POV: Kyros
I arrive back in the same chamber I left. The air hums faintly with mana residue from the portal. Diablo and the king are still at the negotiation table, parchment and mana seals floating midair between them.
Diablo is the first to notice my return — and the small figure in my arms. His expression freezes for a moment, eyes widening slightly. I can't blame him. The rest of the world will likely react the same way when this becomes known.
"Your Excellency, you've returned," he says, quickly regaining composure.
"Yes," I reply, glancing down at the sleeping girl nestled in my arms. Then I look up at him. "Have you finished the deal yet?"
Diablo pauses for a breath, masking his curiosity before gesturing toward the king — who, incidentally, looks utterly bewildered. His expression screams 'Why is he holding an orphan?'
I ignore him completely. He's not worth an explanation.
"Yes, Your Excellency," Diablo says, clearing his throat. "We are finalizing the last amendments to the agreement."
I nod, satisfied. "Good. If you need me, I'll be sampling this 'humble abode' of his for a bit." I shift the girl slightly in my arms. "And I'll need to get this one cleaned up."
Without waiting for a response, I turn and leave the chamber.
As the heavy doors close behind me, Diablo lets out a low breath, thinking, Why would my master pick up a random orphan girl from this backwater kingdom? Unless… No. That's impossible. Right?
Then, shaking his head, he turns back to the king and resumes their "final" negotiations.
Outside, my personal guard straightens immediately, fists slamming to their chests in salute. I acknowledge them with a nod and approach the commander — Alphonso, a loyal man who has served House Lightborn faithfully for over a decade.
Even he can't hide the flicker of surprise in his eyes when he sees the child in my arms. He quickly recovers, saluting again. "Your Excellency."
"Alphonso," I say evenly, "this here is my daughter."
His composure slips for just a second — eyes widening — before he kneels. "Your Excellency, my men and I will sacrifice ourselves to protect Her Highness. You have my word, my loyalty, and my honour."
I study him for a moment before giving a slight nod. "See that you do not disappoint me."
He rises and straightens, the picture of discipline. I hand the girl to him carefully. "Diablo is finalizing the deal. Get her cleaned up. Use the local maids if necessary — and do not let her out of your sight."
"At once, Your Excellency!"
POV: Daughter
When I awaken, something feels… off. Empty. Like I've lost something — or someone.
I blink slowly, my vision clearing. I'm moving — being carried through a hallway grander than anything I've ever seen. Gold accents, crimson carpets, chandeliers… the kind of wealth I'd only heard about in fairy tales.
Ahead, I see a few maids hurrying to prepare something. Around me, I notice the man carrying me — tall, armored, stern.
I tense, panic rising — but he speaks first, his tone surprisingly gentle and respectful.
"Your Highness, please don't be alarmed. His Excellency instructed us to see you cleaned and cared for before we depart."
Your Highness? I blink in confusion. Why would he call me that?
Before I can ask, we arrive at an enormous ornate door. It swings open to reveal the largest bath I've ever seen — marble floors, gold fixtures, and a steaming oval pool big enough to swim in.
I sigh quietly. How long has it been since I've had a hot bath?
The man sets me down on a small wooden stool and addresses one of the maids, his tone sharp and authoritative. "Ensure Her Highness receives the best care. Understood?"
The maid flinches slightly, bowing. "Y-Yes, Captain!"
Scary.
She approaches me gently, beginning to remove the tattered rags I've worn for as long as I can remember. I wince when the fabric brushes over my cuts.
"My apologies, Your Highness," she says softly. "But I must tend your wounds before bathing you."
I nod slightly. Father really must be someone important if people treat me like this now.
As I think that, her hands begin to glow — a bright, pure green. I stare, wide-eyed, as she hovers them over my bruises. The pain fades instantly, the wounds closing, my skin returning to smooth perfection.
I can't help but whisper, "Wow…"
The maid smiles faintly. "This is the Nature affinity, Your Highness. I can heal most minor wounds."
I tilt my head. "Then… why are you a maid if you can use magic?"
She lets out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Because I was born with only a yellow magic core. My power is weak — enough to heal small injuries, nothing more."
Before I can respond, she says kindly, "Now, let's get you into the bath, and sort out that beautiful hair of yours."
She lifts me gently and lowers me into the steaming water. The warmth sinks deep into my bones, washing away months of pain and dirt.
When we finish, they wrap me in soft towels and bring me before a tall mirror. For a moment, I don't recognize the girl staring back. My hair, clean and untangled, shimmers faintly in the light. My skin glows, my eyes — once dull — shine again.
Thank you, Father.
He's done so much for me already.
The maids present several elegant dresses. "Your Highness," one says nervously, "these are all we could prepare on such short notice."
Before I can reply, the watchful man behind them speaks firmly. "They'll do. His Excellency will arrange something finer once we return to Luminosity."
Finer? These are the most beautiful clothes I've ever seen!
I choose one, and soon I'm dressed, transformed. I can hardly believe the reflection. Excitement bubbles inside me — I can't wait for Father to see me like this.
A knock interrupts my thoughts. The captain answers, then turns to me. "Your Highness, His Excellency requests your presence. We should go."
I nod and thank the maids, who look startled by the gesture.
As we walk down the grand hall, surrounded by guards, the captain says quietly, "Your Highness, you need not thank servants like them."
I glance up at him, frowning. "But my mother said manners cost nothing."
For a brief moment, his stern eyes soften. "A wise lesson, and an honourable one. But the world, Your Highness, is far from honourable — as I believe you've already seen."
He hesitates before continuing. "You are no longer just a child. You are the daughter of one of the most powerful men alive. That will bring both privilege and danger. You'll need to learn how to act accordingly."
He bows his head slightly. "Forgive me if I overstep. I only wish for you to understand your new reality."
I nod slowly. "It's fine. I know my father is powerful — I saw it with my own eyes. But… could you tell me more about him?"
The captain's expression softens as he recalls. "I've served His Excellency for ten years, since the founding of our great city-state, Luminosity. In all that time, he has remained focused — utterly dedicated to the pursuit of power and mastery. That is why he became the youngest Great Mage in history. He built Luminosity not for comfort, but as a bastion for his vision."
He pauses, his tone almost wistful. "He has long cut himself off from mortal emotion — at least outwardly — devoting himself entirely to strength. Power is both his path and his prison."
As I listen, something heavy settles in my chest. Father's life sounds… lonely.
What must he have gone through to become that way?
For the first time, the glittering castle around me feels a little less bright.