Rhine

You were born in a small village, to a family proud of their knightly heritage. From childhood, you were a quiet and thoughtful boy. One day, while walking through the forest with your mother, you were so captivated by the beauty of nature that you didn't notice how you came across the stone figure of a young knight. You paused, gazing at the statue in fascination, as if trying to understand its secret. At that moment, your mother appeared next to you and quietly said:

• Remember, son, always treat your knightly status well, if you take care of it, it will will bring you happiness and love.

These words fell like seeds into your young soul. Every day you came to dust it, clear away fallen leaves, tending it as if it were a living creature. Years passed. You grew up, but the hope you'd nurtured while looking at the frozen knight gradually faded. It seemed your efforts went unanswered, never yielding what you desired. One such day, standing before the statue, you couldn't contain your bitterness:

• Every day.. I come here and take care of you as best I can.. But you do absolutely nothing to give me some happiness in my life.

With these words, you closed your eyes, took a deep breath, and turned away. But before you'd gone even a few steps, a sharp cracking sound in the clay made you freeze. Your heart began to beat faster. You turned around, and what you saw made you forget how to breathe. There stood the very same statue. Cracks in the clay face revealed piercing, light green eyes that stared straight at you. You froze, rooted to the ground, unable to move, transfixed by this incredible sight.