After Emilia finished getting ready, she headed downstairs with her mom and nanny. Michael was waiting for them a little bit nervous of how things were going between his daughter and wife. He knew Amelia was still pretty upset this morning and she had asked him to not intervene in the conversation that she was going to have with her daughter. He smiled knowing that there was going to be no conversation. Amelia was ready to serve the sentence to their little one and there were no words that would be exchanged between them. It was clear to him that Amelia just did not want him to be in the same room because he had to admit he had a soft spot for his daughter.
As he was pacing back and forth at the bottom of the stairs for quite some time, Michael heard giggling sounds coming from the second floor. As he turned, he saw that his daughter was walking down hand in hand with his wife. It looked like everything had gone smoothly and he was happy. He hated when there was tension between his two ladies because somehow, he always found himself in the middle. Seeing that Michael was a bit shocked about their happy appearance Amelia knew that he had expected the worse. She was really upset this morning and had made it clear that he could not intervene.
"Husband, relax. I already spoke to your daughter, and we have agreed on a proper penance for her actions." Amelia said with a firm voice looking directly at her daughter. "Am I right Emilia?"
Emilia quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, ma'am."
"But for today and only for today she will be let go easy and she will be allowed to enjoy her day. Her penance will start tomorrow." Amelia smiled at her beautiful daughter as she said these words.
"Yes, tomorrow I will surely start bright and early. I promise," Emilia said while placing her right hand on her heart, "but today…father its academy time." Emelia said this and jumped to her father's arms. She was so happy and could not contain her excitement.
Her father could not help but laugh as his daughter's actions. She was indeed just a child who found happiness in the smallest of things. Amelia who was watching these silly events got closer to nanny and hugged her. At that moment everything felt perfect. Her family was perfect, and she was thankful for all that life had given her.
Michael laughed along with his daughter, enjoying this moment. This is how he always wanted to see Emilia. He hated seeing her in tears and was grateful that the events of last night had not ended in tragedy.
"Ok Emilia go kiss your mother goodbye. It's time to go" Michael said as he placed his daughter down.
Emilia ran to her mother and nanny who were still standing by the stairs. She hugged nanny and whispered into her ear "Wish me luck nanny. I'm going into the real world."
Nanny returned the child's hug ever so lovingly and replied, "You need no such thing as luck, you will do great, but just in case a kiss of comfort and reassurance."
As nanny finished her sentence she pulled away from Emilia and planted a soft kiss on the child's forehead. Nanny was extremely excited and happy that after all that had transpired her sweet child will finally be allowed to go out and experience the world.
After this tender moment Emilia than jumped into her mother's arm. Her attitude was just too sassy and endearing. Amelia laughed out loud being unable to control her happiness.
"Mother, I love you. Thank you for everything. I will see you after school." Emilia exclaimed. "School! I never thought I would be able to attend one. This is too exiting" Emilia who was in her mother's arms hugged her mom with force and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Amelia could only laugh and kiss her daughter back. No words were necessary in this moment.
Amelia put her child down and notched her to go, "Go I don't want you to be late on your first day."
"Late? No, we can't be late" Emilia exclaimed in terror. "That would be horrible. Father lets go"
Michael who started walking to his wife to give her a kiss goodbye suddenly felt a force pulling at his hand. As he turned down to see whose force this was, he was render speechless by the actions of his silly daughter who was pulling him to the door.
Michael knew that there was no way to get out of his daughter's hold, so he just allowed himself to be dragged out. As he was being pulled, he locked eyes with his wife who was laughing helplessly at the sight of her tiny daughter pulling her giant husband and whispered, "I love you."
At the intensity of his stare Amelia could not continue to laugh. A hint of blush appeared on her porcelain cheeks and all she could do was whisper back, "I love you." That intense I love you was meant only for him, her Michael.
Michael and Emilia entered the carriage that was waiting for them in front of the main entrance to the castle. Emilia was beaming with joy. She couldn't help looking out the window at the beautiful scenery that surrounded her. Elysium castle was bordered by beautiful hills full of creatures both mystical and human. To the left there was a small forest that was home to a streaming river. Emilia loved to escape to that river during the warm days. It was her special place where she imagined and created a world that transported her out of Elysium. As the carriage moved closer to the village Emilia thought that those days of living thru her imagination were over. Her day had arrived, and she was going to make the most of it.
"Emilia, sit down properly, we need to talk," Michael's voice pulled her out of her happy trance. She relentlessly sat down and looked at her father expecting a speech. She knew her father was not going to let this occasion pass without giving a speech.
"Yes father. I am listening."
Michael looked at his daughter's obedient self and didn't know if he should laugh or give her credit for her acting skills. Emilia was not a submissive child who would calm down just because her father was asking her to, and Michael was right. Emilia was on top notch behavior because she couldn't risk the academy being taken away. Michael decided to let it go. He had to explain some things to her before they reached the village.
"Right, "Michael cleared his throat before beginning, "First, nothing changes. You will still follow a strict curriculum that will include physical training, sword training, combat training, planning and techniques, literature and of course dominance training. Dominance will focus only on controlling your celestial powers and strength. Which reminds me: you are not allowed to use your powers outside of class and even when you do you will only use them with the permission of your instructor. I know that back at Elysium I allowed it, but that is no more. Powers cannot be used for selfless, daily things. This is a rule that you need to follow now that you will enter the human world. Do you understand?" Michael stared deeply at Emilia waiting for her to nod. He knew that his daughter was used to using her powers in her daily life and it was going to be a challenge, but this was a rule that encompass all creatures who chose to live amongst humas. There was no leeway on this rule.
At the sound of this instruction Emilia could not help but gasp. She was used to her powers that always made life easier for her. For some reason she found herself looking at the floor instead of nodding like her father expected her to.
"Emilia" Michael said with a deep voice "Emilia, say you understand"
Emilia started fidgeting in her seat and playing with her fingers refusing to give in. She loved her powers.
"Okay fine, we will go back. You are not ready." Michael stated
"No father!" Emilia screamed "I understand. I won't use them, but umm just one thing. I forgot to ask nanny to braid my hair and it's going to be on my way all day. Can I use them one last time?" Emilia asked. Her big green eyes piercing Michael's soul.
"No." Michael replied in a flat tone. "I will do it for you…" and just like that he reached his hand and placed it on Emilia's head. Suddenly a bright light emitted from his palm and like the purest magic in the universe he smiled. The white light surrounded Emilia's hair. Her loose red curls started going up, disappearing from her back. In a second all the loose strands were put together into a beautiful and simple fishtail braid that gave Emilia a timeless, romantic, soft air.
"Thank you, father."
"You are welcome. I hope I did a decent job"
"No, not just thank you for this, but thank you for everything! I love you" Emilia said while flashing her signature endearing smile.
Michael was caught up in the moment. He loved his daughter and hope that he was doing the right thing.
"You are welcome." Michael was almost lost in the moment, but soon he pulled back, "Now back to our business. You are expected to keep up with your studies and not deviate from the main goal. I have already arranged your registration, and someone has been assigned to guide you during your first days at school. Behave and be proper. "
"Yes, father" Emilia replied while nodding to her heart's content.
They soon reached the village. A lively place with lots of people walking around. It almost had the atmosphere of a festival. People all around were laughing and chatting with each other. Kids were running and playing around. It was hard to believe that it was so early in the morning as the whole village looked to be up and awake. It was a beautiful sight to see. People looked so immensely happy and now Emilia was part of them.