"Eat up," Alara encouraged, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "We have a special dessert after this."
After dinner, Alara stood with a smile, holding the beautifully crafted mooncake. "Now for something special," she announced, slicing it with care.
As she served each piece, she added, "Our daughter helped me make this today. Elara was a wonderful little chef."
Lian tasted it, he was stunned. He exchanged a silent, curious look with Alara but didn't say anything aloud.
As they ate, Elara looked up with a sparkle in her eyes. "When will Grandma and Grandpa return from Wintermere ?" she asked eagerly. "Next time, I want to go with them to play in the snow!"
Her father smiled, his voice warm with reassurance. "Of course, my little one. We'll all go together next time."
Just then, Elara felt a sudden ache in her head, and a strange tension filled her hands, as if an invisible force were pulling at her. Alarmed, her family noticed her discomfort immediately. Alara gently placed her hand on Elara's forehead, and from her hand glowed a soft, warm red light. Within moments, Elara's eyes closed, and she drifted off to sleep, the pain melting away.
Her Father carried her to her bedroom, the soft glow of the three moons bathed the room in a serene light. He laid her down on her bed, tucking the blankets around her snugly.
Elara lay cocooned in her blankets, her breathing soft and even as she drifted into dreams. In the quiet of the night, her father turned to Alara, concern etched on his face.
"Alara, what do you think happened today while I was away?" he asked, his voice low so as not to disturb their sleeping daughter.
Alara leaned against the doorframe, her brow furrowed with worry. "I don't know. Elara seemed different during our time in the kitchen. She was more… aware of things. It's as if she felt something stirring inside her."
Her husband nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And the mooncake… its taste was unlike anything I've had before. It felt as if it had been touched by magic."
Alara sighed, her heart heavy. "You know our blessing from the heavens protects us. Elara and Rian have never experienced illness or pain because they haven't used their magic. But if Elara is beginning to awaken that power, we must be cautious."
"Do you think she knows?" he asked, glancing back at their daughter's peaceful face.
"I don't think so," Alara replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But she will eventually. It's a part of who she is. We need to guide her carefully, to ensure she understands the weight of her abilities."
Lian paused for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully, a faint smile on his lips. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Elara ."
As Lian and Alara returned to the dining hall, they found Rian fast asleep, his head resting on the table, a few crumbs still scattered around him from dinner.
Together, they carefully lifted Rian from the table, Alara cradling him against her chest. "He's getting heavier every day," she remarked, smiling at Lian.