Valeria hurried down the winding forest path, her steps light and quick, eager to reach home before the sun dipped too low. The evening light filtered through the canopy, casting a warm, golden hue over the familiar trail. The soft rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional chirp of a distant bird added to the serenity of the woods, making the world feel peaceful and alive. The scent of trees and earth filled the air, grounding her in the moment. But Valeria’s thoughts were elsewhere—focused on the celebration awaiting her.
Today had been one of her best days yet. She had finally tracked down the elusive rabbit burrow she’d been chasing for weeks, a feat she couldn’t wait to boast about to Alex. He’d undoubtedly be impressed by her persistence and keen hunting skills. The image of his wide-eyed admiration made her grin grow even wider, the joy of the discovery blending seamlessly with the anticipation of sharing it with him. Tomorrow, she would drag him out to the woods, eager to show him her find.
But first, there was tonight—a special dinner prepared by her mother for her birthday. Her mother always fretted over her adventures, scolding her for wasting time exploring the village and woods instead of helping with the household chores. “You’re always off chasing something,” her mother would say, shaking her head in exasperation. Valeria, however, couldn’t bear the thought of being confined to the house all day. There was too much to see, too much to do, and staying put felt suffocating. So she always found a way to slip out, usually when her mother was busy with breakfast preparations or packing her father’s lunch.
As she approached the edge of the village, Valeria’s excitement grew. The small, thatched-roof cottages came into view, their chimneys puffing out wisps of smoke as families settled in for the evening. She waved cheerfully at the villagers, who smiled and waved back, recognizing the lively girl who was always full of energy and spirit. Her home was just around the corner, and she could already picture the table set with her favorite dishes, the warm glow of the hearth lighting the room, and her mother’s welcoming smile.
But something felt off. Valeria’s brow furrowed as she noticed the absence of Alex. He usually met her around this time, especially on her birthday. It was strange that he hadn’t shown up, and it dampened her spirits slightly. She had expected him to be waiting for her, perhaps with a small gift or a surprise, but there had been no sign of him all day. It wasn’t like him to forget, and she had been looking forward to seeing what he had planned.
Pushing the thought aside, Valeria decided she would give him a hard time about it later. He would owe her something extra special for missing her birthday, she resolved with a determined nod. As she rounded the final corner, her mother’s figure came into view, standing by the door and waving her inside. Valeria picked up her pace, the slight disappointment about Alex fading as she focused on the warmth of home and the evening ahead.
The aroma of her mother’s homemade stew filled the cozy kitchen, wrapping Valeria in a comforting warmth as she entered the house. The scent of freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven, mingled with the rich, savory smell of the stew—a combination that always made her mouth water. Without hesitation, she settled down at the table, her hunger overwhelming any lingering thoughts of the day’s adventures. As she devoured the meal, she couldn’t help but notice the way her parents were watching her, their eyes twinkling with affectionate smiles.
Valeria paused mid-bite, glancing up at them curiously. “Mom, Dad, why do you keep smiling like that?” she asked, her voice slightly muffled by a mouthful of bread. She had emptied her plate in record time, the warmth of the meal spreading through her, filling the hunger that had built up over the course of her day.
Her parents exchanged a look, one of those silent exchanges that always seemed to carry entire conversations. Her mother was the first to break the silence, reaching under the table and pulling out a carefully wrapped package. She held it out to Valeria, her smile widening as she spoke. “Happy birthday, sweetie. Open it,” she urged, her voice soft with affection.
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Valeria’s eyes lit up as she accepted the gift, her fingers eagerly working to untie the soft cloth wrapping. 'Thank you, Mom!' she exclaimed, pulling away the fabric to reveal the contents. Inside was a beautiful dress, crafted with love and care. The fabric was soft to the touch, the color a perfect match for Valeria’s bright spirit. She had expected this gift, having caught a glimpse of her mother working on it a few weeks earlier, but even so, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of disappointment. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the dress—she did—but it wasn’t what she had truly hoped for.
Still, she knew how much effort her mother had put into making it, how excited she had been when she thought Valeria wasn’t watching. And now, seeing the hopeful expression on her mother’s face, Valeria couldn’t bring herself to show anything but gratitude. She forced a smile, hiding her true feelings, and hugged the dress to her chest. “It’s beautiful, Mom. Thank you so much,” she said sincerely.
Her mother’s face lit up with satisfaction, clearly pleased that Valeria seemed to like the dress. She nodded approvingly, but her expression turned slightly more serious as she added, “Valeria, now that you’re one year older, it’s time you started acting more like a proper lady.”
Valeria’s smile faltered, turning into a small pout as she protested, “But Mom, I am going to be a proper lady—just like that nice mage sister!” Her thoughts drifted back to the time when a group of adventurers had passed through the village. Among them was a kind and strong mage, a woman who had captured Valeria’s imagination with tales of far-off lands and daring exploits. To Valeria, that was the image of a proper lady—someone who was brave and adventurous, someone who could protect others and explore the world, not just stay at home and sew dresses.
Her mother sighed softly, clearly unconvinced by Valeria’s argument, but she didn’t press the issue further. Instead, she gave Valeria a gentle smile, one that spoke of understanding mixed with the slightest hint of resignation. Valeria knew her mother wanted the best for her, but she couldn’t help dreaming of a life that was more than just proper—a life full of excitement and adventure, just like the stories she loved so much.
Valeria’s mother shook her head, a mix of amusement and concern playing on her face as she looked at her daughter. "I’d rather you not do dangerous work like those adventurers," she said, her voice gentle but firm. Valeria, however, couldn’t help but keep grinning, fully aware of how often her mother would eventually give in whenever she set her mind on something.
With her mother’s concerns set aside, Valeria turned her hopeful gaze toward her father, wondering if this would finally be the year she was old enough to learn his hunting skills. Every birthday since he had promised to teach her, Valeria had looked forward to this moment with growing anticipation. Surely this year she would be ready.
Her father, as if reading her thoughts, gave her a knowing look. “No, baby, not this year,” he said gently, his tone leaving no room for argument. Valeria’s smile faltered, a small frown pulling at her lips. But before disappointment could fully settle in, her father continued, his voice warm with affection. “But I have prepared something else that you’ve also been asking for.”
Her curiosity piqued, Valeria’s eyes lit up as her father reached out to pat her head. “A friend of mine, someone proficient in magic, will soon be traveling near our village. I’ve asked him to stop by and, if possible, teach you a few tricks as well.”
The moment the words left his lips, Valeria practically leaped from her seat in excitement. Her joy was palpable as she threw her arms around her father, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Dad!” she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. “Thank you both! I love my presents!”
Her parents exchanged amused glances, their chuckles filling the room as they watched their daughter’s uncontainable happiness. The warmth of the moment enveloped them, and as they began sharing stories about their day, Valeria felt the comfortable pull of sleep tugging at her eyelids. Her full belly and the comfort of being surrounded by her loving parents made it hard to stay awake.
Noticing her struggle, her mother smiled softly. “It’s late. We should all rest,” she suggested gently.
Valeria’s father nodded in agreement, scooping her up and carrying her to bed. He tucked her in with the same care he had shown when she was a little girl, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Sleep well, my sweet baby,” he whispered as he gently closed the door behind him.
Even as her eyes grew heavier, Valeria’s mind buzzed with thoughts of what tomorrow might bring. The excitement of learning magic and the possibilities it held filled her dreams, making it hard for her to surrender to sleep. But eventually, the warmth of her bed and the quiet of the night lulled her into a peaceful slumber, her heart full of anticipation for the adventures that awaited her.