"Beware, o dear, for once fate is unveiled, it becomes forever sealed and therefore, should not be uttered."

Words of wisdom. The first commandment. You will not speak of everything you know.

Fate was not a straight line but an intricate spider web of countless threads. The fate of one person was connected to the fate of others, and the bond between them could strengthen and tighten or weaken and break. People with the gift of foresight could see the different paths that might have unfolded. Yet, with such a gift came great responsibility. Even the lightest glimpse into the future could change the course of destiny. Thus, the first commandment came into play precisely here. You will not speak of everything you know. You will not lift the veil. For once fate is unveiled, it becomes forever sealed.

Lea's words echoed in my mind as I walked home, a bitter pill to swallow. I found myself questioning the truth of my own experiences. "It's probably just an ordinary nightmare," Lea had concluded before I left, "You aren't blessed with visions." Then what was this feeling in my chest? Was it pride or jealousy that made me want to believe in my abilities? Was I alone in my hopes and dreams? Was I imagining myself as a woman with a bright future, belonging to a noble family and possessing a sacred gift just because I was pretty? Just because I thought I was entitled? What if my dreams of a brighter future were nothing more than idle fantasies, conjured up by my delusions?

Bright future. Beauty. A noble family.

A noble family.

Who wants me dead?

In my heart, something broke.

I dragged my feet along the cobbled path that led home. The weight of a sour sorrow seemed to tug at my every step. The moon was high in the sky. I closed the garden gate behind me. A faint glow seeped through the curtains of the parlor. Amidst the chirping of the crickets, I could hear the sweet sound of Misceria's voice. With care, I tiptoed past my mother's beloved pots of hyacinths and gently pushed open the foyer door. As I stepped into the hall, for a brief moment, the vacant armchair to my right caught my eye. How could I ever have missed the presence of my mother last night? Even in the dark? A shiver ran down my spine.

"Fiera, is that you, dear?" My mother emerged from inside the salon.

"Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired."

As I was taking off my cloak, I could feel my mother's eyes carefully studying my face, but she didn't push it forward. "Come. You should eat before you rest."

I shook my head, looking at the ground. "No, thanks. I am not hungry."

My mother sighed. "Alright. Can you take care of Misa for a bit then? I need to clean up the kitchen."

"Okay."

With a gentle nod, my mother went to the kitchen and I closed the door behind me. I glanced down the parlor as I walked down the hall to my room. The flickering light of the oil lamps cast a warm glow over the room... Misceria was playing with her doll on the couch, and she did not realize me watching her.

I went to the washroom and splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would wash away my bad mood. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, seeing the exhaustion etched on my face. Then, I looked more and saw more.

I stood before the mirror for a couple of minutes, gazing at my reflection. The flickering of the candles cast dancing shadows across my face. I traced the delicate curve of my jawline with my fingertips, taking in my beauty with a heavy heart. Yes, I was beautiful. Everyone said so. Beautiful, talented, intelligent, brave, and all, for what? "You could be a princess if you were found by the King that day, dear," my late grandmother would say. "All the good things that would make a graceful lady, Gods gave them to you, all of them, but luck." All the things but luck. I had to be seen. I had to be acknowledged. I looked at my eyes as if I could pierce through them.

It was exciting to look in the mirror when I was young. All the possibilities I held too. As I grew older, my reflection only showed me false promises and shattered dreams.

Sighing deeply, I turned away from the mirror and headed towards the door. Perhaps spending time with my niece would help to lift my spirits, if only for a moment. I hoped a child's pure, innocent love could bring me some peace amidst the turmoil.

The innocence of a child.

A living, warm, smiling child.

I sat next to her and watched as she created her world with her doll. For a moment, I felt a sense of peace taking over my worries. The joy of my niece was infectious, and I found myself getting lost in the moment. I looked at her big brown eyes, long eyelashes, and plump cheeks. I looked at her small lips like buttons.

But the worries soon returned, and my thoughts drifted back to the events of the day. Looking at her reminded me of the same feelings. The inescapable destiny that awaits me, the sealed fate that beckons. The children I have lost. Did they once play and laugh just as she did? My heart ached as I watched her play, wishing I could recapture that same sense of joy in my own life.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Misceria turned her head and looked at me with her big, innocent eyes. Her eyes warmed my heart, and I reached out to stroke her hair. Then she crawled to me, resting her head on my lap. We sat in silence for a while. I caressed her hair. My mind was still with heavy thoughts, but the presence of her brought a sense of comfort. Her hands reached up to hold onto mine and I squeezed them gently.

Misceria. Meaning both mercy and misery in Ancient Sapphire.

She didn't have to be a special kid for me to like her. I loved her anyway. For being here, for putting her head in my lap, for holding my hand. I loved her so much. ,

Perhaps there was no need for me to be some sort of a remarkable child abandoned by some noble house to face an ill-fated end. I was simply the daughter of Lavanar of Silla, who plucked me from a bed of fire lilies, and Ilyona, who lovingly welcomed me into her arms at first sight.

My mother entered the room, she kissed and took Misceria in her arms. "Come on, little one, it's time for you to sleep," she said softly.

I nodded and watched her as she took Misceria to their room. I walked over to my room, lit the oil lamp, opened the dresser, and changed into my nightgown. Before sitting on my bed, I stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath, closing my eyes. I reached up and began untying the ribbon that held my light auburn hair in a tight knot. As I pulled the ribbon free, my hair cascaded down my back in soft waves, reflecting the light.

I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling its silkiness between my fingertips. I then reached out to the table next to my bed and took my comb. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my mother quietly entering the room. She approached and stood behind me, without a word. I turned to face her, holding my comb tightly in my hand.

Our eyes met. It was a silent conversation between a mother and her daughter, as she ran her fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes and smiled, and then handed her my comb. She took it, and I turned my back, gazing at my reflection.

I turned my back and looked in the mirror. My mom started to comb my hair carefully, as she did when I was a child. I could feel the warmth of her hands almost.

We looked so different. Her olive skin contrasted sharply with my white complexion. She had dark, thick hair and brown eyes, just like Misceria, and I had auburn hair with hazel eyes. I wish I looked more like her. I wish I had a part of her.

I was standing there watching her when a thought suddenly came to my mind. I opened my mouth to speak but then closed it immediately. I wanted to ask her how my father had found me in the forest when I was a newborn and brought me here. The thoughts I was trying to shun were never leaving me, it seems like. I could not bring myself to ask. I knew it would upset my mother, but I've longed to talk to her about me, about them, as I couldn't share my nightmare.

"Mom," I said, almost whispering. "Did Dad look like me?"

Her smile faded a little. I saw her hesitate for a moment before smiling subtly. "Your father had fair hair, just like you. You have his hair."

I smiled too. I knew it was impossible.

"How did he find me?"

Her smile faded again. She continued to brush my hair. And she tried to avoid my gaze, a sign of her discomfort at the mention of my finding.

"That's what we were told," Mother replied, still avoiding my eyes.

"Was there anything else? Did he say anything about my real parents?" I pressed on.

"No. Your father didn't mention anything. That's all we know." my mother said, her voice trailing off.

I watched her expressionless face for a while, feeling there was more to the story than Mom was letting me. I wanted to ask about my father's death, but whenever I brought up the topic, my mom would seem very uncomfortable.

"After he brought me home, did Ascula come to see me?"

"Yes," she started to braid my hair. "She came to examine you."

"What did she say exactly?"

"She said you were healthy and did not show any sign of an illness," my mother replied. "She also said you were special and had great energy she had never seen before. She believed it could be used to help people."

She believed it could be used to help people. I chuckled. I was using them, yes, to clean her house. "Did she say that?"

"Yes, it's been a long time now, so I can't remember her exact words, but that's what she meant," my mother confirmed.

I shooked my head in disbelief. All that potential and divine energy that could be used to help people was wasted, huh? The one time I genuinely tried to help, she punished me for trying. Punished me for years. For years, she had refused to teach me Ancient Sapphire or let me accompany her on patient visits. For years she made me do menial tasks like cleaning and writing, only occasionally teaching me a potion or two on her good days. I had to work hard and learn on my own

But what about my father? What had she said about his death? He had been a healthy young man when he found me, but he had died suddenly soon after. Had Ascula treated him? Or had she prevented anyone else from helping him? Why did he die at such a young age?

"What about my father, then?" I asked. "What did she say about his death?"

"Fiera." My mom's expression changed. Her reflection looked into my eyes.

"I want to learn about his death. That's all."

"You already know it."

"I want to talk about it." I could feel my cheeks heating.

My mother's expression became pained, and she turned her gaze to my hair and paused in her braiding. She waited for a moment before speaking. "Your father died soon after he found you," she said softly.

"Did she treat him?"

"She tried to," I could see the sadness in her eyes. "But she wasn't able to find a cure. His illness was persistent. He died of a fever and chills."

I felt a lump in my throat. "Did she try everything?"

"Yes, darling," Mom replied, her voice low. "Sometimes gods call upon the soul and no ties can hold it down."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. I had always imagined my father as a hero. Someone who had saved me from certain death in the forest. But now, knowing that he had died very young and early made me realize that he was just like any other mortal. Vulnerable to sickness and death.

"Thank you for telling me."

Her smile was weak, but she leaned in to kiss my forehead before placing the comb back on the table.

"You must rest now," she said. "It was a long day."

I nodded and took hold of her hands, looking into her warm, brown eyes. "You are my mother, the mother I've chosen."

She smiled and caressed my cheek. "I know, honey. I am."

We hugged. She then made her way to the door.

"Will you go to work tomorrow?" she asked before leaving.

"Yes, Ascula will be at The Temple of Silla. A baby will be introduced to the temple. I'll be taking care of her cottage."

My mom's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh, that sounds like an interesting day. I hope everything goes well."

"Me too," I said, watching her leave the room. As the door closed, I was left alone with my thoughts again.

I hope everything goes well.