"Why don't the Young Master and the Young Lady play together while I cut the cake?" Lilian suggested gently.
"Sure!" Nolan replied enthusiastically.
Cake…
The word alone stirred something unexpected in me.
I stared at the small table as Lilian moved away, carefully cutting the cake. The sweet scent filled the room, warm and comforting.
I've never really had my own cake before.
Not even on my birthday. Ever since my sister Hyeon‑a was born, celebrations were never about me. I should have realized it earlier. From the way they only paid attention to me when Grandmother was around… from how quickly affection disappeared when money became involved.
I must have been foolish.
Sigh.
No. I shouldn't be thinking about things like that today. Today is supposed to be a good day.
Nolan carefully carried me toward a soft mat laid out on the floor. Several objects were neatly arranged before me—small, symbolic items placed deliberately apart from one another.
Ah. So this is it. The future role selection.
I'd read about this tradition in books. A child is placed before objects representing different paths: leadership, knowledge, wealth, power. Whatever they reach for is said to hint at their destiny.
Nolan knelt beside me, eyes shining with excitement.
"Okay, Ariya," he said eagerly. "Pick one! I want to see what you'll choose."
I looked at the items slowly.
A small sword.
A quill.
A golden coin.
A book.
A delicate crystal.
Destiny, huh?
In my past life, destiny was something forced upon me by others. Choices were made for me, not by me.
This time… even if it's just symbolic… I want control.
I reached out.
And then—
I grabbed everything.
The sword, the quill, the coin, the book, and the crystal—all cradled together in my tiny arms.
Nolan's jaw dropped. "All of them?!"
Lilian's eyes widened in surprise, though a small smile formed on her lips. "It seems the Young Lady wants all paths, Young Master. How… ambitious."
Of course I am.
Why settle for one path when I can take them all? Knowledge, power, wealth, skill—why choose when I can have everything?
Nolan blinked, then grinned. "She's amazing! That's my sister!"
I gave a tiny giggle as he watched in awe.
When Lilian returned with small plates of cake, she looked at me fondly. "Well… I suppose we will have to see what she does with all of these as she grows," she murmured.
I took a tiny bite of cake. Sweet. Soft. Real.
For the first time in both lives… I had a cake meant just for me.
And maybe—just maybe—this life will be different.
Because this time… I refuse to settle for less.
I want it all.