Alyssa gazed up at the stars, her eyes filled with resentment. She hated those distant, unattainable stars, always looking down on her. She wanted to touch them but they were too far away.
Sitting in a large wooden drum filled with water, she washed her skin carefully, soaking in the cold liquid. Her mother would soon come to wash her again, but Alyssa longed to bathe alone. However, her mother never agreed.
As she looked at her mother, who was removing clothes from the lines, Alyssa saw her pick up the bucket and head into the house. Returning with the piece of fabric Alyssa had stolen, her mother approached the drum. "Who did you take this from?" she asked, sitting on a stool behind Alyssa.
"Miss. Peterman," Alyssa mumbled, looking down.
Her mother sighed. "If we return it, she might arrest us, so we'll use it as a towel for now."
But Alyssa had other plans. "No, it's for you to make a dress. It's a birthday gift."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "That you stole?"
Alyssa grumbled, explaining the difficulty of stealing the fabric and the bean cakes, and how she had to use her powers to scare away a boy who almost caught her.
Her mother interrupted, concerned about Alyssa's use of magic in public. "You did what?!" she exclaimed."What's wrong with you today? You know you're not supposed to use magic in public."
"I just changed my eye color," Alyssa said with a shrug.
"Alyssa—"
"I won't do it again, I promise," Alyssa said.
Her mother looked at her for a long while. "You always break your promises. You take a promise way too lightly."
"This time, I really promise," Alyssa said.
Her mother shook her head. "I don't know what to do with you…" Her mother began to bathe her again, using a piece of cloth and a small bar of soap that was nearly gone.
"Mommy, Tell me about our history" Alyssa said. Her mother paused for a second but continued to clean the girl.
"The continent of Cheazrorean is divided into nine kingdoms: Cigrutia, Chinait, Luisalon, Hican, Izegia, Kakar, Vrotus, Parid, and our kingdom, Sora. The nine kingdoms are hardly ever at war with each other, even to this day. Trade flourished far and wide, making the continent prosperous, and the kingdoms wanted to maintain this peace always. But that was not the only thing keeping them together. There were magical beasts that linked all nine kingdoms together. These magical creatures were none other than the vicious beasts called—"
"Dragons!" Alyssa yelled, splashing water in the tub at her mother's face. Her mother could only sigh with a smile.
"Yes, dear. Dragons," she said. "Fire-breathing, flesh-eating, breathtaking dragons."
"Have you ever seen a dragon, Mommy?" Alyssa asked, turning to face her mother, who put her head back in place.
"Yes, once actually. When I worked in the castle," her mother said.
"What was it like?" Alyssa asked.
"It was... beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I fell in love with it. It was just such a beautiful creature," her mother said.
"I hope I'll see one someday!" Alyssa said.
Her mother smiled. "Now, let's get you cleaned up and then I'll finish my story." She helped Alyssa out of the tub and began to clean her body with the piece of fabric. "Dragons once ruled and terrorized our continent, eating humans and burning villages for centuries. A war broke out between beast and man. The war between humans and dragons had lasted for centuries, resulting in many losses on both sides.But a hundred years ago, they suddenly stopped killing us."
Alyssa's mother paused, then continued, "We don't know how and why but the dragons became peaceful, and we believe it's because of the royal families of the nine kingdoms. They worked together, and the dragons even helped build cities and castles, fighting alongside humans in wars. The dragons never returned to feed on us, instead retreating to the northern mountains."
"The dragons blessed the royal families with access to magic, symbolizing their desire for peace. Every royal family member was gifted with magic, connecting the two worlds. Magic can control elements, heal wounds, change appearances, and bring people together—"
"Help to steal!" Alyssa interrupted with a chuckle, but stopped laughing when she saw her mother giving her a stern look. "Sorry…" she added, her voice trailing off.
Her mother sighed. "Magic is a privilege, Alyssa. Don't use it wrongly," she said.
"I won't," Alyssa replied. Her mother wrapped the cloth around her body and smiled at her daughter.
"I hope one day you'll see a dragon too. They're so beautiful…." She placed her head against her daughter's, so their foreheads were touching. "…You are beautiful," she whispered softly.
Alyssa wondered why her mother was acting so strangely today. Her mother pulled away, and they both walked towards the house.
"Tell me about your time in the castle too!" Alyssa said.
"It's late, Alyssa," her mother replied.
"Just a quick one," Alyssa asked.
"After dinner."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Thanks!"
"Alyssa?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you," her mother said. Alyssa smiled and hugged her mother's waist.
"I love you too, Mommy."
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