Fate's Enchantment

As Aoi entered the house, she took in the sight of her aunt. Aunt Li's face was red and her eyes puffy from crying. She quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Nothing, dear. Go and wash up, dinner is ready," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Aoi wasn't convinced. She crossed her arms and frowned, her eyes narrowing. "It's not 'nothing'," she said, making air quotes with her fingers. "Tell me what happened. Did someone bully you?" Her tone was firm, almost challenging. She wouldn't back down until she got to the bottom of this. No one was allowed to hurt her beloved aunt.

Aunt Li sighed, her facade crumbling under Aoi's determined gaze. "It's just... some people at the market were saying things," she admitted quietly, her voice breaking.

Aoi's eyes flashed with anger. "What did they say?" she demanded, her fists clenching at her sides.

Aunt Li shook her head, placing a gentle hand on Aoi's arm. "It's not worth it, Aoi. People will always talk. Let's just have dinner and forget about it," she said softly, trying to soothe her niece.

But Aoi wasn't so easily placated. She knelt beside her aunt, taking her hands in her own. "Aunt Li, you are the most important person in my life. If someone hurts you, they hurt me too. Please, tell me what happened," she pleaded, her voice softening.

Aunt Li looked into Aoi's eyes, seeing the fierce determination and love there. She sighed again, knowing she couldn't hide the truth any longer. "They were saying things about your parents, about how they left us, how I can't protect you..." she whispered, tears welling up again.

Aoi took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling as she tried to calm the storm of emotions within her. She looked at Aunt Li, her eyes filled with a mixture of determination and defiance. "Is this a matter of concern?" she began, her voice steady and clear. "Yes, my parents left us. So what?"

She stood up straighter, her posture exuding confidence and strength. "Did we beg them for food? No," she continued, her tone growing firmer with each word. "We earn our own money and eat what we earn. I don't think you should bat an eye for those words."

Aunt Li watched her niece, a mixture of pride and sadness in her eyes. She knew how much Aoi had endured, how hard she had worked to build a life for them both. Aoi's words were like a shield, protecting them from the harsh judgments of others.

Aoi walked over to the window, looking out at the darkening sky. The stars were beginning to appear, tiny pinpricks of light in the vast expanse. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she spoke again, her voice softer but no less resolute. "We are strong, Aunt Li. Stronger than their words, stronger than their judgments. We have each other, and that's all that matters."

Aoi turned around, her face softening into a gentle smile that seemed to light up the room. She reached out and took Aunt Li's hands in her own, squeezing them reassuringly. "Mom and Dad would never want us to be sad, would they?" she said, her voice tender and filled with warmth.

Aunt Li nodded, her smile growing. "Let's go to sleep," she suggested, her tone light and hopeful. "Tomorrow, I'll head to the capital. I'll find a job for us and buy a beautiful house where you can stay and be happy."

Aunt Li's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "The capital? That's a big step, Aoi," she said, her voice tinged with both concern and admiration.

The next day, Aoi woke up earlier than usual. She had to leave early to make the long walk down to the capital. "Aunty, I'll surely find a job for you and make sure you live well." She smiled softly to herself before walking further. "I've been living up the mountains for so long... the city is so beautiful!" she exclaimed in excitement.

Just as she was about to turn left, a powerful blow of wind hit her face. Without a moment to react, someone kicked her down to the ground, making her kneel. She turned around to see a royal guard. "What kind of behavior is this?!" she yelled in frustration.

"Can't you see His Highness is coming this way? Which family are you from? So impolite and proud!" The guard glared at her, his eyes threatening, gripping the hilt of his sword tight.

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