A world of fantasy

Adoption

Grandma Gina said that it was an important guest, so I should use the nice tea cups. I placed the teapot on the tray along with a few cups and some sugar cubes. When I walked into the room, the last thing I expected was to see Arthur sitting on the other couch. I kept my head down low and placed the tray on the table. I went to turn around and leave when Grandma Gina stopped me and asked me to take a seat. I bit my lip as I obeyed and sat down next to her.

"Liliana say hello to Duke Arthur Kingsley. He's the current Duke of the Luminara kingdom."

Did she say, duke? My head shot up as I stared at Arthur in shock. I figured he was a big deal, but not a Duke-sized deal. Arthur just smiled at my shocked expression.

"It's nice to meet you, Duke Arthur Kingsley." I lowered my head in respect.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Liliana."

"Liliana, the duke would like to adopt you, but this is your decision."

Why did he want to take in a random child? Was it because I showed him I could use magic? He could tell I was confused by this and tried giving me an answer.

"My wife cannot have any more children, unfortunately. She has always wanted a daughter. You told me yesterday that you wanted to see the world, so let me show you the world."

Is he offering to show me the world? I could leave this village? Leaving with him would make me a duke's daughter. Am I good enough to be a Duke's daughter? Only nobles are taught magic. Commoners like me have to form connections with nobles just to learn the basics of magic. The thought of getting to learn magic that only nobles had access to excited me.

"I understand. I will try not to let her lady down and will strive to be a good daughter."

Arthur smiled at me, and Grandma laughed with joy as she gave me a large hug. She jumped up from her chair as she told me she would let the others know the good news. I watched as she walked out of the room before I turned back to Arthur and smirked.

"I hope you understand that if I leave, my familiars will follow me."

The duke was a smart man and caught my words quickly.

"So you have more than one?"

My smirk turned into an innocent smile.

"I'm afraid you can't meet him here. I can only show him to you once we leave the village."

His eyes were studying me. He was probably trying to figure out what kind of familiar I had that I refused to bring into the village. I'm not ashamed of Drago or Alaska. The main issue is that most of these villagers are not fighters and would probably faint if they saw either of them.

"That should be fine. I have a large estate that is heavily guarded and fenced. Your familiars would be safe and out of danger there. You wouldn't have to hide them like you do here."

I gave him another innocent smile before I asked. "Am I supposed to call you dad now?"

The duke's eyes shot open wide as he looked back at me. I could see a slight blush on his cheeks as he bent his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

"You may call me what you wish."

I giggled at his reaction. He left shortly after telling me that they would be leaving the village the next morning. I was to say my goodbyes and pack my things. That day, I went and said goodbye to all the friends I had made in the village. Grandma Gina had made a feast in celebration of me becoming a duke's daughter. Nobles adopting commoners wasn't rare. If a child possessed a strong blessing, then it was not a problem for a noble to adopt them. Although nobody here knew I had magic.

One of the boys in the orphanage came to say goodbye to me while I was packing away my belongings. His name was William. I wasn't very close to the other children, but William and I had often made up stories of us leaving this village. He wanted to get out of here. His main goal was to become a knight.

"So you're finally getting out of here, Hugh?" Will was a few years older than me and had known me since I was a baby and was left by the door.

"Ya, it almost feels too good to be true."

"I'm gonna get out of here soon, too. I'll get strong enough to pass the knight exams. Maybe I can even apply for a position at the duke's estate. We would be able to see each other again. I made this for you so you don't forget about us."

It was a small bird carved out of wood. The carving was very good considering his age. I jumped into his arms as I thanked him.

"I will never forget about you Will."

That night, I packed up everything in my room and even laid out my outfit for the next day. Grandma Gina packed me a travel bag with snacks and water. She said the capital was a few days' journey from here.

That night, I fell asleep with excitement as I wondered what my new life would look like.