Marcelia gently knocked on the heavy wooden door of her father’s study. The scent of peppermint oil greeted her as she stepped inside, the familiar smell instantly soothing her. Cedric Ravenswood, seated at his large oak desk, was humming to himself as he scribbled notes on parchment, oblivious to her presence for the moment. The study felt like a sanctuary, a place filled with warmth of old books, worn furniture and memories.

Her eyes wandered to the portrait that hung on the wall above the fireplace. It was the only painting of her mother, Mavis, cradling Marcelia as an infant, with her older brother Vincent, and sister, Willow, standing by her side. Even though Marcelia had only been two when her mother passed, she always felt a closeness whenever she looked at the painting.

Noticing her gaze, Cedric looked up from his work and smiled softly. “The day you were born, she was so happy,” he began, his voice taking on that familiar, wistful tone. “She used to say you were the perfect mix of the two of us. She’d joke that Vincent looked like a gender-bent version of her, and Willow was all me, except for her hair-Mavis’s hair, that beautifully blue so deep it reminds me of the sky reflected on a tranquil river.

Marcelia smiled, feeling the warmth of her father’s words wrap around her. “And what about me?” she asked, even though she knew the answer. This story had been told so many times, yet it never lost its comfort.

“You had my black hair with those subtle hints of her blue whenever the lights caught it just right,” Cedric replied. “And those lavender eyes of hers, so striking. You even had my dimples the first time you smiled,” he chuckled softly. “Mavis cried tears of joy.”

Marcelia sighed softly, her smile wistful. “I love hearing that story, Papa. But I have a feeling you didn’t call me here just to reminisce.”

Cedric grinned, playfully conceding. “You know me too well, sweetheart. And you’re right, your time is valuable. I’ll get to the point.”

He stood and moved to the large map pinned on the wall, tracing a path eastward with his finger. “There’s a small village beyond the Moonlite Maiden’s Forest, a young woman there is expecting twins, and her delivery will be risky without proper care.” His gaze softened as he turned back to Marcelia, pride shining in his eyes. “I know how capable you are, and they need you.”

Marcelia’s heart swelled at the confidence her father placed in her. “Of course, Papa,” she said with a respectful bow. “I'll go prepare immediately.”

Cedric stepped toward her, pulling her into a warm embrace before kissing her forehead. “Mama Rellia has already packed two enchanted bags for you, one with all your medical supplies and another with your instruments.”

Marcelia nodded, feeling a rush of affection for her father and stepmother. “I'll make sure everything is ready,” she assured him.

Cedric smiled again, his hands resting on her shoulders for a moment longer before he let her go. “Be safe, Marcelia. The ravens will watch over you, as always.”

After leaving her father’s study, Marcelia made her through the corridors of the manor. The scent of peppermint oil still lingered in her nostrils, but now it was accompanied by the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread from the kitchens below. She smiled as she passed by the open doors to the balcony, the cool breeze carrying with it the sound of distant birdsong, ravens, their calls ever-present around Ravenswood Manor.

As she rounded the corner to step onto the balcony looking over the freshly planted garden for some fresh air, she nearly collided with Julius, her stepbrother. He appeared dazed, as if he were walking in a dream, his long strawberry-blonde hair a disheveled mess. His usually neat goatee had grown into a small beard, and dark circles ringed his heterochromic eyes, the left a deep green, the right pale icy blue. He looked as though he hadn’t slept or eaten in days, no doubt lost in his work again.

“Julius!” Marcelia exclaimed, her eyes narrowing in concern, “What in the world have you been doing? You look like you’ve just crawled out of a crypt.”

Julius blinked at her, momentarily confused. “Oh, Marcelia. I was just… clearing my head.” His voice was horse, and he absently rubbed his temples. “The translations are-”

“Enough about your translations,” she interrupted, her voice filled with the kind of gentle authority that only a sister could muster. “When was the last time you ate? Or bathed for that matter?”

Before Julius could answer, Maggie, the head maid, appeared down the hall, her eyes zeroing in on him. “There you are, Master Julius! We've been searching everywhere for you.” She tutted disapprovingly. “Look at the state of you. It's time for a proper meal and a bath.”

Several other maids appeared behind Maggie nodding in agreement as they closed in on him like a pack of mother hens. Julius raised his hands in protest, but his weak attempt at resistance was futile.

“Maggie, I really need to-” Julius began, but Marcelia cut him off with a playful grin.

“Oh no, you're not getting out of this. You'll thank me later.”

One of the maids grabbed Julius by the arms with surprising strength for her small frame, and he let out a resigned sigh as they began to drag him towards the baths. The sight of him being led off by the staff brought a small smile to Marcelia’s lips. She knew how much they cared for him, even if he often neglected himself in pursuit of his work.

“Don't worry, I'll check on you later,” Marcelia called after him with a teasing lilt. “Make sure you're presentable by then.”

Julius gave a half-hearted wave over his shoulder as the maids ushered him down the hall, their chatter filling the air. Marcelia watched them disappear before shaking her head in fond amusement.

As she started down the stairs that would take her to the courtyard, Marcelia ran into Christopher, Maggie's little boy.

“There you are Marmar, Lady Rellia is waiting for-”

“Me in the courtyard,” Marcelia finished, “that is where I am heading now.” Marcelia loves the nickname he has for her, and she made it a rule that only he could call her that.

She gave Chris a hug and continued toward the courtyard.

The crisp cool air of early spring greeted her as she stepped outside. The chill was still present, but hints of warmth were starting to break through. Budding leaves adorned the branches of the trees, and the occasional early bloom peeked out from the earth, painting the courtyard with subtle signs of the coming season.

Rellia stood near the edge of the courtyard, wrapped in a light cloak, her breath visible in the cool air. Her light brown hair streaked with silver, a quiet grace about her. She was inspecting an old sword, Theo’s sword, the one he had carried on his missions as a knight of the empire. Marcelia felt a pang of nostalgia and pride.

“There you are, love,” Rellia said as she noticed Marcelia’s approach, her voice soft and warm. “I have something for you,” she held out the sword, its hilt well-worn but still gleaming with care. “This was your Uncle Theo’s. I want you to take it with you through the Moonlite Maiden’s Forest. The magic there can be… unpredictable, and I’d feel better knowing you’re carrying this.”

Marcelia hesitated for a moment, taking in the weight of the sword, both literally and figuratively. Theo had always been like a second father to her. “Mama,” she said softly, “are you sure? This sword meant everything to him.”

Rellia's smile was bittersweet as she brushed her fingers over the hilt. “That's why I want you to have it. He would have wanted you to be safe. It’s not just a weapon-it’s a reminder of his love for us all. And with your father’s training, I know you can handle it.” Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and affection.

Marcelia nodded, taking the sword and strapping it to her side. It felt comforting in a way, as though Theo himself was watching over her.

“Thank you,” Marcelia said earnestly. She gazed at Rellia with gratitude, not just for the sword, but for the love and care Rellia had always shown her. Though she wasn’t her birth mother, Rellia had filled that role with grace, offering the steady warmth of someone who truly cared.

“And don’t forget,” Rellia added with a playful glint in her eyes, ”when you get back, we’re planning a trip to the capital. The triplets have been pestering us to visit, and it’s been too long since we’ve seen Vincent and Willow.”

Marcelia smiled at the thought. “I'd love that. It will be good to see them all.”

Rellia stepped closer, her expression growing softer. “But remember, dear, take care of yourself first. Your father and I are so proud of the woman you’ve become, but you don’t always have to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Marcelia’s heart swelled with emotion. “I'll be careful, Mama. I promise.”

Rellia then reached out and gently tucked a strand of Marcelia’s hair behind her ear. “Good. And Julius-well, I've already sent Maggie and the others to drag him off to get cleaned up. You know how he gets when he’s buried in his work.”

Marcelia chuckled softly. “I saw him earlier. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.”

“Just like Theo used to be,” Rellia said with a fond smile. “He would lose track of time when he was deep in his studies. I used to have to practically drag him to bed myself.” 

“I'll check in on Julius before I leave,” Marcelia said.

Rellia nodded approvingly. “That's my girl. And remember, this journey is important, but you are just as important.”

Marcelia nodded and pulled Rellia into a warm embrace. As they held each other, Marcelia felt the strength and love that carried their family through so many hardships. Rellia was a constant-a beacon of stability and kindness.

When they pulled apart, Rellia gently kissed her forehead. “Safe travels, my love. May the ravens watch over you.”

As Marcelia finished preparing for her journey, a soft ripple of magic stirred the air beside them. In a blink of an eye, Tawnie, the head mage of the Ravenswood family and Cedric’s most trusted advisor, appeared. Her fiery red hair, streaked with silver, was tied back neatly, and her emerald green robes shimmered with faint runes of protection.

“Tawnie!” Marcelia greeted her with a smile.

“Good to see you, dear,” Tawnie replied warmly. “I've come to fetch you and Rellia. Julius is all cleaned up, and lunch is ready. Your father and Julius are waiting for you in the dining room.”

Marcelia and Rellia exchange glances before following Tawnie inside. As they both walked through the halls of the manor, the comforting scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread grew stronger. The soft warmth of the dining room was a contrast to the lingering chill outside, the fireplace crackling softly in the background.