Outside on the street, children ran under the afternoon sun.
They laughed loudly. Some chased each other in circles. Others flew kites, the strings slicing thin lines across the sky. A few argued about rules to games that didn't really matter.
Life was happening out there.
Inside the house, Albert sat on the floor of his room.
Books surrounded him. Stacks to his left, stacks to his right.
A tall pile stood in front of him like a small wall, separating him from the door.
He finished the book in his hands and closed it slowly.
For a second he pressed his palm against the cover, as if feeling its warmth. Then he dropped it onto the pile.
It landed with a dull thud.
He reached for another book without hesitation and opened it.
The room was silent— only the soft rhythm of pages turning remained.
Flip.
——————
Morning light slipped into the room gently.
Arthur's eyes opened slowly, and for a moment he didn't move.
The first thing he saw was his mother.
Verona slept in the chair, her head tilted slightly to the side. Even in sleep she held him carefully.
Arthur blinked."I guess that life is nothing but a dream now,"he thought.
He tried to shift, and it was a mistake.
His tiny body rolled forward out of her arms.
Inside, he screamed—but only a baby's cry came out.
As he fell, the world seemed to slow. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the cold impact of the floor.
But it never came.
He opened his eyes.
Verona's face hovered above him. Her hands held him securely, just barely above the ground.
She smiled softly gs."Sorry, Arthur. I fell asleep... you must have felt lonely. I'm really sorry."
Arthur froze. "Sorry? Why is she apologizing?"
Instinctively he tried to speak."It's fine."
Only baby sounds came out—small, meaningless noises.
Verona laughed quietly."I take it you've forgiven mummy."
She stood and placed him gently in the crib.
Her fingers brushed through his tiny hair."Good morning, Arthur."
He stared at her."I truly want to believe in it," he thought.
Her smile was warm.
"I'll just live with it then… after all… what I'm feeling now is something you can't find in books."
——————
A year later—
Arthur stood on unsteady legs.
Well… stood wasn't the right word.
Elizabeth had both hands under his arms, steadying him as his tiny feet pressed against the floor like they weren't sure they belonged there yet.
In front of him, Verona had lowered herself to the ground. Not like a noble, but… like a mother.
Kneeling, dress spread around her, one hand stretched out toward him, her smile soft and patient.
"Come here, Arthur."
Arthur stared at her hand, then down at his feet."…So this is it."
He shifted one foot moved forward. Slow and careful.
His leg trembled immediately, like it might give out at any second.
Elizabeth tightened her hold just enough to keep him from falling.
"That's it," she said gently. "You're doing well, young master."
Arthur swallowed and took another step.
It wasn't smooth. It wasn't graceful. His body leaned too far forward, then too far back—but he didn't stop.
"I'm… moving."
His eyes widened slightly." I can walk."
Verona's smile softened even more, something warm slipping into her voice. "That's right… keep going. I'm right here."
Arthur took another step and another.
Until finally—he stumbled forward into her.
Her arms wrapped around him instantly. Careful and firm like she had been waiting for that exact moment.
"Good boy…" she murmured, her hand gently patting his head.
Arthur rested against her without thinking.
Something quiet settled in his chest."…I can do this."
Behind them, Elizabeth let out a small breath ."My lady… shall we try again?"
Verona pulled back slightly, still holding Arthur. "Of course."
She stood, brushing her dress lightly, then stepped back to give them space.
Elizabeth helped Arthur turn around again, guiding him gently.
Arthur didn't protest this time.
If anything—he leaned forward, almost eager.
Elizabeth noticed, a small smile forming. "He's quite excited, isn't he?"
Verona laughed softly under her breath. "It seems so."
He gave Verona a bit of distance again, then stopped and turned.
Verona clapped her hands lightly this time."Come on, Arthur."
Arthur moved again. Still shaky and uneven but now there was something different in the way he walked.
He had less fear.
——————
Later, the room quieted.
Arthur sat on the floor, surrounded by toys.
A small wooden knight rested in his hand.
He turned it over slowly, studying it, then glanced up.
Verona and Elizabeth stood a little distance away, speaking quietly between themselves.
Arthur looked back at the knight, then at the open space in front of him.
"…Maybe I can try again."
He placed his hands on the floor and pushed himself up.
It took a lot of effort than before when he had help.
His legs shook the moment he stood, wobbling under his weight—but he stayed upright for a second, then another.
Arthur blinked."I did it."
He took a step and another.
No one holding him this time and no one guiding him.
A small smile spread across his face."I don't have to stay in the crib anymore…"
He took another step.
His balance tilted slightly—but he adjusted barely and was still standing.
Something light filled his chest.
It was strange and new.
"…I'm free—"
His foot slipped.
The world tilted suddenly.
Verona turned at the movement."Arthur—!"
But it was too late.
Thud.
He hit the floor face-first with a dull sound.
Arthur lay there for a second, stunned."…I didn't think that would happen."
Footsteps rushed toward him.
Verona was there first, scooping him up almost immediately.
"Arthur—are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
Her voice had changed. It became tighter and uneven.
Her hands moved quickly, checking him over, brushing at his arms, his face, like she needed to be sure—really sure.
Arthur looked up at her.
Her brows were drawn together, worry written plainly across her face.
"She always looks like this when I get hurt."
Something clicked quietly in his mind."…So this is what it means. A mother worrying for her child."
Verona let out a breath when she didn't find anything serious.
Relief softened her shoulders.
Beside her, Elizabeth bowed her head quickly. "My lady, I'm sorry… I should've been watching him more closely."
Verona shook her head almost at once. "No, Elizabeth. It's not your fault."
Elizabeth hesitated. "But—"
"If you're to blame," Verona cut in gently, "then so am I."
She glanced down at Arthur in her arms, then back at her."I wasn't watching him either," she added, softer now. "So don't apologize. There's no need."
Elizabeth slowly raised her head
Arthur watched the exchange quietly."… I'm glad she didn't get scolded because of me."
Verona's attention returned to him."And you…"
Arthur looked up.
She reached out and lightly pinched his nose.
"You naughty boy," she said, a small smile breaking through her earlier worry. "Are you that eager to walk already?"
Arthur nodded, slow and honest.
Verona sighed, but there was warmth in it. "You shouldn't scare mum and Elizabeth like that, alright?"
Elizabeth let out a small laugh, shaking her head."The young master is quite strong… he didn't even cry after falling like that."
Arthur froze slightly." Cry?"
He blinked."...Was I supposed to?"
Verona smiled, pulling him a little closer. "Yes… he is."
Her fingers brushed lightly through his hair."…Strong and a little troublesome too."
Arthur stayed quiet.
But something about the way she held him—
steady, warm, close—lingered longer than the fall.
Those early years passed in quiet routines—
small hands, soft voices, a home that felt… real.
Before he realized it—he was five.
——————
He knew the mansion's hallways, the creak of every floorboard, the paintings on every wall. He had grown accustomed to this life slowly.
Today, however, the air felt different.
He stood beside his father outside a closed door.
Aldric's hands were clasped behind his back—calm—but his jaw was tight.
Inside, urgent voices echoed.
Arthur stared at the door."A sibling?" he whispered.
Then a cry pierced the air.
Arthur straightened."It's here."
The door opened with a soft click.
The head nurse stepped out, smiling."It's a baby girl."
Aldric's serious expression softened with relief.
"You may see the mother and child."
He stepped inside.
Arthur hesitated at the doorway, thoughts turning quietly.
Then he followed.
Verona lay on the bed—exhausted but glowing in a way he couldn't explain.
In her arms was a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
Aldric smiled."She's beautiful."
Verona smiled. "Yes."
She noticed Arthur."Come say hello to your baby sister."
He walked forward.
Elizabeth helped him onto the bed.
The baby's white hair and tiny face were peaceful.
She slept soundly.
"She's cute," Arthur said.
Verona smiled."Isn't she?"
He placed a hand gently against the baby's chest and felt the slow, steady beat of her heart.
When he tried to pull away, the baby's tiny hand grabbed his finger.
Arthur froze."It's warm," he whispered.
Verona chuckled."She has taken a liking to you already."
His cheeks flushed."I feel the same warmth," he realized. "Is this what it means to have a sibling?"
Aldric watched him."Do you want to say something to her?"
Arthur blinked. "Something to say…" He looked at his father, then at the baby.
He smiled."As your brother… I will protect you no matter what. I promise."
The baby's grip tightened slightly.
Arthur's smile widened .
Verona ruffled his hair. "Do you hear that, my dear? Your brother has promised to protect you."
She pulled Arthur gently into an embrace, holding both children close.
"You're going to be a good brother. I'm sure of that."
Warmth spread through him.
"I couldn't have asked for a better family," he thought.
——————
That night, the mansion celebrated. Laughter filled the halls.
The baby was named Evelyn.
After the party, Elizabeth walked Arthur to his room.
Arthur's room was spacious, built with the quiet confidence of nobility.
The bed was wide and well-made, framed with dark polished wood, taking up a good part of the space. To the side, a sturdy desk sat by the wall, its surface simple but expensive.
On the bedside table rested a mana crystal lamp.
The crystal was clear, held in a curved golden frame above a small rune-etched base. It gave off a soft, steady golden light, enough to fill the room without trying too hard.
Elizabeth tucked him in and brushed his haircut.
"Sleep well, young master"
Her fingers brushed the base of the crystal.
The golden light dimmed, then slipped into darkness.
Arthur smiled faintly as he drifted off.
——————
Two years later.
Morning light poured in when Elizabeth opened the curtains.
Arthur groaned and rubbed his eyes."Good morning… Nena."
Elizabeth turned. "There you go again making me sound like an old woman, young master."
Arthur waved his hands quickly. "No! That's not what I meant!"
She laughed softly and ruffled his hair.
"It's fine… you're right," she said quietly. "Look at my grey hair... I've become a weak old woman."
Arthur frowned."You're still young and healthy, Nena."
She smiled warmly."Thank you."
He smiled back.
"Time to get dressed... your lessons start today."
Arthur nodded.
Elizabeth accompanied him into the restroom.
After washing up, he stood in front of the mirror with towels wrapped around him.
Elizabeth dried his hair and body carefully with motherly love.
She took out a blue coat with silver embroidery from the wardrobe and laid it on the bed.
——————
At breakfast, Aldric sat at the head of the table. Verona sat beside him. Two-year-old Evelyn kicked her little legs in her high chair.
Arthur descended the stairs."Good morning, Mum... Dad."
"Morning,"Verona replied. "Sleep well?"
"Yes."
He passed Evelyn.
She reached out with tiny hands. He lifted her—struggling a little, arms trembling—but smiled.
"Yay!"Evelyn giggled.
Elizabeth touched his shoulder."Don't push yourself too much."
He nodded and set Evelyn down, breathing a little harder than he wanted to admit.
"Are you alright?"Verona asked.
"Yes. I'm fine."He said and sat beside his father.
After breakfast, Aldric turned to him."Ready for lessons?"
"Yes, father."
"Good. Elizabeth will escort you."
He turned to Elizabeth."The ride must be ready... you can leave now."
Elizabeth bowed her head."Yes... My Lord."
Arthur stood beside Elizabeth.
They both walked out.
Evelyn waved."A… Arthur."
He turned and waved back with a smile.