26th Month of Heroes 1501 C.E
Today is my 8th birthday! It's been eight years since I reincarnated in this world. I'm pretty not happy in my life right now. Beautiful and kind older sisters surround me. As well as my two mothers. My father is also a great person both as a stake leader and a father.
Of course, dad is busy. Apart from being a marquis, a father is also one of the important officials in the royal palace. So my father rarely came home at most, only one Sunday in a month. But my father took advantage of one Sunday for the family. Fathers may be rigid in expressing their love for their children, but apart from that, their affection is still felt.
In my previous life, I was an orphan. Live alone without any relatives who want to accommodate. Well, it's not their fault. Food and economic crisis occurred in my country at that time. They have families whose needs they must meet. I already understood that or rather forced to understand.
But thankfully, my relatives at that time were at least still working to pay for my schooling, so I just had to work to find food.
So for me to be surrounded by a warm family like this, it feels very warm and pleasant. one important thing I finally understood was: Protect This Family. Whatever the price.
Well, even so, there is a problem. This is from my two older brothers. I am five years adrift of my first sister and three years adrift of my second brother. for some reason, their gaze towards me is cold. Maybe it's because I'm a boy? It could be. They might have saved me as a potential threat that would expel them from the heir of the Marquisdom.
But I quickly dispelled that thought. That's a too far-fetched and hasty conclusion. After all, they are still my brothers. Anyway, as long as they don't harm me, I think I still treat them with respect.
Besides, I honestly don't want to get involved in the tricks and machinations of power struggles. So if they ask me to stay out of the inheritance fight, I will gladly do it.
Today is my birthday. The maids have been busy dressing me. They are also busy going back and forth lifting various things. Finally, my clothes are neat. Once again, I look in the mirror. Hmm, it fits. White shirt wrapped in a black tuxedo coat with black pants. My hair is black on the right side. Red bow tie perched on my collar.
A maid came to me. She is 53 years old. Her name is Andrea. I used to call her Aunt Andrea. Originally she was my mother's maid. But since mother gave birth to Misha nee-san and me, she decided to intervene to take care of us directly. I have considered her as my aunt.
"Come on, Mr Issac, and the guests are waiting for your presence" I smiled and nodded. We went straight to the hall of our mansion. Aunt Andrea followed closely behind.
When we arrived at the mansion hall, the crowd of nobles was already large. The official event hadn't started yet, but the nobles were already toasting each other and chatting. The maids and butlers were pacing back and forth to refill the empty glasses. One thing I've learned over the six years after my memory has returned is that a party of this kind, whether it's a birthday, wedding, or even just a regular party that takes place in the homes of the nobles, becomes an arena for mutual lobbying whether it was persuading a house to join its faction or various other things.
I approached my father, who was standing on the stairs. Father nodded and started his official program.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Father made a loud and authoritative voice. Matched his serious aura. The audience was silent. Father then continued.
"Today is a special day that my beloved son, Issac Randall, has reached the age of 8 years. another half step towards adulthood. Of course Isaac still had a lot to learn. So as a father I hope that Isaac can continue to learn and take the best values from the best sources as well."
Dad paused for a moment as he raised his glass of wine.
"Toast to Isaac!!" The shouts of other nobles met Father's shout.
"Toast!!" after the shout, then the event began. Musical instruments began to play, and singers began to sing their songs. Dad took me around to say hello and introduce the other nobles. Many nobles introduced their daughters to me, but the father immediately tried to divert the conversation.
When my father and I were talking with a merchant from the capital who was also present at my birthday party, suddenly a man who was about 35 years old approached us. His body was as firm as a soldier. His sharp blue eyes can intimidate those around him. There were cuts on his cheeks and temples, indicating that he had descended to various battlefields.
As soon as dad saw him, dad took my hand and approached the man. Seeing Father coming toward him, the man's expression softened. Like meeting an old friend. Dad shook his hand and hugged him, then introduced him to me.
"Is (as Issac) introduces, his name is Richard Balzaac. he is Duke Balzaac or your stepmother's older brother. Come on, who is he?" I nodded.
"Introducing Mr Richard Balzaac. My name is Isaac Randall. the second child of the father's second wife. It's an honor to meet you." I placed my hands on my chest and lowered my head slightly.
Richard Balzaac-sama laughed quite loudly while patting my shoulder hard. oi oi oi, that hurts, you know!
"You don't have to be so stiff, kid. Hahaha. My name is Richard Balzaac. You don't need to be so formal, and you can call me Uncle Richard. We're still relatives after all." Uncle Richard held out his hand. Of course, I will reply, but...
Hey hey. It hurts, you know!! Do you keep gripping your hand hard every time you meet new people?! Even though my mental age has matured, I am physically still a child. There is only one way to respond to this grip. I channelled mana into my body and used body strengthening magic. Well, with this, at least I can overcome Uncle Richard's steel grip.
Uncle Richard looked a little taken aback but immediately corrected his expression.
"Well I'm surprised you can hit my grip so well son. Every child I gripped would cry in pain. including your two older brothers. really a promising child." Uncle Richard said.
I narrowed my eyes sarcastically, then said, "Hey uncle, are you serious about breaking every hand of a person you just met?"
Father, who overheard the conversation between Uncle Richard and me, looked goosebumps. Then reminded me, "Is keep your attitude in front of Uncle Richard. not everyone gets a chance to meet him."
Uncle Richard shook his head, "There's no need to be like that Arthur, I myself asked him to be informal. So there's no problem. By the way Lili, how long do you want to keep hiding behind me. Come on out. Say hello to your cousin."
A little girl came out from behind Uncle Richard. Tiny! she is wearing a white dress. Her height is level with my chest. Her hair extends down to a golden blonde back. His eyes are purple. When she grows up, this child will become an extraordinary beauty. But regardless, there was something when I saw this girl—something similar when I was around my two older sisters. Nostalgic feeling. The feeling that we've met before.
I immediately ignored the feeling. Somehow it hurts my heart. But I'll think about that feeling later. After all, Hades-sama didn't give any hint on this matter.
"Is, introduce me. This is Lili. She is my third child and the only daughter among her siblings. Come on, Lili. Get to know Issac." she shyly came towards me with his head bowed in shame. Shyly raising her head, she introduced herself.
"M-my name is Lilianne Balzaac. pleased to meet you." Oh, God! Her bashful face was so cute that the words accidentally slipped out of my mouth. Hearing the word cute come out of my mouth Lilianne gets even more embarrassed! Gosh, her cuteness doubled!!
"I'm Issac Randall. Nice to meet you Lilianne-dono. If you don't mind, you can call me Is." I said, lowering my head. After that, I put both my knees on the floor so that they are parallel to their height. Then took the two lollipops from my shirt pocket.
Well, this pocket is just a disguise. This is a special spatial magic that I created at seven. To make this spatial magic required a very large capacity of mana. Luckily my mana capacity is unlimited so that I can create unlimited spatial magic. Moreover, my spatial storage magic isn't affected by time, so food can't go stale, nor can swords rust.
I gave the two candies to Lilianne.
"is this is-dono?" Lilianne asked, tilting her head.
"This is a lollipop, Lilianne-dono. Unwrap it. Eat it by sucking it."
Sweets and sweets already exist in the world, but a kind of lollipop doesn't seem to exist. Lilianne-dono looked pleased. I'm grateful.
"Thank you Is onii-chan," he said with a cheerful face.
Eh? eh? eh?!! onii-chan she said? Gosh, so funny! Lilianne, who finally came to her senses, went into her shy mode. Gosh, please don't make a face like that in front of me.
"Do you mind if I call you O-onii-chan?" she said with a pitiful face. I shook my head quickly.
"Of course not! Then I'll call you Lili-Chan. how?" Lili Chan nodded happily. She allowed it! Yay!!
Uncle Richard, who had been away to chat with father for a long time, came up to us. Uncle Richard apologized that he had business in the capital. Lili looks sad, but I promise to send letters regularly. Her excited expression is back!
After escorting Lili and Uncle Richard to the terrace, my father and I went back inside. The prize distribution event will begin soon. I'm honestly glad I got lots of gifts. But I was overwhelmed by the behaviour of the nobles. So the father who finally served them.
****
The night after the party was over, Misha and Sasha nee-san entered my room. He said there was something they wanted to talk about. Of course, I let them in.
"Is-kun closes your eyes," they said. I was a little curious about what was going on, but I did it anyway. I could see what they were doing when my eyes were closed with my magic, but it wasn't necessary.
Sasha and Misha nee-san asked me to open my eyes. When I opened my eyes, there was already a necklace with a beautiful jade green pendant, and a silver ring with a Ruby coloured stone on it.
"This is a gift from us. I know it's not as expensive as the gifts you get from other nobles. But this is the best gift we can give so..." Misha nee-san didn't finish her sentence, yet I hugged my two nee-sans.
This is what I'm waiting for. I honestly don't care about gifts from the audience. what I need is them. I was a little disappointed that my sister was not present at the party.
"Thank you Sasha nee-san, Misha nee-san. this is my best birthday gift. You are the most beautiful gift on my birthday. Thank you for being in my life." I said while sobbing. They both also hugged me tightly while crying.
In the end, the three of us fell asleep on the same bed. Thank God for bringing them both into my second life.