"It's a girl!" She hears one of the maids say, waving her arms excitedly. "A beautiful baby girl!"
Those words were all it took to send a six year-old Claire Farron sprinting up the multiple staircases of the castle to her parent's bedroom. Her breathing is labored, not from the physical exertion, but from excitement and anticipation. Even the breathing exercises her father had taught her won't stop her beating heart.
It takes her only seconds to clear the four flights of stairs to the castle's top floor. She prides herself on training everyday because she's stronger than most of the boys her age, and that makes her feel good. She needs to be the best, so that she can make her parents proud.
She stops mid stride at the door and just stands there.
She has been waiting for this day for months; the day when she would become a big sister. She isn't sure why, but she knows that from today on her life will be different. Nothing will be the same, and she is both excited and scared at the same time.
Hands slightly trembling, she reaches for the large handles and pulls them open with all her strength.
Her mother Celeste is lying in the large bed at the end of the room, covered by white sheets and blue blankets. In her arms is a white bundle of cloth, and from it Claire can hear the sound of crying. Her father Reeve is standing next to the bed, and both her parents are smiling. Claire has never seen them so happy, and she desperately wants to see what her little sister looks like.
Even still, she knows her manners and waits patiently by the door until her mother sees her.
"Would you like to see her?" Her mother says softly. She is stroking the baby in an effort to halt its cries, but to no avail.
She nods, and when Reeve gives her an approving smile she walks as quickly and silently as she can towards the bed. She stands beside her father and watches as her mother lowers the bundle in her arms to Claire's eye level.
Seeing the baby's face, it makes her heart pound wildly. The eyes are blue and her hair is pink, like Claire's own, and it finally hits her that the baby is truly her sister. She reaches out to touch the tiny hand, and is startled when small fingers grab onto her thumb and refuse to let go. The baby's cries halt.
Her father chuckles. "She likes you."
Claire smiles and watches the face that is so similar to hers. "What's her name?" She asks.
Celeste strokes the baby's round cheeks, causing her to squirm a little. Blue eyes glance around wildly, until they focus on Claire.
"Serah." Her mother says in a soothing voice. "Her name will be Serah."
Claire stares at her little sister in wonder. "Serah." She tries saying the name out loud, and likes how easy it is to say. She says it again. "Serah."
Her father crouches down so that his eyes are level with Claire's. "I am going to give you an important mission, Claire. Do you think you can handle it?"
Claire nods her head eagerly and stands up straight, trying to look as strong as possible. She likes challenges. "I'm ready." She says confidently.
Reeve's face suddenly turns serious. Claire has only seen this side of her father when he is working, and she knows it is definitely something important.
"Then, Claire Farron, your duty is to protect Serah from anything that might harm her." He pauses, studying her with his eyes. "Do you understand?"
She doesn't understand it entirely, but she knows that to 'protect' means she needs 'strength' and that a big responsibility is being given to her, and she does not want to disappoint her parents. She nods enthusiastically and is rewarded by Reeve ruffling her hair. "Thank you." He says, and she feels a surge of pride within her.
She returns her gaze back to Serah. Blue eyes are staring up at her expectantly.
"Strength." She says to herself. She needs to be stronger, so that she can protect Serah, so she can keep her promise and make her parents proud.
She needs to be stronger.