I was in a rather complicated situation. Hiding my new weakness was getting much more difficult. But I just had to keep it up for as long as I could. There was no other way. I just had to make sure that the kid grew up. Once he was no longer a child then he could take care of himself. I wouldn't have to protect him. Don't get me wrong. I would love to protect him for the rest of my days, but I couldn't. I wouldn't last like this. There was no way for me to last. But that was ok. I was ok with it. I had come to terms with it the moment I met the kid. He was so full of life. So happy. So kind. He was everything I wasn't and he would do this country good.
As a nation you always had to think of your country. Always had to put it first and if there had to be a little pain before things go considerably better than that was just what was going to have to happen. There was no other way. I was too weak. I couldn't do it anymore. This country needed something new. Something fresh and it needed a change that would help it thrive. That was what I wanted. That was what everyone wanted. No one cared about me anyway. No one ever did and no one ever would, but they would love him. Everyone would. He would be adored and loved and cared for. He deserved that. He deserved so much more than I could offer. He spread happiness like a warm summer breeze or a carefree butterfly.
He was perfect and I was sure it was impossible for anyone to not like him. I mean if he could change my mind with just a glance and a warm smile then he would be adored by all. I would never understand why anyone would want to harm such a sweet child. It had happened many times in the past where nations had killed such innocence to preserve their own life... But I just couldn't. I never would be able to. I didn't care if I was called a coward. I didn't care of the consequences. I just wanted him to be safe and happy for the rest of his life. I wanted him to have everything that he wanted. I wanted him to be able to make friends and understand the world that he was connected to. To understand and love the people of the nation as I did. I wanted him to feel safe within the country that he was born into. He deserved it.
I sighed contently despite my weariness as I watched him run about playing with the little mint bunny. He was having difficulty catching him, but he was having fun none the less. Little giggles bubbling up each time the bunny escaped him when he thought he had him. He made me feel actually liked me. He was someone who liked me and there was no way I could screw it up. It was impossible. Once he was grown up I would no longer be and that was ok. Just as long as his view of me never changed. So long as he was happy.
"No fair! No fair!" He shouted as he looked up at the bunny far above his reach. His smile still remained though and that was all that mattered.
His bright green eyes were so full of life. The blond hair was a bit of a mess, but that was alright. Nothing that a comb or a brush couldn't fix. There were some minor grass stains that were bound to increase in number by the end of the day, but I didn't feel like scolding him for being a kid. He was a good kid. Never tried to get into trouble. Not the mischievous type. Not the super quiet and distant type. Just good old innocence and happiness bounding off of his personality in waves. So friendly too. Everyone loved him when I took him out to run errands with me about the city.
Many of the people in my favorite cafe and several stores knew him by name and easily chatted with him. He was always entertaining himself whenever I was busy. Never interrupting unless he felt that it was important. I would read him stories at night before bed or on stormy days to help him sleep or relax as he tended to be a little afraid of the dark and storms. But that was typical of a child so I found no problem with it. He loved to play with the fairies and the other creatures that came by and hung around so they tended to try and help him when he was afraid as well. He was never alone and that put me at ease as well. That way I knew that if he ever got into trouble while I was away then he would be well looked after. However I prefered to be around to take care of him myself.
"Arthur, Mint Bunny isn't playing fair."
He pointed up at the bunny who was giggling in a high tree branch resting his wings. A smile formed on my lips.
"Well he never did play fair when I was child either."
"He didn't?"
"He'd always hide up somewhere high when we played hide and seek." I shook my head.
The flying rabbit puffed out his cheeks to show his distaste for the little fact that I had so easily released. The child just laughed at the rabbit cheerfully. I gave the scene a crooked smile.
"Let's play another game."
The mint bunny fluttered down to the child I held so dearly. Then they were racing off across the grass.
"Don't go too far!" I called after them.
"I know!" Came the response.
I sighed and smiled contently as I watched them zip back and forth in a supposeably new game that looked the same as tag from where I was. But I didn't question it. If he was happy then it didn't really matter what he was playing as long as it wasn't dangerous.