Time:
Afternoon
Age: Elira – 6 years, Kael – 3
years
The palace stopped whispering.
It began deciding.
Elira noticed the change during her walk to the
inner garden. Servants no longer merely glanced at her—they bowed, stiff and
formal, as if following new instructions.
Too careful.
Too deliberate.
When she reached the garden, she saw Kael standing near the training
stones—but the wooden swords were gone.
Her heart tightened.
"Where are they?" she asked quietly.
"Confiscated," Kael replied. His voice was calm,
but his eyes were sharp. "This morning."
"Why?"
"Because someone finally gave our silence a
name."
Before Elira could ask more, a group of
attendants entered the garden, clearing their throats loudly to announce
themselves.
One stepped forward. "Second Princess. By order of the Inner Court, informal
combat training is no longer permitted."
Elira bowed. "I understand."
The attendant hesitated, then added, "There
are… concerns."
Kael looked down, playing the part of a
harmless child.
"What kind of concerns?" Elira asked.
The attendant lowered his voice. "That
forgotten blades should not be sharpened."
They left without another word.
Elira's hands trembled slightly.
"They're afraid," she whispered.
"They're afraid," she whispered.
"Yes," Kael said. "Because fear has finally
chosen a story."
That evening, Elira heard it for the first
time—spoken openly, not hidden in corners.
"…the Second Princess…"
"…kept out of sight for years…"
"…trained in secret…"
"…too convenient to ignore…"
Her name was no longer uncertain.
It was defined.
Later that night, a senior maid arrived with a
sealed message.
"By grace of the Empress Dowager," she said,
bowing, "the Second Princess has been granted a personal tutor. Instructionwill
begin tomorrow."
Elira accepted the message with both hands.
After the maid left, she sat on her bed,
staring at the seal.
"This isn't kindness," she said softly.
Kael nodded. "It's ownership."
Elira swallowed. "What happens if I refuse?"
Kael looked at her seriously. "Then the story
they're writing becomes cruel instead of careful."
Outside, bells rang to mark the hour.
The palace had taken something simple—two
children training quietly—
And turned it into a reason.
Elira understood now.
She was no longer just being watched.
She was being interpreted.