(A/N):
In this story, James' "Nanny" and "Pop-Pop" are his actual grandparents from his maternal side. They live away from the main household and have a much warmer, more relaxed environment. And have retired living a fullfilled life in Hooen .
If you want a reference, you can check out Sweet Baby James.
A few years later—
The mansion halls were quiet, as always.
Except today.
James, having escaped yet another suffocating etiquette lesson, ran into the room with a grin.
"Satoru! Over here—over here!"
On the floor, Saiki Satoru turned his head slightly.
Then… he began crawling toward him.
"Bi… bro…"
James' eyes lit up.
"No, no—don't crawl! Try to walk, like we practiced!"
He quickly moved closer, a hint of panic in his voice.
"Wait—no, not like that! You'll hurt yourself… take support first!"
A small bark echoed.
"Woff!"
A Growlithe trotted over, nudging a nearby support forward.
Satoru paused.
He looked at the Growlithe… then at the support.
Then—
he grabbed the Growlithe instead.
"Woff?!"
The Growlithe stiffened, clearly confused.
(Why me?)
With unsteady effort, Satoru pulled himself up.
His legs trembled—thin, unstable, as if they might give out at any second.
James beamed.
"Yes! That's it—don't be afraid!"
He gently adjusted Satoru's stance, guiding him carefully.
"Like this… slowly…"
Satoru took a step.
Then another.
For a brief moment—
he stood on his own.
James' face lit up completely.
"LET'S GOOOO!"
"Wofffff!!"
The Growlithe barked excitedly, tail wagging wildly.
And then—
BANG.
The door slammed open.
Marcus entered, the butler close behind.
His expression was cold.
"You little brat."
His voice cut through the room.
"I told you to stop wasting time with him and focus on your etiquette training."
His gaze shifted briefly to Satoru—sharp, dismissive.
"As the next heir, you have responsibilities to fulfill."
James froze.
"But… Father… Satoru… he took his first steps…"
His voice trembled.
"How could I miss something like that…?"
Marcus' expression darkened.
"Satoru this, Satoru that."
His tone grew colder.
"If you continue to ignore your duties…"
A pause.
"I'll send him away. To your grandparents."
Another step forward.
"And you will never see them again."
Silence.
Satoru slowly sat back down.
His face was blank.
Empty.
As always.
Except—
for a brief moment earlier,
when he had been looking at James.
Outside the room—
The door had just closed.
Silence returned to the hallway.
The butler stepped forward slightly.
"Master Marcus… I have observed something unusual regarding young sir Satoru."
Marcus didn't turn.
"Speak."
The butler adjusted his posture.
"Sir Satoru shows… selective response."
Marcus :
what is that supposed to mean
A brief pause.
"He remains expressionless regardless of who approaches him."
Marcus' gaze shifted slightly.
"…And?"
The butler continued calmly:
"However, in the presence of Sir James…"
Another pause.
"…he reacts."
Silence.
Marcus finally turned.
"To what extent?"
The butler lowered his head slightly.
"Minor, but consistent."
Marcus' eyes narrowed.
"…So he distinguishes."
The butler remained silent.
A faint scoff escaped Marcus.
He turned away.
"Separate them more often."
A pause.
"And speak to James."
The butler looked up slightly.
"…Master?"
Marcus' tone remained even.
"Remind him of his position."
Another step forward.
"He is the heir."
A brief silence.
"Tell him…"
Marcus' voice lowered slightly.
"…attachments can be… inconvenient."
The implication hung in the air.
The butler hesitated—for just a moment.
"…Understood, Master."
Now there are a few ways the story can continue this will only take effect in a few chapters
The normal way ( nothing happens)
The planned way ( best way)
The reincarnation way ( cliche that no one likes:( }