The aunt quickly secured a nearby inn, unpacked her modest belongings, and bustled about with errands to complete before temple visiting hours.
"Oh dear, Ririn. Sleepy already? Your eyes are heavy with drowsiness."
"Yaaawn. Can I just sleep here? I'm so tired..."
I nuzzled my cheek against the stiffly starched bedsheet as I spoke.
"Hmm, I need to meet the grain merchant now. But I can't leave you unattended..."
"Koooul."
When I pulled the blanket over my head in final protest, the aunt shook her head resignedly.
"My, my. To think our little night owl who stayed awake tending her brother throughout the carriage ride has finally hit her limit... Very well. Let your sister rest while we handle our business, Theo."
"Bubu! Abu!"
"Now why's our well-mannered pup acting up~? Ah~! Eager to explore, are we? Come along then."
"Buuuu!"
'That little rascal.'
I cracked my eyelids just enough to see Aunt Masha's retreating figure through the doorway.
'How did she know I planned to slip away?'
Past her shoulder, I glimpsed Theo Wald's cheeks ballooned in a world-class pout - the three-hour tantrum variety. I silently mouthed "Sorry" through the fabric.
'Theo's too young for dangerous errands...'
Click
The distant murmur of Aunt Masha instructing the innkeeper about me faded into silence.
"Right. Time to move."
After counting to a hundred, I sat up cautiously. Peering through the door crack revealed the innkeeper swamped by newly arrived guests.
"Hah! My pathfinding skills never fail!"
I successfully navigated the back alley I'd memorized earlier.
"Winterwald Manor should be this way..."
First priority: confirm Father's condition. Strategic planning could wait until after.
"Did you hear? The Winterwald heir finally assumed the dukedom yesterday!"
I froze mid-step at the hushed conversation, edging closer while pretending to doodle in the dirt.
"But wasn't he still recovering from the accident? Is he truly well?"
"Must be. The succession was meant to happen five years back before his disappearance. Better late than never!"
"Then the victory parade must be imminent!"
Victory parade?
My eyes flew wide as fragmented dream memories surfaced - hazy images sharpening into focus.
'Calek's anguished voice from my dream!'
"First Mother died, then ─, followed by ─ and ─... How could I not lose my mind?"
While the full context remained unclear, one name stood verified:
'Elisa Winterwald's fatal accident...'
Which would occur during...
'The commemorative parade!'
No!
This timeline's too accelerated!
Letting the former Duchess die was unthinkable - the very event that would poison Father's soul against the world.
But storming an imperial procession? My imagination conjured disastrous scenarios:
"Surprise, Papa!"
"Wild raccoon infestation? Open fire."
Kyaaa!
Stingy ending...
'Unacceptable.'
Urgency tightened my chest. I needed legitimate reasons to stay by Father's side before the parade. Direct confrontation remained the only option.
To the ducal estate - now!
My sprint slowed as doubts resurfaced.
Would guards believe an eight-year-old's claims about this ring? Even if genuine, Father likely forgot gifting it during his amnesiac years.
'99.9% chance they'll arrest me for theft...'
Unless...
Someone who'd recognize the ring's authenticity AND know Father's current state...
Like Father himself. Or high-ranking household staff.
"Useless. They'd never wander the streets."
I thumped my forehead against an oak in frustration when-
"Hm?"
Faint magic pulsed from the bark.
"Are you... communicating with me?"
The deserted alley allowed discreet investigation. Inhaling deeply, I channeled energy through my fingertips.
Sssss-
Verdant magic bloomed - my rare gift for plant communion. Vegetal interactions varied wildly: some flora screamed, others sang, shy ones hid messages under leaves.
"Ririn, this power must stay secret," Father's warning echoed as I closed my eyes.
[ Child. ]
The tree's haughty tone matched capital snobbery.
"Yes?"
[ Your death approaches. ]
"Excuse me?!"
[ Avoid fate by embracing the Wa- ]
My face contorted mid-sentence.
[ Wa- ]
'This scam again!'
City predators always targeted wide-eyed newcomers with cult recruitment. Aunt Masha's warnings rang true - they'd sniffed out my provincial origins.
Crossing my arms in refusal, I snapped: "Trying to convert me? No thanks!"
'Damned headache.'
Calek Winterwald massaged his temples on the ducal training grounds. His blade danced violently, reducing practice dummies to splinters despite physicians' rest orders.
Streaks of pink shimmered through silver locks when he swept back sweat-damp hair - remnants of magical exposure his doctors couldn't explain.
"Your hair pigmentation suggests prolonged contact with arcane forces," the physician had fretted. "The Magic Tower might-"
"Unnecessary." The Duke exhaled pipe smoke sharply. "We'll avoid alerting vultures to my memory gaps."
Five missing years haunted him. One moment departing for routine affairs, next awakening in his chambers with a dukedom and strange habits - like constantly touching the earlobe where an illusion charm once rested.
"Your Grace!"
A panting servant skidded across the courtyard. "Lady Elisa returns posthaste!"
Calek raised an eyebrow. "Mother? Why?"
"She... acquired a child en route."
"A sweet potato? Tell kitchens to roast it."
"N-no! A human child! Her carriage malfunction nearly crushed the girl, but..."
"And?"
"The child claims to be... your lost daughter!"
Clatter
The pipe hit cobblestones.
"What. Nonsense."
"I've sired no children."
"Papa! I'm hooome!"
A tiny figure barreled into view, sending Calek's world spinning.
