Chapter 1 – Another world? Another Family?
Part 1 - Memories
Out of all the people in this world, why did I end up in his?
My childhood? Honestly, it's a blur.
Faces, voices, flashes of scenery—that's about it. Ask me about a single day without any context and I'd probably stare blankly. Maybe everyone's like that.
Anyway, memory's a funny thing. You never know what you're recall… until you wake up in someone else's arms.
It's been a few days now since I awoke in this world.
I started to grow accustomed to these new people.
Giant faces stared down at me, mouths moving like bad dub.
I get the expressions—worry, relief—but the words were just noise.
"XXX---- XX----Roro--XXXX"
Except for one, it would seem to be my name.
Then the biggest one lifted me up.
The ground vanished, my stomach followed, and I squeaked.
Pathetic? Maybe. Strategic? Absolutely.
The smaller giant rushed in, scooped me up, speaking a softer gibberish.
The big one smiled back—half pained.
His face.... It makes my gut-- then came a warm, wet betrayal.
Oh man, I might've ruined the moment by…
what is wrong with this body.
My pride stings.
I cried anyway.
Part 2 – Roxy's Unease
Light shined though the partially opened curtains on a half-asleep figure.
It wasn't out of the ordinary for this girl… no woman for she had already had two children and is amid a third.
She needs to hurry if she wants to get to her job on time. For she has a bad habit of sleeping in.
She put on her robes and grabbed her hat and head toward the front door, all the while staying light on her feet.
Not because she had any reason to do so, nor did she fear waking up the others in the house, she just didn't want to be a bother to the head mistress.
"Oh, Roxy" a surprised voice lipped out.
The two women froze-- Roxy on reflex, lifted a hand to her stomach, however it altered its course to the brim of her hat, subtly shifting it down as not to make eye contact.
"M-Morning Sylphie"
Unsure of what to do next Roxy just stood in the hallway.
The peter patter of footsteps came bounding down the hallway as Lucy, Sylphie first born daughter ran past the two and with a quick hug for both, she left the house.
"Oh, yeah, Lucy started going to school"
Ranoa University of Magic is a well-known school where all the brightest of minds go to further their education. It doesn't matter of your age, sex, or race all are welcome.
"Pretty soon you might have to ask for time off"
Hearing this Roxy was confused, time off? For what? In time she realizes what Sylphie was saying.
Roxy bowed her head, shielding the curve of her lip. Again, her hand attempted to move to her stomach, however a warm and gentle sensation accompanied her own.
Looking up Roxy found that Sylphie had entwined her own hand with hers on her stomach.
With a gentle smile.
"You'll do fine," whispered Sylphie.
Fighting back tears Roxy could only nod.
"T-Thank you"
Roxy knew how understanding Sylphie is, she knew that it was because of her that she could enjoy this happiness. At the same time, she couldn't help but feel guilty all over again.
Once again, she is stealing something from Sylphie… her friend. It was because of Roxy that Rudeus even married another woman, Now It's because of Roxy that she skipped the line and got pregnant.
Part 3 – Sylphie's Guilt
Time moves by so slowly now, yet everything else happens in a flash.
I love Rudy, but Rudy also loves our family. I admire that about him. He is always forced to choose between difficult things and yet he always puts his family first. Even if that decision puts him at odds with the "Dragon God Orsted".
Just the other day Norn had asked me about Marriage. She's gotten so grown up as of late. She's so mature… Not like me.
Lately our family has changed, and it's due to Rudy.
It hasn't been spoken out loud yet, but everyone knows she's pregnant. It hasn't been long since her and Eris had given birth to Lily and Christina. I know it wasn't acknowledged or anything but we kind of had an unspoken rule for who was supposed to be next, but I guess Rudy couldn't help it and over did it with Roxy, like he always does. It was bound to happen to one of us, but it still hurts.
Soon Rudy is going away again, another job from Orsted. It's like clockwork. As soon as one of us is pregnant he goes on a death-defying mission. They have already picked a name, if it's a boy "Roro" and "Rosie" if it's a girl. They are lovely names. –
It's time for Roxy's baby to come and Rudy hasn't come back. I know things will be fine; it's comforting to have him here. At this point everyone in the house has child birthing down to a science, even Roxy's small frame poses no real issue. Despite that my heart still raced, it felt as though my chest was going to burst… then nothing. No, the room fell silent.
Time crawled to a screeching halt; the cacophony of voices drummed to a gentle hum. Except for the baby. I panicked, so many things creeped into my mind. None of which stuck all I can remember is one emotion. It made me sick.
I was glad.
I was going to hunch over, I could feel the blood draining from my face, sinking to my feet. Followed by a wail, was I? The baby! It's the baby. My vision blurred as everyone moved; I was still frozen. I must move; I need to help. Roxy, I got to help my friend. I couldn't move my knees wouldn't budge and my chest hurt. I couldn't look Roxy in the eyes.
Was it because she got pregnant before me? No that didn't matter.
Could it be that I was happy that the baby? NO! I would never.
None of those matters, right now I have got to help my family. Roxy and the baby seem to be okay. Roxy, I'm so relieved that you didn't have to go through the worst. For now, we must continue as a family and we'll get through anything.
Part 4 – Rudeus Fear
It hasn't even been an hour since I've gotten back to Sharia. I rush by the receptionist opening the CEO office door to make my report.
What greeted him was a man with a blacken helmet on, if it was anyone else faced with this figure, they would of surly wet themself, but to Rudeus who was on a religious march, he couldn't back down nor will he.
"Rudeus"
Cutting though the room filled with paper, an imposing voice came from beneath the black helmet, it was of course the CEO himself, Orsted the Dragon God.
What followed was a noise that caused Rudeus heart to sink to the ground as if he just got teleported into the sky and was plummeting back to the ground. It did look as though Orsted wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. After a few shallow breaths his eyes snapped towards Rudeus.
"Go home, your report can wait"
With new breath Rudeus legs were carried by the wind, towards his home, to his family. What greeted his eyes were not what he hoped for. An empty yard, with no clothes on the line. Despair rose within his heart, the ground felt farther away. What was going on? Where is everyone?
Bursting through the front door, blood rushing in his ears, he frantically searches through his empty home.
"This can't be"
All hope was lost; his family was gone. Greeting the floor, his mind raced, landing on one thought. Why didn't Orsted say something to me? Then he realized it did look like he wanted to say something back at the office. Turning back to the door the blood ran from his body. With fervor he crawled to the figure in the hallway, reaching them he reverently kisses their Holy feet, for they belonged to his Goddess, Roxy. Wrapping his arms around them, feeling the warmth of life, he noticed that her belly had gone down.
"T-the baby…"
Baffled by this sudden act she froze and only snapped back to reality when she felt a presence on her backside.
"R-Rudy" shaking his hand off, but with a gently smile.
"He's sleeping, everything is fine" she pointed towards a small bundle wrapped in clothe.
Still on his hands on knees he approaches the small bunch of warmth. With practiced movements he raised a hand extending his index finger to prod at the delicate hands of his baby boy.
"R-Roro"
Exuding sounds that only a proud father could make, Rudeus face lighten up even farther when his affections were received back, a tiny hand grabs his own. Causing his fatherly cooing to intensify. His voice echoes within the room, either it was his voice or the movement of his hand, no one could really say. The sleepy eyes of Roro slowly began to flutter up, revealing his turquoise eyes, his tranquil face quickly snap towards the man in front of him, with eyes the size of saucers and mouth agape.
"Waaaaaaaaah"
A primal noise rings out, causing the Rudeus to fall onto his rear. All the while the baby hasn't broken eye contact. Roxy rushed in, scooping him into her arms. She effortlessly started to soothe the baby, leaving Rudeus dumbfounded as to what he to sink into self-pity as he thinks why his son reacted like that, did he do something wrong?
As Rudeus began to sulk, Roro subtle hiccup never breaking his line of sight of the man, his father, Rudeus Greyrat. His eyelids grew heavy, as he starts to lose consciousness he could sworn, he saw an elf peeping in from the doorway.
Part 5 – Roro Greyrat
In this house there is a constant buzz of energy. Yet I always find the time to think, it's oddly peaceful.
Maybe it's because of that, I got it in my head that this was some sort of dream. If it wasn't for the mess the other day, I would have kept thinking that way. I believe people call it vivid dreams. I was ecstatic, I rarely had things that cool happen to me. So, when I first opened my eyes here, I'll admit that I was confused. One minute I was… then I was surrounded by people towering over me, saying things I didn't understand. While I'm being open and honest, I let out a scream or two. Looking back, perhaps I overreacted a bit.
At first, I watched these strangely familiar faces go about their days, this dream didn't end even when I fell asleep. Then it hit me, I know these faces. 2D has nothing compared to reality. But where was the main protagonist at? Did I take his place? No, I was far too small for that. Besides I'm a baby surrounded by beautiful women; it got old fast especially now since reality is sinking in.
So, what was really going on? It took a while to confirm each and everyone in the house, mostly because this new body is always running on low battery. Each of the kids has their own routines. Christina and Lily were the first and easiest to confirm since they seem to be close in age to me. The others were much harder to spot. They can walk wherever they want; their body responds to their brain commands.
I usual spends my time with Aisha or Sylphie, but I get the feeling she don't want to be around me—It her face when she holds me. I'm aiming to go under the radar until I can fend for myself. I've been embarrassed way too much since coming here. I want to learn all types of things, especially magic. When I think of the potential, this already light body gets even lighter, and I can't help but shake my arms and legs in excitement. I've already eavesdropped on some of Roxy's lessons with the other kids. I still don't quite understand what they are talking about, but it looks so cool.
I keep reminding myself that I got to take one day at a time. Back to reality, I met this body's father. Rudeus Greyrat. Seeing him really did put everything into perspective. Honestly, he really scares me. I know how powerful this guy is, how terrifying misunderstandings can get for him. Once I can fend for myself, I would like to get some distance from him.
He's no longer a fictional character to me; he's flesh and blood with immense powers. He has rough patches, but I could caulk them up to it being a story but now—I don't know how to feel.
Yet the air in the house somehow felt—lighter, since he got back. Most everyone started showing teeth, but I am picking up that Roxy seems to be a little more hesitant while Sylphie looks pained. Man, I really hoped I didn't mess things up with that outburst the other day. It's so embarrassing, but you shouldn't jump scare someone out of the blue—Especially when they are a sleeping baby.