A mask of deep despair was frozen on Jeremy Seybel's face. He couldn't understand what sins he had committed in his past life that now misfortunes haunted him everywhere.
That afternoon, the Baron unexpectedly summoned him to his study for an "important conversation." As if he were about to be tortured, the guy barely shuffled his feet, not understanding how he had gotten into all this.
Once, his life had been completely different. Rufus had part-time jobs, he had friends, he was an ordinary university student. He made plans for his future life, after all. But now... All of that had collapsed in an instant. Not a trace remained of his past reality. Now anyone could spit in his face and get away with it.
Because he was the contemptible youngest son of a baron.
In the past, an ordinary guy named Rufus, and now the main disgrace of the noble Seybel family, shed a stingy masculine tear. He had been in this world for only a few months, but his psyche was already failing.
And most importantly, he couldn't understand what he had done to deserve all this. Or rather... What relation did he even have to all of this?! "I didn't even read this book, I just glanced at the description out of the corner of my eye. How am I supposed to know what it's about and what will happen here...?"
"In any case, I always knew that books are evil," the student concluded, "At least I could have become an emperor. Why do I need this miserable life without any prospects?!.."
The only thing stopping the guy from taking the decisive step to end his life was the fear of death. Yes, he was afraid to close his eyes and never wake up again. After all, no one guaranteed him that after that he would be able to return to his world.
Deep down, Jeremy couldn't give up the thought that such a miserable existence was better than none at all.
Taking a deep breath, Jeremy resigned himself to the thought that for the rest of his life he would have to play the role of the weak link. He thought that the life of his "sister in misfortune," whom he had met not so long ago, had turned out better in this world than his. At least, despite the fact that her new family didn't like her, she had money. While the guy himself had to humiliate himself and account to his father for every coin spent.
Every meeting with the head of the family promised another "headache."
Walking to the Baron's study, Jeremy ran into his older brother, who was just coming out of there. He had six in total, and his relationship with each of them wasn't the best.
Baron Seybel had been married several times, and almost all of his sons were from different women. At least those were still noble ladies. And Jeremy... The youngest of the Baron's sons was the son of an ordinary maid.
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The Baron's brief affair with the maid ended with her abandoning the newborn child and running away. The Baron miraculously acknowledged Jeremy as his son and gave him his surname. But his entire subsequent life turned into a continuous nightmare. Who would seriously respect the son of a maid?
And now. When they accidentally met on the threshold of the study, Dietrich Seybel's mouth twisted in contempt. This guy was ten years older than Jeremy and was the main contender for the title of the next head of the family.
"Are you completely blind? Can't you see the road?"
Jeremy immediately bowed his head before him.
"Sorry, brother... It was an accident."
Unlike him, Dietrich had a position in the house. So Jeremy was simply forced to endure insults and reproaches. The guy didn't want to bring trouble upon himself. If Dietrich called the servants to beat him with clubs, no one would take his side. Not even his father.
"Honestly. Why are you so stupid?"
Jeremy pursed his lips.
Every time he had to humiliate himself before these idiots, he felt something inside him die. Rufus from his past life wasn't so soft-bodied as to allow himself to be trampled into the dirt so easily.
But... In this world, neither his physical strength nor his intelligence were worth anything. Only origin mattered, and the guy was specifically unlucky with that. Having been born a useless outcast, he had to carry this stigma on himself until the end of his days.
When he first arrived in this world, Jeremy didn't yet know all the "rules," and therefore dared to answer his older brother in a rather rude manner. Of course, he didn't expect the guards to attack him and beat him with clubs for it. After that, no one even offered him medical assistance. Therefore, still vividly remembering that pain, Jeremy obediently remained silent.
"The truth is, I'm still scared... Every day, being in this cursed world, I'm even afraid to close my eyes." — a silent cry of the soul that he couldn't express to anyone.
"Brother, I was inattentive. I promise it won't happen again."
Dietrich snickered.
"Hmm. Well, alright. So be it, today I'll let you off."
Jeremy stared at him distrustfully.
"Father has a surprise for you," he smiled, "That's why you're here, isn't it?"
The guy didn't like the expression on his older brother's face. It seemed nothing good should be expected from this.
"Go. Don't keep father waiting."
Dietrich chuckled softly and patted him on the shoulder. Watching his departing brother, Jeremy felt growing anxiety inside him.
With a trembling hand, he took hold of the door handle. Taking a deep breath, Jeremy said weakly:
"Father, I'm here..."
"Come in."
The answer came immediately.
On unsteady legs, the guy entered the study, where the Baron stood facing the window. Pensively contemplating his figure, Jeremy slowly approached.
"Father, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes. I have good news."
"What?"
"I have finally found a bride for you."
Jeremy swallowed the lump in his throat.
"A bride?.."
Instead of answering, the Baron threw an invitation to some event in front of him. The guy immediately grabbed it and began to read.
"With great difficulty, I managed to include our family in this list," Rowen Seybel continued, "Next week you will go to the northern region for the groom selection."
It seemed hard to imagine a worse scenario. Jeremy felt the ground literally give way beneath his feet.
"No... Is this a joke?!"
Of course, he knew that the Baron didn't care about him. But to this extent? Would he really get rid of his own son without hesitation?!..
This was an invitation to the groom selection for the ice witch. The most powerful sorceress on the continent.