Chapter 5

My father harvested and sold the crops in the field one after another, but he did not plant anything afterward. The field gradually turned into an empty lot.

Father and Uncle Nathan decided to move to a poor neighborhood near the outskirts of the capital. It is now a dry, barren land, and it is about four or five kilometers to the bustling part of the capital.

After transporting the crops to the market, they are said to be building a house little by little on the newly rented land every day. In this country, all land is borrowed from the state.

Although it is unsettling to be near the palace where the royal family and officials reside, it should be convenient for me to blend in with a large population.

I am recovering from my bruises and am helping in the garden again. It was a miracle that my shoulder didn’t break. Since then, Ethan has not defied me. I feel sorry for him, as he seems to feel responsible in his own way.

"Ethan, we’re going to harvest all the carrots today, even the small ones. Let’s work hard together, okay?"

"Okay."

Ethan doesn’t seem to be in high spirits.

"If you’re still worried about my injury, it’s fine now. Don’t worry about it."

"Alesia, I’m really sorry for what happened."

"Yes, I understand. You’ve apologized, so let’s move on."

How cute. I didn’t realize a six-year-old boy could be so adorable.

Since my past memories have resurfaced, I’ve been busy.

I want to control and stop the rain that falls unconsciously. Making it rain while I sleep makes it easy for secrets to be discovered. Moreover, as someone who was called the "most vicious water mage" in my previous life, it’s terrifying not to be able to control my magic now.

I’ve tried various things, but I still can’t stop the rain when I sleep. I can’t even consciously create water.

I have to do something.

"The new house is finally taking shape. It’s still a crude shack, but it has a roof and walls. Once we finish moving our belongings with the camels, we’ll move in. It should take about ten more days to move everything."

How many times have my father and Uncle Nathan made the camels carry the luggage back and forth? My hardworking father. He went through a lot when I was just born. Still, he deeply loves me, my precious father.

"Today is the last day. Let’s put the chickens in the cages and set off."

"Father, can we let the chickens eat some grass and bugs from the field one last time?"

"Yes, that’s fine."

I released the chickens into the original field that was now fenced off. The thirty chickens happily pecked at the ground, a place they usually don’t get to enter.

"We’ll have to put the chickens back in the cages soon."

"Yes."

While talking with my mother, something black fell from the sky. I thought it had fallen into the chickens, but it suddenly spread its wings, grabbed one chicken, and flew away.

It’s an eagle!

The other chickens panicked and ran around inside the fence.

We could only watch helplessly as our chicken was carried away without moving. As I watched, I saw a glint of light reflecting from the eagle’s legs.

"Mom, one of our chickens was stolen. It’s the first time we’ve been attacked by an eagle, right?"

"Yes, it’s a shame."

"That eagle might be a trained one. Something glinted. Maybe it had a leg ring."

"Huh?"

Father and Mother looked at each other in silence.

From my knowledge of my past life, only the royal family or very high-ranking nobles keep eagles. Father’s face hardened.

"Let’s catch the chickens quickly."

"Yes, Father."

From then on, all six of us chased the chickens running around at full speed. Sweat dripped, and we were out of breath. When we finally caught all of them, no one could speak for a while.

"Let’s go immediately. The eagle’s owner might come to check. It would be disastrous if we were found at the last moment."

We stuffed the noisy chickens into the cages, tied them to the camels, and set off in a hurry. The six camels moved in a line. Father led the way, and Uncle Nathan brought up the rear. Nathan’s camel dragged a large branch of Nectar, erasing the tracks as it walked.

......

"Your Highness, Black Gold has brought back a chicken."

The falconer was in a panic.

Today, we let Black Gold hunt while moving quite far from the capital.

"Why... I released it in an area where there shouldn’t be any houses or even plants. It should have only caught sand mice or desert lizards..."

The chicken, tightly held by the eagle’s claws, was barely alive. The plump, brown-feathered chicken had shiny, well-kept feathers. It clearly looked like a domesticated chicken.

"There shouldn’t be any farmers raising chickens around here. Hey... Could this be it?"

"I think so, too."

In this kingdom, concealing a spring or well is a serious crime. Water sources are considered important national assets, and individuals are not allowed to monopolize them. Discovering a new water source is as significant as finding a gold mine.

"Let’s go."

"Your Highness, please wait. It could be troublesome if the people are armed."

"Even if they are, let’s at least confirm the location."

"Please just confirm the location. We only have eight guards today."

"I understand."

The prince of this country and his guards rode their horses toward the direction where the eagle caught the chicken.

The prince, Marcus Haim Raming, is the first prince of the kingdom. He has straight black hair tied back in a single ponytail, with a simple golden hair ornament at the tie.

His well-defined features make him look mature for his twelve years. His intelligent eyes are a bluish-green, and his thin lips suggest a strong will.

"I’ll catch those who are hiding water."

Prince Marcus, driven by a sense of justice typical of a young boy, spurred his horse forward.