Chapter 8

* * *

Rustle, rustle.

As he walked down the garden path, Charente Klaune could sense that there was something there, and sure enough, he soon heard a rustling sound. Who dared to set foot in his garden without fear?

The man looked around, holding his breath. It’s that baby. The half-blood child—the one left by his trash brother, who dishonored the Klaune family by mixing their bloodline with blood of unknown origin.

Charente hesitated for a moment, deciding if he should draw his sword. Shall I say that I mistook her for an intruder and killed her by accident? Cruel thoughts penetrated his mind.

No. Father wouldn’t just stand by if I did. His father had become soft-hearted as he aged, but Charente still respected him. Honorable individuals were worthy of reverence.

I will have to do some work on the garden. He felt like he needed to dig everything up and start again. The thought of dirty blood entering his most private space sent shivers down his spine.

With a disapproving expression, he entered the garden. “Kaishan Klaune,” he said, running into the boy.

“Oh! Hello, F-Father.” Kaishan suddenly jumped up. He quickly dusted off his pants and he rubbed his eyes. “I’m sorry. You told me not to come here without permission.”

“It’s fine. There’s no reason you should stay away,” Charente said, slowly surveying the area. The typically neatly maintained garden was now in disarray. Weeds and dirt were scattered around the pond bank. There were also marks all along the ground like someone was dragging something. “Were you alone here?”

“No, there was a baby.”

“What was she doing?”

“Um… Well, I guess she was playing around by the pond.”

Was she playing? Kaishan tilted his head. It seemed more like she was holding something in her hand and stirring it around rather than splashing in the water.

The boy remembered something flying in the sky and falling to the ground. His eyes widened. “She seemed to be cleaning something. The thing babies suck on.”

“A pacifier?” Charente asked.

“Yes, I think that’s what it was.”

Charente reached out and patted Kaishan on the head. He knew that his son missed his mother, but she had already left. Bringing her back was a complicated matter.

“You may go now.”

“Okay. Um, Father?”

“What is it?”

“Are you going to scold the baby? Or send her away?” the boy asked with a worried expression.

Although Charente hadn’t been particularly soft in raising his son, Kaishan’s somewhat tender side resembled his elderly grandfather.

Charente rubbed his chin instead of answering. That baby really came all the way over here to clean a pacifier? As far as he knew, there was a substantial distance between here and the nursery. He couldn’t tell if it was just a coincidence or there was more to it.

“Quite a neglect of duties…” Looking at the now slightly patchy grass, Charente clicked his tongue and pondered about dismissing the maid. In any case, this intrusion into his domain was truly unpleasant.

* * *

My eyes fluttered open as sunlight streamed into the room. Another day enduring that nauseating smell and the sunlight glaring into my crib.

Usually, a baby’s crib shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight. I might get sunburned at this rate. The sun in autumn was strong enough to ripen grain, after all. Did these people lack common sense? Well, they lack work ethic, at least. That much is clear.

Nevertheless, I was having a relatively good morning since I had washed the pacifier and sucked on it all night. My gums were itchy, as if my teeth were about to come in. I chewed on the rubber nib a little.

I still only have my front teeth. It was reassuring that I had both upper and lower front teeth, but I was getting a little sick of having only milk every day. It would be nice to have some snacks once in a while.

Grrrrr.

My stomach rumbled loudly. They’re a little late with the grub today.

I rapidly waved my arms and legs in the air. It was a workout to strengthen my limbs. It wasn’t long before I had worked up an appetite and my stomach started rumbling louder. As the rumbling went on, I reluctantly lowered my arms and legs, feeling extra uncomfortable for some reason.

Did I even eat anything yesterday? I was glad that I returned without being caught, but I didn’t remember eating anything.

There were no signs of the maids who usually woke me up at dawn. What’s going on? Surely, they wouldn’t leave me here to starve to death.

Well, I guess I was in a secluded room where I could easily be forgotten, and the maids might find me unpleasant, and my clothes were a bit… gross… but still…

“Ugh.” I reached out to grab the prison-like bars of the crib, pressing my butt against the mattress. They wouldn’t actually starve me, would they? Dying of hunger is the second most terrible punishment after burning at the stake!

Could this be Charente’s doing? Did he order the maids to starve me to death since I went into his garden yesterday? I wouldn’t put it past him. He was a despicable man who would stop at nothing if there was something he felt he had to do.

At least Deschar Klaune doesn’t harm children. If anyone decided to deprive me of food because I was too young to pay for my crimes with my hamstrings, it would be Charente Klaune. Who knew that being a baby could be so depressing?

After Melane, you’re next, Charente. How dare you order them not to feed me? At this age, I should be growing every day.

I groaned. For now, it was best not to move too much if I wanted to survive. I need to conserve my strength and wait for an opportunity. Maybe this is the maid’s petty revenge. Did she notice I disappeared yesterday?

I sprawled out in the crib. Using magic in this state would consume a lot of energy.

If I were just momentarily forgotten, the maid might come back sooner or later. For now, let’s just wait and see.

I crawled around the tiny crib, keeping an eye on the door in the hope that it would open eventually. But the morning passed, lunchtime arrived, and dusk fell, and there was still no sign of anyone.

“Aboo!” I can’t do this! It was clear that they were trying to starve me to death.

I haven’t survived this long just to starve! I will make it, even if I have to eat grass. I have to get my revenge.

Maybe… I think I saw some fruit in the garden yesterday. Or I could find a kitchen and steal something from there. No matter what, starving was off the table. I needed to find some water and something to eat.

But first, I need to figure out how to use my magic effectively. Barely being able to lift objects with it wouldn’t be much help. I never imagined that as an infant I would face threats to my survival.

“Ugh!” I pounded the bed with my limbs out of annoyance. My cries of frustration went unheard.

It reminds me of the good old days. This wasn’t too different from my past. Even after my magic manifested, I spent a long time at rock bottom. I’d been exploited as a magician multiple times.

I sprang up, determination filling my eyes. First, I need to get back to that garden. I remembered seeing some round, fruit-like objects. I wasn’t sure they were fruits, but if they were, they should be edible.

I can try one, and if there are no issues, I can stash more away. Once I solved the immediate issue of food, I could fetch some water and then locate the kitchen. When I became more proficient with magic, I could pluck fruit like apples directly from the trees.

Grrrrr.

My stomach growled loudly again. I stretched and roughly shook my head from side to side. If I get hungrier, I won’t be able to use my magic at all. It’ll be trouble if I can’t even get down from the crib.

I assumed the pose.

“Hngh.” My legs and body trembled as I exerted force. Now accustomed to the process, I landed on the ground with a soft thud. I felt a sharp pain as my knees and palms touched the hard floor.

“Ah!” When I looked down at my hands, I saw they were covered with cuts that were red with irritation. As I straightened my legs and rolled around, I noticed that my clothes were also torn and covered in traces of blood.

I can handle this! It was all part of becoming stronger. Even a baby could build up calluses if they rolled around enough.