Few months went by a flash and it was now my birthday. The small room was softly lit by candles when they finally called me over to the table.
In the center sat a modest cake, simple but carefully made, with a single candle standing on top.
"Happy birthday, young master," Estrella said gently, her voice bright.
"Happy birthday," the other maids echoed, smiling widely.
The chef cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed, but still added, "May you grow strong and healthy."
Nester scratched his head and laughed softly. "Happy birthday, young master."
For a moment, I just stared at them.
Then Estrella leaned closer and whispered, "Go on… make a wish."
I leaned forward and blew out the candle.
Everyone clapped, softly... but excitedly, as if it were the greatest celebration in the world. The room felt warm. Lively. Full of something I wasn't used to.
They served me a slice of cake, and I ate it slowly. It was sweet, maybe too sweet... but I liked it. I could feel their eyes on me, watching carefully to see if I enjoyed it. When I nodded, their smiles grew wider.
They chatted among themselves, laughed, and celebrated as if this small party mattered deeply to them. And somehow… it did.
Eventually, the candles burned low and the celebration came to an end. One by one, they began cleaning up, wiping the table, folding decorations, and stacking plates. I watched quietly as the room returned to normal, the traces of the party slowly disappearing.
A few minutes later, Estrella prepared my bath and helped me change into my sleepwear. She tucked me into bed carefully and brushed my hair aside.
"Goodnight, young master," she said softly, closing the door behind her.
The room fell silent.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Being around people who cared… who celebrated something as small as my existence... it felt strange. But not unpleasant.
I liked it.
More than I expected, I found myself thinking that I might truly enjoy living in this world after all.
Once I was sure everyone was asleep, I quietly sat up and focused. Tonight, I practiced again.
I tried levitation. A small object trembled, then lifted just slightly off the floor before dropping again. Not perfect, but progress.
Then another thought crossed my mind.
Light magic.
In theory, light wasn't just illumination, it was energy, structure, and vibration. If controlled properly, it could reinforce matter. Strengthen it. Perhaps even make something temporarily… invincible.
I was kind curious, so I tried it.
Mana flowed, shaping itself into faint light that wrapped around a small object near my bed a cup. For a brief moment, it shimmered, and resisted pressure far more than it should have. Then for normal eyes it has becoming more translucent then it disappears like there's nothing there.
It worked!
I clenched my fist in silent celebration, my heart racing. It was a success!
But my mana was nearly empty.
Exhaustion washed over me, and before I realized it, I collapsed back onto the bed. My consciousness faded as sleep claimed me once more.
*********
Light flooded the room when I opened my eyes.
For a moment, I thought something was wrong.
The sun was already high, its rays slipping through the curtains and landing on the floor. I blinked and slowly sat up.
…Afternoon?
That didn't make sense.
Estrella always woke me up early. Breakfast was never skipped, no matter what. Yet today, no one had come.
A strange unease settled in my chest.
I slid off the bed and walked toward the window. Peeking outside, I froze.
A carriage stood in front of the annex.
Its design was unmistakable... a crescent moon wrapped in thorned vines.
My family's crest.
My breath caught.
Someone from the main house was here.
No… only one person would use that carriage.
My father.
The Duke of Nocte.
My heart began to pound as I quickly changed into clean clothes. I didn't dare go outside directly. Instead, I slipped through the halls and hid behind the bushes near the side path, careful not to make a sound.
That was when I saw them.
Estrella stood stiffly in the hallway, her hands folded in front of her. Across from her was a tall man cloaked in dark noble attire. His presence alone made the air feel heavy.
The duke.
They entered the main living room, guards remaining stationed outside.
I swallowed hard.
Why was he here?
And… was Estrella in trouble?
I needed to know what they were saying.
Then I remembered a spell.
A wind-based transmission technique I had experimented with days ago, using mana to carry sound through the air and slip it through cracks and barriers.
Like a spy tool from my old world.
I focused, carefully guiding a thin thread of wind mana toward the room. It took a few minutes, but eventually…
Their voices reached me.
Cold and distant.
"How is the child residing in this annex?" the duke asked.
Estrella hesitated for only a moment before replying.
"The young master is in good health, my lord. He lives quietly and causes no trouble."
"I see."
There was a brief silence.
"The estate appears unchanged," he continued. "The garden is well-kept."
"Yes, my lord. The gardener takes great pride in his work."
"Hm."
Footsteps sounded as he moved closer to the window.
"I was conducting business nearby," the duke said calmly. "I merely wished to confirm that the child was still alive."
My chest tightened.
"Now that I have done so, I will attend to my affairs."
Estrella lowered her head.
"Understood, my lord."
After a pause, he added
"I will remain here temporarily. A few weeks at most. This place is still under my authority."
"Yes, my lord. We will prepare accordingly."
That was all.
Moments later, the door opened. The duke exited the room, his guards falling into step behind him as he left the annex grounds.
I remained frozen in place long after he was gone.
…That was terrifying.
He didn't speak of me as a son rather he just thinks I'm insignificant to him not as his child.
Something that lived here.
I swallowed and quietly retreated before anyone could notice me.
If he was staying here for weeks…
Then I had to be even more careful...
I couldn't afford to be seen.
To live peacefully... I had to avoid my father at all costs.
And no matter what happened…
I would never let him notice me....