"How do I look, Mom?" A three-year-old boy's voice rang out in the room. His tone was childish, yet if anyone listened closely, they could detect a faint authority embedded within. His appearance, still youthful, hinted at the handsomeness that would later blossom fully.
Noah Vestron stood before an enormous mirror, tugging at the edges of the fine clothes his mother had picked for him. His jet-black hair, neatly trimmed, contrasted with his striking purple eyes, which glimmered like rare gemstones. Although young, his charm was already apparent, and he had just turned three years old a few days prior.
"It's been three years already..." Noah thought to himself. He found himself reflecting on his life in this new world. Though initially shocking to have been reincarnated into a world he had only read about, Noah had slowly come to accept and even enjoy this new life. His parents, especially his mother, were loving and protective. In truth, he couldn't have asked for a more peaceful and nurturing environment.
At present, Noah was at his mother's mercy as she made him try on a series of outfits. He surrendered without a fight, knowing that his resistance would be futile. His mother adored him too much.
"Handsome, so handsome! My son is the most handsome in the world!" Lilith's voice, full of pride, came from behind him. Noah felt her gentle arms wrap around him as she pressed her cheek to his head. The affection was overwhelming, and Noah's mouth twitched helplessly, wondering how much more of this he would have to endure.
Lilith adored Noah to the point of obsession. Since his birth, she had devoted herself completely to him, ensuring he had everything he needed.
"Mom, I want to go outside," Noah blurted out as he stared into the mirror. His voice was soft, but there was a determination in his eyes.
Lilith's arms around him stiffened for a moment. Her face, always bright when it came to Noah, clouded over. "Are you really uncomfortable being alone with mom?, Do you dislike spending time with mother."
"You've always been asking to go out recently." Lilith said sadly.
Noah sighed internally. His mother could be overbearing in her affection, and he knew he had to tread carefully. "It's not like that, Mom. I just want to see the outside world. You know, the one I've heard so much about. AAnd I never said I want to go without you. I would love if you youd accompony me."
At his words, Lilith's face lit up immediately, her earlier sadness forgotten. "Of course, my angel! How could I refuse? Tomorrow morning, we'll go for a lovely outing together!" Her enthusiasm was infectious.
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. A maid entered the room and curtsied politely. "Mistress, breakfast is served. The Lord is waiting at the table."
Lilith smiled and gave Noah one last pat on his head. "Let's not keep your father waiting, my darling."
When they entered the dining room, Lucious Vestron, Noah's father, looked up and smiled broadly. "There's my little prince! You look splendid today, Noah."
Lilith's chest swelled with pride. "Of course, he looks handsome! He takes after me, after all."
Lucious chuckled, his own voice tinged with playful arrogance. "Indeed, our son is as handsome as his father."
Noah, sitting on his mother's lap as she began to feed him, couldn't help but sigh inwardly at his parents' banter. His father's narcissism was something he had grown accustomed to, and it often left him bemused.
As they ate, Lilith brought up their conversation from earlier. "Noah has been asking about the outside world lately," she said, spooning a small amount of porridge into Noah's mouth. "I think it's time he got to see more of the world beyond the estate walls."
Lucious nodded, his expression serious but approving. "It's good that he's curious. I think a visit to the town would be a great idea. The people would be thrilled to see their young master, and it would be good for Noah to interact with them. I'll have the knight captain prepare an escort for you both."
He sighed softly, as he remembered the pile of documents stacked on his desk in his office waiting for him to be processed. "I would have loved to join you, but the estate demands my attention."
Lilith placed a comforting hand on his. "There will be other times, dear. Noah and I can manage on our own."
Despite his wife's reassurance, Lucious's face showed a hint of regret. "Yes, but I've missed so many moments already…"
Noah silently watched his father's expression shift. It was true—Lucious rarely had time to join them on their outings or spend long hours with him. The duties of managing the Vestron estate consumed most of his time, leaving little opportunity for personal moments with his family. His mother had filled that role in his father's absence, but Noah knew that Lucious's workload was starting to weigh on him.
As his mother continued to feed him, Noah's mind wandered. "I'll need to do something about this," he thought. "Father needs someone capable to ease his burden. I can't allow him to be overworked forever."
But first, there was the matter of tomorrow's outing.
He could feel his heart beat faster at the thought of finally stepping beyond the estate grounds and seeing the world of Elysiom with his own eyes. After all, how many times had he dreamed of wandering through a magical fantasy world, exploring its streets, and meeting the people within it? And now, that dream was about to come true.
With his mind buzzing with possibilities, Noah let out a small sigh of contentment. For now, he would enjoy the present—a warm meal with his family, his mother's protective embrace, and the knowledge that the outside world awaited him tomorrow.
Tomorrow would be the beginning of something new.