I asked Marcus to run an errand for me and deliver the letters I’d written: one to my family and another to the royal family.
Soon after, I received a reply that said Remus would be returning home next Sunday, so we could gather the family then. Marcus said he would be at his family’s house on that day, but Miina insisted on coming with me to the Preslaria estate, so the two of us went together.
Remus was already waiting in the entryway when we arrived, pacing back and forth as if beside himself with anticipation. Over and over, he muttered “Is she here yet?” It took me a bit by surprise.
Really? I know it’s been a while since we saw each other last, but isn’t that an overreaction?
Before I could say anything, the moment I stepped through the door, he rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Listen to this, Daisy!” he said. “Thanks to you, something incredible has happened!”
My brother was typically mild-tempered, so to see him so visibly excited was unusual. What in the world had gotten into him?
“What’s gotten you so worked up?” I hugged him back and looked up at his face. It seemed he’d gotten taller again since the last time I saw him.
“It’s my mana!” Remus replied. “I kept practicing draining my mana completely before bed every night, just like you suggested. Because of that, I broke the all-time record for mana capacity during the aptitude test for the academy’s entrance exam! All the teachers were freaking out, saying I could be a future Sage! Thank you so much!” He hugged me even tighter.
I couldn’t help but smile. He must have been dying to tell me in his excitement. “I’m so glad I could help, Remus! Study hard and become a great Mage, so that you can work with Father!”
“I definitely will!” He finally let go of me and smiled, then held out his hand.
I took it and we walked to the parlor together, hand in hand. Miina smiled at me and slipped away to the kitchen.
The rest of the family had already gathered in the parlor, waiting for me.
“I was wondering what the commotion was. It looks like Remus caught you first after all!” Mother said, smiling with amusement when she saw us holding hands.
“And I’m starting at the academy next year! I’m excited for my own entrance exam after hearing about Remus’s results!” said my sister, Dahlia. She was always getting ahead of herself, but since she was enrolling a year later, she might very well end up breaking his record…
“I wondered how everything would work out after Daisy’s Baptism, but here she is, already a distinguished Alchemist, favored by His Majesty at her young age,” Father said wistfully as he looked at us. “And Remus and Dahlia’s futures as Mages seem bright as well. It feels as though the gods themselves have blessed our children.”
“Now, darling. We have truly been blessed with wonderful children, but I think you’re letting your imagination run wild,” Mother said, smiling at Father.
“The reason I asked everyone to gather today is because I have gifts for you,” I announced before walking around the room, handing each of them a guardian ring.
“I can feel the power in this. Is it a magical device?” Dahlia was the first one to pick up on it. Maybe her intuition as a Mage really was the sharpest of all?
“Yes,” I said. “This is a guardian ring. It wards against all status ailments and gradually restores the wearer’s health. Father, Remus, Dahlia, someday you’ll all be called on to fight monsters and protect the kingdom. And Mother, you’re also important to me, so I want you to wear one too.”
“Hang on, Daisy,” Father said. “You say that so easily, but if I’m understanding you correctly, wouldn’t that make this a national treasure? Um, did you make it?” He broke into a cold sweat, his hand trembling as he held onto the ring. I couldn’t blame him; if we’d tried to put a price on them, it would’ve been extraordinary.
“I received the guardian stones and silver as a gift,” I explained. “My mentor and I worked together to make the alloy. Then a Blacksmith friend of mine who’s like an older sister to me helped forge them into rings.” I decided to leave out any mention of the Nature Spirit King.
“Father, I don’t think we can accept something like this just for ourselves,” Remus said hesitantly. “Wouldn’t it be more proper to offer them to the royal family first?” He was clearly uneasy about wearing something on the level of a national treasure.
“Knowing Daisy, I’m sure she’s already thought of that and has rings for the royal family as well. Am I right?” Dahlia said.
I had to smile. She really did know me well. “Yes, I’ve already sent a letter to His Majesty to inform him I have gifts for them.” I was just waiting to schedule an audience now.
“In that case, I think it’s perfectly fine for us to accept them,” Mother said gently. “Daisy, you want us to wear them because you care about us, right?”
I nodded. She smiled back and gave me a reassuring nod.
“Henry, I’m always so worried something might happen to you while you’re away at work. If Remus and Dahlia have to head to the battlefield one day as well, knowing you’ll all have the protection of these rings would give me such peace of mind,” she said, turning to Father and the others to lend her support. Then she looked back to me. “And Daisy? You did give something in return to the people who helped you make these, right? And to the one who gave you such precious materials?”
“I made sure to give thanks and gifts to everyone who helped, so don’t worry,” I confirmed. “Well, except the one who gave me the guardian stones. I’m afraid I’ve been taking his kindness for granted.”
Suddenly, I realized that ever since the Nature Spirit King dropped by that day to tease me, I’d been so flustered that I’d never thanked him at all. I might never have realized it had Mother not said something.
“You should make sure to thank them in a way that will make them truly happy, Daisy,” Mother said.
“I will!” I smiled brightly at Mother and nodded.
In the end, Father and Remus both came around, so our whole family agreed to wear the guardian rings.
That night, Miina treated everyone to a special dinner of our favorite cheeses. She made piping hot potato gratin covered in melty cheese, salad with crumbly cheese on top, slices of round cheese topped with tomato and basil, and, finally, cheesecake for dessert. It was a hit with everyone.
That evening, I spent such a warm, happy night at home. Nothing was better than spending time with my family.