Jarius! Jarius!?
Ah… it sounds like Mother is calling me.
Should I hide?
…Nah. I don't think it'll work.
After all, today I turn three years old.
Yeah, despite having the memories of my past life, I'm still three in this world. And of course, I was happy.
Happy because my mother was alive.
She survived.
The bleeding stopped. She regained her strength. She was healthy again.
I don't know exactly what happened that night. All I remember is crying until the world went dark… and then waking up the next day in her arms, her smile calm and warm as she breastfed me.
Who wouldn't be happy?
Given a second life, and blessed with such a mother…
Not only beautiful, but gentle. Serene, graceful. Her presence alone made the room feel brighter.
Heh.
"There you are, Jarius!"
"Ma… mama…" I answered, raising my hands toward her. Heh. Of course, I still pretend to be like the other three-year-olds. I'm not about to start quoting libraries in front of her.
For me, this life is good.
She smiled, her eyes soft. "What are you doing with that thick book, Jarius honey~? You still can't read."
"Mama… mama… book… book…" I babbled, hugging the tome tightly. Of course what I wanted to say was: Hey lady, I love reading, it's the best thing ever. But I couldn't. Not yet.
Her laughter was gentle, like a bell. She walked over, lifted me easily into her arms, and carried both me and the book.
"You silly boy… carrying this around like a toy."
I nestled against her chest, listening to her heartbeat. Compared to the cold, distant world I remembered… this warmth felt priceless.
"Let me feed you, okay?" she whispered, her voice gentle, soothing like a lullaby.
Ah… her words alone eased the worries in my heart.
Given a second life, a second chance to feel a mother's love again.
I latched onto her breast. For nourishment, for strength, for growing up in this new world.
And the best moment?
When you're already old enough inside to notice everything.
Her warmth, her smile, the way she hummed softly while stroking my hair. For any other baby, these things would pass unnoticed. But for me, carrying memories of another life… every detail shone brighter, etched deep into my heart.
I wasn't just drinking milk.
I was drinking in love, comfort, safety.
It was embarrassing to admit, but… it was the kind of happiness I never thought I'd get to taste again.
While I was still latched to her breast, I heard footsteps approaching.
Ah… probably the maid.
And there she was.
"Lady Gracelle," the maid bowed politely.
"Yes, Marie?" Mother's voice remained calm, though her arms tightened slightly around me.
"The staff from the main house have arrived."
"…Ah. Tell them I will come to the living room after I finish feeding my son."
"Yes, Lady Gracelle. I will inform them."
Marie turned gracefully, the hem of her maid outfit swaying as she left the room.
For someone reborn like me? I was… excited.
Back in my old world, I often visited… err, places that called themselves "maid cafés." Cute uniforms, soft smiles, a pretend elegance that melted away once the shift was over.
But here? This was different. This was real. A noble household, true maids, actual loyalty and duty.
I couldn't wait to grow up.
Not to rush into adulthood, no.
This was my second life.
I wanted to enjoy the stages, every step, every little detail I missed before.
Besides… our life here was already a story of its own.
We didn't live in the Baron's grand estate.
We lived in a smaller residence, built on one corner of his land. Close enough to be watched. Distant enough to remind us where we stood.
A place for the second wife and her child.
A reminder that no matter the blood in my veins, we were not equals.
But who gives a damn? Hehe.
I don't mind.
As long as I have a life like this.
Peaceful mornings, my mother's smile, the comfort of being cared for.
I couldn't care less about the so-called "nobility."
Let them posture. Let them whisper.
I've had enough of that kind of life already.
A busy, boring existence. Endless work, endless overtime… and still never enough money to live freely. A cycle that crushed me day by day until death finally came like an afterthought.
Compared to that? This life was paradise.
Err… let's just hope this world isn't the same.
Alright, I'm full now, Mother… let me go!
I thought to myself, wriggling in her arms.
"You're already full, Jarius? Okay. Mama is going to meet the staff first, alright? You stay here."
"Book! Book!" I reached out with my little hands, pretending to be a spoiled toddler.
"Ah~ okay… here, honey." She laughed softly and handed me the thick tome I'd been dragging around earlier.
Ehehe… perfect. Now I could continue learning something about this world.
I had already mastered the basics.
The letters of this land. I could read. Not perfectly, but enough. And all thanks to my own effort, ever since the very first time Mother read aloud to me.
Every night, she would hold a book and read fairy tales or old stories, her gentle voice filling the room. She thought I was just a wide-eyed toddler staring at the pictures. But in truth, I was memorizing the letters, the way words flowed, piecing it together little by little.
And now, I could read passages on my own.
To her, I was still just her cute little boy, clinging to books like toys.
But to me?
Knowledge was power.
( End Of Chapter )