After being reborn, I have adjusted to my new surroundings. There's no point in dwelling on the past, so I promise to live this new life my way. Since my rebirth, I've been noticing how time goes by. I'm sure at least a year has passed since my birth. There hasn't been anything special during this time, just a few visits from people who seem to know the old man. The worst part is that the old man constantly shows me off to others, like a baby with a new toy. I have to keep up the baby act around them.
On the other hand, my mother is kind and always uses healing spells on me. I don't mind acting like a baby around her I even give her puppy eyes to encourage her to cast more spells. When she leaves, I try to remember how she casts them, but I fail every time.
Besides my mother and the old man, there are other regular visitors. One of them is a woman who casts a sleeping spell on me. I later learn her name is Olivia. By now, I can understand a bit of the new language, though not everything. Some complex words are still too difficult for me. I've learned that my mother's name is Aeris, but I haven't seen or heard anything about my father. The old man feels like my grandfather, but I still don't know if he's related to my mother or father. His name is Vandrel, and I also found out his second name is Lunareth because some maids and knights call him "Lord Lunareth."
Once I could walk a little, I started exploring the house on my own. Even though I'm about one year old, my body can't handle being active for long, and I still make baby sounds when I try to speak. When I get tired or stuck, I cry, and either the maid or my mom comes to take care of me. This habit seems to worry them, so now I have two new regular visitors, who I believe are attendants. One is a maid named Lucy, who's about 12 years old. She's very funny, although Olivia often scolds her. The other is Roland, a knight in his 30s. He usually wears black leather armor with brown pants and boots, and a sword hangs from his belt. He's a quiet, strong man who always keeps an eye on me, but when he gets bored, he swings his sword in the corner of the room. One day, I saw him in silver armor, but I didn't get a good look since I was in my mother's arms at the time.
It seems that my new family is quite wealthy. They even have knights and maids to take care of a baby. Through my explorations, I've discovered that we don't live in a house but a mansion. I often get lost during these explorations, so when I can't find my way back to my room, I end up crying for help.
Another good day filled with adventure! Let's keep exploring. I'm really starting to enjoy this new life. I thank whoever gave me this chance from the bottom of my heart.
Liam looked around. In the corner of the room, Roland was swinging his sword again. Is this guy some kind of sword obsessed weirdo? Liam thought. It's early in the morning, and he's already practicing?
"Lucy? Where are you? I'm hungry!" he cried. "Lucy! I'm hungry!"
Roland stopped mid swing and scratched his head as he turned to the baby. Just then, the door opened, and Lucy walked in with a tray.
"Ah, Roland! What are you doing? He's crying! Don't just stand there watching him!" she said, setting down the tray filled with baby food. She scooped Liam into her arms.
"There, there, young master Vale, don't cry," she said with a little huff. "Your good maid is here. Let's change that diaper and get you washed first."
After she cleaned him up, Lucy returned and began to feed him. Roland watched silently from the side, still holding the food tray.
"All right, young master, just one more bite," Lucy coaxed. "Come on, eat this! If you don't finish, Miss Olivia will scold me again! Why am I always the only one who gets in trouble? Sir Roland and the young master should get it too!" she grumbled.
"I think… forcing the young master to eat isn't good," Roland said awkwardly.
"What do you know about babies? Give me that!" Lucy snapped, puffing her cheeks as she grabbed the tray and walked off, leaving Roland looking confused.
Poor Lucy… but I can't eat any more, Vale thought. Sorry. Now, it's time to continue my exploration. But there's a problem Roland's always watching me. Even while swinging his sword, he can sense me. Is that magic too? I need to find a way to sneak away. I can't afford to slack off. Whatever awaits me, I'll face it. With my situation, I can grow faster and learn faster than anyone. I have to use that or it'll be a waste.
With that thought, Vale began plotting how to slip away from Roland's watchful eyes.
While Vale was lost in thought, Aeris entered the room. Roland immediately stopped swinging his sword and gave her a slight bow.
"Oh, my boy! Come to your mother," Aeris said softly, her voice warm. "Forgive me, Vale. Your mom has been busy these days." She gently picked him up, smiling tenderly.
Vale quickly stopped thinking and acted like a normal baby. This might be my chance to see some spells, he thought.
Aeris tilted her head. "Hmm, you look a little bored. How about we take a walk?"
Hearing that, Vale perked up, pretending to be interested but careful not to look suspicious. Aeris chuckled and began to walk down the corridor, holding him in her arms. Roland followed a short distance behind, as usual.
Vale didn't mind. He had already explored most of this part of the mansion, so there wasn't much new to see. There were only two places he truly wanted to visit the library, which he was sure existed somewhere, and the outside world. He had tried peeking through the windows, but most were covered with curtains, and he couldn't reach them alone. He had even tried to act curious with Lucy a few times, but it never worked. She's so dense, he sighed inwardly.
As they walked, Vale caught a glimpse of his reflection in a tall mirror. Hmm… I look kind of cool, he thought proudly. I bet I'll be popular with girls when I grow up maybe because my mother's an elf.
Then a thought struck him. Wait… I don't have pointy ears like Mom. Why? Is it because I'm still young? Or because I'm half-elf? He looked around thoughtfully. The only elf I've seen in this mansion is my mother. Everyone else seems human. Maybe my human side is stronger than my elf side, but aren't elves supposed to be stronger? Well, I can't be sure. That's what novels said, but this is reality. He smirked. Doesn't matter. Pointy ears or not, I'm still handsome.
As they continued walking, Vale noticed a door with an intricate pattern that immediately caught his eye. The corridor seemed to lead directly to it. The area around it was filled with antique decorations, and a sudden thought struck him. Could it be the library?
Trying not to look too excited, he wriggled in Aeris's arms, as if wanting to go that way.
"Oh? You want to go there?" Aeris asked with a smile. "But there's nothing special in that room only books."
Hearing that, Vale's heart soared. Finally! I found it! He kept reaching in that direction, this time even letting out a small cry for effect.
"Okay, okay, no need to cry," Aeris laughed, touching his cheek gently. "Mommy will take you there."
She walked toward the library, with Roland following behind still ever watchful of the young master of the Lunareth family.
When they entered the room, Vale's eyes lit up like a adventure who had found treasure. I knew it! There really is a library here, and it's huge!
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, and cabinets overflowed with tomes. Aeris smiled as she watched her son's shining eyes.
"It seems you like books," she said softly. "Though you can't understand them yet, maybe one day, when you learn to read, I'll show you the Lunareth family's library."
She carried him around the room, pointing out the shelves and cabinets as she spoke, even though she knew he couldn't understand her words. Still, she cherished the moment deeply, smiling at her curious little boy.