. "Leave this to me, there are a few things I wish to speak with her alone." The Schnee placed the tray on her lap.
"Tch, Do whatever you want, just don't come running to me when she pokes one of your eyes out." Hei left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Haha...ha, such a joker isn't he?" He chuckled nervously. Alright! Just calm down, I can do this, there's no way she would just stab me after saving her life, right!? The girl stared at him like a huntress stalking its prey, waiting for the perfect moment to go for its throat. "P-Please eat before the meal gets cold."
Quite the awkward air filled the room, but it was interrupted by the growling sound of Neo's stomach, making her a little embarrassed. W-Well, the food does look appetizing, I guess it can't be helped then. She took a sip from her soup and an explosion of flavors erupted inside her mouth, this was the best soup she ever had. After quickly eating it, she moved to the steak that was emanating an inviting aroma, when the succulent meat entered her mouth it was purely excellent. DELICIOUS! Oh! I haven't had a wonderful meal like this forever.
"I'm relieved you are enjoying our chef's cooking, he'll be happy to know." Whitley sat on the chair that was next to the bed. "I want you to have this Scroll, it's directly connected to mine, so this way it will be easier for us to talk."
The new Scroll was more advanced and it had some pink ornaments. Neo started to write as it was time to ask certain questions regarding her situation. 'First, I want to know how did you find out we were at the Lambent Industries HQ? Second, why the hell did you guys come to rescue us? We haven't agreed on anything yet, so none of this makes sense.'
"The answer to your first question is simple really, we had you both followed." He saw the girl's expression change to a frown. "My apologies, my lady, but you have to understand that you and your friend are too dangerous to just leave about." Neo was still a bit angry, but at least Whitley was being honest, and that was something she liked about him. "As for your second question, we actually didn't intend to help at first, we were going to take advantage of the chaos you guys created and steal some secret documents from Lambent HQ, but things didn't go as planned, unfortunately."
'That still doesn't explain why you saved us?'
"Well, I am not the type of guy who will abandon people in need." I'm sorry if that isn't what you want to hear, though it's the truth. A selfish and opportunistic person is what I am, but I'm not heartless.
Neo had difficulty believing his words, she knows how the world works and that nothing is free. 'Say what you want, but in the end, I owe you a debt that needs to be repaid. So, just say your price whatever it is and I will pay it.'
Whitley grinned warmly. "Lady Neo, everything I did was from my own selfish desires, so you don't owe me anything. I just did what felt right to me." The girl's eyes sparkled for a second, this was something unheard of, and she didn't know how to react. "But allow me to ask a question. Do you wish to keep living like this? Stealing and wreaking havoc just for the fun of it, or do you have the desire to be something more than what you are?"
'... What do I want? I-I don't know.' This was a thing that she never really thought about it.
"Then, if I may be so bold, how about I help you reclaim your family's title?" It won't be easy, and I will probably regret it, but I really want her to go on another path and not suffer like in the later volumes.
Neo threw the tray against the wall. 'I AM NOT TRIVIA VANILLE!' She gritted her teeth as painful memories from the past came flooding in. 'I could never reclaim what was never mine, to begin with. To the nobles and everyone else, I am nothing more than a broken thing, a defect that should have never been born...and they are right. Neo closed her eyes and lowered her head, she squeezed the sheets hard. These dark thoughts were with her every day, she couldn't get rid of them.
"NO!" Whitley shouted, which made the pink girl lift her head. "Don't belittle yourself! I won't pretend to understand the hell you went through, but don't say such things. Neo, you survived all this time with your own power, every obstacle that you faced you managed to surpass because of your determination." He continued. "You are not a defect, the bastards that say such things should burn in hell! I admire your indomitable spirit, you can be so much more, and you know it, I am certain of it."
T-This guy... His words are what I wanted to hear someone say to me for so long... Haha, and they came from this Sch-...no 'Thank you, Whitley.'
Both of them blushed for a moment. "D-Don't mention it." He scratched the back of his head as he was still embarrassed. "Y-You don't need to give your answer right now, just think about it for a bit." Whitley got up and picked up the tray. "I shall take my leave, I will order the chef to prepare another dish and bring it up."
'I would prefer if you were the one bringing it.' Neo smiled devilishly, but her cheeks were a bit red. 'You did find me alluring, right?'
Whitley blushed again. "Much more than alluring...bewitching, because I can't take my eyes off you." AHHHH! She probably thought that was lame.
Neo turned to face the wall, but Whitley noticed that her cheeks were burning red. "Ah! A-Ahh, I shall come back later, have a good rest." I was never able to say that to a girl before, well, I'm glad it was to Neo though. He left the bedroom.
... Whitley, you certainly have weird tastes...hmm, I am getting more interested the more I know about you, hehe! This huntress doesn't share her prey with anyone. Hehehe!
