A few months had passed.
The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the nursery windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow. The gentle sway of the curtains, embroidered with intricate floral patterns, hinted at wealth and refinement. A first clue to the status of this new family I found myself in. The scent of lavender and something sweet lingered faintly in the air, soothing me as I lay nestled in my mother's arms.
Elise sat in a large cushioned chair, cradling me with the practiced ease of a woman who had done this before. Her auburn hair caught the sunlight as it fell lightly over her shoulder, framing a face that was both beautiful and kind. Her touch was warm, her movements deliberate yet tender, as though the mere act of holding me was a cherished moment.
"Mama, look!" Aron's high-pitched voice rang out from across the room. At just two years old, my older brother was a bundle of boundless energy. He crouched on the floor, his chubby fingers carefully stacking wooden blocks into an uneven structure. His face lit up with pride as he stepped back to showcase his creation. "Big castle!"
A castle, huh? I thought, watching him with curiosity from the safety of Elise's arms. It was amusing how the imagination of a young child could turn a pile of blocks into something grand. And yet, as I gazed at Aron, I couldn't help the warm feeling creeping over me. So this is my new family, huh? A kind mother, a playful older brother. My second chance at life had brought me here.
Elise smiled down at Aron, her voice carrying the unwavering patience that only a mother could have. "What a wonderful castle, my love," she said, her green eyes sparkling with affection. She shifted me slightly in her arms, one hand supporting my head while the other gently rubbed my back in soothing circles.
Aron beamed at the praise, though any momentary calm was quickly replaced by his endless energy. "Look, Mama! Dragons live here!" he declared, grabbing one of the blocks and roaring dramatically. He marched the block around the castle, making exaggerated chomping sounds as his imaginary dragon "attacked" the structure. The tower, unsteady to begin with, wobbled precariously before collapsing in a pile of clattering wood.
Elise chuckled softly, unbothered by the mess. "Oh no, the poor villagers. What will they do now?" she teased, her tone playful. Aron giggled and began rebuilding immediately, muttering something under his breath about knights and swords.
I turned my attention back to Elise, who had fixed her gaze on me. Her expression softened, her hand moving to trace gentle circles on my tiny back. "Are you hungry, my little one?" she asked, her voice quiet and full of warmth. There was something calming about how she spoke, like the words themselves carried a kind of magic.
Then I realized, they did.
As she began nursing me, I felt it, a subtle, warm energy coursing between us. It wasn't the normal warmth of a mother's touch, it was deeper, richer, alive. I could sense it in the way her hand rested against me and in the faint glow that surrounded her fingertips. It wasn't just care, it was magic.
So, magic exists here, I thought, my infant mind growing sharper in understanding. It explained so much. the air in this house, almost humming with energy, the faint shimmer I'd occasionally noticed around Elise during quiet moments, and the easy grace with which she moved. She wasn't consciously showing off her abilities, it was simply a part of her, as natural as breathing.
She hummed softly as she nursed me, a tune that felt both unfamiliar and comforting. It was enough to let me relax again, though I couldn't ignore the larger implications. Magic wasn't just a story here, it was real, woven into the fabric of this world and my mother possessed it effortlessly.
Aron's cheerful voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Mama, can I ride a dragon one day?" he asked, his eyes wide with innocent curiosity.
Elise laughed lightly, the sound soft and melodic. "Perhaps someday," she said, leaning forward slightly to brush her fingers through Aron's dark hair. "But first, you need to grow big and strong. Dragons don't let little boys ride them, you know."
Aron frowned, as if this was a serious injustice, but quickly focused back on his rebuilt castle. "I'll grow big!" he declared. "Bigger than dragons!"
Elise nodded knowingly, though she couldn't hide her amusement. "Of course you will, my brave little knight."
I studied the scene before me. Aron's uncontainable energy, Elise's serene and nurturing presence. Though I couldn't speak or understand every detail of this life just yet, one thing was becoming increasingly clear. this wasn't an ordinary family.
The nursery itself was another clue. The craftsmanship of the furniture, the fine embroidery on the curtains, even the polished wooden floors it all pointed to wealth, power, and privilege. We weren't just another family in the countryside. Judging by everything I'd seen so far, we were high up in this world's social hierarchy. Perhaps nobility? It was hard to say for certain, but the signs were unmistakable.
A quiet yawn escaped my lips, the lull of my mother's magic, her soft humming, and Aron's playful chatter quickly pulling me toward sleep. Elise noticed and shifted me gently in her arms. She kissed my forehead, her lips warm and comforting. "Rest now, my sweet Ali," she whispered.
I closed my eyes, letting her voice and the warmth of her magic wash over me. Whatever this world held, whether dragons or the mysterious magic that seemed to be everywhere, I'd figure it out. For now, I was safe, cared for, and home.