The western wing was quiet, but the room felt alive. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, painting golden patterns across the floor. Kael sat in his tiny chair, dark eyes wide, watching Elira as she arranged a few wooden toys on the floor.
"Elira…" he asked hesitantly, pointing at a small block, "what do I do with this?"
Elira smiled gently. "We share it," she said, placing it in front of him. "Not because anyone told us to, but because it makes the other person happy."
Kael looked at her, then at the toy, then back at her. Slowly, he handed her another toy he had been holding.
"Good," Elira whispered, a warmth spreading through her chest. "See? Sharing is simple when your heart wants to."
She noticed something. Kael's fingers trembled slightly when he tried to pass the toy, and she realized it wasn't just about learning—it was also emotional control.
She rested her hand lightly over his, letting a soft, invisible warmth flow into him. Kael's fingers steadied. He blinked, unaware of the subtle energy helping him focus.
"Do you feel better?" she asked quietly.
Kael nodded, a small smile forming. "Yes."
Next came patience. When he tried to stack blocks too quickly and they toppled, Kael pouted. "It's broken!" he cried.
Elira knelt beside him. "It's okay. Sometimes things fall, but we can try again," she said calmly. She demonstrated slowly, stacking the blocks one by one, speaking softly all the while.
Kael watched, then mimicked her actions. At first, the blocks wobbled, then stood tall. "I did it!" he exclaimed.
Elira clapped softly. "Yes, you did. See what patience can do?"
Then came responsibility. She handed him a small cloth and pointed to his blanket. "Let's fold this together. Neatly, so we know how to take care of our things."
Kael frowned at the task. "Why?" he asked.
"Because," Elira replied softly, "even small things matter. When we take care of little things, we can take care of bigger things later."
He tried, fumbling, but she guided his hands, and slowly, the blanket folded. When he finished, she hugged him gently. "See? Taking responsibility feels good."
By afternoon, Kael had learned to share, practice patience, and care for his own things.
At night, when the western wing was silent, Elira tucked him into the cradle. She whispered softly, her hand brushing his hair.
"Remember, Kael… be strong, but be good. Even when no one notices, kindness matters."
Kael closed his eyes, small hands clutching her sleeve. Unseen by anyone else, Elira let her energy flow gently, calming his thoughts and making sleep easier.
She realized then that teaching him wasn't just about manners or behavior—it was about shaping his heart before the empire could shape him into something cruel.
And as she watched him sleep, Elira silently vowed: no matter what power the empire had, no matter the mistakes of their mother, she would raise Kael to be a good person first, strong second.
The bond between them was no longer just sister and brother—it was teacher and student, protector and protected, heart to heart.