02. Party

The day I was turning one year old was approaching; it was a very special date for me. It had been almost a year since I reincarnated in this strange world. I don’t miss my previous life; I had no friends and no one to welcome me home. I did have parents, but they cared little about me.

My parents from my past life were somewhat problematic. They divorced when I was a teenager, and I was quite shaken after the divorce. After many fights with my father and my mother, I went to live with my mother, who drank a lot and hit me a lot when she came home drunk. That was one of the reasons I left home early. I lived quite alone even while living with my mother; I felt that my place was alone.

But in this life it’s different. Even though I still don’t trust my new parents much, I still saw them as strangers. My father was imposing and serious. My mother is always full of energy and has many scars.

I was crawling around the house as I usually do and peeked into the kitchen; my parents were kissing.

I ignored it and withdrew.

I continued my routine of crawling around the house and discovered that a door was open. I didn’t remember this door or what was inside the room.

The famous saying: Curiosity killed the cat

What changes is that I am not a cat and I am not going to die.

Was I born handsome in this life? It would be very lucky to have a second chance and still be born handsome.

When I reached the living room door, I realized it was a bit dark inside the room. As I went in, I was able to see: in the room there were some pieces of furniture holding some dark robes, something like a floor coat rack as it was called in my past life; there were also long swords and something like a staff.

The staff was entirely black, it had something like claws at the tip, and in the middle there was a stone, somewhat dark blue. The staff was large, almost the size of my “father” in this life.

Why did my “parents” have a room with a staff and swords in their house?

At least my “father” didn’t seem to be a nerd or someone who does cosplay. Could it be that he is one of those guys who seems to be something he isn’t?

— What are you doing here, Kaelen? — said my “mother,” interrupting my thoughts.

I jumped back in fright.

— Nothing — I said, jumping back in surprise.

— You said Kaelen — said my “mother,” jumping with joy and picking me up in her arms. She spun me around, shouting that I had said my first word.

I don’t remember having spoken at any time after I reincarnated, only failed attempts.

— KAELEN SPOKE?? — said my “father,” running into the room.

My “mother’s” eyes were shining.

I was surprised; I never thought my first words would be in a moment like this. They seemed more excited about my first words than about the fact that I had invaded their “secret room.”

With a sparkle in his eyes, my “father” took me from my “mother’s” arms with a very happy expression.

— My boy is growing! — he smiled, a smile I rarely saw on him, one that showed his gentler side — What are you doing here, big guy? You can get hurt with your mom’s equipment.

He looked around the room, but stopped at the robes and the weapons. My heart froze. He realized I had been touching their things. But to my surprise, he didn’t seem angry, just a bit confused.

— Nothing — I repeated, a bit more quietly, trying to look innocent.

My mother approached and looked at the staff.

— Ah, Kaelen, these were your father’s and my work tools — she said, in a calm tone, but with a gleam in her eyes. — It’s not a place for small children.

They took me out of the room, closed the door, and took me back to the kitchen.

I was still wondering what those things were and why they had them.

Work tools? What kind of work involved staffs and swords? The curiosity only increased, and a question came to my mind.

Why do staffs and swords exist in this world?

About a week passed.

During the week that passed, I discovered that my name is: Kaelen Alard Mornhart, and my “father’s” name is: Theron Alard Mornhart, and my “mother’s” is Lyra Alard Mornhart. Apparently we were the Alard Mornhart family.

My “parents” were arranging everything for my celebration. I didn’t know who would come or if it would be just the three of us.

If my celebration were like the celebrations of my past life, I think half of my “mother’s” family and half of my “father’s” family and friends would come. But in this life I don’t know; I didn’t know anyone besides my “parents.” That was a bit worrying.

Did we not have neighbors?

The day of the party arrived. I knew this because the house was very tidy and my “parents” were very happy.

The house was decorated with some simple things and colorful tablecloths. The air in the house smelled like good food, something that reminded me of the rare happy moments of my childhood in my past life before everything fell apart.

My stomach growled, and I realized that, despite being in a baby’s body, my desire for grown-up food had not disappeared.

My “parents” were radiant. My “mother” hummed a cheerful melody while arranging the cutlery on the table, her scars seeming less intimidating under the soft daylight. My “father” was smiling more than I had ever seen; the scene was almost unreal to me, accustomed to solitude, silence, and disapproval.

Finally I have a real family that cares about me. It was a good and somewhat strange feeling.

On the day of the party, some people started arriving at the house. To my surprise, it wasn’t a crowd, but a few familiar faces. My “father’s” sister, a woman with brown hair and piercing eyes, hugged me with a welcoming smile.

— It’s so good to see little Kaelen growing so strong! — she said, and her voice was soft.

And there was also a friend of my “mother”; she is an adult with yellowish hair, had gentle hands, and stroked my head.

They talked in low, cheerful voices.

My “father” and my “mother” greeted them with hugs and smiles, seeming truly at ease with their presence.

I, in my “mother’s” arms, watched everything, feeling a strange warmth in my chest, something that wasn’t hunger. It was… comfort?

I wasn’t sure what it was, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.

My party began, everyone happy, eating and singing.

At the table, my “father” was seated at the head, my “mother” was seated to my “father’s” right, my “mother’s” friend was seated in front of my “mother,” and finally my “aunt” was beside me. I was beside my mother.

— Happy Birthday, Kaelen — said my “father” with a gentle smile.

— Thank you — I said.

This language was quite difficult; I must have spoken at most twice until now.

— Happy Birthday, little Kaelen — said my “mother’s” friend, burying her hands in my hair, continuing — You will grow up and become a great man like your father and strong like your mother.

I nodded.

— Happy Birthday, my son, mommy loves you very much — said my mother, with shining eyes and a smile from ear to ear.

Happy birthday, Kaelen. Much prosperity and happiness for your life. — said my “father’s” sister.

Wasn’t that very formal for a one-year-old child?

My party was fun and simple; the adults drank and ate while I just watched. It was fun to see everyone drunk and enjoying themselves.

At the end of the party, the guests left and my “father” put me in the bedroom to sleep; the day was really good.