Wiping the sweat off my brow my body fell down on the hard wooden floor of my room as my lungs struggled for air as I just finished training with different kinds of magic once again.

I’ve been training my magic for the past few months resulting in me having mastered every spell that I could get a hold of in both intermediate and beginner levels totaling over 20 spells both tiers having 10 each.

I didn’t really try to learn anything for the past few months other than these 20 spells since I made it my goal to master these first 20 spells before moving on to apprentice level spells since I rather have mastery over quantity in my arsenal, especially with magic.

As a matter of fact, I could probably cast an apprentice level spell at this point with my level of mana manipulation as I mastered and even tinkered with many spells already but still not satisfied with what I have accomplished I decided to continue polishing these first 20 spells first resulting for them to become apprentice-level on their own.

A major example of this was air-bullet, the most simplest form of air magic and my first ever spell.

After casting and experimenting with it over and over during my free time I managed to change it into something much more dangerous and usable as instead of just pumping it with more mana to make it stronger and bigger, I decided to pump more mana into it while also keeping it small.

At first, it was hard to improve as increasing the power of the spell makes it violent and would rip everything in the surroundings but after a dozen of attempts, I discovered that by making it in the shape of a cone I could somehow maintain its size while also keeping its power and accuracy.

So from a spell that could just barely scratch a tree bark, it become a spell that bore holes into thick trees and boulders with ease.

Such fearsome spell it had become, I’m truly am proud of myself for creating such thing.

So after that, I continued on improving every spell that I have learned into something much more powerful, that could probably be classified as an Apprentice or maybe even an Arc level spell.

I really didn’t expect my spells to get that powerful but it’s definitely one of those welcomed surprises from life.

That is why I haven’t started learning any apprentice spells just yet as I decided to stop learning spells for now for I think that I’m fairly strong enough with these spells in my arsenal at the moment.

But that doesn’t mean I have decided to stop learning but just decided to learn something else.

And the thing I decided to learn for now is something called [Cloaking].

Cloaking is the most common magic that could be used by just about anyone and though I said it’s common magic it’s not really classified as magic but just a way of using mana as a weapon other than using it as a spell catalyst.

And what I mean by that is cloaking is basically just a way to use mana where you have mana as a cloak around your body or weapon either reducing damage taken, boosting damage given, or enhancing your physical prowess meaning stamina, power, agility, dexterity & reflexes.

Though as great as this ability is, this also comes with a downside and that is, you have to constantly turn it on leading for you to always keep it in mind in the middle of a fight.

But the biggest downside this ability has is its heavy reliance on its user's overall mana control, so the person, in general, has to be skilled enough to control their mana not just when using other spells but also while parrying strikes and dodging blows as well.

So not only does it rely on the user skills in general but also their user instinct as one slips on the mind and your cloaking is gone leading for you to be vulnerable for attacks.

That is why I decided to drop everything else at the moment and start to learn this skill instead as it’s actually a lot harder than I initially expected and more important as well than any other spells I would need to learn.

Yet all of my efforts are still not enough as I couldn’t even cloak an arm despite my unyielding efforts, “Goddamnit.”

Burying my face in my hand I let out a muffled scream of frustration, for every effort I have done till now seems to be just going down the drain, whether it’s because I’m not talented enough or I’m doing something wrong yet again is something I'm still not sure.

Dammit, this training is becoming more and more frustrating as time goes on as I feel like I’m not making any progress with my training, which is the truth actually.

I have asked Suru about this but in the end, her explanation just let me cover a finger not even the whole hand.

I don’t really know what I’m doing wrong……maybe I’m really just not talented enough like I thought I am.

Still laying down in the middle of my room my eyes wavered and flickered as the fatigue from the long day slowly caught up to me.

This new body of mine is really vastly different from my old one not just because of the goat horns and crow wings but just for the simple reason that I feel much stronger for a toddler.

I don’t really know why that is the case but I guess the obvious answer would be the mana that is present in the body of living things.

Honestly, I still do not understand what are the specifics of mana exactly and I doubt I could fully grasp it in this lifetime of mine, due to everything about it being unexplained, vague, and sometimes even downright confusing.

Letting out of a disgruntled sigh I slowly turned my head at the open window of my room, the sun shines brightly in the sky accompanied by a cool breeze that shakes the trees at my window sill.

“Silence like this really feels good~” I mumbled as I closed my eyes letting the wind dry the sweat in my body.

Quiet times such as this always bring a nostalgic knot in my heart, after all, who doesn’t wish moments of tranquility such as this to be frozen in time continuing living in such a dreamland.

Living without any regard for the outside world, without a bit of worry for the dangers of everything, and with not a single weight of responsibilities on one's shoulder.

A blissful life of ignorance for everything.

But that isn’t possible, everything must continue to move forward and not a single cog of this machine that we call life should stop.

As much as we want to stay in an unending dreamland, that option isn’t just possible and will never be possible, everything we have in our hands at this moment will inevitably end given enough time and I, after so long have finally accepted that fact———or so I thought but clearly I wasn’t ready just yet.

A sudden visitor has come to our house.

I didn’t really expect a visitor to come here but the most unexpected thing was for me to be even allowed to meet said visitor but I guess he was someone trustworthy enough considering I have been called to meet him specifically.

So planning to leave a great first impression in mind, I made my way into my mother’s room alone where I would meet both of them.

I’m not really akin to meeting a complete stranger without Suru or Raiden, but knowing my mother is there with us I deduced that the reason I was called alone was due to the topic we are about to discussed being a sensitive one.

Though still, I’m not really one to take my chances so just for safety measures I decided to take a peek inside the room with my nature’s eye, and there I saw my mom sitting alone on the couch.

I guess even Rita wasn’t allowed to hear what we would be talking about or maybe she just left to fetch the person?

Not really sure but for now, I guess I should go inside first and ask mother for the reason why I was called here.

Best to know the details about this talk rather than going in blind.

Letting out a deep breath I knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

My mother answered from the other side as she turned towards the door with an almost hesitant look.

Is she worried that someone else is here?

Confused at first I decided to answer back nonchalantly. “It’s me, I was told by Raiden to come here.”

“Ah—Lore, then please come inside.”

Raising a brow from the stiffness of the tone in her voice, I hesitantly reached for the doorknob as a knot slowly formed on my stomach.

I do not know what it is but at that moment my instinct knows something is wrong.

Slowly pushing the fear backed down on my throat I gently opened the door.

Upon entering my mother’s office my nose quickly picked up a sweet fragrance in the air along with the familiar scent of tea and there in the middle of the room is my mother sitting on the couch comfortably with still-hot cookies and sweets presented at the table.

“I’m sorry that I called you here out of nowhere but I just have something important to discuss with you.” She said as she ushered me to take a seat beside her on the couch.

Still have no clue as to why she had called me here I decided it would be best to follow her advice for now until I have more information to work with.

Now sitting beside her I grabbed one of the teacups presented and took a small sip of the contents.

“Still the best,” I muttered under my breath which my mother heard, and decided to reply with a chuckle, “Well it is Rita who made it after all.”

Hearing her reply I just smirked before taking another sip, it is a fact that Rita’s tea and treats might be the best I have tasted in all of my life and that is saying something and I can see why my mother would be addicted to it.

But…. as much as I want to spend a chunk of my time talking about treats and sweets, I have been called here for a clearly different reason and probably a serious one at that so with one last sip I let down my cup and turned to my mother.

“What is it that you want to discuss with me?”

Hearing my question my mother’s smile slowly fades away, being replaced now by a melancholic look.

In a split second, a sudden shift in the room’s atmosphere has occurred and along with it the painful knot in my stomach returned in full force.

Although I know that a discussion about the current situation is a must and needed, something in the back of my mind is hesitating to hear what my mother has to say.

That should I hear the next few words she has to say something inside of me will break and will never be the same again.

I really don’t know whether it’s pride or curiosity that is pushing myself to know but nonetheless, my mind couldn’t turn back to my words and stop what she has to say.

The words my mother will say next would definitely change everything and I instinctively know that, whether it’s due to my past experience or just my gut instinct telling me, is something I’m not entirely sure about.

I want to say something to stop her from answering my question but at the same time I want to know as well why she had called me here——and so as my mind was stuck in a dilemma that I couldn’t find an answer for, time moves forward.

“I’ve been notified that multiple suspicious individuals are seen prowling around the property. We still do not know if it’s just spies from other domains or the assassins from before—but I do not want to take my chances.”

“Wait........”

“So we decided it would be best to keep a low profile for now and go incognito for the most part while also keeping you safe but you being here is the opposite of that.”

“Wait…. Mother please, wai—”

And finally….

“Lore, you can’t live here anymore. You’ll have to go somewhere to hide.”

Quiet times don’t tend to last long.

It will come and be severed in an instant before you could even say anything.

Everyone’s own dreamland will all disappear into thin air someday, maybe it will be today or maybe it would be tomorrow.

No one really knows when and all you can do was to prepare yourself for that day to come.

And my dreamland finally has ended today.

I haven’t prepared myself in the slightest.

—Spinning, Crumbling, Nauseating, everything felt wrong, everything felt different.

Slowly losing my balance I held my hand onto my head and one on the tables as my senses went numb.

Everything feels wrong from beginning to end, why is my life that is finally getting kickstarted to the right path being cut so suddenly.

No… It was not suddenly I know for a fact that we are in danger for the most part and we shouldn’t take our momentarily peace for granted... But still, was it wrong for me to assume that maybe things will be different in this second life of mine? That maybe I would finally feel that I have actually lived my life for once?

Was I wrong to assume all of that?

“Leaving…. You mean... me?” I muttered as more of like a confirmation rather than a question.

“I’m sorry… I want you to stay here with us, trust me I really do but I know I would just be putting your life in danger if you would stay here. So until you are strong enough to take on my place and protect yourself you’ll have to leave and live somewhere far away here. I’ve already called a person that will take good care of you for the time being and you can trust me that the person who will take you in is trustworthy enough.”

“But t—that’s…. What about you?! Are you going to stay here then?! Knowing full well already that death is waiting outside your door at any moment?!”

“....Lore, I am the Duchess of the Crestfallen. I will not leave the remaining people that have decided to stay here with me to their own demise, their lives are at my hand and I would not do something so shameless as to run away from my duties.”

For once I find myself in silence as I couldn’t find any words to refute her claims.

Her reasoning for her decision is sound and logical, after all, my current self right now is no different from a sitting duck.

While yes I can use magic that is not a good enough reason to ignore that my body is still far from capable of fending off multiple experienced attackers especially if the attack is already pre-planned from the start.

I can’t protect myself nor can I offer any sort of help other than my wits so why risk the only person that could continue the bloodline when you could bring her to safety.

I am a liability and a big one at that and If I would to die then the Crestfallen last hope would die along with me.

I can’t protect anyone right now, I have to be the one to be protected.

Yet even with all these facts laid before me, my heart still couldn’t accept the hand I was dealt with.

My emotions ran rampant as my mind paints a picture of the future that lies ahead of this decision of them to stay here.

Mother, Suru, Rita, even Raiden would probably meet their end here if what happened to my father and his family was not enough proof of that.

This logic that I have no choice to follow, these people that I have spent a whole five years of my life in this new world I have found myself in, would perish due to a bunch of repulsive sods that wouldn’t just leave my family alone.

“This.… isn’t just fair,” I muttered weakly as I crumpled my dress.

For once I’ve finally found happiness again. Happiness I thought I would not feel and obtain after everything that has happened—yet it’s going to be the same, just like before it’s going to be swept and stolen away out of my hands and out of my reach.

“Why couldn’t I just be happy for once…”

Crumpling my dress more to an extent where some parts started to rip, a sudden familiar warmth come from my side engulfing me between its arms.

“I’m sorry it has to be like this… I’m really sorry——but I promise after everything is alright we’ll be together again.” She said as she wrapped her arms around me with such a calming tone as if she foresaw my reaction.

“You say that as if you are sure that everything is going to be alright for us to meet again.”

“Lore that’s not what—”

“I don’t want to hear it!”

Cutting her off with a scream I shoot up from my seat, pushing away her arms away from me as I glared at her with tears running down my cheeks.

“I!...—I….just want to be left alone…. please.”

Retracting her arms back away from me I could feel a small tinge at my heart as I saw her disheartened face.

Unable to look at her for any more time I turned my back away from her face as I left the room with a downcast gaze.

She didn’t stop me nor did she say anything, merely stared at my back as I left her alone.

Four hours have passed since the talk that I have with my mother, it was quite a short talk but still a stressful one at that.

My mind understand the reasoning behind her decision but my heart still couldn’t fully accept it.

After all, I’m basically leaving them here to die while I’m for god knows where safe from any danger.

I hate that; being useless, A liability, and someone that needs to be protected at all times——but that’s what I am.

I’m useless that’s why I need to leave for if what had happened to my father ever happened a second time I would survive and continue the Crestfallen bloodline on my own.

“I have no choice but to run and hide.”

Muttering under my breath I let out a tired sigh as I looked down on the messy courtyard from the rooftop of the mansion.

I’ve been watching everything around here for the past hours, During that time nothing really notable has happened other than a scuffle between Raiden and Suru as it seems that no one had told her about my leaving up until now, and I could see why no one had told her about it.

Her attitude is brutish and she let her feelings always get the better of her, and as flattering as that sounds it honestly makes her such a dangerous loose cannon at any moment—though I guess I have really no right to chastise her when it comes to maintaining emotions, after all—I am no better than her.

I promised myself to maintain my temper and emotions yet I snapped on my mother yet again, my mother whose merely doing her best for my and everyone’s well-being.

“God…. I’m really a pathetic person.”

Letting out another deep sigh I slowly lay my body down on the side of the roof, closing my eyes as the cool breeze passed me by.

I heard from Rita that I’m supposed to leave a bit before midnight to avoid anyone from seeing me leave the mansion premise so I guess I have a bit over 4 hours left to just contemplate everything that has happened.

“Talk about a bit too fast,” I mumbled as I opened my eyes staring at the clouds above me.

It was nice, it was peaceful—I didn’t once think before that I would be laying like this wishing for such calming times to be permanent.

It’s a bit funny now that I think about it, I yearn for peace for my people yet never tasted peace myself.

I guess I really did waste my past life for a goal that is lost even with the cost of everything I have.

I wonder what more things did I did wrong back then that I just didn’t notice till it’s too late……

Have I been treating everybody the way I just treated my mother just now without even noticing it nor understanding their side?

“I’ve—probably….have.”

Letting out another disgruntled sigh, I closed my eyes as—

“—Isn’t that a bit dangerous?”

“Huh—?!”

Just a few milliseconds ago I was enjoying a melancholic rest, then out of nowhere a voice from my side emerged, my eyes snapped open as my instinct took over, and quickly turned my head to the source of the sound.

And there I saw sitting on the ridge of the roof is a woman wearing a long blue robe with a curious look painted across her resting face as she stared at me from above.

I don’t recognize her at all. Long hair similar to faded-blue and a set of long-pointed protruding ears that is longer than her face, and finally, a light glossy complexion that normal people wouldn’t even dream of having.

I don’t know her but I recognize those features she has and no doubt this woman is an Elf—A High-elf to be exact as there are 3 types of elves Half-Elves, Elves, & High-Elves and the only thing that differentiate the 3 of them from each other is their ear example of this is with half-elves being the shortest with almost human-likee ear just pointed at the end and normal elves with an average length just similar to the size of their head and High-elves being longest one.

Half-elves & Normal elves' ear usually signifies their standing as commoners and High-elves being nobles… so why would a noble elf even be here of all places?—No the more appropriate question at the moment should be where did she even come from.

There is no way she was here before me since I’ve checked this roof before I decided to rest atop of it…. So that means.

She somehow managed to sneak past me and my Nature’s Eye without even making a single sound nor a disturbance in the mana at the surrounding area.

Now that I look at her more clearly, my Nature’s Eye seems to be unable to register her in my vision…. It is as if she wasn’t there—But she is there, I can see her looking at me from just a few feet not even 2 meters far!—but she won’t appear in my vision.

Just what is happening… who the in the world is she?

As my brain began running different scenarios as to how she made her way there without me noticing cold sweat began congregating in the back of my neck as I slowly inched myself away from her while still maintaining direct eye contact. While as well forcibly trying to see her with my Nature’s Eye.

“Heh... So you can use the [Eye] as well…. A bit odd but fine I guess.”

As if founding a new toy an almost mischievous grin has crept up on her face as she mumbled to herself though one couldn’t be considered a mumbled as I even heard from a few feet away.

The Eye?

Does she mean Nature’s Eye? Don’t tell me she can see me use it?!

Tch! I know elves can use it but I didn’t know that you can know when someone else is using it as well.

That’s damn new to me.

‘This is might be a very bad situation.…’

I don’t know what she wants but based on that look she has on her face I doubt she will let me go.

But I doubt as well that I could just fight her for freedom, I’m aware of my skills, I still am a beginner and would probably get bodied by her in an embarrassing attempt to fight back.

I could probably call out for help but I don’t know what she will do if I try to yell or cause a commotion.

I guess…. That just leaves one option, I need to stall and get information at the same time, she seems willing to talk so this might work somehow till someone see’s us.

“Come now, It’s not like I’m a dangerous animal for you to back away like that.”

“You think so? I think it’s fairly normal for someone to slowly back away from a person who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.”

Hearing my calm response a bit of shock flashed across her face before an amused smile replaced it, and with a light chuckle she replied saying, “Oh yeah, Well my bad then.”

Hearing her lighthearted response my initial fear subsided as there seems to be not a trace of malice nor bloodlust seeping out from her in my eyes.

Seeing the quite lighthearted tone she got and the carefree attitude she has as well I decided to continue conversing with her.

“So… are you going to tell who are you?”

“Well… I can’t really tell you who am I specifically due to my line of work but for simplicity's sake just call me [Tonic].”

Heh, she actually answered my question I didn’t expect that to happen, though she did still leave out a bit of info…..especially her line of work, and the name Tonic… doesn’t that means music Note?

I remembered it vividly but when I practiced music for a while I learned that Tonic is the first degree in music scale…. Hmmm….what a weird name.

Still maintaining eye contact with one another, I decided to continue the pace of questions as she seems willing enough to answer my question.

“Then, Miss Tonic what is your purpose for coming here? Did you perhaps get lost?” I said in a rather playful tone to avoid suspicion and to come off more like a jest to avoid any retaliation.

And as if taking my joke on the other she chuckled lightly.

“Not really… Just came here to pick up a package.”

“A package?”

“Yes, I take it that you’ve heard already, Lady Lorelain was it?”

Raising a brow from the sudden mention of my first name and the insinuation that I should know what she is talking about, a sudden cold feeling arise behind my back as my softs eyes turned to daggers.

She knows me and also she’s talking about a package… that’s odd I didn’t hear anything being shipped today or delivered on our doorstep though….besides…

And then it finally clicked in me about everything in this situation.

Tonic is the visitor that has come here to the mansion.

She is the person that my mother trusted enough to take care of me.

—And I am the package that she is talking about.

Upon realizing her insinuation I instinctively backed up but in an instant, the woman who was just atop the roof is now crouched under me with a smug smile.

In an instant, she managed to close that few feet distance between us with little to no effort.

“The only problem is just the package seems to be unwilling to cooperate with the operation so I'm ordered to take it by force.”

Raising her on the side she quickly made a strike for my neck with zero hesitation whatsoever.

And as if everything went to a standstill I could see a clear smile on her face as our eyes met one last time.

The next thing I felt was the sudden pain of being hit in the side of my neck and I blacked out.

Slowly regaining consciousness from my sudden blunt injury I was awakened by what seemed to be rocking of transportation and along with the smell of what seemed to be fruits and vegetables

“Where in the world am I?”

I muttered out loud as I sat myself upright holding my head as the dizziness I’m feeling slowly dissipated.

As my eyes finally registered where I am the first thing I met was the Elf who knocked me out now sitting comfortably in front of me.

“Hey, you’re finally awake.” She said while crossing her arms.

Damn, I’m really been shipped out along with vegetables and fruits.

“Yeah, seems like it, Thanks for the hit on the neck really appreciate it.”

I muttered as I leaned back on the wall of carriage with venom laced tone and daggers glare.

“Oh my, seems that your temper needs some working as well.”

Ignoring her playful tone and attempts to humor the situation I just continued to glare at her waiting for her to explain the context for my situation.

“Fine… read this if you want an explanation.” She mumbled with a tired sigh and tossed what seems to be a piece of paper in my direction.

Catching the paper that have fallen in my lap, I raised a brow before I opened it and began reading its contents.

[Lore my dearest daughter this letter is an explanation for what had happened to you and will happen to you from this point onwards. For now, I would like you to know that you are in safe hands and that elf that is with you is trustworthy and I know she will take good care of you so you can trust her as well]

Reading that first part in my mind my eyes shifted from the letter I’m reading to the Elf that is sitting quietly in front of me, waiting for me to finish.

Trust, huh.

Deciding that I should worry about the details later I continued reading through the letter.

[I know as well that you are mad and confused about your whole situation but as of right now we just did what we think is best for you, we couldn’t trust everyone in the household so we lied about you leaving by midnight when in truth its this afternoon.

I am also the one who ordered for you to be knocked unconscious as I know full well that you will never concede defeat with my decision and would definitely fight back with all your strength, I know I shouldn’t have used force to deal with you but I honestly don’t have the confidence nor the ability to persuade you in any way.

I know that you would just probably talk your way out of me and ended with me losing the entire argument so I decided to do it this way, I know it’s a lot to take in right now but this is the only way I could guarantee your safety for the time being so please I hope you understand.

Lore, I don’t want you to hate me but at the same time, I don’t want to put your life in danger as well so I’m sorry that it has to end this way but please always remember that I would always love you with all my heart.

Sincerely, your Mother.]

Finishing reading the entire letter I let out a deep sigh as I turned my head to the other side of the carriage.

My eyes glued stuck on the crevices of the door rattling and opening ever so slightly. The sun could be seen between the crevices slowly descends to bring night.

An unfamiliar road is also could be seen between the open cranny.

I can’t go back even if I wanted to as I’m already far enough.

I have no choice but to accept things as it is and hope that we would meet each other again.

Damn it all.

Crumpling the letter from my mom I bit my lip in silence as a tear trailed at the side of my cheek.

“Mama you idiot.”

Please stay safe.

I beg of you.

Please.

Standing with a distant gaze as a carriage carrying my most cherished treasure slowly disappeared within the treeline a warm trail of tears leaked down my eye.

“Are you really fine with this, Sara?”

As I stood there in complete silence a voice suddenly resounded inside my empty room, a voice I’m well familiar with, the voice of my trusted maid Rita.

Her query is filled with uncertainty an odd occurrence as she’s the type to remain level-headed above everyone else when a problem occurred but I guess anyone would feel a bit of doubt for the decision I have made.

For I have sent my child away to keep her safe from the danger that will soon come before us, a danger I have to face alone, a danger she has no relation with.

Clearing my throat I answered her worries with a rather confident tone while still looking far into the distant silently hoping that the carriage would somehow turn back for some reason.

“Yes, I am… and besides even if I am not I really don’t have any other choice, this is the only way that I know I could be certain she would be safe at all cost.”

“I understand but still… aren’t you putting too much trust that she will just understand everything?”

Hearing her question I couldn’t help but flinched even by just a little, as the idea of my child even hating me for the slightest is just too much for my heart to bear even by a second but when I reminiscence of her father I couldn’t really risk it, I just couldn’t.

I can’t see the future to be sure I can protect her therefore I can’t make empty promises such as safety for both of us, it will be either be her life or mine, and I know who I will pick more than anything in this world.

I don’t mind being hated by her, if it’s for her safety I don’t mind it, as long as she’s living her life and breathing every second I don’t mind it.

As long as she grows up and continues, I don’t mind it.

“I might be… No, I’m sure I am but I don’t mind being hated by her if it means she will be safe from the danger that is to come.”

“Sara….”

Silence followed after that exchange, an unbearable silence constantly blaring both my ears.

‘I don’t mind it, I really don’t.’

I told myself again as I stared off at the distance.

It’s fine, I’m fine.

It’s a bit cold, everything’s cold for some reason and I don’t know why but I’m still fine.

‘I really...don’t mind it.’

As long as she’s alive and breathing, I…don’t mind it.

My breathing hitched as I intake air into my lungs as for some reason I couldn’t breathe properly through them, I wonder why is that….

I’m just probably tired, I haven’t slept peacefully after being notified by the suspicious people in our domain after all.

Yes, I should just rest, rest is just what I need.

But….it’s a bit odd I’m completely tired but at the same time….I don’t want to rest.

My body wants to fall into my bed but at the same time, I don’t want to as well.

I feel empty for some reason.

‘I don’t….mind?’

As time slowly passed within my frozen mind a sudden embrace encased me from behind.

“It’s fine, Sara you don’t need to hide it.”

Saying that Rita slowly tightened her arms around me.

Scaly, Tough, and comforting arms that have been by my side for a long time.

I wonder why...but her supposedly cold-blooded body feels warm a lot warmer than usual, and anything I have ever felt before.

Odd….

Before I realized what is happening inside of me I’m already on my knees along with Rita still holding me from behind.

“I’m here, It’s fine to let it out.”

Saying that Rita slowly pats my head with her arm.

Slowly and gently as if holding a newborn between her arms.

“Sara…You are strong but everyone needs to lean on someone else from once in while.”

“So….please rest even just this once.”

With those words whispered in my ears, an audible yelp escaped my lips as I closed my eyes.

A warm trail of tears started sliding out of my eyes as I bit my lip to avoid any more sound to escape.

I hate it.

I hate the fact that my daughter would have to live far away from me.

I want her to be by my side for as long as possible.

See her woke up, See her grow up, and see her be happy.

I wanted to see that, I wanted her to experience that…but everything in this world just makes it hard.

Everything…

So I’m sorry my Lore, Please forgive mommy.

I’m really sorry… this is the only way to save you.

Please don’t hate me.

Please understand.

I love you.