Kael was walking along the stone path, pebbles rolling under his small feet, humming softly to himself.
He had tried to practice his flute again, but couldn't see any improvement. His notes were weak and fragile. He left it on the grass beside the pond, kicking a loose pebble into the water.
A sudden rustle drew his attention. From the corridor stepped a small girl. Her hair, tied back into a neat braid, swayed as she walked, and her lips pressed into a firm line. Behind her, a young maid followed closely her hands lightly resting on the girl's shoulders to keep her in check.
He seems like she is the one Juno told him about. She had a proud look on her face and looked like someone unafraid of speaking her mind.
"You must be the young master " the girl said, her voice filled with contempt, sharp like the snap of a whip. "I've heard about you and I will be serving you.
Kael's mouth went dry. "I… I don't need her Juno and her are sufficient for me!" he stammered, shuffling his feet and pointing to the woman behind the girl.
Before Yelan could say more, her mother stepped forward, placing a firm hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Yelan, do not speak to him in such a way," she said softly but with authority. "Kael is the master's son, show him respect."
Yelan's small face twisted with frustration. "But Mother! He.."
"Enough!" her mother interrupted sharply, her dark eyes meeting her daughter's. "He is the son of the house. Understand?"
Yelan's eyes flicked at Kael one last time, her glare fierce and fiery, before she lowered her gaze and followed her mother further into the garden. Kael's heart thumped. He was not sure whether to feel relieved or irritated.
Juno, standing quietly nearby, watched the scene unfold. She approached Kael and knelt slightly to his height. "Young Master," she said softly, "she is just a child.… but her pride masks the hardships she has endured."
Kael frowned. "Hardship?"
"Yes," Juno said gently. "Her attitude is how she protects herself. As a child of average birth, do you think she will be happy to serve a child at her age?"
Even though she was smaller than he, there was a strength in her stance and eyes. He took a deep breath. "If Father says so… I'll take her as a maid," he muttered to himself.
Juno smiled faintly. "That is wise, Young Master. Treat her well, and perhaps in time, she will begin to trust you."
The rest of the day passed slowly. Kael tried again and again to engage Yelan by showing her the koi fish in the pond, offering her a smooth, round pebble he found particularly appealing. But she refused to speak to him except when necessary, her sharp words and scowls keeping him on edge.
Juno remained nearby, keeping a watchful eye. "Patience, Young Master," she whispered. "Even the fiercest of hearts can warm over time, especially when they are treated with kindness rather than authority."
Kael nodded, trying not to fidget. He wanted Yelan to respect him. She was so different from the children he had seen before. She was the first person not cower upon seeing him, unlike the other children of the Linn mansion. Though they are peers, they tend to flatter him, and he hates their fake attitudes. That is one of the reasons he prefers to stay in his own world without interacting with the other children.
By evening, Yelan's mother had escorted her back to the guest quarters. Kael sat by the koi pond, with frustration written all over his face.
"I just want to show her I'm not spoiled," he muttered to himself. "But she won't listen… she won't even try to see me as a friend. Do I have to treat her like a maid?"
"You are too impatient, Young Master," Juno said, smoothing the folds of his sleeves. "She is still a child. You should be able to grasp any opportunity to win her over".
The following morning, the courtyard was alive with anticipation. Kael and Yelan were already in the garden. Yelan's eyes studied him suspiciously, while her mother stood nearby, ready to intervene if necessary.
Lord Drake arrived, walking calmly through the courtyard, his robes catching the light of the rising sun. Kael straightened bowing slightly.
Drake's gaze swept over them, calm yet firm. "Kael, Yelan," he said, "tell me how you two are coping with each other?". Kael stepped forward eagerly. "Father, we are coping well enough," he said sincerely.
Yelan's lips pressed into a thin line. She muttered reluctantly, "I… I am managing," as her mother gave her a subtle nudge to remind her to speak in the right way before Lord Drake.
Drake nodded. "Very good. That is important. Learning to understand one another is as much a lesson as any cultivation practice. Now…"
He motioned behind him. From the corridor stepped a small boy, eleven years old, with dark hair slightly tousled and a shy, gentle smile.
"This is Aoren," Drake said. "He is to protect you, Kael. He has already reached Level 1 of the Moulding Realm".
Aoren bowed politely. "Greetings, Young Master," he said softly, eyes bright with warmth.
Drake's gaze softened. "Kael, Aoren is going to be serving you as a servant."
Kael nodded seriously, looking at Yelan. "Father you already sent Yelan over and it's enough for me, I don't need another servant."
Yelan's eyes flicked toward him, her usual sharp glare softening slightly, though she quickly looked away. "Hmph," she muttered, cheeks faintly flushed.
Aoren gave a smile. "I'll do my best to serve and help however I can," he said hasten as if afraid the other party would refuse him.
Drake smiled faintly. "I do know but I want you to interact more with your peers. As I noticed you won't even step out of your door talkless of playing with the other children."
Kael's chest swelled with confidence. "Even if I can't cultivate yet, why should I interact with those children that has no zeal to become strong… and a good friend?"
"Alright, I'll leave you guys to know yourself more and kael don't forget our deal".
"Yes father..... but I don't know how to play on the flute".
"Playing music doesn't have anything to do with cultivation, it's about how you feel. You are yet to put yourself in the state of mind as the poem is placed." Lord Drake walked out of the courtyard leaving Kael standing there trying to digest what his father just said.
Over the next few hours, Kael made small attempts to include Yelan in his little games, showing her the koi, teaching her how to skip pebbles, and pointing out flowers. She responded reluctantly at first, but gradually, small smiles appeared when he made her laugh, and she even playfully pushed him once when he teased her about being too serious.
For the first time since Yelan arrived, the air between the three felt less tense.