"Ugh! I'll continue reading this tome later."
Now… where's Mother?
The living room, right?
Alright. Let's go there.
I stood up from the cushion, brushing the dust from my tiny hands. Hmm… should I walk normally? Or keep pretending to stumble like a toddler who just learned balance?
…Whatever.
I'll walk normally. Easier that way. And if someone is nearby, I'll pretend again.
Slow steps, arms wobbling, the whole "look at me, I'm a baby" routine. Add a "tatata" or two, and no one will suspect a thing.
Ehehehe.
Okay then. Time to find Mother… and see what these so-called "main house staff" want with us.
Jarius walked down the corridor with his hands behind his head, chin up, trying to whistle like a carefree wanderer.
Ah, crap. I forgot. I'm still a baby. No whistling yet.
Then I heard it... footsteps. Someone was coming.
Ah… that must be Marie.
Alright then. Time to switch. Baby mode on.
"Ta… ta… ta…" I muttered, wobbling my steps, arms swaying as if balancing was the hardest thing in the world. My head bobbed, my pace unsteady.
Every movement a performance.
To anyone watching, I was just a toddler stumbling along the hall.
Inside, though? I was grinning.
Ehehehe. Perfect cover.
"Young master? Where are you going?"
Ah, Marie. This beautiful middle-aged woman. Yep—she's hot. But nope, not right now. I'm not going for cuddling duty today.
"Ma… ma… ma…" My baby voice slipped out, head tilting as if I were searching for my mother.
"Lady Gracelle is in the living room," Marie said warmly. "Shall I carry you there?"
She bent down, hands reaching toward me.
But I gently pushed at her arm, my tiny fingers pressing against her hand.
"Ma… ma… ma…" I shook my head, puffing my cheeks like a stubborn toddler.
Then, wobbling my steps, I declared with my baby voice.
"Ta… ta… ta…"
Marie blinked, then let out a soft laugh.
"Ah, you want to walk by yourself, young master? Very well. Let's go, I'll walk beside you."
Perfect. Exactly what I wanted.
When we arrived at the living room, Mother was already there, of course.
She sat gracefully, though I could see the faint tiredness in her eyes as she looked over papers spread across the low table. The main staff from the estate busied themselves as well, arranging documents, whispering to each other, all proper and stiff.
And then my gaze landed on him.
An old man, posture straight as a spear, dressed in the black-and-white uniform of a butler. His silver hair was slicked back, his gloves spotless. If I didn't know better, I would have thought he stepped right out of one of those dramas from my old world.
Sebastian, was it? Yeah… that was the cliché butler name. Whatever. Not important.
But this guy…
Can I punch him? Just once?
Or maybe I should grab that ridiculous mustache of his and yank it until it flies off his face.
Heh. I really, really want to do that.
Of course, I walked in baby steps, wobbling forward, my voice chirping out the cutest "ta-ta-ta" as I went straight toward him.
"Ah~ Jarius, don't bother Mister Sebastian," Mother said softly.
Oh!!!!? So his name really is Sebastian? Damn good! The name matches his mustache perfectly. Hehe.
"Ta… ta!" I stopped right in front of him, tilted my head up, and raised both of my hands. My most innocent face in full display.
Heh. Of course. I was asking to be picked up.
"Ta… ta…"
Sebastian blinked, clearly unsure. "Hmm? Young master…?"
"Ta… ta."
"You… want me to carry you?"
"Ta… ta."
"…Ma'am?" He turned stiffly to Mother, clearly out of his depth.
Mother chuckled softly. "Ah, Sebastian. If you don't mind, please?"
The old butler straightened, gave a shallow bow, and carefully lifted me up into his arms. His gloves were cool against my small frame, his posture stiff as if holding a priceless vase.
"Yes, ma'am."
And there I was, perched in his arms, staring right up at that ridiculous mustache.
Heh. Mission accomplished.
Then I saw it.
A soft smile spreading across his face.
"Eh!?" I blinked inside. I thought this old man was too serious for that!?
"Ma'am," Sebastian said gently, still holding me as if I were the most delicate thing in the world,
"May I bring him outside?"
Mother looked up from her papers, her expression softening.
"Yes, if you don't mind, Sebastian."
"I don't, ma'am. Not at all."
His mustache twitched as his smile widened. "Now, let's go, young master~"
He adjusted his hold and stepped toward the door with a calm, steady gait.
And I… well.
I didn't expect this. Here I was, ready to roast him, yank his mustache, laugh at his stiff posture. But instead, he carried me like a grandfather spoiling his grandchild.
This wasn't in the plan.
( End Of Chapter )