“Did you pack everything for her, Maria?” Dad asked, bending down to slip on my shoes. He glanced towards Mom, who was wrestling a hefty suitcase towards the door. “I mean, the suitcases look impressive, but shouldn't we double-check just to be safe?”
“Absolutely everything is in there, Alphonse,” Mom replied, setting the suitcase down with a thud and flexing her overworked fingers. “I practically started a week ago! There's no way I missed anything.” A whole week? I thought, picturing the overflowing suitcase with dread. What on earth did she manage to cram in there?
A moment later, Mom’s eyes landed on me. Her smile faltered slightly. “Lily, why are you wearing that cloak?” she asked, reaching for the garment on my shoulders. I instinctively tried to hold onto it, but she was much stronger. With a resigned pout, I let her help me remove it. I repeat; she helped me remove it, she didn’t take it by force, okay?
“Why can't she wear it?” Dad questioned, rising from his crouched position. Mom sighed, rubbing a hand over her forehead. “You spoil her too much, Alphonse. It's just for emergencies, not everyday wear. It'll draw too much attention.”
“Forget the cloak for now!” Mom declared, bustling behind me. Armed with a comb, she began taming my mane, prepping it for a presentable style. “Even though Romeo’s taking her, she still needs to make a good impression. No offense, honey, but your brother will probably parade her around like a prize.”
Dad chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he scratched the back of his head. “I’ll have a word with him about that,” he said, checking his watch. “He should be here in about half an hour. Thank goodness we weren't scrambling at the last minute.”
Mom nodded in agreement, setting down the comb. “Alright, Lily,” she said, her voice softening. “Any particular hairstyle you have in mind today?”
Hairstyles? Not exactly my forte. In my previous life, I barely gave my hair a second thought. But hey, being a girl in this world comes with a certain level of… image maintenance, I suppose. After a thoughtful hum, I offered, “A loose low ponytail sounds good! Thanks, Mom.”
Two years had zipped by, making me a sprightly six-year-old. This marked the official start of my training with Romeo. Excitement bubbled in my chest, but a nervous tremor ran alongside it. Let's face it, aside from vacations and amusement parks, I was a homebody. No neighborhood friends, no independent adventures. Not exactly a resume for a budding warrior. Still, I couldn't dwell on missed experiences. These past six years, I'd thrived in my own way, and now, the real deal was finally here!
An hour stretched into what felt like an eternity before the doorbell chimed. I flung the door open, a wide grin plastered on my face. "Uncle Romeo!" I chirped, practically vibrating with anticipation. He ruffled my hair affectionately before stepping inside. "Traffic, Young lady" he sighed, feigning exasperation. "Absolute nightmare today!"
"Ugh, figures..." Romeo's greeting to my parents died in his throat as his gaze landed on the colossal suitcases dominating the room. He swallowed hard, confusion clouding his features. "Look, I won't pry into your packing strategy," he began cautiously, "but isn't this a bit much? Kavita isn't another planet, you know."
Mom's cheeks flushed a rosy pink. Dad, however, couldn't contain a chuckle. Hefting one of the behemoth suitcases, he winked at Romeo. "Let's just call it a touch of parental overplanning. Shall we cram these into your car?" Romeo shot him a look that mingled amusement and exasperation. "If we can fit them, that is!"
Thankfully, Romeo's car was a spacious 4x4, because those overflowing suitcases wouldn't have stood a chance in a regular sedan. Packing complete, the ever-considerate Romeo hopped into the driver's seat, leaving room for me and my parents.
Standing before them, backpack still strapped on, a strange reluctance held me rooted. I couldn't bring myself to meet their eyes. Gazing at the floor and fiddling with my fingers, I felt a hand land on my shoulder. Dad. Looking up, a pang of sadness struck me. Mom, her hand pressed to her chest, fought back tears. Dad, on the other hand, was a beacon of calm. His gentle eyes held a reassuring smile, and his voice, as ever, soothed my nerves.
He adjusted the scarf around my neck. "Wrap up warm, alright? Don't catch a chill." A choked sob escaped Mom. "And if you do," she hiccuped, "rest and take your vitamins. We want you back on your feet in no time!"
"Eat healthy, Lily," Dad continued, his voice firm but kind. "Skip the fried food, no matter how tempting. Your body will thank you. And listen to Uncle Romeo, okay? He knows what he's doing. The more you follow his instructions, the more he might just spoil you rotten – even more than we do! Bathe regularly, get eight hours of sleep, and take it easy, sweetheart. Don't push yourself too hard."
A gentle kiss on my forehead, a warmth that chased away the winter chill. "And most importantly," he said, his smile unwavering, "we love you. Always." The last word hung in the air, followed by a gentle nudge towards Romeo's car.
One last look before I climbed into the car. Mom was already buried in Dad's embrace, hiding her tears from me. "I won't be able to say goodbye properly," she mumbled into his
chest. Dad chuckled, one hand holding her close, the other waving goodbye to me. "Good luck, Lily!" he boomed.
Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. Sniffling, I scrambled into Romeo's car. He shot me a glance, then started the engine with a soft chuckle. "Glad to see a bit of child in you, young lady," he teased, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"N-none of your business," I mumbled, voice thick with emotion. "If you're going to make fun of me instead of helping me control my Flow, I'll tell Dad!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Whoa, hold on. Didn't plan on relentless teasing. More importantly, where'd you learn such fancy words? You started talking like you grew up on historical documentaries."
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"It's none of your business!" I snapped, cheeks burning.
A beat of silence hung in the air. "...Alright, maybe I should apologize then."
Wiping away a stray tear, I choked out, "Hey, Romeo? Why 'young lady' all the time? You never use my name, Lina. Not even Lily."
He flinched, nervousness flickering across his face. "Uh, well," he stammered, scratching his neck. "There's, uh, a bit of a story..." A nervous chuckle bubbled up from him.
"Tell me!" I demanded, my voice surprisingly firm for someone with a wobbling lip. "I want to know, right now!"
He chuckled again, this time with a hint of amusement. "Since when did you become so bossy, Young Lady?"
My cheeks burned. "Fine," I huffed, crossing my arms, which made him glance at me once more, sighing before speaking up, "Okay, I’ll tell you. But promise not to laugh, okay?" He stole a glance at me before refocusing on the road. Seeing my eager nod, he sighed. "Alright, alright, I’ll tell you."
A playful glint entered his eyes. "See," he began, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, "your dad and I, back in the day, we made a little...pact, you could say. Whoever settled down first and had kids, the other one had to treat them like absolute royalty. So, consider the 'young lady' routine your official princess treatment, got it?"
We sat in companionable silence for a stretch, the only sound was the steady hum of the engine. Finally, Romeo stole a glance at me, a question dancing in his eyes. "So," he began cautiously, "did that story appease the princess?" A playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
A hesitant smile tugged at my lips, battling the blush creeping up my cheeks. I uncrossed my arms, the movement almost imperceptible. "Yeah, I guess it did," I mumbled, turning my gaze towards the window. Maybe a little tsundere was starting to rub off on me.
"Not so bad yourself, Romeo," I teased, finally meeting his eyes again. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," he chuckled, feigning offense as he placed a hand over his mock-wounded heart. "First names already, are we?"
His playful reaction sent a burst of laughter bubbling up from my chest, chasing away the last remnants of tears. "Look at you, breaking our promise, young lady!" Romeo added, a genuine smile warming his features. "But hey, it's definitely better than seeing those tears, to be honest."
Leaving Commplant, my hometown nestled near the untamed Beast Territory, felt like stepping into a new world. Back in my past life, journeys were arduous affairs, measured in days spent on foot or the jolting rhythm of a carriage. Now, nestled comfortably in Romeo's car, Kavita awaited us a mere hour away. These marvels of metal and speed, these "cars," were a revelation.
As the scenery blurred by, a disquietude settled over me. Romeo kept reaching up to rub his neck, a sheen of sweat clinging to his forehead. His breaths came in short pants, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor. Was he... unwell? A frown creased my brow in concern.
"Are you alright?" I blurted out, worry lacing my voice.
Romeo offered a weak smile, but a flicker of discomfort betrayed him. "Don't worry about a thing, young lady. However, there's something you need to know..."
"It's your Flow," he began, a spark of understanding igniting in my mind. "Remember when I mentioned it could be suffocating? Sadly, that’s correct. It seems your presence has a... side effect on other Flow users. It makes it harder for them to breathe and relax. I apologize for the bluntness, but honesty is best."
“… It’s okay…” Despair gnawed at me, a familiar ache from my past life. So even here, in this supposed second chance, my powers would ostracize me? Was the dream of being good, of making a positive impact, nothing but a childish fantasy? Was the darkness an inevitable pull, no matter how hard I fought against it?
My fists clenched, my knuckles white with repressed anger. But before I could spiral further, a warm hand settled on my shoulder. Uncle Romeo's voice, gentle and firm, cut through the storm of negativity brewing within me.
"No matter what happens, Young lady," he spoke, his voice laced with a quiet strength, "you will learn to control your powers. We'll work on it together, and we'll make you an amazing person. Believe that."
His words washed over me, a calming balm on my wounded spirit. Shamefaced, I looked up at him, my fists loosening as a sliver of hope flickered to life. Unlike my past life, I wasn't alone. This time, I had love, support, and a whole new beginning.
A shy smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Maybe, just maybe, Romeo was right. Perhaps overthinking wouldn't help. Instead, I should focus on his words, on this opportunity to be the person I always dreamed of being.
The car slowed to a stop, jolting me out of my reverie. I glanced at the dashboard clock, surprised to see the time. An hour couldn't have flown by that quickly, could it?
Romeo hopped out of the car, his movements brisk and purposeful. He hurried to my side, opening the door with a flourish. "We're here, young lady," he announced, his voice tinged with excitement.
I peered out the window, my brow furrowing in confusion. We were at the very edge of civilization, the sprawling cityscape giving way to a vast, snow-covered forest. A single, solitary house stood nestled amongst the trees, a beacon of warmth in the wintry landscape.
"Where are we?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is this Kavita?"
Romeo chuckled, shaking his head. His hand brushed mine as we began walking towards the house. "Not quite," he said mysteriously. "There's someone I want you to meet. Would that be alright with you?"
I nodded, my curiosity piqued. The fact that Romeo had a key and seemed so comfortable entering the house hinted at a close relationship. Who could it be?
We stepped inside, and a wave of darkness engulfed me. The only light seemed to emanate from a single room down the hall. Romeo, his voice uncharacteristically loud, boomed, "Hey, Lou! Wake up, for goodness sake! I told you about napping too much! Live a little!"
The sudden shout startled me. This was the first time I'd ever heard Uncle Romeo raise his voice like that. He released my hand, striding towards a sofa piled high with blankets. "Lou," he muttered, exasperation lacing his tone. "Come on, wake up!"
I inched closer to Romeo, seeking the comfort of his presence. He stood with his hands planted on his hips, his gaze fixed expectantly on the massive pile of blankets that dominated the sofa. Clearly, this Lou character resided beneath its depths.
A pungent odor assailed my nostrils as we approached – a strange mix of stale air and something vaguely metallic. My stomach lurched as I spotted a collection of empty beer cans and a lone, moldy piece of bread littering the coffee table. Seriously, Lou? Get it together, man!
"Lou! Did you hear me?" Romeo boomed, his voice echoing in the cramped room. "I TOLD YOU TO WAKE UP!"
With a flourish, he yanked the blankets off, revealing a figure more suited to a hermit's cave than a cozy living room. Lou, a man with unkempt hair and bloodshot eyes, lay sprawled on the sofa, his body radiating a potent aura of lethargy. He mumbled something unintelligible, his voice thick with sleep and disuse.
Then, as if a jolt of electricity had surged through him, Lou's eyes snapped open. They were wide and wild, darting around the room with a frantic energy that belied his sluggish posture. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he finally focused on me, his gaze locking with mine. A shiver danced down my spine - it wasn't just his sudden alertness, but a palpable hostility emanating from him.
He lurched forward, grabbing a weapon that had been obscured by the blankets. A glint of cold steel flashed in the dim light – a sword, its edge serrated and menacing, pointed at my tiny throat.
"You..." he rasped, his voice a harsh croak. The sword trembled in his hand, mirroring the tremor that ran through me. "What are you...?" He squinted, his confusion battling with his burgeoning aggression. "A god?"