CHAPTER 6: STORIES OF THE PAST

The morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the dining room as Myura sat at the table, finishing her breakfast. Her crimson eyes darted toward her father, who, for once, wasn’t rushing to put on his boots or don his sword. He leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea with an uncharacteristically relaxed smile.

“You’re not working today, Dad?” Myura asked, tilting her head in curiosity.

Takeshi chuckled, setting his cup down. “Not today, kiddo. Even captains of the guard need a day off now and then.”

Alice, who was wiping the counter, shot him a playful smirk. “A day off? Are you sure you won’t be halfway to the barracks by lunchtime?”

Takeshi laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I promise, no barracks today. I’m spending the day with my family.”

“Does that mean we’re doing something fun?” Myura’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Well,” Alice said, setting the cloth aside, “I do have some errands to run, but we could make a day of it. What do you think, Myura?”

“I think that sounds great!” Myura beamed. “Kazuki’s busy today anyway, so it’s perfect.”

A Day in Town

After breakfast, the three of them set out together, Myura walking between her parents as they made their way toward the market. The streets were alive with activity, merchants shouting their wares and children darting between stalls with laughter. The air was filled with the scent of fresh bread, roasted nuts, and spices.

Their first stop was a fabric stall where Alice picked out materials for new curtains. Myura helped her choose, pointing to a deep crimson fabric that matched her own eyes. “This one’s pretty, Mom.”

Alice smiled, brushing her fingers over the fabric. “It is, isn’t it? You’ve got an eye for these things.”

“Just like her mother,” Takeshi said with a grin, earning a playful nudge from Alice.

As they continued through the market, they stopped at a blacksmith’s booth where Takeshi inspected a newly crafted dagger. Myura watched as her father tested the blade’s balance, his hands deft and practiced.

“What do you think, Captain?” the blacksmith asked, leaning on his anvil.

“It’s good work,” Takeshi replied, nodding in approval. “You’ve got a steady hand.”

The praise brought a proud smile to the blacksmith’s face, and Myura couldn’t help but feel a swell of admiration for her father. Even on his day off, people respected him.

LUNCH AT THE MARKET

As noon approached, Alice suggested they take a break and grab something to eat. They found a small booth near the center of the market with wooden tables and chairs set up under a bright canopy. A cheerful vendor served steaming bowls of stew, fresh bread, and cold cider.

The three of them sat together, the hustle and bustle of the market providing a lively backdrop to their meal. Myura dug into her stew eagerly, the rich, savory flavors warming her from the inside. Her parents chatted between bites, their laughter filling the air.

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“This is so nice,” Myura said, leaning back in her chair. “We should do this more often.”

Takeshi chuckled. “Maybe we will. It’s good to slow down sometimes.”

As they finished their meal, Myura looked at her parents with curiosity. “Hey, Mom, Dad… how did you two meet?”

Alice’s smile softened, her gaze growing distant as she closed her eyes. “Ah, that takes me back. It was during a royal escort…”

Alice’s Story

“I was an adventurer back then,” Alice began, her voice filled with warmth and nostalgia. “Not just any adventurer, mind you. I was a pretty well-known one. They used to call me the Emberblade because of my fire magic.”

Myura’s eyes widened. “The Emberblade? That sounds so cool!”

Alice laughed softly. “It was a long time ago. Back then, I traveled all over the kingdom, taking on quests to help people. I’d fought bandits, slain monsters, and even saved a few villages. But everything changed when I was hired for a royal escort.”

She glanced at Takeshi, her smile growing. “That’s where I met your father.”

Takeshi leaned back in his chair, a teasing grin on his face. “I wasn’t anyone special. Just a palace knight assigned to the same escort. But I remember seeing Alice for the first time—this fearless adventurer with her fiery sword and fierce determination. She looked like she could take on the entire world.”

Alice raised an eyebrow, smirking. “And you looked like you were in over your head.”

Myura giggled, her gaze darting between her parents. “What happened next?”

“Well,” Alice continued, “the escort was supposed to be simple, but things rarely go as planned. We were ambushed by a group of bandits who thought they could overpower us and steal the royal treasure we were transporting.”

Takeshi chimed in, his tone proud. “Alice took charge immediately, rallying the knights and adventurers to form a defense. She was like a force of nature, cutting through the bandits with her flaming blade.”

“And your father,” Alice said, her eyes twinkling, “wasn’t half bad himself. He held the line with his sword and shield, protecting the royal family while I led the counterattack. We made a pretty good team.”

Takeshi chuckled. “We barely knew each other, but we fought like we’d been working together for years. By the time the bandits fled, I knew I’d met someone special.”

SHARING ADVENTURES

As the story continued, Alice and Takeshi took turns recounting their adventures together. From rescuing kidnapped villagers to escorting diplomats through dangerous territories, their tales painted a vivid picture of their bravery and camaraderie.

“I remember one time,” Takeshi said, leaning forward, “we were escorting a noble through the mountains when a rockslide blocked the road. Before anyone could react, Alice used her magic to clear the path, saving us hours of work.”

Alice laughed. “And I remember when we had to fight off a pack of wolves during a snowstorm. You were so determined to protect the caravan, you didn’t even notice you’d been bitten until after the fight.”

Myura listened in awe, her heart swelling with pride. “You two are amazing,” she said. “No wonder you’re so good at what you do.”

Alice reached across the table, taking Myura’s hand in hers. “We’ve had our share of adventures, but our greatest adventure has been raising you.”

Takeshi nodded, his expression soft. “That’s the truth.”

HEADING HOME

As the sun began to set, the three of them made their way back home, the warmth of the day lingering in their hearts. Myura walked between her parents, holding their hands and feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the family she’d been reborn into.

That night, as she lay in bed, Myura replayed her parents’ stories in her mind. Their courage and dedication inspired her, fueling her determination to become stronger—not just for herself, but for the people she loved.

Zenko appeared by her bedside, his golden eyes gleaming in the candlelight. “You’ve got a special family, Myura,” he said softly.

“I know,” Myura replied, a small smile playing on her lips. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them.”

As the house grew quiet and the stars twinkled in the night sky, Myura drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with visions of adventure and the unbreakable bond she shared with her parents.