Chapter 6: 6 Years Old

"Anri~ Let's play together~ I'm bored!" A hand sized little girl said in a whining voice.

I glanced at her. She's a little fairy that's been entrusted to me by the Guardian of Nature, Flora. She said that when I was born, this little one was born too. So, shei left her to me. This little one was tasked to teach me magic, little by little. As of now, I can only grow small plants and it takes a lot of my energy just to make them grow. Sob. It's hard to learn magic!

"Aran, I'm studying. Ms. Caith said that I need to memorize the books she left." I glanced at the books that's been piled to my desk. My, it's a twin tower. Just by looking at it makes my heart breaks.

Sigh. I wonder when can I finish reading. I still have ten books pending to be read. And those books are all about the kingdom of Astoria. Astoria is a big kingdom. There's a lot of traditions and cultures in different parts. They believe in the Goddess of Nature, Floralia, who is said to be guarding them from harm. The kingdom of Astoria was full of life. The weather's always good and suitable for raising plants. The other kingdom are enviable to the climate of Astoria. That's why there's many records of war because they want to claim Astoria for their own.

Regarding to Gods and Goddesses, they are mostly refer to as guardian. I read something about the Guardians having successor. But, they all vanished and there never been a successor to them. It said that the successors have enormous amount of magic.

Enormous magic...

Sniff. Why I don't have that? I can only grow small plants. Mostly, I can make a flower bloom.

Sigh. It's depressing. But, a successor? The books that I read never mentioned a successors role. It only said that they have enormous magic. Is it only just that? Is there more deeper meaning into it?

Floralia never talked to me since that day three years ago. And Aran won't tell me more. She always said 'at the right time'. When will be that time?

Sigh.

A knocked sounded and Claud entered with a tray.

"Anri, it's tea time now. Cook made some cookies."

"Yey! Tea time!" I left my seat and sat on the carpeted ground. There's a small table in the center. Suitable for little tea time with kids.

It's tiring to think, you know~

"I also brought some fresh grapes for Aran." Claud put the tea set, cookies and grapes in the tables.

"Yey! Grapes~"

Aran immediately rushed and ate a piece of grapes.

I happily drink my tea. Ah~ It's really nice to have a rest time. I glanced at Aran and Claud. It's really surprising that Claud can see Aran. Not everyone can see her, even Mama can't see Aran. I don't know about big brother and brother Regie. I haven't seen them for a while now. Even Papa. They're all away~ But, they do send letters. Apparently, Papa's busy in official matters. Both of my brothers are in school. Mama's busy running our household. That left me, the youngest one to be alone and bored.

Sigh. I want to play. I glances at Claud. She's sipping her tea quietly.

"Nee~ Claud, I'm done reading. Let's play outside~" I looked at her with my puppy eyes. Please do agree. Pleeeeeeaseeee~

Claud looked at my study desk where a lot of books are piled. She looked at me skeptically.

Sniff. "Don't look at me like that. I'm still a kid, okay?! I need to play!"

"Yey! Let's play! Aran's bored!

And Claud agreed to our request. Now, we are at the garden. Where lying at the soft grass. My~ they're soft you know~

Aran's frolicking through the flowers. While Claud's is just watching from a far. But mot that far. She's under the big tree near the pavilion.

Sigh. The sky is so blue. The clouds are like fluffy marshmallow. I raised my hand, reaching for the sky.

I closed my eyes and feel the surrounding. Everywhere's so green. Hmm... Somewhere inside me, I can feel a warm energy rushing through my finger tips.

Flowers...

I want flowers. Suddenly, there's a tickling sensation running through my arms. When I opened my eyes. I was surprised to see small trumpet flowers. It's vines run through my arms.

This is quite new. I never done this before. Maybe I should try doing something bigger than this? Well, I'll do that some other time.

"Anri~ Let's pick some star fruit~ They look yummy~" Aran suddenly appeared before me and she's pointing to the orchard that's in full bloom.

I sat up and removed the vines of trumpet flower. I looked to the orchard. The fruits in there really looks yummy. There's different types of fruit in there.

I stood up and patted my dress to remove the grass sticking to my dress.

"Okay. Let's pick some." I glanced at Claud's way.

Huh? Where did she go? She's not in there. Oh, well, we are just going into the orchard.

"Yey~ Yummy star fruit, just wait for Aran~ I'm gonna gobble you up~"

I giggled. Aran's so cute!

We made our way to the orchard. Standing in front of the star fruit tree, I looked up. It's too high.

"Anri, let's go up~ The yummy ones are up high~ Let's go~"

"Ah! Aran, I can't climb!"

"You can do it!"

Sigh. She's really energetic. Can I climb this? I looked at my dress. I'm wearing a white dress with black pinafore with yellow gold lace. It's not hard to move but, it's quite something to see. Oh, well, I'm still a kid. I removed my shoes and I started to climb.

Step by step, I climb the tree. Unexpectedly, I climbed it without a problem. Mr. Star fruit is helping me. I rubbed the tree with my hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Star fruit!" I sat a top of the branch.

Puffed some air and looked around.

Mr. Star fruit is standing in the middle of the orchard. All I can see is the leaves and branches of the trees. Different color, shape and size, it's so pretty!

"Anri! What took you so long?"Aran came to my side, she's holding a star fruit that's bigger than her.

"It's not easy to climb. I don't have wings like you." What do you take me as? I'm still a kid you know!

"Oh~ Anri's still a chick. Someday, Anri can fly too!"

Eh? Me? I can fly?

I looked at her curiously. Being a successor is full of mystery. History books never mentioned what a successor can do.

"Anri, don't look at me like that. You should eat some orange. It's really yummy!"

Yup. I can see it. The star fruit you're holding is almost gone.

Maybe, I should eat some. I looked up saw a star fruit hanging a top my head. I can't reach it.

I slowly stand up. Hmm... I still can't reach it. I tip my toes. Still can't reach! Huff! A little bit more and I can reach it.

Ah! I touched it! When I pulled it, I slipped.

Wide eyes, I screamed.

"Anri!"