My father, at least I assumed he was, carried me outside. His grip was firm and uncomfortable, as if I were nothing more than an object.
I stayed quiet.
Killing me now would be inconvenient, right?
That was my hope.
He spoke to his steward.
"#$%@^&%$%."
The steward stiffened, bowed, and quickly walked away.
A few minutes passed. My father didn't loosen his grip. If anything, he looked more irritated.
[ Syncing… 85% ]
Almost done.
I waited. There wasn't much else I could do.
[ Syncing… 100% ]
A familiar sensation settled in my mind, like something clicking into place.
[ Otherworld adaptation complete. ]
[ Cognitive interpretation enabled. ]
The noise around me changed.
Not the sound—but the meaning.
The steward returned with an old maid who had kind eyes. My father glanced at her briefly before placing me into her arms.
"…Take him to the outer estate," my father said coldly.
"Make sure no one knows about him. And see that he is taken care of."
The maid bowed deeply. "Yes, my lord."
Without another glance in my direction, my father turned away. His cloak swayed as he walked off, his footsteps fading as he left the courtyard—as if I no longer existed to him.
So I wasn't imagining things.
I could understand them now.
…Great. At least he wasn't going to kill me. Instead, he was sending me somewhere far away—where no one would see me.
That meant I'd be free from this man, at least for the time being.
I stared up at the sky, calm on the outside, already weighing my options.
I need to know more about this world.
When I looked at the maid, I noticed the pity in her eyes. She spoke gently.
"From today onward, I will serve as your caretaker, young master."
She smiled softly and held me in a far more comfortable position.
I guess, at least she's nice.
She called over another servant and instructed him to prepare a carriage. It seemed we would be leaving soon—for the place I would be staying.
As I continued to look into her kind eyes, a strange drowsiness washed over me. My eyelids grew heavy.
"Oh my, it seems my young master is sleepy," she said softly.
"I'll carry you until then. Sweet dreams, young master."
My consciousness faded.
The maid let out a quiet sigh and looked up at the sky.
"If only Her Grace had not passed away… it wouldn't have to be this way," she murmured.
"Oh Goddess Hymoria, please bless this child with a good future…"
With that, she headed toward the waiting carriage, carrying the boy to the mansion where he would live.