The baby cooed again, her innocent joy contrasting sharply with the weight of the tragedy surrounding her birth. The man pressed his forehead to hers, a single tear sliding down his cheek. "I swear on your mother's memory, little one," he whispered, "I will protect you, no matter what."
"Master, what should we do? If others learn of this, the entire world would be thrown into chaos. Some will try to kidnap her, others will seek to kill her and use her body for their own agenda," one of the maids said coldly, her voice tinged with urgency.
Eric Danjul's eyes darkened, his expression steely. "Keep this a secret. Lock down my entire castle. For one hundred years, no one outside these walls shall see my granddaughter. Only those I trust will be allowed near her. Is that understood? Anyone who dared to betray my order shall be killed immediately," His tone was cold.
"Yes, Master. We will follow your orders," the maids replied in unison, bowing deeply.
Eric's gaze softened as he looked at the infant in his arms, her cosmic eyes shining innocently. "I shall name you Melina. From this day forward, you are Melina Danjul, of the Danjul Dragon family. Granddaughter of the First Elder of the Devouring Dragon Sect." A small smile played on his lips as the baby cooed happily.
---
A century passed like a fleeting moment for beings of their kind. Melina, now appearing as a spirited teenager, darted through the castle gardens, a juicy peach in hand. Her long, shimmering hair and her horns, adorned with cosmic patterns, gave her an ethereal presence. She leaped from a tree with effortless grace, her laughter filling the air.
"It's my hundredth birthday!" she exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. "Maybe Grandpa will finally let me go outside!"
With a determined grin, she sprinted towards her grandfather's quarters. Her steps were light, but her heart was pounding with anticipation. Without hesitation, she pushed the grand doors open.
"Grandpa!" she called out.
Eric Danjul looked up from a stack of documents, his sharp features softening slightly at the sight of her. "Yes, Melina? What is it this time?"
"I want to go to the outside world!" she declared, her voice brimming with excitement.
Eric frowned, his expression turning serious. "Why?"
Melina huffed, crossing her arms. "Because, Grandpa Eric, I want to see the world! I hate staying cooped up in here all the time! I'm not a baby anymore!"
Eric raised a brow, leaning back in his chair. "You have everything you could possibly need here. What more could you want?"
"It's so boring!" Melina groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up.
"Seriously, Melina?"
"Yes, I'm serious, Grandpa!" she insisted, her bright eyes sparkling with determination.
Eric sighed, his stern demeanor cracking ever so slightly. "I'll think about it."
"Okay!" she chirped, a wide smile spreading across her face.
As she turned to leave, a faint chuckle escaped her lips. "So I'm really in another world, huh?" she whispered to herself, her mind swirling with memories.
They had returned to her suddenly, a flood of images and emotions from a life long past. She remembered who she was before this.