n

n

nAfter getting ready, Evan and Marcel set off for the auction. An exquisite carriage with a coachman and two snow-white stallions was already waiting for them at the manor gate.

nClick.

nThe coachman opened the door and Marcel and Evan went inside. Everything was as elegant and luxurious here as it was outside. There were two wide armchairs covered with expensive leather with engraved handles, and in the middle was a small round table, on which there was already a bottle of red wine and two crystal glasses.

nClick.

nThe coachman closed the door and headed for his seat, a minute later the carriage moved.

n

"Evan, will you keep me company?

" Sweetly said Marcel gracefully taking the bottle of wine.

nThe young man nodded silently in response.

nThe next moment, the scarlet liquid poured into Evan's glass and then a third of Marcel's glass was filled, too. The wine was of a rich ruby color, and as soon as Evan put the glass of wine to his face, he felt a light berry flavor. It was clear at once, how expensive and high quality wine Marcel had treated him.

nEvan put the glass to his mouth, took a sip of wine and enjoyed the tartness and refinement that only an aged wine had. He sensed top fruity tones and a light berry aftertaste.

nIt didn't end there, suddenly, instead of the usual warmth Evan felt a strong chill penetrating his bones. It wasn't unpleasant though, on the contrary the cold refreshed him and took the taste to a new level.

n

"What do you think about it?

" Marcel asked, slowly swinging his glass from side to side.

n

"Amazing, but that chill at the end, I don't quite understand what it is.

" Quietly Evan said, trying to understand what he had just experienced.

n

"This wine is called –

"Ice Glitter

", a special kind of wine that uses an extract from the sap of the

"Frosty Lily

", a rare and valuable plant. That's what gives it a wonderful and incomparable sensation

". Slowly said Marcel.

nEvan nodded and took another sip.

n Evan enjoyed the taste and reflected his own thoughts.

nOf course, such wine was very expensive and only very rich people could afford it.

n

"By the way, why didn't Fien come with us? Isn't she interested in such events?

" Marcel had explained to Evan why taking Zak along wasn't the best decision, but Marcel hadn`t said anything about his daughter.

n

"She's busy right now. You know, your winning made a big impression on her. Having been defeated in your friendly duel, she has changed her attitude toward training. In fact, I think, she realized that your last attack could have easily killed her. The feeling when death is at hand and soon you together with Charon will be crossing the River Styx is impossible to forget. She`s never experienced anything like it before.

"

n

"Dedicated herself to training, then? That's commendable, but as with anything else, it's important not to overdo it.

" Evan said calmly.

nMarcel nodded:

"That's right. Evan, I`d like to ask you something. I hope you will answer me honestly.

"

nEvan was wary, but after a second, he said:

"Okay, I agree.

"

nMarcel smiled and leisurely began:

"Where are you from? Although, wait. Where have you got this aura of death? Zak maybe hasn`t realized it yet, but I can clearly see that you're not just some guy from the backwoods. That's impossible.

"

nEvan did not answer immediately, pondering what Marcel wanted to know.

nHowever, after about one minute Evan decided that there was no point in hiding anything. Marcel and Zak would be on his side anyway.

nThe young man smiled and said:

"Really, Zak doesn't care about such things, you're different, so I'll answer.

"

nEvan began his story.

n

"I am ashamed to admit it, but until recently I was a weak and miserable man who was broken by fate. When I was a child, a noblewoman visited my home village, and she was very cruel. Because of I hadn`t bowed to her, she punished me, killed my whole family and turned me into a slave. I spent all the following years in prison as a real slave. I was doing as I was told, and behaved obediently. Nevertheless, this did not make my life any easier. One day I was beaten and almost died. I did not understand why I deserved such a fate, and at that moment, it was as if I had been switched. It was as if I was a different person.

"

nMarcel didn`t interrupt and listened him attentively, he was fascinated by Evan's story.

n

"I don't know how, but I got strength in me that I didn't have before, and I'm talking about fortitude. First, I killed a prisoner who was disturbing me, and a few minutes later, the warden was beating me. I ended up killing him as well, thereby starting an uprising in the prison. In the end, I killed the bitch, responsible for all my misfortunes. I think it was at that moment, when I was completely reborn, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

nMarcel took a sip of his wine and said slowly:

"I see, it's not a good story, thank you for telling it. Do you know what prison you were in or the name of that noblewoman?

"

nEvan dryly replied,

"Abigail Whitehead.

"

nThere was silence for a second, but the next moment...

n

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

" There was Marcel's loud and joyful laughter, which was not at all typical of him. At that moment, Marcel was not like himself.

nEvan didn't know what had cheered him up so much, in his memory, Marcel had never acted like that before.

n

"Oh, I'm sorry, but that kind of emotion can't be contained. I know the Whitehead Family, I`ve never liked them. Too arrogant and conceited, and this little brat is the worst offspring in the family's history. Strangely enough, your tragic story turned out to be wonderful news for me.

"

nMarcel didn't ask Evan how he killed Abigail-it was none of his business. Everyone must have their secrets and skeletons in the closet that no one would ever see.

nOf course, Evan didn`t tell Marcel that he'd actually been transported to this world after he'd died in his old one. Evan told the story as if he would have lived in this world from the beginning. In his opinion, it turned out pretty believable.

nEvan and Marcel didn`t touch on such serious and personal topics any more. They were enjoying a fine wine, slowly draining the bottle and having a casual conversation.

n