Frantically searching through my memories, I arrived at an unbelievable conclusion.
Comrades, brothers, this is bad! It seems I've really transmigrated to another world, and what's more, I'm a villainous noble!
Let me explain.
Robert, a character who appears in the first volume of the novel, is the second son of the Marquis Anglus House. He's a typical aristocratic supremacist, ill-tempered, and self-centered. From the moment either of the protagonists entered the St. Maria Academy, he deliberately sought trouble, simply because he disliked commoners. This naturally led to a one-on-one duel, and under the assumption of most onlookers that it would be an overwhelming victory for the noble, he was defeated by the protagonist, who was brimming with cheat-like abilities.
He's that kind of clichéd villainous noble found in typical transmigration novels, whose sole purpose is to highlight how powerful the protagonist is. He was so cliché that when I heard the name just now, I couldn't even recall who he was for a moment.
And these types of characters usually have the following endings:
One, after losing to the protagonist, they no longer appear, because their mission is complete, and players don't care about their fate. At most, there's a brief mention of their family falling into decline or being destroyed, a satisfying ending where evil meets its just desserts.
Two, they turn over a new leaf and become the protagonist's companion. If the author needs a sidekick character, then whitewashing the villainous noble is a very convenient choice.
Three, they fall into the abyss and bring about their own destruction. Due to their noble pride, they descend into evil for revenge, ultimately bringing ruin upon themselves. Authors often choose this kind of "resource" reuse plot device when they need to pad out the story.
And in the game, the villainous noble Robert von Anglus ending is the third type.
A standard death ending…
I miscalculated! The author only asked if I was willing to enter the world of the novel, and didn't say I would become the protagonist in the novel's world. I actually clicked "Yes" without thinking anything! This is fraud! Fraud! Refund! (Although I didn't spend a single penny).
No, calm down and think about it. That's just the game ending. I've read many transmigration novels where fate is changed, and I still remember the general plot. Avoiding a death ending should be incredibly easy.
In fact, being born into a Marquis Family is basically a dream start. I can use my noble status to live a much more comfortable upper-class life than in modern times!
If this were a light novel, I'd title it — "Transmigrated as a Villainous Noble in Another World, Avoiding a Death Ending and Living a Leisurely Noble Life."
I've even thought of the illustration: me and a few beautiful girls elegantly sipping black tea together. The scene couldn't be more perfect.
Although one look at the title tells you the plot is definitely cliché and boring, and no one would read it, I'm happy with it! Who can stand a transmigration, which only happens once in a lifetime, to be filled with an eventful life?! Let the Demon King, the villains, and saving the world all be handled by the protagonist and his harem. I'll just enjoy myself in the background. This is the correct way for a transmigrated noble to live in another world.
Thinking this, my heart bloomed with joy, and my mood instantly became excited, the sudden shock completely vanishing.
The unsuspecting butler, Volth, began to help me change my clothes, and this was the first time I truly felt that I was living the noble life where clothes are handed to me and food is brought to my mouth. Although it was a bit regrettable not to transmigrate as the protagonist with a cheat-like ability, as long as I can stay in a safe place, even the strongest cheat-like ability would be useless. Perhaps I could even use my noble status to order the protagonist to work for me, which would be incredibly satisfying.
"Young Master Robert, you seem to be in a very good mood today and are cooperating well without being mischievous. Has something good happened?"
It seemed Butler Volth was a bit puzzled by my unchildlike behavior today, a common trope in transmigration to another world. However, I still need to be careful not to act too unchildlike… No, taking the child prodigy route isn't out of the question either.
While I was indulging in various wish-fulfillment plots in my mind, Volth had already taken care of everything for me.
"Next, we should go to the living room for breakfast. Marquis Anglus is also dining at this moment."
Oh, so he's my father in this world. Now, let me go and meet my dear family.
Then Volth led me out of the room. It truly was the Marquis Family's mansion, dazzlingly luxurious. Everything around seemed to be made of the finest materials I could imagine, and for an ordinary person like me, it felt like being in a palace. Am I really going to live in a place like this? Once I get used to this environment, perhaps I will truly become an upper-class person.
"Marquis is dining. Please greet him when you enter and try not to make loud noises, understood? Young Master Robert."
To Volth's advice, I could only nod.
What kind of person is my father in this other world? Although I wasn't particularly dissatisfied with my modern father, it's impossible not to be curious when the title "noble" is involved, after all, I am now a veritable second-generation official.
"Excuse me."
Volth gently pushed open the large door leading to the hall and bowed, gesturing for me to enter.
The first thing that caught my eye was a long, reddish-brown rectangular table, with silver armchairs spaced about 2 meters apart on either side, but none were occupied. There were no seats on the side near the door, its intention clearly to allow the person sitting opposite to observe the movements by the door without obstruction.
A man with a neatly trimmed beard, dressed in expensive dark red silk clothing, seemingly enjoying his breakfast, stared intently at me. Behind him, four women stood rigidly, their faces tense, looking like maids but not dressed in maid uniforms. This composition made it easy to realize that the only person dining at the table before me was the head of the Marquis Anglus House.
Is that person my father in this other world? To be honest, I couldn't feel a trace of paternal affection in his eyes; instead, there was a cold, chilling sensation.
It's completely unlike my Father from my past life.
"Good… morning, Father… sir."
I clumsily greeted him in a tender, childish tone.
However, no one responded to me, but no one criticized me for any impropriety either, so I was temporarily relieved. After all, I didn't understand noble etiquette at all, and perhaps because I was still young, not too much was demanded of me.
Since the game didn't provide detailed descriptions of Anglus family, I had no idea about this villainous character's family structure or relationships until now. And judging by the atmosphere of the entire scene, a harmonious and loving family was probably out of the question.
"Please be seated."
Volth lifted me onto a child's chair and quickly set my breakfast before me.
"Please eat."
The breakfast consisted of soft pastries, rich milk, and finely cut small fruits, clearly simple foods easy for a child to chew and digest. But for me, a modern person who often skimped on breakfast, it was already quite luxurious.
To be honest, I had no idea how to handle such a situation. Since Butler Volth said I could eat, it was probably best to enjoy breakfast first and then consider other matters.
"Excuse… me."
I picked up the small fork and knife, cut a small piece of soft pastry, and carefully put it into my mouth.
My young body couldn't get used to it right away; I couldn't move as freely as I wished. But more than that, I was bothered by the oppressive atmosphere here. I really wanted to finish eating quickly and slip away.
By the way, shouldn't a child as young as me have a servant specifically feeding me? Robert's personality in the novel was so twisted, I thought he must have lived a pampered noble life from a young age. Is that not the case?
The food tasted… average. The noble food here, to me as a modern person, was all commonplace. It seems I can't expect too much from exotic world delicacies. Should I use my intelligence to start a culinary revolution? Haha, just kidding, I can't cook.
As I was eating breakfast while thinking about all sorts of random things, I inadvertently looked up and suddenly noticed a change in the atmosphere.
For some reason, everyone in the living room was staring at me motionlessly, including the Marquis, who had stopped eating and were observing me.
I'm doomed!
Although I didn't know what I messed up, I definitely did something eye-catching. Did my thoughts show on my face? Or can people here read minds? Besides that, I had no clue. Wasn't I just eating normally?
The Marquis moved his neatly trimmed beard, seemingly not angry at my actions.
"Robert, have you already learned to use a knife and fork? Yesterday, you could only hold it."
It was only after hearing his words that I suddenly understood. Oh, right, for a child as young as me, it's normal not to use a knife and fork like an adult. I merely used them naturally out of habit, neatly cutting a small piece of pastry and putting it into my mouth, completely overlooking this point. By the way, I just transmigrated, how could I know what my state was yesterday?
What should I do? How do I explain? I'm going to be suspected. If I'm thought to be not like a child… what will happen to me?
My body stiffened, cold sweat streamed down, and I lowered my head, not daring to meet anyone's gaze. Ultimately, I was just an ordinary person, with no acting experience. It was unrealistic to completely play the role of a child. In the transmigration light novels I've read, the protagonists generally don't have this problem. Damn it, there's nowhere to reference.
"That's because I taught him thoroughly yesterday."
At this moment, one of the women standing behind the Marquis spoke.
I looked up at her. Although I didn't recognize the woman, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. Could she be…
"I don't recall allowing you to speak. I am speaking to Jeno."
"…I am very sorry."
Who is this person? Is it not even allowed to speak without permission here, except for him? What kind of family is this?
However, the woman's words gave me a way out, and there was no reason not to use it.
"Mom… taught… me."
I cautiously observed the Marquis's reaction.
"…Is that so? Well done. Lucis and Aisha couldn't do that at such a young age. It seems your learning ability is quite good. I look forward to your growth in the future."
Although it sounded like praise for a child, neither his expression nor his tone showed genuine anticipation. Is Marquis Anglus someone who is not good at expressing emotions? I speculated.
But most importantly, the atmosphere here is so heavy! I can barely breathe!
If I were a real child, I might not feel this, but my inner self is an adult, and I am very sensitive to the atmosphere at the dining table. I dare say this is the first time in my life I've eaten in such a heavy atmosphere; eating alone would be hundreds of times better.
Is this the normal state of noble life? The thought of having to eat in this atmosphere from now on made even the best ingredients taste bland.
And the culprit behind this atmosphere was, without a doubt, the head of the Anglus family, who sat in the most prominent position at the long table, and also my biological father in this world.
Noble life might not be as wonderful as I imagined.
At this moment, I had this thought for the first time.