Reincarnated As The Villain's Hound

CHAPTER 1: Outlanders

My eyes flew open, the curtains drawn apart by a harsh gust of wind. I shivered, cold despite myself, my hand clutching tightly to the fabric of my dress. I was sitting on a low bench beside the fireplace. My feet dangled over the edge, dangling above the ground below. I must have fallen asleep here again, sitting next to the fire. I stood up, pulling the cloak tighter around myself. I turned toward the window to see that it had closed, its frame covered in ice.

It's been 4 months since I got in this world. 124 days of suffering from a cold winter that has refused to thaw. 2976 hours of confusion of how I've entered this universe as a new person, with no memory of what I'm supposed to be, or how I came to be here. Or why.

The door creaked open suddenly , causing me to turn, startled. A girl stepped into the room, carrying some kind of bundle wrapped in cloth in her arms. Her hair was long and brown, falling past her waist and framing her features. Her blue eyes shone with the reflection of the fire in front of us. She wore an old fashioned white gown and a thick scarf.

“...Yleana, I've found a job for you. ” She said, walking forward cautiously, as if approaching a frightened animal, “It pays very well for you to stay in the castle, you know. You'll be safer there.” She added, setting the bundle down on the table and unwrapping it.

It revealed itself to be a pair of clothes. 'maid's clothes' as she called them.“Oh, thank you.” I answered, surprised. “How much are they?” The girl raised an eyebrow at me. “Not a penny. You're helping me out with a small favour. It would be in our best interests to help one another.” She smiled.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked, taking the bundle from her hands. She sat across from me at the table. “Well, you just happened to be my brother's best friend , and he thought you'd want a job too." she told me.

Edith Seiber, 21 years old, a commoner , a maid working in the castle. She was kind, generous, and intelligent. Her brother, Kael Seiber is a licensed doctor , and she works in a local apothecary shop. Their parents died when they were young, so they grew up on their own. I remembered every detail they said to me, as a person who's wary yet intrigued.

Kael was the first one to show kindness to me when I awoke from this world. In the freezing winter, he offered me home, lying to her sister that I'm a close friend of his . After all, Kael and I aren't exactly friends. he just happened to be a good Samaritan and I just happened to be a stranger.

“Do they need background checks? ” I wondered, “i.. i don't think it's wise for me to work for them." She shook her head. “No, it's fine," Edith insisted, "I've recommended you and I'm pretty close to the head maid . They'd hire you anyway. It's better if we do it this way.” I sighed.

Working at a noble household is nothing like the work at a barbershop or the laundress. specially if you're serving the royal family or nobility. Everyone has different expectations about what it means to work at a noble household - whether to do chores or wait tables, or even serve tea, all of which are considered beneath you in society.

I have basic knowledge of cleaning , which I can only hope is enough to get my point across, but there are plenty of things that go unsaid during such work.

I was surprised that I was actually enjoying myself. It feels natural to wash the dishes, sweep the floors, dust shelves, etc., and there isn't a single thing that can't be done by hand in the siblings's house. It makes me realize what a privilege it is to be allowed to live my life as I want and make my own decisions.

As I do work I've discovered talents I could never have dreamed of before: I somehow specialized in cooking out of all. I was good with knives and cookware too. Not to mention, I somehow have a odd remembrance of certain delicacies that are often called unique by the other people.

But then I remembered...This isn't just a normal noble household..this is a fictional world.

A job in the castle? As a maid? It wasn't exactly what I had imagined for myself, but after months of struggling to survive in this unfamiliar world, the idea of a stable job with a decent pay sounded tempting.

"Safer in the castle?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow at the girl. "What do you mean?"

She sighed, looking around as if making sure no one else was listening. "The kingdom is in turmoil," she whispered. "There are rumors of a rebellion brewing against the king. It's not safe for people like us out here."

I frowned, feeling a flicker of anger. "People like us?"

She bit her lip, looking uncomfortable. "People without a proper place in society," she clarified. "Those who don't have powerful families or connections. The castle offers protection, at least for now."

I considered her words, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, I didn't want to be beholden to anyone, especially not to the royal family. On the other hand, I couldn't deny that life had been tough since I arrived in this world, and the idea of a stable job and some measure of security was appealing.

"Fine," I said finally, taking a deep breath. "I'll take the job."

The girl smiled, relief evident on her face. "Great! I'll show you to your quarters and introduce you to the other maids. They'll help you settle in."

As we made our way through the castle corridors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The grandeur and opulence of the place were unlike anything I had ever seen before. It was a stark contrast to the harsh realities of the world outside.

When we reached the maids' quarters, the girl introduced me to the other maids, who greeted me with a mix of curiosity and friendliness. They showed me the ropes, explaining my duties and responsibilities, and I quickly realized that being a maid was no easy task. It was hard work, demanding and sometimes thankless, but I was determined to do my best.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. I found myself settling into my role as a maid, gradually earning the respect and trust of my fellow maids and the castle staff. I learned to navigate the intricacies of court life, witnessing the power struggles, the politics, and the secrets that lurked beneath the surface. And through it all, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the elusive figure of Prince Ignatius.

He rarely made public appearances, and when he did, he exuded an air of detached indifference. He was aloof, often lost in his own world, but when he did speak or act, it was with a quiet intensity that drew my attention.

I found myself observing him from a distance, trying to unravel the mystery of this enigmatic prince who had captured my fascination.

One day, while I was arranging flowers in the royal garden, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I turned to see Prince Ignatius walking towards me, his expression unreadable as always.

"Those flowers are lovely," he said softly, his eyes fixed on the arrangement.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I replied, slightly taken aback by his unexpected presence.

He tilted his head, studying me for a moment before speaking again. "You're different from the other maids," he remarked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I frowned, not sure how to respond. "In what way, Your Highness?"

He didn't answer immediately, but instead reached out and plucked a flower from the arrangement, twirling it between his fingers.

Yleana couldn't help but be drawn to the prince's enigmatic demeanor. His expressionless face and serious tone were oddly captivating, and his speech, though cruel and gory, had a certain profoundness to it.

"You look like you've experienced death," the prince said, his voice low and devoid of emotion. "But not just the physical kind. The kind that takes away pieces of your soul, leaving you hollow inside."

I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as I gazed into his eyes, which seemed to hold centuries' worth of wisdom and darkness. His words were haunting, yet strangely alluring.

But he's right..I have experienced death.

"I've seen the life drain from the eyes of my enemies as I've fought battles on the blood-soaked fields," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've witnessed the horrors of war, the brutality of man, and the senseless destruction of lives. But amidst the c*****e, I've also found meaning. Is it the same as you? "

"Uh...I think so your highness."

He paused for a moment, as if lost in his own memories. Then he spoke again, his words measured and deliberate.

"I've learned that life and death are two sides of the same coin," he said cryptically. "One cannot exist without the other. Death gives meaning to life, for it reminds us of the fleeting nature of our existence, and forces us to confront our mortality."

I couldn't help but be both intrigued and disturbed by his words. His perspective on life and death was unlike anything I had ever heard before. He seemed to have a detached yet profound understanding of the human condition, as if he had glimpsed into the depths of the human soul and come out changed. However, I am sure, knowing this a novel-like world. People won't get enough of monologues.

"You speak of darkness and destruction, your highness." I said, unable to hide my curiosity. "But you also speak of finding meaning in it. How can something so cruel and gory hold any meaning?"

The prince's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of sadness.

"Meaning is not always found in the light," he said softly. "Sometimes, it is in the darkness that we find our true selves. It is in the face of adversity and suffering that we are forced to confront our deepest fears and desires, and discover who we truly are."

His words resonated with me on a profound level, and I found myself drawn to his enigmatic personality even more. He was a mystery, a puzzle waiting to be solved, and I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to him.

"I've seen things that most people can't even imagine," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've stared into the abyss and felt its gaze staring back at me. But I've also learned that there is beauty in the darkness, for it is in the shadows that the stars truly shine."

As he spoke, I couldn't help but be captivated by his eloquence and the depth of his words. His expressionless face and serious demeanor belied the profoundness of his thoughts, and I found myself entranced by his enigmatic presence. Never have I thought, I'd be enjoying someone talk so classy and boring.

As I looked into his eyes, I realized that beneath his stoic exterior lay a complex and multifaceted individual. He was a man who had seen the darkest corners of the world and had come out changed, a prince with a soul that bore the weight of the world yet remained resilient.

"A maid like you seemed to have an unruly view and mannerisms. You're an outlander, aren't you?" the prince asked, his eyes piercing through me.

I was taken aback by his observation.

How could he tell that I was not from this universe or time?

Outlander, as I've searched in the past months, a term for people who doesn't belong in a certain time or universe.

"Yes, Your Highness," I said, feeling a lump form in my throat.

The prince nodded thoughtfully. "Outlanders are rare and uneasy to find, but they behold something more than magical. They hold knowledge and experiences that are beyond our understanding," he said, his words laced with a hint of awe.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his words. Being an outlander was something that I had always considered a burden, but the way the prince spoke about it made me feel like it was a blessing in disguise.

"I have come across many outlanders in my time, and I have learned that they have a unique perspective on life that is invaluable," the prince continued, his tone taking on a philosophical note.

I listened intently, fascinated by the prince's words. It was clear that he was not like any other nobleman that I had ever encountered. He seemed to have a deep understanding of the world around him, and his willingness to talk about the most cruel and gory things with such ease was both terrifying and endearing.

"As an outlander, you must have seen many things that most people could not even fathom. I would be honored if you would share some of your experiences with me," the prince said, his expression remaining stoic.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to delve into the darker aspects of my past. But something about the way the prince spoke made me feel like I could trust him, like he would understand the things that I had been through.

And so, I began to speak, telling the prince about my journey to this world, about the things that I had seen and the people that I had lost. To my surprise, the prince listened intently, never interrupting or judging me.

When I finished, there was a moment of silence as the prince seemed to contemplate what I had said. "You have a strength within you that is rare," he finally said. "I have no doubt that you will accomplish great things in this world."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, a sense of validation that I had never felt before. For the first time since I had arrived in this world, I felt like I belonged.

"Thank you, Your Highness," I said, bowing my head in gratitude.

The prince nodded, his expression remaining neutral. "You are welcome, Yleana. It is an honor to meet an outlander such as yourself."

'he knows my name?'

As I looked up at the prince, I couldn't help but notice his striking physical appearance. He had sharp, chiseled features and a commanding presence that demanded attention. His dark eyes held a glimmer of mystery, and his tousled black hair added to his enigmatic allure. Despite his expressionless demeanor, there was an undeniable air of attraction about him that made my heart skip a beat.

The prince leaned in closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "Yleana, I have an offer for you," he said in a low, velvety voice that sent shivers down my spine.

My heart raced with anticipation as I waited for him to continue. I had no idea what he could possibly want from me, but I was intrigued.

"I am in need of a maid, someone who can attend to my personal needs," he said, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my cheeks flush.

I blinked in surprise, not expecting such a simple request from someone of his status. "Your Highness, I am but a humble outlander, and I do not possess much knowledge or experience in such matters," I admitted, feeling a sense of humility wash over me.

The prince's lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile. "That is precisely why I am offering you this position," he said, his voice laced with intrigue. "You possess a unique perspective and have seen things that most people cannot even imagine. I believe you have the potential to bring a fresh and meaningful approach to this role."

I couldn't help but be captivated by his words. It was a simple job, but it held a sense of mystery and significance that intrigued me. I could tell that there was more to it than met the eye, and I was curious to uncover the secrets that lay beneath the surface.

"I accept, Your Highness," I said, my voice steady despite the excitement that was building within me. "I will do my best to fulfill the duties of a maid and serve you to the best of my abilities."

The prince's enigmatic smile widened, and he extended a hand towards me. "Welcome to my service, Yleana," he said, his voice tinged with a sense of anticipation. "I have a feeling that you and I are going to be quite an interesting duo."

I reached out and shook his hand, feeling a surge of electricity at the contact. Little did I know that accepting the prince's offer would mark the beginning of a thrilling and suspenseful journey, where I would unravel the mysteries of the prince's world and discover truths about myself that I could have never imagined.