Ghhuk , Haaa , Haaa
Opening my eyes, I was greeted by a bright light that made me wince as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the sunlight flowing into the room.
" U-uwah.. "
' ..?! '
Startled by the sound that made its way out of my throat, I tried to speak. Again similar noises continued to come out. Concerned and confused I did my best to get up but my body felt heavy and wouldn't listen to me, almost as if it was still being affected.
'"Thud!
" Euaggh..?! "
With a loud thud, the sound of a door slamming open could be heard. And inside, entered 3 people who each looked godly in their own right. The first of the bunch was a small child that couldn't be any older than 7 years old, the boy had short messy jet-black hair with white tips and a white strand of hair that fell perfectly over his left eye. He had big shiny ice blue eyes and plump cheeks that looked like clouds. He was dressed in a black ruffled blouse and a short red ribbon tie, with navy blue shorts that stopped above his knees, long white socks that went up to his calves, and brown dress shoes. The boy excitedly began quickly making his way towards my direction with a huge dopey smile and right behind him was a gorgeous woman with snowy clear smooth skin and long White hair that cascaded over her right shoulder in a neat loosely made ponytail that was tied with a black ribbon and has some sort of gorgeous deep blue jewel that's the size of a large egg. The woman has two golden eyes and long white eyelashes, with a small but noticeable beauty mark under her left eye. She wore a dark blue dress that beautifully kissed her body and insinuated her robust figure in a way that was noticeable but not too revealing or distracting. She wore matching blue heels and silver dangling earrings to finish the look perfectly. Her expression, unlike the boys, was one of concern and worry as she began scolding the young boy.
"Kieran! What did I tell you about running in the house, especially in your little brother's room, you are going to startle him."
At her words the boy stopped in his tracks and with a small pout, bowed his head slightly while fiddling with the hem of his blouse. He turned towards my direction and then spoke in a quiet voice.
"I'm sorry brother, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Hmm.. That's enough, you'll have plenty of time to get more acquainted with your brother, but right now you have classes to be in and your brother needs to be tended to." The third person spoke, having seen the other two people and how they interacted, I slowly began to understand who they were and what was going on. These people.. they were my family. The man, after pointing out that the young boy had classes to attend, watched as the boy flinched and laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his neck. He then eventually sighed and left reluctantly after being scolded by the woman again. Before the boy left he turned his head back towards my direction and smiled softly and then turned around and left, closing the door behind him silently.
Now, only the man and woman were with me, the man was handsome, tall with a broad muscular body that looked like an impenetrable defense. He had short jet-black hair that cascaded over his ears and sharp icey white eyes. He has a stoic expression and well-defined sharp features. He wore a black and white suit with a black blazer and a red tie with a navy blue brooch. He also had an imposing air about him, an aura that was intense and proved just how strong he was. Without saying anything more, the man looked down at me, glaring as his icey milk-coloured eyes seemed to look through my very existence.
A cold sweat ran down my body and without meaning to, my hands began trembling.
'"Puff
The sound broke the silence, the sound of the woman hitting the man's chest once and glaring at him as she began reaching down and picking me up into her arms.
"Stop glaring at our son, you're going to scare him. If you want to know how he is doing then you have to do more than just stare!"
She sighed tiredly as she turned her attention towards me and smiled, her smile was a stark contrast to the expression that she had previously been wearing. Since entering the room she hadn't smiled once, rushing into the room with a worried expression, scolding her son, and husband, the entire time she had a small worried and concerned expression but now she was smiling warmly and it made it seem as if time had stopped briefly. Gently bouncing me in her arms as she walked closer to the man and held me closer to him. She spoke.
"Hello yuri, our precious baby. Mommy is so happy that you're alright."
The beautiful woman spoke with a soft voice as she gazed adoringly at me in her arms.
"Hm, I told you he would be fine, did you think that anyone would dare to try and sneak in to hurt our youngest son while we are both around?"
The handsome man behind her spoke as he turned his back and started walking away while speaking matter-of-factly as if he were completely confident in his statement. To which the woman began pouting and spoke.
"Oh come on Gideon, you were worried too, that's why you rushed here along with me and Ki. You're such a tsundere.*
So his name is Gideon, I took note of my Fathers name as they spoke.
"What are you on about? I merely came because-"
"Because you were worried."
The woman spoke, cutting him off and turning her back to him again as she gently placed me back into my crib. A sad expression on her face.
"I'm worried.. we all are.."
She caressed my cheek with a finger as she stood next to the crib after carefully tucking me in.
"It's been a month already.. and he hasn't cried once, he only sleeps or stares without moving. I was so happy but worried when we heard him making noise for once but-"
This time she was the one being cut off by Father as he gently placed a hand around her waist and hugged her from behind while speaking. His eyes on me as he spoke.
"Seraphina, we are Leonhearts. Our son is strong, calm and healthy."
He sighed softly while bending down a bit and resting his head on her shoulder as he spoke.
"We need to believe in ourselves as parents, and believe in our children who are growing. Believe that they will grow up well with our love and support, and their guidance."
' Hm? Who exactly is he talking about..? '
' Curiosity began to swell inside of my mind while listening to their conversation. One thing was clear though. These people.. they really love and care about me. '
With that thought becoming settled into my heart, the corners of my lips involuntarily curved upwards.
'"Pfft-
"…"
The room went silent for what felt like forever.
"H-honey… Y-you saw it too right??"
My mother spoke with a shaky voice as she covered her mouth with her trembling hand. My father behind her, though his face was stoic, you could still see the shock in his shaky eyes as he froze, staring at me silently for a moment.
"Well, it seems that our little Yuri has answered your concerns. Not only did he smile but he laughed. No need to worry anymore."
As he spoke while straightening his posture and starting to leave, I caught a glimpse of the corners of his mouth lifting, as he began walking away, the tips of his ears were turning bright red.
'"Pfft
'What a dishonest father. He should just admit that he is happy.'
Unfortunately, I can't remember much of what happened after that, meeting my family briefly. I fell asleep and when I woke up again it was night.
The moon peeking its beautiful head in over the window in my room, shining bright, casting a calm glow over my surroundings.
'I didn't know.. being a baby could be so hard.'
"Ghu.."
Trying to move was more difficult than I expected it to be. Not only can't I move or controll my body very well, but I can't even lift my head. All I can do is sleep, eat, and use my diaper.. it's not only inconvenient but very embarrassing, I need to grow up fast.
Like that, every day passed in a similar way. Occasionally, my brother would sneak into the room at night to peek at me, only to get caught by my father or mother who also secretly wanted to sneak a peek. Then he would get scolded and they would both leave. Mother would sometimes come to check on me, even singing songs and talking about her feelings to me. It's been peaceful. Something I never knew that I could experience.
"Goodnight my dear Yuri, may Erebyul's soft light guide you and protect you forever."
'Erebyul.. it's a name that I've heard my mother and brother say a few times. It seems that it's the name of a god.
Strange but I've come to learn that there are things in this world that weren't important for the novel and yet are important in this world. My family, the Leonhearts, are one of the best examples. Though they never were mentioned in the novel for some reason, it seems that they are a very influential and powerful family.'
'I don't know who they are but from the way everyone speaks, be it the multitude of servants or my brother, it seems that our family has a high standing in society. Maybe not the highest but it's definitely secure. I don't know why but.. rather than being happy about it I feel.. worried. '
'"Mhua
My mother kissed my forehead and slowly stood up, her affectionate gaze lingering on me as she moved. As she left the room I couldn't help but to slowly drift off to sleep.
Soon, I felt my body weighed down and stiff, I opened my eyes, surrounding me was darkness, darkness as far as the eye could see it, and even further and thicker than that. A sense of dread washed over me and my heart started pounding. I couldn't move or make even a single sound, my mind could only be filled with countless thoughts of worry and fear.
'N-no, no don't tell me..'
'Why am I back here again?'
'Did I die?'
'But I just barely got to live, I- I just got a family that loves me!'
'I was healthy so why-'
"You're fine."
A familiar soft deep voice rang out throughout the darkness.
'G-god?'
'"Pfft
The voice let out a small laugh. Then it went silent again for what felt like forever. And then the voice appeared again from behind me.
"God… is that what you're going to keep calling me?"
They spoke as they reached out and touched me. As if a huge boulder was lifted from my chest, I felt weight lift and I could move. Moving to face them, I saw that unlike last time, they were just a silhouette of their body, a silhouette of white light that moved. No face or distinguishable features except for a slightly toned body, their long limbs and slim slightly toned body seemed out of place in this dark abyss-like place. They were the only light, warm yet cold, there yet not. That was how they looked and felt.
'W-what else.. should I call you?'
'And.. what happened to you?'
'Where are we?'
'Why did you-'
"Please.."
My barrage of questions was cut short by them as they sighed softly while moving away from me, turning around and walking away in the darkness. As they walked they spoke and naturally I followed.
"Hm.. it's hard to decide what I should tell you first."
They spoke as if they were deep in thought. I didn't know where we were going or why. I didn't know anything and yet I felt calm, and safe. Around them, I couldn't help but want to follow them even if I didn't know why. Listening to them as they spoke, my mind was clear, as if my entire body and mind were stuck lingering on every word they said.
"First, I'll answer where we are."
With a slight wave of his arm, as he moved it in front of him as if displaying something great, the darkness began slowly revealing a beautiful garden.
Grass that was lush and green, full of beautiful white roses, a path that was made of smooth white marble, a huge fountain in the middle of the garden surrounded by roses, sitting below the moon, as if the fountain were holding the moon up. The water silently running and the wind blowing the water added a cool and ethereal feel. The sky was full of stars, like it was covered in a blanket of them, stars surrounded the Moon as if protecting it.
'Gorgeous.. it's all so beautiful… but-'
"It's lonely."
We continued walking down the path and soon walked up a grass covered heel, where a white Gazebo stood tall, with a table that was set. Tea and countless snacks, things I have never eaten before but knew about from seeing others enjoy. Just the sight made my mouth water. They moved their hand in a gesture that implied for me to sit.
"Go ahead, you don't have to hold back."
With that, we both sat down, the cool wind blew on us as we sat in silence.
"This place.. is long gone by now."
A sad tone lingered in their voice as they looked into the darkness ahead as if looking for something.
'What happened to it?'
I asked out of genuine curiosity.
'How could such a big and beautiful place disappear.'
"How.. huh?"
'"haaaah
"It was abandoned. Abandoned and forgotten."
"My people.. my prophets.. my followers, my power.. and my family."
Hearing them speak, I felt the emptiness and sadness in their words. I also felt the emotions lingering beneath their words. The anger and fear and resentment. Everything.
"I won't tell you what happened even if you ask."
'why not?'
"Because now is not the time. You will learn about it in the near future, and then I will tell you what you want to know."
They sighed and stood up.
"I brought you here for something else. Yu-Bin Choi, no.. Yuri Leonheart."
Moving their hand lightly, a rose appeared in their hand.
"I want you to live a life that will make you happy. I don't want you to live while bowing down to others. Live.. and don't abandon or forget me. That's all I'm asking."
'Live.. how I want?'
What does that mean.. Are they testing me..?
"You're overthinking it. I meant my words literally.. in this life, if you desire friendship, love, power, whatever you want, all you need is to ask and you will receive.. though.. it wouldn't always be free. There are limits, of course."
While they spoke, the flower in their hand began to wither, the moment I noticed the rose withering then the surroundings began to wither away. Then my attention went back to the god in front of me and they were slowly withering away as they spoke.
"I know you are full of curiosities and worries..in time, you will come to understand."
I felt a wave of disappointment and sadness. I know I haven't met this god for long, once when they saved me and now once now.. but why? It feels like every time we have met, nothing has truly been answered, and it's clear that there is a lot they aren't saying but why?
"Ah-
Breaking me out of my thoughts, the sound of the god speaking as if remembering something, I looked back up and saw that they were already almost completely gone, so wss the world around us.
"I know.. you feel cheated. It's not wrong to feel that way."
They let a soft laugh escape as they spoke.
"I will give you two gifts, one for each time we have met so as to make it up to you. I'm sure.. you won't be disappointed. However… you.."
As they tried to speak their words were cut off by them fully withering away. When everything disappeared, I woke up, finding myself in my crib, with the sun shining brightly in the room around me.