Chapter 4

When I reached seven months, I was able to sit up on my own.

With so much free time, I would take advantage of any spare moment to move my arms and legs moderately.

Although I haven't shown it off yet, I should be able to crawl too.

By the way, my house is a large mansion. Thanks to my mother carrying me out of my room the other day, I was able to gather some information.

It seems my family is a noble one.

Yes, like the nobles in Europe. Our title is even that of a count.

While not the highest, it's a fairly high position.

I was surprised to find that there were many maids and even a butler in the mansion.

While being carried by my mother and exploring the mansion, I was excited the whole time.

It was a bit disappointing that I wasn't allowed outside, but there's nothing I can do about it. I'll look forward to it.

Despite growing smoothly, I have one thing that's been bothering me recently.

Sometimes, I hear a voice coming from nowhere.

At first, I thought it was my father or mother, but it wasn't.

I have two older brothers and one older sister, but it's not them either.

It's clearly not the voice of a servant or maid.

The voice is heard so frequently that it can't be a mistake or just my imagination.

Sometimes it's when I open the window. Sometimes it's from the attic. Sometimes it's at night.

The voice is heard.

Could I be a troubled child? Do I have some kind of spiritual ability?

No, my ability is just 'Understanding All Languages.' I don't have anything like that.

It would be scary if I could hear the dead or if this mansion were cursed.

While I was worrying alone in my room, I heard footsteps in the hallway.

Since my mother wasn't around, maybe a maid had come to take care of me?

But I quickly realized it was different.

The door was opened with a loud bang, which wouldn't happen if it were my mother or a maid. They would be careful with a baby like me and enter quietly.

"Hey, Julia! Don't make such a loud noise. You'll startle Jed."

"Ah, sorry!"

"Do you really understand that?"

"I'll be more careful next time."

My mother, who was scolding, and the cute girl who replied approached.

Yes, this girl with gradient red hair is my sister.

Unlike my mother, her hair is long and slightly curled at the ends, making her look adorable.

She's seven years old and in the prime of her energy.

"Jed, are you okay? It's your beautiful and kind sister, Julia! Julia is cute. Julia is cute. Julia is cute..."

Julia greets me energetically and repeats the same words over and over.

Her bright eyes are a bit scary.

"Julia, what are you doing?"

My mother looks at Julia with a half-closed eye.

"I'm telling him about my good qualities from a young age!"

What a terrifying thing for an innocent girl to say. She's trying to brainwash a seven-month-old baby.

I'm not an animal, you know.

Yes, Julia is like this because she's a bit of a troublemaker.

She's not completely black, but she has a mischievous side, thinking things like 'It would be nice if I could be like this' or 'It would be fun if I could be like that.'

With her appearance, she's bound to become a beautiful woman, and she's likely to turn into a formidable villain.

"Where did you get such an idea?"

My mother mutters, looking like she has a headache.

"Grandma Anna told me! She said that younger brothers can be arrogant, so you should start training them early."

It's Grandma Anna's fault that Julia is like this!

What kind of things is she teaching a seven-year-old?

I'll have to talk to Grandma Anna.

"Grandma again! Ugh! I told her not to say unnecessary things!"

My mother seems to be having a hard time.

Don't worry. When I grow up, I'll take good care of you.

After that, Julia kept looking at me, poking me, and playing with me, but she soon got bored and left the room.

She's really whimsical. Well, she's a child, so that's to be expected.

Children should play outside and be active.

After a while, my mother started acting strange.

She opened the door slightly, looked around to make sure no one was there, and then closed it.

What's going on?

My mother came over to me and looked into my eyes with a serious expression.

In her beautiful deep red eyes, I could see my baby face reflected.

What is it?

My mother took a deep breath and opened her mouth—

"Mother Claire is cute. Mother Claire is kind. Mother Claire is beautiful. Jed, you love Mother Claire. Jed, you will listen to Mother Claire obediently. Jed—"

Are you doing this too?

And it seems even more sinister than what Julia was doing.

While I was mentally criticizing, my mother continued to speak earnestly.

"Jed, you will love cooking. Jed, you will love helping Mother Claire in the kitchen. Jed—"

It sounds like my mother's wishes are mixed in there.

Okay, okay. I'll help you with cooking, laundry, shoulder massages, and even massages.

I lived alone during my college years. Leave it to me.

By the way, Mother, you're scaring me with how serious you are.

A normal baby would be crying by now.

"Jed, listen. Julia doesn't listen to me. I wanted to cook with my daughter... but Julia isn't interested in cooking, and Gladys is all about swords. Gillion is only interested in magic..."

Then my mother's wishes turned into complaints. She leaned over the crib, getting closer.

Mm-hm. When I grow up, I'll cook with you.

After venting her complaints, my mother seemed to get sleepy. Her complaints and wishes faded, and she started to snore softly.

If I were bigger, I would have put a blanket on her back, but as a baby, I couldn't do that.

Still, I wanted to do something for her, so I decided to stroke her head.

"...Mm... Jed...-kun..."

Wait a little longer, Mother. I'll grow up soon.