I have a gift?

Mr. Amado led me to my chamber, just as my father had instructed. We came to a halt in front of the first door on the castle's second floor. "This is your chamber, Lady Sequo-" I cut his words before he could finish what he was about to say.

"Nyra," With a firm voice, I corrected him.

He nods his head, "Lady Nyra," and opened the door.

As I explored my opulent room, I couldn't help but be captivated by the lavishness that surrounded me. The walls, adorned with intricate golden designs, shimmered in the soft light. The drapes cascaded elegantly, their golden fabric adding an air of regality to the space. The side tables flanked a massive, plush mattress, beckoning me to rest and reflect upon the events that had brought me here.

My attention was drawn to a sideboard cabinet nestled against one of the walls. Intrigued, I approached it, my eyes scanning the collection of old photographs that adorned its surface. There I was, frozen in time, captured moments from my childhood. In each picture, I held a familiar toy tightly in my hands.

A sense of déjà vu washed over me as I studied those images. The toy felt undeniably significant, evoking a rush of emotions just beyond my grasp. I strained to recall its origin, its significance in my past. But the memories remained elusive, teasing me with fragments that refused to form a complete picture.

I carefully picked up one of the photographs, studying the image of my younger self clutching the toy. It had a worn appearance, well-loved and cherished. The connection between the toy and my forgotten past tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me yearning for answers. It looks exactly as the toy I had when my Adoptive Parents saw me.

Turning away from the cabinet, I walked over to the majestic mattress at the center of the room. With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, I settled onto its plush surface, allowing myself a moment of quiet reflection. I closed my eyes, willing the depths of my subconscious to offer a glimpse of the forgotten memories tied to that toy.

Images flickered in my mind's eye—snippets of laughter, warmth, and a tender embrace. But like fragile wisps of smoke, they vanished before I could grasp them fully.

"I am going to leave you now so you can have a rest, Lady Se- Nyra" I nodded at him and he left, shutting my door.

With anticipation and curiosity guiding my steps, I continued exploring the vast expanse of the castle. My search led me to a room adorned with an abundance of toys, clothing, shoes, and jewelry—a walk-in closet of grand proportions. The sheer variety and opulence before me left me momentarily speechless.

As I stepped into the closet, my eyes widened at the sight of rows upon rows of garments, meticulously arranged and waiting to be worn. It was as if the clothing had been untouched, their pristine condition suggesting they were brand new.

Realizing my immediate need for cleanliness, I decided to take a shower. The bathroom adjoining the closet was larger than my own bedroom, a luxurious space equipped with every essential one could imagine. Without hesitation, I shed my dirty clothes, eager to wash away the grime and fatigue that clung to my skin.

With gratitude, I discovered that the bathroom counter was stocked with an array of high-quality toiletries. I reached for them, reveling in the simple pleasure of cleanliness and self-care. The warm water cascaded over me, soothing both my body and mind as I allowed the tension and weariness to melt away.

Emerging from the shower, I wrapped myself in a plush towel and glanced around the closet once more. Among the racks of clothing, I found a selection of undergarments that beckoned to me. I quickly slipped into them, appreciating the comfort they offered.

Turning my attention to the dresses hanging before me, I settled on a plain pale pink dress. Its simplicity spoke to me, resonating with my desire to embrace a fresh start and newfound purpose. The fabric glided over my skin as I pulled it on, and I admired the way it accentuated my figure with understated elegance.

Completing my ensemble, I reached for a pair of white satin shoes that awaited me nearby. They fit perfectly, as if they had been crafted for my feet. Each step I took in them felt like a gentle reminder of the support and opportunities that lay before me in this castle, urging me to walk the path that had been laid out for me.

As I stood before the mirror, transformed and ready to face the unknown, a flicker of determination reflected in my eyes.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, a sense of heaviness settled upon me, mingling with the solitude of my thoughts. With each brushstroke through my almost-dried hair, I found myself drifting into a somber state of reflection. The weight of recent events pressed upon me, threatening to engulf me in a sea of sorrow.

I sighed deeply, feeling the sorrowful lament rise within me, yet my eyes remained dry, as if unable to release the tears that yearned to flow freely. It was an inexplicable sensation, the desire to cry and shout, to release the pain and anguish that consumed my heart, but finding myself somehow unable to do so.

The passing of my adoptive parents still weighed heavily upon me. They had provided me with love, support, and a sense of belonging, their absence leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. Their loss felt like an unfillable chasm, a wound that refused to heal.

And then there was the abduction of my friend, a cruel act that tore through the fabric of my world, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty and fear. The knowledge that they were out there, somewhere, possibly suffering or in danger, gnawed at my soul, fueling a desperate desire to find them and bring them back to safety.

Yet, as I sat there, brushing my hair, a strange numbness enveloped me. It wasn't a lack of emotion but rather an overwhelming sense of helplessness that seemed to suppress my ability to outwardly express my grief. The weight of it all felt suffocating, trapped within the confines of my being.

I closed my eyes, seeking solace in the silence, allowing my mind to unravel the complexity of my emotions. Perhaps the absence of tears and shouts was not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to the strength that resided within me. The ability to hold the pain within, to keep pushing forward despite the overwhelming challenges, was a reflection of my resilience.

In that moment, I made a silent promise to myself. I would not let the inability to cry or shout define me. I would harness the sorrow, the frustration, and the longing, channeling them into unwavering determination. I would use my pain as a catalyst for action, fueling my quest for justice, and fueling my search for my friend.

With newfound resolve, I set the brush aside and stood up from the bed. The weight of my sorrow remained, but now it would serve as a reminder of the strength that lay within me

Startled by the sudden burst of the door swinging open, my attention snapped to the figure who entered my chamber. It was the Queen, her regal presence commanding the space, her expression a mix of urgency and concern. 

I was about to stand up when she gestured me not to.

"It's fine, just sit down; I know you're tired from what happened earlier." The queen gestured for me to sit down again, which I did due to exhaustion.

She approached me holding what seemed like a book before sitting down next to me and placing what she was carrying on her back.

She held my hand and then spoke,

"You've grown beautifully my princess." she smiled before speaking again, "I am fully aware that you don't remember what happened after your butler, Mr. Amado, left you at the human's village. And I understand your grief and anguish you are feeling towards us." I just ignored her, still waiting for what she had to say. " I will tell you everything that happened if you will let me," she said, softly, which made me look at her.

"Tell me everything," I said, flatly. Looking directly at her metallic eyes.

She took out what she was carrying earlier from her back. I assumed it was a book because it looked like one, but it was actually full of pictures when she opened it. "All of our photos are here, my daughter. You have no idea how enthusiastic we were when we found out I was pregnant..." She said while showing me a picture of herself with a big belly and my father hugging her from behind.

"This was your first birthday, and your father had given you this teddy bear, which you cuddled every night until you fell asleep." It's a picture of me with The King carrying me and me holding a teddy bear with a big smile on my face.

She showed me more photos where I was getting older and older. I'm not sure why I'm tearing up when I don't even remember anything she says or shows.

The last photo is very familiar to me because that's what I was wearing and looked like when my adoptive parents saw me outside their home.

"Then your ninth birthday came," I could tell by the look on her face that she was having difficulty finishing what she was planning to say.

"You don't have to continue if you find it difficult to tell me." I lowly said but she smile at me and gently shake her head.

"You have to know what happened," She whispered to me as she smiled, "We planned a grand celebration for your ninth birthday. Everything was fine until the Adbeels invaded our castle and broke through our spell barrier..." I furrowed my brow as I heard that word again.

"Mr. Amado kept mentioning the Adbeels earlier as well, but I'm not sure who or what they are. I never heard of them before," Mr. Amado mentioned that the three men whom I saw earlier are the Adbeels, he said they were the ones who set our village on fire... who killed my adoptive parents.

"Like us, Adbeels was born with a gift from our God, but they abuse it to commit evil deeds..." she was about to speak more but I spoke before her again.

I furrowed my brow once more in wonder. "I'm sorry, but, what do you mean by 'like us' and 'born with a gift'? This is confusing me,"

"Magic, Nyra. Magic," I got shivers all over my body when she whispered.

I was shocked by what she said and was about to laugh, but I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was serious. Then I remember the old tale I had always assumed to be fiction.

My eyes widen, "So the myth was real after all?" I whispered to myself, "I am a witch?" I asked, not believing it.

"You are a Paragon, the opposite of an Adbeel, and we Paragons use our power to protect this world against the Adbeels," she said as she squeezed my hand, her eyes sincere.

What I've been hearing is unreal, I'm afraid. I believed it was a made-up story, but it was real.

Moreover, the fact that I am their daughter simply makes me the princess, the successor to this castle, and endowed with magic.

Oh wow, this is giving me a headache!

I looked down at my hand because I didn't have anything to say, but I noticed something was wrong. My palm lines became dark red.

"What the..." I mumbled as I kept my gaze on my palm.

The queen noticed it but did not appear as surprised as I was. She showed me her palm, which has purple lines on it.

"Why are our palm lines this color?" I asked, looking at her palm.

"Our palm lines changed color as soon as we turned 18; mine is purple, which means I can create and manipulate dragons, while yours is..." she came to a halt when she examined mine closely.

"Mine is?" I looked at her confused, waiting for her to finish what she was about to say.

She slowly shook her head and shrugged, "If it were red, I would say a fire. Yours, on the other hand, is a deep red. It's familiar, but I've never seen dark red palm lines before." she said making me more confused.

"How would I know then?" I asked curiously.

She looked at me and smiled, "When you finally get into the school where you belong. It will teach you what you can release and how to use your gift." I frowned at her for what she said.

"What school?" I asked, with my brow furrowed.

"The Augurium Academia, where all the country's paragons begin to hone their gift, that's all for now; you have to rest," she says as she walks towards my room door. She was about to open it when she turned her head back to me. "Happy 18th birthday, Sequoia," she said as she exited my chamber, smiling.