It had been 2 weeks since Kichiro had been reborn as Ianus Naosi.
And honestly, it was pretty boring. He had gotten quite familiar with his family so far.
His mother, Calla, was kind and caring, an ideal mother who didn't lack in keeping things under control, especially when discipling Hai. He had heard some scary things when she got angry... she often came by the most, especially to…nurse him.
He really wanted to grow up faster..
His father, Arryn, rarely visited the nursery, always busy with work. When he did visit, he wouldn't say much, just looked at Ianus and held him briefly.
For most of Kichiro's time in this world, he had been cared for by an assigned nanny named Bella. She was very sweet, outgoing, and for a nanny, also very young, maybe around her early twenties.
Kichiro's siblings also visited quite a bit. Everyday after classes, Hai, Kichiro's sister, came by and retold her day and lessons to him. Most of them were complaints about her strict teachers or the harsh discipline she endured for doing stupid stuff, but some stories were actually cool and intriguing to hear, like how there seemed to be magic-like stuff in this world and when he reached her age, he too could do some of that. However, the information was vague, and he couldn't reach a decent conclusion.
He sighs internally
Another reason he needs to grow up faster.
His brother, Lano, came by less frequently but always stayed the longest. He too would tell Kichiro about his day, read children's books, and recount old tales he heard from visiting elders.
He was always calm and quiet. Before he left, without fail, he would always say something nice to Kichiro followed by a common phrase Kichiro was hearing, "illaelan maris enar." He didn't quite understand it yet, but the way people used it seemed to be a way of saying "I love you."
It seemed that studying was imminent.
Just as he was thinking about his doom, a familiar man approached his crib.
His father stared at him with an unknown emotion in his eye.
This certainly was strange.
Anytime his father came by, it would be followed with frantic maids preparing and his mother accompanying him.
But today he was by himself.
"Ianus," he called his 2-week-old son as if he was going to answer.
Kichiro felt a bit scared. Was he going to get thrown out as soon as he got here? His father's words and actions were never too harsh however his face was always cold and aloof giving a scary impression to everyone in the manor.
Before Kichiro's question could be answered, his father mittens off Kichiro's baby hands.
He took the soft palms, and involuntarily Kichiro's hands clamped down on his father's fingers.
His father flinched and looked taken aback, but then his lips curled.
He's smiling?
Arryn picked up a small pin with his other hand and pricked Kichiro's hand with it. Dark red blood trickled down the silver pin slowly. After a small amount was collected, the ivory-haired man let go of Kichiro's finger to take out a napkin to collect the blood.
Kichiro was taken aback and didn't know what to think, but it was safe to assume his father wasn't going to hurt him. This allowed Kichiro to feel a whole lot more relaxed.
The man didn't immediately leave after getting what he came for but instead spent a moment stroking his son's short hair, waiting for the small prick to stop bleeding.
He wiped the blood and placed back the soft blue mitten onto Kichiro's hand. The smile on his face never left, and his typical cold indifferent appearance, was now soft and warm.
"Illaelan maris enar, Aldaros," he spoke tenderly and slowly, as if making sure his son caught every word.
Kichiro felt a complex emotion as if he was now truly realizing that this was now his father. This was now his family, his family who loved and accepted him.
His thoughts traced back to his actual mother he had left back at home and his heart tinged with pain. He didn't allow himself to ponder too much on that as he knew that if he went too deep, he would never get back up.
His father soon left the nursery with the napkin wrapped over the pin.
---
"Is it finished?" Calla asked anxiously, her flowing brown hair cascading around her shoulders as she approached Arryn.
"Yes," Arryn replied firmly, his tone reassuring.
"Did he cry or fuss at all?" Calla's concern was evident in her voice.
"He was a bit stressed at first, but he settled down quickly," Arryn reassured her, showing her the napkin soaked with a few tiny droplets of blood.
Finally, Calla let out a sigh of relief.
Arryn enveloped his wife in a comforting embrace, holding her close. After a moment, he had a butler escort her back to her room.
Taking the napkin with him, Arryn walked to a more secluded part of their small manor. He approached an entrance with two statues of kneeling soldiers made of a white stone material. Between the soldiers there was a large bronze door stood without a handle. Arryn placed his palm on the head of the left statue, and it began to glow softly. The bronze door opened. He entered the room beyond and remained there for the rest of the night.
———-
The next morning dawned with a soft glow filtering through the nursery windows. Bella arrived promptly, her footsteps light as she entered the room.
She greeted Kichiro with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine affection. "Good morning, little master" she cooed softly, lifting him gently from his crib. Bella was a constant presence in his life, a reassuring figure who filled his days with comfort and care.
Kichiro liked Bella a lot she was in his eyes the perfect nanny, comforting but not embarrassing. It healed his inner adult when she was around.
Bella lifted the newborn baby up. Nanny's at the Naosi manor were picked to care for their young masters or young miss until the age of 12 when they'd be sent off to the academy. Nanny's actually spent more time with the child than their parents do so their jobs were very precious and important.
Carefully laying him on the changing table, Bella began the routine with practiced ease. She removed his sleepwear and gently washed his tiny body with warm water, using a soft cloth and mild soap. Kichiro squirmed slightly at the sensation, but Bella's gentle hands and soothing words kept him calm.
Once clean and dry, Bella dressed him in a fresh set of soft, cotton clothes, carefully buttoning up his tiny shirt and pulling on a pair of comfortable trousers. She hummed a soft lullaby under her breath, a melody that seemed to lull Kichiro into a state of contentment.
With Kichiro snug in her arms, Bella moved around the nursery, pointing out various objects and naming them. "Look, little master," she said softly, gesturing towards a plush teddy bear sitting on a nearby shelf. "Bear," she pronounced clearly, emphasizing the word. Kichiro's eyes followed her gesture, his gaze fixed on the fluffy toy.
"Bear," Bella repeated, her voice warm and encouraging. She moved on to a colorful mobile hanging above his crib, gently spinning it to make the animals dance. "See, young master? Bird," she said, pointing to a bright yellow bird that fluttered gently in the breeze.
Bella continued their morning routine with tender care, feeding Kichiro his breakfast, a warm bottle of milk that he eagerly drank, his small hands clutching onto the bottle with determination.
Sometimes his mother would be busy so she'd prepare a bottle rather than nursing him herself.
These rare occasions were the highlight of Kichiros day.
Bella held him close, rocking him gently as he finished his meal, her voice soft and comforting as she murmured sweet words to him.
After breakfast, Bella carried Kichiro over to a soft, padded play mat on the floor. She lay him down gently, surrounded by a collection of soft toys and rattles.
She waited for him to start playing. In reality Kichiro was a grown man. The only toys he played with were car engines. Still he was now a child and had to act like it. At least until he was at an acceptable age where people can just call him a genius for how he acts. But that was later.
Bella watched Kichiro's eyes widened with curiosity as he reached out to grasp a brightly colored ball, his tiny fingers closing around it.
A little while after Hai arrived, bustling with energy from her morning classes. She swept into the nursery, her short ivory hair tousled and her cheeks flushed with excitement. She noticed Bella and Ianus on the playmate and walked over to her brother.
"Guess what,Aine?" she exclaimed, kneeling beside him. "I had my pathfinding examination today at the Empire's capital. It was nerve-wracking, but I think I did okay." Hai's eyes shone with a mixture of relief and pride as she recounted her experience, though she didn't delve into the details.
Kichiro looked at his older sister and gave her his attention as she spoke.
"But you know what?" Hai continued, leaning closer with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I met this unsavory person there who was so rude to me. I decided right then and there that I didn't want to be friends with someone like that." She shrugged, and pursed her lips, dismissing the encounter with a wave of her hand.
Kichiro listened to her rant, while it was sometimes annoying he made it a point to bear with it.
——
Throughout the day, Kichiro and Bella ventured into the gardens of Naosi Manor. The lush greenery surrounded them, alive with the sounds of birds chirping and distant conversations between servants.
Bella hummed softly as she pushed Kichiro's pram along the winding paths, pointing out the different flowers and trees that adorned the estate. Kichiro listened attentively, not at Bella, but the snippets of conversations he overheard from passing servants and guests.
Kichiro, nestled comfortably in his pram, overheard a hushed conversation between two servants as they bustled past him in the hallway of Naosi Manor. Their voices, though subdued, carried a tone of urgency and concern.
"I heard Lord Arryn's friend is visiting today," whispered one servant, a young maid with dark hair pulled back into a neat bun.
"Yes, he arrived this morning," replied the other, an older man with graying hair, adjusting the folds of his uniform. "They say he's come with important news from the capital."
Kichiro's curiosity piqued at the mention of "important news." He wondered what it could be about, his mind wandering to tales of distant lands and political intrigues that often dominated conversations among the adults in the manor.
"I wonder if it's about the recent border skirmish," the maid murmured, her voice tinged with apprehension.
"Could be," the older servant mused thoughtfully. "Or perhaps it's something to do with the birth of the young miss"
Their conversation tapered off as they moved farther down the corridor, their voices fading into the background. Kichiro blinked, processing the tidbits of information he had just overheard.
It seems that gossip is there no matter where you go
As Bella hummed a soft melody while pushing his pram, Kichiro found himself lost in thoughts of what the visit and the news might entail.
———
As the afternoon sun began to wane, they made their way back inside the manor. A buzz of excitement filled the air as servants hurried about, preparing for the arrival of a guest. "Lord Naosi's friend is visiting," Bella murmured as she wheeled Kichiro back to his room. "You'll have to get ready for your bath now, little master"
Later that evening, as darkness settled over Naosi Manor, Bella sat by Kichiro's bedside, holding a worn leather-bound book. "It's time for your bedtime story," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing.
Kichiro's eyes widened with unexpected anticipation as she opened the book titled *The Imperial Claws: Guardians of the Empire*.
Bella's voice filled the room as she read about the legendary warriors known as the Imperial Claws, sworn to protect the empire from its enemies. She described their incredible feats of strength and courage, weaving tales of battles won and lost.
But one name stood out among them all—the strongest of the Claws, known for his unmatched prowess in combat, had been missing for nearly twelve years.
"He was a beacon of hope for our empire," Bella continued, her voice taking on a nostalgic tone. "The people revered him, and his absence has left a void in our hearts." She turned the page, revealing a faded illustration of the hero clad in armor, standing triumphantly atop a mountain peak. Kichiro gazed at the image, imagining himself in the hero's place, wielding a mighty sword and defending his loved ones.
Since this was a fantasy world he too can become like that.
He then stared at his baby hands
One day…
As Bella reached the end of the story, Kichiro's eyelids grew heavy. The tale of bravery and sacrifice resonated deeply within him, stirring dreams of valor and adventure. He would definitely become a hero like that if it meant he could protect his loved ones.
Bella closed the book with a gentle sigh, placing it on the bedside table. "Sleep well, little master," she murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
With those comforting words lingering in his mind, Kichiro drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the warmth of Bella's presence.