My eyes opened wide, I looked around for a moment frantically, before I returned back to normal.
Oh, it was just a dream. A dream about my past life.
Just when I wanted to forget it.. Fuck you, Dream god.
I looked around, the room was dark with only a shine of moonlight visible from the window. I was in my crib, covered in a blanket. I got up and got off the crib, crawling to the table beside.
In the past year of living here, I have learnt a lot about this world.
I could understand the language fluently by now, only a few newly heard words were difficult to make out and remember. I could read well, but not as well as hearing them.
I couldn't write at all right now though.
I had learnt very much about the different types of Demi humans that inhabited this Kingdom.
A few of the common ones in the manor were the Feliniens and the Canineins, simply cat-humans and dog-humans. There were many horned furbeings serving in the Manor too. Like the goat-horned women.
One surprising thing I learnt about in the past one year was that this Manor, where I live, was originally my Mother's Father's, my Grandfather's Manor. He died when my Mother was Eleven, leaving this huge household as a burden on Mother's shoulder, since my Grandmother had passed away after giving birth to my Mother. I felt sympathy for her. I could feel her sorrow, since I had no family in my past life either.
Elemer, on the other hand, doesn't talk about his side of the family at all. I wonder if there's a deeper reason to it.
I crawled up a table near my crib, grabbing a small mirror and looking at myself. My face, round and shiny in the blue moonlight. I had black hair– unlike my siblings or parents. I had bright, diamond-like blue eyes. I'd grow up to be a hottie for sure!
But right now, I felt like melting looking at myself, who could be this cute??
I grinned quite creepily.
Well, that's enough self-admiring. I should head back to sleep. I have a long day tomorrow!
I had learnt quite a lot about my parents in this short period of time. They both were nobility as I had guessed. My mother is a candidate for being the next queen, and my father is her royal knight. I've heard royal knights are not supposed to be engaged, but I guess my parents are the exception.
While thinking and recalling information, I dozed off.
The next day came, bright and dazzling! My eyes fluttered open, full of excitement. Violet came into my room, she softly walked to my comically large crib filled to the brim with a unique array of pillows and gently called to me.
"Good morning, young Master." She bowed her head lightly as she greeted me. Her eyes were brimming with joy and unkept energy.
"Let's get you a bath and ready for the day ahead, shall we Master Artorius?"
She spoke with a calm demeanor. She smiled as she spoke. She has made quite the reputation among the other servants.
'The young, talented and beautiful maid.' is what I've heard other maids call her.
The way her bright yellow hair sways, the way she keeps herself composed, the way she smiles and the way her eyes shine like emeralds.. I'm sure she'll grow up to be a beauty. If I'm not wrong, she's turning 8 this year. I'll be sure to keep her close as I grow up, She'll be useful.. And also because I've gotten attached to her.
One exciting bath later, my mother came in. She held me in her hands.
"Good morning Tori, let's get you ready for the day." She took me to my closet, opening it to reveal a huge palette of fashionable outfits for me.
"Which one do you prefer, Tori?"
Does she expect me to speak? I'll just point.
I pointed at a small white shirt, a red bowtie and brown pants. I wanted to be fashionable while remaining simplistic.
"Quite the taste you have!" She applauded my choices. I felt quite proud of myself as well.
Violet got me ready, I looked very noble. As expected, I had noble blood in me!
How many times would I repeat the same thing though? Anyways, after I got ready, my mother carried me in her arms. Violet stayed back in my room to fold my sheets.
"Oh how cute! You're going to stab my heart with those adorable eyes of yours, Tori!"
My mother remarked.
I blushed fiercely. Gah! It still feels so embarrassing! I wanna get this over with!
She took me in her arms as we headed to the main hall.
Mother was well dressed too, in her icy white dress and her black decorated hat with a blue rose on its left upper side.
We entered the main hall, it was my sixth time coming in here. There were two large windows overseeing the frontyard— more like a park with the sheer size of it.
There were numerous large paintings of people on the walls.
In the middle of the hall was a huge dining table, with a huge assortment of fruits and delicacies. It was breakfast time though, so it was expected.
Too bad one year old me can't experience this though..
At one end of the dining table were my siblings and Father. Everyone was well-dressed. Both the siblings were in an active conversation with Father. He was patting Illa for some reason. Grey reacted with a pout. Then, their attention directed towards us.
"Mommy! You're here! Good morning!
Tori! Good morning to you too! You look so adorable!!" A high spirited Illa shouted.
She has gained quite some speaking experience compared to last year, and she could walk properly now.
I swear she's the most adorable sister anyone can have though!
"Mom! You're here! Good morning Tori! My little brother is the cutest!"
Grey was in high spirits too. He has grown very quickly in one year. His manner of speech has improved significantly compared to last year. He still troubles me though!
"Ah! Kath! You look beautiful as always… I'm so lucky to have married such a captivating wife~" It was my father's voice. He was well dressed like a good nobleman, or at least how I think a nobleman should be.
I've yet to get used to living with him.. The way he throws me up in the air and somehow barely catches me is unsettling.
I'll die from a heart attack one day!
Although his love for me is pure.
Grey and Illa sometimes pout towards him for spoiling me with his love but then he proceeds to capture the two of them in a huge hug.
I've sometimes seen him practice his swordsmanship in a large practice ground to the North-west of the Garden. I can't help but think how cool he looks, with the way he lunges high up in the air and lands down like a feather. He likes to show off in front of me, Grey and Mother quite often. Illa is too busy playing with the maids to notice him. I wonder what she'll grow up to be like. Anyways, back to the present.
"You do know how to spoil me with words."
A shy laugh escaped Mother's mouth.
"And my beloved cute son, Tori! Good morning to you too. Come sit down." Father straightened himself up.
"Let's eat up now, shall we?"
Mother sat down with me in her lap. It felt extremely comfortable.
Man, I could be spoiled like this forever and I wouldn't complain! I don't have to do anything at all!
We all had started breakfast. Illa and Grey were having a conversation with Father about some unusual huge bird they saw. Mother jumped in the talk once in a while. She wasn't that talkative. Illa got some food on her face a few times and Mother wiped it off with a napkin, explaining her lady-like etiquettes simultaneously.
They were all eating the delicious looking meats and breads meanwhile I had to feed upon porridge and milk. Mainly because my baby teeth haven't fully developed!
All this food is making me drool… you need to grow up fast, Artorius!
After breakfast, some servants came and took away all the used cutlery and plates.
Father got up, so did Grey, Illa and Mother. Mother was still carrying me. I've noticed that I've grown quite a lot since last year. I'm proud!
"Kath, I got a letter mentioning the arrival of the Barnotos this late afternoon. Shall we get to preparing?" Father held a serious tone. He stood firm, holding Grey's hand.
"Mhm, they did mention they would be arriving around this time. Let me drop off the kids." Mother spoke in a calm, soothing voice. She has such a gentle, soft presence. I love my Mother.
"Wait, let me drop them off, I wanna spend a little more time with them!" Father insisted. He looked so bright and cheery, yet so elegant in his noble attire.
"Aw, no fair, Elemy! I wanna spend time with my little angels too!"
"I know I know.. but just this once? I mean, you are the Royal candidate. I'm just your knight." Father shrugged with a slight smile.
Mother walked close to father. I was sitting where Mother sat during breakfast.
"Oh Elemy, you aren't just a knight… You're my Knight. My one and only~" She spoke in a dim, whispering voice. She placed a hand on Father's chest
Gosh, get a room, you two!
Father slightly blushed. No matter how strong or big this man was, he always lost to his wife's charm. I mean I would too if she was anyone remotely similar to Mother.
"Katheryn.." He was lost in the gaze of his wife, my Mother.
"W-Well, let me drop them off, we'll continue this- I mean continue our work then." He chuckled. Calling for Grey and Illa by his side.
Mother gave a kiss to both Grey and Illa on the forehead. She spoke a few words of affection with them before parting. She turned her gaze towards me. Approaching me, she suddenly picked me up. My feet were hanging in the air. Her staring made my face redden up a bit.
She brought her lips on my forehead, pressing a soft, warm kiss. I could feel its effect even after she pulled away.
"I'll take a little bit of time.. just a little. I'll come and shower you with all the love you could ever want, Tori. Mother will always love you, no matter what. Always remember that, Tori."
Her eyes shimmered with affection for me. I instinctively responded with both my small, fatty arms reaching out for her. She smiled at me with her eyebrows furrowing.
Just then, Father came and grabbed me in his hands. Grey and Illa beside him.
I saw Mother leaving the hall towards the opposite direction of us. I saw her glance back for a moment before exiting the room through the large door. Father headed towards another large door where a maid stood. She opened the door and there was another large hallway there. The flooring was black and white, like a chessboard. A few small tables occasionally placed at doors that appeared in the hallway as Father walked through.
I've gotten accustomed to seeing this hallway. It's a familiar spot in this huge Manor now. We walked past what seemed to be yet another entrance to another Library. Or was it the same library? Nevertheless, I was eager, no, I was desperate to read books at this point.
All I've been doing this past year is observing my surroundings and the habits of the same people that I see and learning the language via listening. It's getting tiresome at this point. I just wanna grow up so I can finally enter the library!
Father took a left turn in the hallway and stopped at the third door. This door was carefully carpented as well. As expected in a noble household. He opened the door. What I saw was a moderately sized room with three couches, four large windows on the wall opposite to the door extending up to the ceiling, and a small bookshelf with a variety of books.
There were three maids in this room. They bowed down graciously at the sight of Father.
"Hey, I have a favour. There's some work to be done, so could you three take care of my children?" Father spoke gently to the three maids, who all were very young but smartly presenting themselves. I recognized the three of them as me and my siblings' exclusive maids.
"Of course, Lord Frayder. It is our honour of having the liberty to serve your children." All three of them spoke in unison. Still bowing down, but raised their heads up after speaking.
"Thanks! I appreciate it, you girls!" Father spoke in such a friendly manner with the maids. He was always like this. He treated the servants and maids as if they were his close friends. All the servants loved him for this and respected him.
He then placed us in their care.
Before leaving, he crouched down and gently rubbed my small head saying: "I'll see you in a bit, Tori.. I love you." He gave me a warm smile.
Grey slightly pouted.
"Dad! You promised you would swordfight today!" He spoke in a high pitched, annoyed voice.
Looks like someone's really angry.
"Forgive me, Grey! I promise, tomorrow! I'll even let you use my sword!" Father clapped his hands in forgiveness as he spoke.
That was all it took for Grey to cheer up.
"Really??! You promise?! Pinky promise me!!" Grey excitedly jumped.
"I pinky promise you!" Father wrapped his large finger around Grey's small little pinky.
Illa quietly stood behind Grey.
"See you later, Daddy." She quietly spoke, smiling gently. Her small lips curving and her big, puppy eyes glistening with love.
Father gently kissed Illa on her head, caressing her small plump cheeks.
"I'll be back in a bit, Illa.."
He looked towards Grey again.
"Grey, take care of your little Sister and your baby Brother, okay?"
"Yeah! I promise! I'll be the best big brother!" Grey proudly declared. He probably felt so heroic for being given such a task.
The three maids slightly giggled to themselves at Grey's cuteness. Father chuckled too.
With that, Father got up to leave, stopping at the door for a moment.
"I'll be back with Mother in a while! Don't be too mischievous!"
He waved at us before disappearing behind the door, closing it.
Each of our Maids came and took us up in their arms.
Violet, my exclusive maid, looked at me with a bright gleam in her eyes and a warm, welcoming smile. She made me blush a little. She's taken good care of me for the past year.
"Alright, what shall we do now, Young Master?" She spoke with her soft, slightly high pitched childish voice as she warmly smiled at me.
My heart fluttered.