I was deeply asleep as always. Usually, my mom was the one in charge to wake me up but... This day was a different one.

The sunlight began to pass through my window right into my eyes so I had no choice but to wake up.

I opened the bedroom door and as usual, I went to the living room to get some food for breakfast. When I arrived something unusual was waiting for me there. Something lifted me up easily.

"Here is my boy!! " I couldn't believe what I was just seeing. My dad, Siegmund, was waiting for me in the living room. "Did you plan to sleep all day? Hahaha... You remind me so much of myself back then when I was young. " I was speechless. My dad was a hard working man that barely showed up at home but today... He was right in front of me.

"What's the problem with that face Axel? Did you really think I was going to miss the 15th birthday of my only and beloved son? " I was really happy. The smile couldn't get off from my face. I gave an emotional hug to my father and asked him. "Dad, where's mom? "

"She's at Tyr right now, the neighboring town where your grandfathers live, we're going to celebrate your birthday with them. "

The happiness I was feeling at that moment was indescribable. The whole family was going to be reunited.

"Hey Axel, I'm sure you're hungry and your mom isn't here, do you want to have breakfast? " I answered without hesitating. "Of course. "

My dad brought me a glass of milk and some cereals, we were a poor family like the rest of the people that lived on there but at least we had food to eat and survive. In this world the blood you're born with means everything. There isn't any intermediate status, either noble blood and your right to live in the capital city of Virinium or poor like the rest of us with no right to enter the capital and just live outside it.

I had a funny talk with my dad. He told me a lot of adventures he lived outside home but I wasn't a kid anymore to believe any of them. Still, I enjoyed listening to him again, I barely remember when was the last time he spent time with me like this.

"Axel listen to me, I'm going to Tyr right now to help your mom with the party setup. I'll come and pick you up later at the sun fall. You can play outside with your friends until I come back. "

I was really sad when I heard my dad was leaving again, I felt like it was too short but I smiled because I remembered I was going to see him again celebrating my birthday.

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"Sure dad, I'll see you later. "

Dad was about to leave, he was opening the door when he suddenly stopped and said. "Oh... I almost forgot you can take with you that pretty pink-haired girl. Mom told me she lives at the house next to us and that you both are friends since you were kids... She also told me that you have a very good relationship. "

My dad was smiling while saying that. I made an upset face because I knew in which way he was talking about it. Dad noticed my face and left home saying. "I love you, Axel. "

And so again I was alone at home. I couldn't stop thinking about my dad last words about my neighbor. Suddenly a noise invaded all my thoughts.

*Knock... Knock... Knock... "

I turned back and headed to the door and opened it.

"Hello, Axel... Happy birthday!! "

There she was, my neighbor. Her name is Martha and she lives in the house next to me, she's one year younger than me and I know her since I was 5. She has beautiful longish pink hair and a sweet voice, her face is cute and she has perfect skin.

I couldn't stop looking at her with a blushed face but I had to answer otherwise I would look like a pervert.

"Thank you, Martha! " That's all I could say at that moment. She looked at me with an upset face. "That's all? After I just came here to tell you this? " "You know... You're my neighbor. You only had to walk a few steps to come here. " I answered her in a humoristic way, we both laughed.

"What do you want to do today? " Martha asked with euphoria. "I don't know... I didn't think about any... " Without a chance to speak, Martha grabbed my hand and started to run. "Just leave it to me, I'll give you my birthday present. " I just could smile and follow her into the forest.

After a long way walking we arrived at the hill of a mountain. The views were so beautiful... You could see every town and city around even the big capital, Virinium.

"This... This is my birthday present... My secret place. " I was so excited about being at this place with Martha. "Thanks, Martha, It was a nice surprise. " Martha blushed and smiled. "I'm so glad that you liked it. " We stared at the beautiful views when I noticed the sun was already falling down. I remembered about my father and the birthday party, It was time to go.

"Martha, tonight... I'm going to celebrate a birthday party at my grandfather's house at Tyr... My dad told me you could come if you wanted to. "

Martha's face changed to an excited one. "Yes! Of course! I'll talk to my parents when we get back. " I was happy to hear that she accepted my proposal so fast. I was proceeding to leave back to the town but Martha suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Axel... Wait please, I have to tell you something about me and you. " I was speechless. Hearing Martha's words and seeing her face all blushed... My father's words came back to my mind and had me wondering; Could it be?

"You know Axel... We know each other since we were kids, you have been always protecting me from the other village kids and cleaning all my tears... Since a long ago I've been feeling something inside me, in my heart... "

I couldn't believe this was happening but I wouldn't hesitate in this situation, I'm not a kid anymore.

"Martha? What are you trying to say? "

"The thing is... Since a long time ago... I like... " Suddenly, a big noise interrupted Martha. We turned back and saw a lot of smoke coming out from a nearby place. It was our town.

I didn't knew it back then but that day... That day was the last one I would had an smile on my face.