I kept up my little act for another half hour—rolling about, fussing, and nibbling on my thumb like some pitiful cub abandoned by fate. The maid, bless her clueless heart, tilted her head in confusion at first. But soon, comprehension dawned in her eyes. Without a word, she excused herself and slipped quietly out of the room.
Fifteen minutes passed, each second dragging on like an eternity. Then at last, the door opened with a soft creak.
And there she stood—Selene Aurelith.
My mother.
She entered in a flowing white nightdress that clung gracefully to her figure, the candlelight gliding over its fabric like moonlight on still water. Her raven-black hair, tied loosely into a ponytail, shimmered with a soft luster as it swayed to the side. Her emerald-green eyes glimmered like twin jewels, alive with warmth and quiet strength. Her slender elven ears twitched subtly, an unintentional gesture that only added to her unearthly allure.
I stared, spellbound, forgetting to even breathe for a moment. If beauty had a definition, it stood before me in flesh and blood.
But then reality struck. I was supposed to be a baby, not a wide-eyed fool. With a frantic effort, I screwed up my face and let out a loud, pitiful cry.
Selene's expression softened immediately. She rushed to my side, gathering me up in her arms, pressing me close against her warmth. Her smile, tender and radiant, made the stars outside seem like pale imitations.
And as I nestled against her, only one shameless thought echoed in my mind.
Baby or not, this was a moment to treasure. After all, it isn't every day one gets to drink milk from a beauty of such heavenly caliber.
But to my crushing disappointment, instead of offering the heavenly treasure I had been dreaming of, Selene pulled out… a bottle of milk.
A milk bottle.
My tiny heart cracked like glass. Truly, the gods had abandoned me.
And then came Nyxara's laughter, cruel and merciless.
[Fufufu~ oh, Host… the despair in your eyes is priceless. Did you really think you'd be allowed to indulge in such forbidden luxuries already? Ahahaha~ you're nothing more than a panda cub with delusions of grandeur!]
I bit down harder on the bottle's rubber teat, my scowl hidden behind the act of feeding. But even as I drank, an idea began to bloom. A wicked, delicious idea.
I slowed my drinking to a crawl, deliberately dragging out every sip until it felt like torture—for me, for her, for anyone watching. Selene tilted her head, emerald eyes full of patient warmth, thinking it was adorable. Poor woman.
She didn't know what kind of demon she was holding in her arms.
Then it struck me, sharp and perfect. My lips curled, and a laugh bubbled up in my chest. Not a normal baby's giggle—no, this was something darker. A grin far too knowing for a newborn spread across my panda-suited face.
To anyone else, it was just a baby smiling after being fed. But Nyxara knew better.
[Host… what is that grin?] Her voice faltered.
"Hm? What grin?" I asked innocently.
[Don't play dumb with me. I know that smile. That devilish grin. Every time you wear it, someone ends up suffering. And every time… it sends a shiver down my spine.]
I chuckled darkly, a sound muffled by the bottle still in my mouth. "Hoh~ you're sharper than I gave you credit for. Yes. You're right. I am going to screw the quest. And perhaps… screw with something more."
Nyxara gasped.
[What?! Don't tell me—are you seriously planning to hide under your mother's skirt? That's not manly at all, Host!]
"Hide?" I whispered in my mind, my grin widening. "Oh no, Nyxara… hiding is for prey. I am not prey. I am the shadow behind the curtain. The knife before the feast."
[H-Host… you're scaring me again.]
"Good."
She tried to protest again, panic creeping into her voice.
[Then what are you plotting?! Tell me already!]
I chuckled, letting the silence stretch. "You'll see soon enough."
[H-Host! Don't toy with me like this!]
"No, no, Nyxara. That's exactly what I'll do. I'll toy with you… with them… with everyone."
In my mind's eye, I could almost picture her face—pale, unsettled, lips trembling in a pout that wasn't quite playful anymore.
And yet, that only made my grin sharper.
I spent a good five minutes gnawing on the rubber teat of the bottle, the bamboo stick still loyally by my side like a weapon awaiting command.
Slowly, carefully, I began to toy with the bottle. To my fortune, Selene was engaged in a soft conversation with the maid, her emerald-green gaze turned away from me. My tiny hands trembled, but I mustered every ounce of newborn strength to tilt the bottle, edging it closer to betrayal.
Just one more push… just a single flick…
"Sorry, Mother," I muttered in my mind, "but bear with your cute son."
There were only three gulps of milk left. The perfect excuse. With deliberate intent, I let the bottle slip—splashing its pale contents all over Selene's lap.
Her soft voice halted mid-sentence. Her body stilled. Slowly, she turned her gaze down at me.
Emerald eyes locked with mine.
The silence was suffocating.
Feeling the weight of divine judgment bearing down, I resorted to my only true power. My trump card. My SSS-ranked lifeline.
Charm.
I broke into a radiant laugh, kicking my legs and waving the bamboo stick like the world's happiest fool.
And heavens help me—it worked.
Selene's lips curved into a soft smile, her sharp gaze melting into warmth. For a moment, victory was mine.
But then—she stood.
She stood!
Panic shot through me. My blood ran cold. My life flashed before my eyes.
No… no no no no nooooo! Don't leave me, my lifeline!
I wailed internally, thrashing in silent despair, until instinct saved me—I reached out with my tiny hand and clutched the hem of her gown.
Selene paused, her eyes softening, though her hand moved to gently pry me free. My heart sank. This was it. My grand plan foiled—
And then—salvation.
"You do not need to go, Your Highness," the maid interjected calmly. "I will fetch the clothes for you. You should stay with young master."
An angel descended before me.
"Bless you, maid," I cried silently. "You saint! You goddess! My eternal gratitude!"
Selene sat back down, her hand cradling me once again. I nestled into her arms, a picture of childish innocence, while laughter bubbled secretly in my chest.
The maid departed quietly.
And I knew… my plan was already in motion.
[Fufu~ Host… you're terrifying.]
"Eh? What's that supposed to mean?"
[That look on your face. That sinister little grin while you're tucked into your mother's arms. I've seen it before, and every time, it means someone's about to suffer. A devil's grin on a baby panda… truly nightmare fuel.]
I smirked internally, nibbling my bamboo stick. "Well, Nyxara… you're not wrong. The quest? The assassins? Maybe even fate itself? Heh. Let's just say… someone's going to be screwed tonight."
[Oho~! Evil mastermind panda on the loose! Should I start composing an opera about the legend of 'The Baby Who Outsmarted the World'?]
"Shut it. You're ruining the moment."
[Hehehe~ But your little act is so precious, Host. Mother's gentle embrace, your innocent giggles… no one but me knows you're plotting chaos behind that smile. Truly… my adorable little demon panda.]
I hid my grin in Selene's chest, my heart racing with glee.
This… was only the beginning.