Kaelan stirred awake as soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, warming his skin. The bird, perched on his pillow, blinked lazily, its yellow eyes glowing faintly in the early light, a quiet presence in the morning stillness.
"Good morning, Flame," Kaelan whispered, gently stroking its soft feathers.
Flame chirped and nuzzled against his hand. "Good morning! I hope we get to eat more of that delicious bread today," Kaelan heard his voice in his head.
Kaelan chuckled softly. "Let's get ready first."
As Kaelan rose from the bed, Flame fluttered off his pillow and perched on the bedpost, watching as Kaelan made his way to the bathroom. After showering and dressing in fresh clothes, Kaelan returned to find Flame still observing him closely, his small wings ruffling in anticipation.
"Are you ready for the day, Flame?" Kaelan asked, holding out his hand. Flame hopped onto it eagerly, and Kaelan placed him on his left shoulder.
Just then, a knock came at the door, and as it opened, Elara entered, her face etched with concern.
"Good morning, young master Kaelan," Elara greeted, but there was an anxious edge to her voice. "I'm sorry to come late."
Kaelan looked at her, noticing she wasn't her usual chatty self. The worry etched on her face made him concerned.
"What happened?" he asked, his brow furrowing.
"Miss Lily had an accident in her bathroom," Elara said, tears welling in her eyes. "She slipped and hit her head."
Kaelan's heart skipped a beat. "Is Lily alright?" he asked, worry clouding his features.
"Dr. Elyndra is treating her," Elara reassured him.
"I'm fine, young master Kaelan," she added, her eyes glistening with tears. "There was so much blood that her maid lost consciousness, so I was called to help."
Kaelan realized she was scared of blood too. Despite her fear, Elara's strength shone through. He walked towards her and gently patted her head. "You did your best," he said softly.
"Thank you, young master Kaelan," she sniffled, grateful for his kindness.
Kaelan nodded. "I'll go see her. You should take a rest."
Elara agreed and left the room. Kaelan, with Flame, made his way down the hallway and upstairs toward Lily's room. When they arrived, the atmosphere was tense.
The room was modest yet elegant, with soft lavender walls and a large bed draped in white linen. A polished oak dresser stood on one side, and beside the bed was a nightstand adorned with a vase of fresh flowers. A study table was tucked into one corner, providing a stylish space for her activities. Scattered around the room were colorful dolls and plush bears, reflecting Lily's love for pink and adding a playful touch to the decor. The large windows let in the morning light, casting a soft glow over the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Lily lay propped up on pillows, her head bandaged and her face pale but calm. Dr. Elyndra tended to her, focused and careful. The Duke and Cedric stood at the foot of the bed, looking worried, while the Duchess sat on the other side, gently holding Lily's hand. The tension in the room was thick.
Dr. Elyndra glanced up briefly as Kaelan entered. He noticed the tiredness in her eyes, but she kept working steadily. "She will need rest," Dr. Elyndra said in a calming voice as she finished adjusting the bandages. "But she should recover fully with time."
The Duke and Duchess both let out a sigh of relief, and Cedric gave a grateful nod to the doctor.
"Thank you, Dr. Elyndra," the Duchess, Evelyn, said softly. "We're so grateful for your care."
Dr. Elyndra smiled gently, though Kaelan noticed the exhaustion etched on her face. "It's my pleasure to help," she replied. "But I must return to my village today. Lily will be fine, but I recommend keeping her in bed for the next few days."
The doctor gathered her things, moving gracefully despite the weight of her fatigue. As she stepped toward the door, Kaelan followed her.
"Dr. Elyndra," he called softly, catching up with her in the hallway. She paused and turned to face him, her expression guarded.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious. "You seem... tired."
Dr. Elyndra shook her head. "It's nothing, really. Just a long night."
But Kaelan wasn't convinced. His gaze sharpened, and after a brief silence, he said, "I know you're an elf."
Elyndra's eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening. How did he know? she thought, realizing she was using disguise magic to appear human. She looked into Kaelan's sincere expression. He was not a threat, but she still hesitated to trust him.
"I... I don't know what you mean," she stammered, her voice lacking conviction.
"You're going to your elf village, aren't you?" Kaelan pressed softly. "You don't have to worry. I mean no harm. I just want to help."
Elyndra's gaze flickered with uncertainty. She knew that, as an elf, she shouldn't trust humans, but something in Kaelan's steady eyes made her pause. She hesitated, then sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.
"I suppose there's no point in denying it," she murmured. "Yes, I'm an elf, and I'm going back to my village. There's been... trouble recently. Some humans have been trying to get close, but our village is protected by ancient magic. They can't get in, but my people are scared."
Kaelan's brow furrowed in concern. "I think I know who they are," he said quietly, but Elyndra didn't hear him. "Let me go with you," he urged, locking eyes with her.
Elyndra blinked in shock, shaking her head. "No, I can't allow that. Humans are not permitted."
"Please, let me go with you," Kaelan insisted, his voice firm yet gentle. "I genuinely want to help your people."
For a long moment, Elyndra was silent, torn between her duty to her people and the risk of bringing a human into her village. Kaelan's determination seemed to sway her. Slowly, she nodded.
"Very well," she said softly. "But we must leave this evening. I'll come for you."
Kaelan nodded, a sense of purpose settling over him. "I'll be ready."
As Elyndra walked away after bidding farewell, Kaelan returned to Lily's room. The atmosphere was lighter now, with the Duchess sitting by Lily's side, offering comfort, while Cedric and the Duke stood near the windows, deep in conversation.
After a few moments, Kaelan joined them, and Lily glanced up at him, her expression a mix of warmth and pain. "Brother Kaelan," she said softly, her voice strained but filled with affection.
Kaelan knelt beside Lily's bed, his heart aching at the sight of her injuries. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Lily offered a weak smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm a bit woozy," she admitted.
"You're a strong girl," Kaelan reassured her, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Thank you, brother Kaelan," she murmured. "I'm so sleepy."
"Sleep, my sweet Lily," the duchess, Evelyn, said affectionately, brushing her fingers along Lily's cheek. "When you wake up, you'll have breakfast."
As Kaelan stood, he watched the duchess lean down to kiss Lily's forehead. Slowly, Lily's eyes began to close, and her breathing became steady as she fell asleep.
"We should let her rest," the duke said softly. "Let's go."
With that, they all quietly exited the room, leaving Lily to her peaceful slumber.
Outside in the hall, Kaelan stopped his father, while the duchess and Cedric paused as well. Kaelan hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "Father, I want to travel with Dr. Elyndra to her village."
Duke Lucian raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Why do you want to go there?" he asked, his tone a mix of concern and interest.
Kaelan took a deep breath, weighing his words carefully. "Dr. Elyndra mentioned that the village is beautiful, and I want to see it for myself."
Duke Lucian raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "A beautiful village, you say? What makes you so eager to go?"
Kaelan met his father's gaze, determination shining in his own. "I want to experience it, to see the world beyond these walls."
The duchess exchanged a glance with her husband, her expression softening. "If this is what you truly desire, then perhaps you should go," she said gently. "But promise us you'll take care of yourself while you're away."
Kaelan nodded, relief flooding through him. "I promise, Mother. I'll be careful."
Cedric, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I can accompany you, Kaelan. It might be wise to have someone with you."
"No, brother. I'll be fine. Dr. Elyndra will be there," Kaelan replied.
Duke Lucian, deep in thought, nodded. "No, Cedric is right. I'll appoint you a guard."
Just then, a voice interrupted. "Rowan can go."
They all turned to see Baron Lionel coming up from the stairs. His usual confident expression remained as he approached the group, his gaze fixed on Duke Lucian.
"Rowan is the best choice," Lionel stated. "He's skilled and familiar with the areas. Young Master Kaelan will be safe with him."
Duke Lucian considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Rowan will accompany you, Kaelan."
Kaelan sighed but gave a small nod in agreement. "Thank you, Father. And thank you, Baron Lionel."
Cedric, however, didn't look pleased at the mention of Rowan accompanying his brother.
You brute son of mine, your father just helped you, Lionel thought, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Rowan, who was training with the knights in the courtyard, suddenly coughed. Is someone cursing me? he wondered, shaking off the strange feeling before returning to his drills.