"Young Master Kovacs! Are you awake already? Madam and Master assumed that you might want to get up early this morning, since-! Oh. You're already awake".
The figure of a young, budding young woman came through the door. Dressed in a servants garb with a subservient expression on her face.
The moment she came through the door she noticed Kovacs sitting on the windowsill, on leg over the railing, hanging off the edge of the window, and the other laying flat, alongside where the window rail.
His expression.... was different from what she remembered.
Her young Master was.... usually very outgoing. Very friendly. Very passionate and was usually very happy when around others.
He had taken her many years ago. When her family was sold by slavers to Parachenko Village, he had requested his father that he buy her, and treated her kindly, despite her status and complete lack of strength.
Ever since then, she had devoted her entire being to making her appeal better. Since Young Master Arthur was one of the sons of the Clan Leader, he would undoubtably have some sort of status in the future, even if he didn't become the Clan Leader himself.
In order to survive in the future, she had planned on getting pregnant, as soon as possible. Having a child with someone of his bloodline would improve her status and condition in the Clan.
A few years ago, she would've hated to even think about something like this. But ever since then, she had realised the strength and power of Fae Masters, and completely resigned herself to her fate.
This was the reality of those without power.
She smiled.
"Young Master, the Madam and Master have called for your presence in the dining room. Since today is the talent awakening ceremony, they wanted to see you off before the Clan Leader and other Elders start the ceremony".
There was something off about Young Master's demeanour, she thought. But just assumed he was either nervous, or eager to undergo the talent awakening ceremony.
This was the day, that children were formerly recognized as adults.
Or as Fae Masters.
Kovacs nodded, slowly, but surely.
"..... Nadia.... right?".
The servant girl nodded her head and smiled.
"Yes, Young Master?".
Kovacs just shook his head before gesturing for her to go.
"Take me to my Mother and Father. I'll see them off before I head to the Awakening Cave".
Nadia smiled before turning around and walking back towards the dining room. Despite walking through the hallways and corridors, she couldn't help but put a slight sway on her hips, in hopes of attracting her Young Masters gaze.
Unfortunately for her, young Arthur couldn't help but focus on something else.
".... since today is the talent awakening ceremony, things will undoubtably follow the same course of action. Even if I can change the future with my knowledge, it's impossible to change fate.....".
If most people knew the outcome of their talent awakening ceremony and knew that their talent was far below what their desired talent was, most would go crazy. Cursing fate, their parents, themselves and even the Fae created during the awakening ceremony.
In a small region like the Winter Rain Mountain, there was nothing that could affect one's talent. Most didn't even know something like that existed, let alone knew where to find one such item.
But for Arthur, he merely smiled, and gazed up at the falling moon.
".... Perhaps this time, things will be different....".
He had no expectations in regards to what will happen today.
But tomorrow was anyone's guess.
His smile grew further.
Walking through the stone corridors of his Family's Home, Kovacs couldn't help but feel reminiscent of another time. It was as if he suddenly walked into a museum, showing him everything that he once forgot.
It almost didn't feel real.
But, for some reason, it undoubtably was the Truth.
"Young Master, if you would please come this way".
Another servant, another female servant came through the corridor, ushering Arthur towards the main dining hall. The fifteen year old noticed the two looks the servant girls gave each other, but neither said anything in the presence of their Young Master.
The young master in question merely smiled, before shaking his head.
Opening the huge doors to the dining hall, a loud and booming voice entered Arthur's ears.
"Arthur, my son! Come here!".
The young Arthur titled his head back and showed a happy expression as he felt two massive arms pull him into a tight embrace.
"Today is the day you become a man! A Fae Master! Just like your brothers and sisters. Are you not excited! Not keen for the day ahead of you!?".
"Come now husband. If you keep squeezing him like that, poor Arthur will pop before he even has a chance to complete his awakening ceremony".
Two familiar sounding voices entered his ears.
It had been such a long time since he heard either of these voices.
He once dreamt about these two when he was younger. In the days after he left Winter Rain Mountain, and slept in hollowed trees or in damp caves. In the times he lay silently, stitching up his own wounds, or the times he sat silently in the rain, reminiscing about a time long since past.
He didn't leave out of shame or regret. Hatred or sadness.
He left, because he didn't want to disappoint his mother or father.
Because of what would happen today.
'.... such an unfilial son I am', he thought to himself.
He raised his arms, patting his father on the back as he held him tightly.
"I am happy Father. Although, I have realised something".
The giant, burly fellow he called Father, straightened his back, and released his grip on his son. The moment he saw his face, saw his expression and his demeanour, his brows furrowed and his heart tightened for some reason.
His son looked tired.
More tired than someone his age should be.
It was more mature.
More aged.
More.... cold, than what it should be.
It was only there for a second, before Arthur showed a radiant smile.
"That more than anything in the world. I am happy to be your son".
The Parachenko Village Head blinked a couple times before smiling, placing his hands on his hips and laughing grandly. His own smile seemed to light up the entire room and his presence seemed to bring smiles to peoples faces.
"At any rate, make sure you only drink water until the ceremony begins. Being hungry might seem too much, but once the essence of the Heavens and the Earth starts flowing into your body, you'll begin to feel full, despite being on an empty stomach. If you eat, you might throw up before the ceremony is complete".
Arthur nodded before turning to his Mother.
The woman was much younger than he remembered. Much more beautiful than what his memories remembered her as.
She buttoned his shirt and fixed his hair, showing a similar looking smile on her face.
"We're throwing a feast after the talent awakening ceremony, so make sure you bathe later after the ceremony. I'll get Nadia and Rosaline to prepare you a fresh set of clothes in preparation for the feast".
Arthur felt the touch of his mothers hand against his face and shivered slightly, letting the warmth seep into his skin.
How painful her touch was, he thought.
Arthur showed a pained expression before he gazed deep into his Mother's eyes.
"Mother.... what would you do.... if I ever grew up to be a bad person? Someone who hurt others?".
She showed a confused expression before shaking her head and patting his chest.
"I would punish you dear. You're my child, so it would be my duty to punish you, and to make sure that you serve out the sentence for the crime you commit".
Arthur froze for a moment, before smiling, this one, he wasn't sure was fake or not.
"..... Thank you.... for everything".