In Dreadholm Dominion, the day bustled with quiet life. Children's laughter rang across narrow stone streets, shopkeepers called out in hoarse voices, and the scent of warm bread drifted from open windows. A noble's carriage rolled along the cobbled path, the wooden wheels creaking with age and weight.
Inside the carriage, Liora sat perched on Alya's lap, her small hands smudging the glass as she leaned into the window. Her mismatched eyes—one blue, the other a vivid emerald green—gleamed with wonder.
"Ooh… what's that? Look at the lady's hat! Alya, did you see that? It looks like a cake!" Her voice was bright, each word tumbling with joy.
Alya's arm tightened protectively around her waist. "Young Mistress… please, sit properly. You might fall."
"I won't fall," Liora replied stubbornly, her nose still pressed to the glass. "I just want to see outside. It's not fair."
Across from them sat Lady Luna, her gown a soft cascade of silks, her expression gentle but composed. "Liora," she said calmly, "what did I tell you about listening to your elders?"
Liora pulled back from the window, turning with a pout. "But Mama, I just wanted to see…"
"No buts," Luna said, her tone steady. "What did your father say?"
The child crossed her arms, eyes darting between the women. "He said I shouldn't misbehave…"
"And?" Luna prompted, folding her hands.
Liora slumped further. "That I should listen to my elders."
Luna leaned forward, her tone teasing. "Speak up, darling. I didn't quite hear that."
Liora groaned, then shouted, "Papa said I shouldn't misbehave and that I should listen to my elders!"
Alya giggled softly.
"And is that all?" Luna asked, arching a brow.
Liora blinked. "Yes… I think so."
"Are you sure?" her mother pressed.
Liora paused, biting her lip. "And… that I shouldn't cause any trouble."
Luna smiled, pleased. "Good. See, Alya? She remembers."
Alya nodded. "She does, my lady. Very well, in fact."
Liora turned to her, voice hopeful. "Does that mean we'll play games? You said we'd eat fun food, right?"
"Yes, Young Mistress," Alya said with a gentle smile. "Plenty of it. If you behave."
"Yippee!" Liora bounced in her seat. "Will I see my big sister too? And my big brother?"
Luna's smile softened, her gaze lowering. "No, sweetheart… not your sister. She's still at the Academy."
Liora's face fell, voice shrinking. "Is it because she doesn't like me?"
Luna reached across the carriage, brushing a strand of hair from Liora's face. "Where did you hear something so silly? Your sister adores you. She just has important studies, that's all."
"Really?" Liora asked, her voice small.
"Really," Luna said firmly. "She talks about you often. She misses you."
Liora stared at her mother, eyes wide. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Okay… but when do I get to go to the Academy?"
Luna's laughter was soft and musical. "When you're older, my love. And only when your father says so."
"I'll be good then!" Liora declared. "I'll behave every day until I'm old enough!"
Alya chuckled. "That's not enough, Young Mistress. You have to show him you can take care of yourself too."
"That's true," Luna added. "Why do you think he's teaching you to hold a sword?"
"Because I asked him to," Liora said proudly, puffing out her tiny chest. "I told him I want to protect people."
Luna blinked, taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Did you, now? That's my brave girl."
Liora flexed her arm with all the seriousness of a warrior. "Mama, look. It's growing, right? Like Papa's?"
Alya covered her mouth, laughing.
Luna shook her head, laughter in her eyes. "No, my baby. Not yet. But one day, I believe it will."
Liora gasped, eyes wide. "Whaaaat?"
She looked at her arm, inspecting it seriously. "But Papa said it's growing…"
Lady Luna tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Is that so? Then he must be right."
A victorious grin broke across Liora's face. "See? Mama, you were wrong. Papa won't lie to me."
Luna gave a soft laugh, her eyes warm with affection.
Liora fell quiet for a moment, then whispered, "Mama… do you think big brother will like me?"
Lady Luna's smile grew tender. "Yes, my little flower. He will love you deeply. Just as we all do."
Alya added, her voice calm and sure, "Young Mistress… your brother will cherish you. You are his family."
Liora's expression brightened again. "Then I'll show him my muscle! He'll be proud. Just like Papa."
"You should," Lady Luna said, amused.
Liora fidgeted, casting a longing glance toward the carriage window again. "Mama… can I please look outside? I promise I won't fall."
Lady Luna raised a brow, considering. "Hmm… that's not for me to decide." She looked to Alya. "What do you think?"
Liora turned to Alya quickly, her eyes wide and pleading, lips pushing into a pout.
Alya sighed, clearly struggling to keep a straight face. "Yes, my lady… she may. I will hold her tightly."
"You hear that, Liora?" Lady Luna said softly. "You may. Now, what do you say?"
"Thank you, Alya!" Liora chirped, climbing eagerly into position.
"Careful," Alya murmured, wrapping her arms around the girl's waist. "Hold steady."
Liora pressed her face to the window, eyes sparkling. "Wow… look at the children playing… and that man's shoes are shiny!"
As she scanned the streets, her gaze suddenly locked onto two figures walking across a plaza, Raphael and Elara. The sunlight caught Elara's hair as she cradled a baby gently, the two of them walking while in a conversation.
Liora's breath caught. She blinked, but just as quickly, her expression twisted. A sharp cry left her lips. "Ouch…! Mama, my eyes! It's hurting!"
She fell back against Alya, hands clutching her face.
Lady Luna leaned in, her voice trembling. "Liora… baby, what is it?"
Alya's hand moved swiftly to Liora's forehead. A faint light glow shimmered at her fingertips as she whispered a healing charm.
Liora whimpered once more, then blinked slowly. "It's better now…"
Alya gently brushed the girl's hair back. "Is that okay now, Young Mistress?"
"Yes… thank you," Liora whispered.
Lady Luna touched her cheek softly. "My darling… I am sorry. I should've known. Did your power awaken again?"
Liora gave a small nod.
Luna exhaled, gathering herself. "What did you see, my love?"
Liora smiled dreamily. "My darling…"
Luna blinked. Her smile turned strained. "Your… what?"
"Darling, Mama!"
Luna sat upright, her brows knitting. "Alya, let her show me. Quick."
Alya helped Liora back up, steadying her carefully as Lady Luna leaned close to the window.
"Where? Show me," Luna said firmly.
Liora squinted. "He was just there…"
Lady Luna searched the streets. "And now?"
Liora frowned. "He's gone…"
Luna sat back slowly, lips pressing into a line. "Gone… just like that?"
She glanced at Alya, then looked back at her daughter. "Can you describe him to me?"
Liora nodded. "He had a tail."
A sudden silence filled the carriage. Alya's hand stilled. Luna's brows lifted.
"A… tail?" Lady Luna repeated, her voice carefully level.
Alya glanced at Liora, concern etched across her features. "Young Mistress… are you sure that's what you saw?"
Liora met her eyes firmly. "Yes. I saw it clearly."
Lady Luna exhaled, reaching to hold her daughter's hand. "Liora, my sweet… your gift is strong, but it can make you see things others cannot understand. You must always be careful what you speak."
"I'm not lying, Mama," Liora whispered. "I saw him. My darling."
Luna stared at her, her expression unreadable.
Then Alya turned to Luna, voice quiet but firm. "If she truly saw someone like that, it won't be hard to find him."
Lady Luna nodded faintly, her lips pressed together, but her eyes shimmered. "I know, Alya…"
She looked down at Liora, her voice catching. "But my baby is still small…"
Liora tilted her head, her brows furrowed. "Mama… what's wrong?"
The carriage slowed, wheels crunching over gravel as they approached the gates of Dreadholm residence. The heavy creak of metal echoed faintly as the gates opened. Inside the cabin, the moment held stillness.
Lady Luna quickly wiped the corner of her eye, straightening herself. Her tone, though softer now, carried steel. "Nothing, my baby. Mama is just thinking, that's all."
Liora squinted at her, unconvinced. "Thinking about what?"
Luna leaned forward, tucking a strand of Liora's hair behind her ear. Her voice was gentle, but something in her eyes had changed. "Don't worry about it. Your mama is going to protect you from that person. I promise."
Liora blinked. "Which person, mama?"
Before Lady Luna could respond, Alya spoke, her voice light but composed. "Oh, it's nothing, Young Mistress… your mother is just a little worried."
Liora turned toward her. "Worried? About what?"
Alya glanced at Lady Luna before answering carefully. "It's just… something grown-ups worry about sometimes."
Liora crossed her arms, frowning. "Grown-ups always say that…"
Alya smiled faintly. "Because it's true."
The carriage gave a soft jolt as it came to a full stop, the wooden wheels settling into place on the cobbled courtyard beyond the gates.