The morning sunlight poured into the room, a golden cascade that painted the walls and furniture in soft hues of warmth. Emma stirred beneath the blanket, blinking against the glow as it coaxed her from her slumber. Sleep clung to her like a stubborn mist, but she forced herself upright, stretching as the remnants of a dream slipped away.

Rising from bed, she shuffled toward the bathroom, her footsteps quiet against the polished wooden floor. After brushing her teeth and taking a soothing bath, she slipped into an elegant ash-gray gown. The fabric clung perfectly, accentuating her slender frame while flowing softly at her ankles.

She stood before her mirror, her silver-white hair shimmering in the sunlight that streamed through the window. With practiced ease, she combed through its long, silken strands before gathering it into a loose ponytail, securing it with a simple yet charming band. She smiled at her reflection.. a small, fleeting expression that hinted at both anticipation and nerves.

Today was important. She had plans... plans that had been swirling in her mind for days now. Visiting Anna was one, but even more pressing was the beginning of her first goal: creating a magical, automatic, and movable wheelchair for Anna. It was a task she’d taken to heart, not just for practicality but as a gesture of her feelings and goals to make Anna move freely.

She left her room and wandered through the quiet house. The stillness was unusual but not unwelcome. Ethan was away at his private magic lessons, Ellie was at school, and both her parents, Derrick and Vivian, had left for an occasion.

Her mother had offered to take her along. “If it gets too lonely,” Vivian had said with that warm, knowing smile. But Emma had declined with a polite shake of her head. The thought of mingling in a crowd of strangers made her stomach churn. She preferred the solitude, the quiet moments where her thoughts could roam free.

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Stepping out into the garden, Emma was greeted by the embrace of the morning sun. The light filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the cobblestone path. The air was alive with the hum of nature... the chirping of birds nestled among the leaves, the gentle rustle of branches swayed by a playful breeze, and the earthy perfume of freshly turned soil mingled with the sweetness of blooming flowers.

“Morning beauty,” she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. She strolled along the path, her fingers brushing against the petals of nearby blossoms. The day seemed perfect, serene... a canvas waiting to be painted with her ambitions.

But then she paused, her thoughts snagging on a sudden idea. Her gaze drifted toward the small wooden cottage tucked behind the house. Inside that cottage rested the magical egg... a peculiar object she found in the artificial dungeon on her visit to Eldo-Clearoth Kingdom, for the Royal Bookstore Opening..

Since her recovery and recent awakening, the urge to interact with the egg had grown stronger. She’d often wondered what it would feel like to imbue her mana into it, to see if it would hatch, to finally see what's inside it..

Her mother’s words echoed in her mind: “Don’t go near the egg when we’re not home.”

Emma frowned, her thoughts wavering for a moment. But curiosity was a powerful force, and today, it burned brighter than ever.

“Well…” she muttered, glancing toward the empty house as a sly grin crept across her face. “I’ll just be a little disrespectful today.”

The thought of breaking the rule sent a thrill down her spine. She rubbed her palms together, her excitement bubbling to the surface. “I just hope Mom doesn’t find out,” she whispered, already moving toward the cottage.

The air seemed to change as she approached the small wooden structure. The soft rustle of leaves grew quieter, the chirping of birds fading into the distance. It was as if the world itself held its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

Emma reached for the handle, hesitating for only a second before pushing the door open.