The next morning. I jumped out of the bed with an excitement I didn't have since I went to my first date (which was by the way sadly a fail, but at least she said it in a kind, less hurting way!).
I quickly changed my clothes and went to the kitchen, where Jinny was already preparing breakfast.
"Ah! Is that my little Henry. Oh my are you excited!", she said happily.
"Yes, Yes! Today is a special day!", I acted like a total child. But hey! After all I'm now a child, so it's reasonably. ~Need to kewp my role after all!
I sat on the chair and Jinny laid my breakfast before me. Potatoe salad with cooked eggs. Yummy!
Time went fast by even if it felt like an eternity. I run around like a child, eagerly waiting to open their christmas gifts. Than finally it was time. The main church is in the capital.
On the way to the village exit we met Jinny's friend Louise. Also a very nice girl, but more shy than Jinny. She softly squeezed my cheeks and I hugged her. She was, not like Jinny, already married with a man names Jack, whos was also very nice. They have a daughter named Anna, she's a little bit shorter than me. She also goes to church for the blessing.
When I first met her, she nearly jumped on me and dragged me everywhere. She introduced me to her every friend. Even the dogs from her neighbor.
But I didn't mind. She helped get along with the villagers, also she reminded me of my little sister, so I only could love her. By love I of course mean sibling love typ kind! Where both far to young to spend any toughts on Lovely dovely. And I'm fine with it.
After a while traveling on the little carriage from Jousie's family, who is by the way a little bit wealthier, we finally got to the church. It was a big, white building. A person greeted us on the entrance and lead us into the church.
While we went to the altar the guid glanced at me. "Is this the child you found in the temple of Aphelia?", he asked. "Yes.", answered Jinny respectfully, "his name is Henry."
We went trough a big door.
"Did Jinny gave you this name?", asked he. I shook my head:" It's the only thing I remember." The guid nodded toughfully.
In the room whe entered where also other people. Many where in my age (I guessed my age as 8). Sems like it's tradition to bring your children to the church, once you reach a certen age.
I noticed a group. I directly knew who they where. The crown and the second prince of Adrest. They had lots of guards. Doesn't seem like a way to interact with them, so I just let them be for now. I don't want to bring Jinny in danger. Instead I asked her who they where, to get to know, what other tought. She told me that that where the crown prince and his younger brother the second prince.
Nothing new.
Than it got interesting. She said that the second prince has a horrible curse, which kills every living being he touches. On it I said how lonely he must be.
She smiled and said:" I'm sure the godess will bless him with a person like you so he won't be lonely anymore." I also smiled and said:" And if not than I will be his friend, no mather what the curse does!" But then the bells rang and I focused on the priest infront the altar.
He started his speech:" Today we all are her, to give our children the chance to meet her holy presence, the godess Aphelia. I will call you on after another to me to the altar, so you can interact with her. Then you tell her your wish and you,will see ofer the course of your life, if your wish comes true. I tell you, don't be sad when she doesn't fullfill your wish, after all she will always watch over us.
The croud started to applaud.
The priest than took a list out and started to call out names. "Anna Evans!", he said. Anna next to me nearly jumped. I happily and softly pushed her to signalize her to go. She looked at me and hopped to the altar.
The priest told her what to do. Soon after little lights showed up around her. It looked beautiful. Not long after she went back to us.
I walked to her. "And?", I asked, "How was it. And what did you wish for?" She giggled. She leaned to my ear so only I could hear:"I wished for you and me and Mama and Papa and everyone I know to be happily ever after!"
I smiled:" Oh! That's so sweet thanks. It's also a good wish. I'm sure the godess will,fullfill your pure wish." She laughed. Meanwhile other got called to the altar.
Finally it was the turn of Eric. I focused on him and watched how nervous he was. He always looked back at the crowd. You can do it!
He seems to have noticed me. I made sure to look as motivating as I could. He smiled weakly and focused on the way infront of him. The priest told him what to do and made sure not to touch him.
Around Eric also came little lights, but they looked more like snowflakes. It also looked beautiful. Eric sighed and went down again. He looked at me again. I smiled at him. He looked suprised.
"Henry", I heard the priest speak my name. I looked towards the altar. Then started to walk. While I walked, I heard people mutter about me:" Only Henry? No family name? That's the orphan boy Jinny found three years ago, do you live under a rock?" Even tough the mutters weren't mean, but it made me feel uneasy.
Don't get nervous, just look and walk,towards the altar. When I made it to the top. The priest bend down a little:" You just go in front of the altar and sincerely give your wish to the godess. If you want, you can close your eyes,to help concentrate."
There was couriusity in his voice. Understandable. I was found near the temple of the godess. For the priest I could be a Saint send by her. I hold my hands, breathed in and out and closed my eyes.