Rick lay quietly in his crib, the weight of his new reality pressing down on him like a heavy blanket. It had been only a short time since he was reborn into this world, yet the confusion and frustration of his situation were already taking a toll. His body, once a powerful instrument of combat and spirit mastery, was now reduced to that of an infant—helpless, weak, and dependent. Despite the limitations of his tiny frame, his mind remained sharp, a relic of the seventy years he had lived in his previous life.
He still couldn't believe he was here, in this strange new world. A part of him wanted to scream, to lash out against the cruel twist of fate that had brought him back to life as a baby. But deep down, Rick knew that such outbursts would achieve nothing. His only path forward was to adapt, to survive, and to grow strong enough to protect those he cared about—just as he had sworn to do in his previous life.
"Hey, you awake?" Chick's voice rang in his mind, the small spirit perched invisibly on the edge of the crib.
Rick sighed inwardly, his frustration barely contained. "Yeah, I'm awake," he replied through their telepathic link. "I don't think I've had a proper sleep since I got here."
"Can't blame you for that. Tough break, eh? But at least you've still got me. The one and only Chick, at your service!" The spirit's tone was laced with a mixture of sarcasm and mockery.
Rick grunted in response. "Lucky me."
As he lay there, staring at the ornate ceiling of the royal nursery, Rick's thoughts turned to the strange new world he had been thrust into. The palace was a labyrinth of corridors, rooms, and secrets, most of which he hadn't even begun to explore. But one thing was clear—this place was dangerous. He could feel it in the way people looked at him, the way they spoke in hushed tones when they thought he wasn't paying attention. Even as an infant, he knew he was surrounded by enemies.
Marie, the nanny assigned to care for him, was at the top of his list of suspects. She was far too attentive, too perfect in her role. Rick had learned to trust his instincts, and his instincts were telling him that Marie was hiding something. The way she moved, the way she spoke to him when she thought he was too young to understand—it all pointed to a hidden agenda.
Today, as she bustled around the room, humming a soft tune, Rick decided to test her. He let out a soft whimper, feigning discomfort. Immediately, Marie was by his side, her face a mask of concern.
"Oh, my little prince, what's wrong?" she cooed, picking him up gently and cradling him in her arms.
Rick felt a surge of anger at being treated like a helpless infant, but he forced himself to stay calm. This was all part of the act.
Marie rocked him gently, her voice soothing. "There, there. Everything will be alright. You're safe with me."
Safe? Rick almost scoffed. There was nothing safe about this situation. He glanced around the room, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The nursery was decorated with luxurious furnishings, a stark contrast to the war-torn world he had left behind. But there was something off about it all, something that set his teeth on edge.
He decided to push his luck a little further. Using the telepathic link, he spoke to Chick. "Can you sense anything off about her? Anything that might confirm my suspicions?"
Chick floated closer, his tiny form barely visible in the dim light. "She's definitely hiding something," the spirit replied. "Her aura is… strange. It's almost as if she's not entirely herself. Like she's under some kind of influence."
Rick's mind raced. If Chick was right, then Marie wasn't just a suspicious nanny—she was a potential threat. And if she was being controlled by someone else, then the danger was even greater than he had initially thought.
He needed more information. And for that, he had to observe her more closely.
"Keep an eye on her," Rick instructed Chick. "I need to know what she's up to, who she's working for."
Chick gave a small salute. "You got it, boss. I'll keep watch while you pretend to be the adorable little prince."
As Chick floated away, Rick focused on maintaining his facade. He let his eyelids droop, pretending to drift off to sleep in Marie's arms. But his mind was fully alert, analyzing every word, every movement. He couldn't afford to let his guard down—not for a moment.
Time passed slowly as Marie continued to hum and rock him gently. Eventually, she placed him back in the crib, satisfied that he was asleep. Rick kept his breathing slow and steady, waiting for her to drop her guard.
After a few minutes, she moved to the other side of the room, where a small writing desk stood. Rick watched through half-closed eyes as she pulled out a small piece of parchment and a quill, her hands moving quickly and precisely. She wrote something on the parchment, then folded it carefully and tucked it into her apron.
Rick's pulse quickened. What was she writing? And more importantly, who was it for?
Just as he was about to signal Chick to investigate, a soft knock came at the door. Marie glanced over her shoulder, her expression tightening for just a moment before she composed herself.
"Enter," she called softly.
The door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. Rick couldn't see who it was from his position, but he could hear the soft, measured footsteps as the person approached Marie.
"Is everything in place?" the voice asked, low and unfamiliar.
"Yes," Marie replied, her tone cautious. "But I need more time. The child is… different from what we expected."
"Different how?" the voice demanded, a hint of impatience creeping in.
Marie hesitated, glancing briefly at Rick before responding. "He's more aware than he should be. I'm doing my best to keep him under control, but it's difficult. There's something about him… something I can't quite place."
Rick's heart pounded in his chest. So they had noticed. He had been careful, but it seemed his act hadn't been as flawless as he'd thought.
"Then you must be more vigilant," the voice instructed. "Our plans depend on your success. Fail, and the consequences will be dire."
"I understand," Marie replied, her voice tight with fear.
The figure turned to leave, but then paused, as if considering something. "Remember, Marie. The prince is nothing but a pawn. Do not let sentiment cloud your judgment."
With that, the figure left, closing the door softly behind them.
Marie stood still for a moment, her face a mask of conflicting emotions. Then, with a deep breath, she turned back to Rick, her expression carefully neutral once more.
Rick pretended to stir in his sleep, making a small, contented noise. Marie watched him for a moment longer before finally turning away, resuming her duties.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Rick signaled Chick. "Did you hear all that?"
"Every word," Chick replied, his tone serious for once. "She's definitely up to something. And she's scared—really scared."
Rick's mind raced as he tried to piece together the fragments of information he had gathered. Whoever was behind Marie's actions was powerful and ruthless, and they clearly had a vested interest in controlling him. But why? And what was their ultimate goal?
For now, all Rick could do was gather more information and bide his time. He wasn't strong enough to confront anyone yet, but that would change. He would make sure of it.
As he lay back in his crib, Rick's resolve hardened. He had been through hell and back in his previous life. He had lost everything he had ever cared about, and he refused to let that happen again. No matter what it took, he would protect himself and those he came to care about in this world.
He would not be a pawn. He would not be controlled. He would find a way to break free of whatever chains they tried to bind him with.
And when the time came, he would make them pay.