Rebirth: I Died as a Nobody, Came Back as a Legend

The afternoon sun streamed through my bedroom window, casting a warm glow over the room, but it did little to lift the chill creeping into my stomach as I heard a familiar knock on the door. I barely had time to prepare myself when my sister, Debbie, barged in without waiting for a response.

"Help yourself! I've brought some homemade Sfogliatella; you like them, right?" she chirped, her voice laced with an enthusiasm that felt forced.

I glanced at the plate she carried, filled with my brunch favorites. Was she really trying to charm me with pastries? Did she think I'd forget her behavior in the garden just because she had whipped up some food? "You didn't have to do that," I replied, my tone flat.

"Did you see Damien off yesterday?" she asked, settling herself comfortably in my room as if she had every right to be there.

"Yeah, and I was on my best behavior, so tell your maid to mind her own business. She's lucky I don't get her fired like the last one that fucked up," I huffed, unable to hide my irritation. The chance encounter with Damien hadn't been a coincidence; Debbie was clearly plotting to disrupt any connection I might have with him. Why couldn't she leave me alone? Did having Eli not satisfy her enough or did she just want everything that was mine?

"You're not eating? Are you sick? Should I send Erwin for some soup?" she inquired, a hint of genuine concern creeping into her voice.

"No, these are perfect. I'm just developing some new habits," I said, trying to keep my composure. "Dad said my taste should match my status."

Debbie's kindness seemed like a mask now, a façade that couldn't fool me again. In the past, I had fallen for her sweet demeanor, but after witnessing her true colors for years, it was hard to see anything but a twisted sibling rivalry. She was a difficult person to deal with, but that was why I couldn't back down. I wanted everything that was rightfully mine, and she had to pay.

"Jack, what did you talk about with Damien?" she asked, casually swiping her spoon in her tea.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. "Why do you ask?" I shot back, suspicion prickling at my senses. What was she hiding?

"Just curious," she smiled, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach tighten.

"We just spoke about going on a date to a party," I said, testing the waters.

"You mean Aston Jacobs' party, right?" Debbie's grip on her teacup tightened, the porcelain trembling in her hand.

"Yes, Damien and I—"

"No! You can't go to that party!" she insisted, her voice rising.

"Ha! Why not? It's not like I need your permission," I rolled my eyes at her shocked expression.

"Dad still needs you at home to help him, so you're expected to be here," she argued, her face a full of faux concern.

"I'm not going when Dad needs me," I reminded her, my resolve hardening. Why didn't she want me to go?

"Jack, give me a straight answer, okay—"

"It's top secret—"

"JACK!!" she yelled, slamming her fists on my coffee table, causing her teacup to shatter on the floor. Her sudden outburst startled me; for a moment, I feared a demon would leap from her.

"Why are you getting so upset, Deb? It's not like you. Are you okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She took a deep breath, suddenly composed. "S-sorry. I was just upset that you were keeping something from me. We usually tell each other everything after all."

In the past, doing that had led to my demise. Who wants to share anything with you? "Debbie, we all have secrets we want to keep to ourselves. I can't just tell you everything like I did when we were kids. My plans with Damien are a secret I don't want anyone to know about."

"But Jack—"

"Just like how you didn't tell me about your relationship with Eli already being established, congratulations by the way," I interjected, a smile creeping onto my face as I recalled my recent discovery. Thanks to Erwin's cousin, I had accessed Debbie's phone and found messages confirming that she and Eli had started dating a week before his return from Australia. Yet he was still planning to ask me out, and she had known.

This made me the other person from the start and I wasn't happy being insulted like that.

Debbie's face turned a deep shade of red. "H-how—"

"I have things I want to keep private too, Debbie. You understand, don't you?" I smirked, relishing the way the tables had turned.

"Why didn't you say anything?" she demanded, the mask of her composure slipping.

"I just wanted my precious little sister to tell me when she was ready. I wasn't trying to make you feel uncomfortable. Do you really think I'd help you with Eli so easily if I had feelings for him?"

"No, I guess you wouldn't."

"Instead of spending time with me, why aren't you trying to win over Eli's parents? If you spend quality time with them, it's sure to guarantee a marriage," I suggested, watching her expression carefully.

She looked torn between joy and rage. "Yeah, I should go do that," she said finally, her smile returning, but it felt hollow.

"Get some sleep first. You look a bit pale," I remarked, and finally, she relaxed and left my room. I felt a rush of relief; I hadn't eaten or drunk anything she had prepared.

I called for Erwin. "Take this away and bring me a regular breakfast, please."

"Yes, sir," he replied.

"One more thing. Have you ever been on a date before?" I asked, curious about his experience.

"Yes, sir. When I was younger, I went on a date with a beautiful lady far above my standing. Unfortunately, things didn't quite work out between us," Erwin explained, his tone somber.

"Why?"

"Well, she was the young lady of the house," he mumbled, a hint of regret in his voice. Oh shit! Erwin has a past!

"Where is she now?"

"Married with a newborn," he replied, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him.

"Well, do you know how to prepare for a date?" I pressed, eager for advice.

"Yes. Is this for your party with Young Master Anderson?"

"Yes, help me. I've got the first-date jitters."

"This is cause for celebration. It's a good thing that you've completely given up on that Roth child. Their entire batch of spawn is rotten," Erwin said, leading me to a chair. He went to pick out clothes for me.

He was right. In my previous life, I'd let Eli have my ticket to the party, convinced he would burn it for not being invited. Two weeks later, I learned he attended the party with Debbie and made a ton of connections. I had been a fool.

"It's whatever. I just don't want to mess this up, no matter what."

"You won't. I think Young Master Anderson genuinely likes you," Erwin assured me, pulling out a sharp black and red three-piece suit. "This party isn't just something anyone can get into. All guests must be approved beforehand and are carefully hand-selected. I found out that Young Master Anderson's family has longstanding ties with the Jacobs family. It looks like he wants to help you in return for those plans."

"I don't really think I'm his type, besides this is just business," I said, the thought gnawing at me.

"Then why would he ask you on a date?" Erwin countered.

"Because he's very determined when he wants something, even if he's not good at expressing it. I'm still surprised he'd want a date with... me. I don't get it!"

"Maybe you should ask him. That is what first dates are for," Erwin advised, placing the suit on a chair. "Besides, nothing can go wrong with all the safety nets you have in place."

True, I'd have Damien there, but that didn't mean I was free from potential disasters. I had to make the most of this opportunity, and I had business connections to consider as well.

"Ugh, this must come so easily to other people. Is there anything I can do better than others?" I complained, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me.

"Sir, you're doing well."

"I wasn't asking you to compliment me, Erwin. I honestly can't tell if I'm doing well or not."

"You are. Your recent changes have not gone unnoticed by your father and mother. They've finally gained an interest in you because you've stopped letting yourself be influenced. The tail they put on you has agreed to cooperate with us instead of your parents, thanks to our offer. I've also managed to get the kitchen staff on our side after unearthing the young mistress's messages about them. Through all this, you even managed to land a date. I'd say you're doing incredibly well," Erwin stated, his tone encouraging.

"I assume that means Debbie has my ticket?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Yes. Her maids intercepted the ticket on Friday when the mail came as intended. I've informed the necessary parties that your ticket was stolen, and they've voided it. Your spot at the party is still secure as Damien Anderson's plus one," Erwin confirmed.

"Good." I looked at myself in the mirror, grateful I didn't have three feet of hair to comb out anymore. "Now, help me look amazing."

"Yes, sir!" Erwin replied, enthusiasm radiating from him as he set to work.