Chapter 4: The Jounrey Begins
"Ma-na," Grim said, pointing at the glowing crystal in Marcus's hand.
"Very good!" Marcus praised, looking way too impressed for such a simple word.
"These people are so easy to fool," Grim thought. At sixteen months old, he was now expected to form his first words, so he decided to give the adults what they wanted to hear.
[You're adapting well to your limitations,] the voice in his head commented.
"Not like I have a fucking choice," Grim thought back.
"Outstanding." Marcus said to Rowan as they packed their stuff into the carriage. "Most children his age can barely say mommy or daddy.'"
"He doesn't say daddy,'" Rowan replied flatly. "He's never tried."
Grim pretended not to notice the hurt in his father's voice. Their relationship was still complicated. Rowan took care of him and had even begun showing pride in his abilities—but there was always that wall between them. The unspoken message: You lived while she died.
"Wa-ter," Grim said, pointing at his cup, playing the role of the smart toddler.
It had been eight months since he'd formed his first mana heart, which had moved up their plans to return to the capital. Now, they were finally leaving the crappy little manor that had been Grim's entire world in this life.
"Just thinking about fate," Grim thought as Sera lifted him into the carriage. "I must have been born into this family for a reason. To prove myself worthy, to restore their honor."