We arrived home around dusk. Surprisingly Mom was waiting for us in the driveway. The joy that still burned in my chest took hold of me, and as soon as Maki got out of the carriage I started squirming and grunting for her to let me go.

  "Okay, okay, I uand, go." Grumbled Maki who immediately set me down on the ground.

  I ran as fast as I could, harnessing my immense energy. My shoes echoed at aic pace with my hurried running until I threw myself into the open arms of my expeg mother. Maki and Ameli arrived behind me, with a shared ugh.

  "Aw, did my little baby miss me? I've never seen her so eic."

  "Well, she's never had a ce to burn off all her energy before. If this surprises you you should have seen her pying with her new friends." Maki mentioned, approag Mom and greeting her with a chaste kiss on her cheek.

  "Friends?" asked Mom, raising an eyebrow.

  "Friends. Not only Katarina's daughter but also Isolde Eleios' you daughter."

  "What, Isolde's daughter?"

  Mom looked shocked by that information. Giving me an incredulous look we walked towards the door, entering the mansion.

  "By the way, where is everyone?" asked Maki as we moved through the halls, seemingly in the dire of her office.

  "Oh, Zenya is practig in her room. She said she reparing something special that Mr. Modeus had been teag her. Sarka is in the library studying and Hal is in a meeting with the captains and lieutenants. In a few days, he will be making ges among the ranks of the members of the Order, promotions, and so on. Sir Erthan, Sir Golban, and Sir Irmestos will be promoted to lieutenants."

  "I remember Sir Golban and Sir Irmestos, but who was Sir Erthan?"

  "Sir Erthan is the sed son of Baron Reluraun Rindel. You know, the Magar race."

  "Ah, I remember them. Long ears, good at magic, extremely attractive. It's hard tet their appearances, but their names..."

  "Hahaha, right, they're kind of plicated. Odüen's children love to give themselves plicated names."

  Based on their words, I could almost tell what kind of race they were talking about, but I didn't want to set my expectations too high. I was already very fortuo know 2 Teriant races, to also have elves nearby would be very... ve.

  In no time we arrived at our destination, and Mom immediately asked Maki and Ameli for details. They both reted the day's events, from our arrival to the i with Aria. Mom was not happy at all knowing that I was hurt to the point of bleeding, but Maki was able to reassure her by telling her about her versation with Isolde.

  "You don't have to worry about that, Lana. I talked to her, and she apologized. The poor tess was terrified thinking that su act could spark a major faal flict or put a sword to her daughter's neck." Maki reted with an exhausted expression and voice. She covered her face with her hands and leaned ba her chair. Ameli came over and poured her a cup of tea, pced another one quickly in front of Mom and, not to be missed, handed me my bottle with my beloved juice.

  "A flict between fas? You're exaggerating too much."

  "Acc to her, no. She thought that might happen. And I think it was because of the letter her eldest daughter sent several months ago. What had happened with Lara at the tea party she had arranged."

  "I remember," Mom replied with a deep sigh. "I guess she thought that since her oldest daughter had already caused a situation, this one might add up and provoke some kind of response from our side." Mom sighed again as she shook her head from side to side and whispered how bad she felt for the poor tess.

  "Anyway," Maki tinued. "I mao vince her that something like that wasn't going to happen, that her her family nor her daughter would be victims of anything. That didn't quite mao vince her, though." Now it was Maki's turn to sigh.

  After a long time trying to vince Isolde that there would be no sequences for the i, the tess herself asked her for advi how to correct her daughter's behavior. Katarina surprisingly joihe versation at that moment and the three of them spent a couple of hours exging ideas oter.

  Despite everything, Isolde still prevented Aria from moving from her pce, and only left her with the children of her "faates". Maki did not speak about them, but she did make a bitter face at the mention of their presence. I only learhat they were sisters and that they were married to a Baroness; yes, one of them was married to another female, and the other was married to a knight of the g family, another member of the fa that leads the Fondawl Ducal family and of which Isolde Eleios is also a part of.

  Well, here came the bad part. Maki told her everything, absolutely everything she saw of my iions with Yuliana. I had to try very hard not to let the embarrassment show in my expression... but it was very difficult.

  Maki was very detailed in pointing out every aspey behavior...damn it, she said we looked like Erka and Erias1The pilr sisters who rule over the twin suns, Mita and Sura., the younger sister chasing the older one across the sky. It sounded so romantid yet so embarrassing that I couldn't stand it and had to hide my fa Mom's body, pretending to hug her.

  And she didn't stop. She told her about Yuliana lying on my shoulder, or wheh enjoyed Ginevere and her monstrous softness... and then Ameli joined in and had to mention when I woke up with Yuliana lying on top of me while I stroked her ears. I wao scream, to jump on that maid with her cute but stupid smile and shut her up. Maki looked like she didn't know about it, and remained silent, looking at me with some suspi. I looked away...

  Oh no, don't tell me this world has that cliché about not toug the ears of kemonomimi....

  "Heh, so my little girl is already a Rake." Mom said in a mog tone.

  What the heck is a Rake? 2It's the equivalent of a ova

  I just decided to ig all, I didn't care anymore. Let them talk about whatever they want, I don't know anything!

  *sniff*

  Fortunately, my mothers decided not to tih that, and Maki kept oing the rest. Mom seemed impressed with how things turned out, gratuting me on making friends, ruffling my hair, and ping my cheeks. She also showered praise on Ameli, who made a huge effort to hide the smile on her face. It was funny to see her like that.

  Finally, a maid arrived announg that dinner was ready. We left Maki's offid went to eat a delicious dihat soothed the remaining energy in my body. Sleep began to gain the upper hand, and by the time I had take few bites, I was struggling to keep my eyes open. I barely heard Mom's voice Ameli to ge my clothes and take me to bed.

  After having one of the best days since I came into this world... one of the most stressful days possible occurred.

  I was in my usual pyroom with Ameli. We were pying that sleight-of-hand game, with me beien by who knows how many times in a row when the door burst open. When I looked at who had the o show up in such a rude manner, I shuddered. It was Losward.

  He was wearing simir clothes to the st time he came, and his face wore that disgusting grin, with the same look in his eyes, evaluating me as if I were a product he could make a profit on.

  Ameli got up from the floor immediately and positioned herself in front of me, shielding me from that look. She gave him a bow and greeted him as a member of the family.

  "My Lord Losward, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?" asked Ameli, her voice taining a certain tone of wariness.

  "Hmm?" Lave my maid an annoyed look as if her addressing him was an insult. He snorted and ignored her, heading straight for me.

  Ameli stood in his way again, as I hid behind her dress. Losrovoked me with a feeling of danger every time I saw him, and this moment was no different; perhaps it was even worse than before.

  "My lord Losward, I must ask you again, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?" reiterated Ameli, this time her tone was much louder and firmer, showing warning towards my brother.

  Losward stopped and looked at her more ily, his face distorted into an expression of utter pt. "Stand aside oner." He spat.

  Ameli didn't move from her spot, staying in front of me, c me from whatever my brother was trying to do.

  Losward, seeing that my servant had no iion of moving, turned impatiently, clig his tongue. He raised his voigrily toward Ameli. "I won't tell you again you filthy whet out of my way."

  At this point, the feeling of danger was repced by anger.

  I don't care if this guy is supposed to be my brother. Insulting my Ameli is something I 't tolerate.

  I wao step forward, to say so many things to him, but I was stopped by the swish of my servant's tail, which swished and shed the air like a whip. Her wings which were normally folded behind her back, stretched to half their full length, making the girl look a little more menag and bigger than she appeared.

  Behind Losward stood some of the servants who beloo his fa, whispering amongst themselves, taunting my Ameli.

  "My lord Losward" annouhe girl with firmness in her voice, attrag everyone's attention, especially my brother who looked at her in surprise. "My duty, given to me by Madam Fiana is to care for and protect young Lady Orinthya. That also includes proteg her from other members of the family, either from the sedary branches or from her siblings. So, I respectfully ask you to state your reasons for entering the room in such a disrespectful manner or leave before I am forced to ao your as."

  Losward remained silent, watg Ameli warily. While this girl wasn't someone you could call intimidating, at this moment, her tone of void body nguage showed someone willing to fight tooth and nail to do her duty. My brother must have realized this when I saw his irritated expression.

  "I see. It was that harlot who put you here."

  "..."

  "Tch" he clicked his tongue again and took a few steps away from us. "I'll find another way." He said quietly before retreating with his retinue of servants.

  Ameli stood her ground staring at the door that was closed by the st of the s. She held even for a couple of minutes after their footsteps ceased to be heard in the hallway. I was impressed by the level of alertness at which she remained evehe temosphere had pletely disappeared.

  Suddenly the girl let out a long sigh, finally rexing her whole body and falling to her knees on the floor. She let out a groan of relief the instant her hands nded on the ground. I ran to her only to see her eyes fill with tears.

  "Lady!" she cried, pullio a tight embrace. "I was so scared! I thought he was going to ignore my warning and attack me! What would I have done if that happened? I'm not strong enough to protect you from someone like Lord Losward."

  I hugged the pirl. While it was true that she didn't seem strong enough to stand up to my brother of unknown power, the fact that she pnted her feet firmly in front of him, proteg me despite knowing that, made her the best person for the job. Of course, I hoped I would never get to see her putting herself in harm's way to protect me, but she still gave me enough reason to trust her with my safety.

  After calming down, the rest of the day passed retively normally.

  I couldn't say the same for the rest of the season, though.

  Spring in all worlds, or at least ihat I know of, is a time of rebirth; the blooming of flowers. It is in this season that the world abandons its white and antle for warm and vivid colors, refreshing aromas, and exuberant life that awakens from its lethargy and begins to repopute the forests.

  Light rains usually fall in the ms, leaving small drops on the flowers, a dew that enhahe beauty of this season.

  And it would all be so beautiful if there wasn't someone ruining it with their presence.

  Every day was exhausting in a different way than I was used to. I would get up in the ms, have breakfast, get dressed, and then go to my pyroom or the garden together with Ameli, and sometimes some other maid who would e to help her or just use that excuse to chat and spend the day telling gossip and so on.

  The problem arose iernoons.

  From that day at the beginning of spring, Losward returned home. I didn't know if it ermaly or temporarily, since, well, I had no idea what he was doing. Was he w, studying, indepe? No one would tell me, but knowing that was the least important thing.

  He had made it a habit of showing up in my pyroom every afternoon, trying to do something. No one had any idea what it was, but he was always looking for some way to get close to me, and Ameli always made sure to chase him away in some way or another.

  Of course, my 3 parents were already aware of this, especially Maki who ordered Ameli that under no circumstances should he be allowed to approach me without supervision from her, Mom or Dad.

  Things got plicated when Losward and Mom started arguing loudly one day at dihere were many things I didn't uand in that argument, as they talked about situations that happened in the past. Losward hurled very strong insults towards Maki, Dad tried to restrain them, mediatiween them, but it was impossible to stop. Zenya ran away in tears and Sarka had to run after her to fort her. Ameli got me out of the pce before things got even more plicated. It was plete chaos that caused everyone in the mansion to behave somberly for several days.

  Fortunately, time mao calm things down, though not enough for everything to be fotten. Mom and Losward weren't speaking to each other, Maki looked exhausted and Dad was tense every time we had dinner. Not to mention Zenya who had pletely lost her usual energy.

  That happe the end of the first month. By the beginning of the sed, things ged for the better. Something must have happened, but I couldn't figure out what.

  Suddenly Mom and Losward started talking again, albeit with some tensioween them, whided up calming everyone's spirits. I didn't know if he had apologized to Maki, but at least they weren't looking at each other warily anymore.

  The eighth day of the seonth of the year was... enlightening. Why? Well... that day was my birthday. Ued, sidering I always thought I was born in the summer. Calg everything again, gave approximately this date. I became self-scious about 3 months after I was born. Why 3 months? I had no idea, and with everything that had happened so far in the family, I had no desire to think about it. Sathalia will know why she did it this way.

  But enough of all that. It's time to tell a little of what that day was like.

  The m started pretty normal. I had no idea what they had in store for me, so I was just ag as I normally would. Except I noticed that Ameli looked strangely more cheerful than usual, which was very suspicious. Even more so because that day was the first time, I mao beat her in the Eldame3Yes, that's what that sleight-of-hand game is called, and she ended up overag her gratutions.

  Lunch was posed of all my favorite foods, and for some reason, everyone seemed to have the day off. It wasn't until the middle of the afternoon that I finally figured out why they were ag like this.

  I was taken into the living room, where the whole family was gathered, and strangely dressed more elegantly than usual. My parents greeted me first, Mom and Maki with a kiss on the cheek, and Dad with one on the forehead. Sarka hugged me warmly and Zenya... she was o be seen. I looked everywhere, but there was no sign of her, and no one else seemed to mention her.

  Before I could think of anything else, I was led to a special chair in the ter of the room. It was decorated with some flowers and ribbons that, well, had my favorite colors on them. Violet, blue, bd silver.

  From that spot, I saw all my family surroundih smiles on their faces. There were also some other people, Tina, h, Ameli, 2 maids I didn't know, oh copper hair and green eyes, which was gigantic, way taller than Dad, and the other was a bit simir to how Maki was before. She had short bck hair and bright e eyes they were very simir to the color of the Dragon's balls. She was a little shorter thah and had a Vah, which made her an Atenosia just like my mother. The st present was the host butler who ducted the ceremony on Zenya's birthday, who, by the way, had not yet appeared. Not even Kolda, her maid, resent.

  With everyohered there, it felt a little scary to be the ter of attention. Although receiving so many smiles from my family also felt nid warm.

  Suddenly I began to hear a tuart to py from behind my chair. I reized the sound, not because of the song it ying, but because of the instrument. A violin.

  The tuarted soft and slow, just increasing in speed as it got closer. Along with it, a humming began to be heard, a low aohat apahe violin and gave more harmony to the song. In front of me, my family members arrahemselves in pairs; Mom and Dad, Maki and Ameli, Sarka ah, Tina with the giant maid, and the other maid with the host butler.

  They walked in pairs towards me, each taking one of my hands and words of gratutions on reag my first year of life.

  Mom and Dad were first.

  "Happy first-year sweetie, you are the light of this home." Mom said, looking at me with a big, warm smile.

  "Our little star, the blessing of Ameritia." Said Dad, his voice deep and full of pride.

  "gratutions on your first year my little Mishka, you will grow strong and wise, and I know you will make us proud," Maki said, her voice full of delight.

  "My young dy, there is no greater pride for me than to be at your service, and I hope to be at your side for a long time to e." sang Ameli, to the rhythm of the music that filled the hall.

  "Happy birthday my little sister. This is just the first of many years of joy yoing t us." Sarka said, cradling my hand on her cheek and smiling sweetly.

  "You are a blessing to us all, grow strong and fair young dy." plemented h, taking my hand firmly and stroking it with her soft antennae.

  "gratutions young dy, your smile brightens our hearts," Tina said, kneeling in front of me.

  "This will be the first year of many wonderful years in your life. This humble Orelia assures you of that." Said the giant maid, giving me a wink and an amused smile.

  "Happy first birthday, young dy. This humble Felia wishes you happiness and the blessings of the great mother to apany you throughout your life." Said the Atenosia maid. Different from the others, she did not let a smile show, but her look was enough to know that there was joy in her.

  "gratutions my young dy. This butler Algoros wishes that this milestone marks the beginning of a life full of prosperity." Said the host butler, whom I finally got to know his name. He bowed elegantly and smiled at me like a fox hiding a thousand tricks. It was a bit strange.

  The music slowly lowered in volume and iy, until I finally caught sight of the performers.

  Zenya walked o my pd stood in front of me. Kolda walked behind her and stopped o her. My sister was dressed very differently from what I expected to see on her. A very mase formal suit; a long-sleeved white shirt, a burgundy vest, and long pants held up by suspenders of the same color as the vest, matg her wonderful red hair, tied in a high ponytail.

  Traces of sweat were dripping down her forehead and face, with small locks and stray hairs ging to her cheeks. She was breathing with some difficulty as she held peared to be a violin in her hands, which she hao Kolda who held it gently.

  Zenya looked at me with a smile from ear to ear. She walked over to me, getting down on her knees and hugging me from her low position.

  "That's my gift to you Tya. My first performance. You gave me your first steps, now I give you my first song." She said in a very satisfied voice.

  I... I didn't know what to think.

  When I took my first steps for her on her birthday, I wanted her to see me and think how much effort I had put into it, how much I wanted her to see how much I loved her, how important my sister is to me. And now that I'm oher side, seeing how much effort she put into it, how much she wants me to realize how much she loves me and how important I am to her, to everyone in my family, I... I just don't know what to say.

  A warm feeling began to bubble up inside my chest. What was that feeling? It made me feel safe and protected. It was like a soft embrace that enveloped me and soothed me. I could feel tears running down my cheeks. I hugged Zenya and didn't want to let go. I simply wao hold her in my arms, to make sure she was there. The rest of my family came over a moment ter and joined in the hug as I sobbed quietly.

  I feel... loved. That's the feeling. I... am loved by them.

  From the moment I saw them for the first time, I always khat they were a real family, that they loved each other, and, even though they showed or told me so, I never fully accepted it. I was not used to receiving love from others. Even if I had my sister Nadia in my life. Once she grew up, she became quite indepe, and things like showing appreciation physically or verbally were rare, and never went beyond a hug or occasional gifts. It was all unspokeween us, we just knew and that was it.

  Whether it was my insecurities or the fear that this was all just a atose dream; I could never really feel that what they were telling me to show me, was real.

  But this time, right here and now, I feel the feelings they want to vey. I finally realize that they, my family, really love me, and that is something truly indescribable. To know that there are people o me who sincerely care, and who think about my well-being, my health, and my happiness. To know that those people exist and I see them, that I touch them, is something I 't put into words even if I tried.

  What could I do to let them know that their feelings have finally reached me?

  Is there any way I could let them know directly?

  There is.

  There is a way, and it is something I have not been able to do until now.

  No, that's a lie.

  I tried, I practiced, but I never really did it because, perhaps, deep inside me, I was afraid that if I did it, this dream would be over. I was afraid that if I succeeded it would be the old me and... I would wake up from the dream.

  But this time there was no more doubt, no more fear. I was determio say just what I wao say, I took a moment to prepare myself, to breathe, and to say it correctly. I waited until the happy ughter stopped until no one else said anything, and the sound of our breaths became background hen I opened my mouth and spoke for the first time in this life.

  "Family... I... love..."

  Those were my first words. The si I could bestow on them, on my family, MY beloved family.

  Perhaps to some, they were not impressive or overly meaningful words, but to me they were. They expressed exactly what I wao say to them as simple as they were. And it had the desired effect.

  Gasps of surprise, shocked looks, an incredibly loud ugh from my father, and then, a raucous celebration. Laughter erupted in the pce, cheers and even appuse. Everyone was excited and happy for my first words. I was too. Seeing their excited faces, filled with indescribable happiness was tagious.

  The excitement and happiness rubbed off on me, and for some reason, I felt like something had unlocked in my mind and mouth. From my pce, standing on the chair; my little birthday throne, I poio Mom, who looked at me curiously.

  "Mami!" I said to her. She opened her eyes wide in disbelief. But I didn't give her time to respond. I poio Dad and shouted "Papi!" and he responded by ughing even louder than before.

  I apanied his ughter with my own, mimig his fists-on-the-waist pose and lifting my .

  I didn't want to lose momentum and poi Maki immediately. "Ki!" I said and... she started g. Wow, I kind of expected it somehow, even though I couldn't pronouhe word the way I wao, but I'm sure she appreciated the way I said it.

  Sarka approached me at that instant. Her eyes were shining with expectation. She seemed to think that, if I was calling my parents, maybe she could hear me say her oo. I almost wao stay quiet and watch her rea, but I quickly buried that thought. This was not the time to mess with her, it was a time to express my love for my family.

  "Sasa!" I said, staring at her and smiling proudly. She, of course, squealed with joy and scooped me up in her arms, spinning me around as she held me above her. I ughed with joy, enjoying every sed of it. When I finally got off; fortunately, not feeling dizzy, I looked over to my other sister and poi her. She smiled at me, knowing what was ing.

  "Zea!" I shouted and she immediately hugged me, kissing my cheeks.

  The giggles of joy didn't stop. I was assaulted by tig from Zenya, making me ugh untrolbly. Out of the er of my eye, I saw Ameli with a lonely smile, her eyes downcast and shoulders slumped. For a moment I wondered why she looked like that, but it immediately dawned on me. She was feeli out. Sure, she's not a direct part of the family, but everything she's done for me so far deserves a small gift from me.

  I mao separate myself from Zenya and looked directly at my maid without saying anything. She noticed me and was surprised by the iy of my gaze. Everyone else noticed my a and focused their attention on the girl who seemed to get more and more nervous the more time passed. Then, I decided to attack.

  "Ali!" I said, smiling at her. She froze in pce, didn't react, didn't move, didn't do anything but stare at me in disbelief. Maki approached her and, with a few pats on the back ma her out of her stupefied state. Ameli looked between Maki and me, almost w what she should do, and, like a good boss/mentave her a little push, promptio walk. She approached me, nervous, not knowing what she should do or say. She seemed to think that she shouldn't be there, that it wasn't her pce to be "named" by me. Doubts were pletely painted on her face, and it was my duty to wipe them away.

  "Ali, family," I said. She looked at me in disbelief. She looked to Maki in panic, who nodded firmly, then to my parents, who responded in kind, and then bae. She k in front of me, and before she could even utter a single word, I put my hand on her head and said firmly, "Family."

  That was enough to vince her.

  Surprisingly she shed no tears at my words, but smiled very satisfied and proud and simply let me stroke her hair.

  After that, well, we celebrated. Dad took out a bottle, apparently of some kind of liquor, and, in the middle of a quick speech about some tradition I didn't quite uand, said that this liquor, a kind of mead made with raval fruit, my favorite, was bottled on the day of my birth and that on the day I came of age he would give it to me so we could share the first drink. Of course, I wouldn't refuse. I wasn't a big fan of alcohol in my other life, but a drink now and then wouldn't hurt, right?

  With that a from Dad, the rest decided it was the perfect time t out their gifts. Mom handed me a small jewelry box, and inside was a simple pendant, with a round, red gem. It was made of a material I couldn't reize, but it was a very beautiful blue-green color.

  Sarka gave me a hair brooch, it was made of the same material as the pendant, and had a beautiful green gem in the ter. I gave them both a kiss on the cheek, making Mom look very happy and Sarka almost fainted on the spot.

  Maki came up after them. In her arms, she carried a not-too-big trunk, simir in size to a small treasure chest.

  Maki set it down on the floor in front of me and told me that this trunk was for me to keep important things, anything I sidered valuable, including the gifts I was receiving. The trunk was ented so that only I could open it. I received it with great joy as I could now store anything I sidered a treasure. Maki warned me with a serious face that although I could keep anything I wanted I should not put animals, is, or any living thing inside and not to put things ihat I should not. I looked at her fused but her serious face made me nod quickly. I wasn't quite sure what she meant, but I wasn't going to question her.

  It was exg to have this gift, not only because of everything it could hold and proteside but because it was an ented object. It was magic - MAGId it was mine!

  I hugged and kissed Maki on the cheek in happiness and gratitude. She hugged me bad ed her tail arou was very soft and nice.

  After Maki, Zenya arrived. She was empty-handed, except for the violiill carried with her. I had my suspi that her only gift had been the song she pyed at the beginning, and she looked a little unfortable not having something in her hands to give me other than that. I snorted as I smiled and opened my arms asking her for a hug. There were no words, but I think she uood what I wao vey to her. We shared a hug and I also rewarded her with a kiss on the cheek. Zenya pulled away a while ter with a huge smile on her face.

  Behind her came Tina. I holy didn't expect to receive a gift from her, so I was very surprised. She handed me, on a small dark blue cushion, a silver tiara with different cems. Tied that the tiara also had an entment and that it would aodate my growth so that I could tio wear it to a as I grew up.

  I looked at the obje awe, w how a maid could afford to buy such a thing. The question must have been very obviously painted on my face, as Tina started ughing and expihat the gift was on behalf of all the servants in the family. Yes, it had been expensive, but it was a token of appreciation from all of them.

  Her words moved me. I looked at the other 5 servants behind, h, Kolda, Orelia, Felia, and Algoros, who gave me a bow and a smile. I sighem all to e forward, and, a little fused they did. Tina was first, I kissed her on the cheek and a "ta-ta" or thank you in my attempt to speak. was h, who curiously wore a different mask. I don't quite remember when she ged it, but it was much fancier and more expensive-looking than the previous one I met her with. Oddly enough, from that day on she looked much more cheerful. I wonder what happened?

  was Kolia. I hadn't known her long, but I did notice that she took very good care of my sister, and that was good enough for me. The same went for Orelia, Felia, and Algoros, a kiss on the cheek and a thank you to each. They were all nice people and the fact that they had thought of this, of giving me something so valuable made me want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

  They were all happy with my way of thanking them, they ughed with joy. It was an atmosphere full of smiles.

  Finally, my Ameli approached me. She looked a little unfortable and nervous, but I decided to atiently for her. She stood in front of me and the. She hesitated for a long while, lookiween the floor and me, until finally she took a deep breath and pulled out a handkerchief of a very pretty pastel light blue color.

  "Y-young dy. I... I made this handkerchief for you. It's... it's not something expensive and it doesn't have gems or impressive materials, but... I... I... I put all my effort into making it. F-for you." She said, it carefully.

  I took her gift. It was a very soft fabric, pleasant to the touch. Its color was very beautiful, with an embroidery in golden threads and, it had some symbols in one of the ers. I poio it, asking what that was and she answered immediately, a little panicked as if she was scared of something.

  "Th-th-th-th-those are your initials, young dy. I-I-I'm... I'm not too good at embroidery, so I wao do something s-simple but that would look nice."

  I see. This gift tained effort, her thoughts for me, and her desire to give me something special.

  Ameli, oh Ameli. You really are a very special girl.

  "Ali" I called her. She tried to avoid my gaze as if she was afraid, I was going to refuse her gift.

  "..."

  "Ali" I called her again, in my softest, ge voice I could manage. Finally, she looked up at me. I smiled at her from the bottom of my heart as I hugged the scarf to my chest. "ta-ta, Ali." I said, and signalio e closer, I kissed her forehead and hugged her head. The pirl panicked, making "ababababa" noises but slowly calmed down and just let me do whatever I wanted.

  There was some giggling among the others, but I didn't pay attention. My Ameli was a lovely girl. I was lucky to have her with me. To have this family.

  The party tinued after that. We ate a lot; I drank my favorite juitil I was full. I pyed with my parents and my sisters to exhaustion. I enjoyed every sed of my first birthday. Zenya had pulled out her camera.... Uh... Kadotype... aook a lot of lumigraphs. I hadn't noticed it before, but there had been some from the beginning. It was Algoros who had been using the artifact without me notig.

  In short, this day had positioself as my best memory in this life. Just ahead of meeting my little angel. She was an adorable little girl, but my family came first.

  The day, thank the goddess, ended without i, without any servants looking at me in disgust, without the appearance of Losward. He hadn't left yet, but it seems he hates any kind of family celebration. He's an arrogant bastard, but, as hypocritical as it sounds to say it after all I've said so far about him, I wish he had bee. At least then I could have said that, even though he was trouble, he sidered us his family. But that, it seemed, was expeg too much of him.

  With that, my first year of life came to an end. So much happehis year, I met so many people, I uood the love of my family, and... I think I'm finally starting to adjust to this new world. There were so many things to learn, so many things to do, and... well, now I have grown up. I 't wait to talk about all the hings in my life.

  FivesZeta