Three Months Later
Life in this mansion was… boring.
Three whole months had passed since I was reborn into this world, and yet, the most exciting thing I had done so far was stare at the ceiling while lying in my crib.
At the moment, I was outside in the garden, cradled in my mother's arms. The sun bathed the beautifully arranged flowers in golden light, a soft breeze rustling the leaves. It would have been peaceful—if not for the two women chattering non-stop nearby.
I already knew them. They were acquaintances of my mother, Luna—though judging by how much they talked, I assumed they were her friends. Their voices blended together like an endless, buzzing conversation that I couldn't escape.
"Did you hear the latest rumors?" the first woman, a lady with raven-black hair and striking green eyes, whispered dramatically.
"Oh, do tell," the second woman, with curly auburn hair, leaned in eagerly.
"The king's sons are fighting for the throne," the first woman continued in a hushed tone.
That caught my interest. Fighting for the throne?
"That's not what I heard," the auburn-haired woman countered, shaking her head. "People say it's only the second prince fighting for the throne."
"The second prince?" The green-eyed woman scoffed. "But he hates violence!"
"Exactly! That's why I didn't believe it at first either. But apparently, he's really standing up to his older brother this time."
Sigh. They really were a pair of chatterboxes. My mother, on the other hand, merely smiled and listened politely, occasionally nodding but never contributing much. I didn't blame her. If I were in her place, I wouldn't know where to cut in either.
I was about to tune out completely when the auburn-haired woman suddenly whispered, "I've also heard rumors that a neighboring kingdom seeks to dethrone our king. There might be a war coming."
War?! My tiny baby body stiffened slightly in my mother's arms. Did she just say war?
If only I could speak or move properly! I needed more information, but all I could do was listen. If a war was brewing, it meant things were going to get dangerous. What kind of world had I been reborn into?
Just then, I noticed a familiar figure approaching.
A maid with long black hair, moving gracefully yet swiftly. Sylvie—my mother's personal maid.
She was dedicated, always nearby when my mother needed something. But more than a servant, she often felt like a trusted friend to my mother. Unlike the other maids, who always kept a strict distance, Sylvie talked to my mother comfortably.
She leaned in and whispered something in my mother's ear.
That was when I noticed something.
For the first time since the conversation started, my mother's serene expression shifted—just slightly. A flicker of concern crossed her face. But then, just as quickly, she masked it with a warm, reassuring smile.
Whatever Sylvie told her, it was serious.
"Please take Kibo to his room," my mother said, her voice calm as she handed me over to Sylvie.
"Yes, Lady Luna." Sylvie gently cradled me in her arms.
"Don't miss Mama too much," my mother teased, touching my cheek lightly.
Pfft-choo! I sneezed dramatically, making a point to show my displeasure.
"Oh dear, does my baby have a cold?" she asked, suddenly worried.
No, I don't! I just sneezed so you'd stop touching my cheeks! I grumbled internally.
"Don't worry, my lady. I'll make sure the young master takes his medicine," Sylvie reassured.
Medicine?!
No! Absolutely not! That disgusting excuse for a liquid doesn't even work! It's just torture in a bottle!
Before I could protest (internally, of course), Sylvie carried me inside the mansion.
"Don't miss Mama too much," my mother called after us, her voice filled with warmth.
Hah… She really loves me, doesn't she?
Even though I was frustrated by my helplessness, I couldn't deny that she was a caring mother.
But still… I needed to gather information. There was so much I didn't know, and being stuck in this tiny, fragile body was nothing short of torture. I had tried countless times to reach the library, but after just three steps, I would collapse from exhaustion.
Being a baby is the worst.
Then, suddenly…
Sniff.
What is that horrible smell?!
Sylvie stopped walking and looked down at me.
"Young master, I need to change your diaper," she said with a knowing smile.
Damn you, baby body!
Inside the Mansion
Meanwhile, inside the grand estate, footsteps echoed through the long corridors. A man in his forties, dressed impeccably in a butler's uniform, walked briskly through the hallway. He approached a large door and knocked twice.
"Come in," a deep voice responded from within.
The butler, Tanaka, stepped inside, bowing respectfully.
Behind the grand desk sat Duke Ryuu, his sharp eyes scanning over a pile of documents. His presence was commanding, his silver hair neatly tied back, his every movement exuding authority.
"Good day, Master Ryuu."
"Good day, Tanaka," the Duke responded without looking up. "Do you have the information I requested?"
"Yes, my lord." Tanaka produced a sealed letter and handed it over.
The Duke broke the seal, his eyes scanning the contents.
"…So, Duke Yuzuru has finally started making moves."
"Yes, Master Ryuu. However, he has not begun shipping yet."
The Duke leaned back in his chair, a faint smile forming on his lips. "Then we wait. There's no need to act prematurely."
Tanaka nodded.
"Has His Majesty responded to this situation yet?"
"No, my lord. The Imperial Majesty is still at the summit."
"The summit, huh…" Duke Ryuu's fingers tapped against the desk. "Even so, His Majesty is not one to overlook threats. He will act soon."
A tense silence filled the room. Then, the Duke's voice grew colder.
"We need to be prepared for anything disastrous. Continue gathering intelligence."
"Yes, Master Ryuu."
As Tanaka turned to leave, the Duke suddenly asked, "How is your granddaughter, Tanaka?"
A rare, warm smile touched the butler's lips. "She is well, my lord."
"That's good to hear," the Duke replied genuinely.
Tanaka bowed one last time before leaving the office.
As soon as the door shut, Duke Ryuu's expression darkened. He stared at the letter in his hand.
"With the way things are unfolding… the prophecy about the Demon King's return might not just be a myth."
He inhaled deeply. "I must root out the corruption before it's too late."
"Have the spies from the other kingdoms been dealt with?" he asked aloud.
From the shadows, a cloaked figure emerged—wearing a crow mask. Their presence was cold, unsettling.
"Yes, Master. The spies have been eliminated. We also extracted… useful information from them."
Duke Ryuu's lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Good. Very good."
The figure melted back into the darkness as if they had never been there.
The Duke exhaled slowly, staring at the documents before him.
"I will not allow anyone to harm my family. Not while I live."
Then, after a pause, his sharp eyes softened slightly.
"…I should finish this quickly. I want to spend time with Kibo."
A small chuckle escaped his lips.
"I need to buy him a toy."