Black Sheep

Despite the disturbing encounter with his siblings, which left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth, his day-to-day life was there to compensate.

It was nothing short of lavish and luxurious.

Being a noble certainly had its perks, and while he despised the attitudes of some nobles, he couldn't deny the allure of their lifestyle. Everything he could ever want was right at his fingertips, and his routine consisted of simple pleasures—eating, sleeping, and the occasional babbling and finger grabbing.

Blissful!

Asselin, his devoted caretaker, catered to his every need, ensuring that he was always comfortable and content.

She was like a well-oiled machine, effortlessly making Yon's life carefree and enjoyable, something that many adults would envy if they could experience it for just a day.

'Ah, this is the life. Something an office worker would never understand. Us blue-collar folks, we appreciate every little moment of rest,' he mused on nostalgia. 'But come to think of it, can I even be considered a blue-collar worker? Sure, I get things done physically when necessary... well, almost always. But I was also involved in the office work, one of the brains back then. Bah! Talking about work just spoils the mood. I might as well take a nap and call it a day.'

The routine provided him with a much-needed break, a respite he needed since coming to this world.

'And oh, let's not forget how carefree life is going to be!'

It was pure bliss.

Today was no different, with the peaceful and opulent atmosphere warming him.

Cradled in Asselin's arms, sucking on his thumbs he melted into a state of blissful drowsiness.

Suddenly, an unexpected knock echoed at the door, followed by the swift granting of permission and its subsequent opening, allowing a maid, as it appeared, to enter in a hurry.

'A new face... well, well. Oh! Why does she look like a cow who ran a marathon? Easy there, lady. You seem like you've seen a ghost.'

Clearly in a rush, the maid entered the room and wasted no time in whispering to Asselin.

Yon, nestled in Asselin's comforting embrace, couldn't have looked more offended. He remained unfazed by the intrusion, but the hushed whispers...

'Why? Come on, spill it, lady! I'm just a baby, no one will ever know. Trust me, I've got this talent for keeping secrets under lock and key.'

The maid was too absorbed in her whispers to notice the baby in Asselin's arms, staring daggers at her.

'Whatever...'

Soon, a wave of drowsiness washed over Yon, as he surrendered to the gentle allure of sleep. Drifting off, he mused over a new side of himself, a facet he had never known before.

These days, cradled in Asselin's arms, he slept peacefully, free from worries and anxieties. The simple act of sucking his thumbs seemed to do the trick, helping him relax and become... thoughtless.

'Ah, the simplicity of fools. How I envy them, peacefully sleeping wherever they please, their minds empty and carefree.'

His eyelids drooped heavily, and his breaths gradually slowed. He was on the verge of surrendering to the comforting embrace of slumber when...

***

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, feeling incredibly cozy and comfortable, I sensed Asselin's penetrating gaze. Yes that itchy feeling on the forehead. Slowly, I opened my eyes, the remnants of drowsiness still clinging to me, and met her intense stare.

The maid had scurried away, leaving me intrigued and slightly unsettled. Asselin had never looked at me like that before. It had only been about a week since I arrived in this world, but never once had she given me such a gaze—filled with what, I couldn't quite discern.

Alertness began to replace the remnants of sleepiness, and I was still mad at that clueless maid. Was it really necessary? After all, I was just an infant, or at least I appeared to be.

Despite my curiosity, I couldn't tear my gaze away from Asselin. I peered deeply into her familiar brown eyes, searching for answers.

There was something different reflected in them now—was it worry? Regret? Guilt?

I wasn't a magician or a mind reader, but I had a knack for understanding people's body language, it was part of the job requirement. A skill that had served me well in the past, albeit with mixed results.

The first thought that crossed my mind was parting. Just the mere thought of it made my heart sink. I didn't know why, but I instinctively reached out and tugged at her clothing, as if to anchor her to my side.

Surprisingly, her gaze softened in response to my touch.

In that moment, I couldn't help but study her features more closely. She seemed older, a stark contrast to my late mother. Was she this old? Or...

Perhaps it was the clothing she wore or the way she looked at me, but there was something about her that reminded me of my mother, even if I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

A mix of emotions swirled within me—confusion, longing, and discomfort.

Asselin had become much more than just a caretaker to me. Strangely this woman had showered me with care and attention, treating me as one of her own. And now... I don't want to admit it but she held a place in my heart.

That felt strangely strange.

Look at me, becoming attached and all, how pathetic!

"Rise and shine, little Ely. We've got a black sheep incoming."

Asselin's sweet, honeyed voice pierced through my clouded thoughts.

I wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that, but it seemed that someone had come to visit—more like drop off their unwanted condolences and offer pitying looks to feel better about themselves.

'I swear, If I had to endure another one of these dammed nobles, I...'

Suddenly, a chill filled the room, causing me to shrink inward.

My thoughts were interrupted by a presence so close and vast that it felt suffocating. Asselin's once-soft gaze shifted abruptly, losing all its warmth.

'Ah! When did he...?!'

Following her gaze, my eyes settled upon him—the black sheep, as Asselin had named him.

He stood tall, surpassing even the lofty stature of Duke Noah by at least 10 centimeters (4 inches), making him roughly around 1.90 meters (6 foot 3) in height.

He sported a well-fitted tunic, made of what appeared to be a high-quality durable fabric in a solid subdued shade of deep blue. The tunic highlighted his physique without being flashy.

Paired with the tunic, he wore well-tailored trousers in a matching color.

A simple leather belt with a finely crafted buckle completed his outfit. His practical leather boots, polished to a shine, shielded his feet.

Surprisingly, there were no decorative accents such as intricate embroidery or discreet trimmings adorning his attire.

In the past week, I had grown tired of the ostentatious displays of family crests and embellishments worn proudly by nobles, but this man seemed to eschew such flamboyance altogether.

'Is he even a noble? maybe a guard...?'

However, recalling how the maid had rushed to whisper about his arrival and considering how Asselin addressed him, I dismissed that thought.

Everything about him shouted combat readiness. However the chill in my heart intensified as I looked him up.