Ch.2From Newborn to Servant #2

“Haah──.”

Moonlight streamed brightly through the glass window. A delicate lace curtain fluttered in the breeze that slipped through the slightly open gap.

Beyond it, a young girl leaned against the windowsill, gazing at the moon and letting out a long sigh.

The girl’s name was Helena Krauser.

Tomorrow would mark her ninth birthday, and she was destined to inherit the direct lineage of the Krauser Ducal family.

She was also a prodigy who had quickly mastered the family’s secret swordsmanship, announcing her blessing in martial talent.

Helena’s future appeared boundlessly promising, yet the protagonist herself felt all of it as suffocating shackles.

Her unexpected talent had emerged, and because of it, she was marked as the woman who would inherit the ducal family.

The Krauser Ducal family, which advocated meritocracy, had given her a fair opportunity, but that very fairness was weighing heavily on Helena.

Despite having reasons to be somewhat excited, she showed not the slightest hint of such feelings.

If only her ill-tempered younger brother could have inherited the ducal family instead.

Helena merely wished to get through tomorrow’s party without incident.

And then, on the day of the party…

“Today, I sincerely thank all the guests who have gathered here despite your busy schedules to celebrate unworthy me. Though I carry the blood of the Krausers, I am still a child with a long way to go. Nevertheless, with both embarrassment and joy for your excessive praise…”

Despite her inner feelings being crushed by pressure, Helena outwardly displayed the demeanor of an exemplary lady.

Her cultivation, which had long surpassed that of a child, and her gentle eloquence were by no means inferior even when compared to adults.

Talent with the sword and impeccable manners befitting the daughter of a duke. Even her way with words that seemed to gently caress the hearts of others. The nobles gathered here were busy unanimously praising Helena’s demeanor.

“She’s truly dignified. To think a young child could present herself like that…”

“Haha. Looking at Lady Helena, the future of the Krauser Ducal family seems absolutely cloudless.”

“Really…! That’s too much praise for me.”

Nevertheless, when receiving gifts or compliments, she properly showed childlike joy or shyness.

As a result, Helena’s stock was soaring to unprecedented heights, both with her parents and the guests.

Only her younger brother looked upon her with envious eyes, but that was a trivial matter.

“Lady Helena. Would you like more to drink?”

“No, thank you. I appreciate your attention despite your busy schedule.”

Moreover, she didn’t forget to show consideration even to the servants doing menial tasks, making her truly like a kind princess straight out of a fairy tale.

“Lady Helena, are you alright?”

As the party reached its peak and the intensity of gazes directed at the main character began to fade, Chess, who was in charge of overseeing today’s party, approached with a concerned expression.

This type of party essentially serves as a social venue for nobles, making it extremely important to establish connections and deepen friendships. Helena’s current moment of rest was the result of such a gap.

“Ah, Lord Chess. To think you’d pay attention to me despite being so busy…”

“Isn’t this party to celebrate Lady Helena’s birth? It’s only natural to focus on the main character.”

Chess knew well that regardless of the stated purpose, noble parties inevitably turn into networking events.

It was a fact known even to Chess, a nobleman without significant territory or need to host social gatherings.

Even so… no, precisely because of that, Chess valued Helena—today’s protagonist and justification—above all else.

She was the daughter of the current duke and possibly someone his son Zion might serve in the not-too-distant future. Thus, it was important to foster familiarity with the Altram family from now on.

And, above all other emotions, was his loyalty to the Krauser family.

“Besides, the party management is fine. The noble guests are already engaged in their own conversations, and at this point, the servants under my direction can handle things sufficiently. Only simple assistance, greeting guests, and cleanup remain.”

“Ah… as expected of you, Viscount. You leave nothing to chance.”

Helena accepted Chess’s loyalty, though she found it burdensome. She felt a special closeness to him because the Altram Viscount family had served the Krauser Ducal family for generations.

Being with him seemed to ease her oppressed feelings somewhat.

While taking a break in one corner, Helena suddenly exclaimed “Ah!” and spoke.

“Oh right. I believe it’s already been a year since you had a son? I’d like to apologize for not offering a proper gift or congratulations.”

“Please, don’t say that. The mere fact that Lady Helena knows about it is an honor.”

In this world, a child’s age is counted from 0. This is influenced by the commonly known concept of counting age. By that reckoning, Zion has spent one year in this world.

Helena had been too preoccupied with her own burdens and responsibilities to remember, and now she reflected on it with regret.

She considered it a clear failure of virtue not to have paid attention to a child born into a family of loyal retainers.

“Lady Helena. There’s no need to be so hard on yourself. Just knowing about my son’s birth is honor enough.”

Chess offered gentle consolation, but he could tell it didn’t reach Helena’s heart.

Though she showed a soft smile of gratitude, he recognized it as a forced one.

What could be done?

As Chess pondered this, he suddenly thought of his son Zion. Though he couldn’t do much, babies have something about them that heals people just by their presence.

He decided to take a chance on that.

“Um, Lady Helena.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“If it’s alright with you, would you come see my son tomorrow? It could be a chance to get some fresh air as well.”

“Your son…?”

Asking a duke’s daughter to come in person might be somewhat impolite.

However, if it becomes a subtle invitation that respects boundaries, and moreover, if the one making the suggestion is from a family of loyal retainers, the situation changes.

Perhaps he was suggesting she get some fresh air, even if briefly.

Helena thought of the Altram residence, which was close to her mansion, and nodded, thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Though she had a younger brother, the age gap was only one year, so she had never actually seen a baby.

From that perspective as well, this outing seemed like a good idea, and the girl nodded.

◎◎◎

“Waaah.”

One year into baby life.

A life lacking nothing, though if there was one uncomfortable thing, it was not being able to control bodily functions properly. Though unavoidable, it was incredibly embarrassing.

Still, since it couldn’t be helped, I tried to adopt a more shameless attitude, but such resolve crumbled helplessly every time my bottom was changed.

Even after doing this for a year.

“Really. Who did our Zion take after to be so well-behaved?”

After being cleaned and changed into a fresh diaper, Lina hugged me with both arms, her eyes sparkling.

It was an expression of overwhelming adoration. They say even hedgehogs love their own babies, but this woman’s maternal love surpassed even that level.

Well, I understand the affection.

I quietly endure when the two of them engage in passionate lovemaking after putting me to bed, and I don’t cry at night unless I have an urgent need.

With no sleep deprivation from a baby crying at all hours during early childcare, it’s understandable they find me admirable.

I receive praise just for not crying.

It’s praise earned without effort. If all babies in the world could understand language, I’d recommend they just stay quiet at night.

“Madam. The master has arrived.”

“Oh my. Is it that time already? I understand. I’ll be down shortly.”

Both Lina and Chess speak respectfully to their servants. It was an attitude that set them apart from ordinary nobles who issue commands arrogantly.

Perhaps these doting parents, like those servants, take such an attitude because they too are in positions of serving others. It’s quite a relatable mindset.

“Now. Our Zion, please wait here quietly for a moment. Understood?”

“Waaah.”

I couldn’t quite bring myself to say “yes,” so I substituted with a baby sound.

I make the same sound when asking for food and when needing a diaper change. “Waaah” was truly a magical word with the highest cost-performance ratio.

“Haah…”

No one was in the couple’s bedroom where the baby crib was placed. There was only me, looking at the ceiling and sighing.

The sight of a one-year-old baby sighing and rolling around in bed would be bizarrely out of place, but since no one was around, what did it matter? Rather, this was precisely the time to enjoy some leisure and relax.

For now, I’m faithfully playing my role as a baby.

—Is this… the room? It seems to be Chess and Lina’s bedroom… wouldn’t it be rude for me to enter alone?

—Not at all. Come, let’s go in.

—Then, excuse me.

Huh? Just as I heard an unfamiliar woman’s voice from outside, a strange girl opened the door and entered alone.

From the conversation, I understand why she’s entering alone, but was there such a person in this mansion?

No, I could assert with certainty that there wasn’t.

“Whoa!”

Seeing the perfectly formed girl with long, neat black hair, golden eyes, and a white dress, I inadvertently gasped.

Lina, who always feeds me, is pretty too, but I was certain this girl’s future would far surpass that.

“So you’re… Zion Altram.”

The girl leaned against the crib frame, staring down at me and murmuring.

Since she knew my name, my parents must have told her in advance. Given how she entered this mansion and the respectful treatment from Chess… she must be someone of high status.

As I was thinking this, a truly shocking name pierced my ears like a needle.

“I’m Helena. Helena Krauser.”

Oh… shit.

That girl was the very Helena Krauser who, despite being weak to pressure, acted perfectly and consequently had her mental state shattered.

The extreme talent who would master the sword before turning twenty, the strongest woman.

And, due to her dangerous potential, the woman designated as the highest priority target.

Normally, I might have been flustered by this sudden meeting, but my mind remained calm as a lake. It was thanks to my iron mentality, always ready to fight for justice.

Though it’s surprising to suddenly face such a woman like this, let’s at least greet her warmly.

“Awoo!”

It’s common for men to shake hands when greeting. However, my arms are too short to reach.

So I babbled while spreading both arms, causing Helena to open her eyes wide and tremble her lips.

I’d heard her character wasn’t bad, so she didn’t seem angry. After all, if she was going to be angry at a baby, she wouldn’t have come here in the first place.

“Ah, um… in this situation, well…”

As if handling a baby for the first time, Helena stamped her feet in confusion.

Then she carefully extended one hand that had been resting on the edge of the crib toward me, in a gesture that looked like offering a handshake.

Normally, this would be understood as asking to be held, but seeing her just extending her hand, she might have an unexpectedly shy side.

Anyway, it would be awkward to leave her hand hanging. I grasped the girl’s hand and shook it gently, holding one of her fingers with both my hands since her hand was so delicate.

“Ah, aah…!”

At that, an exclamation of joy escaped Helena’s lips. Wait, why?