Mc stayed in the manor for a few days, waiting for news of the Farmer's death, and after two days, it arrived. It wasn't official news, but rather through having Mel investigate the place through the internet, tracking socials of the townsfolk, the mayor of Pelican Town, Lewis, had made a short post mourning the death of the young adult on TomatoHub (Treat this as like facebook, twitter, etc. an all purpose social app).
The young woman, was named Willow Greenwood, and no direct explanation was said of her death. However in another post of the mayor, he gave warnings for the mines and a clear picture could be seen.
Anthony had two reasons to wait, one is to confirm the system's words. And the other is to have a "reason" to ask his family in acquiring the farm.
Having gathered the news, he went directly to the governor's study, his father and eldest brother, Leonel and Adamas Ashbelle were inside. Knocking thrice, he entered as they called to enter.
Seeing Anthony, the two stopped their work. It wasn't urgent stuff, and the youngest has been unusually quiet and seemingly celibate recently, something they thought odd.
Adamas spoke first: "Found a new girl?" with a teasing smile, his eyes clearly finding amusement in this.
Leonel kept quiet, he too was interested in this topic, but given his position he wouldn't go gossiping that eagerly.
Anthony smiled wryly, pushing the documents.
Seeing the young girl, Willow Greenwood, all but confirmed their guess of him finding another woman, but as they read more, they found out she was dead.
"Isn't this a bit too extreme an interest brother?" even adamas sounded exasperated
Lionel moved past the woman, and more on the who she was.
Anthony replied to his brother with a deep sigh and furrowed brows "I ain't interested in that kind, although she's pretty, that's not why I came here for."
Continuing "She's dead, the young farmer of the Greenwood farm in Pelican Town, Stardew Valley"
He paused, waiting for his father, he stared waiting.
"Go on" Leonel said with a nod.
"I want this."
Before he could make a plea, Adamas cut him off unsure of his brother's sudden interest.
"What do you mean by this? I know you won't but, please don't tell me her death is you know."
"Please brother I wouldn't stoop so low, it's just...a hunch, I can't properly explain it, but this place is calling for me, I know it's very flimsy and random, but I want answers, something's been bugging me, and I feel like going here will answer it."
"Okay, so what then?"
"I want to acquire the farm"
"That's what I dont get, if you just want answers, wouldnt going there be enough?"
"That-, I don't know, and precisely because of that, I feel like it's better I simply get it."
"You're not making sense brother, taking this farmer isn't so easy, even with our family, we have to pay a certain price, so I ask again why, and give me a proper reason."
Anthony froze, unsure how to answer.
He could admit that he was a transmigrator, but he wasn't willing to risk it. Even if they believed him, there was a good chance they'd think he'd lost his mind from stress.
With no answer to give, he slumped onto the sofa, no longer able to stand. He needed a reason—not just any reason, but something he could believe in himself, something that could justify this sudden desire. Perhaps this was why he had regained his past life's memories. Perhaps there was a reason behind all of it.
Yet, when he searched through his memories of his life on Earth, nothing came to mind.
He lay there for several minutes, staring blankly at the ceiling. Adamas was about to speak when Leonel raised a hand, gesturing for him to wait.
It was rare to see his youngest son so focused. In fact, Leonel couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Anthony like this.
Ten minutes passed before Anthony finally spoke.
"I... want a purpose."
His voice was quiet, and as he spoke, fragments of his memories from this life began to surface.
"Father, you're renowned for your talents in politics and the military. Brother Adamas and Brother Terrance each inherited one of your talents plus their own But me? I don't have anything to be proud of."
He paused, his gaze never leaving the ceiling.
"I know none of you expect much from me. But I'm done playing around with women. I don't really know why I want this place, either. I'm just... lost."
His fingers curled against the sofa.
"And for once, I feel like there's a path laid out before me. It might be barren, and I don't even know where it leads, but at least I can finally see a light guiding me."
His voice wavered slightly.
"Perhaps—maybe, just maybe—this is what I'm meant to do."
He let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh.
"Call it fate or something else. I know I might be acting like a child, but I don't want to give up without trying. If my feelings are pulling me toward this farm, then is it really so strange to think I should become a farmer?"
He laughed again, though the sound was weaker this time.
"Hahaha... Who knows? I might just make it."
Throughout his confession, Anthony had never once looked at either of them. Even as he spoke, he remained sprawled across the sofa, his eyes fixed on the space above him.
Silence followed.
It lasted only a short while, yet somehow felt much longer.
Neither Adamas nor Leonel knew what to say. They understood Anthony's shortcomings better than most. He had never possessed the same drive or aptitude as his brothers, and perhaps that was why they had always tried to make up for it by doting on him.
They had once thought he would be the one to carry on the family line in his own way, free from the burdens placed upon his elder brothers. But that no longer seemed to matter.
For the first time in a long while, their youngest son had found something he wanted for himself.
It might have been an impulsive decision. His reasoning was hardly convincing, and his sudden desire to become a farmer was a far cry from the future they had once imagined for him.
But looking at him now, neither could bring himself to extinguish the small flame he had finally managed to kindle.
Adamas glanced at his father. Leonel met his eyes, and the two exchanged a quiet sigh.
There would be countless calls to make, documents to review, and obstacles to navigate. Acquiring the farm would hardly be as simple as Anthony seemed to imagine.
Still, so what?
Even if this endeavor amounted to nothing substantial, they were willing to take that chance.
For once, their youngest son had asked for something, and as random as it may be, they can't deny the genuineness in his voice.
This was infinitely better than his lust-filled days before.
"All right," Leonel said at last, a gentle smile settling on his face. "We'll see what we can do."
As he looked at his youngest son, he couldn't help but feel that Anthony was finally beginning to grow up.