I was finally ready. Valensia had dropped off some clothes for the party—there was no way I could go in my old clothes now that I was back in my young adult body.

The dress I put on was floor-length, three-lined, white and pale green, matching my hair. Gold embellishments adorned the shoulders and sleeves.

As I left, I saw Valensia waiting for me. At the sight of me, her gaze froze. It was embarrassing.

She approached slowly and whispered to me in a soft voice, "You look gorgeous."

We stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. Then, Astur broke the moment:

"Come on, everyone's waiting! And besides, I'm hungry!"

Annoyed, Valensia turned to him with a look I didn't see, but judging by the look on his face, it probably wasn't very warm.

I smiled. She took my hand and started walking towards the venue.

I pulled it away, a little embarrassed.
« Come on, I'm a lady, not a child! »
She didn't answer, but smiled.

When we arrived, the whole village stopped talking. A silence fell. All eyes were fixed on me, then the villagers knelt down.

I felt like turning around. All this attention was suffocating me.

Valensia understood immediately and asked them to get up and go enjoy the meal.

A few people came to thank me.

The party finally began. The villagers were jubilant. Some were dancing, others were singing, and laughter rang out. Valensia laughed and chatted with Astur and other friends.

I looked at them, this crowd celebrating, and realized this was the first time I'd participated in such an event.

The commotion was deafening me a little. I slipped away to get some fresh air.

I walked to the north gate, still under reconstruction. The villagers had done a remarkable job in just five days.

I looked out over the plain ravaged by my attack... A shiver ran through me.

« Running away ? »
It was Valensia. She had noticed my absence.
« Of course not ! » I replied, a little outraged.
« Good then » she said, relieved.

She approached.
« Don’t you like the party ? »
« I just needed some air... I’m not used to it... »

The sun was beginning to set. Valensia then took me to the western walls.

We talked quietly, facing the blazing sky.

She told me a little about her past, her training, the choices she had had to make... and her vow.

Her vow... She had dedicated her life to me.

I didn't understand. I got lost in my thoughts.

« Janvier ? Janvier ? »
Someone was calling me?
« Viera ??? »
I came to my senses.
« Oh, sorry » I said, looking down. « I was... somewhere else... »

« Maybe you prefer that I call you Viera instead of Janvier? I have called you Janvier since you woke up, but I didn’t think about it. Maybe it brings back bad souvenirs… especially coming from me… a descendant of... »

I didn't let her finish. I snuggled up to her.
« Both are fine. » I whispered. « I know that, with you, it’s different.»

Her arms closed around me.
« Janvier… » she whispered, with disturbing sweetness.

I looked up at her.

Her eyes shone. I lost myself in their radiance. She was a rare beauty.

« You really are beautiful… Did I already tell you that..? »
« Yes… » I answered in a breath.

And she kissed me.
Her kiss. My first kiss… It was indescribably gentle.
And then, her hands wrapped around me more tightly, and her kiss became more passionate.

I let myself be carried away, completely overwhelmed by this wave of emotion.

An intense warmth lodged in my heart.

So this was happiness.

I knew, now, that with Valensia, everything would be fine.

My age, my past, all of it mattered so little.

My real life... began now.

THE END.