Morning sunlight spilled across the classroom, golden rays cutting through the tall windows. A young boy with glasses sat near the back, his gaze lost outside as if the drifting clouds carried his thoughts far away.
"Albert! Albert!"
The sharp call of his name pulled him back. Albert blinked, turning to see Miss Velira, his teacher, watching him closely. He quickly stood up, adjusting his glasses nervously.
"S-sorry, Miss Velira," he said.
The woman's voice softened. "What's the matter, Albert? You're not usually like this. It's my first time seeing you so distracted in class. Is something wrong?"
The entire classroom turned toward him. Dozens of eyes pierced him like needles.
Albert straightened his glasses again and forced a small smile. "There's no problem, Miss Velira. I'm just a little under the weather."
"I see." She tilted her head, concern in her eyes. "Would you like to take the rest of the day off? You can go home and rest."
The class erupted in shock.
"Heh?!" several girls cried out.
One of them pouted. "That's not fair, Miss Velira!"
The whispers spread like wildfire until Miss Velira's calm voice cut through. "Enough!"
The classroom froze. She looked around firmly. "I suggested it because I trust Albert. He's the top student in this school. For him to be this distracted, something must be wrong. At least he isn't like you lot, wasting time gossiping and causing trouble."
From the back, a rough voice drawled lazily. "Is that so, Miss Velira? Sounds like you're part of Albert's little fan club."
The speaker was Adams, a notorious troublemaker. He leaned back with his legs stretched arrogantly across his desk. Turning to the four boys around him, he smirked. "What do you think, John? Maybe we should form an Anti-Albert Club ourselves."
They all laughed loudly, the sound grating.
"Adams!" Miss Velira snapped. "Enough. Drop your legs—you're in a classroom!"
Adams only grinned wider before finally lowering his legs. "Fine, fine."
Miss Velira looked back at Albert, still worried. "Albert, if you want, you can talk to the principal. There's no need to push yourself."
Albert shook his head. "It's fine, Miss Velira. I'll just wait for school to be over. It's the last period anyway. Nothing to rush about."
She sighed softly. "Alright then. Let's continue."
The lesson resumed, though the air in the room felt different. Adams glanced at Albert with a sneer, whispering under his breath, "Best in the school, my foot."
---
When the final bell rang, students poured out of the classroom. Albert quietly packed his books into his bag and slipped out, walking alone. Behind him, Adams and his gang followed with mischievous grins.
At the school gates, Albert turned toward the supermarket. He bought a few snacks and began the walk home. The streets grew emptier the further he went, until the noise of the school and town faded behind him.
That's when they blocked his path.
Adams and his four friends stood there, smirking.
Albert tried to walk past them, choosing silence, but a shove from one of the boys sent him stumbling back. They circled him like predators.
John sneered. "Ignoring us, huh?"
Albert steadied himself. "I just want to go home. It's getting late."
The gang laughed. "Hear that, Adams? He just wants to go home! Mama's boy!"
Another snatched the bag of food from Albert's hand.
"Give it back," Albert demanded.
They tossed the bag between themselves, mocking him.
John caught it last, rolling it in his hand. "Want it? Come get it." He tossed it to Adams just as Albert rushed forward.
John shoved him hard. Albert hit the ground, his glasses skidding away. His vision blurred to a haze of colors.
Blindly, he searched the ground with his hands. Laughter rang around him. A sudden kick sent his glasses flying further away. Crawling, he unknowingly touched Adams' shoe.
"Don't touch me, filth." Adams kicked him back.
Albert coughed, fumbling until his hands finally closed around his glasses. Cracks spread across the lens as he slid them onto his face. Shakily, he stood and tried to walk away.
But something slipped from his neck. A pendant.
Albert turned quickly—but one of the boys snatched it up and handed it to Adams.
Adams flipped it open. Inside was a picture of a woman.
Albert froze. His voice shook. "That's mine… give it back."
Adams smirked. "Is this your mother?"
Albert's fists clenched. "Give it back!"
"Answer me first."
"Yes! She's my mother."
"I see…" Adams chuckled darkly. "Then here you go."
With a cruel grin, he smashed the pendant against the ground. The glass shattered, scattering pieces across the dirt.
Albert's eyes widened. He stared down at the broken picture, his whole body trembling.
"Aw, is Mama's boy angry now?" John mocked. "What are you gonna do, huh? Cry to mommy?"
Bam!
Albert's fist connected with John's face. John stumbled back, clutching his cheek in shock.
The gang's laughter died instantly.
"Grab him!" Adams shouted.
The boys swarmed Albert, holding him down as he thrashed desperately. Adams drove his boot into Albert's chest, then rained punches on him. Albert groaned in pain, struggling against the weight pinning him down.
John, his face twisted with rage, pulled a pocket knife from his pocket. "How dare he hit me. I'll teach him!"
"Fine, take your turn," Adams said, too focused on his anger to notice the blade.
Shunk!
The metallic sound cut through the air.
Albert gasped. Warmth spread across his chest. Blood dripped from his mouth as John pulled the knife free.
The boys froze, horror in their eyes.
"John!" Adams shouted. "What did you do?!"
"He—he hit me!" John yelled frantically. "How dare he hit me!"
Adams grabbed his head. "We were supposed to rough him up, not kill him!"
Panic spread among the group.
"Forget it," John barked. "Let's just leave him. Before anyone sees!"
One by one, the boys turned and ran.
Albert dropped to his knees, coughing blood. His vision darkened, the world blurring around him. His eyes fell on the shattered picture of his mother.
And then… she was there.
Her warm smile. Her gentle touch as she laid his head on her lap. Fingers combing softly through his hair.
"Mom…" His voice was faint, almost a whisper. "I'll… be joining you soon."
With that, Albert's eyes closed, his body going still as the world around him faded into silence .
---
Albert suddenly felt a strange tug at the back of his head. His surroundings blurred, then a rush of light swallowed him whole.
When his vision cleared, he blinked in disbelief. A group of figures loomed over him, faces soft with wonder. In the arms of an older woman, he felt warmth press against his small body. The woman's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Congratulations," she said warmly, her voice filled with relief. "It's a baby boy."
She carefully passed him into the embrace of a young woman lying on the bed, her hair damp with sweat, cheeks flushed from labor. The young mother's arms trembled as she held him close, but her smile was radiant. She kissed his tiny forehead, her tears spilling onto his skin.
Albert's mind reeled. What… what is this? His thoughts scrambled as he gazed at the strange faces around him. Where am I? Who are these people? And why… why am I a baby?
The head nurse wiped her hands quickly and gave a respectful bow. "I'll inform Lord Aldric at once," she said, before hurrying out of the room.
One of the women who had assisted in the delivery frowned. "The child hasn't cried yet," she said as she stepped closer to the young woman holding Albert. "We'll take care of him for a while, Lady Verona."
Lady Verona hesitated, but handed the child over.
The woman smiled at the baby in her arms, rocking him gently as she walked toward two of the other attendants. "Go and fetch the head nurse, quickly," she instructed one of them. The maid gave a hurried nod and ran out.
The other woman leaned closer, whispering uneasily, "It's unusual… for a child not to cry. It reminds me of a rumor."
"What rumor?" the first woman asked, her brows furrowing.
"I heard that any child who doesn't cry when born is believed to be cursed," she whispered, glancing nervously at the baby. "And such children… are burned alive."
Albert's heart nearly stopped. Burnt alive? His mind raced in horror.
The woman holding him sighed. "Poor Lady Verona… to think her child might be burned."
Panic crashed over Albert like a wave. I don't know who these people are, but if they're really planning to burn me, then I have to call for help!
He sucked in air as hard as his tiny lungs would allow, straining with every ounce of willpower. His mouth opened—and instead of words, a shrill, pitiful wail broke out.
"Gwahhh! Waaaahhh!"
The sound was weak, trembling, but it carried through the room.
The women froze in surprise, then the one holding him laughed softly. "Ah, see? He was only delaying. It seems the young lad is just shy."
Albert blinked in disbelief. What happened to my voice?! He tried to shout for help, but all that came out was more of the same helpless baby's cry.
The woman carried him back to Verona, who took him tenderly into her arms. She patted his back gently, though his cries still echoed through the chamber.
Just then, the door swung open. The head nurse returned, followed closely by a tall man dressed in royal attire. His blue hair gleamed as he rushed to Verona, his face lit with joy.
"Verona!" the man breathed, kneeling beside her. He kissed her forehead with relief and happiness.
Verona smiled warmly. "Doesn't he look like Grandpa?"
The man—Aldric—gazed at the baby's snowy-white hair and nodded with pride. "Yes. He really does look like Father."
Verona chuckled softly. "But I doubt Grandpa ever cried this much." Both of them laughed quietly, while she stroked Albert's tiny head. "Shhh…"
Albert's thoughts spun. What's going on here? This can't be real… But slowly, his exhaustion overtook him. I… I can't… His cries faded, and his eyelids drooped. I'll just… sleep for a while…
The room quieted. Aldric stroked his wife's hair and said softly, "He's asleep." He rose, nodding to the head nurse. "Come with me." Together, they left.
Verona stayed behind, smiling as she kissed her child's forehead.
The maids whispered among themselves, their voices trembling with excitement.
"Lady Verona has given Lord Aldric his third son!" one said.
"And the child looks exactly like Lord Aldric's father," another whispered back.
"The mansion will be lively today," a third added. "The third son of the Valtoria family has been born."
---
By noon, the Valtoria mansion was bustling with life. Decorations hung from the walls, music filled the halls, and the servants greeted a steady stream of visitors.
Inside her chambers, Verona sat gracefully with Albert in her arms. He was wrapped snugly in a cloth embroidered with fine patterns.
Albert's eyes darted around, still trying to make sense of everything. The last thing I remember… I died. And now I'm here? Could it be… rebirth? No, science has never proven such a thing. But still… if this is real, then… she's my mother. His eyes shifted back to Verona, who was smiling down at him.
The door creaked open, and three young boys stepped inside.
"Mum," the youngest one called softly.
Albert blinked. Who are they?
Verona's face lit up. "Come, my dears." The three boys hurried closer. She gathered them around, hugging them warmly.
"I haven't introduced you to your brother, have I?" she said with a laugh.
Albert's tiny heart skipped. Brother? Are they… my brothers?
Verona chuckled, then turned her attention to the baby in her arms. "My dear, let me introduce you to your siblings."
She pointed to the eldest—a boy with the same striking blue hair as Aldric. "This is your big brother Damon. You should always respect him."
Albert studied Damon quietly, taking in every detail.
Next, Verona gestured to the second boy. "And this is Alaric. You must respect him as well."
Alaric, too, had blue hair, his eyes sharp and curious.
"And lastly…" Verona smiled fondly, "this is Valen. I bet the two of you will be close."
Albert's eyes landed on Valen. The boy's hair was mostly blue like his brothers', but a striking streak of white ran through the front.
He doesn't look happy to see me, Albert thought. He looks… sad.
"Don't be shy," Verona urged gently. "He's your brother. Come, take a look at him."
The three boys leaned in slowly. Damon tilted his head curiously. "Mom, what's his name?"
"Your father and I have decided to call him Lucien," Verona answered.
"Lucien…" Valen repeated softly.
"Yes, Lucien," Verona said with a smile.
Alaric nodded. "It sounds a lot like Grandpa's name, Lucian."
"That's exactly why," Verona said warmly. "Your father wanted his name to be close to your grandfather's, since Lucien resembles him so much."
Valen stared at the baby again and lowered his head. "I see."
Albert—now Lucien—listened in silence. So my name is Lucien now. I guess Albert… is gone. I'm Lucien Valtoria.
That evening, Aldric announced his son's name to the guests, and the mansion rang with cheers and laughter. A new member had joined the Valtoria family.
Later that night, Verona tucked the baby into his cradle, kissed him gently, and whispered, "Goodnight, my love." Then she quietly left the room.
As the door clicked shut, Lucien's eyes opened. He gazed at the toy dangling above him. What should I do now? Should I find my way back? But… in this world, I finally have the family I longed for.
Memories of his past life resurfaced—his parents dying, the loneliness, clinging only to his mother's picture.
But now… I have a mom, a dad, and siblings to call my own. His tiny body relaxed, and he whispered in his mind: I'm not Albert anymore. I am Lucien Valtoria.
---
Five Years Later
Lucien had grown into a lively child who knew every corner of the mansion.
On this day, he stood with his father and brothers outside a chamber door, waiting anxiously.
The door opened, and the head nurse emerged, smiling. "It's a baby girl."
Aldric's face lit up with joy. "A daughter!" he exclaimed.
"You may come in," the nurse said, and Aldric entered with his sons.
Lucien lingered at the door for a moment, his heart pounding. I have a sister now… He stepped inside slowly.
On the bed, Verona sat holding the newborn, her face glowing with warmth. Aldric and the boys stood proudly beside her.
When she spotted Lucien, she beckoned. "Come, Lucien. Say hello to your baby sister."
A maid helped him climb onto the bed. Lucien leaned forward, peering at the tiny girl. Her delicate face was framed by soft strands of blue hair.
"She's… cute," Lucien whispered.
"Isn't she?" Verona said, smiling.
He reached out hesitantly, his small hand brushing her chest. The baby's tiny fingers wrapped around his finger tightly.
Lucien froze, his heart racing.
Verona chuckled. "It seems she's already taken a liking to you, Lucien."
Lucien's eyes softened as warmth spread through him. What is this feeling? he wondered. Is this what it means to have a sister? He looked at her again, smiling now. As your brother, I'll protect you. I promise.
Verona stroked his hair gently, and Lucien beamed.
Yes… this is my new life. My new family. We are the Valtorias.
---
After the birth of Lucien's sister, the Valtoria mansion was alive with music and laughter. That night, amidst the glittering chandeliers and noble guests, she was given her name—Evelyn.
When the celebration ended, Lucien was introduced to his new caretaker: a gentle, middle-aged woman named Elizabeth. She accompanied him to his chambers, tucked him beneath his sheets, and whispered goodnight before leaving.
Lucien lay awake for a moment, staring at the silver glow of the moon through his window. His little chest rose and fell slowly, and before long, sleep claimed him.