Staring in front of her was the white tiger of her dreams, similar to the little guy she was raising. Instead of an endless void she found herself at a mountain's peak, the body of a toddler with a dress just a bit too big she had to roll the sleeves. She was surrounded by fog, yet could clearly see the beast.
"Theron," she called out to it and begun petting the beast as it lowered its head to her call. "Are you alright?" She asked but got no response. She was able to see its face for the first time with its clear blood red eyes, but he refuses to answer her again to his name she gave to him or anything else. All would be revealed through time.
Blinking slowly, Theia opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling overhead. It was just another dream, a dream with a feeling she hadn't felt in forever, if she had to recall perhaps around the time of her first hunt.
That was years ago, where she first encountered Theron who laid by her feet, purring as her fingers ran through his fur gently. It was also around then when she first became Theia, met the Elyas family, and changed her fate. Instead of being a neglected child she was recognized as an Argyris, having already been publicly announced as a child of this household after the hunt.
Isaac successfully fulfilled his oath, recognized as bringing back the largest animal and keeping her safe. Being only seven years of age at that time he was revered by people outside the family, especially after it was the Duke of all people he beat. Some still claim it was only due to the unsolved incident, but they're in the few. If only the other siblings would also share the same sentient she wouldn't have to deal with them.
Despite not associating with others, her name was known by outsiders thanks to Isaac and Nyx. Unlike the novel where she was a magicless and useless child of the family, she begun training to walk and speak as soon as possible, working on building her bond with the beasts she had raised from the sanctuary she received for her first birthday.
Running her hands through her own hair, she thought about how long it had gotten, reaching to her waist by now and figured she'd get it styled later. Getting up, she dusted off her dress, running late after taking a nap in the sanctuary. Gazing around at the tree, she spotted her first beast, the snake slithering and approaching her.
No more was it able to be held by her fingers, it was thin and grown. She'd heard this species can get longer, but it was just a baby like her at the moment. Slithering up her leg and around her waist, and the head around her neck.
She was pretty tiny, but it was still insulting the snake was considered small. She ate well, or so she thought, but she didn't grow very tall. She was only four and a half, she thought to herself. On cue as she turned her heel, the tiger woke up, red eyes staring up at her before running over, collar around its neck ready to have the leash attached.
Heading to the entrance, she adjusted to how quiet the outside was when there were no animals moving. Taking one of the leashes, she attached it to the tiger and begun their afternoon walk, she'd take the others out later. If Theron were to walk with any of the other cats he'd start to throw a hissy fit, what a pampered boy she raised.
"Youngest sister," she heard a voice call out, the older twin, Zenon. Despite being identical the two couldn't be more distinguishable so long as you spent five minutes with them, same it separate room. "Are you out for a walk? Father wishes to speak with you."
His smile was paper thin, she didn't bother to return it. "Does he really, or is this another attempt to try and break my bones?" She questioned, he shook his head as the beasts around her were ready to pounce on him.
"I do hope some day you can trust me like younger brother Nyx, but unfortunately that's the truth. I was told to pass on the message and give this to you." He squatted down on purpose, eyes narrowing as he towered over her normally. He knew she hated this feeling of inferiority just because everyone were taller than she was.
A man like him really had nothing better to do? She took what was in his hands, a bunch of letters and documents with portraits of people from different families, along with their children and influence. Amongst the names were ones that sounded familiar to background characters with even less of a personality than the heroine.
As she looked up, he vanished and she was ready to punch the man. She expected growing up in this family to be scary, but the siblings compared to the original novel were a breeze walk now that she had Isaac, Nyx, and a group of feral animals that would attack anyone that even looked at her for too long, this was the greatest magic Theia could of ever had.
Giving the papers to the tiger, it opened its mouth and bit it, carrying it for her as she made her way to the Duke's office trying to calm her nerves. The distance was quite far off, being in a whole other wing of the estate, mixed with tiny legs. If only the beast beside her were like the one from her dreams she'd be riding him all over the place. He had also barely grown, body size matching her own the entire time.
The estate was once again quiet as she finally knocked on the door, quickly taking back the documents, before getting permission to enter and bowing, introducing herself. "Rise." The Duke ordered as placed his hands on his desk.
"I presume you are aware why I called you here," he begun, but truly, genuinely, she hadn't. She never knew what went through his head other than the stages of oblivious man, calm, angry, bloodlust, and a word that means bloodlust but ten times worse. "During your birthday celebration, there'll be a list of people who want to greet you. You'll be taking etiquette lessons, pick your tutor and one of the ladies tea parties to go to."
Surely he didn't mean that, she, a four and a half year old would have to hang out with other four year olds. She could read and talk not because she was an Argyris but because she had memories of her past life. Surely he wasn't this oblivious, or rather, surely he couldn't be serious with having her mingle with other nobles like the other siblings.