The sorroundings were covered in peach black darkness,however the glimmering moonlight lit up the whole town reflecting through the windows.The girl was smiling with joy as her mother carried her and tucked her in bed.As soon as her mother covered her in blanket she enthusiastically jump in bed with an energetic smile imprinted on her face.

"I'm not sleepy!"She shouted making her mother sighed looking at her daughter deerly as she stood up from the chair to tuck her in again.

"Sweetie it's night already..we should sleep"She said with a soothing voice but the little gir energetically refused.

"Nope,I'm not sleepy!Tell me more of your awesome stories Mommy!What's next when the Wicked Mister captured the prince?"She exclaimed her eyes sparkling from excitement.

"And you promise Mommy that you'll sleep after that?"Her mother ask and she nodded aggresively.

"Promise"The little girl said already calming herself.

The mother breathed deeply before she started her story,the little girl was holding her hand tightly as her other hand caressed her brown long braided hair.

"After the evil mister captured the prince infront of his lover,the prince's lover eyes cried in agony aling with that she released a very strong magic and the evil master blasted away--

"---Serves him right for hurting the prince's lover"The mother eyed her daughter making it grin nervously.

"Sorry..Please continue"She said making the mother sighed then start storytelling again.

"With heavy heart,the prince's lover run away from the kingdom in order to survive the wicked mister,She run barefoot to the mystical forest to escape the wicked mister's army..She was badly wounded but she didn't gave up running because the guards were chasing her..When she was about to get caught,she got into a new world and lives a new life there with her child.She lived a happy life with her adorable child the prince gave him..."Instead of being cheerful as the little girl was before the story,she seemed quiet and lonely.

"What a sad story..Mommy,why did the lover escape instead of helping the prince escape the wicked mister?"She ask with her innocent emerald green eyes looking straightly at het mother.The mother bit her lip then calmly smiled.

"The prince last wish is for her and their child to survive and so she did that"

"Oh.."The little girl replied.

"Mommy..."She called her mother again making her moyhet smile.

"Yes sweetheart?"The mother caressed her daughtets ling btown hair again.

"I thought prince and princesses always end up with a happily ever after?..Like the ones my classmates used to talk about?Cinnderella and Sleeping beauty?"She ask curiously making her mother careful of her answer.

"Don't be fooled by fairytales Solstace..A happily ever after happen not because of finding your True love.It happens when you finally finds what trully makes you happy."Her mother stated making lifting up the gloomy face of the little girl.

"Did you have your happily ever after Mommy?"The mother just happened to genuinely smile because of the little daughters question.She leaned closer to her daughter leaving a kiss on her forehead.The little girl yawned then with her heavy eyes,she drifted to sleep in no time.

"My happiness is you..My life,my pride and treasure"She whispered softly.

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SOLSTACE'S POV

It was just like any other morning that I experienced the past few days.The sounds of gunshots and bombs woke me up again today and instead of crumbling into fear,I didn't feel any emotions.My nerves didn't get numb,I didn't even panic as If I'm getting used to it.

It has been two weeks since the war on two countries began,and it all started because of a misunderstanding they say.The government issued that they will arranged a ride for the evacuation of civillians from the war zone area and it included us girls from the orphanage.We were riding a train towards who knows what kind of home will welcome us.

"Don't you feel any ounce of fear left in you?"Pilaria ask with her voice covered in fear as she nervously grabs the hem of her shirt.I looked outside a train and saw that a bomb just landed causing a herd of cows blasting away.Everyone was clad in fear and anxiety but I looked at them with emotionless eyes,just plain blank face.

"Anyone will die sooner or later anyway"I murmured earning a smack from her in the head.

"You idiot!How can you say that so bluntly?"She exclamied looking at me with pure worry.

"It's the reality though"I simply replied making the blonde girl butter smile.

"We will live Solstace...We promised we'll be together forever right?We promised each other that no one will leave first right?"Pilaria ask me with bitter but hopeful eyes.I realized my answers to her just now and it was really selfish and inconsiderate of me.

My mom was killed because of this ongoing war.She was a soldier and had no choice but to fullfill her duty to the country.I saw her being shot with my own eyes and that scenario left a broken part of me.It turned me upside down.

"I'm sorry"I stated making her stop crying as she just pulled me in an embrace.

"I'll visit you as much as I can in your new home"She calmly said making me nod.

Before riding the train,we were told beforehand that we will be assigned into different households.Me and Pilaria's households were near each other and I was relieved to know that.Pilaria has a weak heart and tends to cry over small thing easily however she was very caring towards me and we considered ourselves siblings.

"Don't cry too much"I said looking at her in the eye but instead she looked at me as if ready to burst in tears again.Despite being so depressed,her priceless reaction made me chuckle.

"You know,You act more like a kid than me"I commented at her as she just laugh along with it.

ding!ding!ding!ding!ding!

We look outside then saw that we arrived at the first stop signalling that it was time for me to go.I grabbed my small bag and bid my last goodbye at her.

The other kids were also crying as they were bidding goodbyes to their close friends and loved ones.

"Make sure to give us a call Kliea"

"Be strong Lyndsey"

"I'll never forget you Hua"

"I'll miss you!"Palaria yelled making my face lit up a little.

"Me too"I uttered as I waved my both hands at her when the train started going on again.

"Your Solstace,aren't you?"A beautiful looking woman who's in mid 30's approach me with the most energetic smile she could ever have.I suspiciously nodded gripping my belongings more.

"Aren't you just geogeous!"

"E-excuse me?!"I was completely overwhelmed by the radiant energy this woman have.Clearly she wasn't just an ordinary person based on how she dresses,she was wearing a formal light violet business suit paired with a knee-legth skirt.Her hair was styled in a very neat yet elegant manner,she was also wearing expensive yet sophisticated earings.

She straight up walked towards me pinching my face softly as if I was a mere child.She has a very lean and tall figure that I was barely past her nose level.

"Uhm..could you please introduce yourself?"I ask full with respect towards her as she stops from the realization then calmed down afterwards.She pulled me in an embrace makibg me so confused.

"I'm the head of the household you're going..I am Qu--I mean..Miss Adallina"She speaks in a very calm yet authorative manner that I bowed politely with utmost respect.

"I am Solstace Leondale,22 years old.It is a pleasure to meet you"I said making her giggle.

"Let's get going so you can take a rest"Miss Adallina said as she didn't think twice helping me carry my belongings.We rode a carriage pulled by horses towards the household.

"First of all,I'm sorry for the loss of your mother"She said calmly making me just slowly nod and bit my lip.

"It's fine"I said however her face tells me many more emotions that can't be expressed through words.

"Miss..Aren't you going to interview me?It's usually like that when you adopt an orphan like me"I asked but she was astounded by my straightforwardness.

"I-interview?That didn't cross my mind..."She nervously said chuckling after to avoid the awkward atmosphere.She keeps staring at my face makung me feel a little but awkward.

"Madamme I promise I'll make myself useful..I'm a smart and I'm a very observant woman and I can also fo housechores..I'll also be in best manners"I said giving a smile.

"You don't really need to tell me..I can tell how your mother raised you well just by looking at you"She complimented making me feel proud.I am proud of my mother.

"My mother is the most coolest and bravest woman I have ever seen,someday I want to follow her footsteps"I said making Miss Adallina looked at me curiously.

"Oh...right..My mother was a soldier who shed her blood to protect me and our country ..She's awesome isn't she?"I ask her making the lady nod simultaneously to get.

"She's honorable and I respect her"As soon as she said that the carriage stopped.I look outside then saw a huge white mansion waiting for us.I was mesmerized by how much detail it has and mesmeruzung it is to just be a household for the orphans.

"Is this really where I'll be staying?"I ask as I gripped on my belongings more as we entered the palacelike mansion.Miss Adallina walk alongside with me watching my reactions throughout our walk.

"Not really.."I heard her crushing my dream if staying in this mansion.

"Why come here if this is not the household I'm staying?Did you make fun of me Miss Adallina?"I sounded so dissapppinted that even the animals would get lonely yet she didn't answer me and just kept exploring the house.

I can't help but to wander my eyes around because of so much details that effort of this house has.Every corner of it was made politely and a perfect even the ants would feel shy steppingon the marbles.

The only thing suspicious is that I only saw 3 maids in this huge house and no one even helped to volunteer carrying out bags.Second is that,I didn't really saw any other orphans other than me.

The house was quiet and looks like it hasn't been touched for a very long time.It even looks like it's literally not being used.

We arrived at some sort of balcony with extremely looking furnitures to sit on.The beautiful woman grab me by the ahoulder gently as she signalled me to sit.

"Let's have some tea first,shall we?"She said with her high-pitched voice while showing her charming smile.

I was a little bit hesitant at first but she left me no choice when her genuine smile smiled charmed me.I sat at the other side of the round marble table nervously fiddling with ny fingers under the table.

"You can ask questions if you like..."She said and as soon as the maid finished  pouring tea from her teacup,she  elegantly get the teacup and took a sip.

"Here Miss.Enjoy"The maid offered as I nodded at her smiling a bit.I stared intently at the freshly poured tea still oozing with smoke, battling in my mind if I should drink it or not.I shrugged the thoughts in my head and decided to just took a sip so I won't seem very disrespectful.

As soon as I felt the taste at the tip of my tounge,a sudden urge to try it again emphatize me so I took another sip again.The tea was incomparable to the tea's I tasted before,the flavor was just too addictive and the scent was enough to be intrigued by it.

"Delicious?"Miss Adallina ask as I nodded agreeing to what she said.

"This is the most delicious tea I've tasted"I shared making the queen smile.

"You're a tea enthusiast"She said making me maintain my poised and smiled.

"I was influenced by my mother"I muttered just enough for her to hear.

"Didn't your mother told her who she is?"I  raised my right eyebrow out of confusion.

"What do you mean?She's a soldier"I stated yet the lady just smiled,her eyes looking at me as if feeling sorry.

"I mean her past.."

Past....

"My mother's.... past?"I ask being intrigued by what this lady is telling me.For some reason she seemed to be the person who won't lie to you.I realized just now that all this years,my mother have been so secretive to me.She always have excuses for all my questions out of curiosity.

"Do you believe that another world exist out there?A mystical fantasy world where magic exist?"I tilted my head raising my eyebrows as I looked at her doubtful.Is she crazy?She's speaking absurd.

I nervously released a chuckle thinking that she must've been crazy and trusting her is wrong in the first place.

"You must've been desperate to believe that since this world is slowly being destroyed"No matter how hard I try be be sarcastic,I still appeared ve be respectful about being spiteful.

She didn't have to go this far lying about this absurd unbelievable things.

"As expected from Eira's daughter"She said smiling while looking at me with tender eyes.I wanted to run away from here but something is prohibiting me to do so.I can't even move my feet.

"How do you know my mother?"I ask eagerly.I have never seen her in my entire life and my mother is not friendly enough to be friends with a weirdo like her.

"I'm her friend"She said so smoothly that I would almost fall for her lies.

"I never saw you even once"I said trying to get up but my head started spinning as soon as I stood up.I grab my head because of the overwhelming pain.

"Ahh!"I whinced shutting my eyes then forcefully sit again.

Maybe something wrong with the tea..

I looked at her as she drinks the tea with ease but I all felt this pain when I drank it.

"It's because she didn't belong in this world in the first place"She said putting an emphasis in every word as she intently looking at me.I wanted to run when she stood up approaching me but I don't even have the strength to do it.

"You put something in the tea,didn't you?"I sarcastically let out a chuckle facing her.

"I knew how stubborn you can be so I hope you wouldn't get mad in my forceful tactics"she explained and stood next to me patting my head gently as she smile.

What did I get myself into??

I shouldn't have trusted her in the first place.I should have listened to my gut feeling that this woman is wicked.

I'm slowly loosing my consciousness as I slowly forced myself to look up to her.I glared at her intently as she looked at me as if pitying my state.

"Y-ou'll p..pay ....for ...this"I managed to say as I felt my eyes drifting to sleep and fell on the ground.

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