Basil's interactions with his siblings continued in the days that followed. As much as he tried to maintain his calm, he could feel the eyes of the household watching his every move. He could hear the whispers from the servants, feel the weight of his family's doubt. It was a constant reminder of his past behavior and how far he had to go to prove himself.
But there was one thing he wasn't going to back down from: understanding his siblings.
One afternoon, Basil ventured into the garden, seeking solitude. His younger sister, the one with the dragon features, was outside, playing with a few other children. She was running around, her small horns glinting in the sunlight, her dragon tail trailing behind her as she laughed. It was a carefree, innocent sound—something Basil hadn't heard in years.
As he approached, she looked up, startled at first, but then she smiled. "Brother, do you want to play too?" she asked, holding up a wooden sword, a playful glint in her eye.
Basil paused for a moment, wondering if he should keep his distance. But then, looking at her genuine, childlike innocence, he couldn't help but give in.
"Sure, why not?" he said with a small, rare smile.
And so, the two of them spent the afternoon together. Basil taught her some basic sword techniques, though he wasn't as gentle as he should have been. He couldn't resist showing off, even in front of his younger sister. But despite his roughness, she was eager to learn, her eyes filled with admiration.
While they practiced, Basil began to realize something. This little girl, despite her unique dragon heritage, was not much different from him when he was younger. She was eager, passionate, and full of potential. She was the future of the Eryndor family, just as much as he was. He had been so blinded by his past actions that he had never truly seen her for who she was—someone just like him, someone who would grow up to be a force in this world.
Later that evening, after he had spent time with his little sister, Basil took a walk through the gardens and ran into his step sister, the twin who was always so quiet and observant. She was sitting under a tree, reading a book.
"You've been spending a lot of time with her," she said, her voice soft but knowing. "It's good that you're reconnecting with the family. I think it's time we all gave you a chance."
Basil looked at her, surprised by her words. "What do you mean?"
She closed the book and smiled slightly. "We've all been keeping our distance from you. But if you really want to change, we'll give you that chance. You're part of this family, Basil. Don't forget that."
For a moment, Basil stood still, the weight of her words sinking in. He had always felt like an outsider, even in his own family. But perhaps, just perhaps, things were changing.