Lament for My First Life

A Successful First Day

The sun hung low in the violet sky, casting warm hues of orange and pink across the marble walls of the Royal Academy. The faint toll of the evening bell echoed through the courtyard as students filtered out in small groups, chattering about lessons, gossip, and magic.

Down the grand staircase, Xylenne and Eryndor lingered, their shadows stretching long beneath the fading light.

"You're so smart," Eryndor said, his small hands gripping the straps of his satchel. "I couldn't even catch up with you in class today."

Xylenne turned toward him with a soft smile. "Go at your own pace," she said gently. "I shouldn't be your competitor." Eryndor sighed. "I know... it's just difficult for me. Everything seems so easy for you." Xylenne thought for a moment, then tilted her head. "If you want, I can tutor you."

His eyes widened instantly. "Wait—really!?"

She nodded. "If your parents allow it, you can come over to my place after school." Eryndor's face brightened, his grin spreading from ear to ear. "That'd be amazing! I'll ask them tonight!" For the first time in a long while, Xylenne laughed, a real, innocent laugh that carried softly through the dusk. But their small moment of peace didn't last long.

From the top of the academy steps, a figure descended quietly, the boy with messy black hair and crimson eyes. His expression was unreadable as he walked past, but the sharpness in his gaze lingered. He glanced briefly at Xylenne and Eryndor standing together, her smiling, him laughing, and something flickered across his face.

His eyes hardened. When his black carriage pulled up before the gate, he climbed in without a word. Through the window, he watched them one last time, Xylenne's pale hair gleaming under the sunset, her soft smile turning toward another boy. His hands clenched into fists. He stared until they disappeared from sight, then finally turned his head forward as the carriage rattled down the cobblestone path.

For reasons he couldn't explain, he felt... angry. And he didn't know why.

A few minutes later, another carriage arrived, this one older, polished but worn from travel. Its door opened with a soft creak, and Zephyros stepped out. His hair was as messy as ever, his shirt faintly wrinkled, and the ink stains on his fingers looked fresh. One of his lenses had a small crack running through it, but he didn't seem to care.

When he saw Xylenne waiting at the bottom of the steps, his usual serious expression softened slightly. "How was your first day?" he asked. Before Xylenne could answer, Eryndor turned toward the tall man curiously. Zephyros's eyes flicked to the boy, then narrowed slightly.

He looked him up and down: tidy uniform, neatly combed hair, and a nervous grin. Zephyros's lips pressed into a thin line.

"I had a good day!" Xylenne beamed, her voice full of excitement. "And this is my new friend, Eryndor!"

Zephyros's eyebrow twitched. "Oh?" he muttered. "Friend, hm?"

"Y-yeah!" Eryndor said quickly, trying to sound polite. "We were just talking about class." Zephyros adjusted his glasses, the crack in the lens catching the light. "I see," he said flatly. "Well, it's time to go home now." Before Xylenne could protest, he bent down and gently lifted her into his arms, one hand under her knees, the other supporting her back. She squeaked softly but didn't fight it, her laughter filling the air. "Let's have cake," Zephyros said suddenly, his mood shifting as his gaze softened again. "I prepared one for you, to celebrate your first day of school."

"Cake!?" Xylenne's eyes sparkled. "You made cake?"

"Of course," he said, finally smiling. "Chocolate. Your favorite."

As they stepped into the carriage, Xylenne waved back at Eryndor enthusiastically. "See you tomorrow!"

"Yeah! See you tomorrow!" he called back, still smiling. But when Zephyros glanced down at the boy one last time, his expression shifted, sharp, protective, almost territorial.

Eryndor froze under the man's intense stare. His smile faltered.

The carriage door closed with a quiet thud, and the horses began to move. Inside, Zephyros's features relaxed again as Xylenne giggled beside him, already chattering about her first day. He smiled faintly as the carriage rolled away. For a moment, he could almost forget the ache in his chest, the guilt, the fear, the grief. She was happy, and that was enough. Outside, Eryndor remained at the bottom of the steps, watching the carriage disappear into the distance.

He scratched the back of his neck, frowning slightly. "What's up with that guy...?" he muttered. "Is he her father?"

The memory of Zephyros's cold, piercing gaze made him shiver slightly. "Why'd he stare at me like that?"

His own carriage arrived a few minutes later, its door opening with a quiet click.

He stepped inside, still frowning as he stared out the window.

Weird guy, he thought. But... she looked happy.

The city lights began to glow as the carriage wheels carried him home through the dusk.