Reincarnated As The Dark Knight

Artur sat in the bathtub after the maids adjusted the temperature of the water for it to be just what he needed. Artur on the other hand, did not care. he just wanted to take a shower because this body smelled like it had not had one for a year.

He thought he was going to be giving himself a shower, but Lily was there to remind him that he was now a seven-year-old boy who had just recovered from a terminal illness. Nobody was going to let him do anything by himself even if it was the easiest task. That, he was sure of.

"Lily, you wouldn't happen to have some deodorant, would you?" Artur asked.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, never mind"

"Honestly you have been saying some strange stuff today"

"Sorry"

"Don't apologize. Now let's get to your bath, you have no idea how much I've always wanted to do this" 

Two maids walked into the room, pushing along a mobile mirror until it was in a position where Artur could see himself properly from the tub.

"Thank you, Elly" Lily said.

The maids bowed their heads and curtsied "Not a problem Lady Lily"

Artur looked into the mirror, and it was then that he noticed how cute Artur looked. It was no wonder that his mom and Lily were trying to take him from each other. His black hair which drooped again thanks to the water and his eyes which showed his heterochromia were a perfect match. One jade blue and the other, green.

"Why are my eyes this way, have they always been this way?"

"Yes they have" Lily said and scooped some more water in the tiny bucket next to her and poured it on his head. "Don't worry about that right now, let's get you clean and in some clothes, so you won't catch a cold"

"Ok Lily"

=================

Artur sat with Lily and Vivian, but he was the only one eating while they both watched him. It made him feel weird, but he still had to play the part of the little boy. The food he was eating was also a luxury so he wanted as much of it as his small body could take.

"Artur, how do you feel about meeting your father tomorrow?" Vivian suddenly asked. 

Artur put the spoon down on the plate and faced his mother.

"Is he going to like me?"

"Artur my child, what are you saying? Your father loves you and he always will. We will all always love you"

"But I can't remember anything about any of you, don't you find that disturbing?"

"Don't worry about it Artur. If mom says it's ok, then it's ok" Lily said to comfort him.

Artur could not be blamed for being worried. If the man returned and said it was the work of some witchcraft, leading to Artur being kicked out his life would be hell. 

Artur smiled to affirm Lily that his worries were gone. He needed time alone to piece some more things together.

"Mommy can I go-"

Artur's abrupt pause made Vivian panic and she was all over him the next moment "Artur dear, what's wrong?"

Artur pointed at a corner behind Lily "Who is she?"

Lily and Vivian turned their heads to face the direction of his finger and their sights met with a little girl who looked like she was around Artur's age. There after a maid who had some resemblance to the girl came in from the corridor. She bowed before Vivian and apologized for the little girl who was her daughter. 

"I am very sorry Lady Loxley; I have been searching for her all around and I had no idea she came here" The maid said "Her father is not around so there was no one to take care of her. Forgive me madame"

She signaled to her daughter to come forward and apologize for the young lord's meal and the girl obeyed. She stood beside her mother and wanted to bow but Artur stopped her. 

He got out of his seat and went to her, leaving her mother surprised. Artur took the girl's hand and looked at it, then he looked into her eyes.

"What's your name?"

"I-I'm Angela. Angela Fairbourn, what's your name?"

"It's Artur without an 'H' Loxley. Nice to meet you"

Artur smiled at her, revealing all his little teeth and he caused a chain reaction of smiles throughout the room. When he came to his senses, he realized that he had just done something awkward. He did not even know why he approached her in the first place.

It did not matter anymore. Even if she was little, he was the same age as her now and he had decided to live out his new childhood the way a child should. There was no need to feel embarrassed about it. After all he was the only one who knew that he was already eighteen years old in his other life.

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Artur without an 'H' Loxley"

Artur was not sure what to do so he pulled her along with him as he left the room "Come. Let me show you around the house"

He entered the corridor with her but then realized that he did not know, no, remember his way around the house. He turned to Lily with eyes that stated the obvious and she recognized his predicament immediately.

Like the good sister that she was, she got out of her chair and went to the children "I'll come along" Lily said so Artur would not make a fool out of himself in front of his new 'acquaintance'. She followed the two children out of the room, leaving the adult to themselves.

As for the maid, Miss Fairbourn, she did not know what to do or say. She noticed that the table was full of Artur's dishes so she attempted to pack them up but Vivian stopped her.

"Don't they're my son's so I'll do it myself" Vivian said.

"As you wish Lady Loxley" Miss Fairbourn said and stepped back with her head bowed.

"You may leave"

"Yes Lady Loxley" Miss Fairbourn said and left the room for Vivian.

Vivian went to a wine rack which was behind her chair and opened it up. She took a glass and a bottle and settled down at the table.

She sat motionless for a while and just stared at the glass and bottle. After what seemed like forever, she finally popped open the cork on the bottle and filled the glass with the red, sweet liquid that was contained within it. 

She played with the mouth of the glass for a bit, using one finger to trace its length before she raised it and took a sip of the wine. 

"Artur..."