BLOOD PAWN

It's been two years since I was reborn into this world. Now, I can finally speak well, and, most importantly, I can control my bladder and other bodily functions. That might sound trivial, but trust me, it feels like a major achievement. I can walk almost perfectly, and I even run around.

"Orion, start eating," comes a firm but gentle command.

Yeah, that's my name now—Orion. They say babies learn slowly, but I'm not a fan of taking things slow. I've always been a quick learner. The one ordering me to eat my carrots is Anara Add, my mother. She's a woman with a kind, steady presence, but she can be surprisingly strict when it comes to mealtime.

"Elara… Elara… where are you?" Anara calls out, her tone shifting from gentle to slightly exasperated. She's looking all around the room, searching for my twin sister.

Elara is my sister's name. Unlike me, she's a bundle of endless energy, always up to some mischief or other. Better luck finding her, Mom—Elara's just hidden herself under the dining table, giggling quietly while you're busy searching every other corner of the room.

I glance over at the table, trying to stifle a laugh as I watch my mother pace around. The sunlight filtering through the window glints off her long black hair, and her gentle eyes hold a mix of affection and mild frustration. Despite the gentle chaos of it all, there's something warm and comforting about these moments.

I lift a piece of carrot with my tiny hands, staring at it for a moment before taking a bite. The taste is a bit earthy, not exactly my favorite, but I chew it diligently, knowing I'll get a look if I don't. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flash of berry-blue hair, and I know Elara is peeking out from her hiding spot, grinning like she's just pulled off the best prank ever.

"Elara, I can see you!" I whisper under my breath, trying not to laugh.

From under the table, I hear a muffled giggle. This is what our life is like—me, trying to be responsible, and Elara, always one step ahead in finding new ways to keep things interesting.

"Elara…" Anara's voice rises with playful exasperation, as she scans the room, her hands on her hips. Then, her eyes land on me.

Uh-oh. She saw me. I try to play it cool, casually looking down at my half-eaten carrots as if I had nothing to do with Elara's escape. Maybe she won't notice…

"You're hiding her, my little rascal," Anara says, her tone warm but teasingly stern. She strides over, bends down, and pulls Elara out from under the table.

Elara, caught red-handed, squeals with delight, her berry-blue hair falling messily around her ruby-like eyes. Anara picks her up, holding her tiny body close, pretending to be angry. But it doesn't last long—within seconds, a smile breaks through her feigned sternness, and she's hugging Elara, rubbing her nose against her cheek.

"You, my little devil," she says, planting a kiss on Elara's forehead, "always playing tricks on your mama, huh?"

"Hee-hee!" Elara giggles, shaking her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She knows she's been caught, but she doesn't care. For her, it's all part of the game.

Anara finally sets her down on one of the small wooden chairs at the table, positioning her so she can't make another quick escape. "Alright, enough games. Eat your food," she says, giving Elara a mock-serious look.

Elara's grin fades just a bit, and she pouts, but she obediently reaches for her spoon, making a half-hearted attempt to eat her peas. I catch her glancing at me, and she sticks her tongue out playfully, making me stifle a laugh.

Satisfied that we're both behaving (for now), Anara lets out a soft sigh. "You two," she murmurs, shaking her head with a fond smile. Then she straightens up, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and heads toward the bedroom, probably to catch a moment's rest before the next round of chaos begins.

I watch her go, feeling a warmth in my chest. Even when she's tired, there's a gentle strength in the way she moves, a kindness that never seems to fade. Elara and I might drive her a little crazy, but she wouldn't have it any other way. And honestly, neither would we.

"Yep! All done... Who wants to go to Uncle Darius's house?" Anara calls out, emerging from the bedroom with a bright smile. She's already changed into a light blue dress, her hair neatly tied back, looking refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

"Me! Me!" Elara squeals, bouncing in her chair, her tiny hands shooting up into the air like she's just won a prize. Her excitement is contagious, and she's practically glowing with energy.

I groan inwardly. Oh boy… Why do we have to go to Uncle Darius's house again? We were just there last week. Besides, I'm still recovering from the exhausting task of surviving Elara's antics all day. And wasn't she the one who cried her eyes out just yesterday because she fell off the swing? How is she this energetic already?

"Orion, what's wrong? Don't you want to go?" Anara asks, her brow furrowing as she looks over at me. She walks closer, kneeling down to see my face, concern softening her features.

This is my chance. If I act like I'm not feeling well, maybe we can skip the visit and just stay home. I lower my head a little, trying to look as pitiful as possible. "Hmm..." I mumble, giving a half-hearted nod and avoiding eye contact.

Anara's face softens, and she gently presses her cool hand to my forehead. "You don't have a fever…" she murmurs, checking my cheeks and then looking into my eyes, trying to figure out if I'm really sick or just pretending. "Are you feeling tired, sweetheart?"

I nod again, trying to look as sad and sleepy as I can. Maybe this will work…

She tilts her head, studying me for a moment, then sighs with a knowing smile. "Orion, I think you're just a little restless from being cooped up in the house all week." She ruffles my hair and stands up. "Some fresh air will do you good. Besides, Uncle Darius will be so happy to see you both."

Ugh, there goes my plan. Anara's decided, which means there's no getting out of it now. I glance over at Elara, who's practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes wide and bright. She catches my eye and sticks her tongue out, teasing me. I roll my eyes but can't help a tiny smile. It's hard to stay annoyed when she's so cheerful.

"Come on, let's get you two ready," Anara says, picking up Elara and giving her a little spin, which makes her giggle loudly. "You're going to wear your new dress, Elara. And Orion, let's find something comfy for you, okay?"

I sigh, sliding off my chair. Looks like I'm going to Uncle Darius's house whether I like it or not. But as Anara helps me get ready, humming a soft tune, I start to think… maybe it won't be so bad. If nothing else, it'll be nice to see Uncle Darius's big, warm smile and listen to his silly stories. Maybe, just maybe, I can survive one more visit.

Anara carefully tied us to her upper body, securing Elara in the front and me in the back. I nestled against her, feeling the warmth of her body and the gentle sway of her movements as we made our way toward Uncle Darius's house. The bustling market was our path, a vibrant world alive with noise and color.

"Look, Orion! Look at that!" Elara squealed, pointing at a merchant who was displaying a dazzling array of shiny swords. The sunlight glinted off the polished blades, casting flickers of light that danced across the cobblestone street.

"Wow…" I breathed, craning my neck to get a better view. My heart raced with excitement. Adventurers strolled past us, their armor gleaming and swords clinking with each step. I could hear the soft murmurs of their conversations mixed with laughter as they shared tales of their latest quests.

"Get your fresh fruits! Sweet apples and juicy pears!" A vendor shouted nearby, his voice carrying over the crowd.

"Five copper each! Best in the city!" another called, holding up a basket brimming with colorful produce. The air was filled with the scents of spices, baked goods, and the faint hint of something savory sizzling nearby.

"Can we get some apples, Mama?" Elara begged, her eyes wide with hope.

"Not today, sweetheart. We have to get to Uncle Darius's first," Anara replied, her tone gentle but firm.

I could feel Elara's disappointment, but she quickly regained her cheerfulness. "Maybe we can get some later!" she chimed, her voice bubbling with optimism.

We continued our journey through the market, moving deeper into the lower-class noble area. The crowd thinned slightly, but the vibrant energy remained. The atmosphere shifted a bit; I noticed the way people hurried by, their eyes downcast, clutching bags tightly to their chests. Money really did dictate everything in this world, much like it had in my past life.

As we walked, I overheard snippets of conversations. "Did you hear about the new bounty?" a man said to his friend, his voice low and conspiratorial. "They say it's a dragon terrorizing the outskirts!"

"A dragon? You're pulling my leg!" his friend replied, but the glint in his eye showed he was intrigued.

"Believe it! Ten gold pieces for its head! Think of what we could do with that kind of money!"

Elara squirmed in excitement, her little fingers reaching out toward the group of adventurers. "I want to be a dragon slayer when I grow up, Orion!" she announced, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

"Is that what you want to be? I thought you wanted to be a princess!" I teased, looking back at her with a grin.

"Both! I can be a princess who slays dragons!" she declared, puffing out her chest proudly.

I chuckled, unable to resist her infectious spirit. "Well, if you ever need a knight to protect you, I'll be there."

"You can be my knight! Yes!" she squealed, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at her words.

As we approached Uncle Darius's house, I caught sight of its familiar structure—an inviting, cozy cottage adorned with climbing vines and blooming flowers. A wave of warmth washed over me at the thought of stepping inside, where the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and the sound of laughter awaited us.

"Here we are!" Anara announced, her voice bright and full of warmth. She adjusted us slightly, making sure we were secure before she knocked on the door. "Ready to see Uncle Darius?"

"Ready!" Elara shouted, her enthusiasm bubbling over once again.