Jody was in the dining hall with his mother, Lady Isis.
This was the dining hall exclusive to the head of the House and his central family. There were four other gorgeous women at the long and marvelous oval-shaped dining table that looked to be made of a beautiful black stone that sparkled when the light hit it correctly.
One of the women was pregnant, while two of the other women were each holding a child in their arms. One was an infant boy, and one was a toddler girl. The girl was Jody's second sister, Kamila. This infant was Jody's fourth brother, Jumoke Trillwolf, born around a month ago.
Jumoke's birth was not nearly as big a deal as Jody's. The attention and momentum garnered couldn't be compared. Jody and his parents were even absent, eating ice cream in town. That was Jody's first time eating ice cream! It was pretty good.
Kamila's skin was sandy, and she had long jet-black hair. It looked like silk as it ran down her little frame. Her two dimples made the little girl's cute laughter more adorable and contagious. Kamila's bright green eyes were smiling as soon as she looked up and saw Jody, then she immediately hopped off her mother and dashed over to Jody.
She hugged him tightly, then pulled his hand excitedly, "Third brother, I missed you. Come sit next to Milly."
Jody hugged this big sister back for the three hundred twenty-seventh time in his life but didn't budge from his mother's side.
Lady Isis held his other hand and sashayed forward slowly before sitting in the head seat of the dining table and putting Jody in her lap. She giggled and gently rubbed her son's head full of long, curly hair. She spoiled him by feeding him a bit of magic pudding cake after seeing him staring at it, almost drooling.
Lady Isis spoke sweetly in a voice that sounded like tiny bells ringing, "Little Joe, say hello to your aunts and siblings."
The little Lord's eyes turned sluggish. Jody was slowly growing ever so tired of these formalities. 'The life of a noble, argh! Why'd I ever wish for it? Oh wait, that's right, poverty! How could I have forgotten.'
Feeling backed into a corner, Jody reluctantly turned from his spoon of magic pudding cake to look at this bunch of spoiled women. They wore beautiful dresses that accented all the sexy contours of their bodies. Their makeup looked flawless and gave them an ethereal feeling.
Maximum flavor!
Jody was aware that this was the appearance of these ladies when they were not even trying to doll themselves up too much. In his old world, only makeup could achieve such transcendent beauty. His father was indeed a man of taste, it seemed. The luxurious dinner attire of these women reminded him of the women on a show called Celebrity Wives in his previous life.
Jody stood upon his mother's lap and crossed his arms in salute as he bowed slightly. This was the proper etiquette his mother had recently shoved down his throat.
"Hello, second aunt, third mother, fourth aunt, fifth mother, second sister, and fourth brother."
According to the local customs, Jody should call each of his father's wives or concubines a mother. Alas, his mother had long since threatened him from referring to anyone but his third mother and fifth mother in this way. He was explicitly commanded to refer to the others as 'aunt.'
Understanding her son's potential, Isis pushed to elevate him into a proper lord and scholar. She dedicated many hours to teaching him etiquette. On his part, Jody was delighted to have a mom of his own-- he accepted her lessons without complaint. His naturally open-minded attitude only aided in this process. Plus, it was something that he hadn't been able to practice in his past life.
Nothing could make him doubt the woman who had pulled him from a secret lake and into reality with an immense headache and blinding light as his first meet-and-greet. Despite its complexity, this strange entry made one clear: Josiah Trillwolf, born Osiris and Isis Trillwolf's third young Lord, was now here to stay.
After all, what dream would last this long?
As his past memories had no major significance in this new life in a new world, he decided to bury them deep in his heart. His previous experience was mired in tragedy and misfortune. He was too weak to change anything, which was true no matter what heights he had achieved! He was a wealthy mogul and philanthropist, yet what had he earned? Death by disintegration!
In this new life on this planet, Jody was confident he could reach the clouds! It was time to create a legend in this strange land, or at least try!
While Jody dreamed of greatness, his father's wives were all smiling at him affectionately. Well, most of them. There was one wife who scowled whenever looking at Jody or his mother. This was the woman holding an infant.
Little did they know he was familiar with their little tricks and hidden looks born from envy. Except for a beautiful woman wearing violet – her face showed no emotion. Jody's heart raced when he looked at her, but he felt she didn't approve of him or his mother.
"Everyone's got haters," mumbled little Jody under his breath.
The woman in violet caught Jody's gaze. She bowed slightly and approached him and Isis, grabbing his little arm as she knelt. Her gaze was filled with sadness, yet there was a hint of relief that only Jody and his mother could notice.
"It seems my little lord is quite observant- I must introduce myself," the woman said to Jody before taking a deep breath. "My surname was once Barong; I am your father's second wife and the mother of your eldest brother, Lylian. You may call me 'second mother' if you feel comfortable, just as you address my little sister as a fifth mother. We are also related to your sixth mother by blood."
Jody nodded stiffly at the name with a bit of shock. Also, a Sixth mother? How many wives did his father have?! But then again, it wasn't too outrageous, considering he'd been told that some Lords had more than ten wives!
Lylian sighed softly before continuing, "I'm sure you've noticed, I don't get along with Isis or any of our other ladies... That's no secret here."
She paused for a moment before speaking again in a sad voice full of regret and nostalgia:
"Years ago, my life was very different from what I have now..." She waved her hand as she spoke, and an invisible ripple passed over Jody.
'Was that magic?' Jody wondered in awe. The sensation made him tingle.
Isis eyed Lylian with curiosity, as this was rather out of character for her.
Lylian went on to tell them her story - she and her twin sister had come from an aristocratic family named Barong. They were born in luxury as the children of the House Lord until he was murdered in secret by his brother. Vivian, Jody's fifth mother, was sold into slavery, and Lylian went to a brothel. The stars seemed to shine on Lylian because the very first man she met at the brothel was Osiris, who recognized her from past events.
Osiris negotiated a fee to release her from the brothel's contract before slaughtering their way to her twin. Since that time, Lylian and Vivian have been wholly devoted to Jody's father.
Isis marveled at Lylian as she spoke to Jody as if he were a youngster and not a baby. She felt both frustrated and appreciative, not entirely understanding her feelings. Did she suddenly feel empathy towards this woman who had always been cold but now used her son as a means to open up? Isis would never believe Lylian was saying such things purely to Jody. This was something she probably wished to share with Isis long ago.
If only the House affairs weren't so complicated lately...
Jody was frozen in awe because this woman, Lylian, was so breathtaking that he felt his heart would stop if she came any closer. She smelled like exotic flowers and brown sugar. The lad constantly reminded himself that he was a baby and arousal was impossible, yet his appreciation only increased.
"Although these are dangerous times, little Lord, you will always have your family. Trust those who pour into you and beware those who do not. It is that simple," Lylian ruffled Jody's hair before returning to her seat.
Isis just viewed her back with unknown thoughts.
"I mean...she's still a hater..." Jody mumbled to himself again. After all, this woman had said all that just because he didn't call her second mother! How devious.