POV: Sekire

  17th Day — Early Morning

  Soft knocks on the door woke me up,

  Not a maid's knock, too gentle, too personal,

  "Sekire?" the voice was familiar, but unexpected,

  Clemearl?

  I sat up in bed, confused, still half asleep,

  "Y-yes?"

  The door opened, revealing Clemearl, already dressed, but not formally,

  Simple, practical clothes, silver hair tied in a ponytail,

  She looked different, less intimidating, more human,

  "Good morning," she smiled, small but genuine, "Sorry for waking you so early,"

  "No, it's fine, I..." I glanced out the window, the sun had barely risen, "Did something happen?"

  "No, nothing bad," she came in, sat on the edge of the bed, "Actually, I have a proposal,"

  "A proposal?"

  "Yes, I thought we could spend the day together, outside the castle, in the city,"

  I blinked, processing,

  "In the city?"

  "Yes, there's a wonderful fair in the capital today, merchants from all over the continent, food, crafts, entertainment,"

  She tilted her head,

  "I thought it would be good to get to know you outside a formal context, to see who you naturally are,"

  "Is this part of the test?"

  "Technically yes," she admitted, "But I also want you to have fun, a seven-year-old child deserves fun, not just constant evaluations,"

  Something warm in my chest,

  She cared,

  She really cared,

  "Is Mabel coming too?"

  "If she wants to, I'll wake her afterwards, but we need to leave early to make the most of the whole day,"

  "Then... yes, I'd like to go,"

  "Wonderful!" she stood up, "Wear something comfortable, nothing formal, we'll be walking a lot,"

  And she left, leaving me alone,

  Excited,

  Genuinely excited,

  Thirty Minutes Later — Castle Gates

  I was dressed simply, comfortable trousers and a blouse, hair loose,

  Clemearl was waiting, along with Mabel, who looked equally excited,

  "SEKIRE! I'M FINALLY GOING TO SHOW YOU THE CAPITAL!"

  "You don't know it that well either," Clemearl pointed out, amused,

  "I know it better than her!"

  "Technically true,"

  There was a simple carriage waiting, nothing ostentatious, just functional transport,

  "No guards?" I asked,

  "I have this," Clemearl showed a hood similar to the one Mabel had used in Umbralis, also with cat ears, but silver with golden details, "Magic item, distorts perception,"

  She handed two similar ones to me and Mabel,

  "Today, we are not a noble and a princess, we are just three people enjoying the fair,"

  I put on the hood, the cat ears were ridiculous but adorable,

  "Do I look like an idiot?"

  "You look cute!" Mabel declared, putting on her own, white with turquoise blue,

  "Both of you look adorable," Clemearl confirmed, putting on hers,

  And then, for the first time, I saw her completely relaxed,

  Without the weight of nobility, without the crushing responsibility,

  Just a twenty-four-year-old woman, wanting to have a pleasant day,

  "Shall we?"

  "Let's go!"

  Capital Fair — Market District

  It was enormous,

  Absolutely enormous,

  Stalls in every direction, vibrant colours, delicious smells, the sounds of bargaining, music, laughter,

  Thousands of people, but organised, flowing naturally,

  "Where do we start?" Mabel asked, eyes shining,

  "Food," Clemearl decided, "Always food first,"

  We found a stall selling something called "Spiced Meat Skewers with Hot Sauce,"

  We bought three,

  And it was divine,

  "How is this so good?" I murmured, mouth full,

  "Because it's not palace food," Clemearl answered, also chewing, "Street food is always better,"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "I completely agree!" Mabel, already on her second skewer,

  We kept walking, trying things,

  Sweet rolls, crystallised fruits, juice of something called "Star Fruit" that was blue and glowed faintly,

  "Does this have magic?" I asked, looking at the juice,

  "Yes, cultivated with minor enchantments," Clemearl explained, "It doesn't do anything other than glow and taste better,"

  "Fascinating,"

  Crafts Section

  There was a stall selling small glass sculptures,

  Animals, flowers, abstract shapes,

  All delicate, colourful, beautiful,

  "Look at this one!" Mabel pointed to a glass butterfly, wings in a gradient from blue to purple,

  I remembered the conversation with Clemearl,

  Girl or butterfly,

  "It's beautiful," I agreed,

  "Do you want it?" Clemearl asked,

  "You don't need to..."

  She was already buying it,

  Two minutes later, I had a carefully wrapped glass butterfly,

  "Thank you,"

  "You're welcome, consider it a welcome gift,"

  "Welcome?"

  She smiled, mysteriously,

  "You'll see,"

  Central Square

  There was a performance happening,

  A group of musicians playing instruments I had never seen, an animated, infectious melody,

  People dancing all around,

  "Let's dance!" Mabel grabbed my hand,

  "I don't know how to dance!"

  "Nobody does! Just move!"

  And she pulled me into the crowd,

  Clemearl laughed, following behind,

  And then we were dancing,

  No technique, no grace, just moving to the rhythm,

  Mabel spinning dramatically, nearly knocking over three people,

  Me trying to keep up, tripping over my own feet,

  Clemearl surprisingly graceful, but still relaxed, laughing genuinely,

  And for the first time in a long time, perhaps since I was Yuki, I felt it,

  Pure joy,

  Not survival, not relief, not gratitude,

  Just joy,

  Simple, intense, real,

  The music ended, everyone applauded, breathless, sweaty, happy,

  "That was incredible!" Mabel declared,

  "It was," I agreed, still laughing,

  "I agree," Clemearl, also smiling,

  Books Section

  We found a stall selling used books,

  Hundreds of them, stacked, organised by category,

  "Can I look?" I asked,

  "Of course, we have time," Clemearl answered,

  I explored the piles, fingers running over the spines,

  History, philosophy, fiction, theoretical magic,

  And then I found it,

  A small book, worn blue cover, simple title, "Reflections on Identity,"

  I opened it, read the first page,

  "Who we are is not determined by who we were, but by who we choose to become,"

  Something tightened in my chest,

  "Did you find something interesting?" Clemearl came closer,

  "Yes, this one,"

  She looked at the title, then at me,

  "About identity?"

  "Yes,"

  "Do you want it?"

  "If it's not a problem,"

  "It's never a problem," she bought it without hesitating, "Books are a better investment than any jewel,"

  Lunchtime — Small Restaurant

  We found a cosy place, not fancy, but clean,

  We ordered local specialties,

  Vegetable stew with meat, fresh bread, salad,

  It was delicious,

  "You know," Mabel began, mouth half full, "We should do this more often,"

  "Do what?" I asked,

  "Go out, explore, without thinking about protocols,"

  "I agree," Clemearl took a sip of water, "Sometimes we forget to live in between all the responsibilities,"

  "Do you go out often?" I asked, curious,

  "Not as often as I should," she admitted, "Especially after Esther was born, every free moment is dedicated to research,"

  "Research on the curse?"

  "Yes,"

  A moment of silence,

  "You're going to break it," I said, without thinking,

  Both of them looked at me,

  "The curse, you're going to break it," I repeated, more confident, "I don't know how, but you will,"

  Clemearl smiled, sad but hopeful,

  "I hope so,"

  "You will," Mabel confirmed, "Because we have you now,"

  They looked at me, expectant,

  And for the first time, I believed it,

  Really believed it,

  That maybe, just maybe, I could help,

  I didn't know how, but I would try,

  With everything I had,

  Afternoon — Public Botanical Garden

  Clemearl took us to an enormous garden, full of exotic plants,

  Flowers of every colour, enormous trees, artificial lakes with colourful fish,

  "This is beautiful," I murmured,

  "It's one of my favourite places in the capital," Clemearl explained, "I come here when I need to think,"

  We walked along the paths, admiring the plants,

  There was a section with glowing flowers, fed by magic,

  "Luminous ones," Clemearl pointed, "Cultivated specifically to glow in the dark, used in night-time decorations,"

  "Can I touch them?"

  "You can, they're resilient,"

  I touched one gently, the petal was soft, and the glow intensified where my finger touched,

  "They react to touch," she explained, "The more contact, the brighter they become,"

  Fascinating,

  Absolutely fascinating,

  "Do you like plants?" I asked,

  "Yes, there's order in them, predictable growth, natural beauty without artifice,"

  She smiled,

  "And they don't charge impossible expectations,"

  I laughed, understanding perfectly,

  Late Afternoon — Heading Back to the Castle

  We were in the carriage, exhausted but happy,

  Mabel had fallen asleep leaning against me, snoring lightly,

  Clemearl watched through the window, expression serene,

  "Thank you," I said, quietly,

  "For what?"

  "For today, for letting me forget everything for a few hours, for treating me like a person, not like a test,"

  She looked at me, golden eyes gentle,

  "You are a person, Sekire, you always were, the test is just a formality,"

  "A formality?"

  "Yes," she smiled, "Because I've already decided,"

  My heart stopped,

  "Decided?"

  "Yes, but I'll announce it officially tonight, to Caliope and Harven,"

  "And... what was the decision?"

  She didn't answer, just smiled,

  Mysterious until the end,

  Night — Private Meeting Room

  POV: Clemearl

  I was seated across from Caliope and Harven,

  Mabel also present, anxious,

  "Lady Clemearl," Caliope began, "I understand you've completed Sekire's evaluation?"

  "Yes,"

  "And what is your decision?"

  A deliberate pause,

  "I accept,"

  Mabel burst into a smile,

  Caliope looked relieved,

  Harven nodded, approving,

  "House Netherheart officially accepts Sekire Dawnveil as a ward," I continued, "She will live in Netherheart Mansion, receive appropriate education, magical training, and will be considered a member of the family,"

  "What convinced you?" Harven asked,

  "Several things," I admitted, "Her discipline, her exceptional memory, her magical progress,"

  A pause,

  "But mainly, her character, she is honest, vulnerable when necessary, hardworking, and despite all her trauma, she still has kindness,"

  "And today, when we spent the day together, I saw who she truly is, not the frightened girl, not the traumatised refugee, but a child who deserves the chance to simply be a child,"

  I smiled,

  "And more importantly, I like her, genuinely, I believe she will get along well with Esther, that she will bring something positive to the family,"

  "And regarding Mabel's prediction?" Caliope asked,

  "I still don't know if she's right, but I'm willing to find out," I looked at Mabel, "And I'm grateful for you bringing her to me,"

  "When will she leave?" Harven asked,

  "In three days, I need to organise things here first, prepare a proper room for her, inform Lizbeth and the children,"

  "And does Sekire know?"

  "Not officially, I'll tell her tomorrow,"

  "She'll be happy," Mabel said, eyes shining,

  "I hope so,"

  Because now, Sekire was my responsibility,

  My ward,

  And I would do everything in my power to ensure she thrived,

  That she found her dreams,

  That she discovered who she wanted to be,

  And perhaps, just perhaps, helped my daughter in the process,

  But even if she didn't, I wouldn't regret it,

  Because today I saw who she was,

  And she was worth it,

  Completely,

  POV: Mabel

  Later — Corridor

  I was practically running to Sekire's room,

  I needed to tell her,

  No, wait, Clemearl wanted to tell her personally tomorrow,

  But I could at least give a hint,

  I knocked on the door,

  "Sekire?"

  "Come in!"

  I came in, she was in bed, reading the book about identity that Clemearl had bought,

  "How are you?"

  "Good, tired, but good," she closed the book, "Today was... incredible,"

  "It really was,"

  "Thank you for coming,"

  "Always," I sat on the edge of the bed, "You know that Clemearl wants to speak with you tomorrow?"

  "Yes, she mentioned it,"

  "Are you nervous?"

  "A little, but less than before,"

  "Why?"

  "Because today, for the first time, I felt that she saw me, really saw me, not as a test, not as a possible solution, but as a person,"

  I smiled,

  "She sees you, she always did,"

  "And do you think..."

  "I think tomorrow is going to be a good day," I said, enigmatically,

  "A good day?"

  "Yes, just... trust me,"

  She smiled, small but genuine,

  "I always trust you,"

  POV: Sekire

  Same Night — Alone

  Lying in bed, the glass butterfly on the bedside table, glowing softly under the moonlight,

  Tomorrow Clemearl would give her decision,

  And strangely, I wasn't terrified,

  Nervous yes, but not terrified,

  Because today was good,

  Really good,

  And for the first time, I felt that, no matter what the decision was, I would be alright,

  Because I had Mabel, I had Fuyumi and Hinata,

  And perhaps, just perhaps, I had Clemearl too,

  I closed my eyes,

  And slept,

  Dreaming of butterflies, of fairs, of laughter,

  Of a future that perhaps, finally, could be mine,