The room was still and quiet.
Albert lay on the bed, half-covered by a thin blanket that barely warmed him. His lower body felt heavy or maybe it was just weak. He couldn't tell anymore.
The air in the room smelled faintly of medicine and dust that hadn't been touched in days.
Voices reached him. Faint at first, then clearer.
He opened his eyes slowly, like even that small movement cost him. Dark circles hung under them. His black hair was messy, sticking out in uneven directions.
He pushed the blanket away. His hands trembled slightly, but he ignored it.
The walk to the window wasn't far—though it felt farther than it should have. He pulled the curtain aside.
Down below, in the garage next door, a car engine shut off.
A man stepped out and stretched his arms. His wife and little daughter were already waiting.
He closed the door and walked toward them.
The little girl lifted both hands in the air."Papa, carry me!"
Her voice was bright.
The man laughed softly. "Already? We just got home."
She pouted dramatically, and he gave in.
He scooped her up and spun her lightly. She squealed, laughter echoing in the quiet night.
The wife tapped his shoulder. "That's enough fun."
She smiled. "It's late. Let's go inside and eat."
The little girl threw her hands up again."Yay! Breakfast!"
The parents laughed. "Dinner," the mother corrected gently.
"Dinner!" the girl repeated, giggling.
They walked inside. The door closed.
The garage was empty again.
Albert didn't move. He still held the curtain."They look happy…" he murmured.
Then he coughed.
It started small and then tore through him.
His body bent forward as another cough followed, harsher this time. He grabbed a white handkerchief from his pocket with shaking fingers and pressed it to his mouth.
He tried to breathe between spasms, but he couldn't.
Another cough, then another.
His chest burned. His vision blurred.
Finally it slowed.
He pulled the handkerchief away. The cloth was stained red—spreading like a flower he never asked for.
He turned toward the bed. Just a few steps.One an another.
His strength left him.The handkerchief slipped from his fingers and drifted to the floor.
His legs gave out. His body hit the ground with a dull sound.
The ceiling looked farther away than it should have.
His breathing grew shallow. He blinked once.
His lips moved faintly. "I guess… my time is up."
His eyes dimmed. Everything went dark.
——————
The darkness didn't last. It wasn't cold. It was warm.
Something tugged at his head.
The world blurred, then light swallowed him whole.
Then— voices.
When his vision cleared, faces hovered above him—blurred at first, then sharper. Women smiling.
In the arms of an older woman, warmth pressed against his tiny body.
She smiled gently."Congratulations. It's a baby boy."
She passed him to the young woman lying on the bed—hair damp with sweat, cheeks flushed from labor.
The young mother's arms trembled as she held him, but her smile was radiant.
She kissed his forehead. Tears spilled onto his skin.
Albert's mind spun."What… what is this?"
Thoughts scrambled."Where am I? Who are these people? And why am I a baby?"
A nurse bowed quickly."I'll inform Lord Aldric at once."
She left.
One of the women frowned." He ohasn't cried."
She stepped closer."We'll take him for a moment, Lady Verona."
Verona hesitated… then handed him over.
Albert was lifted again.
A maid whispered. "It's unusual for a newborn not to cry."
"What are you implying?" another asked.
"There's a rumor. Children who don't cry at birth are cursed... they burn them alive."
Albert heard it. "Burned… alive."
The maid holding him looked down at him uneasily.
"To think Lady Verona's child might die just after being born."
Fear exploded inside him."No. No, no, no."
He forced air into his tiny lungs and pushed with everything he had.
His mouth opened.
Instead of words, a weak, broken wail came out.
"Gwahhh—! Waaaahhh!"
The cry was small but loud enough.
The women were startled.
One laughed nervously."I guess he was just shy."
Albert kept trying to shout, but only helpless crying came."What happened to my voice?"
He was passed back to Verona.
She rocked him gently."Shh… it's alright."
The door burst open.
A tall man entered—noble posture,deep blue hair was swept back neatly across his face.
"Lord Aldric," one of the women whispered.
They all bowed their heads.
He knelt beside Verona and kissed her forehead.
"You did well."
Verona smiled tiredly."Doesn't he look like father?"
Aldric looked at the baby's white hair—and laughed softly. "He does."
She continued, half teasing."But I don't think father cried like he's doing now."
They laughed.
She patted Albert gently. His cries weakened.
Warmth surrounded him—the rhythm of her breathing.
He didn't understand any of this. But he was tired.
So tired.
"I… can't…"
Darkness pulled him under again.
The room went silent.
Aldric sighed."He has fallen asleep."
He walked toward the nurse."Come with me."
She followed.
Verona watched her child and smiled."You look cute when you sleep."
Murmurs came from the maids.
"Lady Verona has given Lord Aldric his first son."
"The mansion will be lively today. The first son of the Valtoria family has been born."
—————
By noon, the mansion celebrated.
Servants moved through decorated halls. Nobles arrived in fine clothes. Whispers filled the air.
In her chamber, Verona wore a golden dress and held Albert in a soft cloth.
He looked around."The last thing I remember… I died. So why am I here?"
He stared up at her."Is she… my mother?"
She noticed him and smiled—soft and warm.
His chest tightened"."That smile. It's different... almost like..."
"Oh my," she laughed. "Your cheeks are red."
She gently rubbed her nose against his.
The door opened.
A maid bowed."The ceremony has begun."
Albert turned to her."Who's she?"
Verona stood and handed him over.
"Have you chosen a name?" The maid asked.
Verona placed a hand on his tiny head.
Albert's eyes lightened up.
She smiled."I shall call him Arthur."
The name echoed in his mind.
" Arthur…"
The maid repeated it with a smile.
Verona withdrew her hand."Arthur, my dear… meet Elizabeth. She will be your caretaker."
Arthur stared at Elizabeth. "I think I finally understand. I have been reborn."
Elizabeth stepped forward."My lady, we should join the guests."
Verona nodded.
——————
That evening, Lord Aldric announced the name:
Arthur Valtoria.
And the part went on.
Later, Arthur lay in his cradle.
His mother kissed his forehead. "Goodnight... Arthur."
Then—she left.
The door clicked shut.
The room was quiet.
Arthur opened his eyes.
He looked at the toy beside him and tried to move.
His limbs barely responded. He tried to speak, but only a small cry came out.
The door opened.
Verona rushed in.
Arthur kept quiet when he saw her.
She picked him up."Not sleepy yet?... Naughty boy."
Elizabeth entered."My lady, you should rest."
Verona smiled."I heard him crying."
Elizabeth sighed."You should have called me."
"I know."
Verona continued. "But I wanted to stay a little longer."
Arthur stared at her." She... wants to stay with me?"
Elizabeth left to bring a rocking chair and placed it by the window.
She drew the curtains aside and pushed the window open.
Moonlight spilled in.
Then she walked away quietly.
Verona sat and looked at him."Mum will keep you company."
She rocked gently and hummed softly.
Arthur thought." I... I feel warm."
He turned his head slightly to look at the moon." In my previous life I was born sick and as such I was always left indoors. I was even abandoned by my so called parents."
Memories of the dying bed surfaced, but Verona's grip warmed him.
"Maybe fate wasn't cruel after all."
He closed his eyes."Maybe it's temporary. Maybe it will disappear. But for now… I want to believe it. I want to believe this is real."
Verona's humming continued.
Arthur finally slept.
The moonlight casted a warm glow over the mother and her son.