"Why can't you accept him?"
I was taken away by this strange woman and even though I wanted to protest, I knew it would only come out as some nonsensical cooing of a baby. So, I could only go with the flow for now and see in which part of the world was I exactly. I was also shocked by my thought process as I was still in disbelief that I had somehow ended up in a baby's body. That was not the shocking part, but it was how I being a baby could retain my thoughts as if that was something normal.
Am I dreaming?
I quickly denied that thought as everything around me was so vivid. If this was a dream I refuse to wake up and go back to that hell, but then again, I could feel the smoothness of that blanket. I could also feel my legs and I also felt the kiss of the strange lady. I am certain that this is a reality.
Have I been reborn?
If that is the case then was it normal for me to have memories from my past life kept intact. I remember everything about my past life but that is exactly why this whole situation feels so weird. In my past life, I had heard few people claim to remember everything about their past lives but I had always thought that it was all a load of bullshit. I mean who would believe that crap but somehow, I ended up in that exact bullshit. I wonder if I told people something along similar lines, would people treat me as a crazy person as well? I bet they would, I mean even I can't come to terms with what is happening right now.
"Lady Claire, please don't be angry. We are not in a position to accept another child right now."
The voice of this unknown old lady snapped me out of my thought process. As I was saying, after discovering me I was brought to this orphanage by this strange lady called Claire. We met this old lady just outside the gates and Claire had immediately told her to adopt me into the orphanage. This startled me as I was not expecting her to be so demanding. I mean when asking for a favor you should be polite, but this Claire was exactly the opposite of that.
Even though she was so overbearing, she was still rejected by the old lady flatly which was hilarious. Still, the way she was rejected told that this old lady didn't mind the overbearing attitude of Claire. I conjectured that Claire must be of high status in this region.
Well since I have already died and been reborn as a baby, I might as well take this opportunity to my advantage. I should carefully take in all the information that I can gather and plan my future ahead of time. I put a stop to these endless musings and concentrated on the conversation between the ladies.
"What do you mean by you are in no position? Isn't it your duty to take in all the homeless children within the Imperador territory and raise them for the clan?"
"My lady that would have been the case if it was under any normal circumstances but as you know the war between Strana Empire and the Ravenfor Kingdom has affected everybody's lives in the capital. This is especially true for the three clans under the Imperial clan. I just received a message from the patriarch yesterday that they are reducing the funds for the orphanage."
"What? Has that old man gotten senile in the head as well? Imperador orphanage provides so many talents to the personal army of the Imperador clan but he wants to reduce the funds? What is he thinking?"
"Well… We do indeed provide the clan with talents but in recent years, there hasn't been any outstanding talent that has risen from the orphanage. Most of the recruits haven't been able to get past being the guards for the clan. I guess this is why the clan has reduced their investment in the orphanage."
The old lady continued," There is little we can do especially when the war is over the horizon and most of the clan funding is gone in maintaining the war front."
"This… Can't you accept just one more child?"
"Lady Claire, we don't even know if we could maintain the orphanage for one more year. If this war continues, we would have to disband. Taking this child would not only cause more stress on the orphanage but the child will suffer as well."
"That… What should I do now?"
If any of these two ladies had noticed the varying changes in the expression that the baby was going through right now, they would have been shocked. After all, the baby's expression went from that of amusement to confusion, and then bewilderment. Well, this was to be expected as, with all his knowledge of his past life, he was still not able to get what they were talking about.
I heard some strange terms, Imperador Clan? Strana Empire? The Ravenfor Kingdom? Three Clans? Imperial Clan? Patriarch?
I can't get the head or tail of this conversation. Where is this Strana Empire and the Ravenfor Kingdom? Which country am I in? Wait a minute… The language they are speaking sounds very similar to the one I spoke in my past life but I am pretty sure there was no Strana Empire and the Ravenfor Kingdom in our country.
This lady called Claire is also not so simple. From the conversation, I was able to tell that this Imperador Clan is some kind of big shot family in the region like some mafia families in my previous life. They raise abandoned children as their army just like some of those mafia families. What was more appalling was that this Patriarch of this amazing Imperador Clan was someone Claire knew. She even referred to him as 'Old man' and 'Senile'.
The latter half of the conversation has also made me anxious. If they can't accept me into the orphanage then where am I supposed to go? I can't even self-sustain in this baby's body. Please tell me that they have some plan?
After pondering for a while, Claire asked the old lady," I'll take him to the other two clans and ask the orphanage under them to accept him."
Yes!! God bless you lady Claire. I knew she wouldn't abandon me. I mean how can such a beautiful lady be anything short of an angel.
Before I could even start to revel, the old lady's next words poured water on my little celebration. It was like she was the harbinger of fate, mocking me and telling me that I am a fool.
"Those clans would be in a far worse situation than we are currently in, I heard that the orphanage under Ning Clan had even disbanded. My lady, you should know as well that Imperador Clan is better off than the other two clans, especially in terms of wealth. I'm pretty sure that Tang Clan won't accept the child as well."
Hmm… I see. I heard that there were three clans here and if I interpret their conversation then the three clans would be: Imperador Clan, Ning Clan, and Tang Clan. Also, this Imperador Clan was the wealthiest among them. Before I could further analyze the situation, I heard Claire's retorting.
"How can you be so sure that Tang Clan won't accept him either?"
"I had a meeting with that old lady from the Tang orphanage this morning. She was pleading with me to accept some of their children as they won't be able to survive for more than two months. If they can't even handle the children that they already have, I'm pretty sure they won't accept another one."
I could see Claire's shoulder drooping and she went into a daze as if she was stuck in a dilemma.
She asked the old lady," Then what am I supposed to do with the baby?"
"Only the three sects can afford to accept the baby but I won't recommend this idea either."
Three sects? Are these sects some kind of an organization? I need more information.
Claire asked," Why is that?"
"The three sects have decided to not take part in the war. This decision enraged the emperor and he issued an imperial edict that until the war is over no one is allowed to join the three sects and even the resources given to the three sects would be given to warriors fighting on the border. It was also stated that anyone who would disobey the imperial edict would be beheaded. I'm afraid that if lady Claire approaches any of the sects, you would be implicated in the process."
Another important piece of information, it seems like this emperor and Imperial Clan rule over the three clans and the three sects but the latter might not be under his direct rule as they can simply disobey to follow his orders. I know the names of the three clans but, what are the names of the three sects? I should be patient; I am bound to know about them in the future.
"Wouldn't that create problems for the Imperial Clan with the three sects?"
"It would but what can the sects do? The emperor is the strongest person in the Strana Empire, but the same could be said about the three sects. Emperor can't take on all the sects together as well. Also, with the ongoing war emperor would want no internal conflicts. Therefore, he can only retaliate indirectly."
Hmm… So, I am in this so-called Strana Empire right now.
"What if all three sects band together and attack the Imperial clan?"
"Haha... That is simply impossible my lady."
"Why?"
"All three sects are not on friendly terms with each other, also, it's not like the three clans would sit back at watch the show. There are also a lot of imperial clan members and other three clan members within the three sects. If the three sects attack the Imperial Clan, it might cause internal strife within the three sects. Therefore, the sects and the imperial clan can only fight indirectly, their fighting head-on will probably never happen."
This is interesting, I bet that the emperor of this Strana Empire hates the authority and presence of these three sects. Even though he might be called the emperor but he is not in control of all of the regions within the Strana Empire.
The three sects would also be wary of this emperor and would band together if any of them has to face the emperor because if they lose even one of the sects, the emperor would swallow the remaining two as well. There is more to all of this than meets the eye. I wonder what are the stances of the three clans on this matter.
After listening to the two, I can't understand why this lady Claire has less knowledge about all this than the old lady whose duty is to manage an orphanage.
I should be patient with this, I have very little knowledge right now but the more pressing issue is 'WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO GO NOW?' I look at lady Claire with a hopeful gaze while she seems to be thinking about something.
After a while, she let out a defeated sigh and asked the old lady," Hahh… then what do you suggest I do with this baby?"
"This… I would suggest that the lady returns the baby to where you picked him from. If he is lucky then maybe someone will adopt him though I highly doubt it would happen. He will probably be sold in the underground market as a slave or will die in a few days due to starvation."
My mood immediately turned sour after listening to that but it was probably the harsh truth. As I was starting to feel despair, once again I heard the angel speaking.
"NO! I can't allow that."
"My lady you are too kind but we can't do anything other than that."
"Is there nothing I can do?"
"Well, there is something we can do though I'm afraid you won't be fond of the idea."
"Speak your mind please."
My ears also perked up at the possibility of my unforeseen prospect.
*Cough* *Cough* The old lady coughed twice before continuing," I apologize for being rude but I suggest I call the guard from the orphanage and have the baby killed."
Both my and the lady Claire's eyes went as wide as saucers after listening to this so-called suggestion which was more like a death sentence.
'WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO DECIDE MY LIFE AND DEATH BITCH?! HOW COULD SOMEONE AS EVIL AS YOU BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE ORPHANAGE!! I SWEAR IF I DIE, I WOULD HAUNT YOU TO DEATH!'
"UUUUUAAAAAAAA UUAAA UAAAAAU UUUAAAAUUUA UAAAAAA"
Though I was thoroughly enraged by what she said, all my retaliation again came out as gibberish. Even the calm and cheerful lady Claire was appalled by her suggestion and her voice went up a notch.
"What are you saying? Even the baby thinks you are being outlandish. There is no way I can allow something so outrageous. My conscience won't allow it!"
"Please calm down my lady, there is no way the baby can understand me. This practice is pretty common in an orphanage, those that are deemed useless to the clan are either sold as slaves but most of them are killed off in private. That way they won't be able to exact revenge in the future. I'm pretty sure the Tang orphanage these days has killed some of their children to survive for a longer time, especially the one that has shown no future potential."
"RIDICULOUS! I WON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO THIS BABY, NOT UNDER MY NOSE."
I don't know why but at that moment I felt unimaginable warmth from those few words that I swore if this lady told me to die for her, I probably would. I knew she was not lying because there was no need to lie in this situation. There was no need to pretend in front of a baby, as everyone might think baby can't comprehend what they were speaking but, I could. I heard her loud and clear. After a long time, I suddenly felt protected and loved. Last time it was my senior sister from the orphanage. I swear this time would be different, I would do anything and everything to protect this lady Claire's happiness who reminded me of my warm-hearted senior sister.
The old lady sighed before continuing," Hahh… There isn't anything else we can do about this my lady."
I noticed lady Claire's expressions going from hesitation to being astute and then coming to a firm decision, which confused me.
She declared to the old lady," THERE IS!!"
After her declaration, she turned towards me and picked me up from the basket.
'What are you thinking? Don't tell me you have decided to go with this old lady's suggestion!!!'
"UUUAAA? UUUUAAAA UUUUUAAAAA!!!"
As I was trying to protest, I heard her calm voice full of determination," Calm down child."
I stopped my struggle and looked into her beautiful eyes as she smiled at me and continued," Good baby! I have decided on something that will affect both our lives and I have no idea if it will be in a good way or a bad way, only time will tell. Since I have decided for both of us, I should tell you about my decision though I doubt you can comprehend what I am about to say."
She took a deep breath and once again making a firm resolve she continued," I was abandoned by my family just like you due to some unavoidable circumstances. I don't know if I am worthy enough or am I even capable to take responsibility for my decision? I have doubts and hesitations but since I have resolved my mind, I will follow through with it to the end. From today onwards, I will take the responsibility to raise you!"
"MY LADY!!!"
The old lady tried to protest but stopped after lady Claire glared at her.
My mind went blank as well. I didn't know she would take such a huge decision in a matter of minutes. I would be lying if I say it didn't feel good, this feeling was amazing, the feeling of having a family. Though her next words made me feel so euphoric and blessed, I felt I was the luckiest person alive. I felt I have conquered the world.
"From now on I will protect you with my life and try my very best to make your life fulfilling. Let's find comfort in each other's presence."
After a short pause, she declared, "From now on until my last breath, I will be your mother and you will be my child."
Out of nowhere, the sky that was clear before started gathering dark clouds. It was as if the heavens stood witness to this unshakable bond. Thunder started rumbling as if to announce to this universe of this indomitable connection.
Though they were not related by blood, she was his one and only, the most precious family from now on.
She took a break as if contemplating something.
"Even though I was kicked out of my family, I still carry their name and so will you. You have no responsibility towards that family. I shall be your only family. From today onwards you shall be named…"
"KAISER IMPERADOR!!!"