'Don't judge a book by its cover, Nana. Just because you happened to guess right doesn't mean you have the full picture,' he admonished, a gentle chiding in his tone. 'I know you don't have the best impression of him, but to think that even you would be blinded by such petty judgements.' Taking a deep, steadying breath, he reached out to grasp the mysterious book. 'I'm not excited, just curious.' He insisted, though the light in his eyes told a different story. He held the book gingerly in his hands, examining its external appearance. On the surface, it seemed unremarkable - a plain yellow cover, devoid of any title or markings. 'Don't judge. The surface is but a surface. Besides... what an interesting choice of color. Let's take a look at it.' Shaking off the prickles of disappointment and unreasonable expectations, he carefully flipped open the cover, to catch a glimpse of what it might hold. Flip. Blank! The first page was completely empty, not a single word or illustratio
A young child with hair like spun silver and skin as flawless as porcelain lay peacefully slumbering on a plush bed, clad in an adorable baby blue romper adorned with shimmering silver patterns. Twitch-twitch. Twitch-twitch. Without warning, the little boy began to thrash and cry out. "Waaaaaaah!" Asselin was taken aback by the sudden outburst. Furrowing her brow, she swiftly scooped the child into her arms, gently rocking him back and forth. "Shhh, Little Ely, don't cry, don't cry. There, there. Nana's right here, Nana's here. Shhh, it's okay, it's okay." Gradually, the little boy's cries subsided. 'What the hell?!' Continuing to soothe him, Asselin murmured, "You worried me so much, little Ely. This is the first time you've cried this hard, and without any warning whatsoever. One moment, you were peacefully opening your gift, and now you start crying out of the blue?" She held the child at eye level, a scolding tone in her voice. "You're becoming quite the naughty one, lit
"... Wake up, sleepyhead." 'No, I don't want to! Uhm, I don't want to go to school...uhmmm...so cozy...I don't want to...' "I guess you're not feeling hungry, eh?" Sighing loudly she added, "And to think I cooked all those delicious meals. A pity... a real pity. I guess I have no choice but to give these away and bring you some porridge..." ?! The mention of the loathsome thing, immediately woke him up with a scowl. 'No! No porridge... anything but that! Huh?' Looking at his surroundings with droopy eyes, the little boy drifted back to sleep. 'Oh, it's just a nightmare... by the damned gods! For a moment, I thought...' "Ah. So you were awake, little El. I was just about to leave. I thought you wouldn't want my cooking anymore and would prefer the cook's good ol' porridge. Well it can't be helped, I'll let the cook know." Yon was confused... when did his Nana start playing dangerous games like this. 'Did I do something to upset her... No, no. I'm sure I was on my best behavio
"...Wake up, sleepyhead." 'No, I don't want to! Uhm, I don't want to go to school...uhmmm...it's so cozy...I don't want to...' "I suppose you're not feeling hungry, huh?" she sighed, adding, "And to think I cooked all those delicious meals. What a shame... What a real shame. I guess I have no choice but to give them away and make some porridge for you..." ?! 'No! Not porridge... anything but that! Huh?' Blink Blink Shut 'Oh, it was just a nightmare... By the damned gods! For a moment, I thought...' "Ah, so you're awake, little Ely. I was just about to leave. I thought you wouldn't want my cooking anymore and would prefer the cook's good old porridge." Snap! 'What! What nonsense! Wait, wait, wait. Ah! Damnation, I forgot I can't speak. Curse this baby tongue... At this rate, Mom will really leave and replace my outrageously delicious breakfast with that darn porridge. Not on my watch!' wait... mom?! "Alright, alright. Don't cry, don't cry. Mommy was just joking..." she wore
"Mother...?" I asked. "Yes, Mother," she affirmed. "You... you can't be my mother. My real mother passed away the day I was born," I spat out, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and wariness. To my anguish, the entity wearing my mother's form laughed. However sweet its laughter was, it didn't please me at all. I felt anger welling up inside me, directed both at the impostor before me and, in a bizarre twist, at myself. Exasperated, I demanded, "Enough! Tell me who you really are and where we are!" In response to my request, she offered a soft smile. "We were here, we were there, we were everywhere." I was left utterly bewildered by her mystifying words. "W-What are you playing at?" She looked at me with a gaze that mirrored the way my real mother used to look at me, as if I were the most precious thing in the world. With that same soft smile, she replied, "Why? I am not playing games. And please, one question at a time. As for the question of who I am, I believe I alread
The days seemed to blend together, and just like that, another year arrived, replacing the previous one. In a year filled with major events and dramatic turns, the little boy's own small world didn't lag behind. Just to share a few highlights: He had the opportunity to learn more about the world, including its cultures, powers, nations, and influential figures, etc... And yes, table manners were on the list too! His diligent Nana didn't hold back in teaching him the ins and outs of proper behavior at the table. She made sure those lessons were ingrained in his young mind. It's safe to say that he now knows how a noble should act and carry themselves. Although he found the process a little unpleasant, Nana made it clear that being mannerless at the table was not acceptable as they prepared to enter the new year. To sum it up, he learned the basics of etiquette—from using utensils properly and not speaking with his mouth full, to greeting others with politeness and using "pleas
As he had not been born into nobility, he had never considered the possibility that it was customary for the father of a noble family to refrain from meeting his second wife's child until the child reached the age of six. He couldn't place blame on his dutiful caretaker for this unexpected twist. Many times he had asked, and many times she had denied him an answer. All in a span of a day. But with his persistent questioning, she had no choice but to spill the beans. She did so as gently as possible, considering the circumstances, but it didn't lessen the shock and bitterness he felt afterwards. Aggrieved and steadfast, he was resolved never to forgive and forget this day! He was sure of it! Already harboring grievances towards his siblings, the addition of the entire family now felt cruel, saddening, and...chaotic, yet strangely but surely necessary! It was a tumultuous experience, and to add insult to injury, the gifts thrown his way served as a reminder of the previous year.
Wiping his forehead, he looked at his chubby little hands, now glistening with sweat. Breakthrough! "It's a success...!" Huff... Huff... 'I didn't expect it to be this...challenging...but it's incredibly fulfilling! Damn, I feel amazing right now...like I'm on a winning streak or something...' And not only that, as he felt himself starting to cool down, he didn't need to check to know that his bed was now soaked. Realizing his predicament, he let out a sigh. 'How am I going to explain this? No matter how you look at it, it definitely seems like I wet the bed...well, there goes my dignity...I can't find a way around it...damn.' He groaned, pulling himself up to sit upright. 'It's twice as challenging with a toddler's body. How troublesome.' Giving the [nameless] book a quick glance, he traced its cover with his finger. 'Soon...soon, it will be your turn.' Nodding to himself, he gave it one last look before retracting his hand. 'Let's see just how much it has changed!' Wit