Another World

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Life is full of surprises. It is mysterious yet wonderful. Some say that life is totally unfair. But for me? Life is only balanced. Without the bad, there will never be anything good. When I was a little child I always asked my mom,

"Why are there sharks mommy? Why can't it only be small fishes who don't have large teeth." I pointed at my teeth.

She chuckled and pat my head. "The sea won't have any thrill then if there aren't sharks."

I pouted in annoyance. "At least fishes could live freely and people won't get scared of the water."

"How about this, in every garden, there are beautiful flowers but the twist is they never die would you like that?"

I blinked twice then shook my head afterward. "That's impossible mommy, flowers dry out."

Mom chuckled and put me to bed. I stared at her while she hums lullabies.

"Always remember that life is a gift. Goodnight sweetie." She leaned to kiss me on my forehead.

"Goodnight mommy," I said in between my yawns.

Many years have passed and I have given birth to two healthy babies. The eldest is a boy which I named after his father, Elton Cadmael. His blonde wavy hair making him look like his father.

And my little girl who loves to paint and has brunette hair is Mckenzie Divine. She's a sweet girl but loves to fight with her older brother. 

"Mother, why do I have to wear pearls?" Divine asked as she examined her neck in front of the vanity mirror.

"It is father's gift for you, sweetheart. Didn't you liked it?" I tilted my head to the side.

She rolled her eyes at me. "I don't like pearls, mother. I'd prefer gemstones on my neck."

I scoffed in disbelief and chuckled in amusement. My daughter is sure a feisty one. She's only eight years old and I can't believe she can roll her eyes at me.

"Then, I'll hand the message to your father." I stood up from kneeling and watched her spray perfume on herself. 

"Thanks mother!" She beamed.

The both of them aren't identical twins. They also have different attitudes but Cadmael is like a copycat of his father. Cadmael learned archery at a young age. While, Divine focused on horse back riding.

"Be careful, darling!" I reminded as Elton helped his daughter sit on Peggy's daughter.

Divine named her horse, Pharm. Cadmael is beside me watching her sister ride the horse. 

"Will she be alright, mother?" Cadmael asked with a worry tone.

I ruffled his hair and kissed the top of his head. "She'll be alright, your father is beside her."

We spend our day mostly teaching our kids to be ready for the future. The kingdom has evolved as Elton sat as the new King. There are several academies from different villages, they teach tons of curriculums now and kids can go to school.

Elton and I prepared our kids for the future. Our kingdom became the center of education. Most kids from different kingdoms sail across the sea just to study in this academy. From our village, this is where most royalties study.

Some of them became aware of sorcery, the kingdom have now a military and most of the leaders came from our academy. Kingdoms are now more sturdy than ever. We have this system that each royalty from different kingdoms sail as representatives and talk about whereabouts and problems they are encountering.

"Fix your stroke, Cadmael." I strictly said.

Cadmael groaned. "Why do I have to do painting, mother?"

"It doesn't define one's sexuality, Cadmael." I answered.

"None of my men friends does painting," he complained.

"And non of your lady friends does archery."

Cadmael grunted and kept quiet. Sexuality started being a problem all around the kingdom. They see archery as a mens hobby, while painting is only for lady. I call it as absurd. Why does Divine does both? That is why I don't believe that hobbies should define an individual's sexuality.

"Mother," Divine called.

I was so focused on sewing. On our next lesson, I'll be teaching them how to hold a needle and techniques for better sewing.

"What is it?" I answered without looking at her.

"What can you say if I want to bake like you, mother?"

A small smile formed on my lips. "I'll be glad and at the same time strict inside the kitchen."

She chuckled. "I'll promise to be a good student, mother."

We both let out a good laugh. Once I finished my sewing I stood up to look at my children's output. Cadmael painted a bow and arrow. The painting looked so manly yet a bit soft. The colors used were a mix of vibrant and dark.

"Good job, Cadmael." I pat his head.

Cadmael did a curtsy and left the room leaving his output behind. I'll be hanging their output here inside the study room.

I looked closely at Divine's output. I smiled a little as I saw a painting of a bundt cake with granulated sugar on top. The cake stood out because of the shades of pink background.

"Are you really firm on your decision to bake? Soon you'll be attending the academy. I don't want your focus to divert on so many things, Divine." I worriedly said.

Divine gulped and lowered her head. "I really want to bake, mother. Even I can only do it where there is no academy."

"It'll be a bit tough, sweetheart." I whispered.

"I'm determined, mother." She lifted her head and smiled.

I nodded and told her to look for her brother. Divine may be the next Queen of our kingdom. Even if they're still young the villagers take their bet on who will be the next royal generation to take the throne.

But Elton and I got to talk about it. We don't want to base on the gender. Since both of them are striving hard and really want to take the throne on the future. We agreed to both look at their standing once they get older. It'll still be a long way for us family.

Divine look up to the Queen of Astra, her daughter is the same age as my little ones. Cadmael actually has an eye for her. While Divine look at her as a friend.

"How was painting session?" Elton asked in the middle of dinner.

Cadmael groaned. "I don't like painting, father."

Elton chuckled. "But you have a talent, you shouldn't waste it, Cadmael."

"I'm more into archery and battle strategies, father." Cadmael pushed while his voice remained low.

They both know that I'll punish them if they ever raise a tone at us. Or even argue at the table.

"At least have a little diversion, son. It'll be helpful when you're really tired." Elton said and took a sip on his wine.

"How does wine taste like, hubby?" I asked.

"It is good, looks like the academy is improving." He wiggled his eyebrows.

I chuckled. Like I said, the kingdom has a lot of academy now. Since we are known for foods, I thought of adding beverages in our kingdom. We used water and grapes just like what I know from my real world.

Then, we ferment them for a very long time until we get to taste them. Dinner ended and the kids are ready to sleep. I changed them into their pajamas and turned their lights off. I made sure they drank milk so they get to sleep faster.

As I went back to our bedroom I felt dizzy again.

Devy..

The whispering didn't go away even when I gave birth to my children. I massaged my temples and jumped on the bed. Elton laid beside me and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I love you, darling." He whispered and kissed my temples.

"I love you more, hubby." I whispered and dozed off.

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Another World