The midnight colored coat fits the children perfectly, its softness mimicked the comfort of the blankets, and the fur on the hood shields their head from the cold. Mia most especially liked their new coat.
She giggled happily as they walk to Chi's carriage.
"Uncle Chi, Uncle Chi! This is soooooo pretty~" her eyes widened and sparkled. "I like it so so so so so much."
Chi can't hide his smile, Mia's been expressing her delight since, and it seems like she has no plan of stopping.
"Uncle Chi already knew. You can stop." Lithea said as she adjusted her hood.
"Uncle Chi doesn't mind. Right, uncle?"
"Don't speak for other people unless they authorize you to, Mia. That's rude."
Mia frowned. She is used to her sister's attitude but sometimes she just can't help but feel sad on how she act towards her.
Chi felt uneasy at the atmosphere the siblings created, "Now, now. Let's get in the carriage, its cold."
"What are we going to do downtown, uncle?" Mia asked, feet swinging as she sat down.
"We can enter as many shops as we want. Eat as much as we can. And of course, have fun!"
"Oh boy, oh boy!" the little one claps and leaned forward a little, "are there toys there?"
"Of course, we'll buy new toys once we get there."
Mia threw her little arms up in the air and screamed, "horaaaaaay!"
Lithea mentally sighed at her sister's actions, "Did I not teach you the correct way to respond, Mia?"
"Right," she sat straight and smiled at Chi, "thank you, Uncle."
Chi responded with a gentle smile. He watched these kids grew up and change, and despite all of that, his worries never disappeared. On contrary, it keeps growing day by day. Most especially for Lithea. If only he could confine her in magic therapy but the cruelty on what the patients go through to get cured in just a little time, is something he doesn't have the heart to watch Lithea experience it. And so, he must be patient and have faith.
"What about you, Lithea? What would you like to get?"
She gently shook her head, "I am fine."
"I insist, child."
Lithea sighed, "Is it alright for me to explore a bookstore?"
"Yes. We can do that later."
Mia pouted and groaned, "Books are boooooriiiiingggggg."
After discussing what they would do once they arrive downtown, the carriage went on a quiet ride for the whole time. And when they escaped the mountainside of the land and entered the business district, both the girls gasped at how busy the streets were.
Unfamiliar structures filled their eyes, smokes and colorful things didn't escape their gaze as well.
"Is there fire?" Mia asked.
"No, that's probably the barbecue house, dear."
"Barbecue? What's that?"
"It is where they grill different kind of meats." He smiled.
"Can we eat that?"
"Meats are greasy, also, we are only allowed to eat meats on important occasions in the temple."
"But we are not in the temple!" Mia argued.
'Here they go again.' Chi sweats.
"Rule number—"
"Alright, alright! I won't ask Uncle Chi to buy us barcue!"
"Barbecue, it is barbecue." Lithea corrected.
"Oh, it's the same."
The older sibling sighed before bringing her attention outside of the window. These people have different style of clothing, they also mind their own business. It is loud as well. Something they are not accustomed to. Also something she has never experienced since coming to the temple. It is too different.
The carriage stopped at the designated area where they could park and the three of them started their downtown visit.
Mia jumped and raised both of her fist up in the sky, "let's get some toys!"
People around them took noticed of a delicate voice and whipped their heads towards the amber-eyed little girl who looks like a noble.
Mia froze when they looked at her and murmured their compliments to the little girl.
"Uncle Chi!" she ran beside the adult and gripped his coat as she hid her tiny body.
Lithea let out a small grin, amused at her sister's new reaction.
"Its fine, come on." Chi held each of their hands and their adventure starts.
"Are we going to the toys?"
"We need to get you two some clothes for the spring first. I have received words that today's spring will be colder than the previous one. But your winter clothes would make you two sweat of you wear it for the whole season."
"Oh~" Mia smiled widely, "can we pick the clothes, Uncle Chi?"
"Mia," Lithea's voice was stern and full of authority, "you do not make demands to someone who is willing to give you gifts. We are lucky enough Uncle Chi brought us along."
Mia was surprised, it's the first time she used that way of speaking towards her. Lithea only ever use it when she was in trouble with the Head Priestess and she defended her. Because of that, she knew she made a mistake.
"I—" tears started streaming down her face, "I'm sorry, Uncle Chi. Sister. Waaaaaaaa~"
Lithea sighed and walked up to her, taking the handkerchief she have with her and wiped her sister's face, "I just don't want you to forget the temple's teachings. I'm not mad, sorry."
The scene before Chi warms his heart, 'she's all grown up. But her technique is similar with Tohan's. Are all first born of the Sol family has very strict personality?'
Chi laughed dryly in his thoughts.
The three of them arrived at the boutique Chi frequented for the temple's seasonal clothes, and now, he brought kids with him. This is not unusual for priests to get closer with children as they also frequently seen helping at orphanage. But for a temple master, it is weird. Especially since Chi locks himself in his office and just keep on working. That changed when the girls came to his life. Aside from fulfilling a promise to a dead friend, he's grown to love these kids. To him, they are his daughters.
Entering the boutique, the chimes made a sound and alerted the store owner and her seamstresses.
A middle-aged woman with a smiling face recognized Chi, "Master Chi, welcome back."
"Madame Lana, how are you?" he encouraged the kids to show themselves by tapping his thumb on the hands he's holding. "Can I please have clothes for them for this year's spring?"
"Oh my, what lovely children!" she went near them and kneeled to match their height. "Who are these beauties?"
"They are Mia and Lithea, they live in the Sun Temple."
The seamstresses gasped, one of them vocalized her thoughts, "trainees at such young age?"
"Yes, and they're best at it. Can you take their measurements? We'll take the premade ones."
Madame Lana glared at that very employee before turning her attention to Chi, "premade ones are the best since spring has come."
She gave the master a meaningful smile, "why not come get the catalogue at the back?"
Chi smiled and ushered the kids to take a seat at the couch while he followed Madame Lana to the back to take the catalogues of the children clothes. But the real reason was for her to ask him about the children, as he's the type of person to devote his life to the temple, it is a surprise for him to take in two kids. And why the older kid has such a similar cold but strict gaze like the former master, Tohan.
"Why would you want to speak with me privately, Lana?"
She smiled, "what strong sense of authority, Chi."
Lana is a few years older than Chi. They are familiar with each other as Lana is the daughter of the boutique's owner. The Sol temple has been commissioning their boutique since Ran's generation. In the eyes of other people, they would address each other as how everyone else would address them but when they speak privately, they drop all formalities.
Madame Lana rummaged through the boxes of catalogues they are preparing for this year's spring, "why does that kid have the same eyes as Master Tohan?"
Chi grinned, "You have sharp eyes, my friend."
"Who is she?"
Chi saw the kids' catalogue and took it, "Lithea Sol Clanwing."
When he turned to face Lana, she couldn't hide her expression.
"Lithea Sol Clanwing," she repeated.
"She's Mayari's?"
Chi nodded with a gentle smile, "she is."
Lana gasped and covered her mouth with both of her hands, "my dear. Those poor souls. Mayari and Cren."
"You should calm yourself before you go face the children," he exited the storage room and went back to the kids.
"Uncle Chi's here!" Mia yelled, already with a cookie at hand.
"Oh, what's this?" Chi looked at the table filled with sweets and snacks.
"The nice lady gave these to us!"
"Now here," he sat on the arm chair near them and handed the catalogues, "tell me which ones you like to try on."
Mia was pointing on the ones with laces and ribbons. Everything pretty in her eyes, she picked them. All Chi could do is smile while he sweats watching her choose such expensive items.
"Mia, choose something simple. You are not going to attend a party and you are not of a noble household. Please be aware that it is not your money you're spending but Uncle Chi's."
Mia looked at her sister with fury, ever since they arrived downtown, Lithea has been scolding her.
"Also, we do can only wear something other than the temple's uniform twice a month. We do not need a lot."
Mia whipped her head to Chi and whined, "Uncle Chi~"
"If I were you, I will not disobey my older sister."
"Alright."
After choosing the premade designs and taking their measurements, they went out to look at other stores. Lana will have to deliver the clothes after they resize everything.
"It's good you two will be warm this spring."
"Thank you, Uncle." Lithea spoke.
"Can we go to the toy store now?" Mia keeps tugging Chi's coat.
"Mia," with just this from her sister, she stopped and held Chi's hand obediently.
"Sorry."
"We can go to the toy store now, after that, let's have your sister pick books for her as well."
"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Uncle Chi." Mia said loudly, some people around them laughed. They found such little girl fondly thanking her uncle, cute.
They roam around and although Lithea wouldn't voice it out, Chi would catch her smile a little. Not at the things they are experiencing but because of how happy Mia is. That's enough for Chi to know Lithea isn't completely taken over with hatred.
The night has finally come and Mia is struggling to rub her eyes while holding a dog stuffed toy.
"Alright, let's go home. Mia's tired."
Chi picked up who keeps rubbing her eyes, "but I'm not tired."
She yawned.
"Come here, Lily," he offered his free hand for her to hold.
Lithea remembered her father who always holds her hand whenever they go to the market.
"Papa," she said quietly.
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
Lithea didn't answer and held his hand.
"Did you enjoy today, child?"
She nodded, "I did."
The stars are slowly appearing in the sky, the moon started to show up but the fun downtown isn't stopping. More and more people are flooding the streets.
Mia is sleeping soundly while she made her sister's lap as a pillow. Although tired, the joy in her face is still visible, she really did have fun. It was a new experience for her.
Lithea was holding the locket the Marble's gave her as a parting gift, when she remembered her father, her decision on becoming an adventurer once again occupied her mind.
"Uncle Chi," she said while still looking out of the window.
"Yes, love?"
She slowly looked at Chi, eyes raging with determination. He can feel the spirit of fire through her eyes, he's afraid of the words that would come out of her mouth next.
"I would like a request," he gulped as she speaks, "would you take me in as a student?"
He froze, he doesn't know how to respond to this. What is her plan?
"Student?"
"Yes, I know both Divine and Light ranked priests and priestess are knowledgeable with martial arts. I want you to teach me."
'Those eyes. She wanted me to accept it without questions.'
"Why?"
"I know you know my reasons, Master Chi."
'No shit, she addressed me as Master.'
His mind flashes Tohan and Cren's faces, what would they do if they learn about this? Will they be happy with it, or would they drag me down to the dungeon and torture me for not denying her request as soon as she spoke of it?
"Have you thought this through?"
"Master." She's tough.
"Do you know what you are asking from me?"
"Yes and I will not change my mind."
"A priestess can only assist at the center," he argued. Praying that she would drop this and change her focus.
"Then tell me about Priestess Aelia."
Chi rubbed his face, how can he get Lithea out of this? How can he convince her to change her mind?
"Lithea, this is dangerous!"
Mia groaned and frowned on her sleep, the exchange of the two inside the carriage with her are both nervous they would disrupt her sleep.
"Make me your student."
Every word is sharp, every word is filled with urge to become strong. There's nothing in the world that can make her change her mind, the moment she watched her younger sister cry in the crib, helpless. No parents to nurture her with love as they did to her, she promised to herself she would find that creature and avenge them. The then three year old, Lithea, made a very dangerous choice.
"But—" he cannot move, he is frozen but he is aware of his surroundings. A paralysis? What is going on? Wait, no, he can move. He can move but he can't open his mouth. Is there an enemy nearby?
Chi closed his eyes and awaken the divine power, and when he opened his eyes, they became yellow. He followed the mana that's tailed on the magic that's keeping him from speaking, to his surprise, it is connected to Lithea's whole body. The power she possess is overflowing. Has she awaken the rarest magic of all? A power only two people was able to use, one was from a thousand years ago, the founding emperor of the Meadow Kingdom. And the second user, the heroine, Priestess Aelia. Both very powerful time manipulator.
Chi, if he cannot keep her away from her hatred, she will become out of control. And when she does, the kingdom could be ruined.