My family lived in Treewich, a small vilge near the border of Londe. Treewich is surrounded by vast fields, some extending into the interior, while others transition into dense forests marking the edge of our nd. Deep within these forests, however, ys an uninhabited area stretching between our nd, Londe, and that of our enemy, Rilgohin - the sun-scorched swamps. I remember the parched earth and the shimmering air over the swampy nds from when I was a little boy. But I haven't been here for many years, as the swamps have been under our enemy's control for quite some time.

  The Rilgohiners are dissenters from Londe who disagreed with the prevailing principles and structures there. Consequently, they left Londe and founded their own nd with values opposed to ours. Initially, the High Council, the highest authority in the world with its seat of government in Londeeyeof, the capital of Londe, paid little attention to these rebels. However, as more and more people left Londe to settle in Rilgohin, the High Council could no longer remain passive, as there was growing fear that the renegades might build their own military force to overthrow the High Council.

  This led to a conflict between the two countries, which reached its climax when Rilgohin occupied the swamps, which had been untouched for decades and were considered neutral and sacred ground. In Treewich, the tension was constantly palpable, and the fear of possible raids by our enemies at night or before dawn was ever-present. It was astonishing when we reached the vilge. It seemed as if time had stood still in the vilge, only I had changed. Was it simir around the sun-scorched swamps?

  The gring sunshine, piercing through leaves and branches and revealing the mists around us, gave the pce a mystical quality. Moving in the restricted visibility, soft ground, and damp surroundings was not easy. The oppressive silence made our own breathing and even the falling of a leaf seem unusually loud. It was not the silence of our enemies that troubled me, but our own. No one wanted to speak it out loud, but we all thought the same. It was in the air and in our gut feeling. With every step deeper into the swamps, we looked around more often, our heartbeats accelerated and our hands became increasingly sweaty. The deeper we ventured into the swamps, the closer we came to our death. And yet, far from any common sense, we continued to advance into their territory. What chance did we have against the Rilgohiners or these 'superhumans,' as they were called by many in these times? Those who were so named were known to us only as the four lords and rulers of Rilgohin - the Lords of House Wynfre.

  But what made them so special? Was it the fact that their country, despite being the smallest of the four countries involved in the war, waged war against the other three countries at the same time and managed to win? Was that why we were here in these swamps? To drive them back? We were a small group. No more than two dozen men. Our general, Akasha, succumbed to his illness a few weeks ago. As a repcement, the High Council assigned us two new generals who brought us here but have yet to speak a word to us... until...

  It rustled in the treetops and in the bushes around us...

  Voices began to whisper... And then... An ambush!'

  "Lina... Lina...", a deep female voice calls. "Aren't you awake yet? Please open the door! Lina!?"

  Three women stand at the door. Two of them are dressed in bck with white aprons and caps. They knock hastily on the door and call for Lina.

  "Where is Cecie?" asks the youngest of them, snappishly, given the time pressure they are under. "She'll surely be here any moment," replies the third woman, nervously pacing and wringing her hands. This woman is neither dressed like a maid nor like a woman from a middle-css family. Her apricot-colored, form-fitting, floor-length silk dress ftters her appearance. Her red hair is hidden under a rge sunhat, which draws attention to her small, upturned nose and narrow lips. Around her neck is a ruby-red neckce with a pendant of small diamonds shaped like a castle turret. A white, light glove covers the skin of her right arm, while a dark stocking wraps around her right leg. This is Lina's mother - Joane Elmhart - Queen of Rilgohin and the wife of the current king and ruler - Edmur Elmhart.

  As the three women wait for the girl named Cecie, a delicate voice can be heard on the other side of the door. Is she speaking in her sleep? No, quite the opposite. A narrow, long strip of sunlight falls into the dark room, stopping just before her bed curtain. There, Lina Elmhart lies wide awake, but buried deeper in her wool bnket than she was when the loud banging on her door began. In her hand, she holds a book, trying to shut out the outside world. To Lina's advantage, Cecie had (as agreed) not only lost the key this morning but had also left a matchbox in her room the night before. It contained one st match, which Lina used to light the candle on her bedside table. Its light is enough to read the book in her hand. But judging by the noise, it seems her peaceful morning is about to end...

  Another maid scurries across the freshly cleaned terrazzo floor to the room. "Finally," says the oldest of the three women with relief. She has long, straight hair, brown eyes and a birthmark on her left cheek. She is the housekeeper of the Elmhart household and Joane's right hand. When Joane is not present, she is responsible for giving instructions to the servants. Regardless, she is primarily a close friend of Joane - Suse Bricton. In her arms, she carries a rge package with a silver ribbon.

  Next to Joane and Suse stands the youngest and newest maid of the Elmhart family. Her hair is gleaming white, like her teeth. She has two braided pigtails with a blue bow and blue eyes with symmetrical features. Her name is Sarra.

  "You really have some nerve to lose the key on such an important day," remarks Sarra with her shrill voice.

  Cecie ignores the sneaky Sarra as she approaches the women.

  "Your Highness" Cecie bows quickly but respectfully.

  Like Suse and Sarra, Cecie is dressed in bck with a white apron and cap. For her age, she is tall. She has shoulder-length dark brown hair, and her arched eyebrows over her brown eyes are more expressive than some people's words.

  "I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me yesterday," she says eagerly but clearly.

  She quickly moves past them without looking them in the eye.

  "Cecie, you know I don't like being addressed as Your Highness or Majesty."

  "I'm sorry. I must be a bit disoriented."

  "It's alright," says Joane.

  Cecie, trembling slightly, inserts the key into the lock. Only when the key turns does Lina spring into action. Swiftly, she blows out the burning candle and disappears completely under her bnket with the book. Moments ter, the maids burst into the room, followed by Joane.

  Suse hands Joane the beautiful package and then hurries to the window. She pulls aside the dark curtains and opens the window. A gentle summer breeze brushes through her hair as small white clouds drift across the blue sky. A warm, sunny day is ahead. Cecie and Sarra go directly to the four-poster bed and gently pull aside the curtains. Meanwhile, Joane inspects the room after a floral scent has reached her nose.

  Sarra clears a tray from the room, which contains a sugar bowl, a spoon, an empty teacup with a used teabag, and an empty matchbox. Across from the window is a low round table with two white wooden chairs, each with a water dragon engraved on its backrest. In the corner behind it is a makeshift partition of 5 pinewood panels set up by Suse and Cecie next to Lina's bed. Meanwhile, Joane approaches the bed step by step. Suse and Cecie stand ready beside her.

  'Oh dear,' thinks Lina, preparing for the inevitable by burrowing deeper under her bnket. Joane admonishes her, prompting Lina to sit up, stretch, and rub her eyes. Her performance is perfected with an additional yawn.

  Joane sets the tone, saying, "Happy..." which is echoed by Suse and Cecie. Cecie and Suse put their arms around each other and begin to sing and dance - a tap dance performed as a tradition during every birthday song in the royal household. Joane joyfully swings her entire upper body from side to side. The three cp with delight, and Joane almost shouts "Encore."

  Although Lina hopes she will never have to perform this dance herself, she thanks them warmly. "Happy Birthday, my dear," Joane says, handing her the gift. Lina leans forward to receive it, and they embrace tightly before Lina carefully unwraps it.

  "This is from all three of us," Joane says as Cecie and Suse wink at Lina. After Lina removes the wrapping paper, she opens the package and her eyes widen in surprise. Immediately, she jumps over to her mirror and holds it up to her body.

  "It's the test trend in Londe, and we thought it would be perfect for your first day in the city," Joane adds.

  "And yours was just a souvenir?" Lina asks with raised eyebrows.

  "Well, it was within the budget. And it's the test trend in Londe," Joane smiles.

  Lina returns the smile before explicitly thanking Suse and Cecie. The two brush it off with a slight wave of the hand.

  "What are you waiting for?" Joane asks, "Try it on." She then instructs Suse and Cecie to help her. Excitedly, Lina follows the two maids behind the partition.

  "Make sure to powder her a bit and do her hair before she comes out, please."

  As they prepare Lina for the day, Joane's eye falls on the book peeking out from under Lina's bnket.

  "Can I still have breakfast?" Lina asks at the same moment.

  "You've been reading that book again, haven't you?" Joane counters.

  "Yes, st night," Lina quickly replies.

  "Lina, you don't seriously expect me to believe that you only read the book st night," Joane says.

  "But it's true," Lina retorts as she squeezes into her dress.

  "The scent of the candle tells me otherwise," Joane responds.

  "The scent lies," Lina replies.

  "Linaa," Joane calls out now, annoyed.

  "What?" Lina asks but can still feel her mother's serious gaze even through the partition.

  Then Lina sighs.

  "I was just reading about the decisive battle in the northern swamps once more."

  "How long have you been awake?" Joane continues sharply.

  "Before the birds started singing," Lina answers, now more submissively.

  Joane rubs her forehead while Suse rolls her eyes. Only Cecie remains uninvolved.

  "But Lina, you know the whole story already," her mother says as she picks up the book.

  The brown book bears the title 'Memoirs of the Four-Crown War' in silver lettering on the spine. 'Generals, Field Soldiers, and Citizens - Their Stories' reads Joane from the cover.

  "You know how much I love to read," Lina responds.

  "We can buy you new books if you like," Joane considers, setting the book aside.

  Lina doesn't respond, while Cecie and Suse are already busy fixing Lina's hair.

  "Or is it the brave soldiers in the book that you're interested in?" Joane looks with raised corners of her mouth toward the partition.

  And Suse doesn't need to see her long-time friend to know where this is headed.

  "I heard the young soldier Enryn Barber is about to join the royal guard soon," she says.

  "Really? Is he the tall one with the brown hair?" Joane asks.

  "No, that's Gyn," Cecie answers. "She means the blonde, somewhat stocky boy with the tousled hair."

  "Oh yes, right," Joane remembers. "I hope so. Then I might get a closer look at him."

  "Mother, stop, this is embarrassing."

  "Isn't he the boy you've been gushing about?" Cecie asks impulsively.

  Lina turns as red as a tomato. It's hard to tell if it's from anger at Cecie for revealing her secret or from embarrassment because it's true.

  Her mother and Suse can't help but grin.

  "When you're old enough, you won't need to read a book about brave soldiers. Maybe by then, you'll already have this brave soldier by your side," Joane says.

  "Mother, please!" Lina says, hoping she'll finally stop.

  "I won't stop until you tell me why you missed breakfast to read this book," Joane insists. "Definitely not just because of the brave soldiers."

  Lina huffs.

  "Father said I needed to know the book inside and out to understand everything about our country's history so that I would stand well in society," she reveals.

  "Father?" Joane asks, surprised.

  Lina's hair is done, and Cecie begins to powder her.

  Suddenly, they hear footsteps in the hall that stop in front of Lina's door. Four men, two on each side, position themselves before the door.

  These are the royal guards. They wear red capes over their silver-golden armor. The armor bears the symbol of the royal family, the castle battlement, in white. To protect their identity, their faces are obscured by closed helmets. They carry nces.

  More footsteps are heard, and a slender middle-aged man smoothly enters the room through the door. He wears a golden crown adorned with small green emeralds on his thick, dark blonde hair. Furrows mark his forehead, but his tanned cheeks are his most striking facial feature.

  On this special day, he wears a knee-length dark blue tailcoat, with the royal house's symbol - the castle battlement - prominently dispyed on the chest. It is fitted at the waist and can be fastened with three shiny buttons on the chest. His lower legs are covered with silk stockings. White ce cuffs fall from the wide sleeves and cover his hands. If he didn't have such long fingers, his silver wedding ring and colorful ring of Penatin crystal would not stand out so much.

  This is Lina's father, her mother's husband, and the current ruler of Rilgohin - Edmur Elmhart.

  "And? Ready?" Edmur asks excitedly. "It's already te," he notes.

  "Not yet," Lina replies. "I haven't even had breakfast."

  "She would have been done a long time ago if you hadn't been pressuring her to memorize that damned history book. You're driving her crazy with it," Joane remarks before Edmur kisses her on the cheek.

  "What!?" Edmur asks, stunned.

  "This part of history is an important chapter of our lives-the reason we're even in this position. I don't want to..." he tries to expin, but suddenly Suse and Cecie scream.

  "Mister Red! Mister Red!" Lina is heard shouting.

  Edmur and Joane rush around the partition. "What is it? What's wrong?"

  They can hardly believe their eyes. Suse and Cecie's hair is completely disheveled, and both are out of breath. Edmur and Joane are somewhat puzzled because Lina stands innocently between them, hiding something behind her back.

  Was it really that exhausting to get Lina ready for the day so quickly?

  But even if it was, the result is impressive. The first word that escapes their lips is simply "Wow."

  Almost as if rehearsed, Lina's parents say it simultaneously. They are delighted with the sight of their daughter.

  "You look great, dear," Edmur says, hugging his daughter. "Happy Birthday."

  Since Lina didn't want to just stand there like a statue being hugged, she had no choice. She lets something fall from her hands to the floor to be able to hug her father. Edmur notices nothing. However, her mother's eyes widen when her gaze meets that of an apparent monster.

  A quick, bushy creature scurries across the floor. Just like Suse and Cecie before, Joane now screams loudly. Her scream frightens the others in the room more than the quick, bushy creature does. Joane now has only one goal: get out!

  She takes off running as fast as she can out of the room.

  The rest look on in bewilderment. The only thing she leaves behind is a cloud of dust and the echo of her screams, which quickly reverberate throughout the entire castle.

  The royal guard comes rushing in. The tips of their weapons are aimed at the brown partition. "Syer, is everything alright?"

  Lina's father is about to expin, but then he suddenly jolts. The quick, bushy creature is climbing up his leg at a rapid pace.

  He tries in vain to shake it off until it leaps from his leg to Lina's shoulder, where it finally settles down.

  "Mister Red," Lina initially says with joy, gently stroking the animal's head with her index finger.

  But her joy quickly fades as she sees her father's angry expression. Lina swallows hard while Mister Red wrinkles his nose. The next few seconds are tense for both of them.

  Edmur has had more than one outburst of anger because of Mister Red. Like that time Lina smuggled Mister Red into dinner. When the food was served, he jumped right onto the dining table. Lina's mother, who has a phobia of wild animals, nearly overturned the entire table in fright, breaking two porcein ptes from Lina's grandmother.

  To this day, Lina admits only partial guilt for that incident. But her father's subsequent tantrum was so intense that she realized it's better to keep Mister Red away from the family in the future. When her father is in a bad mood, it's best not to be the cause. Lina has learned this the hard way more than once. But for today's occasion, Edmur manages to keep his composure.

  Once the doubt about what caused his wife's scream is cleared, he calms down.

  "You still have that..."

  "Squirrel," Lina quickly adds.

  "Why?" he asks, bewildered.

  "Because I'm not allowed to have a dog."

  "But why on earth a squirrel as a substitute?!"

  "He's my most loyal friend and protector," Lina expins.

  She refers to an incident where Lina was attacked by foxes in the forest.

  "You mean the incident where you separated from the group and tried to take one of the baby foxes from the nest?" Edmur recalls.

  "Exactly," Lina confirms enthusiastically, but then she backpedals as she realizes how selfish and unethical her actions were.

  "The foxes attacked me, but Mister Red jumped in and distracted them so I could escape," she recounts. "Even though my mistake at the time put him in danger, he has followed me everywhere since and always stands by my side."

  This led to an unusual friendship between Lina and Mister Red.

  Meanwhile, Edmur scratches his head, unimpressed by the story.

  He realizes that there is no point in arguing with her or getting further upset, especially not with so many witnesses in the room and not on Lina's special day.

  "And Vyncent isn't allergic to him," she adds.

  As a result, Edmur wipes his face with his hand, from top to bottom.

  This clears his face of disapproval and contemption.

  "Oh, child, you'll be the death of me," he groans.

  "Finish your hair," he says directly to the maidservants. "I'll see you downstairs."

  Lina begins hopefully, "With..."

  "Without the squirrel!" her father interjects quickly.

  Already, he sounds noticeably more determined.

  He then sets off with the royal guard to search for his beloved wife. Fortunately, it shouldn't be too hard to find her, as the echo of her screams still fills the halls of the castle.

  In the room remain the distressed maidservants, the disappointed Lina, and a reddish-brown squirrel with a long, bushy tail, short front legs, and toes that resemble human fingers.

  "I'm sorry," Lina says. "That wasn't my intention."

  Her father's st words were not directed at her, but at Suse and Cecie, whose hair the squirrel had completely messed up.

  "It's alright," Cecie says. "I should have left the hazelnuts in my pocket."

  However, Suse is quite upset.

  "Yes, you should have," she adds loudly.

  She takes Lina's brush, positions herself in front of the tall mirror propped up against the wall, and begins to untangle Lina's hair.

  "I know it's irrelevant to you, Cecie, but some people at least make an effort to look good," Suse says. "Just because you don't, doesn't mean others should follow your example."

  "But I didn't..." Cecie tries to expin at first, but stops when Lina grabs her arm. Their eyes meet. They understand each other wordlessly. Then they turn their gazes to Suse, who is untangling the st knots in Lina's hair. From her posture, they recognize that any attempt to talk with her would be blocked.

  An uncomfortable silence fills the room until Suse has restored her hair to a reasonable state. She heads for the door.

  An uncomfortable silence fills the room until Suse has restored Lina's hair to a reasonable state. She heads for the door.

  "Are you coming, Lina?" she asks.

  "Can you give me two minutes?" Lina replies.

  "I'll wait in the hallway," Suse responds.

  "I'll clean the room right away," Cecie adds before Suse closes the door behind her.

  "That's the least you could do," Lina and Cecie can hear Suse murmur.

  As the squeaking door closes, Cecie sighs.

  "She always thinks she's so special. Thinks she's above all the maids just because she's such good friends with your mother."

  "You know she didn't mean it like that," Lina tries to justify Suse's behavior, "I think you look great."

  "It's easy for you to say," Cecie says, colpsing onto Lina's bed. "You get ten helping hands to make sure you always look great."

  Only after she says this does she realize what she's actually said.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she says apologetically.

  "It's alright," Lina says understandingly, smiling.

  Cecie looks at Mister Red, who is rexed on Lina's shoulder and nibbling on a hazelnut.

  "Maybe he can help me with his duster," Cecie says, changing the subject.

  Mister Red looks up in confusion before returning to his hazelnut. Lina can't help but ugh as she sets Mister Red down on the windowsill.

  Lina beams at the sun.

  "What a great weather," she says. "I'd love to take him with me."

  "You know that's not possible," Cecie, who is now standing next to Lina, says. "When the castle is emptier today, I'll let him have some free time."

  "Thank you, Cecie."

  For a moment, they enjoy the wide view before them, seeing a rge part of the forests to the east and a piece of the mountains to the southeast.

  "Was it expensive?" Lina asks then.

  "What?" Cecie asks, puzzled. "Oh, the dress? Not a big deal, especially when you have the Queen of Rilgohin by your side."

  They ugh together, and Lina breathes a sigh of relief.

  "Well then," she says determinedly. "What do you think, how do I look?"

  Cecie examines her from head to toe.

  Lina has long light red hair that has been styled up by her and Suse, making her slightly protruding, small ears stand out. She wears a silver chain with the royal emblem that covers her high forehead. Lina received it from her father for her tenth birthday. Her eyes shine blue beneath it. She has light freckles and a sensitive mouth. Additionally, she wears the same dress as her mother, but in turquoise.

  Cecie has a fitting word to sum up her appearance.

  "Absolutely adorable."

  With that, it can officially start.

  Lina's 14th birthday - Lina's first day outside the castle walls.