Two months later since the sparring and finally, Voltaire is now one year old.
'I'm getting closer to childhoodness hehehe. Just a little more...'
Within this world, birthdays are joyously celebrated every three years, with the initial celebration occurring when they come of age to be bestowed with the divine blessings of the goddess.
However, his doting parents surpassed the confines of this cultural norm.
On this specific evening, in the reception hall typically reserved for gatherings of nobles, a small party was being held on this particular evening to mark Voltaire's birthday, with only the royal family and the castle's servants in attendance.
In his previous life, Voltaire used to celebrate his birthday in solitude during his childhood, which left him unfamiliar with gatherings like this.
'I guess this ain't bad at all...'
(Come on lonely old timer, there's no need to be shy...)
'F*CK YOU!'
Although he is annoyed by the presence of his "psychopathic sister" and "asshole brother," he feels thankful for the love his new family showers upon him.
Good thing for Benedict, Voltaire gradually began to open up and confide in him.
As a result, Benedict became more assertive in his approach to bonding with his youngest son on a daily basis.
'Should I stop giving him my attention again? He's becoming more and more bothersome.'
(What are you? A maiden? Let him be and don't go back to square one with your relationship with him.)
Wrapped in his mother's embrace, Voltaire turned his focus towards everyone present.
Leisha, Julia, and the younger maids were all enthusiastically indulging in desserts as if they were appetizers.
'Girls really into sweets eh.'
And then, his attention shifted to the knights who were all concentrating watching Clemton slicing a massive chunk of meat into smaller portions.
Clemton, who uses a dagger as his weapon of choice shows his extraordinary swordsmanship by cutting the meat swiftly.
'Like I thought, Knights are meatheads.'
(What was that? Are you joking?)
Meanwhile, the older maids are helping everyone present before they prioritize themselves, even with Vivienne telling them to drop it just for today.
'...'
(You're not going to say anything about them?)
'Well, they sure are professionals unlike the meatheads.'
Alcohol is prohibited since they are celebrating a child, an infant no less.
Despite the prohibition on alcohol, the festive spirit prevailed, and everyone found alternative ways to enjoy the party.
Laughter filled the air as the knights, undeterred by their lack of singing prowess, joyously serenaded the gathering.
Their off-key voices only added to the merriment, creating a lighthearted atmosphere.
Everyone clapped and cheered, appreciating the knights' enthusiasm and their willingness to embrace the celebration with unabashed delight.
The joyous atmosphere enveloped everyone, and they relished every precious second of this euphoric moment, conscious that the next day would bring the resumption of their laborious and demanding work.
As the celebrations drew to an end, the knights, now inebriated, stumbled back to their barracks, leaning on each other for support, their movements sluggish and unsteady.
Several of the younger maids return to their rooms and drift off to sleep, while the rest assist their superiors in cleaning up the aftermath of the party.
As for Voltaire, he is staying in his parents' chamber for tonight so Clemton can sleep peacefully after a long time.
Mathilda and Benedict decided it on their own that the celebration is not over until midnight.
'This is one of those rare occasions when I'm not grateful for their love and affection. It's my birthday and yet I can't even train because of them. I wish they tone it down a bit.'
The triplets, however, had all fallen asleep but still left a present for Voltaire.
Voltaire received a crude wooden sword as a gift from Lance, who made it himself.
'He keeps saying with bright eyes that he wants me to use it for the ceremony when I reached the age of three.'
(Read chapter 8 for more details.)
Leisha presented Voltaire with a deer head she had personally hunted, with the intention of adding a touch of "brilliance" to his room.
'What kind of joke of a gift is that? She's giving her innocent younger brother a head of a dead animal, and to make it worse, the head is covered with dried blood that I'm sure came from the poor deer.
'Additionally, what does she meant by brilliance? Now I'm scared to even come near to her room.'
And lastly, Luke, to everyone's surprise gave Voltaire a book saying he doesn't want another idiot of a brother.
'I'm genuinely surprised that he offered me a present, but that book... I've seen it in Julia's hands before. Did that rascal simply select a random book from the library and label it as a gift?
'I expect nothing less from an a*shole'
His parents also gave him a silver bracelet that complement his hair.
It's an artifact that will suit the user's wrist no matter what time passes.
'All things considered, this family is better than my previous ones despite the sketchy and hateful siblings o' mine.'
Voltaire looks momentarily with dazing eyes to his parents.
'I guess I should give them a present in return.'
Voltaire prepare himself mentally before he execute his plan.
As an adult at heart, this will be embarrassing for him.
However, as a baby, this will surely satisfy his caring parents.
After an intense battle between his adult self and infant one... He finally came to a conclusion.
He plans it a long time ago so it would be a waste to back out now.
'Alright. Here goes nothing.'
"Mmm..."
Voltaire hummed to get his parents attention to him.
Benedict and Mathilda was having a fun conversation talking about their children until they heard it.
"Did you hear that?"
Benedict asked his wife.
"I did. Are you trying to say something my little one?"
Successfully getting their attention at once, Voltaire continues.
"Ma... Ma... Pa... Pa."
A faint, gentle voice escaped his lips as he softly called out to his loving parents.
The royal couple's voices trailed off, and they shared a stunned gaze, their expressions filled with surprise.
'How embarrassing. I want to die for the second time...'
(Fantastic!!! This is funny too like when you got caught jerking off hahahahaha.)
'...Keh. I can't deny that.'
The two finally snapped back to reality.
"Can you say that again?!"
Benedict's approach him aggressively.
"Don't haste him! Could you please say it again sweetie~"
And then a charming approach came from Mathilda opposite to her husband.
'What? Again?!'
(Go buddy, show them what you got. Hahaha!)
"Mama... Papa..."
This time, the words he said is even more clear.
"Oh my, he can finally speak."
"This is the best! Can you call me again?"
Benedict asked and lift his son upward.
This is the gift Voltaire had decided to give them.
In fact, he can already speak a long time ago but when he heard that there's going to be a small party for his birthday, he then decided that it's the perfect time to show it.
He didn't even think that his little show would be not interesting or satisfying for his parents.
He already knew them when it comes to their child.
'Both of them are the type of parents that will let their child to become a psycho... Oh, would you look at that. They already doing it.'