The whole dining hall became silent. Nobody spoke a word. How could they? They had witnessed a miracle. Saphy looked around and saw everyone staring at her with eyes like a disk and mouth wide open. She blushed a little with all these attentions she's been getting. Honestly, she felt awkward, so she thought to break the ice.
"What happened? Why are you all staring at me like that?"
Upon hearing those words, everyone came back to their senses. But they were still shocked by what they had witnessed.
"Saphy, y... You can use magic?"
Charles asked with a trembling voice and surprise written all over his face.
"Well, isn't it obvious?"
Saphy shrugged
Charles: -_-
He was flabbergasted. His daughter, who is yet to reach 5, answered his question in such a way that made it seem like what she had accomplished was something not worth mentioning. What does she think? Is magic child's play? It took him years to be able to properly control magic. And he was considered a rare genius. Then what about his daughter? What kind of genius is she? Charles quickly got rid of these distracting thoughts and asked again,
"Saphy, were you able to use magic? What is your current magic level? And was that healing magic? How much progress did you make in light magic to cast healing magic that well?"
Charlie blasted off one question after another. Which made Saphy annoyed. She furrowed her brows and pouted.
"Dad, why are you interrogating me like a criminal? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no, no! How can I treat my beloved daughter as a prisoner? I... I was just curious."
Charlie sweated profusely. Looking at her doing who seems super annoyed and puffing her cheeks, he quickly corrected herself.
Saphy felt helpless too. She did not wish to reveal the fact that she could use magic so early. But she also didn't want to hide the fact. She didn't want to "act like a pig to eat the tiger". She did not have that kind of hobby. But she also didn't want to reveal it now. But the situation now made her do otherwise. Maya had risked harming herself to protect her. There was no way she could wait until a Priest was called to heal Maya. She couldn't see her in agony for one more second. So, she acted. Maya was very important to her. She was like an older sister that Saphy never had. She wasted her youth taking care of her. Saphy wasn't that ungrateful, so she could ignore someone's pain, just been that person was her servant. She also understood that revealing her magical capabilities early could cause problems. All these years, she didn't just practice magic. She also went to the library to acquire various kinds of knowledge. So, it's almost unseen for someone to use magic, especially some rare magic like Light Magic, before the awakening ceremony, which happens when a child turns five. And also, it takes several years to master magic. Her dad, who was considered a genius in magic, could probably control magic at 15. And her being able to use magic with this level of control when she had not gone through the awakening ceremony yet, no wonder everyone was so shocked.
"So, Saphy. From what could you use magic?"
Charles asked in a somewhat gentler tone this time. He didn't want to annoy his daughter, but he also had to know. With a sigh, Saphy answered,
"When I was three."
Saphy didn't dare to speak the truth. How could she admit that she could use magic since she was born? If she had said that, they might have tied her down and burned her at the stake. Saying, "burn the witch". Enough of jokes. She knew this could cause problems. Also, she can never admit that she was reincarnated. That's the biggest taboo of her life. She doesn't want to be a certain Manhwa protagonist who admits the fact that he was king in a previous life and then gets shunned by his family. And she was genuinely born, at least that's what the Goddess told her. If there is a way, she wants to completely forget that she was reincarnated. Then she could integrate into her current life. Despite facing some unforeseen situations in her new life, being a girl, she is genuinely happy. She is surrounded by a loving family. Even her brother, with whom she fights very often, also cares for her. He knows that Saphy does not like other foods and hence eats less. Her current height might be a result of her suffering from malnutrition. He might not say it, but he is worried. That's why he teases her about her height, so that he can encourage her to eat more. And so, when she always receives soup first during meals, he stays silent.
________________________
Hearing Saphy say that she could use magic at three, Charles was shocked. Could this be any more outrageous, he thought. Is she still considered a genius?
"If you could use magic when you were there, why didn't you tell us? Magic is dangerous, you know. You could have gotten hurt."
Charles asked in a worried tone.
"This is why I don't want to tell you. You are already making quite the ruckus. Imagine what you would have done if I had told you earlier. I wouldn't have told you now if we weren't in this situation. I know how rare magic is. But I could never leave Maya to suffer until the healer came. Maya is important to me."
The room fell into silence again after those words. They were astonished by the intelligence and maturity of a girl yet to reach 5. And they were also overwhelmed by her kind heart. Especially the servants. Unlike other Nobel Ladies, their little miss never misbehaved with them. She always treated them with respect.
Then, without a word, Saphy's mother, Lisa, came down from her chair and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter. Your mad mommy is very proud. I'm so thankful to the Gods for gifting me with such a kind daughter who puts others' lives before any personal agenda."
Then Maya's mother, the head maid, Sophia, came to Saphy's side and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, young lady, for thinking so highly of my daughter. Thank you for taking care of my daughter, and also, thank you for healing her. I'm forever in your debt."
And not only her, but all the servants bowed towards Saphy. Saphy looked around and felt awkward. She scratched her head and laughed foolishly. She realized, she actually enjoyed getting attention. She made it made that she would do more to get more praise and respect. But she couldn't let it show that she enjoyed it.
"Ah, please don't do this. And Maya, are you ok? Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?"
"No, miss, and thank you for healing me. And it made me really happy that you thought of me as someone important. You have no idea how much it means to me."
Maya said this with a deep bow. Then she gave a brilliant smile to her Young Miss. She had drops of tears in the corners of her eyes. She was truly happy to be valued. The room was filled with a warm atmosphere. Then Zelen, then the green-haired maid, got on her knees and started to apologize with her head on the ground.
"Miss, I'm terribly sorry. I have no excuse for what happened. It was my fault. Lord, I'm willing to bear any punishment that you think is fit. I did not wish to harm the Young Miss, but what I did is inexcusable."
She kept apologizing while keeping her head on the ground. Charles looks at Zelen with extremely cold eyes. He was truly angry now. What if things were different now? What if Maya couldn't shield his daughter in time? What if his daughter couldn't use magic? Then would his daughter have to suffer through the pain until the healer arrived? Thinking of this, he became extremely furious. Everyone around the table was angry, too. William clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white. He also thought the same as his father. Saphy was his only sister. How can he see her suffering in pain and wailing?
The Knight on the doorway who came rushing, hearing the cry, was also ready to act upon Charles's order. They had their hands on the hilts of their swords.
Saphy then got out of her mother's embrace and slowly walked towards Zelen. Zelen did not raise her head, hearing Saphy approaching her. Then Saphy came in front of her, held both her shoulders, and made her look into Saphy's deep azure eyes. Zelen, looking at her eyes, saw no malice and also found a hint of kindness in them.
"Sister Zelen, I do not blame you. I know you didn't do that on purpose. I saw that drop of soup hitting your feet. So, I know you did not do that on purpose. But I'm not the one you should apologize to. Even if you did not do it on purpose, your actions directly harmed Maya and caused her great pain."
Upon hearing those words, Zelen stood up and then gave Maya a deep bow.
"I'm really sorry, Maya. I won't make any excuses. It was my fault. I caused you great harm. I'm ashamed of my actions."
"Zelen, accidentally or not. You are about to harm the Young Miss. And that I cannot forgive. I'm sorry about that. But also, thanks to your mistake, now I know how much the Young Miss values me. So, you are forgiven. But please be careful next time."
And before Maya could continue, Lisa interrupted them with a stern tone,
"Ahm, Zelen! I know that you did not do it on purpose. But the mistake had been made, and someone had been harmed. I cannot overlook that. Honestly, I'm still very angry at you. Thinking you almost harmed my daughter, the thought of it fills me with rage. So, you will have to bear the consequences."
Zelen shivered upon hearing the cold words of the Lady.
"But, since both my daughter and the Maya have forgiven you somewhat, I will not push you heavily. So, Zelen, you will not receive two months' payment and are banned from the dining area until further notice. Butler Sabastian will redistribute your work after. That's all. You are dismissed!"
"Thank you for your mercy, My Lady. I will strive to improve myself and make sure nothing like this ever happens. Excuse me!"
With a deep bow to everyone, Zelen left the dining hall with her head down. And after everything was settled, they continued their breakfast. Lady Lisa asked Maya to take a break as she had suffered such trauma. But she refused and insisted that she serve her Young Miss. So, she stayed and helped with breakfast.