"They're tiny, aren't they?"
"They're infants, Heron. What did you expect?"
"Something bigger?" the 9 year old boy replied.
This was the second child of the Alterose family. Heron Alterose, aspiring knight and an occasionally troublesome blockhead, donning the perfect features of his mother.
His twin sister was Clover Alterose, the oldest Alterose child and a Viscountess in training, having their father's blonde hair and green eyes.
Though twins, they were born late at night. Hence, Heron was born past midnight, officially a day younger than his twin.
Clover tsked at her brother while motioning at the maids to cover the windows.
"Muscle-head."
"Nerd."
"How much do you save up from the allowances we get, Heron?" Clover asked.
"…"
(╥╯﹏╰╥)ง
He had nothing while his sister had her own box of coins.
"Yeah," she chuckled. "That's what I thought."
"It's not -"
A small noise snapped them out of their banter. Kim Ha Neul had woken up.
'What the-' she yawned, blinking her eyes open only to see two curious faces looming over her crib.
'Yo' she wanted to say.
'They must be my older siblings. Cute.'
"Hi, little sister," Clover whispered with a smile.
"She's so pretty."
"Is she?"
*twack!*
"Ow!" Heron winced, rubbing his arm.
"Stupid boys," his sister muttered before going back to playing with Ha Neul.
With much focus, Ha Neul grabbed her sister's finger.
"Look! She grabbed my finger!"
While her sister began to laugh smugly, she took the time to slowly turn her head to see her twin soundly sleeping in the crib next to hers.
'He sleeps like a log, doesn't he?'
"What do you think their names will be?" Heron questioned, standing over his younger brother's crib.
"I don't know," Clover shrugged, "We'll find out after the ceremony tomorrow."
"I hope it's something cool, like Gerald."
"…"
(￣ - ￣;)
'…'
"What?" Heron asked, seeing both baby and sister looking at him in silent judgement.
"I feel sorry for the children that you one day might have to name, brother," Clover sighed.
Under their constant chatter, Ha Neul watched as the baby next to her slowly opened his eyes and began to whimper.
"Quickly call my mother to the room," Clover commanded one of the maids.
"Yes, young miss."
Ha Neul let go of her sister's finger, letting her go comfort her twin.
"Hi little brother," Clover cooed. "You must be hungry, don't worry. Our mother will arrive soon, okay?"
The baby boy cried louder on seeing the unfamiliar face.
"Hey brother!" Heron popped in with a rattle.
"Look at this!" He shook the toy, letting the beads inside the wooden toy create a rain-like sound until the cries began to soften.
Heron grinned, proud of his achievement.
"That's a good boy."
"I'll bring our sister's rattle too," Clover said, leaning to the side. After a few seconds, another wooden rattle with a faint scent of sandalwood appeared in front of Ha Neul.
'Ahhh. This smell,' Ha Neul gave out a pleased sign.
'Makes me want to eat some Indian sweets.'
"She's awful quiet, isn't she?" Heron noted, looking at his silent baby sister.
'Would you rather have me scream my head off?'
"She must already know that we're her older siblings," Clover replied with a pleased expression.
"Or she's a weirdo."
'Asshole.'
"She might be."
'le gasp!'
"But it's not like any of us are normal," Clover shrugged. "And who cares? She'll be loved nonetheless."
'Should I be concerned?' Ha Neul wondered, looking at her older siblings.
*growl*
'Now I'm hungry too.'
By instinct, she opened her mouth, crying for food like the infant she was.
'Mommy, come feed meeeee.'