After my father left for work, my mother prepared a bottle for me and took me into the living room. It was a spacious area with multiple cushy chairs and couches facing a crystal altar of some kind. More shelves with knick-knacks, bookcases, and portraits lined the walls. 

Mom sat down on the couch with me in her lap, feeding me the bottle. I must admit, it tasted damn good. She then waved her hand and the crystal altar thing suddenly lit up, projecting a holographic screen above it that was playing a childrens’ show. I soon learned this was the magical faerie equivalent of television, called Crystalcast Vision, or Crysvis for short. 

That evening, my parents were watching the news, and I was able to learn a bit more about faerie society: We lived in the port city of Rengar’s Roost, which sat along the southern coast of the Seelie Kingdom of Osvael. This was one of many countries on the continent of Voloxia, which were split into two opposing alliances - the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court. 

Over the coming days and weeks, I absorbed as much knowledge as I could, and learned I was indeed part of the royal family, called House Qaarn. My father, Prince Maldarus, was the youngest brother of King Eitresmond of Osvael. My uncle and his wife and kids lived at the Royal Palace in the capital city of Oschades. Dad, who was ninth in line for the Crystal Crown, served as the King’s envoy on the Coastal Trade Council in Rengar’s Roost.

My mother, Doctor Marla Qaarn, was the Head Healer at a local hospital, but was on maternity leave until I was old enough to go to daycare.

Eventually, I convinced Mom to start reading me bedtime stories by pointing at books repeatedly. I watched the words on the pages closely as she spoke them, gradually learning to read myself. 

Time continued to move forward, and I eventually met my uncles, aunts, and cousins. The other kids were all older, but Eitresmond’s youngest son Valarus was very close to my age. Even though we were still babies, I could tell we were gonna become best friends. It helped that the entire family came to Rengar’s Roost every Summer. 

By the time I was two years old, I finally glimpsed my own reflection in a mirror - I had my father’s green eyes, my mother’s black hair, and the same peachy skin tone they both shared. No wings yet, though - I discovered that young faeries usually didn’t get those until puberty. That was also when their true powers began to manifest. 

My parents started sending me to daycare and my mother returned to work. After reading all the books in our home and at the daycare center, I began to grow bored and started writing my own stories in a notebook. This intrigued our caretaker. 

“Zebby, did you write this?” Miss Layla asked me as she pointed at my notebook. 

“Yeah! Do you like it?” I asked with a big smile. She seemed awestruck that some two year old toddler was sitting there with a pencil and a notebook writing out quality prose. 

“It’s… remarkable for one so young!” she replied.

When my parents came to pick me up that day, Miss Layla called them into her office. I overheard her raving about my writings and insisting that I should be placed in advanced classes. Well, this should be interesting…