JAROD

Okay, progress is being made. I can now see and focus on my surroundings. I have been watching people like a hawk… or whatever hawk like creatures exist in my new world.

I now know for sure that the green-eyed woman I thought of as my mother is, in fact, my mother. She is a beautiful and elegant young woman. I don't know for sure, but my mother seems to be in her late teens, so pretty young from my perspective. But to be fair, new world new rules.

I still see her just as much as I see my nanny and they both are looking after me, so I have to wonder if having a nanny is a status thing at this point? I mean, there was the saying on Earth 'more money, more problems!' but to be fair, that is total bullshit! Having money lets you have things like a nanny available to make life easier.

I still know little about my mother other than she works for the king, so she must be a big deal.

Due to my knowledge of the world coming from snippets of conversation I overhear when awake, I know many things. For instance, elemental inspired nature embroidery is in fashion this season, which staff are hooking up and what theatre shows are upcoming. However, what they don’t seem to talk about is anything damn well useful!!!

Having the ability to see the world about me has been a drastic improvement.

At two months old, my father came for his first visit to see me since my birth. Both Erin and Rachel, still having trouble thinking about Rachel as my mother, were not present when he visited. I could not help but feel I was being appraised as a trader would do a product.

For a few minutes, he just stood there and looked at me. You would think that he’d at least try a little baby talk or something. But this guy may as well have been a wall.

Eventually, after about five minutes of our staring contest, my “father” decided he had seen enough. After he made a brief clicking sound, and with what may have been a hint of a smile, he took his leave.

As my father was leaving, Rachel and Erin entered the room. Erin gave a polite curtsy and Rachel, I swear, almost did a double take in surprise at my father’s presence, before a rather false smile appeared on her face. I had read about a smile that never reached one’s eyes, but this has got to be the first time I had seen it.

“Keefe, you have come to visit our son. What a welcome surprise!”

Ah, so his name is Keefe. Good to know, also what a tit!. The line of thought flew through my mind. Call me biased, but spending all my time with Rachel, and his less than regular appearances. The man just rubbed me the wrong way. There was something off about him. When he stood over me watching, there was something that reminded me of my past self. The worst of parts, too. The detached analytical side that is prepared to do anything deemed necessary.

“I am glad. He is a fine boy, and he is always so well behaved… although, as his mother, I may be biased.”

Rachel said this with more than a hint of pride in her eyes. Although, to be fair, I am only a couple of months old and all I can do is cry, eat and poop, so what misbehaviour I would get up to is beyond me?

“Yes, I had actually come to see Jarod for that very reason!”

Wait, what? That statement actually surprised me greatly, because of the whole eating and crapping deal!

It appears I also was not the only one surprised, as both Rachel and Erin shot each other a questioning look. Apparently, Rachel had been merely parentally doting rather than truly serious.

“Yes. Several maids have commented to me that the boy never cries except to be fed and changed!"

Dammit, I quickly realised it was true. I totally focused on improving my eyesight. I thus created an exercise routine for myself to develop my body's muscles effectively and quickly.

I had practiced on my voice, but not when anyone was around, as unlike a normal baby; I am not learning to speak, but relearn the skill. I do not know when a baby should make any identifiable sounds, but one that is attempting scales may come over as uncommon, to say the least.

"Yes. and a few of the maids with experience in raising children say he was always focusing on them at even the earliest days. One even commented that it left her with a feeling of unease when he constantly followed her movements around the room, after she alerted him to her presence with a small noise."

Oh, I remember that. I thought she must have been playing with me as I had as yet been unable to see more than two feet in front of me. I had been in my mind palace when I was startled by a noise as the maid dropped something.

She likely thought I was asleep. Although I could not make out who was there, I could make out a vague human shape and started staring (good exercise for my eye muscles… and not at all due to boredom). The shape then started moving about the room for a minute or two. Then it started moving back and forward more rapidly while talking to herself.

I thought she just enjoyed my attention, as I assumed I looked cute. Apparently, I’m not that cute!

My father continued. “The maid swore that no matter the speed she moved about, he would not lose her and that she had her sole focus for quite the extended time.”

“Most children would get bored or tired, but he never took his eyes off her. At least, that is what she told me. When talking to the other maids about it, I found she was not the only one to experience this.”

Rachel looked at Erin for confirmation of this, to which she gave a slight nod.

Keefe spoke on. “I was checking the situation for myself. I spent five minutes staring at him, and he just stared right back. Not making a sound and barely even blinking. I have seen grown men left uncomfortable and unable to stop themselves looking away, but my son did not for a moment do such a thing… remarkable!”

“Unusual reaction for a child of any age, let alone a two-month-old, is it not?” (You were testing me, you sorry excuse for a father!!! I was quickly lowering my already rock bottom opinion of the man!)

“I spend so much time looking at him. I never gave it any thought. As for the lack of crying, I thought it was because he was so well treated that he was happy and did not need to cry!”

My mother said this with a look of rather adorable cluelessness about her. As if she was giving it serious thought. Honestly, if you looked up the word ditz in the dictionary, I think there would be a picture of her right next to the description.

As opposed to Rachel’s outlook, Erin had a frown on her face that rather disagreed with Rachel’s clueless conclusion.

“My lady, I have to say that this is not true for babies. They have no way to express themselves, so are always crying. He also seems to be focused for a child his age, shockingly so, I admit.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Rachel looked at Erin with surprise, while my father had an irritated, almost angry look on his face while staring at Erin. But I had seen and heard the two women doing this routine with the maids several times. It is almost like a comedy skit. It is so seamless. One feigning surprise over an issue while the other seems knowledgeable… I don’t rightly know if it is to mess with people or the like to throw people off about who knows what… But why would they do this?

I don’t even know what crawled up the man’s ass. During the entire five minutes, the man just stared at me. He didn’t so much as crack the slightest of grins, or a hint of emotion for that manner… I’m adorable dammit, so show some damn emotion! I was not at all frustrated over his lack of reaction over me till now.

“And why, my dear, did you not raise these issues until now?” Keefe’s tone was cold as he questioned.

"With respect, my lord. The young master seems entirely capable of crying, but merely does not. And as for his staring, although it is certainly… unusual (I heard that pause Erin, you thought weird and creepy, didn't you?) It is, by no means, a sign that there are any issues regarding his health. I would judge him to be advancing rapidly in his development, just as my lady said. I have taken the time to ensure that his other senses are functioning properly and in every measurable method I have been able to test, your son is the picture of health."

This statement brought quite the smile to Keefe's face.

"So, you believe he really is developing more rapidly than most, do you?" He brought his hand up to rub his chin while giving this some thought. Apparently liking where this was leading him.

Rachel had a very odd look on her face at Erin's response. I don't see why she would, as it seems like Erin is being quite diligent in looking after my health. I couldn't be happier about this, given my health and safety were in her hands.

Nodding towards Erin, in obvious understanding over what she had just said. "And have you noticed any other unusual traits my son may possess?"

Erin actually blushed a bit at that question.

"Well, my lord. It might seem strange, and I swear it is not my imagination, but practically from the day he was born, every time I lift him to my chest, I would swear he will let off a giggle of sorts." (LIES! I am mentally in my 30s and would never giggle! It must be her imagination. Right Rachel?).

I glanced at Rachel; she had that adorable thoughtful look on her face again.

“Now that you mention it Erin, he does make a strange sound when I lift him to my chest and feed him!” (Et Tu, mother?)

Oddly enough, Keefe burst out into laughter at this. This actually caused Rachel and Erin to pause stock still.

“Oh, my dear lady. It appears my son really is developing fast! I thank you for obviously keeping a close eye on Jarod. Now I understand why my wife was so insistent on hiring you as our son’s nanny!”

Again, that odd look came over Rachel’s face as Keefe spoke highly of Erin. You would think that she would be happy Erin was proving her value.

So, what is with that surprised look she has on her face? I couldn’t help but find this reaction odd. Although maybe she just wanted to have her friend around. Possibly even more than her expectations she had for the woman as a nanny.

Although given my position on the matter, I wish she had given the issue a little more forethought. Especially for someone who apparently gives advice to the king. Oh well, looks like she lucked out with Erin.

“With this issue dealt with, I bade you both goodbye. I have work to do, and I can now return to it with a calm and clear mind. Knowing the issues concerning my heir has been merely unfounded concern and gossip.”

With a rather smug smile on his face, the man about faced and left. He didn’t even give me a second glance on the way out.

(Bastard!)

“Bastard!” Rachel stated a few moments after my father left and would have been out of earshot. “He hasn’t taken time to visit his son since his birth. Although the moment he feels something is wrong with his heir, he likely couldn’t come quicker. If there was an issue with his son, I have no doubt that he would have had him disposed of!” (The fuck! What do you mean, disposed of?)

Erin glanced at me with a sad frown on her face before looking at my mother.

I can’t help but think of Rachel as my mother now. That indignant look on her face with those words directed at her husband with all the vehemence she could muster.)

“Rachel, you must be more careful!” Erin stated this with a soft but insistent voice, now a growing look of concern on her face.

“Although I have heard the maids mention on multiple occasions what Keefe came to test. It is also the reason that I have been testing Jarod. He is undoubtedly odd, to an extent that I underplayed it considerably to your husband. But it concerns me that the staff are reporting everything about your son to your husband, yet they have never raised any concerns to the two of us. Even though the boy’s father has never once come to visit or check on him before now, and we are never far from his side."

"The tone of your voice is concerning me Erin! What are you getting at?"

"I cannot prove anything at present. Though the complete change in Keefe, when he thought your son may be developing quicker than most… well, it was concerning. Your husband has never been the most emotive of people, but for a few minutes you saw how he changed. As bad as it could have been for your son, if he was in some way physically or mentally deficient in his father's eyes. I cannot help but wonder what actions his father may have taken if his abilities went in the other direction?"

I did not like where Erin was taking this train of thought. Doubly so if I cannot learn to hide what I was capable of. Rachel herself looked as pensive on this subject as I felt, and probably not coming to any better conclusions than I was.

"Erin, I want you to keep a close attention to how other house staff members are reacting to Jarod. We can't keep them away without arousing Keefe's suspicions, and I will not have my son taken from me so that Keefe can raise Jarod in his image!"

Yeah mom, screw him!

The look on my mother’s face differed greatly from the lovable or adorably clueless one I was used to seeing. Right now, I could fully believe this woman was an adviser to a king.

Note too self for future reference, DO NOT PISS THIS WOMAN OFF!!!.

With the nod Erin gave to my mother, she then showed a sour face.

“Rachel, I am afraid I must now raise another pressing but nasty piece of business.” Erin said this with such intensity that I couldn’t help but worry about what this business could be?

“It appears Jarod desperately needs changing.” With a sniff, Erin turned to me and gave me a pained look.

Shit! Not even noticing the fact that I had crapped myself. This has been so mentally stimulating I was completely oblivious to anything else… damn bowel control. At least I know what my next target is. Wait, I can’t walk to the toilet yet… Okay, top of the to do list, walking then bowl control!

****

JAROD

Later that night, I woke up with a start. I don’t know what disturbed me and it took me a while to get a good look at my room, as my ability to look around from the crib is still rather difficult.

Finally, across the room, I could see my mother (I was definitely thinking of Rachel as my mother after today’s events) sitting in a chair. She must have fallen asleep in my room, as her head was hanging back, and she lay slumped back in the chair. She really is quite the motherly type.

Rachel must have stayed in my room out of concern and fallen asleep. I could also hear her mumbling in her sleep. Today’s events must have left her quite disturbed, and followed her into her sleep. What a mom!

It must have been her sleep mumbling that woke me up. I could soon hear more moaning coming from her… wait, moaning?

Again, I looked towards my mother slumped as she was in her chair. Inspecting, I made out movement around her skirt… a lot of movement. Wow, mom is quite the kinky sort if she is doing this where a member of staff could see her, I thought. A moment later, my mother’s skirt moves oddly. The skirt rises and out came Erin… the hell?

My mom’s head raised and with a smile looks down at Erin before leaning forward for a kiss.

You know, several things are suddenly making a lot more sense. My mother’s insistence on Erin as her nanny, even though she is the same age as my mother, and has no children.

Rachel also appeared surprised by Erin’s testing and analysis of my faculties. Giving her those weird looks. My mother is always here with Erin and does as much, if not more, to look after me.

Combining all the details together, including the fact that my parents are bound in an arranged marriage and the glaring fact my father is a complete asshat. Well, the truth of their relationship makes a great deal more sense.

Oh well, live and let live, I say. At least I get free Sapphic porn… wait a minute. As of today, I have seen Rachel as my mother… AHHHH. My eyes, my brain, my eyes, my brain!

I began the most heartfelt crying session of either of my lives. Such was my crying that it woke the entire house with the noise I was making. Erin and Rachel (Never to be thought of as mother again… ever!) rushed to my side and soon followed by half the household.

On the upside and in reflection far, far in the future, it turned out that my night of tears put paid to any concerns regarding my previous lack of crying.

They say all's well that ends well. All I can say is that "They" can go to hell!