Ducal Household
Guillebeaux
Number 1 in power in the entire empire of Dandir
Clearly on per with the imperial family
This household has long history in having only the best swordsmen. Only an few were powerful mages in the previous generations
Currently there are two children in the household. One is a boy and another is a girl The boy is the heir, his name is
Jhony Guillebeaux
And the girl's name is
Dahlia Guillebeaux
Dahlia is 7. Has long light pink hair, purple eyes and soft features. She was well raised, loved, cared and cherished by her family. There was nothing that she can't have
It was her birthday. She's wearing an beautiful white dress with pink flowers on it as decoration. Her hair tied in a ponytail
"... Can I please see you? Cause..."
Dahlia hesitated but soon build up enough courage as she speaks again through telepathy
"It's my 7th birthday. And I want to see you as my birthday present... so will you fulfill my wish?" She finally asked
Silence filled in, soon an deep yet soothing voice was heard, which she usually hears it when she was born
It was her guardian
"No" It said plainly and being emotionless as usual
Dahlia let out an long breath, in disappointment. Tho, she expected this. Her guardian always protects her and all... but there's just one problem. Her guardian refuses to make an appearance of itself. Plus... it is emotionless and speaks when necessary. Not too talkative, but not too silent
It's true she gets whatever she wants, but... just never this...
"Fine... but... will you not give me any other birthday presents?" She asked again having an disappointed look
"... I will... but you will get my gift around 12 o'clock, my sapphire" It said again
It usually calls Dahlia "Sapphire" cause sapphires are it's favorite
Dahlia frowned but didn't question anything cause even tho she's an 7 year old. She was very mature unlike other noble girls. She knew when to back off and when to ask for things that were necessary
She only nods
"Ok... I will get going then... I will talk to you at bedtime... take care" She said, as she leaves her room
She arrives where the party is held. Many of the noble children were enjoying with their parents
Soon, Jhony comes to her. An boy who is 10, with the same hair color as her hair, except with green eyes
"Happy birthday, lil sis" He said smiling mischievously
Dahlia knew that smile as she became wary
"What your up to now, brother?" She asked
"Nothing~" He said
He hands her, his present for her
"Open it" He said, keeping his smile
Dahlia hesitates for a while but soon, she reluctantly accepts it. She opened the gift
When the gift was opened, an clown toy popped up. It scared Dahlia a lot as she screamed, dropping the gift
Jhony and the many nobles that were watching this, snickered. Finding this amusing and entertaining
They knew that Dahlia and Jhony always had "Siblings rivalry"
"YOU REALLY HAD TO DO THIS!!!!" She yelled out at Jhony. She pouted
Jhony laughed, "At least I didn't spike your juice like you did last time" He said
He only did this cause when it was his birthday earlier, Dahlia spiked his juice with chili. Making him have sore mouth on his birthday
There, Jhony pledged to take revenge on her
"... I was just having fun!" She retorts as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her cheeks puffed up. "Is this your present? I thought... I would get an proper gift from my brother" She said again
"Oh, ok. Fine fine, princess. I have an "proper gift" for my only lil sis" He chuckled as he took the clown toy box. He soon closed the box again as he opened it, yet again.
But instead of the clown toy, jumping out. It had a beautiful headpiece. It was made of emerald mana gems
"It is a artifact that will protect you when you are in danger. It will be your birthday present" He said smiling
Many nobles were in awe seeing the beautiful headpiece. It suited Dahlia well. Her parents- Duke Guillebeaux and Douchess Guillebeaux were watching, clearly happy seeing Jhony giving her this gift.
"You could've given me this instead of the fright!" Dahlia mumbled as she was still mad.
Jhony only chuckled, "It's called "payback", lil sis" He said
Dahlia didn't said anything and continued on with the party. Many nobles gave her many things as presents like toys, dolls, gems, accessories, dresses, books and much more
"Did your guardian gave you any presents?" A noble girl, the same age as Dahlia. And her childhood friend
Lily Memozino
Daughter of the Duke Memozino's family
They are second in power in terms of Duke Guillebeaux. These two households have long terms being friends
Lily also knew that Dahlia has an guardian cause, she told her
Dahlia signed deeply, "Not really... he said that he will give me my present on... 12 o'clock" She said
"Damn... good luck waiting" She said, understanding Dahlia's feelings
"What are you two discussing?" A noble boy asked. He was also an friend of Dahlia tho he is younger then her and Lily by just 1 year age gap
His name is Xinhua Hunts
Son of the Count Hunts family
"Nothing, you red head" Lily said as she huffed
"I am not an red head! YOU BLONDIE!!!" He also huffed too
"How dare you-"
"That''s enough!" Lily was about to yell at Xinhua but was cut off by another noble boy, who's older then all of them. Clearly in 1 year
It was Lily's older brother
James Memozino
"But- brother! He called me an blondie!" Lily tried to reason herself
"But you started it by calling him a red head" James said sternly. "Apologize"
Lily groaned as she looked at Xinhua
"I am sorry..." She said begrudgingly.
"Its alright and anyway, what you two been talking about?" Xinhua asked again, curiously.
"It's nothing" Lily said flatly and looked at Dahlia
"It's girl's stuff" Dahlia and Lily said in unison. Earning Xinhua's groaning but earned an laugh from James
"If it's girl's stuffs, we boys can't do anything-" Suddenly James paused
"Tho... have you two heard news?" He asked to Dahlia and Xinhua. The two were confused
"Brother... you are talking about children being kidnapped, right?" Lily asked making Dahlia and Xinhua shocked.
"Wait- kidnapped!! Why!?" Xinhua asked.
James signed deeply, "Well, yes... many children... basically around our ages have been kidnapped in the alleyways. Many investigation were done... but..." He paused, hesitating to speak up.
"But there was no traces found" Jhony spoke up
Making James, Xinhua, Dahlia and Lily to turn to him, surprised
"Many reports state that the children seemed to be lured—almost hypnotized—by someone or something, drawn toward the dark alley. Whether they were out alone running errands, wandering nearby, or even accompanied by a guardian, they vanished without a trace" He said with an serious expression
"It's also the reason why I gave Dahlia that protection artifact" He said again.
"Oh no... then... what about the children?! What happened to them?!" Xinhua asked, clearly scared
James spoke up this time, in a quiet tone. "They were never found. Missing... as if they were never there to ever exist..."
Silence filled in as Xinhua and Dahlia were taking in the information
Soon Lily broke the silence, "Which is why... it is suggested to everyone that to stay inside the house! And never roam alone on streets!"
"Yes, that is the best option for you two" Jhony said but he soon turned to Xinhua. "Especially you, Xinhua. No sneaking away to get midnight snacks from downtown!" He warned.
Xinhua groaned, "Aw man... fine..." He mumbled.
"Anyways, that's it for the serious talk. Let's just enjoy the party!" James said, trying to lighten up the mood
Jhony nods as he smiles. He also pats Dahlia, giving reassurance.
"Don't worry, I will protect you always. Just be sure to always smile, eat well and pull pranks on me daily" Jhony said to Dahlia
"... Thank you... brother..." Dahlia said smiling. Clearly appreciating his words to lighten up her mood
Soon they all enjoyed the party, had many fun times together. Forgetting all the serious talk, just only for that moment
Nighttime, 12 o'clock
Dahlia has just been bathed by her maids and dressed in her night dress. Her long pink hair, combed. She was sitting in her bedroom alone, looking up the sky where the moon is shining
The gentle cold breeze, brushing against her cheeks making her hair and dress to sway gently
She was waiting
Until, her wait was over
"Had fun on your birthday party?" Her guardian again spoke, in her mind
"Yeah... and now is your turn, in giving me an gift!" Dahlia said as she was determined to see what her guardian has in store for her
"Alright, my sapphire..." He said again
Suddenly an beautiful blue light appeared in front of her
Dahlia was mesmerized by it as usual. Her guardian usually gives her tasty fruits that were never found on mortal realm. It always tasted divine. She also expected to get another spices of fruits
But, to her surprise
It was an sapphire gem
"What's this..?" Dahlia asked as she observed the gem. It was beautiful
"An sapphire gem..." He began
"I made it with my powers. It has strong spells engraved on it. You an borrow my powers by just squeezing the gem gently" He finally explained and paused "And don't use it carelessly. Use it only when necessary—it will awaken your magical energy prematurely, and the backlash could trigger mana fever"He warned
Dahlia signed deeply. "If I can have an fever... then why give this, that will cause harm to me?!" she asked
"For your protection... I can't always be with you, nor intervene in the mortal realm to shield you. You can tap into my powers without the gem" He paused for an while. "But doing so would tear your small body apart, leading to a brutal death from the not handling my powers well. So, to avoid that risk, I've given you this gem— it'll only cause a normal fever for 1 day" He said quietly
Silence filled in as Dahlia was shocked. She processed the information
"I could've given you this sooner but... your body wasn't developed enough. When you become an adult, you won't need that gem anymore. You will be able to handle the small fraction of my power" He said again
Silence again filled in
"Remember... I am here to only protect you... not cause you harm... my sapphire..." He continued
"... I know that... I am sorry for doubting you..." Dahlia said as she was feeling guilty
"It's alright, your still an child so..." He paused
"It's getting late, you should sleep now, sapphire. Otherwise your health will go bad. So sleep, sweet dreams" He said before his voice vanished like always
Leaving Dahlia in silence
"... Sweet dreams to you too..." Dahlia murmured as she smiled. She stared at the gem that her guardian gave her
She soon laid on bed as she held the gem closely as she fell into the deep and peaceful slumber