Itoî and Vars raced each other to their mother. Uyan, however, stood frozen.
He wasn't just surprised by Vars's revelation—he was actually terrified.
It's impossible... And here I thought I had a knack for utility magic. Vars is on a whole other level... It's beyond comprehension.
"Uyan? Are you okay?" his mother asked, walking up to him.
"You're shaking. Are you sick?" she asked, concerned.
Uyan snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his mother to reassure her.
"No, Mom. We were just telling each other scary stories. One of them spooked me, that's all."
Noémie frowned, doubting his words.
"Hmm... Reaaally?"
"Yeees! It's true, Mom!" Uyan replied as he headed toward the house.
Noémie smiled.
"Alright, alright, I believe you. Come on, sit down so I can serve everyone."
They went inside. Uyan sat down at the table with his brothers, and Noémie took off the lids to serve them.
"Mom?"
"Yes, Kaelle?"
"Do you know if Dad is coming home today or not?" Kaelle asked.
"No, he won't be back for three days."
"Again? Dad works too much!" she protested.
Noémie laughed while serving the kids.
"I agree! But normally, your father will have a whole week off after that. We were thinking of visiting Grandpa before heading to the beach for vacation."
Kaelle jumped for joy at the news.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"For real? That's awesome! It's been a while since we saw Grandpa. I'll have to show him the models I designed!"
Uyan sighed loudly.
"Ugh, I hate the beach."
"You hate everything," Itoî said with a chuckle.
"That's not true!" Uyan retorted, frowning, offended.
"Come on, don't worry, Uyan. We'll bring two beach umbrellas. And I have a little gift for your birthday: I think you'll like it," Noémie said with a smile once she had finished serving everyone.
Eyes wide, Uyan turned to his mother.
"No way, Mom... You didn't..."
His mother sat down and gave him a smile.
"Yes, I did. You know, that famous book, and a game that's been catching your eye for a while."
Uyan leapt up, jumping for joy too.
"Woohoo! Long live spring, and I can't wait for early summer!"
Everyone burst out laughing, and they continued eating.
After the meal, Noémie asked the kids to clear the table and put the dishes in the sink. Then she announced:
"Kids, I have another gift for you."
The kids put down the dishes and turned to their mother.
"Another gift?" the three boys asked, curious.
"Kaelle, can you bring the box, please?" Noémie asked.
"Yes, Mom, I'll be right there!" she replied, going to fetch the box.
She opened it under the kids' amazed gazes.
"Wow!" they gasped, mesmerized.
"It's so shiny!" Itoî exclaimed.
"Well, they're crystals, obviously," Uyan replied, acting bored.
"Crystals! Crystals! Crystals!" Vars repeated, bouncing around everywhere.
"These are amulets. They're meant to protect you," Noémie explained as she pulled out the first one.
"This one is for you, Vars. It's green, like your pretty eyes. Come here, I'll put it on for you."
Vars stepped forward. Noémie parted his long hair to fasten the amulet properly around his neck.
"Thanks, Mom, it's awesome!" Vars said with a big smile.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Come on, Kaelle, your turn."
"Oh, I get one too?" she asked, a bit surprised.
"Of course you do! You're my only daughter, and you deserve an amulet just as much as the boys," Noémie replied, smiling.
Kaelle blushed slightly and swept her hair aside to help her mother put it on.
"Thanks, Mom," she said with a shy smile.
"Come here, my little redhead," Noémie called to the youngest.
"Y-Yes, Mom," Uyan replied, stepping forward shyly. He copied his sister and swept his hair aside.
Noémie slipped the amulet around his neck and stroked her little boy's head.
"Do you like it?" she asked with a smile.
"Y-Yeah! The gray crystal is awesome! Thanks, Mom!" Uyan replied with a shy smile.
"Your turn, little Itoî."
"Woohoo!"
Itoî bounced over to his mother, who fastened an amulet adorned with a light blue crystal around his neck.
"Take good care of it, okay, sweetheart?" Noémie said, stroking his head and then his cheek.
"Yes, Mom! Thanks!" Itoî replied with a huge grin.
"Alright, off you go! Go play in the yard!" she exclaimed with energy.
"Yes, Mom!" the kids replied.
The boys went back outside to get some fresh air.
"I hope this will be enough," Noémie murmured anxiously.
Kaelle rubbed her mother's back to help her relax.
"Don't worry, Mom, it's going to be okay, I promise," she replied reassuringly.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Noémie replied before glancing at her watch.
It read 1:48 PM.
I hope Silvester ate well.