Laying out the bases

I gasped for air as I sat up quickly. "Oh thank God. It was just a dream" I mumbled to myself. Wait... Why did my voice sound different? More soft and quiet. I tried to stand up but I felt something heavy on my legs. Before I could take the blanket off, a woman walked through the door. She was wearing maid clothes and seemed surprised when she saw me.

"Young master! You're awake! " She ran over to me and touched my forehead with the back of her hand. I shivered at how cold her hand was and gently pushed it away. The woman looked at me, obviously worried. Before she could say anything else, I picked up the courage to speak up.

"Uhm. Who are you? "

The woman stared at me with a mix of shock and concern. "Young Master, it's me. Hana Amajiro, I've been the Master's caretaker ever since he was small" I looked at her expression and found something familiar, the look of a concerned mother when her child was hurt or crying.

I felt guilty for no reason at all. I looked away and struggled to find the right words to say. I could feel her stare boring into my back. "I don't remember anything, I'm sorry... " Based from the way the room looked to the way the woman called me 'Young Master'. I can assume I'm not Saru Tanaka anymore. I can still remember the painful death I suffered and shuddered. I can't die again.

The maid was still talking so I placed my attention back to her. "His majesty will not be happy if he hears this. " I heard her sigh. "Stay here, Young master. I will get the royal physician. Please do not leave the room. " I looked up to see her walking out of the room and closing the doors.

I glanced around the place I was staying in, it certainly seemed like those classic medieval rooms you see in movies where Nobles would stay. I took off the blanket and saw one of my legs in a cast, I stared at it for a short while then tried to stand up. I struggled for a bit before realizing that I had crutches beside my bed. Wow, I'm stupid. I took the crutches and tried to use it at first. Eventually, I got used to it and decided to go out of the room. I know she said not to leave but I have to know where I was.

Once I opened the door, I stuck my head and glanced right and left. I looked forward and saw another hallway. I decided to go through there since it would be easier to remember. I looked around the place curiously, the walls were covered in paintings of different people. I slowly reached the end of the hallway and paused.

More hallways.... I turned left but accidentally bumped into someone who was walking out of the left. I stumbled backwards and let go of the crutches....WTF WHY IS THIS BODY SO WEAK?!

I braced for impact but it never happened. I looked at the person who I bumped into and it seemed like he was the one who saved from the fall. "Ah, Julius. I see you're awake, I hope you learnt from your mistakes. Which you probably didn't" He sneered at me. Wow, he's hot. I mean, what the hell is wrong with this kid?

"Who are you? " I asked him softly. Julius, huh? That must be my name in this world. He looked at me, shocked before dropping me completely. He glared at me and growled.

"Do you think you can escape from karma by pretending to not know me? I know you like Maya but at least take responsibility. And give up, Maya would never like a brat like you. "

I glared back at him. "What was that for?! I don't even know you! " I grabbed the crutches that were close to me and tried standing up again but the other male pushed me down. This kid! I felt him grab my shirt collar and my body suddenly jerked forward.

"You're just a reckless idiot who's only alive because dad favours you due to the fact you're his illegitimate son who he had with his favoured maid! " He yelled

Wow, you have a rough life Julius but what did you do to make this guy hate you?! I could tell he was growing more annoyed by each passing second. "I have a broken leg! Why did you still have to push me?! "

He was about to reply when a voice interrupted the one-sided fight. "Young master, what are doing out of your room? I told you to stay inside until I came. " The maid ran over to us and the guy dropped his hold on me. I glared at him before looking at the maid who was accompanied by another person. "Who's that? " I asked. The maid turned around and gestured the other person to come closer.

"He's the royal physician. I spoke to him about your assumed amnesia and he said he would help. " The boy who pushed me down widened his eyes and shock. "Did you say amnesia? " He asked. The maid looked at him and nodded. ''Yes, this morning, Young Master woke up confused and was unable to recognize anything.'' The boy looked at me with an expression I couldn't decipher before bowing to the other two.

"I'm sorry, I-I'll be taking my leave'' He murmured and ran off. I stared at him until I couldn't see him anymore. The maid saw my slightly angered look and tried to reassure me. ''Don't take anything Prince James says to heart. He is still angry about the incident with Maya.''

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The physician asked an endless amount of questions, I slowly started becoming more irritated when finally he stopped. He looked at his notes and nodded at the maid. ''It's definitely some sort of amnesia, most probably from when he fell from the stairs.'' He stood up and brushed some dust off his suit. ''We will need to inform his highness since this is his son.'' The maid sighed worriedly and nodded.

I could see her about to say something when someone walked in. They looked about 17 to 18. He was wearing armour and had a blank face which portrayed no emotion at all. He looked like a guard from his posture and clothes. He looked at me and spoke coldly.

''The King would like to see Prince Julius.'' I sensed the small hint of annoyance in his voice and sighed. Julius, why were you so troublesome. As I slowly stood up, I could feel his eyes on me and observe my every move. Once I balanced myself with the help of the maid, I turned to look at the guard.

"Could you accompany me? I don't remember the way, unfortunately'' I asked him politely, I could see his expression stiffen up and he nodded. He walked towards the door and I followed him. When we reached the hallway, I couldn't bear the tension anymore so I asked him for his name.

''Charles'' He answered briefly. I smiled at him. Thank god he wasn't one of those people who would go 'The prince doesn't need to know a lowly servant's name'. I saw his expression falter a bit, looking slightly surprised but then it returned to his stoic one.

Then I tripped. Before I could hit the ground, Charles caught me. Thank god for that, I sighed at how weak this body was before giggling softly that my original body started out like this and here I was criticizing this body. Charles looked at me and a few seconds later, a thin layer of blush covered his face.

He lifted me up and placed the crutches in my hands, he helped me get used to them once again and led me to the place where I was supposed to meet the King.

Just by entering the room, which I later figured out was the throne room, I could tell that people hated the original owner of this body. I shuddered at their glares and noticed a tall man talking to James. He had a crown on his head and was dressed elegantly, I walked towards them timidly and the King noticed me."Papa?" I asked softly, I immediately noticed that everyone was slightly shocked by what I just said, even the King. I slowly started to panic and assumed I made a mistake.

 "I-I'm sorry, I was told that I was son so I assumed-'' I was stopped short when he hugged me. I paused, stunned, but then he started to speak before I could do anything. "It's fine my dear son, Papa heard you had amnesia so I just wanted to confirm it." I saw James looking dumbfounded at the scene.

The King let go of me and ushered me to James. We looked at each other awkwardly then I spoke, "So you're my brother?" I asked. James glared at me which made me flinch as nodded. I smiled lightly. "I hope brother and I can get along!'' I let go of crutches to hug him and noticed that he stiffened at the touch. I suddenly remembered my family in my original world and hugged James tighter. I missed my old family but they're gone, for now, I have to focus on this family.

|Third Person POV|

James held Julius by the waist to prevent the other from falling and glanced at Charles, he noticed the other looking jealous and immediately knew what was going on. He smirked. James steadied Julius and picked up the crutches. "Brother, you shouldn't be so careless" Julius seemed happy that James was finally showing some sort of brotherly love and smiled happily at James. James gave Julius the crutches and helped him. He could feel Charles glaring at him and smirked once again, He ruffled Julius's hair and smiled at the younger boy.

The King smiled and finally spoke. "Julius, you will be going to the academy where you train magic. I understand your amnesia might cause some problems but James will be there with you the whole time. Right, James?" James nodded. "Ah Julius, I forgot to mention. You have water magic" Julius looked curious and surprised but then smiled happily. "Alright, Papa!" The King almost cried tears of joy but tried to look professional.

 He ordered Charles to bring Julius back to the room and soon the two arrived where Julius first woke up. Julius stayed there the whole day and eventually went to sleep.

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