"We've already settled the matter with the old men of the senate…"
"Then it's definitive. We'll have another child who will take the role of heir."
They were the voices of Dorian and Lumiére, speaking of their firstborn as if it were a problem already resolved.
They had been fortunate that the emperors did not demote them for having conceived a cursed child. Now, their only objective was to secure a new leader for the seventh legion.
One year after that event, the second child of the Amatsu family was born: Himari Amatsu. They had hoped it would be a boy, but her birth did not disappoint them at all. The girl was born healthy and, to both of their surprise, her hair had two tones, with the white inherited from her mother predominating.
From the very first day, Himari was treated with extreme care. She received constant attention twenty-four hours a day, always accompanied by mages specialized in healing magic, prepared for any eventuality.
When she turned two years old, they began teaching her basic rules of etiquette, with the intention that in the future she would become a woman worthy of respect.
Her parents could not be prouder of their creation. Without a doubt, she would be a good ruler.
◇ ◇ ◇
Himari Amatsu was a child loved by everyone in the mansion. Always cheerful and charismatic, ever since she learned to crawl she moved tirelessly through every corner, something surprising for someone so young.
"Who is going to turn three years old soon!?" her mother exclaimed excitedly, holding the little girl from beneath the shoulders.
With a huge smile on her face, the girl answered without hesitation: "ME!", shouting enthusiastically. Despite her age, she already spoke with remarkable clarity.
It was further proof that Himari was special from birth. To her parents' surprise, the only time they ever heard her cry was on the very day she was born. After that, never again. Something unusual for such a small child, but the mages assured them that there was no problem. Himari was strong, even from an early age.
"Where is my princess?" Dorian celebrated as he entered the spacious room. Upon seeing her, he could not contain himself and went straight to lift her into his arms.
Lumiére smiled as she witnessed the scene.
"PA-PA!" exclaimed the little girl with the same excitement.
"Come, let's walk through the halls," Dorian commented enthusiastically, glancing sideways at his wife in search of approval.
She replied by slightly inclining her head. Without wasting time, Dorian headed down the long corridors of the mansion together with his daughter.
The guards bowed respectfully in their presence. Himari observed everything with a curious sparkle in her eyes.
"Someday all of this will be yours," Dorian stated confidently, as the girl hugged him around the neck.
From afar, Himari noticed an area where there was not a single guard, which caught her attention. Pointing with her finger, she asked:
"Daddy, what's over there?"
Dorian looked in that direction. For a brief instant, his expression became serious. Then he diverted his gaze toward his daughter and, adjusting her hair with his free hand, replied in a calm tone:
"Don't worry, there's nothing important over there."
At that moment, a young, short-statured woman passed by them, bowing before moving on. Dorian did not notice her until she had already passed by his side.
He remained motionless for a few seconds, and when he glanced back over his shoulder, the woman was no longer there.
Before he could reflect on it, he was pulled from his thoughts by Himari, who was beginning to grow restless from being stopped.
◇ ◇ ◇
Himari wore a beautiful white dress that matched her bicolored hair. Several small tears were gathering in her eyes.
It was her birthday. Overwhelmed by excitement, she had begun walking alone through the halls of the mansion without anyone watching her.
When she realized that she did not know where she was, fear overtook her. Even more so when she felt a presence that made her blood run cold.
"Heeeey! Don't worry, I'm coming."
The voice came from exactly where she felt that overwhelming presence. Fearfully, she began to slowly turn around.
"AHH!" A muffled moan escaped her mouth. Her body began to tremble alarmingly. In front of her was something she had only seen in horror tales.
A monster.
A dark figure advanced toward her at a hurried pace.
'F-f-father…' was the only thing she managed to think before trying to move.
But fear betrayed her. She tripped over her own legs.
"Ahh?"
She tightly closed her eyes, expecting the fall, but instead she felt a strong grip on her left wrist.
With terror, she slightly opened her eyes. That deformed figure was inches from her, holding her firmly.
Fear completely overwhelmed her. Unable to contain herself, she began to wet her dress, while her sobs echoed loudly.
The last thing she managed to see was her father holding her in his arms, quickly moving away from the place.
Desperate, she clung tightly to him, causing Dorian to grit his teeth in anger.
◇ ◇ ◇
"I told you that keeping him in this house was going to cause problems!" Lumiére protested furiously. She was still holding her daughter, who continued crying as if she were never going to stop.
Dorian brought a hand to his chest, annoyed.
"I wanted to get rid of that phenomenon, but the senate wouldn't allow it!" he defended himself.
Lumiére ignored him, focusing all her attention on Himari.
In the end, the birthday party continued as normal. Numerous nobles and families from other legions were present that night.
Himari managed to calm down by having both parents by her side throughout the entire evening.
Two days later, she could be seen sitting next to an older woman, with several books open on the table.
"I'm surprised that you're able to understand intermediate magic books so easily, Himari-sama," the woman praised her.
The little girl narrowed her eyes in irritation and rubbed one of them.
"Is something wrong, little one? Do you want me to examine you?" the tutor asked with concern.
Himari quickly shook her head.
"They already did and it was nothing," she replied, returning her focus to her book.