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When Emiline was born many people believed her father broke into tears of joy seeing her for the first time. For she was the light in the dark future he threw himself in as punishment for his sins.

The suffering and anguish he felt for years was erased for a small moment in time as he laid eyes on his newborn daughter.

Unbeknownst to the little infant she was born during the time her parents left the eyes of nobility. Her father made the choice after believing he didn’t deserve any of the wealth he had during his time as a noble due to his horrible past actions. And her mother followed her father as she swore loyalty to him as his personal knight. And from then on her parents love grew for each other.

Her mother was a beautiful woman with silver hair that shimmered like stars no matter how the light touched it. Her eyes were as golden as the sun and shined brightly whenever she was happy.

And her father? He was a cold and handsome man with raven black hair and striking sapphire eyes. However there was a certain sadness to them she was too young to understand. The only times his eyes gleamed in happiness were times he spent with her and her mother.

As for Emiline herself she was a complete copy of her father with raven black hair, sapphire eyes, pink lips and skin as white as snow. There was no doubt she was a beautiful baby.

The home she lived in was small but just enough for their little family. They lived in a small town away from the Capital where her father opened a bookstore months before she was born. With it her parents earned enough money to have a life amongst the commoners and away from nobility.

And so begins the life of Emiline Eckhart

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As she grew Emile was surrounded by her parents and the love they had for her and each other. From her first steps to her first word everything was celebrated.

During her second spring it was revealed her mother was pregnant again, this time with a pair of twins. Emiline could remember her father holding her in his lap while explaining to her that she was going to be a big sister. The toddler had been trilled and for months she danced around singing “Big sister! Big sister!”

Her parents had watched her laughing at her antics. And as her mothers belly grew Emiline watched as her father spoiled her mother. From rubbing her aching feet to going out late into the night to find the food she was craving it was clear her father adored her mother.

On the day Emiline turned two the babies started kicking. She could remember herself crying in happiness with both of her hands on her mothers belly rubbing around trying to feel for one of her siblings. Her parents were also thrilled with her father hugging her mother and spinning her around. It was truly a wonderful day.

And a few months later their family grew even bigger for her mother gave birth to a boy and a girl. Both twins had duo colored eyes and their mothers silver hair. Emiline remembered her father holding her in his arms as they peered down at the cribs, eyes full of happiness. The toddler made a vow that day to be the best big sister her siblings could look up to.

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Emiline was confused.

Despite being a toddler she was very curious and observant for her age. The three year old noticed whenever her parents went out they would cover their hair with wigs and change their eye colors. She didn’t understand why her parents did this but her father told her she would understand when she was older. The little girl pouted but decided to obey knowing her parents had her best interests in mind.

A few months after her third birthday Emiline had been out with her father picking up food for her mother and her siblings. She was holding her fathers hand when a five year old girl ran up to her talking excitedly.

The girl was someone Emiline hadn’t seen before and her looks were quite different compared to the people she grew up with. The girl had blonde hair and red eyes though whenever the sun hit them her eyes would turn magenta in color. What surprised Emiline the most was that the girl had a small pair of gold wings on her back flapping them happily as she spoke with her. She had never seen anyone with wings before.

It had been a few minutes of the two girls talking until a pregnant magenta haired woman went up to them lightly scolding the blonde haired girl for running off without her. Emiline was surprised at the woman. She looked beautiful and radiant as the sun with her magenta hair and turquoise eyes. She was dressed a bit more formally than the rest of commoners causing the little girl to assume she was one of those nobles her parents told her about. But why did this woman look familiar to her for some reason?

Noticing movement next to her Emiline turned and was surprised to see her father shaking hard looking terrified. She had never seen her father in such a state before. The woman had turned to her father and apologized for the intrusion but her father quickly stuttered out his forgiveness and bowed before picking up Emiline and rushing away from the mother daughter duo confusing the two.

Once they arrived home Emiline was told to play with her siblings as her parents spoke in another room. She couldn’t hear much but the raven haired girl could hear her fathers sobs and her mother trying to comfort him. She didn’t understand why her father was crying. Just what had happened between him and the magenta haired woman for him to react like that?

After 2 hours her parents finally emerged from the other room and Emiline was quickly scooped up by her father who apologized for tearing her away from a new friend so quickly. Her father didn’t say much why he did but only told her he used to be a bad person before she was born and that she would learn the full truth once she was older.

The little girl didn’t understand how her father could be a bad person but the sad look on her fathers face showed her that it was painful for him to admit. All she could do was snuggle up to her fathers chest and plant a tiny kiss to his cheek. Her father smiled and kissed her forehead in return promising to always be there for their little family.

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It had been 2 years since Emiline met the blonde haired girl and she never saw her again much to her disappointment. However, that disappointment soon turned to joy as her mother announced she was pregnant again a few weeks before her fifth birthday. Emiline along with the twins and her father were overjoyed by the news. They were excited for the newest addition to their family.

After her fifth birthday Emiline began to attend a small school for commoners. Her parents had told her it would be good for her to meet new friends and learn new things. In the mornings her father would drop her off and in the afternoons he would pick her up and they would spend rest of the day at the bookshop before going home to spend time with her mother and the twins in the evening. The raven haired girl adored going to school and meeting her peers. Her teacher also often told her parents she was learning quickly and was a very bright child.

During those days Emiline realized someone had been watching her and her father whenever they would leave the school. It was a nobleman a few years younger her father with cotton candy colored hair and the same blue eyes as her. She was confused as to why the man had been watching them and had pointed it to her father a few times. But whenever her father turned to look for the man he would always disappear much to her dismay.

After a few weeks of this the man himself finally knocked on the door of their home. Emiline had been playing with her siblings, Theodore and Aria, in the living room and looked at her father curiously when he answered the door. She watched as her father froze in shock staring at the man whole had watched them for weeks. Her father then said a name she didn’t recognize.

Reynold.

The man who had been staring at her father the entire time flinched at the name before saying her fathers name and tackling him to the floor in a tight hug while yelling and cursing at him. Emiline, along with Theodore and Aria ran to their mother who had been sleeping in the bedroom and woke her. Her mother had asked them what had happened until she froze hearing the mans voice. Her mother then ordered her and her siblings to stay in the room and not to come out unless they were allowed to. Emiline pouted but agreed with her mother. She smiled as her mother kissed her and her siblings heads before leaving the room and closing the door.

It took a long while before her parents came back. Emiline was confused why it was taking her parents so long to deal with the pink haired man. The man seemed a bit scary to her and the complete opposite of her father. Just as she was about to fall asleep the door of the room opened and her parents walked in along with the man. What surprised Emiline the most was that her parents wigs were off and their eye colors were normal. But why did they remove them when the man was there?

Sensing her confusion her father picked her up into his arms and officially introduced her to the pink haired man referring to him as her uncle Reynold shocking her. She hadn’t known she had an uncle due to only having her parents and siblings her entire life. Her father then explained the man was his younger brother and that he was a good person whom he grew up.

Emiline was a bit skeptical at first but warmed up to her uncle rather quickly after he confirmed what her father said was true. She hadn’t expected to meet someone new let alone her uncle for the first time. It was a new experience that brought her so much joy.

Her siblings Theodore and Aria were excited bouncing on the bed happily as they were introduced. Their uncle apologized for the sudden intrusion of their home saying he hadn’t seen their father, his older brother, in years and had missed him greatly. All three of them were excited and happy to meet another member of their fathers family.

After what felt like hours talking her uncle bid them farewell promising to return again with gifts and introduce them to their aunt and cousins. Emiline was just as excited as her siblings and happily called her uncle Uncle Pinky to his dismay and waved to him as he left.

Unbeknownst to Emiline her father had been watching the entire exchange smiling happily with tears in his eyes. She didn’t know that this day would be the start of a series of events that would change her life forever.

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After her uncle’s rather chaotic reunion with her father, Emiline's life began to change.

Firstly, her uncle Reynold paid her and her family a visit every month, often bringing presents not only for her and her siblings but for her parents as well.

Secondly, after her mother gave birth to her baby brother, Reynold started bringing his wife and two kids on his visits too. Emiline adored her cousins Benjamin and Amara, who were a year older than Theodore and Aria, as well as her aunt Daphne.

Daphne was the daughter of a viscount whom Reynold had fallen for at first sight. Unfortunately for him, it took months of begging and pleading for the green-haired woman to agree to go on a date with him. From there, everything was history.

From watching her aunt and uncle, it was clear Daphne wore the pants in the relationship. The gold-eyed woman would often scold her uncle or hit him on the head a few times when he was about to say a bad word, as her father would call it. Despite that, it was clear they loved each other.

In contrast, Emiline's father and mother were a more peaceful couple who rarely fought. Both were able to tell what the other was thinking just by looking at each other. Whenever they did, their eyes would be filled with love and affection for one another. Sometimes her mother, Sigrid, would lay her head on her father Derrick's shoulder, and Derrick would often rest his cheek on top of his wife's silver hair. Truly, they were a beautiful couple.

For the next year or two, life was blissful for the two couples. However after her seventh birthday more often than not, Emiline would overhear her uncle Reynold pleading with her father to "return home," which confused her. Did her father used to live somewhere other than their little home? What was it like?

Unbeknownst to Emiline, that answer would come much faster than she thought. It came when her father suddenly fell very ill a year or so later.

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For as long as Emiline could remember, her father was the strongest person in her life. He was a protector, a guardian, a family man.

And most of all?

He was her hero.

So when her father suddenly fell ill a few weeks after her eighth birthday, it was a shock to everyone. He had caught the virus that had been going around the village for quite some time. After falling ill, he was often bedridden, coughing and sputtering, while refusing to let Emiline and her siblings near him for fear that his precious children might fall ill.

However, as the days went by, her father's condition continued to worsen, and it became apparent that it was more than just a virus. Her mother had to take Emiline and the twins to school while managing a toddler and being five months pregnant with her fourth and final child. To make matters worse, no healer in their village was able to cure her father’s sickness. The treatments he needed were only available from certain doctors that only nobles could afford.

This continued for almost two weeks, and with each passing day, Emiline noticed her mother growing more and more desperate to save her father. It was clear that her mother feared something terrible would happen to him if he wasn’t cured soon.

Her uncle Reynold's next visit marked the moment her mother reached her breaking point.

As soon as the pink-haired man entered through the door, Emiline saw her mother break down in tears. Through her sobs, Emiline could hear her mother explaining everything that had been going on with her father’s illness. When Reynold saw her father in bed, Emiline noticed how horrified he looked at the sight of him.

The eight-year-old continued to watch as her mother and uncle discussed her father’s condition in whispers. She wasn’t able to understand most of their words, but she did catch "Duke" and "knight." What did a Duke have to do with her father’s illness? And, what was a knight?

Emiline didn’t have time to ask her mother or uncle any questions. As soon as the conversation ended, her mother immediately got dressed and told Emiline to do the same, while Uncle Reynold helped her siblings. Once all five of them were dressed, they followed their uncle to a carriage that looked like the kind Emiline had seen nobles travel in. Her blue eyes widened in surprise. Did this mean Uncle Reynold was a noble? If so, was her father one too?

So many questions raced through Emiline’s mind that she didn’t even realize her uncle had lifted her into the carriage alongside her mother and siblings. Theodore and Aria sat on either side of their mother, looking out the windows with wide, curious eyes, while their mother sat in the middle, rocking their youngest brother as he slept.

Emiline sat across from them, next to her uncle Reynold. Once the carriage began moving, she also looked out the window, her curiosity piqued. It was her first time riding in a carriage, and it felt incredible. Riding in a carriage was much faster than walking through the village.

During the ride, Emiline listened as her mother explained to her and the twins that they were going to meet someone very, very important. Someone who might be able to help their father. As a result, they were instructed to behave and follow their mother’s and uncle’s instructions. Emiline nodded, along with Theodore and Aria. They were young, but they understood the gravity of the situation when their parents spoke like that.

The carriage ride took two hours, and when they finally arrived, Emiline was surprised to see they had stopped in front of a large mansion. It looked just like the ones in the storybooks her parents read to her. What surprised her even more was that the gates of the mansion bore a rose crest—the same rose crest that was on her father’s necklace and her mother’s ring. Were they connected somehow?

As Emiline pondered the connection between the rose crest and her father, the gates and the carriage door opened. The little girl accepted her uncle’s hand as he helped her, her siblings, and her mother out. She watched as her uncle spoke to a few people before motioning for them to follow him inside the manor. As they walked, Emiline marveled at how grand and beautiful everything looked. Every single object appeared to be both extremely expensive and a work of art. It was nothing like their little home.

As they passed, Emiline noticed people dressed in maid and servant uniforms staring at her and whispering. She tilted her head, gave them a happy smile, and waved. She didn’t want to leave a bad impression, especially since her mother had told them to behave.

After what felt like forever, her uncle stopped in front of a set of ornate doors and knocked. Emiline watched as the pink-haired man called out to the person on the other side, asking to be let in. A cold voice granted permission, and gripping her mother’s sleeve, Emiline watched as the doors opened. She stepped into the room alongside her mother, uncle, and siblings. The room looked like a study, but far more elegant than her father’s study back home.

In the middle of the room was a desk, and behind it sat an old man writing on papers. When the man looked up, Emiline couldn’t help but freeze in shock.

Because the man looked exactly like her father.

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Emiline was stunned.

The man sitting at the desk in front of her looked exactly like her father. From his hair to his eyes, it was as if she were staring at an older version of the man she loved most in the world.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice that the man was staring back at her in equal shock. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then, without warning, he stood and lifted her into his arms, startling her. Emiline squirmed at first, but when her mother placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she hesitated, then relaxed. Her mother’s touch was a silent reassurance—this man was not a threat.

Time seemed to stretch as they gazed at each other, searching for something unspoken in one another’s eyes. Finally, the man exhaled deeply and uttered words that shook Emiline to her core.

“You look like Derrick.”

Emiline’s breath caught. Derrick was her father’s name. Did this man know him? Was that why Uncle Reynold had brought them here?

Before she could voice her thoughts, her younger twin siblings, Theodore and Aria, beat her to it. They were always the most energetic of the four, their voices overlapping in a flurry of excited questions. Their mother quickly scolded them for their lack of manners, forcing them into silence.

The man shifted, lowering Emiline back to the ground. She hurried to her mother’s side, glancing up warily as the man straightened. His gaze moved to her mother, his voice turning firm.

“You have a lot of explaining to do.”

Emiline saw her mother tense but nod in understanding. Then, turning to her children, she instructed them to leave with Uncle Reynold. She needed to speak with the man alone.

Despite Emiline’s protests, her mother’s decision was final. With reluctance, the eight-year-old followed her siblings out the door, casting one last, worried glance over her shoulder. Through the closing doors, she caught a glimpse of her mother and the man sitting across from each other, their expressions unreadable.

Uncle Reynold did his best to distract them. He introduced them to the butlers and maids, gave them a tour of the grand mansion, and even let them explore the gardens. But Emiline’s mind remained elsewhere. What was happening behind those doors? Would her mother convince the man to help her father? And if not… what would they do next?

The hours passed slowly. Emiline and her siblings were playing with an older servant named Pennel when the doors finally opened. Their mother stepped inside, followed closely by the man.

Emiline’s heart clenched at the sight of them. Their eyes were red-rimmed. They had been crying.

As if sensing her worry, the man knelt before her, placing a gentle hand on her head. He ruffled her hair, his voice steady but kind.

“I’m going to help your father.”

Relief flooded her, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around his neck. The man stiffened in surprise but didn’t pull away.

Emiline didn’t care. After weeks of uncertainty, her father was finally going to get the help he needed. But one question lingered—not only in her mind but in the minds of every adult in the room.

Would her father accept help from a complete stranger?