Destiny

The lake lay quiet beneath the pale light of dawn, its glassy surface carrying fallen leaves in gentle drifts. The faint ripples lapped at the shore, carrying the scent of wet earth and moss, while smoke curled lazily from the chimney above the small wooden house, weathered but steadfast, as though it too had sworn an unspoken vow to the waters.
Under the shaded eaves of that house, two figures sat side by side—as calm and unmoving as the lake itself.“Remember,”

 the elder’s voice was low, carved from years of burden,

 “from now on, your life is no longer your own. Even your breath is not your own. Never forget this: you are to become the shadow that protects the light… from other shadows.”

The boy’s deep red eyes flickered, bright with innocence yet already carrying the weight of something he did not fully understand. His small hands clenched against his knees, steady, obedient.
“I understand, Grandpa,”

 he whispered.

And in that vow, spoken without hesitation, he sealed a path he could not yet comprehend—a path that would never again be his to choose.

---
The grand palace shimmered beneath the sunlight, banners swaying in the courtyard as the king sat high upon his throne. Sunlight spilled through towering windows, painting the marble floor in fractured gold and shadow. His robes flowed like rivers of gold, and though his crown gleamed with authority, the gentle warmth in his eyes softened the air around him. Elders and nobles stood in rows beneath pillars carved with the empire’s history, their hushed voices filling the hall.
An old man stepped forward, his steps slow but firm, bringing with him a boy no older than five. A small sword hung at the child’s back, too large for his tiny frame, yet his steady eyes burned with quiet resolve.
“Your Highness,” the elder bowed deeply, pushing the boy a little forward. “Among many, I chose this child. Though orphaned from the Naze family, his spirit and talent are unmatched. He is the shadow destined to protect the light of this era—your daughter, Princess Ninsula.”
The boy knelt, his forehead nearly touching the cold marble floor. He remained still, silent, but his small fists pressed firmly against the ground as though anchoring his vow. For a fleeting moment, his violet eyes flickered—just barely—revealing a storm of emotions beneath the calm.
Before the king could respond, a sudden burst of sound shattered the solemn air. A flurry of maids rushed in, chasing after a blur of white and blue.
“Princess! You mustn’t enter! This is an important meeting—!”
But their warnings were too late. A little girl, her hair white as falling starlight, sapphire eyes glowing with mischief and innocence, darted past them all. Without hesitation, she leapt forward and threw herself into the king’s lap.
“Papa! Papa! Why wasn’t I allowed to come?!” she pouted, clinging to him, ignoring the horrified gasps of the elders.
Her laughter rang out like a bell, too bright and pure for the grave council, her starlit hair scattering light into the shadows of the hall.
For a moment, the weight of kingdoms and shadows fell away. The king’s laughter echoed through the hall, wrapping around the girl like a shield stronger than any blade.
Ninsula pinched her father’s cheeks with a cute pout.“You should play with me too!”
The King laughed, but before he could answer, the commander of the royal army stepped forward and bowed.“Your Highness, the Hagen tribe has grown suspicious these days. We discovered one of their spies hidden among our own men. I fear we must reconsider offering them refuge within the kingdom.”
The King’s smile remained calm as he waved his hand dismissively.“You worry too much. That tribe is nothing compared to our empire. They cannot harm us in any meaningful way. Rest assured—”
“Stop it!” Ninsula quickly pressed her small hand over her father’s lips, her sapphire eyes glittering with childish frustration. “No more talks about war. Go and play with me!”
The King chuckled and steadied her gently on his lap. Then, as if remembering something, he stood and guided her by the hand toward a boy waiting quietly in the corner.“See, my little princess? This is your guardian, from the noble Naze family. He will protect you from the world… forever. Look closely—he is a good boy.”
Ninsula, still sulking, turned to the boy. But the moment her gaze met his, her pout melted away. She gasped and clapped her hands with delight.“Wow! Can I play with him? Is he my new friend? Will he take me outside this boring castle where you always keep me locked up?”
For just a moment, the King’s smile faltered, his eyes shadowed by something unspoken. Kneeling to meet her gaze, he said softly,“No, my lovely princess. He will guard you from the shadows.”
Ninsula puffed her cheeks stubbornly.“Whatever you say, Father. I’ll make him my friend anyway.”
She turned back to the boy. His calm violet eyes seemed like a sleeping storm, still yet powerful. When their gazes met, time itself froze. In his eyes, she saw her reflection—tiny, curious, yet already tied to him by something greater than words.
And then—
The King’s laugh echoed. The scene blurred, dissolving into reverberating voices inside her mind.
When Ninsula opened her sapphire eyes again, she was no longer a child. She lay on her bed, now eighteen years old. The ceiling above her looked so distant. She raised her hand toward it, her fingers trembling.“Time flies too quickly…” she whispered, her voice tinged with longing. “Even now, I still can’t speak to him properly.”
A heavy sigh escaped her lips, carrying with it the weight of all those lost years.