oppositum [a (maybe) Nikolai Lantsov story] (currently being reviewed)

II*

Nix's life has changed since that fateful night, and the news that little Princess Fjerda was studying the arts of war and politics spread like wildfire across the land.

The man soon noticed his daughter's keen and eager mind, which led him to make her learn more and more, from literature to mathematics, economics, biology, physics and war strategy. Anything that could be learned, Nix learned.

As a gift for his daughter's sixth birthday, now heir to the kingdom of Fjerda, he entrusted her to a friend, General Koira, to supervise her training in melee and weapons. The man and the girl quickly bonded, and she came to see him as a second father, friend and mentor. General Koira was the king's right-hand man and had full confidence in his daughter's training. The child proved to be very skilled with firearms and knives, and was praised by many in the military for her abilities. From that moment on, Nix held the Fjerdan army in his hands.

The nightly training in flame control paid off for Nix. In addition to being able to light and extinguish candles without thinking, she had also acquired a certain skill in creating a fire that did not burn, a fire that her father had nicknamed Ghost Fire.

All was well until the night before Nix's seventh birthday, when she practiced a new way of controlling her flames, using them as knives, blending her two learnings into one weapon.

"Look, Father! I'm doing it!

-Perf..."

He fell to the ground, holding his head, pale as death. Nix put out her fire and expressed concern for her downed father, but reacted no further.

"Father? What is it?"

He did not answer, groaning in pain.

"Father!"

The little girl struggled to her feet, trying to get help, but a hand on her ankle prevented her from taking another step.

"Don't... don't tell anyone...

-But Father... if I don't do something, you will die!

-Stop talking... talking nonsense... I'm fine... Bring me the vial which is in my coat pocket..."

Every word seemed to cost him, but his eyes still burned with life, convincing Nix that her father did not need outside help.

She complied and helped him drink the clear liquid, covering his face with a worried expression.

"Don't worry Nix, just look after yourself.

-Yes, Father.

-Let's stop training here for tonight."

Nix smiled, happy to see her father was slowly regaining his colour, and sat down in a chair.

The man glanced at the ornate watch on his wrist.

"It's past midnight... Happy birthday, daughter, come here.

He motioned for her to come closer, which she did. He took her wrist and placed his watch by placing a finger on it.

"This watch has been made for generations, a watchmaker from Krech gave it to one of our ancestors and it has been passed down from king to king. Nix, you are the next in line, this watch confirms your right to wear the crown. Even if Lidia is not your real mother, you are still my daughter."

The girl looked at the emerald-encrusted silver watch, then looked up at her father and smiled.

"Thank you, Father, I'll take good care of it!"

And in a burst of courage, she placed a light kiss on her father's cheek.

The man laughed and ruffled his daughter's hair.

"Whatever happens, I want you to make me a promise.

-What is it, Father?

-Don't give up your true nature and proudly become the queen of Fjerda.

-Okay, father, you have my promise.

-Now go and rest and I will see you tomorrow morning for breakfast."

With these words, the girl returned to her room and fell asleep easily that night.

rewritten the 28/04/2023