Time passed too fast since the winter when we met Bera and she joined our family. I am happy to have her and to be able to celebrate her coming of age birthday in a few days. Bera was undoubtedly the best in everything and I am very proud of her. The preparations together with my mother have left us exhausted. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard the sound of an arrow being inserted into the trunk of a nearby tree. The arrow inside the red circle made me smile because it meant another perfect score for Bera. Instructor Felipe was quite strict, but he was just as proud every time Bera showed exceptional talent and saw the result of his consistent work. I lowered my bow to see my sister wiping the sweat from her brow satisfied with her skills before she lifted her head and looked up at me with a smile and then ran over and hugged me.
-Larissa, did you see it? -says the girl with sparkling eyes waiting for a congratulations from me.
I sigh softly feigning annoyance before looking at her. I laughed at her childish reaction that seemed to have not changed over the years. Her red hair was very striking framing her face always full of smiles and her kind look gave you the impetus to smile back. Bera moved as she grabbed my hand with the bow to get my attention.
-I did great, didn't I? -said Bera with a cheerful tone waiting for a confirmation.
-You did great," I replied with a smile.
-I'll help you practice some more," Bera mentioned, trying to cheer me up, seeing that I barely managed to complete today's training with great difficulty.
-Thank you, but I prefer your help with tomorrow's training," I said laughing, trying to convince her that I didn't care.
-Okay," Bera replied. I saw her walking to ask Felipe something and receive another congratulations before we left.
I leave the bow in place feeling the pain in my arms as they relax. I sighed with guilt and some shame as I thought about my results in every test over the past few days. I wasn't outstanding in battle or skilled in the training field so I can't fight beasts and my Aura skills are non-existent as well. But what I find most annoying is that my body is still fragile and I always have some relapse for which I have to go back to bed for a few days.
-Larissa, let's go home," says Bera with a smiling face offering me her hand.
I nodded taking her arm as we walked to the nearby lake where the horses were resting. Bera could see my discouraged state and tried to encourage me to talk about my worries. She was always like that, kind and willing to listen to me. The person I trusted the most, my dear sister and friend.
-What's wrong with you, you're sad," Bera mentions with a soft voice and concern while looking at me waiting for an answer.
-I'm not very good at training and I can't use any other skills either. Sometimes I think about how I will be able to protect them if something happens," I confess with pain in my chest thinking about the remote possibility of losing my family and being so weak that I can't do anything against it.
-I will protect them, after all they are my family too Larissa," Bera answers with a sweet smile calming the pessimistic thoughts that were going through my head.
-That's true. Thank you Bera," I said laughing with a bitter and guilty feeling but full of relief to think that she will be able to protect them even without me.
I climbed on the horse to take the road back. Bera did the same and took her time to remove the bandage from her injured wrist. The bruise and swelling were gone, so it was completely healed. Although Bera is usually very curious and likes to explore outside without someone else's protection she had never returned injured. We were scared when we saw the marks on her skin and the scratches on her arm, but she told us what happened. She had an encounter with a beast in the forest and didn't have much time to react so she got hurt. Fortunately Bera returned safely to the residence and was able to recover without much trouble.
The sun was strong and there was little shade in the surroundings so we advanced quickly between the shortcuts we knew well and arrived a little earlier. I smiled to see Teo at the entrance of the mansion waiting for us. The servants at his side took the horses back. Bera talked about the dress fittings with Teo as we walked down the hallway and went back to reciting the extensive agenda that was left to finish. I looked at the butler with a smile as he seemed concerned about the lack of time before the big event.
-We will manage to finish," said Bera with an animated smile trying to alleviate Teo's concern.
-I hope so, Miss Bera," says Teo with a tired sigh.
I went back to my room and hurried to change my clothes and then go to the main hall where my mother is waiting to continue with the preparations. Sari escorted me out and we could see on the way my father talking with Rufus. They both had a serious and worried expression which made me assume that they must have had some problem with the deliveries again. Lately the bandits seemed to be blocking the usual routes. Not to mention they were troublesome and elusive.
I watched them enter their study before we lost our way down the corridor and into the lounge.
I heard my mother's and Bera's laughter as they chatted. I smiled to see them so comfortable and peaceful choosing the jewelry they needed to complete my sister's outfit. There should be no problem in what she should wear, for she was very beautiful. But that was also the reason why it was so difficult to choose the best one. I took a seat next to my mother and admired the large number of necklaces and accessories resting on the case. My gaze quickly found the blue gemstone bracelet that glittered discreetly on the finely decorated wooden box.
I never liked shiny or extravagant things as they were the object of attention and I almost never found something I really liked, but I found the bracelet simply beautiful. I reached out my hand and caressed the delicate contours and edges with my fingers marveling at seeing something so delicate.
-You have wonderful taste, Miss. It is our bracelet made from a new stone called Cyrel that has not yet been released for sale and is the first design that our lady Sophie has created. So Miss Bera can be the first one to present it to the noble society -mentions the man with shining eyes very proud of himself while presenting the recent works of the renowned Sophie.
-It's beautiful, I'm sure it would look much better with the dress," says my mother with a smile of joy to see that the outfit would be complete for my sister.
At times like these I was grateful to have the veil on my face and that he did not see the discouraged expression that crossed my face, I held the bracelet between my fingers a little tense and uncomfortable. I hadn't chosen it for Bera, but I didn't want to take away my mother's smile that adorned her lips.
-It's beautiful, I'll try it on, can you help me? -added Bera extending her hand for me to help her put it on.
With a bitter feeling I nodded and fastened the bracelet around Bera's wrist. She flicked her wrist slightly causing the stones to sparkle in a beautiful glow reflecting the sunlight. My sister gave me an excited smile for finding something so precious before hugging me to thank me.