In the following days, Jamie did his best to assimilate to his new life as the son of a General or Marquis. The servants of the residence were so excited to have a new young master that they served Jamie with the utmost care. From the food to his clothing, everything had to be perfect down to the finest detail. Maids even tried to serve their master in the bath or while dressing. This was the norm of this world. A noble is to be pampered and the servants will do everything like there arms and legs were incapable.
As a 19-year-old soul that never even had a girlfriend before, these acts were too intimate much for him, despite them being pure in nature. Thus, he immediately banned them from touching him unless he was dressed in an under robe.
On the third day of living in the General's household, Jamie woke up earlier than usual. As a person from the 21st century, it's only natural that he woke up later compared to these ancient people. Because of school, the earliest he would ever get out of bed would be 6 AM. And that's only if he needed to finish up some homework or cram for a test.
Therefore, when Jamie found himself having to start his day before the sun rose from the east, his mind was always filled with fog until noon. It was times like these when he missed being able to grab a coffee or sweet pick-me-up from the cafe.
'Hah... I wonder how my Manager is doing... I guess he'll have to hire someone else. I hope it's not a girl. Daniel might end up hitting on her and dumping her the next day.'
After putting on a light blue under robe, Jamie exited his sleeping chambers to find his personal maids assigned by Uncle Avery standing in a humble line. There were a total of four of them. All of them different in their own way.
Pipa was the eldest, age 15. She had light chestnut brown hair that was always tied into a neat bun style that adult female servants should wear. It suited her personality which was mature and elegant, especially since she was the leader of Jamie's other personal maids. In the original novel, she was always bullied by Scum Jamie and put into awkward situations that borderlined rape. Real Jamie couldn't stand reading these scenes, he didn't want to skip it because he hoped to see her retaliate and receive justice for herself.... But because she was a very loyal and devoted person, she always stayed silent. Knowing her as a real person pricked Real Jamie's heart. Pipa was so lovely and strong. He swore to treat her well.
For now, he could only comfort his mind knowing that the book wouldn't happen. Also, in the chapters following, after Scum Jamie grew up and left the mansion at 13, Pipa and the other maids were never mentioned again which meant Scum Jamie never saw them again.
The second and third in line were the two sisters, Rina and Lina, age 14. The two were identical twins with differing personalities. Rina was the older of the two and somewhat of a tomboy. Even though all the maids were supposed to wear the same indigo robe reserved for maids, Rina asked Jamie on the first day if she could just wear a simple servant boy's uniform. Not seeing any harm in it, Jamie agreed, saying with a smile, 'Whatever makes you happy.' The next day, Rina cut her long blue locks (Yes, blue is a hair color in this fictional world) into a short and boyish hairdo. When the others saw it, they were appalled. In this country, hair was a symbol of one's status. As servant children that grew up in the venerable General and Marquis household, they purposefully kept their hair long because it represented their status. It was unlike the original orphan Jamie who kept his hair long because he could not afford to get his hair cut. Rina only retorted the critics by saying, "Young Master said I could do it, so what are you all complaining about."
Of course, after that, no one dared to say anything more.
Lina was the opposite of Rina. She was a complete girly girl that strives to be an ultimate lady-in-waiting... When she first saw Jamie, she, like everyone else, thought that he was a little girl. With eyes that sparkled in delight, she immediately addressed him as young miss and milady until Uncle Avery corrected her sternly. Jamie guessed that he felt bad for mistaking his gender beforehand, thus he was always the first to correct those who'd made the same mistake. After hearing the miss was a young master, Lina reigned back her enthusiasm into dead silence. It seemed that this loli was still in the stage where all boys had cooties, thus her dislike.
And the last, was Kana, age 12. She was a cute girl with orange-yellow braided pigtails. She was the typical little obedient younger sister type. But since she was technically older than Jamie, Kana did her best to copy Pipa's mature attitude even though the more she tried to act older, the more she'd exposed her clumsiness. Fortunate for her, Jamie didn't criticize her as he always wanted a little sister. How can someone get mad at someone who was trying their best?
Pipa stepped forward upon her new young master's arrival. With a respectful tone, she bowed her head to greet, "Good morning, young master. I hope you slept well. It seems you've woken up a half-hour earlier than yesterday."
Jamie, who was still not used to people waiting on him, quietly nodded his head. The sun hasn't even fully risen yet, but the maids were already up and standing outside his door. His mind paused at this thought before saying, "There's no need for all of you to wake up so early. As I said, I'm originally a commoner, thus I can easily do things on my-"
In a forceful yet gentle tone, Pipa stopped him. "Young Master, you are too kind. As servants of a venerable Marquis household, we must perform our duties diligently. If we slack off, then what would be the use in keeping us? Our jobs are our lives. It is only proper that we do them correctly. The young master already allows us to not perform a number of our duties. If we cannot even do the morning ritual, (AKA help their master get ready for the day) then I don't believe this servant will be able to face the Master (the General) anymore."
Hearing her put it that way, Jamie swallowed his tongue and allowed for them to just do as they pleased. Like yesterday and the day before, he stretched out his arms so that Rina and Lina could dress him up. Jamie wasn't used to the eastern fashion or robes in general. One of the things that a lot of the readers disliked about the original novel was that the world mixed the east and west cultures so much that it became a bit confusing as to how the setting should be imagined.
For example, Jamie lived in an obviously ancient east Asian courtyard and was being dressed in a light blue hanfu with white lilac branches wrapping up from his feet. However, when you think about the naming process, such as General Jedrek, or Sir Avery, or even this body's real name, Soleil, they clearly gave off a western feel. In the end, Jamie just took everything with a grain of salt. It's a fictional world made by a crack author after all.
As the twins dressed him, Kana washed his face, hands, and feet while Pipa brushed his long, straight hair, putting in flowery scented oils that he without a doubt, really liked before tying it back into a loose ponytail like Uncle Avery's.
The entire process took the efficient maids around a whole forty-five minutes. If this was the him in the past, Jamie would have widened his eyes and slapped himself across the face. Unless he was taking a shower and going somewhere nice, he would never spend forty-five minutes getting ready. At most, everything would only take 20 minutes in total. But because the girls were so tedious with their work and went the extra mile to take care of him, he just allowed them to do things as they pleased.
When everything was over, Jamie inspected himself in the mirror. What he saw made his eye twitch. He had to pull back the temptation to just punch the glass right in the face.
The little girl was very pretty. With a fairy-like face and enchanting features, it is obvious that the girl would one day become a calamitous beauty... It was too bad that the girl was a boy.
Seeing the darkening face of their young master, the maids took three steps back. Jamie turned to the twins who kept their heads lower than their usual bow. For the first time, his tone was laced with displeasure. "Why am I dressed like this?"
Lina, who hung her head but showed no guilt, answered for the two. "Young master, I'm sure you are not familiar with the clothing of the Capital. There are many different styles of clothing made for nobles. Some prefer wearing a two-piece suit and some prefer wearing classic robes. The Marquis household has a tradition of wearing robes-"
Pursing his lips, he stopped her, "I know, you said this yesterday. I'm asking why am I dressed like a girl."
Lina lifted her eyes and tilted her head, looking like a confused child. "Young master, I do not understand what you are saying. These robes are what people call 'unisex.' Many males wear these here."
Jamie's narrowed eyes studied the dead face girl for a bit before moving over to the pixie-haired tomboy beside her. "Rina."
Rina's body shivered once when her name was called but still managed to respond normally, "Young master."
"Is what she is saying the truth?"
Rina kept her head lowered as she said, "My sister is indeed speaking the truth. If you go into the palace, you would be able to see many men wearing unisex clothing such as this. It is quite the fashion nowadays."
Jamie kept his eyes on the 14-year-old girl, pressuring her with his stern adult-in-a-little-boy's-body gaze. Seeing her not give in, he decided to believe her for now. Although they only met a few days ago, Jamie quickly understood that while Lina was slick-tongued, Rina was someone that could not tell a lie to save her life.
With her young master's mood more stabilized, Lina decided encourage him with her heartfelt thoughts. "Young master, truthfully, these clothes may look more feminine, but one must have to admit that the young master suits these types of clothing more. When dressed in purely male robes, the young master looks odd and out-of-place."
Jamie bit his tongue from the little girl's harsh yet honest opinion. He truly wanted to cry. Who told him to look this way? He wanted to be a manly man like his father, ah!
When Jamie stepped into his father's outer chamber, breakfast was already waiting for him along with his father and uncle. Rather than an assistant to the General, Jamie found the man to be more like an extremely close friend or brother of his father's. Unless he had to leave to do an errand for the General or needed to do some personal business, he was always within the vicinity. Thus, Jamie had no reservations about treating the man as family or even a second father.
Seeing the boy at the door, Avery patted the seat to his right that has been reserved for Soleil. The man had a sparkle of admiration in his eyes as he looked at his nephew. On regular days, the boy was quite good looking, but today he looked like a little bud that would bloom into the most beautiful flower in a few years' time. As an uncle, he swears that he'll happily throw out any man (or woman) that dared to corrupt his little nephew! Children are a blessing. It's best to keep him until he is twenty.. no, twenty-five years old.
Under the table, the General pinched the man on his thigh. He knew his son was very sensitive about his looks, therefore he didn't want this wolf in sheep's clothing to scare him too much.
Jamie sat down and ate his food listlessly. His maids were bullying him... but he didn't have the heart to scold the little girls. 'They were just doing their job and giving their honest opinions; there's no need to get too upset on trivial matters...'
When the ever stoic General saw his son sighing, he felt an odd pull in his chest. His little son was so obedient and kept things to himself. Originally, he just thought the boy was a good kid that he wouldn't mind leaving his legacy to, but over the week of knowing him, he began to see him as family. Setting down his chopsticks, the General cautiously asked, "Is there something bothering you... son?"
Jamie looked up from his barely eaten bowl of rice to see his father watching him with scrunched brows. Still wearing his grievances from this morning, he asks, "Father, can males really wear clothes like this?"
The General looks over his son's clothing and hums in his mind. He didn't know what he should say. Males do indeed wear these clothes... however... it's typically for the men that wish to attract other men. 'Is it possible that my son is gay? If that is the case... if I say 'no', then wouldn't it crush his heart?'
Jamie nervously awaited his father's response. Whether he punishes Lina and Rina will depend on his answer.
After weighing his thoughts, the General nods, "Yes. I have seen some males wearing this type of clothing."
Jamie looks at him skeptically, searching his face for a hint of a lie. Finding none, Jamie then loosens his frown and decides to believe the maids' opinion.
After eating breakfast, the servants cleared the table and poured tea that helps with digestion for the three men. Although General Jedrick was obviously a strong and burly man that lived half of his life on the battlefield, he was still initially a noble who had carried the bearing of an aristocrat. Therefore, his dignified movements were very pleasant to watch. As for Avery, there was no need to say that the beautiful man was very elegant and poised as he sipped his tea.
On the contrary, Jamie, a 21st-century man in a 10-year-old's body, wasn't very refined and didn't know the proper etiquette, but his nature has always been very gentle like a soft breeze in the midst of spring. With a bit of polishing, it was obvious that the young miss, no, master, had the potential to be the very essence of grace.
"Ah. Since both of you have to go to the palace today, would it be okay if I go to the market? I wanted to find some plants and seeds for my garden."
The General placed his cup down and pondered momentarily. Though he may not look like it, he knew his son was very responsible and had a bit of street-smarts from when they were traveling these past few weeks. There shouldn't be anything wrong with him going. "You may, but you must take a few guards with you. Avery, before we leave, go and inform Pier and Norman that they are to accompany the young master today. And that they must not let him be injured or swindled lest they want to return to being a mere cadet."
Jamie returned to his room and told his four personal maids of his plans for the day. The four of them had a tough time choosing which of them should accompany the young master for his first outing, leading to a very heated debate that ultimately led to them pulling straws. In the end, it was tomboy Rina who was chosen. Excited, Rina wore a wide smile as they headed for the gate where the carriage was waiting.
Unlike the one they used while coming to the Capital, this carriage was in no way inconspicuous. The body was made of lacquered black wood and had the plated crest of the Marquis of Cladius on its doors. The carriage had exquisite detailing carved into its sides and was pulled by four tall and muscular black horses.
Jamie didn't have a solid understanding of money yet, but he estimated that this carriage was worth a whole lot. Standing beside the carriage were two guardsmen who seemed to be in their late teens. Both of them had tanned, wheat-colored skin that showed that they were often out in the sun and muscles that were comparable to steel. Coming forward, they greeted Jamie with deep bows.
""Greetings to the Young Miss.""
Hearing his gender being mistaken once again, Jamie's smile faltered and just waited for Rina to correct them. Sure enough, the two were greatly embarrassed.
"This subordinate apologizes to the Young master. Please do not take offense. It's just that Young Master's beauty is incomparable to any Young Miss in the Capital," said the guard who carried a long sword on his side. A blush could be seen on his tanned face and his messy blonde hair could not cover the tinge of red that spread to his long, pointed ears. Jamie knew at a glance that he was Gale Piers, an elf who was one of the best swordsmen of the Marquis of Claudius' household.
"This subordinate regrets his mistake as well, Young master." Beside Piers was Isla Norman, a very handsome youth that had jade eyes that were much lighter than Jamie's emerald ones.
He was someone who greatly admired General Jedrek Lovel after being saved by him during the war in the east. With this undying loyalty, Isla Norman According to the novel, Jamie remembered that Isla Norman really disliked the Young Master but was never open about it.
Scum Jamie ended up using him as a scapegoat when he went into the palace for the first time. Isla Norman lost his hands for it. This resulted in a lot of hate from the General's men but a lot of fondness from the royal family.
Jamie didn't want such events to occur. Just like how he didn't want to kill the little black fox despite knowing the fox would give him great power, he didn't wish for the person in front of him to lose his hands because of him.
The two men had their heads bowed for quite some time. This left some distaste in their mouths. They heard from many of the servants that the new young master was a kind yet naive country bumpkin that their Venerable General picked up on a whim. Although they believed in their General's judgment, they as subordinates still felt skeptical. Can a girly-looking peasant boy truly become General Jedrek Lovel's successor?
Moments pass and even the free-spirited Rina felt a bit awkward. Coughing, she said, "Um... Young Master...?"
Jamie comes out of his thoughts and realizes his blunder when he sees that the men were still bowing. "Oh. Sorry. I was caught in a daze. There's no need to apologize. People mistake my gender often."
The two guards put their misgivings to the back of their minds and return to an upright posture.
Jamie saw how they tried to act stone-faced as the General. He didn't want to be like the bastard MC and treat his father's people like objects that can be thrown away. These people were the ones who would take care of him, protect him. Thus it was best that he makes a good impression.
"It is an honor to meet the two of you, Sir Norman, Sir Piers." As he said their names, Jamie looked at them individually, holding a very dignified gaze that was a small reflection of the General's. "I was told that both of you are very talented and have been recently promoted to platoon Captains."
Isla and Gale gave each other quick glances before responding.
"The honor is ours, Young Master. And yes, it has been about a week since our promotions." Gale said.
Jamie smiled at his respectful response. It seems that the ire from earlier has been swept away. Surely, the men under General Jedrek will only recognize those who are humble but not insecure. After telling them the purpose of their trip, Gale, the more talkative one of the two, suggested that they head to the flower market. With that, Jamie stepped into the carriage alone while Rina sat upfront with the coachmen and Gale and Isla followed on the sides on their own horses.
From time to time, Jamie could hear the praises from the people outside. Thinking that General Jedrek was riding inside, they would say things like 'Praise the General' or 'Blessings to the General.' Hearing such praise from the citizens, Jamie felt proud of the man who was now his father.
But at the same time, he was worried. In the novel, he remembered that because of this adoration, the royal family became very wary of him... Now that he thought about it, he's forgotten about one of the huge problems he overlooked.
The reason as to why the General suddenly adopted a son wasn't just because he felt like it. He needed to quickly raise someone that would hold the family name because of an injury he received half a year ago while patrolling the borders with the neighboring Eastern Kingdom of Jira. After that event, the General could not use his right hand.
'Now that I think about it, the General was eating with his left-hand today... Not only that but whenever they were together, Uncle Avery was always on the General's right side.' Jamie's mind racked his brain with the contents of the novel. He's been so busy trying to assimilate to his new life that he's forgotten such an important fact.
It was later said that the General would receive treatment from a mysterious doctor that the Crown Prince found. The doctor was able to suppress the symptoms of the General but he couldn't cure it completely. In the end, not being able to fully use his right hand was fatal to the General who was a right-handed swordsman. This will ultimately lead to the General's death in a few year's time...
Lost in his thoughts, Jamie didn't notice that the carriage stopped until Rina knocked on the door. They parked a distance from the crowd where no one could see who was alighting from the inside. After stepping down, Rina saw her Young Master's worried expression and felt distressed herself. "Young Master Soleil, are you not feeling well?"
Jamie shook his head at her question.
The willowy eyebrows that were scrunched relaxed slightly. Along with his guards, he began to walk toward the market. 'There's still time to prevent that from happening... Everything will be okay.'