Garden of Dreams
Rumors from maids are all I can hear most of the time, Duke Noctum doesn't come to visit much, it might be because of work. Amelia comes to visit weekly, from what she tells me, it's about forming connections with one of the other Dukedoms.
I've been hearing about things outside of the estate, and things about me.
Apparently, I was dead for a while, it was a stillbirth. Then, five minutes after the doctor left, I came back to life.
It must be because I came into this body.
One thing that's hard to keep track of is how long I've been here, since everyday is the same I drift into sleep every now and then.
I know it's been at least 6 months, I saw summer turn into fall, and fall into winter.
The snow is beautiful, much more so than even my original world, that's why I loved the game so much, because it was so beautiful.
But I know that this beauty won't last, that's why I need to find the 'progression' of the Tale. If I'm able to do that I'll be able to deduce how to achieve the happy ending.
But since I'm living through everyday and not just skipping to important events, it's becoming difficult to discern information and nonsense.
This has been bothering me as well.
[Synchronization Rate: 2%]
It's just in the corner of my vision, like a bug I can't get rid of sitting on the wall. It must be there for a reason, but I don't know what it's for.
Clack.
I hear the door open, the maid whom Amelia cherishes as a dear friend comes inside along with a child.
The child has the green eyes of the Maid and curly brown hair.
They walk up to the crib, close enough to touch. The girl scrunches her eyes as she looks at me.
"…it's pudgy, mama."
"That is how all babies are, Fiona, you too were once like Young Master Noctum."
The girl pokes my cheek.
"Soft…"
The sunlight makes her eyes twinkle like emeralds.
That…makes me sleepy.
"Oh? Young Master Noctum is going to sleep, it seems."
"Huh? Weren't we going to take him to the gardens today?"
What?!
My eyes snap open.
"It can't be help, maybe another-"
"Abu!"
Fuck, I've been stuck here for months! Let me out!
"Mama, it's acting weird-"
"Abughuuuu!"
Fiona and the Maid show exasperated expressions.
"Maybe he wants to go outside?"
I start clapping my hands together.
Yes! Yes! Take me with you!
The maid picks me up and places my head on her shoulder.
"Well, let's go then."
She carries me downstairs to the garden, Fiona, who closely follows, stares at my cheeks.
Woah.
The garden, even whilst it snows, has beautiful red roses, a deep red that perfectly pairs with the white snow. My eyes are entranced by the roses, before I know it, we've reached the center of the garden.
The maid stops there, and I take my eyes off the roses.
"Do you see it, Young Master Noctum?"
Before us is a tree, dark and tall, the leaves have all drifted away, but on it, golden strands of light.
What is that?
As I reach out to touch it, it grabs my hand.
It flows freely around my hand, and eventually enters through my wrists, the sensation is pleasant, warm.
"He is a Noctum after all."
The light brightens, and slowly fades back to its original lustre.
"How did the mana feel, Young Master?"
Warm, and plentiful, like basking in the sun on a windy day.
"He looks happy, mama."
"He does."
Mana…how wonderful, it's a magical world then.
'Light.'
I let the mana flow through my wrists.
A ball of light floats out in front of me.
It works then, my previous knowledge of magic from the other Tales works.
"W-what?"
The maid and Fiona suddenly show shocked expressions.
"…?!?!!"
"How is a baby using…?!"
Oh, right. Babies don't have comprehension of words just yet, and I just demonstrated 'Light.'
"Is the Young Master a genius?"
No, I just know what Light is.
The sun starts to be covered by gray clouds, the light from my spell shines brighter as the sun is blocked out.
I suppose that is beautiful too.
I have never felt so content.
"Young Master…?"
"He's really sleeping this time, mama."
The lights dims, and I fall asleep in her arms.
"Sweet Dreams, Young Master."
Thank you.