9 — Lorelai's Instructions

Joezand throws himself on the bed. His first day of training was exhausting, so he just asked Anneliese to draw another bath so he could take a dip, put on some comfortable clothes and have some much needed sleep.

Which he has some trouble doing. Although his body is dead tired, he can't stop thinking about the disturbing truth that he learned. Thaddius and Agatha were brothers and Cecilia was their daughter. But Thaddius also sired children with Cecilia. While inbreeding wasn't... uncommon during medieval times in his own world, it was such an archaic thing that it was still kind of shocking. Especially with family members who are this close genetically.

'I guess we found the source for that curse, huh?' Joezand thinks while fidgeting with the ring on his finger. 'Going crazy out of nowhere is par for the course for children with consanguineous parents. Something similar happened in history in my world, too.'

'This family is pretty rough, I'll admit. I didn't expect the richest family in the world to have so many issues.' Sunnaria says.

'Now I understand why the real Joezand chose to run away.' He sighs.

'What did I tell you? If you want to accept your new existence as Joezand, you need to stop thinking about the other one as 'real'. You're the real Joezand now.'

'Well, kind of hard to do that.' Joezand argues. 'Pult hates me exclusively because of the re— I mean, past Joezand. The people that like me also like me because of him. I can't really separate the two in my mind, because people constantly remind me I used to be a person that is not here anymore.'

'I understand, but I feel like your mind constantly goes back to your own world or this past version. You're not gonna be able to immerse yourself into the role if you do that.'

'I see.' Joezand turns his head into the pillow. 'I'm not sure if I'm ready to take it on, though. I didn't expect being a hoity-toity prince would have so many obstacles. Having to fight one of the strongest people in the kingdom, knight of the Empress herself just to not go on house arrest is crazy.'

'Well, that's the least of your problems. I'm sure Pult is less impressive than that demon on Kivul.' Sunnaria says. 'Besides, haven't you been training? With your power and my assistance, you'll take that guy down in no time, little lamb!'

'Ugh, don't remind me. I'm sore all over and tomorrow there's even more. I'll have a whole six days of training the whole morning before I have a single one of respite.'

'Then you better be ready for that, little lamb. Start counting those sheep, pronto!'

'Alright, alright, I'm going. Sheesh.' He thinks back, while he slowly drifts off into a slumber.

— — —

Steel meets steel as a loud clink echoes in the training hall.

"Very good." Lorelai says, holding a sword in one hand. "Now if I do this..." She twirls her wrists to disarm Joezand, but he moves quicker, getting his sword out of the bind and thrusts it towards her neck, stopping short of cutting it. "Good job! You've definitely grew this last week." She says as Joezand lowers his rapier.

His sixth day of training comes to a close.

He hasn't really been able to do anything. Explore the city, talk that much to anyone, have fun... Nothing, really. He just worked himself to the bone.

"Phew." He pants, sitting down on the ground. "I think I have an idea of the basic maneuvers for now. It's still not enough, though."

"Oh, definitely not. But it was a very productive week. I think you have a way better chance now." She hands him a cup with ice water. "Ready for tomorrow?"

"Ready? Isn't tomorrow supposed to be my one day off?"

"Your day off for training." Lorelai explains. "But Agatha insisted that you still needed to excel in your administrative matters. Your day will be spent in the library studying."

"Oh, come on." Joezand grumbles. "Why does she feel the need to control every action of mine?"

"Hey, the library is not so bad. It's my favorite place to be ever since I learned how to read." Lorelai says. "Oh, I'll never forget the day I read Gray Complex. It's a bit of a common choice, but it's my pick for the best book of all time. That worldbuilding is fantastic. I wish I could lose my memory of it so I could read it again."

"That good, huh?"

"Yeah—" Lorelai stops. "Wait, you've actually lost your memory! That means you read it beginning to end again without knowing anything. So lucky!"

"Again? Have I read it before?"

"Of course you did. I was the one who recommended it to you." Lorelai says. "Alright, change of plans! Tomorrow you will be..." She thinks about it for a moment. "Re-immersing yourself in the culture of the Styrian Empire. Yup, that's how I'll pitch it to Agatha. Even though the book is Wespoltan... Well, no matter. I'll figure it out."

"Is that really the best use of our time?"

"Oh, please." Lorelai says. "Would you rather read a fun little adventure book or those boring tomes on governing?"

"The former."

"Then shush and go back to your room." Lorelai commands. "It's a pretty long book, and we only have tomorrow for you to read it all. So we'll meet up in the library at 8 sharp."

"Alright, I'll meet you there." Joezand sighs as he walks away, limping from the week full of exercise.