The nursery smelled faintly of warm sunlight and fresh flowers from the windowsill. Blocks and toys were scattered everywhere, a chaotic reminder of daily life in this strange, tiny body of mine.
Nolan bounced around me, bright-eyed and energetic as ever. "Ariya! Let's play! I found a new game!" he exclaimed, holding a small, colorful ball in his tiny hands.
I blinked, my 23-year-old mind taking in the scene. Play… I can do that. And maybe… I can actually enjoy it without thinking about survival for once.
"Alright," I thought, smiling inwardly. Let's see what this little whirlwind can do.
Nolan giggled and tossed the ball toward me. My tiny hands caught it easily, though I had to resist the instinct to subtly use my power to make it float perfectly into my grip. The bracelet hummed faintly against my wrist, reminding me to keep control.
Good, Ariya. Control first. Enjoy later. I tossed the ball back, aiming carefully—but let him think it was all skill on his part.
"Whoa! You're good, Ariya!" he shouted, clapping his little hands. "Again! Again!"
We spent the next few minutes tossing the ball back and forth. I laughed silently to myself, amused at how seriously Nolan treated our tiny game. Despite being four years old, he had the confidence and enthusiasm of a leader—if only he knew the chaos that lurked behind my calm exterior.
Lilian watched nearby, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Careful, Young Master. You might accidentally knock her over," she warned.
I shook my head gently. No worries, Lilian. I can handle him. I gently guided the ball toward Nolan with a flick of my tiny hand, letting him think he had scored a point.
"Ha! I got it! I'm the best!" Nolan cheered, jumping up and down.
I blinked, smirking inside. You are… entertaining, I'll give you that. But don't get too confident.
After the ball game, Nolan grabbed a small set of blocks. "Let's build a castle! You can be the princess, Ariya!"
I tilted my head, observing the chaotic pile of colorful blocks. A castle, huh? Fine, let's indulge the little lord. I started stacking blocks carefully, thinking three moves ahead, not just for stability but for aesthetics. Each tower balanced perfectly, though I had to suppress the urge to subtly fix the wobbling ones with my power—the bracelet dampened it too effectively for that.
"Wow! Look at that, Ariya! You're amazing!" Nolan exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration.
I blinked at him, amused. You really have no idea… I laughed silently, enjoying the rare moment of peace, of normalcy. Maybe I can let my guard down just a little today.
We continued building together, occasionally toppling towers on purpose, laughing at the chaos. The small wooden ball rolled between us, pieces of blocks tumbled, and for a moment, I almost forgot the dangers lurking outside the nursery walls.
This… this is nice, I admitted inwardly. Not the way I imagined playing as an adult, but… I think I can enjoy it. Maybe even trust him a little.
Nolan leaned against me, tired from all the excitement. "You're my best sister, Ariya," he whispered, a tiny smile on his face.
I blinked, looking at him, my heart warming despite the fragile body I was trapped in. Yes… I think I can trust him. At least… for now.
Lilian quietly observed from the side, knowing better than anyone the significance of these moments. The Duke's distant gaze lingered, calculating and silent. He didn't intervene—he merely watched, aware that these small moments of bonding could be the foundation for something far greater in the years to come.
And for the first time in weeks, I allowed myself a small, genuine smile. Playtime with Nolan wasn't just fun—it was a reminder that, even in this fragile body, I could still shape my world, my relationships… and maybe, my future.