Babysitting

6:30 a.m., 20th July 1521.

Dressed in my victorian suit that had to go through a "wash and wear cycle" because I have no other suit. I headed to the manor according to the direction written on the paper Mr. Alec had given me.

From the Summit Avenue, I had to ride a horse-drawn carriage going to the Cedar Street which is approximately 9 miles in distance. For that, I had to pay 5 demi.

From there, I only had to wait at the front of the Hankala Inn because someone will come to fetch me. But when I arrived, the one who is going to fetch me is already waiting.

"Good day, mister! I am Walter, a butler from the House of Arturus. If I may ask, are you the one the Bloodhound Agency sent?" asked the man with a white receding hairline.

"Good day to you as well, Mr. Walter. And yes, I am."

"My lord, Count Norman sent me to fetch you. If you don't mind." he then motioned me to ride the fancy-looking carriage that has been parked not too far from where we were. But just before we got in, he gave me a sympathetic look. And trust me, it is giving me the impression that something unpleasant is going to happen.

***

"Oh! I'm glad you finally came!" was the very first thing Count Norman said to me the moment he saw me. I knew he was Count Norman even if this was my first time seeing him because, amongst everyone in the manor, he was dressed the fanciest.

As we walked through the hallway, he told me, "Mr. Jack, I am so relieved you actually came. I wouldn't have to hire someone to babysit my son, Oliver, if not for the fact that I had to attend the council meeting today. My wife, Isabella isn't here as well. The maids, including the butlers, refuse to babysit my son that's why I was left with no other choice. Though you don't have to worry. Oliver doesn't like to run around. In fact, he just likes to behave in one place."

Hoy! Hoy! Aren't you just saying that because he's you're son? If he's behaving like what you claim he is, then why would the maids, even the butlers refuse to babysit a four-year-old kid? Don't you dare tell me all of them equally hated kids because there's no way I am buying that. Even if it's not the same Earth, who could even dare resist the charm of a kid regardless of how naughty he is. Unless that kid is an incarnation of a primordial evil lord. There has to be a reason.

"Mr. Jack. Really, thank you! I will be back before five in the afternoon. Until then, please take care of my son."

"You wouldn't have to worry about your son, Count. That's why I am here."

We continued walking until we finally reached Oliver's chamber. But when Count Norman was about to turn the knob, suddenly, the door slammed open. And a woman wearing a maid's uniform who was frantically scurrying away from whatever was inside the room fell on her butt when she crashed into Count Norman. It's a good thing I was just right beside him at that moment, if I was not, the Count would have met the same fate.

"Alicia! What the hell is going on again?!" the maid, who I think was Alicia with how the Count addressed her looked up at him, teary-eyed. She looked so pitiful when she hastily stood up and bowed before the Count as she pleaded.

"F-Forgive me, my lord! I—I know it may be arrogant of me to say this but please, I don't want to go near Sir Oliver from now on. It's—It's fine if you put me in the laundry's section but please, my lord. I beg you!"

"Let's talk about this matter when I arrive. For now, scram!"

Uhh… What kind of suicidal mission did I sign for again?

***

A four-year-old kid with black hair and blue eyes had been sitting across me for quite some time now. When I saw the scene earlier and the state the maid is in, to tell you the truth, I was honestly thinking of backing out if not for the fact that I already signed up for this.

One rule written on the agreement contract stated that you can refuse if you don't like to accept the job. But once you accepted it, you will have to see through it.

I had been sitting across him for more than, probably three minutes. But up until now, he's yet to say a word to me.

Looking at his doe eyes and thick lashes, I am still having a hard time comprehending. That why? Why would this innocent-looking kid be feared by the maids and butlers so much? So much that they're almost having a mental breakdown.

"What's your name?" he suddenly asked.

"Jack"

"Then, can I call you Mr. Jack?"

"Sure," I wish he would behave like what his father described him to be.

"Mr. Jack. Do you want to play hide and seek?" And what? So I would lose you out of my sight?

"No. I don't like moving around too much." Yes, then maybe if I told him I hated moving around, he will just drop the idea.

"Okay," he went silent again and resumed looking at me for a while before saying, "Mr. Jack. Do you have a pet?"

Heh! A pet huh. Even when I was still Sean, I never had a pet. Wait! Will Ethan count? I mean, he can turn into a rabbit and I also feed him. I will go crazy if we're just going to stare at each other until his father arrive. Talking to this child is much better. Probably.

"Yes"

"What kind?"

"A rabbit."