The days slipped by quickly, and at six months old, Arlan Roquefort’s awareness had blossomed far beyond that of a typical infant. His memories from his past life sharpened his understanding, and his surroundings had become more familiar. He’d picked up on the meanings of words, grasping the language with surprising ease, though he kept this knowledge hidden from his caretakers. Each conversation, each whispered worry, gradually pieced together the situation within his family and the kingdom he now called home.

Arlan had begun to understand his mother and father’s roles, and even as a child, he couldn’t ignore the turmoil his new family faced.

Early one morning, Arlan’s mother, Lady Elara, cradled him in her arms, rocking him gently after feeding him. Her presence was warm, her voice a soft melody as she murmured to him. While he appreciated the gentleness and the love that radiated from her, his pride felt constantly bruised by the realities of being a baby.

After a while, Lady Elara handed him over to the maid, who had become a familiar figure to Arlan over the months. She hummed a tune as she prepared to clean him. Unlike his former life on Earth, there were no diapers in this world. Instead, a quick magical incantation, as simple as a word or two, would take care of the mess. She raised her hand, said, “Clean,” and with a small pulse of energy, everything unpleasant vanished in an instant.

Arlan fought a sigh. The indignity of it stung. I was an adult once, he thought, suppressing his irritation. I had a career, responsibilities, and I could take care of myself. And now I have to endure… this.

Still, he reminded himself that it was only a phase, and he’d outgrow it soon enough. For now, he endured, focusing instead on absorbing as much as he could about this world and his new life. The moments of helplessness were just temporary setbacks.

Lately, Arlan had noticed the absence of his father, Baron Aldric Roquefort, more acutely than ever. In the past two months, Aldric’s visits had dwindled, with his appearances reduced to twice a month at best. Even then, he was never quite the same. The baron’s strong and steady presence had been Arlan’s earliest memory, a constant in this new life. Yet now, when Aldric did return, his face was shadowed by worry, and his strong frame seemed slightly bowed by an unseen weight.

Arlan’s mother, Lady Elara, too, seemed changed. She carried a worried look in her eyes, one that softened only when she held Arlan, though her distant gaze often betrayed her concerns. As she’d hold him close, her murmurs would drift into faint whispers about the kingdom, the unrest brewing, and her hopes that peace would prevail. She often fell silent midway, though, leaving her thoughts unspoken.

From her, Arlan had heard of the Kingdom of Creed. He understood now that Creed was more than just a distant land; it was an ever-present threat, a shadow on the horizon that grew darker each day. The kingdom’s forces were formidable, and its alliances stretched farther than Arlan had first realized. The tension between Diamond and Creed was old, rooted in past grievances and power struggles, and now it seemed to be rekindling, as though destiny had chosen his generation to continue the battle.

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One evening, as he lay in his cradle after a long day of observing the household, Arlan’s thoughts lingered on his family. Lady Elara’s soft smile, her protective warmth, and Aldric’s proud gaze flashed through his mind. Despite the inconvenience and frustrations of his current state, he realized that this family had become precious to him. Lady Elara’s love was real, and Aldric’s rare visits and proud glances reminded Arlan that his father’s heart held high hopes for him.

They are my family now, he thought, a strange, fierce emotion welling up inside him. And if there’s anything I can do to protect them, I’ll do it.

The realization filled him with a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt in his past life. His existence had been largely ordinary before—he’d never felt any great calling or motivation to protect something as monumental as a kingdom. But now, even though he was still a child in this world, he felt the stirrings of ambition.

From that moment on, Arlan’s resolve solidified. He would make sure to grow stronger, to understand more about this world, its magic, and its history. And when the time came, he would be ready to protect his family, and perhaps, even the Kingdom of Diamond itself.

In the weeks that followed, Arlan immersed himself in the study of his surroundings. Every time Lady Elara or the servants conversed, he paid close attention, piecing together conversations, learning words, and picking up nuances of the language. By six months, he could understand most of what was said around him, though he made sure to keep his comprehension hidden.

Occasionally, he’d catch snippets of Aldric’s conversations with other men who bore the same serious expressions. There were words he didn’t fully understand yet—mentions of alliances, defenses, and strategies. He gathered that Diamond’s military was on high alert, that the king himself had ordered additional patrols along the borders. The kingdom seemed to be bracing itself for the possibility of conflict.

The idea of war left him uneasy, but it also fueled his determination. He wanted to be prepared, to grow strong enough to stand beside his father someday. And though it was still a long way off, he had a feeling he would need to understand the magic he’d seen in this world if he hoped to make a difference.

One evening, Lady Elara held Arlan as she watched the setting sun from the window. The colors painted across the sky were vivid, a tapestry of purples and oranges blending over the horizon. Arlan could feel her concern, her heartbeat steady yet filled with worry as she cradled him close.

She stroked his hair gently, whispering, “My sweet boy… so much rests on your shoulders already, even if you don’t understand it yet. I just wish we lived in a world without all this turmoil. But you… you are my hope.”

The words stirred something deep within Arlan. He looked up at her, his tiny hand reaching up to touch her cheek. Her smile softened as she held his hand, pressing it lightly against her face. Even though she didn’t know that he understood, he wanted to let her know that he was there, that he would do his best to be the son she hoped for.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, he made a quiet promise to himself: I will protect them. I will become someone who can stand beside my family and defend them, no matter the cost.

End of Chapter.