Morning light seeped through the narrow gaps of the closed curtains, slowly pushing away the darkness that lingered in the room.
Moments later, a maid quietly entered and pulled the curtains open. Bright, golden sunlight streamed through the glass panes, spilling across the room and reaching the boy who still slept soundly in a bed nearly twice his size.
After opening the curtains, the maid approached the bedside and gently called out to him.
"Young Master Rio, it's time to wake up. Lady Cynthia would like to see you."
The young boy slowly opened his eyes, as though his sleep had been fully satisfied. For a moment, he stared blankly ahead, still caught in a dazed haze before his senses gradually returned.
"Morning already?" Before the maid could respond, he spoke again.
"What day is it today?"
He didn't ask because he had forgotten the date. Rather, he felt that something important must be happening today if his mother had sent for him so early.
The maid answered gently, her voice calm and respectful. "Today is the birthday of both young masters."
I see… it's already that time.
As tradition dictated, we were required to visit the cathedral early in the morning for the Blessing Ceremony.
"Alright… time to get up."
Rio climbed out of the bed calmly and stretched his limbs. After a brief moment of stretching and a few small jumps to shake off the last traces of sleep, he headed off to freshen up.
He washed his face first before stepping into the bath, cleansing himself thoroughly. Once finished, he wrapped himself in a bathrobe and walked over to his wardrobe.
After changing into his undergarments, Cecilia stepped forward to help him with the rest of his clothes.
After getting dressed, Rio made his way toward his mother. Cecilia walked beside him, quietly guiding him through the halls.
As they passed Allen's room, Rio noticed that it was already empty.
"He woke up early today," Rio murmured.
Cecilia said nothing. As a maid, commenting on the young masters' behavior could easily be seen as overstepping her place.
A short while later, they arrived at the dining hall.
So we're going to talk while eating, huh…
Rio lampooned as he took his seat beside Allen and prepared for breakfast. He unfolded his napkin neatly and tucked one corner into his shirt before beginning his meal with the rest of the family.
Mother, clearly unable to contain herself on such an important day, immediately began talking excitedly, commenting on how adorable the two of them looked.
"My, my… our adorable little ones have grown so much, haven't they, dear?"
Mother's excited remarks continued without pause. She seemed so delighted that she might even forget to eat the meal in front of her.
"Well, they have grown," Father replied calmly. "And it's about time they began to see what the world is truly like."
Father was a strict man at times, yet deeply passionate when it came to us. Whenever the opportunity arose, he would find ways to teach us about the world beyond our home. In many ways, it was because of him that I had learned so much about this place.
After a while of calm eating and small conversations, the moment finally arrived.
It was time for us to receive our blessings.
We climbed into the carriage together with our parents. Behind us followed another carriage carrying several maids who would assist during the journey. Knights rode on horseback around both carriages, maintaining a vigilant formation.
Even so, some of them seemed to enjoy the ride, glancing around the open roads as they guided their horses forward.
Looking out of the carriage window, I realized we had already reached the outskirts of Father's territory.
From afar, the land looked beautiful.
Rows of houses stretched across the village, some tall while some low, each carrying its own distinctive design. Surrounding them were vast farmlands that painted the landscape with vibrant colors. Lush green fields blended with the golden waves of wheat and rice paddies swaying gently in the wind.
It was a peaceful, wholesome sight.
Something I would never have been able to see in my previous world.
I found myself quietly in awe of the scenery.
Mother glanced at me and chuckled softly. Father watched with a hint of pride in his eyes, while Allen, filled with curiosity, leaned closer to the window to look outside with me.
For a moment, it felt like a simple family outing.
A happy one.
Something I had always longed for throughout my childhood.
This peace felt like a blessing in itself.
Almost like a reward for the struggles I had endured in my previous world… back on Earth.
Without realizing, I smiled.
A genuine smile, just like any other child.
The scenery gradually faded into the distant horizon. The quiet awe that had filled me slowly faded along with it. It was the kind of view I might never have known if we hadn't taken a journey like this.
Before long, the road grew rougher.
Although the carriage was equipped with special suspension mechanisms meant to soften the ride, it couldn't completely cancel the bumps along the uneven road.
Thankfully, the thick cushions beneath us prevented the journey from turning into a painful ordeal.
After passing through a small stretch of forest, a town finally came into view.
Massive walls surrounded it, standing tall as a firm line of defense. Our carriage stopped near the town gate, waiting as the guards directed merchants and travelers entering the city.
The guards carefully inspected identification documents and checked the goods people were carrying, making sure nothing illegal passed through.
From the window, I noticed just how many people were waiting to enter. Some pushed carts loaded with goods, others rode in wagons or simple carriages. Eventually, the guards cleared a path, and the crowd moved aside to allow our carriage to pass through the gate.
The moment we entered, the atmosphere changed.
The town was lively and bustling with activity.
People filled the streets. Some gathered around street vendors, others moved in and out of various shops. Stalls lined the roads, displaying all kinds of goods and decorations. Even the dresses displayed in certain storefronts looked like the very styles Mother often purchased.
Some people hurried along with urgent expressions, while others walked leisurely, enjoying the day. Friends laughed together, families strolled side by side, and couples shared quiet moments. The scent of fresh food drifted through the air as vendors served eager customers.
It was a world full of life, laughter, and joy.
And this place was the capital city of the Kingdom of Sylvania: Alvaria.
The carriage slowly turned left, circling around a magnificent fountain that stood proudly at the center of the road.
As we passed it, my eyes were drawn to the distance.
A massive castle towered over the city on the left side of the road—so tall that it almost resembled a skyscraper. From there, one could easily overlook the entire capital and its many districts.
For a moment, I simply stared at it.
But soon, the towering structure disappeared behind rows of buildings and bustling streets as our carriage continued forward.
Not long after, the carriage finally came to a stop.
When I stepped out, a breathtaking sight greeted me.
Before us stood a grand cathedral.
Its walls were layered with pristine white marble, decorated with intricate gold inlays. Large stained-glass panels shimmered with countless colors as sunlight passed through them, casting gentle hues across the surroundings. The off-white-tinted walls gave the entire structure an almost sacred, otherworldly presence.