Adam Celeste's Point Of View

I have two children.

Eric and Lily.

I never knew how to act towards Lily when I found out she was a girl. As shameful as it is I am not good at dealing with the fairer gender, but I named her Lily for the meaning of the blue calla lily.

Femininity and refined beauty.

I hoped she would grow as beautiful as her mother had been the first time I met her.

Looking back, I am sure her father had taken Adela out that day without the knowledge of her mother. Otherwise Adela would likely never have worn a dress so simple.

We were at the fresh age of 13, and I was certain it was love at first sight. I gave her a necklace I felt would suit her beauty, and in return she gave me a small red brooch. I pinned the brooch to the collar of my shirt, and I have for every day since then. Even when Adela turned to a woman I didn't recognize, and we drifted apart.

I left Lily with Adela. I didn't know how to raise a girl, and I felt guilty for falling out of love with Adela.

As Lily grew up I went to see her a couple of times, but as expected she shook with fear and cried the first time she saw me. The next she stood frozen in fear.

I thought the right decision was to pull myself away, but as I look back and compare then to now I see clearly that I should have done something. What exactly I do not know, but... by a mere coincidence a reckless and cruel comment from Lily sent Adela into shock.

I was certain that Adela was no longer the woman I loved, but as she appeared that night she was exactly as the first time I met her.

I... lost it a bit as I saw her like that.

Still, Lily changed drastically after she was poisoned. She became assertive, and the air around her changed. She stopped idolizing Adela, however, she's beginning to get along with Eric. I knew the two of them avoided each other until just a little while ago.

Most surprisingly, she stopped getting along with the young prince. Eric even expressed his distress over this fact.

I honestly didn't know what to do, and neither how to ask Adela to ask for what had happened.

His Majesty the king was also worried enough to actually express his worry about the matter. This was unexpected. His Majesty hardly ever pays any attention to House Celeste, so that such a small matter was pointed out was unexpected. I can only assume that his Majesty was persuaded to ask by his wife.

Of course I could only answer that it was likely merely the fickle heart of a young girl. However, I am now certain I was wrong.

We went to a tea party at House Salender to... confirm some rumors about the Crown Prince of Iuthia's fiance being declared a genius, and the country rapidly gaining influence because of that.

That evening Lily danced with the crown prince.

As expected.

This was the first time I saw them together properly.

I knew immediately that it was nothing like the fickle heart of a lady.

Her expression was nothing like anything Adela had ever made.

However, I had seen that expression before.

On the face of my great grandfather, a great general of our army back when we still got in war often.

Her expression was the same. The look of a warrior enduring the presence of a political enemy.

My great grandfather was known as a stubborn man. To think that Lily would take from my side of the family. If she had even a bit of great grandfather's stubbornness then she would go to quite the extent to get out of the engagement.

Now, about a month later I return in haste as a flustered and exhausted citizen begs me to save the people in the castle. That they're surrounded by a huge force of enemies and were attacked by bandits beforehand as well.

I cannot help but to remember my daughter's words as we rush back.

'The day after the festival the city is vulnerable.'

She had insisted on this multiple times, and seeing what happened, it is as if she divined it.

If that is the case, then I should have listened more closely to her repeated warnings.

I did indeed assign more guards on that day than I would have otherwise. I made sure Gerald wasn't allowed to drink at the festival either. I believed they would be fine as long as Gerald was there. However, that is only true as long as the enemy is bandits. He wouldn't be prepared for properly equipped troops to appear so suddenly.

As we march I can feel the unease among the men. They left the Castle to protect those in the city, and those left behind. Now they dread what has happened.

Of course I do to. For the man that found us was not the messenger that should have been sent. He was on foot, not on horse... so by the time we arrived back they would have been under siege for two weeks. If it was a normal siege, then it would be fine. However, the man had told us that the enemy had begun an assault the day after they arrived.

With only 300 soldiers and knights and about 200 civilian men... the odds weren't looking good.

However, by the time we arrived back at the castle, the sky was clear and the gates were open. Small puffs of smoke was coming from the city houses... and from the castle our flag was waving steadily.

Zocria was known to be sly. They... could be tricking us.

I had to think that way.

However, a messenger rode out from the castle as we approached.

His name was Michael. A young and goodhearted kid with hopes for the future.

"The siege?" Was all I managed to ask as he approached.

Did the enemy just leave?

"Annihilated, my Lord."

He was tall with pride at those words.

I didn't believe him at first.

However, as we got closer I could see the hints of bonfires, likely for the corpses... and the bonfires were huge.

I was prepared to face immense losses, however, the castle walls were manned as usual. The citizens greeted us back with a cheer. My men were crying quietly with relief just from seeing their friends and family alive.

I dismissed them.

I didn't have a count of living or dead, but the citizens were back in the city, and things were peaceful.

I'd let them rest and find out if their loved ones were alive while I found out what was going on... and Eric and our Head Knight Ronald were waiting for me at the gate.

Instead of explaining Eric handed me a report.

Ronald appeared to accept the report, although with a grim expression

And what I read was something that should be considered impossible. No, perhaps the problem was that it could be pulled off. The problem was the person said to be leading them.

My daughter.

I prayed to the gods that what I read was merely a cruel trick played by fate, however, Eric confirmed with a bitter look that he was serious.

"Can it be covered up?"

I asked him how widespread the rumors had become, but he shook his head.

I stepped past Eric and headed for the mansion. As expected Adela was waiting by the door, and Lily was by her side.

I knew from the look in Lily's eyes that she was expecting a sort of punishment. However, I have no punishment to give this pitiful daughter of mine.

"If only you had been born a boy," are the only words I manage to say.

Her gaze doesn't fall, for she doesn't yet understand the consequences of her actions, nor her own worth.

I had a feeling the evening I saw her dance with the prince, however I am now certain. She's seen the future, and it is a future filled with blood. For her eyes gleam with the experience of a soldier. The reason she cannot love the crown prince anymore must be those visions.

"Lily, you must never use the spells you have used as 'Augustus'." I order her. She presses her lips together dissatisfied at my order, but she doesn't complain. She is aware of this problem at the very least.

"May I at least be allowed self enhancement spells for self defense?" She requests be seriously. Had it been any other situation I would have said no, however, if she truly sees the future, then I must allow it.

"Very well."

Her small figure can't hide the relief she feels at my words.

"You shall start attending sword training as well as war strategy together with Eric."

It's not just a precaution for the future. A soldier without work becomes restless. I have considered the fact that she may have been messing up with the prince because of this restlessness. Regular physical and mental exercise should do well on top of her own studies.

As expected, she's overjoyed with the news.

I turn my eyes to Adela, and she takes my hand boldly.

"We will see you at dinner," she says to them in a soft voice I haven't heard from her before. She even strokes their heads as we walk past the children.

Finally alone she pulls me to sit next to her on the bed.

I expect we will talk about 'Augustus', however the following words appear instead:

"I am pregnant Adam."

And my sinking heart flies back up.

That day I found out I lost a daughter to fate, and got the blessing of another child.

The oracle stole away the girl she used to be, and from her change, I know a cruel future will take whatever is left.