The cool evening breeze swirled through the cobblestone streets of Windfield Village as the night descended fully. The magical streetlamps along the way flickered gently before blooming into steady light, casting a warm glow on the houses and cobbled pathways. Emma dashed through the streets, her small feet pattering on the stone as her heart raced in her chest. She clutched the green-wrapped object she had received, panic rising with every passing second.

She had lost track of time. The Green Festival of Windfield Village had already begun, and her parents were undoubtedly worried. Her thoughts churned with guilt.
I didn’t tell them where I was going, I didn’t come home on time, and I’ve probably ruined their evening.

Her breaths came quick and sharp as she rounded the corner leading to her street. Her family’s modest but cozy home stood ahead, its wooden gate slightly ajar. The light spilling from the windows illuminated the garden, where wind chimes sang softly in the evening breeze.

Emma slowed as she pushed open the gate and hurried to the front door, her pulse quickening when the door creaked open. Inside, her family awaited her, each face etched with a different emotion.

Vivian, her mother, stood at the forefront, her arms crossed and her expression stern, her usually gentle eyes now shadowed by worry and anger. Ellie, her younger sister, hovered beside her, visibly relieved yet tense. Ethan, her brother, leaned casually against the wall, his face unreadable. But the one she dreaded the most was not present yet—her father.

Vivian’s voice sliced through the silence.
“Young lady, where have you been?” she asked, her tone low and controlled, though her worry was evident beneath the surface.

Emma swallowed hard. In that moment, she no longer felt like the former Lord of Frostfall Tower, the once-feared wielder of great power. She was just a child caught in her mother’s stern gaze.

She shifted her weight uneasily and finally spilled everything. “I... I wanted to find something unique for the Green Festival. I found a magical grasshopper but couldn’t catch it. Then I heard a crash—there was a carriage accident! So, I went to check, and I found an elf girl who needed help. I carried her home, and her mom gave me this as thanks.”

She held up the green-wrapped object in her hands as if it might shield her from her mother’s displeasure. “That’s why I’m late,” she finished, her voice trembling.

As she spoke, Emma allowed tears to well up in her striking white eyes, her bottom lip quivering just enough to appear pitiable. Ellie’s concern overcame her as she darted forward to hug Emma tightly.

“You did great,” Ellie murmured. “Mom’s not mad. She was just worried about you. Don’t cry, okay?”

Emma hesitated before glancing up at her mother. Vivian’s expression softened, and a sigh escaped her lips. She ruffled Emma’s hair, her anger melting into maternal warmth.

“I wasn’t angry, Emma,” Vivian said gently. “I was scared something might’ve happened to you. Let’s forget about all this, shall we?” She crouched slightly, her kind smile returning. “Come on. A dress for the festival has been prepared for you. Would you like to see it?”

Emma’s heart leaped, her guilt evaporating in the face of her mother’s affection. Her family had already made preparations for her, even when she had been so careless. She beamed brightly, her previous fears replaced by excitement.

“Yes, Mom! I’d love to!”

Her mother chuckled softly, standing as she placed a hand on Ellie’s shoulder. Ethan, who had remained quiet throughout, finally smirked and said, “Good. Because you’ll need it if you don’t want to look like a stray at the festival.”

“Ethan!” Ellie protested, glaring at him.

Emma laughed, her spirits lifted. Together, they moved inside, the warmth of their home wrapping around them like a comforting embrace. As the door closed behind them, the sound of laughter and chatter echoed softly in the night air.

The Green Festival awaited, but for now, Emma was home—and she was loved.