I had to get ready early the next morning. I didn't know why, but my maid had told me my father wanted to take me somewhere.
They'd picked out yet another one of those frilly dresses for me—this time in Lorine's eye color. But for me… it didn't feel beautiful. That golden hue only suited her.
By the time I reached the mansion's front gate, nothing seemed unusual. The guards stood watch as usual, and the servants carried out their duties like any other day. Everything was perfectly normal… until I spotted a massive horse in the courtyard. Its mane was deep brown, and its rider—none other than my father—sat tall with a proud, gentle smile.
"Good morning, my angel!"
As usual. He never stopped calling me "angel." Sometimes I wondered if he'd even forgotten my real name!
"M-morning, Father. Are we... going somewhere?"
He tugged the reins lightly, guiding the massive horse to circle and stop right beside me—so close I could hear its breathing. Every now and then, its ears and tail flicked suddenly. This was my first time seeing a horse up close, and honestly? I couldn't shake the thought that it might eat me. No joke—I was 90% sure I wouldn't even fit in its mouth.
"Happy belated birthday, little angel. Your gift is a trip with me to somewhere cool."
My face lit up with a grin—pure, unfiltered joy. "Really?! Is—is Mom coming too? What about Aunt Anne? And my cousin?"
"Huh? Obviously not. It's just us two. Besides, it's way too early. Mom and the others are still asleep."
So this was a one-on-one outing. With my father.
It was the first time I'd ever been alone with him—well, if you didn't count that incident in the library, which I'd rather not acknowledge as a real conversation.
Still, I wasn't exactly comfortable with it being just the two of us. I wished Lorine were here with me, at least.
I climbed onto his horse, sitting in front of him in the saddle. The horse's mane was tangled in my fingers—so soft it tickled my palms. With every step the horse took, even though the path was smooth and even, we bounced up and down violently. It was… thrilling.
As we moved forward, my tiny frame perched atop that massive beast, the ground swaying a full meter below me, my heart raced—equal parts exhilaration and a flicker of fear.
My father held the reins, guiding the horse with calm, silent confidence. He said nothing—not where we were going, not what he wanted to show me. He'd kept it a complete surprise.
And yet, I was already spellbound.
After a few minutes, we arrived at a vast marshland. The water was so clear I could see the reflection of the surrounding trees and the sky above from a distance. Green lily pads floated on the surface, some with frogs perched lazily on them.
But what truly stole my breath—what made my eyes widen in wonder—was the flock of storks gathered by the marsh. Some stood gracefully at the water's edge, others soared just above it.
In that moment, I didn't realize it yet—but I was witnessing one of nature's most breathtaking spectacles, and one of the most beautiful sights of my life.
"So this is it. During this season, the storks stop here for a few days during their migration. I'm glad we could still catch them."
My ears listened to Father, but my eyes were glued to the slow flap of the storks' great wings against the sky. They flew low—so low—and seemed unaware of us in the distance.
"Do you like what you see?"
My voice came out bright with excitement, "Of course! It's... it's so beautiful."
Father exhaled, a quiet laugh in his breath. "Yesterday, I couldn't be there for your birthday. I wanted to give you your gift today—but then I remembered this sight might still be here. I've seen it twice before."
A pause. The storks circled, their wings painting slow arcs across the clouds.
"Both times... well. My rifle was aimed at them."
He spoke in metaphors and half-truths, but I understood his meaning. It wasn't anything strange or terrible - the world is full of hunters who stalk beasts and birds for sport. While I'd never condone such acts myself, I refused to let thoughts of killing tarnish the magic unfolding before us.
Suddenly, I felt his weight leave the saddle. Strong hands lifted me down, and the marsh reshaped itself before my eyes. The water now lapped closer, while the storks had climbed higher in their celestial dance.
My father gathered the reins, the horse's breath warm between us. "Come," he said, and I followed.
But my attention wandered - drinking in the landscape with thirsty eyes. I imagined how perfect this place would be in summer, picnicking with loved ones beneath these very trees. The thought bloomed like wildflowers: one day, I'd return here with those who made my heart light.
As we walked, his voice settled around me like morning mist: "You're two years old now, yet you've never asked me for anything. Your mother might say the same. I can't fathom why." A pause. "Other children always demand toys... things."
Ah.
I messed up.
I should've begged for dolls. The last thing I needed was Father suspecting his child behaved... unnaturally adult.
Yet truthfully? I craved no toys—none of those small dreams children clutch to their chests.
But I had to face it: I wasn't normal. Not since seeing the system, not since understanding what destiny demanded. Most of my thoughts coiled around one question—how to accomplish that while still trapped in a child's body.
"Never mind," Father said, brushing reeds aside. "Your mother doesn't want you getting close to Lorine. You'll understand why... later."
But this way I won't be able to complete my mission!
Suddenly, Father knelt down on one knee and pulled a delicate crystal bracelet from his pocket. Carefully fastening it around my left wrist, he explained, "Lorine is my niece. I can't simply forbid her from visiting because of suspicions. I've heard you two have become close friends."
"If you're comfortable with her," he continued with a sigh, "Then I won't take her away from you. But to satisfy your mother and avoid upsetting Anne, I must limit Lorine's visits to weekends only - just for half a day each time."
Only on weekends? That's hardly enough time!
The uncertainty weighed heavily on me - how long would this restriction last? Until I turned five? Even longer? This limitation would severely reduce my chances of acquiring Lorine's powers.
"There's no other way. I know Lorine is your first friend, but... this is what your mother insists on."Father's fingers tightened slightly around the bracelet. "With dangerous events unfolding across the kingdom, I need you to wear this - never take it off. It will protect you."
"Protect me?... How?"
"You'll understand when the time comes. If you're ever in danger, eat the blue crystal."
"Eat it?!"
His chuckle sounded strained. "Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen. Probably." That last word hung between us - even he wasn't certain.
"It's... a kind of magic," he continued with sudden bravado, flashing a confident smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Chew it during emergencies, and you'll gain incredible powers for a few minutes!" No further explanation. No details about what "powers" meant.
Yet another mystery added to this strange world's growing list: What exactly was this "magic"? Did other power systems exist beyond the Elecro?