It had been about a week since the accident—the day I had inadvertently destroyed our roof with that enormous water-ball during my first real attempt at magic. Every time I thought about it, I could still feel the way the wood splintered and rain poured into our humble home. My magic had grown stronger than I realized, and I couldn't shake the mixture of awe and fear that accompanied it. I was both excited and terrified at what this power truly meant.
That morning, my mother, Alisa, with her long golden hair catching the early sunlight and her gentle blue eyes softening the light around her, was cooking breakfast. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering stew filled the room. My father, Amane, with his snow-white hair and piercing red eyes, a striking contrast to the warmth of the kitchen, sat quietly sipping tea.
He sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose. "Ah… smells like breakfast," he said, leaning back with mock horror. "Though if the bread tastes anything like your magic, Rio, I hope it doesn't explode in my mouth."
Father… is he joking or being serious? I thought, blinking at him.
Alisa rolled her eyes, giving him a playful smack on the arm. "If he did that, I'd patch him up with a simple healing spell. You, on the other hand, are on your own," she said, her voice teasing but calm.
Amane grinned. "Ah, yes, my wife, the miracle healer. I suppose that makes me the husband who constantly gets into trouble and gets saved."
Alisa shook her head, laughing softly. "Maybe that's why I married you. Someone had to keep life interesting."
So… father isn't all serious. He can actually be funny. I thought, watching them. The warmth between them was comforting, even as my mind kept racing with questions about the truth of our family.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered. The front door burst open with a loud bang, echoing through the small house. A man strode in, his presence commanding and imposing. My heart skipped a beat. There was something strangely familiar about him, though I had never met him outside of brief glimpses in the past. And then it clicked—he was the royal knight captain, the same man I had seen training tirelessly years ago, his movements precise, almost inhuman, as if he was born to fight.
He looked at my father with sharp, assessing eyes. "Grand Duke Amane," he said, a mixture of concern and urgency in his tone. "What happened here? What caused this…?" His gaze swept across the ruined roof above us, lingering with an unspoken question.
Father set his cup down, gave a dramatic sigh, and gestured grandly at the damage. "Ah, Captain! You have impeccable timing. You see, my son has decided to remodel the house overnight, complete with a new sky view… and, apparently, enhanced rainfall."
Alisa shot him a look, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Don't act like it's only him. You weren't exactly helping when you tried to shield the house with your tea cup, were you?"
Amane laughed. "Touché, my love. But it's worth it to witness such creativity. Besides…" he glanced at me with a playful sparkle in his eyes, "…I had to give him some lessons in consequences. He'll thank me later."
They argue like this… and yet they seem so comfortable together. I thought, a strange warmth filling me.
The knight captain's eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of disbelief and suppressed amusement. I could almost hear him thinking, This family is insane…
When my father finished, the knight captain's gaze shifted to me, and I realized he was looking at me like I was a puzzle he had been meaning to solve. Seizing the opportunity, I asked the question that had been burning inside me.
"How… how do you know him?" I asked, pointing at my father. My voice betrayed a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
The knight captain's expression softened, almost amused. "Have you not been told about me… and about your mother?"
My mind froze.
What do you mean, not told?
I thought, confusion swirling like a storm. "What!! You are a Grand Duke, father? Then… what are you doing here?" My voice was a mixture of shock and disbelief, my thoughts racing faster than I could speak.
Father leaned back with a grin. "Ah, so you finally noticed, eh? Yes, I am a Grand Duke. I kept it quiet to enjoy simple pleasures—like hiding from taxes, avoiding courtly gossip, and letting your mother heal me when I inevitably get into trouble."
Alisa nudged him playfully. "Don't make it sound like I enjoy it."
Amane shrugged dramatically. "I assure you, my dear, it's the highlight of my day."
He… he's joking while telling me I'm a Grand Duke's son? I thought, utterly dumbfounded.
He went on to explain that he had come here years ago on a mission—an expedition to the dangerous Eldrathil Woods at the king's request, tasked with exterminating monsters that had been causing trouble in the nearby lands. The forest, he said, was infamous not only for its dense foliage and eerie beauty but also for the monsters that occasionally emerged, creatures so rare and powerful that even seasoned adventurers spoke of them in hushed tones.
Eldrathil Woods… I thought the name rolling around in my mind. I had always imagined forests as safe places, filled with sunlight and birdsong. But the way Father described it made the forest seem alive, almost sentient, its shadows hiding predators that could strike without warning. And yet, it was beautiful—towering trees with leaves that shimmered like emeralds in the sunlight, winding streams that glinted like silver under the midday sun, and the distant roar of waterfalls, hidden deep within the heart of the forest.
Father had stayed there for a while with my mother, trying to live a quiet life away from the expectations of nobility. And it was there that they had me. He had kept his identity as a Grand Duke a secret, wanting nothing more than a peaceful family life.
Now, after a year of monster hunting and waiting, the king had requested their presence, both to honor my father's duties and to recognize his accomplishments. The knight captain, a close friend of my father, had hurried here upon hearing of the accident, his loyalty and concern unyielding.
My world tilted on its axis. I was the son of a Grand Duke.
Me… a Grand Duke's son? The thought was dizzying, almost surreal. For days, I struggled to reconcile the image of my simple village life with this sudden revelation of nobility, duty, and expectations.
When the villagers learned of my father's true identity, their reactions were even more surprising than mine. They had always known us as simple folk, living quietly at the edge of Eldrathil Woods. Yet, they accepted the truth with a mix of astonishment and quiet joy. Some wept softly, others bowed with respect, and many simply stared, their mouths agape, as if trying to comprehend what had happened.
Before leaving, the villagers came to bid us farewell. Their faces were a mixture of sadness and pride, their hands clutching simple gifts—a basket of fruits, a handwoven scarf, and even a small carved figurine. They spoke softly, wishing us well on our journey and promising to remember the boy who had inadvertently destroyed a roof while trying to wield magic.
We traveled on horseback for a few minutes, the terrain uneven and bumpy. The carriage could not traverse the rough path, so we relied on our mounts, which easily navigated the forest's natural obstacles. For me, it was a revelation. I had never left the village before, never seen the world beyond the familiar huts and forest edge. Now, as the trees stretched high above and sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden beams, I felt a thrill unlike any I had known.
The forest was alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant call of birds, the occasional snap of a twig under an unseen animal's foot. Streams ran alongside the path, their waters clear and cold, reflecting the sky above. Occasionally, a deer would glance at us from the shadows, its eyes wide and cautious, before disappearing silently into the undergrowth. Everything seemed both dangerous and magnificent, a world brimming with life and mystery.
This… this is incredible. I never imagined anything like this existed. Everything here feels alive, almost like it's watching me.
As we emerged from the dense foliage, the path smoothed out, and soon we reached a proper road where a carriage awaited. It was an elegant vehicle, polished and sturdy, befitting a noble family. We climbed aboard, the soft cushions a stark contrast to the rough ride through the forest. I looked out at the landscape, my mind racing with questions, possibilities, and fears.
"Father," I asked cautiously, trying to gauge his mood, "where are we going?"
"To Wynmor," he replied, his tone calm, yet a teasing sparkle in his red eyes. "The seat of House Ardewyn. And don't worry… they'll be impressed by your magical… remodeling skills."
Alisa rolled her eyes. "And don't break anything else along the way, please. My magic can only do so much for two clumsy men in one carriage."
Amane leaned back, feigning offense. "Clumsy? I prefer the term 'adventurously skilled.'"
Father… even here, he's joking. And the other is teasing him back. I thought, shaking my head. I never realized being a noble could be this… human.
The journey continued, the scenery shifting from dense forests to open plains. The wind carried the scent of wildflowers and distant rivers, and I couldn't help but marvel at how different the world was beyond our village.
I've lived my entire life at the edge of Eldrathil Woods… and now, everything I knew feels like a memory, a prelude to something larger.
I thought of the villagers, the small moments of joy and sorrow, the simple life I had known. And yet, I could not deny the pull of destiny, the sense that my life was about to change in ways I could scarcely imagine.
The carriage turned onto a wider road, the signs of civilization becoming more frequent. Distant towers rose on the horizon, the first glimpses of Wynmor's grandeur. I could see fields stretching into the distance, dotted with farmers tending their crops and animals grazing peacefully. The thought that this world would soon become my home filled me with both anticipation and anxiety.
I glanced at my father, who leaned back and whispered jokingly, "Try not to break anything in Wynmor, son. Or at least, make it look intentional."
Alisa rolled her eyes at him. "And try not to start fires. Or floods. Or whatever magic mishap you plan next."
Father… mother… they really are a perfect pair. I thought. Even with all this chaos, they somehow make it feel… normal.
The forest, the village, the roof I had destroyed—all of it felt like a lifetime ago. Now, the horizon beckoned with promise and peril alike. And as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the landscape, I knew one thing with certainty: my life would never be the same.
I sat back in the carriage, my eyes fixed on the distant towers of Wynmor, and felt a mixture of fear, excitement, and determination.
No matter what awaits me there, I will face it. I am Rio Ardewyn, son of a Grand Duke, and I will carve my own path in this world, one step at a time