The first rays of morning light danced gently on the horizon, bathing Johnny's awakening in a delicate dawn. In the distance, the distant echo of bells permeated the city, summoning high society to the sacred monthly mass, a privilege exclusive to this distinguished class.
In his bed, Johnny woke up, a mix of anticipation and nervousness pulsating in his chest. This would not be just an ordinary mass; as a newly adopted member of a noble family, it was now his duty to actively participate in this ceremonial event.
The sound of wood scraping against wood echoed, interrupting the tranquility that had previously prevailed in the space. The creak of the hinge resonated in the air.
Johnny, surprised by the sudden entrance, quickly turned towards the door. His eyes widened momentarily, and his heart raced with surprise.
The corridor light invaded the room, accompanied by a young girl with black hair and determined eyes, who was determined to wake up her younger brother, Alexander, to face the day.
His room, a luxury oasis, stood out with exquisite furniture and a majestic king-size bed.
The soft morning light began to bathe the room through elegantly decorated windows.
With heavy steps, Cecilia entered her brother's sanctuary. Determined to hurry him up, she resorted to tantrums and scandals that he needed to wake up.
The curtains were opened with a touch of theatricality, allowing the golden rays of the sun to enter and illuminate the serene environment.
In the center of the bed lay a small figure huddled: Alexander, the younger brother, with a face marked by sleep wrinkles. He tried in vain to hide under the vast blanket, ignoring his sister's efforts to wake him.
Cecilia, now indignant with resistance, decided to act more decisively. With a quick gesture, she violently pulled the blanket, revealing the sleepy face of her younger brother. "Alexander!" she shouted, reprimanding him with a stern look. "We cannot shame our new parents this way. They gave us two incredible rooms, and here you are, hidden like a night thief!"
Alexander blinked confused, still drowsy, while Cecilia continued her scolding, reminding him of the importance of showing gratitude for the privileges they now enjoyed as part of their new family.
The sun shone in the room, symbolizing not only the daylight but also the opportunity for a new life for both.
Johnny nodded approvingly and gave his sister a pat on the shoulder, expressing support.
Both hurried to get ready, donning noble attire with elegant cuts reminiscent of earthly garments.
Johnny's outfit stood out for sophistication, with a fitted jacket and well-tailored pants, while Cecilia wore a flowing and elegant dress that highlighted delicacy.
Descending the palace stairs in haste, the siblings were suddenly interrupted by a childish female voice. "How dare you run in the castle of your majesty!"
The reprimand came from a girl with purple eyes and red hair, whose displeased gaze was fixed on them. Despite being slightly younger than Cecilia, the girl's serious expression denoted a peculiar authority.
"Stop being silly, Mia! The carriage is waiting for us!" exclaimed Cecilia, grabbing the hand of the girl with purple eyes while pulling her brother with her right hand.
Finally, the three arrived at the carriage, a majestic piece of medieval craftsmanship that exuded luxury in every detail.
The carriage was adorned with intricate golden carvings, featuring a fusion of noble wood and refined metal. The wide, sturdy wheels, coated in polished metal, reflected the sunlight, highlighting the quality of the construction.
The coachman, dressed in an elegant uniform that matched the grandeur of the carriage, made a subtle bow as he approached.
The three young ones responded with grace, tilting their heads slightly as a sign of respect. Without wasting time, the children entered the carriage.
The vehicle began to move, gliding smoothly over the castle courtyard stones. The sound of horse hooves echoed as the carriage set off towards its destination, leaving behind the splendor of the castle and embracing the road.
"Phew, we won't be late!" whispered Mia as they settled inside the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Cecilia turned to her sister Mia with a warm smile, indicating the presence of the young man beside her. "Mia, let me introduce Alexander. He's my brother!"
Alexander nodded his head slightly in a respectful gesture, greeting Mia with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Mia. My sister told me a bit about you!"
Mia, in turn, looked at Alexander with curiosity and an enthusiastic smile. "Oh, really? I hope only good things!" Mia said, smiling at Alexander, while extending her hand in a friendly manner.
"My sister told me that you're different from the rest of the nobility!" added Johnny.
Johnny directed his gaze at Mia's outstretched hand with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. His eyes showed silent contemplation as he recalled, with a glimpse of reluctance, the peculiarities of powers in this world, which were intrinsically linked to touch.
A brief flash of hesitation passed through Johnny's eyes before he decided to accept Mia's friendly gesture. He extended his own hand carefully, shaking Mia's hand delicately, as if afraid to unleash some hidden force.
As they maintained the handshake, Mia subtly increased the pressure on his hand, a gesture that didn't escape Johnny's attentive perception.
Johnny felt the change in the intensity of the grip and, at the same time, noticed that the girl's purple eyes closed slowly. It was as if she were focused on something distant.
As the handshake lingered, Johnny cursed himself inwardly. He realized that, by accepting Mia's gesture, he might have inadvertently entangled himself in a trap. Every millisecond felt like an eternity.
Johnny began to weigh the pros and cons of his actions. Initially, he didn't want to offend the noble lady by rejecting her handshake, but the growing sense that his life was at stake instigated an intense urgency, driving his mind to quickly devise a new plan.
Johnny's mind was immersed in an internal battle characterized by duality, grappling with the urgency to act immediately to guard against a potential danger or, perhaps, if his conscience was actually deceiving him, turning a simple formal gesture into something conspiratorial.