The sky was a clear shade of blue, and birds chirped softly above, filling the morning with a gentle melody.
Sunlight shimmered like gold on the rooftops of the quiet town.
From the distance came the rhythmic sound of a horse carriage—
clip… clop… clip… clop…
The carriage slowed, the wheels grinding softly against the cobblestone road, and came to a graceful stop.
A moment later, the door opened, and a young girl stepped down.
Her hair was unusual—
not entirely black, not fully brown…
A soft light-damaged brown, with sun-faded strands that glowed faintly.
The ends were slightly frayed, as if touched by long journeys and restless winds.
Her eyes were deep—
so dark they almost appeared black,
yet within them a faint brown light shimmered.
Her pupils were clear, sharp—eyes that seemed to hold both innocence and secrets.
She wore a white dress made in the old German style of the era—
delicate lace, fine embroidery,
and a small white hat resting neatly on her head.
Around her, the town moved busily—
men carrying crates,
women haggling at the market,
a boy brushing a horse,
everyone lost in their daily routine.
Among them stood a middle-aged man—
tall, dignified, dressed in a black coat with gold buttons
and a fur collar resting proudly on his shoulders.
His presence alone demanded respect.
When he saw the girl, his face softened into a warm, proud smile.
"Meine Tochter… komm her.
My daughter, come here."
His voice carried relief, pride, and something deeper—
as if he had been waiting for this moment.
The girl stepped forward, her shoes tapping lightly against the stones,
her dress swaying,
her little white hat trembling softly with the wind.The girl stood beside her father, the cool morning breeze playing gently with her faded brown hair.
Before she could speak, soft footsteps approached from behind the carriage.
Her mother stepped forward—
a graceful woman with calm eyes and a warm, steady smile.
The kind of smile that could quiet storms.
The girl was 17… or maybe 18,
standing at that delicate edge between childhood and womanhood.
Her mother cupped her face gently,
thumb brushing her cheek as if memorizing every detail.
Then, with deep affection, she leaned forward
and pressed a tender kiss on her daughter's forehead.
"My little sunlite…"
she whispered, her voice trembling with love.
"May your journey be bright.
You are the light of our home,
and wherever you go… you carry my heart with you."
The girl closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her mother's kiss.
In that single moment—
all her fear, excitement, and uncertainty mixed together
like a quiet storm inside her chest.
Her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Come, meine Tochter," he said softly.
"Your new life waits for you."
And with that…
the path of destiny opened before her—
a road leading into mystery, power,
and a world where her light would either save her…
or burn her.The father gently placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder, and they started walking together. The coachman quietly held the reins of the carriage, and the mother stood still, watching until her daughter's little white hat almost disappeared into the crowd.
They turned off the busy part of the town onto a narrow, pebble-strewn street. The surrounding noise slowly faded, and the road led them towards a tall stone wall.
The wall was ancient, covered in green vines and moss—like a silent sentinel. Beyond the wall, only the crowns of tall, old trees could be seen.
The girl's heart fluttered quickly with fear and excitement. She looked up at her father.
"Father," she whispered, "where are we going? What exactly is this 'new life'?"
The father took a deep breath. His eyes held the firmness that was fitting for an aristocrat in a respectable black coat.
"My little sunlite," he said softly. "Don't be afraid. Do you remember a story I used to tell you when you were small? A special house that has hidden a secret of our family for centuries? This is that house."
They stopped in front of a massive, iron gate. The gate was a wonder of craftsmanship—intricately carved with designs of owls and snakes. It had turned dark with rust from being locked for many years.
The father placed his hand on a secret spot on the gate. Immediately, there was a soft click sound. The heavy gate slowly and solemnly swung inward, as if waking up from a long sleep.
Inside was a vast path, lined on both sides by rows of Yew trees. The path was cold and dark in the shadow of the trees. At the end of the path, visible from the distance—
A house.
But it was no ordinary house. It was a manor, a palace. A colossal structure built of dark gray stone, standing for hundreds of years. Its spires pointed towards the sky, and hundreds of small windows stared out with mystery. Its silence was so profound it almost rang in the ears.
The house seemed to whisper, "I have been waiting for you."
The father had his daughter stand just past the gate and looked at her with deep eyes.
"This is The Grand House of Reinhart," he said. "The house of your great-great-grandfather. And within its library awaits the answer for you... that light that resides within you. The power you must learn."
The girl stood near the gate. The cold air of the ancient house touched her face. In this moment, she was no longer a child.
Looking at the dark doorway, the faint brown light within her deep eyes suddenly seemed to glow brighter.
"Come," said the father. "Your first lesson is about to begin."
The First Encounter (Hridoy)
The moment the heavy iron gate opened, the darkness and cold air from inside seemed to rush out after breaking a long sleep. The path, covered by rows of Yew trees, was deeply shadowed, but just as the father and Sunslite were about to take their first step—a shadowy figure approached from the darkness.
A man was standing there. His age was estimated to be 33 years. He wore an immaculate black shirt, which blended into the shadows, and a thin-framed pair of glasses on his eyes. As the daylight hit him, it became clear that his eyes were an unusual shade of blue—like a piece of the night sky.
The man quickly approached the father and greeted him with extreme reverence, bowing his head slightly. His manner expressed not just respect, but deep allegiance.
The father calmly nodded his acceptance.
The man then turned towards Sunslite. A flicker of curiosity crossed his blue eyes.
"Welcome, Madam," the man said in a low voice. His voice was deep yet smooth. "I am Hridoy. I have waited a long time for your arrival."
The girl stepped forward with some hesitation, discomfort tightening her throat. "My name is... Sunslite."
Hridoy took a deep breath, as if absorbing the name with great depth. Then, he stooped down, took Sunslite's hand with great caution, and gently placed his lips on her hand—a long and respectful kiss.
Sunslite was completely stunned. An unfamiliar man touching her hand in this manner—a cold current ran through her due to this unexpected intimacy.
She felt afraid.
At this moment, Sunslite glanced at her father—what would he say? Would he stop Hridoy?
But the father, the tall, dignified man in the black coat, said nothing at all. He simply stood by the gate, watching the scene calmly, as if it were a perfectly normal occurrence. His silence only amplified the girl's fear. The father's unspoken approval seemed to confirm that Hridoy's presence and this behavior were all part of the 'new life.'
Hridoy stood up, and his gaze fell upon Sunslite's terrified eyes. He smiled faintly.
"Come inside, Sunslite," Hridoy said. "There is much awaiting your knowledge. I am your teacher... or your guide."
He turned and began walking slowly along the dark path towards the house. Sunslite looked at her father, as if making one last plea for help.
The father only said gently, "Go, my power. Your path has begun."
The girl, with hesitation, her sun-faded brown hair and trembling little white hat, followed the unfamiliar Hridoy towards that ancient house.