The Fifth Birthday

As the final stroke of golden light fell, the delicate figure before Karina swayed, on the verge of collapse.

The once-pristine back of the young elf was now adorned with intricate Sacred Mark patterns etched in divine elven blood.

As the last stroke completed, the radiant golden glow dimmed, settling into faint golden lines permanently etched into her skin.

Gazing at the scene, as if witnessing the birth of a masterpiece, Karina exhaled wearily, withdrawing her hand.

Inscribing the Sacred Mark was not only agonizing for the recipient but also a significant drain on the inscriber.

“Done.”

Karina blinked her tired eyes, her soft, ethereal voice signaling the ritual’s end.

With those words, the trembling figure lost all strength, collapsing backward. Karina caught Selina tightly, her hands instantly feeling the damp sweat on her daughter’s skin.

Selina was drenched, her body pushed beyond what her will could endure.

Yet, stubbornly, she hadn’t uttered a single cry of pain from start to finish.

Holding her sweat-soaked daughter, Karina quickly wrapped her in a costly blanket.

Post-ritual, elves were at their weakest; even their normally impervious bodies could catch a cold from a slight breeze.

Wrapped tightly, Selina was too weak to open her eyes. Her lips, pale from pain, framed a face as fragile as porcelain.

“D-Did I succeed?”

Her faint voice seemed ready to dissipate with the slightest breeze, but she forced her eyes open a sliver.

In her blurred vision, Karina’s loving yet weary face was filled with concern, tightening the blanket and holding her close to share her warmth.

“You did, Selina, my daughter. You succeeded…”

“You’re my pride, Karina’s eternal pride. Don’t push yourself anymore. If you’re tired, sleep.”

Her mother’s gentle words brushed her ears. Selina gave a faint nod, then succumbed to exhaustion, slipping into a deep sleep.

Felicia, anxiously waiting outside, rushed in at the sound of a knock. She saw her mother at the door, holding a blanket-wrapped Selina.

Both looked battle-worn, but Selina’s face was alarmingly pale, though her breathing remained steady.

“Mother, is she…?”

Felicia’s anxious question was cut off by Karina’s shake of her head.

“She’s fine. Everything went smoothly. Take care of Selina—I need to rest.”

Inscribing the Sacred Mark had clearly taxed Karina. Seeing her mother’s fatigue, Felicia was surprised.

Rarely had she seen her mother, the powerful Elven Empress capable of solving nearly any problem, so drained.

Was marking Selina more taxing than past endeavors?

“How many Sacred Marks did she endure?”

Curious, Felicia asked, looking at the frail girl in her arms.

“She’s right there—see for yourself.”

Despite her exhaustion, Karina maintained a mother’s gentle patience.

Lifting a corner of the blanket, Felicia glimpsed Selina’s flawless back.

Seeing the number of faint golden marks, even a prodigy like Felicia was stunned speechless.

Three—three whole marks! One more than her own. Felicia had endured hers after two Sacred Baths, meaning Selina’s soul aptitude surpassed hers significantly.

Confirming the count, Felicia quickly re-covered the blanket. She carefully took her feather-light sister from her mother, holding her like a priceless treasure.

“I understand. I’ll take care of her. Please rest, Mother.”

Pleased with her eldest daughter’s maturity, Karina nodded, watching Felicia’s figure disappear down the corridor before closing the door.

…

Three days later.

The sleeping princess stirred under the morning light, slowly opening her drowsy eyes. The pink bedding shifted as she woke. Cuibis, standing guard, hurried to assist.

With her maid’s help, Selina groggily sat up, a soft pillow propped behind her.

Leaning against the silky cushion, the dazed elf girl gradually woke.

Blinking her misty eyes, she scanned her familiar boudoir, tilting her head with a cute, dazed air. “How long was I out?”

“Your Highness, you’ve slept three full days. If you hadn’t woken, the whole palace would’ve been in a panic…”

Relieved, Cuibis teased lightly.

“Why? What happened?”

“You forgot? Tomorrow’s your fifth birthday. Her Majesty ordered the palace to prepare. If you didn’t wake, all that effort would’ve been wasted…”

The lavish birthday preparations would be for naught if Selina missed her fifth birthday, a regret even Cuibis would feel. What girl wants to miss her precious birthday?

Especially a princess’s birthday—missing it would disappoint the many elven vassals attending.

As their talk cleared her mind, Selina realized tomorrow was her birthday banquet. A bad feeling crept up.

“Uh… what time is it?”

“It’s 11 a.m. If you’re rested, just call me. I’ll inform Her Highness Felicia and Her Majesty. Everything’s ready except you, Your Highness…”

No need to say more. After five years in the Elven Kingdom, Selina caught the subtext: everything was set, but the princess wasn’t “packaged” perfectly yet. That meant trying on a dizzying array of dresses and accessories.

The thought of waking only to be treated like a dress-up doll made Selina’s mouth twitch uncontrollably.

Should’ve stayed asleep!

With a silent wail, the elf girl’s face twisted into a bitter smile.