Eric and Anna awaited the birth of their first child,they often argued about it's gender. They went baby shopping and were prepared for the arrival of the baby. Humans normally take nine months to give birth to their children but witches take eleven months due to the transfer of magic genes of the parents. As nine months passed Anna showed no sign of giving birth. Eric was worried and afraid, what could be the problem, he had spent so much money on hospital check ups but no doctor could explain the situation. People were starting to get suspicious, some even accusing Anna of faking her pregnancy. Anna didn't listen to them, as she knew the cause of the delay but there was no way of explaining it. She couldn't reveal the secret she had hidden for so long, not now, not like this.
One morning in the tenth month, Anna asked, "So, what would you like to name our daughter?"
"What makes you so sure it's a girl?" Eric asked.
"I don't know, just a feeling," Anna replied.
"And what if it's a boy?" Eric asked.
"Well, then he'll be as handsome as my Eric," Anna replied.
"And our daughter will be as beautiful as my Anna," Eric responded.
They both blushed shyly.
"If it's a girl, I'd like to call her Alphi," Anna declared.
Alphi?" Eric asked.
Anna nodded in affirmation.
Eric looked up, then focused his gaze back on her. "That's a rare name. I don't think I've ever heard it."
"Well, it's a native name, and I've always liked it," Anna replied.
"So, what does it mean?" Eric asked, hands on his chin like a curious child.
"Well, you'll find out soon enough," Anna responded.
"Alphi," Eric repeated. "It's a lovely name," he said, flashing his warm smile.
Anna smiled back. "So, what would you like to name the child?" she asked.
"Well, I haven't really thought of it… hmm… how about Levi, if it's a boy?" Eric responded.
"Not bad. So it's finalized—if it's a girl, we call her Alphi," Anna said.
"And if it's a boy, Levi," Eric replied.
Eric looked at Anna, a mischievous smile on his face.
"I know that smile. What are you thinking, you naughty boy?" Anna asked.
"How about we make a bet? Whoever wins will be in charge, and the loser has to listen to the winner for a whole year," Eric announced.
Anna, now paying full attention, said, "I'm listening."
"If it's a girl, you win. If it's a boy, I win," Eric declared.
"Interesting. Are you sure you want to do this? You'll be listening to me for a whole year," Anna said confidently.
"Oh, confident, are we? What makes you think you'll win?" Eric argued.
"I don't know, let's call it motherly instinct—but I'm going to win," Anna replied.
"We shall see, oh dear mother," Eric said, laughing.
They stared at each other and burst into playful laughter.
Alphi stood there with a heavy heart.
Why did things have to change? Why couldn't we just be like this—mother, father, and daughter? Oh, how happy we would have been. Father would still be kind, mother would still be here, and I wouldn't have such a miserable life.
She sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do to change it. The laughter in the background slowly faded.
---
The eleventh month finally came—the time Eric had been patiently waiting for. Anna was due for labor. Little did he know, the day that was supposed to be one of the happiest of his life was about to change everything for good.
It started off like any normal day. Anna was sitting at the kitchen table while Eric made breakfast.
Eric handled all of Anna's food himself. The nurses took care of everything else, but Anna's meals were always his responsibility.
As he dished out the salad, Anna suddenly let out a loud scream. Eric quickly dropped what he was doing and rushed to her.
"Anna, what's wrong?" he asked, trying to help her stand.
"I think it's time!" Anna shouted, screaming again.
Eric, nervous but excited, stammered, "Oh my God—um, okay... nurses! Nurses!" he called out with a strict yet shaky voice.
Four women rushed to the scene. "Yes, sir!"
As soon as they saw her, they knew what to do. One nurse ran off to get their equipment while the other three helped Anna to the bed.
Eric stood aside, helpless. He was terrified and prayed silently for a safe delivery.
Alphi, who was watching, could feel the tension in the room.
So this is how I was born…
But Anna seemed more worried about something else—something bigger than the delivery itself.
As the childbirth procedure began, Anna had to focus on keeping her powers in check. Childbirth was a witch's weakest moment. She had to be ready for the storm that was coming.
The spell she had cast on her hair was starting to wear off. The tips of her hair turned red. Everyone else was too busy to notice—but Alphi noticed.
Alphi looked helplessly as her mother's hair slowly returned to its true state. She ran her hand through her own hair.
"Oh no…" she muttered.
Outside, the weather had gone wild. The sunny day had turned into a violent storm. Wind howled through the streets, tossing debris everywhere. People were ordered to stay indoors. No one knew what had caused the sudden change.
The humans didn't understand—but the people of Leniva did. Especially Anissa, Alphi's aunt.
---
Eric couldn't care less about the weather. All his attention was on Anna. Thirty minutes had passed when he heard a knock at the door.
He tried to ignore it, but the knocking persisted. Frustrated, he got up to see what was so important.
He stormed toward the door, annoyed and angry—but what he saw when he opened it shocked him to his core.
He stumbled back, hands shaking, sweat dripping from his face as he stared at the guest standing before him.
"Witches…" he gasped.
Anissa stood at the doorway, five soldiers behind her. Eric couldn't find his words.
"We are looking for one of us," Anissa said calmly. "She goes by the name Sabrina."
Eric's eyes widened in confusion.
"Sarina? I think you've got the wrong place. I don't know anyone by that name—neither do I know any witches."
"No, I can't be mistaken. This is the place. And you'll be in serious trouble for hiding a witch. Just give her to us, and no one gets hurt," Anissa responded.
"Is that a threat?" Eric asked.
"Depends on you," Anissa replied.
Suddenly, the sound of a wailing newborn child echoed through the room. Eric was somewhat relieved. The tears he had held in for so long slowly began to fall from his eyes.
"Look, I don't know what you're talking about. The only people here are me, my wife, my newly born child, and a few nurses," Eric argued.
"Wife?" Anissa asked, letting herself in.
Anna lay there, tired and weakened, the newborn baby in her arms, tears in her eyes as she tried to comfort the child.
"I finally found you, sis," Anissa said, a smile on her face.
Anna looked up—not surprised, but rather sad.
Eric, shocked and confused, asked, "Sis? Anna, what's going on? Who are they?"
"Anna? Her name is Princess Sarina," Anissa said as she walked up to her, undoing the spell on her hair and tearing one arm of her gown.
Now her hair was red, and her shoulder revealed a star-shaped symbol.
Alphi looked at the woman's arm and touched her own hair. "She's just like me… but her star is complete."
Eric fell to the ground. "This can't be true… all these years, all this time—you deceived me? You lied to me? Was this all a game to you?"
"Sarina… Anna… what am I supposed to call you? Why?" he asked, tears falling uncontrollably.
Sarina looked devastated, her expression full of despair.
She stood up, gently placed the baby down, and whispered, "I'm sorry, Eric," before running off.
Eric lay there in tears, as the baby cried helplessly beside him.