Selan stared at the frog. It had soooooo many spots, and she couldn’t get over it. It felt like every time she blinked they moved around and changed. She sat on the edge of the wall overlooking a quiet through-way near the park where she and her father sometimes went. The warm breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, and the distant chatter of passersby mingled with the occasional croak of the frog.

The frog was sitting there, impudently. Selan couldn’t help but smile at the frog’s spotted back, wondering if it had any idea how special it was. In a world that often felt dark and confusing, this little creature was a reminder of the magic that still existed. If only she knew where to look.

She thought about her father and the secrets he kept, wondering if he, too, had hidden spots that she couldn’t see. Just like the frog, there was more to him than met the eye. Selan wished she could understand the grown-up world he inhabited, the one that kept him away from her for long hours and left shadows in his eyes when he returned.

“You’re lucky, you know,” Selan whispered to the frog, leaning in closer. “You don’t have to worry about grown-up things. You can just sit here and be yourself, spots and all.”

The frog croaked in response, as if agreeing with her sentiment. Selan giggled, imagining the frog as her confidant, a wise old friend who understood her better than anyone else.

As she watched the frog, a sudden gust of wind sent a chill down her spine. Selan hugged her arms around herself, feeling a flicker of unease. Even in this quiet moment, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change.

“Selan!” a familiar voice called from behind her. She turned to see her father walking towards her, his face a mix of concern and affection. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Selan got up from the embankment and ran into Clith’s arms, burying her face in his chest. “I was just talking to the frog, Daddy. He’s my new friend.”

Clith chuckled, ruffling Selan’s hair. “Is that so? And what did the frog have to say?”

Selan pulled back, looking up at her father with wide, serious eyes. “He said that everyone has hidden spots, even grown-ups like you. And that it’s okay to be yourself, no matter what.”

Clith’s smile faltered for a moment, and Selan saw a flicker of something in his eyes – sadness, or maybe fear. But then he laughed, scooping her up into his arms and spinning her around.

“Your frog friend sounds very wise,” he said, setting her back down on the ground. “But sometimes, grown-ups have to hide their spots to keep the people they love safe. Do you understand?”

Selan nodded, even though she didn’t fully comprehend the weight of her father’s words. She just knew that when he held her like this, everything felt right in the world.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Clith said, taking Selan’s hand in his own. “I have a surprise for you.”

As they walked away from the park, Selan glanced back at the frog, still sitting on the wall. She waved goodbye, silently thanking her spotted friend for the wisdom he had shared.

She didn’t know what the future held, but for now, she had her father by her side, and that was enough. As they walked hand in hand, Selan’s curiosity got the better of her. “What’s the surprise, Daddy?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Clith smiled down at her, a mischievous glint in his eye. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”

Selan pouted, her lower lip sticking out in an exaggerated manner. “Not even a little hint?”

“Nope,” Clith said, popping the ‘p’ sound. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

They continued their journey home, the bustling streets of Veridia gradually giving way to the quieter, more residential areas. Selan skipped alongside her father, her earlier unease forgotten in the face of this new, exciting mystery.

As they approached their house, Selan noticed something different. The front door was adorned with a handful of colorful balloons, their ribbons slightly tangled, and a single streamer hung haphazardly across the porch railing. It was clear that Clith had tried his best to decorate, but his efforts were endearingly clumsy.

Clith fumbled with his keys, his hands shaking slightly as he unlocked the door. As they stepped inside, Selan’s eyes widened at the sight before her. The living room was modestly decorated with a few more balloons and a banner that read “Happy Birthday, Selan!” in Clith’s unmistakable handwriting. The letters were uneven, some larger than others, and the exclamation point was slightly smudged, but to Selan, it was perfect.

In the center of the room stood a small table, bearing a lopsided cake with mismatched candles. The frosting was uneven, and the words “Happy Birthday” were barely legible, but the love and effort behind it were palpable. Clith had arranged a few small wrapped presents around the cake, their wrapping paper creased and tape visible at the seams.

Selan turned to her father, her eyes shining with pure adoration. “You did all this... for me?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Clith shifted nervously, his cheeks flushing as he took in the decorations and the messy cake. “I know it’s not much,” he said. “I tried my best, but I’m not very good at this sort of thing. I just wanted to make your special day...”

Before he could finish, Selan threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “It’s perfect, Daddy,” she whispered, her face pressed against his chest. “It’s the best birthday ever.”

Clith’s eyes closed as he held his daughter close. He knew he wasn’t a perfect father, that his efforts were often clumsy and inadequate. But in that moment, seeing the pure joy and love in Selan’s eyes, he knew that he would move heaven and earth to make her happy.

“I love you, Selan,” he murmured. “More than anything in this world.”

Selan looked up at him, her smile brighter than all the stars in the sky. “I love you too, Daddy. Thank you for making my birthday so special.”

In that moment, surrounded by the imperfect but heartfelt decorations, Clith and Selan savored the simple, perfect love between a father and daughter. For a brief, shining moment, the darkness of the world fell away, and all that mattered was the bond they shared, unbreakable and eternal.

As the day went on, Selan and Clith enjoyed the simple pleasures of a birthday celebration. They played games, ate far too much cake, and laughed until their sides hurt. For a few precious hours, the darkness that lurked at the edges of their world was held at bay.

As the sun set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Clith suggested one last surprise. “How about we go up to the rooftop and watch the stars come out?” he asked.

Selan nodded eagerly, her face still smeared with frosting. They made their way up the winding stairs, Clith’s hand guiding Selan as she navigated the steps with her smaller feet. When they emerged onto the rooftop, Selan gasped.

The city stretched out before them, a glittering tapestry of lights and shadows. The distant hum of people and the occasional loud noise drifted up to their perch, a reminder of the bustling life that carried on below. But above it all, the sky was a vast, inky canvas, dotted with the first pinpricks of starlight.

Clith spread out a blanket, and they lay down side by side, their eyes turned upward. Selan snuggled close to her father, her head resting on his chest. She could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat, a comforting rhythm that made her feel safe and loved.

“Look,” Clith said, pointing up at the sky. “There’s the North Star.” Clith pointed up at the sky, tracing a pattern of stars with his finger. “See that constellation there, Selan? That’s the story of the Smuggler’s Fate.”

Selan’s eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar name. “I’ve never heard of that one before.”

Clith’s smile held a bitter edge as he began to recount the tale. “In a city like ours, there was once a smuggler named Arlo. He was cunning and ruthless, always looking out for himself. But he had a weakness - a soft spot for those who couldn’t fight back.”

“Arlo heard about a group of orphans living in squalor, barely surviving. Something stirred in him. Under the cover of darkness, he snuck into the homes of the wealthy, stealing what he could to help the orphans.”

“For a time, Arlo’s scheme worked. He moved like a ghost through the city, always one step ahead of the law. The orphans had food, clothes, a chance at a better life. But Arlo’s luck couldn’t last forever.”

Selan leaned forward, her eyes wide. “What happened to him?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Clith’s gaze hardened, his jaw clenching. “Arlo got careless. He thought he was invincible, untouchable. But in the end, his own arrogance was his undoing. He was caught by the authorities, betrayed by someone he trusted.”

“The punishment for his crimes was severe. Arlo was dragged before the city, his deeds laid bare for all to see. And then, as a warning to others who might follow in his footsteps, they tied him to the prow of his own boat and set it ablaze, casting him adrift on the dark waters.'“

Selan shivered, hugging her knees to her chest. “That’s awful,” she murmured, her voice small

Clith nodded, his expression grim. “The world can be a cruel place, Selan. Those who try to do good often pay the highest price. Arlo’s story is a reminder of that.”

A heavy silence fell between them, the weight of Clith’s words hanging in the air. Finally, Selan spoke, her voice trembling slightly. “Is that what happens to people like Arlo? People who break the rules to help others?”

Clith sighed, his shoulders sagging. “Sometimes, sweetheart. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the darkness always wins.”

He looked down at Selan, his heart heavy with the burden of the truth he couldn’t share. He wanted to protect her from the shadows that haunted his every step, to shield her from the knowledge of the monster he had become. But deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.

For now, though, he would hold on to these moments, these precious fragments of innocence and starlight. He would be the father Selan deserved, even if it meant living a lie.

As the night deepened and the stars blazed brighter, Selan’s eyelids began to droop. Clith gathered her in his arms, carrying her down the stairs and tucking her into bed. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his heart swelling with love for this precious child.

But as he turned to leave, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. The shadows in the room seemed to lengthen, and the air grew heavy with a nameless dread. Clith shook his head, trying to dispel the feeling. It was just the lingering effects of too much sugar and excitement, he told himself.

He closed the door to Selan’s room, his hand lingering on the knob. He took a deep breath, trying to center himself. The syndicate, the Silk Veil, the constant danger that lurked in the shadows of his life - for a moment, it all fell away, replaced by the simple, pure love he felt for his daughter.

But as he walked down the hallway, the weight of his secrets and his choices settled once more upon his shoulders. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming, a storm gathering on the horizon that threatened to shatter the fragile peace he had built for Selan.

He only hoped that when the time came, he would be strong enough to weather it. For Selan’s sake, he had to be.