Chapter 3
The book, as if welcoming Lor’s determination, flapped its pages like wings and soared into the air. It circled once around Lor.
“Kyahaha!”
The breeze stirred by the book tickled Lor’s cheek, making him burst into laughter.
[I’ll give you a gift needed for your adventure!]
Golden dust spilled from the book’s pages, wrapping around Lor.
Lor’s eyes widened in surprise. At the same moment, a gap appeared where one of his front teeth fell out, visible through his slightly parted lips.
“Wh-what is this…?”
[For a brave child, the wisdom of starlight!]
The pages fluttered. The golden particles circling Lor seeped into his forehead.
On his round forehead appeared the very same symbol engraved on the cover of the book.
“Huh? It feels cool!”
Lor rubbed his forehead with a finger. His head felt refreshed, as though his mind had become sharper and quicker.
[From now on, you’ll face many hardships, Lor. Each time, the starlight’s wisdom dwelling within you will light your path and provide the key to overcoming difficulties.]
“Wow!”
He didn’t quite understand, but he knew the book was working hard for his sake.
Stretching his arms wide, Lor hugged the book tightly.
“Thank you, book!”
This time, the book didn’t run away and obediently nestled in his arms. Lor rubbed his cheek against its pages. They felt a little scratchy, but that was fine.
He was simply grateful—the book had told him how to save his mother and even given him a gift.
“But, book…”
[What is it, Lor?]
Lor suddenly frowned and released the book from his arms. It floated back up to his eye level and flapped its pages.
“…I don’t know how to get to my dad.”
According to the book, his father, Arcade Atelion, lived in the country of Atelion.
Lor was still young and knew little of the world, but from his grandfather and the townsfolk he’d learned that Atelion was an enormous, faraway land.
“I have to go to Dad quickly…”
Tears welled up again.
He needed to bring his father soon so his mother could be healed. But how was he supposed to travel all the way to such a distant country? Should he go with Grandpa? But what about Mom in the meantime? Going alone was too far…
[There’s a way!]
Golden dust swirled out of the book once more, softly caressing Lor’s cheek before forming glittering letters.
“What way?”
Lor blinked wide-eyed at the book. Just then, the pages flipped rapidly, revealing a brand-new page.
“Wh-whoa—!”
Lor’s eyes grew even wider as he looked at it.
The deep, silent night.
Lor lay in bed, but he wasn’t asleep. His round eyes were wide open, sparkling with wakefulness.
He slipped out from under the blanket, tiptoeing to the door. Pressing his ear tightly against it, he listened.
Outside was quiet.
Grandpa must have… fallen asleep.
Sometimes Grandpa would wander the halls at night, which always worried him, but now there was no sound beyond the door.
And Mom… she’s okay, right?
The image of his mother suffering earlier came to mind, and tears threatened to spill again.
At that moment, the magic book appeared by his side. It nudged the softest part of its spine against his cheek, as if to comfort him.
You’re such a good kid!
Lor smiled brightly, hugging the book tight, as if he had never been on the verge of tears.
What matters most is saving Mom.
Clenching his small fists, Lor steeled his heart.
Then, gathering his courage, he opened the door and stepped outside.
Tiptoe.
Carefully, quietly.
He moved with lifted heels so not a sound escaped.
His pure green eyes, like budding leaves, darted about as he scanned the darkness.
Grandpa said I should be in bed at night…
But Lor had waited for everyone in the mansion to fall asleep because—
I’m a brave child! I have to gather my strength and bring Dad and Mom back together!
Though he had nodded off a few times while waiting for the deep night, each time he had slapped his cheek with his maple-leaf-like palm to wake himself up!
Only if Mom and Dad reconcile will Mom get healthy again. Then Grandpa won’t sigh anymore, either.
And then, their whole family could smile happily together.
Just thinking that, Lor endured his drowsiness.
Tiptoe, tiptoe.
Through a hallway that felt far longer than usual, avoiding even the moonlight that streamed through the windows—
At last, Lor arrived at Elaine’s bedroom door!
Carefully pushing it, the hinges let out a loud creak that echoed down the corridor.
Gasp!
He froze, clutching the handle.
Would Mom wake up? Would she scold him, yelling “You little rascal!”?
Peeking through the cracked door, Lor looked at Elaine.
Shhh… shhh…
But contrary to his fears, she was fast asleep.
Elaine was beautiful. Though her blonde hair had lost its luster and vitality, under the moonlight it still shone softly—the same golden color as Lor’s hair.
Her eyes, the same shade as his, were hidden beneath closed lids, their long lashes trembling faintly.
But her face was pale, shadowed with sickness.
The memory of her coughing earlier filled Lor with sadness.
He wished she could be healthy again. Without dark circles beneath her eyes, without painful coughs.
…All I need is to find Dad…!
Then Mom would get better!
And when her eyes regained their sparkle, how brightly would they shine?
Just imagining his mother smiling again made Lor’s body wiggle with excitement.
Wait for me, Mom! I’ll bring Dad back!
Determined, he slipped fully inside the room.
Quickly, he padded over to the small bedside drawer and carefully opened the bottom one.
Inside, something glimmered. Lor’s eyes sparkled with it.
He reached in and pulled out the shining object.
“Wooow—.”
He couldn’t help the awe-filled gasp, though he instantly clapped a hand over his mouth in alarm.
What he held was a small pendant.
At its center was a jewel, glowing with a mysterious beauty, like the brightest star in the night sky.
Within it shimmered a subtle radiance that shifted like gentle waves whenever moonlight touched it.
Sometimes, Elaine would stroke the pendant wistfully, then tuck it deep into the drawer again.
Each time Lor had asked about it, she would only give a faint, lonely smile and say, “…It’s a gift from someone I cherished.”
Her expression had been so sorrowful that Lor had kept his lips tightly shut after that.
Sorry, Mom…
He apologized inwardly, lips trembling. It hurt to take something she treasured so dearly, but—
I need this… to meet Dad!
Thanks to the magic book, Lor had discovered something important.
This pendant was actually…
A gift from his father to his mother!
Both Dad and Mom had cared for each other. Mom had said it herself—someone she cherished had given it to her!
The story he’d read in the book replayed in his mind.
[Elaine stood by the window. Behind her, Arcade quietly approached so as not to startle her.
In his hand was a small box.
When Elaine turned around, Arcade froze. She gazed at him with wide eyes.
Meeting her gaze, Arcade smiled softly.
“Elaine.”
His voice was gentle as he called her name, and then he offered her the box he carried.
Elaine opened it to find a pendant glowing with a mysterious light.
“Arcade…”
Arcade carefully took out the pendant and clasped it around her neck. His touch was gentle and warm.
As the pendant touched her skin, it felt as though the bond between them deepened.
“This gem is our bond. So—.”]
