When Lady Myra mentioned she had an appointment, I assumed we'd be going out since she asked us to accompany her. However, I was mistaken. The person she had the appointment with came to the mansion, and we were simply required to be present.
"Livi, this man is here to finalize the adoption papers," Myra stated, and I nodded. "Are you sure you don't want to go back home?" I was certain I didn't want to return, but I was unsure if I wanted to stay either. I feared my life might become as torturous as before, but if she adopted me, there would be no chance of being adopted by that family. The choice seemed clear.
"I don't want to go back," I replied, and she smiled, patting my head.
"Your name will change from Faina Dixon to Faina Livi Alden," she declared, and I nodded. "With time, you'll grow accustomed to the family you've been adopted into, but for now, focus on growing up," she advised, and Teon snickered. It stung to be reminded of my short stature, though.
The man used a needle to pierce my finger, instructing me to stamp it on the paper. "Your father already signed it, and so have I. With your signature, it's finalized," Myra explained. It was done. I had been adopted by Lady Myra. I felt a mixture of fear and happiness, a strange sensation.
"Congratulations, Fay," Teon said, and I nodded. "Why did I have to be here?" he inquired of Lady Myra.
"To be a witness," she replied, but it seemed like she was speaking more to herself than to me.
Myra departed, and I followed, leaving Teon alone in the room. The man who had come for the adoption papers bid his farewell to Lady Myra before departing.
"He'll be fine," she assured herself, it seemed, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of concern.
Back in my room, I lay on my bed, my mind swirling with thoughts. I had been adopted, escaped that family. It had felt too easy, unnaturally so. All that remained was to treat the Large Worm.
Large Worm was a rare disease affecting the lungs, slowly spreading to other parts of the body, particularly the heart. Symptoms often went unnoticed until they appeared, and the disease progressed swiftly. Health, stamina, and magic determined its growth rate. Mine had progressed rapidly due to my lack of these attributes.
Noble families vaccinated their children yearly against Large Worm until they turned eighteen, when the risk was minimal. However, the vaccine needed to be administered from a young age for the body to develop resistance. Starting now would likely prove fatal. I needed to find an alternative solution.
Should I inform Lady Myra of my desire to study medicine? What if she grew angry? I decided to leave it to her discretion.
Later, I found myself on the balcony, poring over books on basic etiquette that Lady Myra had provided. It was material I had previously learned in the household where I was treated as a noble's daughter. It seemed easier to comprehend now.
Lost in thought, a question lingered: Why had Lady Myra adopted me? What compelled her to add a child to her life amid her battles for Teon? I mulled over it, the words on the pages of the book blurring into incomprehensibility. Did she have ulterior motives?
"Hey," Teon's voice broke my reverie, and I glanced around, but he was nowhere in sight. "Down here," he called again. I looked down, seeing him standing there. "What are you doing, Tiny?" he asked, and the nickname stung. Fay would have sufficed.
"I'm reading the books that Lady Myra asked me to read," I replied.
"I see," he said, nodding. "Why do you call her 'Lady Myra'? Isn't she your mother now?"
"Yes," I affirmed, unsure of where he was leading with his questioning.
"You should call her 'mother' or 'mom'," he suggested. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Lady Myra remained the most appropriate address in my mind.
"I'll remember that," I replied, not intending to change my habit.
"Do you want to see something fun?" Teon proposed, diverting my attention.
"O… Okay," I consented, though apprehension gnawed at me.
"Alright, come down," he instructed, and I complied, only to be halted by his voice. "No, jump," he directed, and my eyes widened. Jump?
"I'll be fast," I said hesitantly, preparing to obey.
"Don't be scared, Tiny," he reassured me, and I couldn't refuse. "You won't fall, I promise," he added. And so, with a deep breath, I leaped, my eyes squeezed shut in fear.
The wind rushed around me, and then I slowed, opening my eyes to find Teon catching me. Relief washed over me. It hadn't been so bad after all.
"See?" he said with a smile.
"I didn't fall," I murmured to myself, almost in disbelief.
"You're both tiny and light, the full package," he joked, though it felt more like teasing.
Except when he wanted to tease me, of course.
He released me, turning away. "Let's go."
"Where are we going?" I asked, praying it wasn't somewhere worse than jumping off a balcony.
"To see Max," he replied, and my legs froze. Max, the black wolf that had attacked me. What was Teon thinking?
"What's wrong?" he inquired, noticing my hesitation.
"It's… uh… it's…" I struggled to articulate my fear. Should I admit my apprehension? Would that cause problems?
"Are you scared of Max?" he guessed, and it was true.
"N… no," I denied, though the lie felt heavy on my tongue.
"Don't worry, she won't hurt you," he assured me. "Don't be scared; I'm here. I won't let her hurt you," he promised, and I nodded hesitantly.
I still didn't want to go, but I felt I had no choice. Reluctantly, I followed him.
Entering a small building, I was struck by its size. Did the wolf get an entire building? It seemed almost as large as my father's cottage, which hardly seemed fair.
"Max stays here with her cubs," Teon explained, providing context. "She gave birth last month, a week before you saw her in the forest," he added. A week? That felt unfair. How had she recovered so swiftly?
Approaching a door, I felt my body tense, vibrating with fear. Teon noticed, smiling gently and shaking his head.
"Come here," he beckoned, but I hesitated. Did he intend to throw me into a den of wolves and leave me there? My fear spiked, but I knew I couldn't refuse. Teon approached, and I instinctively backed away, but he caught my hand and led me toward the door.
He swung it open, and I closed my eyes, bracing for impact. Yet nothing happened. Slowly, I opened them, finding myself face to face with a white cub lounging on a cushion. The cub glanced at me before returning to its slumber. Despite my trepidation, I couldn't deny its cuteness. But I reminded myself not to be deceived; these creatures were still wolves.
Teon entered, still holding my hand, and I followed reluctantly. As I stepped inside, my eyes met those of Maxine, my adversary.
"Hello, Maxine," I greeted tentatively, but she averted her gaze.
"She doesn't seem to like me," I remarked, feeling a pang of disappointment.
"You made her bump her head," Teon pointed out.
"She attacked me first, and I merely dodged. It was fair play," I defended myself.
"She'll forgive you if you pat her head," he suggested.
"Really?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes," he affirmed. With trembling hands, I withdrew from his grasp and tentatively approached Max.