TBATE - CHANGING FATE

Chapter 6 - The Gift of Giving

____________________________________________________________

LILIA HELSTEA POV:

After watching what happened today, I couldn't go to sleep.

I knew that the Leywin family were close friends of my parents, so when they started to live with us I didn't have any complaints... especially after hearing what happened to them. Mr Reynolds was a bit scary at first, but he soon became more cheerful once he settled in. Mrs Alice was kind and always smiling so I liked her, and playing with Eleanor was fun. It was like having a little sister of my own!

When I came back home and found out that their son survived from an 'accident' – they never told me what the accident was though – I was... curious? Apart from his face, he looked nothing like them. His hair was a lighter shade of colour, almost blonde, and his skin was so white it kind of made me jealous. Arthur almost looked like an... angel, if only he had wings.

Nobody seemed to question it though, so I decided to keep my thoughts to myself. After he greeted himself, Arthur and Mr Reynolds decided to fight. Watching them, I couldn't help but feel... angry. Why was he, someone who was younger than me, already at the light red core stage and could use all four elements and deviant magic! I thought kids my age couldn't use magic yet... it's not fair. IT'S NOT FAIR!!

Sighing, I pulled my blanket closer to my chin and stared at the ceiling. I knew it was wrong to feel this way, but I also want to awaken my core. My parents aren't able to use magic, but they hope I'll be able to so I can attend Xyrus academy.

"I just wish to awaken..." I murmured while drifting off to sleep.

ARTHUR POV:

Noticing the sun rising through the glass window, I stopped my training and deactivated Sylvia's beast will. Seeing that my clothes were drenched in sweat, I quickly smelled my clothes to see if I should wash them.

*sniff* "...I need to take a shower."

Opening her eyes, Sylvie squinted her face in disgust and buried herself underneath the covers. 'I can smell you from here, and it doesn't help that my nose is sensitive. Hurry up and wash yourself Arthur.'

Taking her advice, I took a shower and put on some fresh clothes that I received from my parents as a present. It was a pair of dark brown pants and a white button up shirt with light brown suspenders. Peeking at my new outfit in the mirror, although slightly large, it suited me. 'I'll have to return the favour later,' I reminded myself.

Hearing a knock at the door while checking myself out, I opened it to see Ellie looking at the ground shyly.

"G-g'morning Bruhder. Mama told me to w-wake you up," she cutely spoke while staring at her foot.

I suppose no matter how old she is, Ellie will always be adorable.

'I fear for the boys that come after your sister in the future, they'll have to watch out for her overprotective brother' Regis sarcastically mentioned from inside me.

'...as long as Ellie is happy with them I have no say in it,' I replied with a hint of anger from imagining some sleazebag with my precious sister. 'Also, that's years away from now!'

Noticing I hadn't replied to Ellie, I patted her head and asked if she could take me down to the kitchen while holding my hand.

Nodding, she took my hand with her tiny fingers and showed Sylvie – who was trotting alongside Ellie – and I the way down.

Saying my morning greetings to Mom, Ms Tabitha, and Lilia, I took a seat at the table and ate the breakfast that Mom prepared for me. It was a simple dish of eggs, seared chicken, and grained bread with vegetable soup. Even so, it was delicious. I hadn't tasted her food in years, so a small tear leaked out of my eye, and I wiped it hoping no one noticed.