"My lady, please—run! I'll buy us time!" a frantic voice called.
Meliora's heart thundered in her chest as she dashed past the fallen forms of servants and guards. Blood coated the marble floors; some lay unconscious, some still. Her fragile hands trembled as she clutched Marie's limp form. "Please… do not die, Marie!" she screamed, tears blinding her.
She didn't dare look back. If she did, everything they had sacrificed would be in vain.
The back door of the mansion yawned open, and then… he was there.
A man with white hair that shimmered like moonlight and deep blue eyes that pierced her soul. In that instant, Meliora knew her life—and the war around her—would never be the same.
10 years earlier
The sun poured through the tall windows of House Carvane, casting golden light over the polished floors. Laughter echoed through the halls — Magnus, Rowan, and Orion chasing each other, their shouts blending with the soft giggles of a smaller, lighter voice.
Meliora, seven and full of energy, ducked behind the curtains, peeking out at the three boys. "One day," she whispered to herself, "I will catch you all."
"Meliora!" Magnus called, spotting her. "Hiding again? You've got to learn to fight if you ever want to keep up with us!"
Rowan laughed, his hand extended. "Come on, Mel! Don't make us wait all day."
Orion, leaning against the doorframe with a mischievous grin, added, "She's fast, Magnus. You might actually lose today."
With a squeal, Meliora dashed from her hiding spot, her small feet barely making a sound on the marble. The three boys stopped, startled, and she launched herself at Magnus, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Gotcha!" she shouted.
Magnus scooped her up effortlessly, spinning her in a circle. "You're faster than I thought," he said, ruffling her hair. "But not fast enough to escape me."
Rowan shook his head, grinning. "She's clever, though. Always one step ahead in mind, even if her legs are short."
Orion joined in, pretending to brandish a wooden sword. "I'll have my revenge next time!"
A soft voice called from the doorway. "Children, please, do try to behave!"
Meliora turned and saw Isolde, her mother, smiling warmly as she held a tray of tea and pastries. Her gentle eyes swept over them, full of love and amusement. "Magnus, don't toss your sister around too much," she said, though her lips twitched with a fond smile.
"I was just showing her my skills, Mother!" Magnus protested, pretending to look offended.
"Skills or trouble?" Isolde teased, kneeling to brush Meliora's hair back. "And you, little one, I hope you're learning to defend yourself properly."
Meliora giggled, her small hands tugging at her mother's fingers. "I'm trying, Mother!"
The warmth of their smiles, the gentle teasing, and the loving care — it was a world of safety and happiness she knew she could always trust. Here, she wasn't just the Marquess's daughter; she was their daughter, their little shadow in every adventure.
The morning continued with laughter and shouts echoing through the halls. After breakfast, Isolde led Meliora to the sunlit garden, where roses climbed the trellises and a gentle fountain murmured at its center.
"Meliora, remember," Isolde said, kneeling to adjust her daughter's ribbon, "always keep your head up, even when you're running. Confidence is just as important as skill."
Meliora nodded eagerly. "I will, Mother!"
From the edge of the garden, Magnus waved. "Come on! Rowan and Orion are waiting. Don't let me start without you."
Rowan called back, smirking, "If she falls behind, I'll carry her!"
Orion shook his head, laughing. "No, I'll carry her. Magnus, you can't always win."
Meliora squealed and ran to join them, darting between the older boys as they circled the garden. She tried to keep up, her small legs pumping furiously.
"Almost got you!" Magnus shouted, pretending to lunge at her.
Meliora squealed, ducking and darting toward a patch of daisies. "No! You'll never catch me!"
Rowan scooped her up gently, spinning her around. "I think I did!"
Isolde watched from the side, hands clasped over her heart, smiling at the carefree chaos. "They adore you," she said softly to Azrael, who stood nearby, arms folded. "And you, Magnus, protect her well. She is… precious."
Azrael's expression softened, rare warmth in his stern features. "I know," he said quietly. "I will not fail her."
Later, the four of them collapsed under the shade of a wide oak. Orion leaned back, hands behind his head. "You know, Meliora," he said with a grin, "you're quicker than all of us, but you'll still get tired before you beat Magnus."
Magnus pretended to frown, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "You'll see. One day, she'll outrun us all."
Meliora puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. "I will! And then I'll make sure none of you ever scare me again!"
Rowan chuckled. "We would never scare you on purpose. But… we will always be here to protect you, little sister."
The words settled over her like sunlight, and for a moment, the world felt perfect — a circle of laughter, warmth, and trust. A world that, ten years later, would be tested in ways none of them could imagine.
The next morning, the four of them — Meliora, Magnus, Rowan, and Orion — set out for the city, accompanied by two vigilant knights. The streets were alive with merchants and townsfolk, and Meliora's eyes widened at every sight and sound.
"Stay close," Magnus reminded, keeping a protective hand near her shoulder. "We can't let the crowd sweep you away."
"I'll be careful!" she promised, skipping slightly ahead.
But as the group paused to watch a street juggler, Meliora's curiosity got the better of her. She wandered just a little too far, and before anyone could notice, a pair of rough-looking men — grown pickpockets — had spotted the four children.
"Well, what do we have here?" one muttered. "Just a few kids. Easy pickings."
The other smirked. "Fragile little things, probably won't even fight back. Let's see what they've got."
Meliora, curious and unaware of their intentions, reached for a ribbon. That's when the first man grabbed her by the hair.
"Ah! Let go of me!" she screamed, spinning to free herself, but the grip only tightened.
In an instant, Magnus's face darkened. "How dare you!" he roared, dropping the small hand he had been holding and charging forward. His fists flew, striking one of the men squarely in the chest.
Rowan's eyes narrowed. "You're messing with the wrong children," he growled, drawing a wooden stick from his side and swinging it at the other man, knocking him off balance.
Orion, calm but deadly precise, shoved a nearby crate between him and the first attacker, then delivered a sharp kick that sent the man staggering backward.
Meliora's small fists pounded at the man holding her, her tears mixing with fury. "Let me go! You won't get away with this!"
The pickpockets faltered, eyes widening as the children's skill, coordination, and ferocity became clear. The men were grown, experienced in stealing, yet these kids moved like trained fighters. Every punch, kick, and swing was intentional, effective, and fearless.
One whispered, panicked, "They… they're not just kids…"
Another cursed, finally recognizing the truth. "They're nobles! Children of nobles!"
But by now, it was too late. The three older children fought with a rage born of loyalty, love, and pure protective instinct. Magnus pinned one man against a wall, Rowan tripped the other with a precise sweep of his stick, and Orion's measured strikes left the attackers stumbling and humiliated.
Meliora tore herself free, shoving against the man who had grabbed her. She landed behind Magnus, shaking but alive, her chest heaving.
Magnus ruffled her hair, exasperated but proud. "You're impossible, little sister. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"I… I just—" Meliora began, still trembling, "I just… I don't let anyone scare me!"
Rowan laughed, clapping her on the shoulder. "And good for you. You'll never need to fear anyone with us around."
Orion smiled quietly, eyes scanning the fleeing pickpockets. "Let this be a lesson," he said softly, "never underestimate someone who looks small or young. We always fight together."
The city around them carried on, oblivious to the scene that had just unfolded. But for Meliora and her brothers — and their friend Orion — the bond between them had strengthened further, forged in courage, love, and the fiery protection of family.
By the time the two knights caught up, the pickpockets were long gone, retreating into the crowd with tails between their legs.
"Are you all unharmed?" one asked breathlessly, eyes scanning each child.
Magnus stepped forward, brushing his sleeves off. "We're fine. They underestimated us — badly."
Rowan smirked, though his fists were still tight. "That's what you get for thinking kids can't fight back."
Meliora tugged at Magnus's hand. "I… I'm okay. But… I won't let anyone scare me!"
Orion placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "And you never will. Not while we're here."
The knights exchanged worried glances, realizing the children were more capable — and more daring — than they had expected.
As they escorted the children back through the bustling streets toward the safety of their carriage, the group fell into a quiet, uneasy calm. Laughter had faded, replaced with a lingering tension, but the bond between the four remained unbroken.
For Meliora, it was a reminder: even when the world seemed dangerous and unpredictable, she was never truly alone. And even though she didn't know it yet, the skills, courage, and loyalty she had witnessed — and wielded herself — would shape the person she was meant to become.
The sun dipped lower, shadows stretching across the city streets, as they returned to the safety of their knights.