The Dark Rebirth of Pandora: Revenge of the Abyss

’Why the heck... DAMN IT!’ She saw my panties. I quickly put my hand on my skirt as an instinct to protect, and the day I find out which damn hero brought this crap of cute panties fashion, I’ll desecrate his grave.

I soon give up on saying anything, let that maid enjoy the view she had, because she’ll never see it again.

I leave the room accompanied by the maids, Shogo is carrying my bag and I see she’s really strong, carrying it like it’s nothing.

Soon I arrive at the carriage and get in. At the academy, each person has an individual room, which is good because I’ll have to do the work of my demonic kingdom in my free time, and it would be bad if someone saw me with papers about improvements to the demonic kingdom.

On the way, I try to talk to the maid who will accompany me to the academy.

”Hey... hmm... have you never thought of being, like, something different? Having autonomy, making your own choices, that kind of thing...” They are homunculi, so they’ve never really had a real choice about what they want to do.

”Actually, no, Grand Duchess,” she replies calmly, as if it’s an obvious answer.

”And why? Wouldn’t you like to do what you want? To choose your own paths alone?” Personally, I would never accept someone dictating my path.

”Grand Duchess, ignorance is a blessing. Freedom is not always truly liberating. Life is... difficult, it’s never fair. Sometimes this ’Freedom’ is just another way to suffer.”

”I have everything I could want I have a job, a home, friends and colleagues who care about me. I always have warm food and a comfortable bed, I live in a safe environment and I’m paid to do my job that’s already guaranteed.”

”Sometimes happiness is in the simplicity of life, appreciating the small moments is important. Of course, having big goals is good, but not always having something grandiose makes you happy.”

”If you don’t enjoy what you have, because you’re dissatisfied, you’ll lose the small good things that happen.”

”...But... what if I wanted to kill you right now... would you just accept that without a fight? Don’t you think it’s bad to be under the control of others?” I can’t understand her, why be content with the bare minimum like this?

”Grand Duchess, think of it this way our lives are defined by others. When you’re born, your life is under your parents’ control. As we grow up, our lives are in the control of the people around us. Tell me, didn’t you strive to make the best choices for your people?”

”...Yes...”

”Now, did you do that because you are the [King], not because?”

”...Yes, I suppose...”

”But do you think that’s within or outside your control?”

”...I’m not sure...”

”Exactly. You can, at any moment, decide not to do anything. However, when you do, it’s mostly for others, even though it’s your choice, it’s based on others.”

”Life isn’t about conquering everything, it’s about whether you can be happy with what you have while trying to get what you don’t have. As for you killing me... well, every life ends, sooner or later, right?”

”At some point, I will die, whether sooner or later. You are my master, and as such, my life is yours to do with as you please. But that’s not bad, I like it. I’m happy to be useful to someone in my life.”

”Many just want that feeling of knowing they are useful, even if you kill me without reason, at least I’ll die happy because I know my existence was useful, even if it’s for just a single second.”

”Grand Duchess, tell me, are you happy with the things you have? Are you happy with the people you know? Are you happy with their love and admiration? Are they special to you? Have you ever questioned and realized that you are happy with what you have?”

”I’ve never thought about it... but yes... I think I’m happy with them... I like spending my time with those who are important to me...” I’ve never noticed it, but since I was reborn, every moment has been incredible, being surrounded by people who love me and truly see me as special makes me happier than I could say.

”I understand, so Grand Duchess, this doesn’t mean you can’t pursue grand dreams, it just means you shouldn’t forget the small joys that life provides. It’s these small things that sometimes help you when everything is difficult.”

It’s impressive how this maid has such deep thoughts about life and happiness. I’ve never really stopped to think, but I really am happy, even if I still seek revenge, it doesn’t ruin the happiness I have at the moment.