Time: Early Morning
Age: Elira – 6 years, Kael – 3 years
Elira noticed the change before anyone spoke of it.
Her meals arrived on time now. Her clothes were measured properly, no longer borrowed or altered. Two new attendants were assigned to her chambers—polite, distant, and observant.
She was being acknowledged.
Not warmly.
Just… officially.
Kael noticed it too.
"They are watching," he whispered as they practiced slow sword movements in the courtyard at dawn.
Elira nodded. "They always were."
"Yes," Kael said, adjusting his grip. "But now they know why."
Their training ended early that day. A message arrived sealed with the imperial mark.
The Second Princess is to attend the Morning Assembly.
Elira stared at the characters for a long moment.
Assembly was not meant for children—especially forgotten ones.
Inside the great hall, the air felt heavy. Officials lined the sides, their gazes flickering toward her more often than they realized. Whispers followed her small steps.
"That's her…"
"The one from the garden…"
"I thought she didn't exist…"
Elira bowed exactly as she had practiced.
The Emperor sat above them all.
He did not smile.
Nor did he look away.
For the first time, Elira felt his gaze settle fully on her.
It was not cruel.
But it was not gentle either.
"Second Princess Elira," an official announced. "Her presence is noted."
That was all.
No title reaffirmed. No introduction given.
She was seen—but not held.
After the assembly, she was not dismissed with the others. Instead, a court attendant guided her to a smaller side chamber.
The Emperor stood there alone.
"You have grown well," he said after a pause.
Elira bowed deeply. "I strive not to cause trouble."
The words slipped out naturally.
The Emperor's expression tightened for a brief moment.
"That," he said, "is not something a child should need to learn."
He gestured to a low seat. "Sit."
She obeyed.
"You will remain in the palace," he continued. "You will be educated properly. Your movements will be observed."
Elira listened carefully.
"And Kael?" she asked softly.
The Emperor met her eyes. "He will remain with you."
Relief loosened something in her chest.
"You are not being punished," he said. "Nor rewarded."
"I understand," Elira replied.
The Emperor studied her for a long moment.
"You understand too much," he said quietly.
When she was dismissed, Elira walked back through the corridors alone.
For the first time, nobles bowed to her—some sincerely, others reluctantly.
That night, she sat beside Kael as lantern light flickered across the walls.
"He looked at you differently," Kael said.
"Yes," Elira answered. "Like someone measuring a risk."
Kael was silent for a moment. "Then we must not become one."
Elira lay back, staring at the ceiling.
She had been noticed.
But attention, she realized, was not the same as protection.
And as the palace slowly adjusted to her existence, Elira made a quiet decision of her own:
If she must remain visible—
She would learn how to stand without needing anyone to hold her in place.