As soon as I returned from the Baptism, I shut myself up in my room and didn’t come out.
I thought it was a given that I’d be a Mage just like my brother and sister and dreamed of becoming one like it was the most natural thing in the world. But now that my dream had been stolen from me, I was absolutely devastated.
To make matters worse, I couldn’t get that image of my family rejecting me out of my mind. What was so scary was that the scene felt strangely real.
“Would my family really abandon me?” I whimpered as I burrowed deeper under the covers.
By the next morning, I couldn’t ignore my stomach growling, so I decided to sneak out of my room. I went down to the parlor and found Mother on the terrace drinking tea with Elly by her side. My brother and sister were there too, and when they saw my face they both beamed and rushed over to me.
“Daisy! You finally came out of your room!” Mother rose from her seat and came over to me, kneeling to my eye level. Then she gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Daisy! It’s about time you came out! I’ve been waiting because I found a book you might like,” my older brother said while giving me a tight hug of his own.
“You promised you’d pick some flowers for my room, so I’ve been waiting for you as well, Daisy! Let’s play in the garden together later, okay?” My sister gave me a big smile and gently embraced me.
“I’m sorry for hiding in my room, everyone,” I said.
Just then, my stomach let out a ferocious growl.
“Goodness! It sounds like somebody’s hungry! Well, it’s no wonder. Elly, would you fetch something that will be easy on Daisy’s stomach? Some porridge or soup or even risotto, it doesn’t matter which,” Mother instructed.
Elly smiled in response. “The kitchen staff was waiting for Miss Daisy to come out, and they have already prepared a pot of freshly made barley soup! They were quite concerned that you hadn’t eaten yet, Miss.” She bowed, then disappeared into the kitchen.
After I waited at the dining table for a little while, Elly brought out hot, fresh barley porridge with extra broth. I scooped up a spoonful and gave it a taste. The vegetables and meat had all been finely chopped and the barley was simmered until soft, giving the porridge a gentle, comforting flavor. The warm meal not only filled my stomach, but my heart as well.
But why show such kindness to a failure of a child?
My father walked into the room just as I was finishing up my meal.
“Daisy, you came out! I’m so happy!” he said, wrapping me up in his arms.
The fear of abandonment that lurked in my heart overpowered the happiness I should have felt from the hug, and I shrank back from his touch.
“I have a present for you, darling.”
Doesn’t he know how I’m feeling right now? I wondered, as my father smiled and took me by the hand. Then he led me to his study.
When we arrived at my father’s study, I could see all kinds of unfamiliar, gleaming transparent glassware and pure white ceramic tools. Next to them were also three fancy books.
“I’ve brought some gifts for our little Alchemist!”
What are all these strange, shiny bowls and bottles? Drawn by curiosity and my love of books, I found myself drifting toward the desk. I picked up the one on top and leafed through it. Inside were instructions on making various things.
“Filtration, distillation…potions?” I read aloud.
The book was filled with all kinds of information I’d never seen before, and I felt compelled to read more.
“This is all for me?” I turned around and looked at my father, who watched over from behind me. He nodded. “But aren’t you disappointed that I won’t be a Mage like you, Mother, and my brother and sister? Don’t you not want me anymore because I can’t help the family?” Saying it out loud brought all the sadness rushing back to me, and I felt tears fill my eyes.
“What are you talking about, Daisy?” said Father. “The gods gave you the Occupation of Alchemist because it’s the perfect job for you! As long as you do your best, your mother and I and everyone else will support you. We would never, ever not want you anymore, Daisy. You’re a precious part of our family.”
Father took a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away my tears.
My family still wants me! I thought happily.
Thanks to my father’s kindness, the fear that had been clinging to my heart vanished as if it had never been there in the first place. Now all that remained was the warm love of my family, and a curiosity about all these new things.
“I’ll do my best, Father! I’m going to become a great Alchemist!”
Filled with relief, I flung my arms around him. I had been so afraid that my family would call me useless and stop wanting me around. But that wasn’t the case.
My father hugged me tightly in return.
Alchemy used fire, so Father decided that it would be too dangerous to conduct Alchemy experiments in my bedroom. He asked the servants to clean up the empty shed on our property so that I could use it as my laboratory. He had all those pretty glass and ceramic instruments moved there as well.
I told Father that, before anything else, I wanted to read the Alchemy books in my room, so he had the servants take those up there instead.
A few days later, I was told my laboratory was ready. I hesitantly stepped inside and looked at all the instruments lined up on the table.
Bright sunshine from outside shone in through the small windows, giving the interior plenty of natural light. My brand-new equipment sparkled and gleamed in the sunlight, almost begging me to hurry up and use them. Before this, I had thought of the shed as a small, dark place, but now it looked completely different—it had been transformed into my own little workshop.
I’m going to study so much Alchemy here! I’ll become a great Alchemist, just like I promised Father. Maybe I can even open a real workshop in the capital someday!
A little dream was beginning to grow inside of my heart.