Something feels off as I slowly open my eyes.
Ha...my head, it hurts, what happened to me after that? Where am I?
I scanned my surroundings for answers, trying to make sense of what is happening. This place... it doesn't look like my house. Am I dreaming?
"Aww... Looks like my baby is awake. Are you hungry? Don't worry, Mama will make sure you're nice and full."
A gentle voice reached me as I struggle to untangle the haze clouding my thoughts. I shifted my gaze toward the source and saw a woman sitting beside me on the bed, gazing down at me with a joyful expression. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, her smile so radiant it almost felt unreal.
My eyes widened as the woman began to remove her nightgown, revealing her breast. My mind raced, desperately trying to piece everything together. And yet, her expression remained soft and loving—completely at ease, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Her hand slipped beneath me, gently lifting me up with a tenderness that left me even more bewildered.
What is going on? How is she able to lift me so easily? That shouldn't be possible—not with my weight. I wanted to ask her, to demand answers, but no words came out. It was like I had suddenly lost the ability to speak.
Okay, calm down. Let's think. Let's try to recall what happened in the last few hours.
I focused harder, ignoring the dull ache in my head. After straining to piece things together, I remembered—I was reading my One Piece manga when… wait a minute. Something crashed through my window.
A car… or a truck… Oh no, wait. Is this what I think it is? Have I been reincarnated?
My mind spiraled, torn between panic and confusion.
No. That's ridiculous. It's the kind of thing that only happens in anime or light novels. It's absurd. It's laughable.
But then... what the hell is this?
Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside the chaos in my mind and focused on the woman lifting me up. I didn't know what was going on, but she was the only one who could give me answers.
So I stared up at her, wanting to ask... but the problem was, how could I, when I couldn't even bring myself to speak?
Unaware of the storm raging inside me, she gently drew me closer to her chest, cradling me against her exposed breast. "Here, my sweet little baby," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "Drink as much as you want."
Before I could even process her words, something sweet and milky filled my mouth. I froze, caught between awe and confusion.
It was her breast milk—I was actually drinking her breast milk. The thought alone was enough to make my jaw drop. Yet here I was, drinking straight from a woman's breast.
And somehow, it didn't taste bad. Unlike the regular milk I had always hated, this was sweeter, smoother—surprisingly pleasant.
Before I knew it, I found myself actually enjoying it. And so, without even thinking, I kept drinking.
The warmth of her embrace and the sweetness of the milk gradually calmed me, settling my frayed thoughts. The absurdity of the situation slowly began to fade, replaced by a reluctant sense of clarity.
Her effortless ability to lift me, my helplessness, the fact that I couldn't move or speak properly… everything pointed to one conclusion.
I've been reincarnated—just like in one of those fantasy novel stories. I'm definitely an infant now, and this woman must be my mother.
As absurd as it seemed, I couldn't deny it anymore. The way she cradled me so gently, her soft voice calling me her baby—it all felt too real. Her warmth, her touch, the comfort of her embrace… it was far too vivid to dismiss as a dream.
The reality had finally settled in.
Once I felt full, I stopped drinking. With my mind clearer—and having reluctantly accepted this bizarre new reality—I looked up at her… my mother, finding myself quietly admiring her beauty.
Her hair was like white silk, woven into a single, elegant braid that fell gracefully over her left shoulder, enhancing her beauty even more. Her eyes were as blue as the sky, and her facial features were flawless and refined, carrying the grace and elegance of nobility.
She was the kind of beauty you couldn't look away from after a single glance—just like I was doing now. And when our eyes met, she smiled warmly, clearly amused by my wide-eyed stare.
"Oh, my baby, are you admiring your mother's beauty?" she chuckled softly. "Well, don't worry. One day, you'll have a woman even more beautiful than me. I can already tell—you're going to be quite the ladies' man, just like your father."
Her words caught me completely off guard. A ladies' man? I hadn't even lost my virginity yet. I just blinked up at her, stunned.
Before I could think more about it, the faint creak of the door caught my attention.
I turned toward the door and saw a man stepping inside. He looked utterly exhausted, breathing heavily, his shoulders slumped as if he'd just sprinted through the night.
.....
In the city of Rivermoor, within a finely maintained inn suited for noble guests, lanterns flickered softly throughout it, casting a warm glow over polished wooden floors and elegant furnishings. Inside one of the inn's most lavish room.
Edric Everhart—head of House Everhart and the most influential Duke in the kingdom—sat comfortably, enjoying his tea as he reclined in a plush, high-backed chair.
Clunk.
The door creaked open, drawing Edric's gaze to the entrance. His relaxed expression shifted to one of mild curiosity.
When he saw who had entered, he gently set his teacup down on the side table and spoke.
"Elise, what brings you here now? I thought I told you we were leaving tomorrow."
Elise stepped forward, her posture upright, though her expression hinted at urgency.
"My Lord," she began respectfully, "a message just arrived. I was instructed to deliver it to you at once."
Edric leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "What message?"
With a steady and clear voice, Elise began to deliver the message.
"Lady Serenia has given birth. The delivery happened a few days ago—it was premature."
"What?" Edric asked, rising to his feet the moment he heard the full message.
He stared at Elise, the weight of her words still sinking in.
Then, with urgency, his voice cut through the air— "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
Elise answered without pause, her tone clipped and precise. "Yes, my Lord. The message was delivered by an official elite guard from Everhart Hall."
"So, she's already given birth... and I wasn't there for her," Edric muttered. He exhaled sharply and sank into the chair, leaning forward with a hand over his mouth, eyes fixed on the floor—and sat there motionless, lost in deep thought.
I'm on my way to Frosthaven to oversee the new trade routes and ensure the proper implementation of the tax reforms. It's an important work—But, with this news… what am I supposed to do?
I missed the birth of my child. I broke the promise I made—to be there for her, to be the kind of husband she could rely on.
And the worst part? If I don't return now… if I choose duty over her again, that promise will mean nothing. I'll drift even further from the man I swore I'd become.
The silence in the room stretched, heavy and unmoving.
Then, from nearby, Elise's voice broke through—measured, but careful. "With your permission, my Lord… I have something to say."
Edric lifted his gaze, pulled from the weight of his thoughts. "Speak."
Elise stepped forward quietly, her voice calm and composed.
"I understand that going to Frosthaven is important, my Lord. But if we proceed with the journey, it may take months before we can return to Everhart Hall—especially with the long distance and the harsh, snowy weather."
She paused briefly, then continued with quiet sincerity.
"And I know you'll worry… not being by Lady Serenia's side. That concern may stay with you, and it could affect your focus—and your ability to govern with a clear mind."
She shifted her gaze, meeting Edric's eyes directly—her expression steady, marked by quiet conviction and a trace of genuine concern.
"I don't want that for you, my Lord. So I humbly suggest we return for now… and deal with Frosthaven once this matter at home is resolved."
Edric fell silent, brow furrowed as he weighed Elise's words. The urgency etched across his face left no doubt—he was determined to return, and soon.
Then, with quiet finality, he rose to his feet. His expression sharpened, resolve settling firmly into place.
"You're right, Elise," he said. "I've made my decision. We return to Everhart Hall—at once. Continuing to Frosthaven now would only delay my reunion with Lady Serenia… and after hearing this, I can't bear to wait any longer to see her."
He glanced toward the window, voice steady.
"And besides, as you said, this news will linger—clouding my thoughts and judgment. A distracted mind leads to poor decisions, and I will not govern in that state."
Elise bowed her head low. "Understood, my Lord. I will make the necessary preparations immediately."
She turned to leave, but Edric stopped her with a quiet command.
"Also, send word to Margrave Leopold Drakemore. Inform him that I will not be coming to Frosthaven."
Elise bowed once more, then swiftly left the room to carry out his orders.