Kai Kagehashi's POV:
Another year has passed since I was reincarnated. In addition to my growth in knowledge, my legs and waist have become strong enough for me to walk.
Since then I've outgrown my baby crib, so my parents decided to give me and Silas separate rooms. I ended up in a room closer to my parents' room. Now I can hear their "rare baby-making session" more clearly now but having my own bed more than made up for it."
Aside from that I've been constantly trying to gather little bits of the magic particles in my body and focus it to my mana nucleus. Let me tell you. Let me tell you, it's an annoyingly slow and arduous task. I'd find it easier to swim against a waterfall current than to guide my magic to my mana nucleus.
I can see why the book says that it'll take until at least the adolescent age for a person to 'awaken' if I let the magic particles in my body move by themselves towards my mana nucleus, it'll take at least seven years for them to travel to me my mana nucleus to barely even fill it up.
That's one of the perks of having the mental capacity of a seventeen year old. It means I have the cognitive ability to will my magic particles towards my mana nucleus. The best way I can describe it it's like plucking grains of rice one by one and putting them in a pile. It's making me lose my mind, figuratively speaking of course.
But aside from that I'm currently sitting at my table reading the rest of "an aristocrats guide to mana manipulation." I've spent many months completely engrossed in it.
And thanks to my efforts. I've memorized every valuable piece of information this book has to offer.
I ran my left hand along the book's gutter, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and excitement.
My vocal cords have developed enough to where I can talk albeit I have to limit my sentences sometimes to make sure my parents don't get suspicious. Because the first time I said "Goodnight Mama" she burst into tears of joy right on the spot. She reminds me so much of my mother back in my old world it scares me sometimes. So now I change from speaking with perfect grammar to speaking with no grammar at all just to get my point across.
Besides that at the pace I'm going right now I'll 'awaken' two weeks before Claire's fourth birthday.
My train of thought came to an abrupt stop when a plate was set down in front of me with a soft clink, the warm aroma immediately stealing my attention.
"Sorry for the wait, Young Master Kai. I was helping the head chef pass out the food. It took slightly longer than expected." A melodic voice said beside me.
I blinked, staring at my plate before closing my book and turning my head towards the voice. Standing there with a small smile was a stunningly beautiful half elf woman with a voluptuous and pear-shaped figure, with back-length forest green hair that features a long braid on each side with small blue bows at the end, while the rest is let down which ends in twin braids, slightly sharp pointed ears that reminded me of her half elven heritage and cerulean blue eyes framed by an array of long under lashes. Flawless ivory skin that contrasted sharply with her dark hair.
She wore a blue and white traditional french maid outfit with long sleeves and a white maid headband over her head.
She's my mom's personal maid Grayfiya Rostova, which is kinda ironic since she doesn't have anything on her that matches her name.
When our eyes met, a bit of tension I didn't know I had left on my shoulders disappeared. And before I even realized it, a faint smile tugged at my lips.
"It's alright, Grayfiya. I wasn't waiting very long. I paused and asked her. But speaking of food, have you eaten yet?"
"Yes Young Master I ate just before I came to give you your food." She replied with a small smile.
Relief washed over me, as a playful thought slipped out before I could stop it.
"That's good to hear. Though based on what you just said it sounds like I'm going to be sharing in the future."
Grayfiya titled her head slightly in confusion.
"Sharing?" she asked.
"What kind of hero would I be if I let you and the other butlers and maids go hungry." I said dramatically.
She started to laugh. It started as small giggles then turned into full blown laughter. I started to laugh along with her, but as our laughter faded, my eyes lingered on Grayfiya more closely. Something about her presence tugged at my chest in a way that I couldn't explain.
"Even though I've only known Grayfiya for 2 years, there is something undeniably familiar about her presence. The professional way she spoke, the patience in her eyes, the warmth she gave off without meaning to, it reminds me of Akeno."
And for a fleeting moment, an image of Akeno replaced Grayfiya's, before I shook my head as the image of Akeno disappeared.
"I know she's not Akeno, I'm not dumb enough to confuse the two of them But…" A small smile crept its way onto my face. "Spending time with Grayfiya reminds me of the feelings I got when I was around Akeno."
While that thought lingered, I thought back to my confusing feelings for Akeno as a small grin appeared on my face.
"I get this weird feeling when I'm around Grayfiya, the same feeling I had around Akeno. I can't explain it but it feels like she's watching over even in this world. It's like Akeno's will resides in Grayfiya.
I looked down at my hands, then back at the plate in front of me, my grin softened. When I glanced back up at Grayfiya she was looking at me in slight concern.
"Young Master Kai….? Is everything alright? You've been staring silently at me for a while now."
Heat crept up my cheeks. I looked away for a moment, searching for an excuse that wouldn't make things.
"Ah y-yes. I'm fine." I scratched my cheek nervously. "I was just thinking about how different you seem now compared to when I first met you."
Grayfiya looked bewildered at what I just said, her brows furrowed as she tilted her head before asking.
"Different… How?"
Clearing my throat, I searched for the right response.
"When I first met you, you always looked so emotionless. And it constantly felt like you were bracing yourself for something to jump out and attack you. But now you don't do that anymore you express your emotions more, you smile more. Your expressions feel warmer."
Her eyes widened slightly before she let out a small, surprised laugh.
"Is that so….? I didn't realize it showed that much."
"It does." I said smiling faintly" A lot actually well at least to me it does." I said, shrugging slightly.
And for a brief moment, she looked away, one hand resting lightly against her apron.
"Well… she said with a small smile " I suppose it's because I'm still adjusting. This household is kinder than what I'm used to. Lady Cecilia is gentle, Young Mistress Claire is adventurous, Young Master Silas is distant but I know he cares, and Lord Reginald is well Lord Reginald, but he means well. Her smile widened "And you're very polite for someone your age, Young Master Kai. It allows me to breathe easier."
My lips curved into a grin, I was relieved that my words didn't make her uncomfortable.
"Then I hope that warmth keeps growing. Maybe someday you'll even be comfortable enough to drop the "Young Master" part and just call me Kai."
When she heard my suggestion she froze for half a second, then she gave me a wry smile.
"That might take some time. Habits like that don't just
disappear so easily. Especially when they're tied to respect."
I shrugged, flashing her a playful grin.
"I'll wait, then, I'm pretty patient." I said.
Grayfiya's expression softened while studying me. Then, as if remembering herself, she straightened up.
"I'll keep that in mind. But in the meantime, I should return to my duties. She said as she gestured to my plate "Please eat while the food is still warm, Young Master Kai."
I nodded.
"I will. Thank you for the meal, Grayfiya. It looks delicious as always,"
She gave me a small polite bow before turning away, moving back to her work with practice efficiency. I picked up my utensils, finally starting to eat the meal, but my eyes betrayed me, drifting back to Grayfiya as she moved throughout my room cleaning it.
I chuckled softly.
"It's becoming far too much of a habit as of late my eyes always drift back to her."
I shifted slightly on my chair, trying to look composed despite my gaze.
But it's not like I'm doing it for absolutely no reason. There are just too many mysteries wrapped around Grayfiya for me not to be curious.
While I slowly ate my meal, I thought back to Grayfiya's earlier response.
I doubt Grayfiya lied to me earlier. But she definitely didn't tell me the whole truth.
My gaze drifted down to her legs as she walked at her usual pace.
"Then there's the way she walks. She walks like it hurts, maybe it's a leg injury. Then if that's the case whatever job she had before coming here likely ended with her getting injured."
My eyes shifted higher, settling on her hands as she adjusted her apron. I remembered when Grayfiya first held my hands her palms felt so rough despite her gentle grip.
Whatever her past job was, it wasn't easy that's for sure. The calluses on her hand couldn't have come from housework alone. I frowned slightly "Based on the depth of her calluses on her fingers. She must have used or maybe something sim-
All my thoughts came to a sudden halt as my gaze accidentally zeroed in on Grayfiya's butt.
Damnit not again! C-Come on Kai! You're better than this. Look away!
After struggling against my own body, I finally managed to move my gaze away from her butt back to the plate in front of me, I couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
"It doesn't make any sense. My mom raised me better than this. She would slap me if she knew I was peeping on Grayfiya."
I shuddered at that thought frowning slightly I started playing with my food.
For the last two weeks this has happened every day.
I frowned, skimming through my memories, searching for an explanation to my problem. Then I remembered a line from the "Aristocrats guide to mana manipulation" that said that once kids start to "awaken" they either start going through hormonal spikes or their body starts to feel different like they're sick but at the same time they aren't.
That thought settled heavily in my chest.
Taking into account that I estimated that I'll awaken two weeks before Claire's birthday, I'm going to be dealing with these damned impulses for the next four fucking weeks.
Great. Just brilliant. I thought, burying my face in my hands.
Lifting my head from my hands I glanced over at Grayfiya. She just got done cleaning my room. She walked over towards me and grabbed the plate in front of me, Grayfiya gave me a warm and gentle smile before leaving to go attend to her other duties.
I watched her retreating figure, before I quickly looked away allowing a weary breath to escape my lips.
This is going to be a long four weeks….