Ch 1 I'm a child
But in this story. I chose how I live, and I have the system from five years old, but I don’t have store access til I’m ten years old. Whereas most people get system access at ten and store access at fifteen. And their parents give them credits to start their new adult lives.
So, I learn skills as a child. But no one pays attention because I’m the niece of the baron. The child of his dead sister. With an unknown father. Therefor I’m a bastard noble with no lineage. Only to be used as a bride to be sold off for the baron. My only hope is that I can leave this house before I turn 15 and gain access to a guild and enter. I have luck with this because as soon as I turn 14, I should have enough skills to enter a guild. Since I already have system access as a toddler, I will be able to learn a greater amount of skill in ten years than people do in four. Since I have a head start and a younger body. I have a better chance of learning more skills. Right now, I’m only five years old. I can walk and talk and potty on my own.
The important thing that has happened is that I have no caretaker anymore. I was being nannied, but that person was a maid of the baroness. And she resumed her post. So now all I have is a few maids that check on me occasionally. They bring me meals to my new bedroom on time, if I’m not there they just leave the food on the lower table. If I’m there they will help me eat. I’m in the end wing of the main manor.
The manor is shaped like a T with the top line closest to the front gate. The right side is for pleasure gardens and kitchen gardens. The left side is for training grounds and horse stables. The main family lives in the right-side wing. So, they can always see who is coming to the manor. I live in the back end of the T. So, I always have to be called anywhere.
It’s ok though, since I’m closer to the kitchen, and the kitchen gardens. The manor is surrounded by woods, since we are in the barony. It always surprises me. The baron and his wife spend at least 8 months of the year in the barony. I think it's because there are guilds here, they profit from.
I have never been to the capital with them when they go. Because I’m too young I assume. Their own children go with them, however. The baron has three children, two boys and a girl, all older than me. The heir Mikal 13, the spare Rikard 11, the mare Meri 8. Then me 5. The baron's name is Hamon, his wife is Katalina. He is the Baron of Hammish. I don’t know much about the barony. Or much about anything. Since this is my second life. I do know that you shouldn’t leave a five-year-old alone to wonder around, however. And that there is magic. And the system.
The system is wonderful. It says I can learn skills. It helps that it's in English, my previous life’s language. I should focus on learning this life’s language, I can barely talk as it. Maybe I should try and learn to read and write? No idea what sort of schooling there is for me in stock.
*
Most of my day I explore the end of the manor. I make sure I’m always on time for meals in my room, however. And that I always go to bed at a decent time for a five-year-old. I feel like I should be taking naps during the day, but I’m never tired enough to. Sometimes I sneak into the gardens and play with sticks, pretending I’m practicing with a sword. It’s really silly. As I'm a literal toddler. Two short sticks barely as long as my arms are my go-to. With these I'm a dual wielding rogue or assassin, my favorite archetype to play. Kiting around the monster I'm killing doing backflips and pirouettes, never being touched by their teeth or claws.
It’s one day like this I'm found by a guardsman. As I'm stumbling along with my sticks he came to laugh at me. All I could do was pout at him. It’s not like I could do anything. I’m five! I sighed and started walking away from him. My poofy dress in the way of everything I do. Why they dress me up I don’t know. But every morning and evening I'm put into hated dresses.
The guardsman laughs and follows me inside. I trudge along to my room and put away my sticks. I turn to him. “Why follow?” I ask.
“Little miss was all alone, why shouldn’t I do my duty and follow to make sure she isn’t hurt?” His smiling face greets me. He took his helmet off at some point. His golden eyes and golden hair reminded me of something, but I didn’t know what.
“Am ok. Go way.”
“I think not little miss, where is your maid? You should have her give you a bath. You don’t want to be dirty for lunch, now do you?” He kneels down before me. He looks to be mid-forties I think? There’s a warmth to him I can feel myself craving.
“No maid. Am lone.”
A frown came to his face. “You're alone now? What is the name of your maid?”
“No maid, always lone.”
His frown deepened. “You have no maid assigned to you little miss? There isn’t anyone who takes care of you?”
“They bring food, they dress, they leave.”
There was anger in his eyes now. The frown pulling his eyebrows together. He was taking even breaths I noticed. “The maids feed you, then leave. They dress you then leave. Is that right?”
I nod. I realized it was bad, as I was only five. But it’s the baron's decision. What could a guard do?
“When was the last time you took a bath?” he suddenly asked.
I blinked and thought a moment. I didn’t know actually. So, I shrugged at him.
His breathing was becoming deeper. He was putting in effort to smooth it out I could tell. I was just standing there watching him go through his emotions. His face was a riot of them. There was anger and frustration. Then resignation and regret. Then something like determination. His gaze was direct now. He scooped me up and stood. I clung to him. I could remember being so high in this life. And my last one I was always scared of heights.
He was not a short man. Over six feet tall, I think. He clicked the helmet to his belt and started striding down the halls. To where I don’t know. He didn’t speak, nor did I. We came to the main intersection of the manor. And then he turned left. I was starting to get worried. Was he taking me to the baron? Why?
We reached the barons office. It had a guard in front. He gave my guard a look, my guard nodded, and the office guard nodded and opened the door. My guard strode in. The baron was working on his desk. He wasn’t a small man either. He was roughly six feet himself. He had muscle and fat to him though. His girth was significant. Especially for a man that was thought to be a battle commander.
“Why have you intruded into my office Captain?”
My guard without pause kneeled down while still holding me. I sat on his upright knee.
“Sir. I pledged to you when my family was lost. When I had no hope. When I feared for the lives of the innocent. Today I have come to find a child in your house alone and unaided with the most basic of needs. She was unafraid of this, as it was her normal. When I asked if she had a maid, she said they come and go, leaving her alone throughout the day. Only coming to feed her and change her clothes.”
The baron looked at the guard. No, the Captain. I hadn’t realized his rank, but that would make sense given his presumed age. I looked at the baron wondering what he was going to do. I was an unwanted child in his house. So why would he do anything to change the situation?
“I see. There had been a maid assigned to her, but it seems she was reassigned without my knowledge. Or permission. You say you found her? I know you don’t often stroll the manor so where was she?”
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“Near the training field, wielding two sticks. I believe she was merely playing.” The captain said. Still kneeling but now looking at the baron.
The baron looked over at me. And sighed. “What were you doing outside?”
“Training.” Is all I said. They both looked at me.
“Why would you be training child?” The baron asked me.
“So, I can fight.” Was my reply
The captain looked concerned, and the baron sighed again. “Little miss you are a young lady, there will be no need for you to fight.” The baron seemed much nicer in person than I thought he would be. Maybe I had the wrong impression? Or maybe because the captain brought it to his attention?
“But? Monsters?” I asked. The system showed me you could level up. I wanted to level up to. That meant fighting monsters.
The baron had a perplexed look on his face. “Little miss, what do you know of monsters?” He gently questioned.
“Fight monsters level up?” I explained simply. I was five and speaking like it was difficult. This was not my native language. I was being helped by the system a bit. I had learned the skill Alterty Language Proficiency- Spoken. So, it was going somewhat well for me. I hadn’t had much chance to talk to anyone. So,it was getting better now.
The baron was still looking at me, I could tell what kind of face he was making. The captain was still kneeling but was sitting back on his leg and was holding me on his upright knee. It wasn’t uncomfortable, which is odd, since he was in leather armor.
It felt like a frozen moment in time. Being held like I was something precious. The baron saw me like that. I don’t understand what he was thinking but it soon came to an end.
“You’re right captain. I took your oath saying I would make things better. Only to disregard a child in my own manor. I will not let this stand. Marcus!” The baron yelled.
A short thin young man came running into the office. He couldn’t have been older than twenty.
“Yes, sir?” He answered the baron.
“Find me the head maid. I want an accounting of where the maids have been placed in the last six months.”
“As you wish sir.” With that Marcus disappeared. Like literally vanished. I was a bit shocked about how fast he was gone.
The captain stood up and held me, then walked to a couch next to a wall and sat down, still holding me. I was a little confused as to what would happen now though. The maids were under the baroness. Not the baron.
“It’s alright little one. You’re not to blame.” The captain said to me, as he held me close. It was comforting. And he was so warm. I sank into his chest and just stayed there awhile. Ignoring the commotion of the head maid and the baron discussing what had happened. Ignoring the ranting of the baroness when she came in. I just stayed where I was. Happy for a little while.
*
I woke sometime later. In bed, having been changed into a nightgown. It was still light outside. Afternoon likely. It was before lunch when I was with the captain in the baron's office. I blushed a little. I can’t believe I fell asleep. But I also can’t remember the last time I was helped either. The maids aren’t rough with me, but they are clinical. Doing the minimum they need to before leaving.
Which is why it was so odd that there were three of them standing beside the door to the room. The room that I had awakened in was not the room I lived in either. It was much grander. It is likely fit for the child of the baron. Not a noble's bastard. Which still didn’t explain why I was here nor why there were maids here. So, I got up and started getting out of bed.
Soon as I started moving the maids came alive and started helping me. One picked me up and set me on the floor. Another took off my nightgown and the third replaced it with a dress. All in less than ten minutes. I had barely blinked, and I was awake and dressed again. I stared at them, and they had their heads down, likely waiting for an order. But I didn’t know what to say.
So, I just walked away. One of the maids, a blunette, lifted me up and asked. “Where would you like to go, little miss?”
I was startled to be picked up in her arms. The three maids had made themselves quiet, they were remarkably similar. I’d say mid-twenties a blunette a brunette and one with black hair. The uniform they wore was classy though. Calf length black skirt, black button down. With a white apron. Very medieval fantasy.
“Um, kitchen? Am hungry.” I stated slowly. Unsure if this woman could be trusted. Unsure if anyone here could be trusted honestly. The captain could easily hold me. The baron held me on whims. The baroness likely thought little of me. I hadn’t met the cousins.
“Little miss can eat in here. Misha can bring you food.” The blunette set me down at a table. But it was sized for me. Why did they have a toddler sized table? Likely for the cousins I suppose. The brunette, Misha I suppose, left off. Likely to procure my lunch. Which, I didn’t know how I felt about that. Having maids of my own now?
“Your name?” I asked the blunette.
“I am Marsha, that was Misha, this is Martha. And yes, we are sisters.” That makes no sense to have different hairs like that. But whatevs. I nodded to her. Makes sense to give me three when they are sisters I suppose. At least they won't argue with each other? Marsha seems to be in charge.
I sit there and think. I don’t play a five-year-old well. They seem fine to treat me older. And most of them would have experience with children from the cousins. So, what is going on?
“Why nice?” I asked Marsha.
“Why am I being nice to you?” She seems disturbed at my question. I nod to her. “We are your maids. you are our responsibility to care for. We are in your care as well. We are at your service little miss.”
I was stumped. I was just given three maids like that? What did I miss in the baron's office? I was only five so what would I do with three maids. So, I asked.
“Why three?”
“You mean why three maids?” I nod.
“Because you are a small child and need round the clock care. You should never be alone at this age. Much less wandering around alone. One of us will be with you constantly. That’s why there are three of us. We will take turns.” Was her reply.
I felt Martha was muttering something under her breath but couldn’t tell what. I ignored it for the moment. I was more occupied with Misha coming back with a serving tray. A full one. Not just a bowl of soup like the others brought.
Misha set the tray down near me and started setting small plates down. I wasn’t to salivate. Staring down there were all sorts of things. In small portions but there were options of things. Bread, pieces of fruit, cooked. Veggies and bits of meat. I could feel my stomach grumble.
Misha stood next to me, “Alright little miss. I don’t know if you can eat all this, but I want you to try a piece of everything. So, I know what your favorites are, ok?” I nodded rapidly. I picked up a child spork and tried to pierce a piece of fruit. Misha stopped me. “Nope I’ll being serving you properly little miss.”
I wanted to cry. I was so hungry now that I saw food and I just wanted to shovel it all down. And Misha wanted to give it to her piecemeal? I felt like crying all of a sudden. Just let me eat in peace.
So, I picked up the spoon and turned away from Misha and started on the veggies instead. Bit by bit I went through each of them. They were delicious. Misha didn’t try to stop me this time. I could hear Martha whispering to Misha about something it I was too hungry to notice. About halfway through the veggies, I decided I wanted fruit. So, I reached for it and Misha handed it over. I took it gratefully and smiled at her. Then dug in. It was heavenly. Warmed thoroughly and lightly sugared. I should have saved it for last, but it was so good. I was getting full, but there where meats left. So, I stopped eating the fruit and started on the meat. I sorted them out though, the ones I knew I wouldn’t like, the overly greasy or fatty ones. Something that carried over from my previous life. I took delicate bites out of most of them, the ones I liked I put on a separate plate and the ones I didn’t I left alone. But I did try nearly everything Misha brought, and I loved nearly all of it. I showed her the plate of meats I liked.
I left the bread for last, knowing they would fill me up the most. So, I didn’t even touch them. “Am full now.” I told Marsha. Misha quickly started piling the plates back onto the cart she brought them in on. Martha left the room and returned shortly. I wondered for a moment where she had gone, then noticed another door off to the side of the room.
“Alright, let's get you cleaned up now little miss. Martha prepared a bath for you.” Marsha told me. I suppose that was what the side door was for. I was quickly picked up and stripped of my dress once more. Taken through the side door was a full bathroom. Sink, toilet, tub, shower. With enough space for five maids to work. This was definitely a noble's bathroom. The tub was only half full, accounting my size. But the water was warm, a comfortable hot. Martha started washing me. Gently, she soaped me up and rinsed me off. I wanted to cry. She was being so pleasant about it. Every other time I had been bathed I was nearly dunked, soaped, and dunked again. This time I was allowed to play in the water and enjoy it. Martha didn’t talk much, and she was the only one that came into the bathroom with me. I wondered why but didn’t say anything.
When she was finished washing me, I stood, and she toweled me off and took me from the tub. I couldn’t wait til I was older and could soak properly in it. For now, I was too little to enjoy it. Martha redressed me in a nightgown, but it was more simplistic. It was much easier to move in. Then she took me back to the grandiose bedroom. Where Misha was waiting. Martha handed me over and left the room. Misha huffed and set me on the couch.
“Well, we have a bit before bed. What say you we get some reading in?” I just looked at her. She huffed again. She sat next to me and read a history book. It was a fairly interesting tale. But eventually the events of the day caught up with me. So, I slowly dozed off. I didn’t even feel it when Misha tucked me into bed and whispered, “goodnight little miss.”
*