Judge finally got his meal after what felt like the longest day in existence. Seriously, the day had stretched so far, that it probably took ten chapters to cover (maybe even more — I am too lazy to check). He was just happy to finally get some rest, even if the rest involved being fed like a baby, which, inconveniently, he currently was.
Just as things were starting to feel somewhat normal (as normal as things could get for a reincarnated baby), the door flew open with a crash (not that hard but, come on), and Seraphis stormed in, carrying her own baby in one arm and what looked like excitement in the other. Judge almost choked on his milk. Not that he could, but the thought was there.
"Judge!" Seraphis called his name, her tone making him think twice about maintaining eye contact. Hearing someone call you by your name while trapped in the body of an actual newborn was quite unsettling. "Where did you get that mannequin, and where did you hide it?"
Eleyn, his ever-protective mother, shot her a glare sharp enough to cut through the air. "Sera, my baby is finally resting after a long day, and here you are, interrupting him. And for what? So you can talk about mannequins?"
Seraphis wasn't backing down, though. She sighed, adjusting the baby in her arms. "Look, I didn't know he was a newborn. I mean, have you seen how well he fights? Honestly, you should spar with him when you get the chance. I was impressed!
Plus, have I mentioned how arrogant and disrespectful he was during the fight?"
Eleyn's expression softened into a dangerously sweet smile, which usually meant trouble. "He's my child, Sera. He can be as arrogant and disrespectful as he likes, especially when it comes to enemies. Who are you to complain?"
Seraphis crossed her arms, very irritated. "Of course. Why am I not surprised?"
Judge, meanwhile, was practically screaming inside his own head. Why is my reincarnated baby self the topic of conversation? Can I just eat my meal in peace without someone dragging my name through the mud?
But before he could telepathically send a complaint to the universe, another figure entered the room—Seraphis' husband, Corwin, looking like he'd been pulled straight out of a heroic ballad. Muscles? Check. The perfect amount of sweat to seem rugged yet not gross? Double-check. Shirt?
Corwin sighed dramatically, clearly used to this kind of thing. "Could both of you please stop arguing? There are two children in this room, and somehow, the actual adults are acting more childish than the babies."
"Sorry, Corwin," Eleyn said with a smirk. "Must be tough living with such an immature wife every day. Poor little Selena." She chuckled.
Corwin chuckled too, shrugging like it was no big deal. "You get used to it. Besides, she's got that whole 'angry but lovable' thing going for her."
Before Judge could even process this exchange, the room filled with laughter, the kind you only get from family gatherings where everyone's been through some ridiculous stuff together.
It was warm, it was lively, and it was dangerously close to wholesome—something Judge wasn't entirely comfortable with.
His days were typically filled with more "silent scheming" and "I-swear-this-contract-won't-ruin-your-life" moments. You know, the classics, not laughing along with half-dressed pheonix and dragons.
But this was not half bad, he was longing for an atmosphere , all while hiding behind the pain of reality. Yeah, it was safe to assume that he did not live a fulfilling life. He wanted this moment to last for ever.
Why am I here? It was the first thought that came to his mind.
Judge was in his studio, he checked the condition properly, it had repaired by itself. He was now inside the throne room, except there was no throne. He could feel the intense glare of his mother from the side. The kind of glare that made grown warriors reconsider their life choices.
"So, you are able to make adjustments to your own body while you are inside this... Sudio of yours?"
"Studio" Judge corrected her.
"Yes studio," she said, rolling her eyes. "so can you adjust other's body too?"
"If they sign a contract with me. I am not sure as I have not tried it yet." Judge felt uncomfortable lying to his mom, but he could make a guess on who he would be signing the contract with and adjust the body of— if that was possible.
Seraphis held Selena, the white haired baby, close to her. "What kind of contract is it?"
Judge swallowed, Here we go. "This might sound weird," He began, mentally preparing himself, "but it is a contract that lets the contracted act strictly in a drama according to the script I write."
The awkward silence that followed was... Awkward.
His mother blinked. Seraphis blinked. Even Corwin, who was probably used to bizarre conversations, looked slightly confused. Judge internally cringed. Wow, great pitch there, genius.
He did not lie but he did not speak the whole truth, but he knew she would not be convinced with this.
"I got the skill from the deity of stories."
"It has a truth effect, which means if I cannot fulfill the conditions I set, I cannot give you the contract. So, there is no harm in trying."
Seraphis was not convinced, but Corwin stepped up, placing a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. "I trust Eleyn's child, even more so if they were her child in the previous life too. So I trust you." Making his wife sigh.
"So how do we go about this? Don't tell me you are gonna make my child hold a pen and actually sign, she isn't even a week old."
"Don't worry, she only has to accept it with her mind." Judge tried to summon a contract, "I promise to change your appearance to your older self or in any form you desire." To his surprise and fulfilling everyone else's expectations, a contract sheet was summoned.
"Now Selena, only accept it if you want, and like the conditions, we won't force anything upon you," Corwin said.
Yeah, folks, that was a father's conversation with his one-week-old baby. Don't be so irresponsible like Corwin or clueless like Seraphis.