Time: Morning
Age: Elira – 6 years old, Kael – 3
years old
The morning sun filtered through the palace
windows, but Kael and Elira weren't looking outside. They sat on the floor of
their wing, a stack of papers and sketches spread between them.
"Elira," Kael said, his small hands steady and
deliberate, "we can't rely on the palace. We need our own life… outside. That
means money. That means people we can trust."
"Elira," Kael said, his small hands steady and deliberate, "we can't rely on
the palace. We need our own life… outside. That means money. That means people
we can trust."
Elira's eyes widened. "But… how? We're just
children."
Kael shook his head. "I've lived… fifty years'
worth of experience. I know the ways of business, negotiation, and strategy.
It's not impossible. We start small. We gather resources quietly, gain allies,
and then…" He paused, eyes fierce. "…then we leave on our terms."
He began sketching a small plan. "We can use knowledge of trade routes,
small merchants, and local crafts. We can create goods the empire values.
Slowly, we build reputation. Slowly, we build wealth."
Elira frowned. "And… the people? How do we
find allies?"
Kael smiled faintly. "People who feel ignored…
underestimated… loyal hearts. Just like us. We help them, they help us. Loyalty
is stronger than fear."
For the next hour, Kael walked her through strategies he had learned over decades: how to read
people, detect hidden motives, and persuade others without using threats. He
also taught her basic tactics for
protection, emphasizing subtlety and cleverness over brute force.
Elira listened carefully, absorbing
everything. "Kael… I never realized you were so smart."
Kael shrugged. "Experience teaches you.
We must think like adults, even if our bodies are small. The empire may
ignore us, but we cannot ignore ourselves."
After their lessons, Kael leaned back, eyes
thoughtful. "Tomorrow, we start quietly. Perhaps small trades, maybe helping
merchants in secret. We observe, we learn, and we slowly build our future."
Elira's face lit up with determination. "I
want that life, Kael. A life outside, where no one decides for us. Where we're
free."
Kael reached out and squeezed her hand.
"Exactly. Freedom isn't given—it's earned. And together… we will earn it."
The palace outside remained oblivious, but
inside their quiet corner, the siblings had made a pact: to gather wealth, allies, and knowledge, step by
step, until they could live the life they truly wanted—far from the shadows of
the empire.