It was quite difficult to convince the maid in front of me not to call the doctor again. Although it took some time, I finally managed to persuade her.
'So, you don't remember certain events, Young Master?'
I was forced to nod upon hearing that. I truly had no other choice at the moment. If I admitted that I didn't remember anything at all because of someone else, it seemed like a huge trouble would follow. 'Ye-yes, so please help me!'
The maid furrowed her brow, appearing to be in deep thought. Then she nodded, though I wasn't sure why. 'They really beat you up this time.'
'Who are "they"?'
I had an inkling about the people I first encountered. A sort of intuition. Because I used to experience the same thing in my past.
'They—are your siblings.'
I was quite shocked to hear that. I honestly thought they were just strangers. Like the bullies back in my old world.
'Why? They don't look like siblings,' I said, looking down.
The maid knelt before me. She grasped both of my hands and looked at me with pity. It reminded me of my grandmother in the other world. She always did the same thing whenever I came home broken.
'They are the legitimate children of the Great Lord.'
So, they consider me a nuisance because I'm an illegitimate child. Suddenly, something surged within my chest. Did I choose to be born illegitimate? Did I tell God that being an illegitimate child was a good thing?
'Where is my mother?' I prepared myself to hear an even more miserable setup.
One of the things I did whenever I wasn't being bullied was reading light novels where the weak protagonist becomes strong. Their backstories were always so tragic—bullied orphans.
The only difference between them and me was one thing: they were brave, but I was not.
'Your mother is in the special pavilion. She is not allowed to be in the main house like you. Only the Great Lord's own flesh and blood and his legitimate wife stay in the main house.'
I began to understand. To everyone here, even to my own father, I am a stranger. Naturally, they would treat me poorly.
'Tell me, what is your name?' This should have been the first thing I asked the maid in front of me.
'I am Marie, Young Master. I am your personal maid. I used to be your mother's friend.'
I stared at her for a long time. 'Thank you.'
Marie, my personal maid, looked startled. Her eyes began to well up with tears. 'You don't need to say thank you, Young Master.'
How could I not? Marie must have worked so hard to protect this body before I arrived here. She must have been the one most frequently scolded by those in power because of this body's past recklessness.
Finally, I was able to ask the most important question. 'Marie, what is my name?'