Morning drifted over Vyomtara Manor like a quiet blessing, brushing the ancient stone walls with pale winter gold. The mountain air outside was cool and crisp, but within the manor, every corridor breathed gentle warmth—kept alive by soft footsteps, hushed voices, and the steady heartbeat of family.
In the nursery, the world held its breath.
Three small boys lay asleep beneath a quilt threaded with silver. Their breaths rose and fell in perfect harmony, tiny chests lifting with the ease of unbroken dreams. Their silver-gray hair shimmered faintly in the dawn light, soft as mist resting on moonlit hills.
They slept exactly as they lived—entwined, inseparable.
Aditya clutched the end of Sasi's sleeve.Sasi rested his head on Aryan's shoulder.Aryan wrapped one small arm around both, calm even in sleep.
For a few long moments, morning watched them gently.
Then Sasi stirred.
His eyes fluttered open—blue as a winter sky just beginning to glow. He blinked, rubbed his cheek with a tiny warm palm, and let out a small hum. Then he poked the nearest figure.
Aryan.
Aryan awoke in the quiet way only he could—softly, steadily, like snow melting under sun. He observed the world for a thoughtful moment, then gave Sasi a small, slow nod.
And just like that, peace cracked open.
Aditya shot upright with the enthusiasm of a startled kitten.
His blanket flew off like a defeated banner. He pointed upward at absolutely nothing and shouted, "Ah!"
Sasi burst into laughter.Aryan sighed with tender patience.Aditya beamed as if he had personally summoned the sun.
The maids arrived at that exact moment—and froze.
"Oh no…""They're awake already…"
Thus, the day officially began.
The boys were carried to their warm bath, their silver-gray hair catching the morning light like threads of frost-lit starlight. Their sky-blue eyes sparkled with three distinct worlds—Aditya's bursting flame, Sasi's gentle glow, Aryan's quiet depth.
Bath time followed its usual warlike tradition.
Sasi dipped his hand gently into the water. A tiny ripple spread.
Aditya took this as a declaration of battle.
With the ferocity of a miniature general, he slapped both hands into the water—sending a wave that soaked two maids instantly.
Aryan watched, expression unreadable, then delivered one precise splash that mysteriously drenched everyone involved.
Shrieks.Giggles.Chaos.
By the end, the water was everywhere except inside the tub, and the maids looked like victims of a small but determined rainstorm.
Wrapped in soft winter clothes, the boys waddled out like three royal cubs inspecting their kingdom.
Lady Elaria waited in the dining hall with warm milk and fruit. Their carved chairs stood neatly in a row, and the moment they sat, mischief lit their eyes like tiny sparks.
Aditya raised his spoon like a sword.
"Ahhh!" he announced.
Porridge flew in heroic arcs.It decorated his cheeks, chin, nose, and even the chair behind him. Mercifully, his hair escaped the disaster.
Sasi laughed until he bent over his bowl.Aryan leaned forward, observing how the porridge slid down the wood—utterly fascinated.
Elaria hid her smile behind elegance. "Eat slowly, my stars."
Breakfast resumed in its typical formation:Aryan, neat and precise;Sasi, loving and generous;Aditya, enthusiastic and extremely messy.
Then the doors opened.
Achintya entered.
Aryan's voice softened to a whisper, "Gwan-pa…"The old man melted instantly.
He gathered all three boys into his arms, kissing their hair, letting their tiny hands tug at his sleeves and beard. His laughter filled the hall like warm wine.
Morning passed with gentle sweetness.
In the playroom, Aditya rode a blanket dragon with ferocious roars.Sasi led a parade of stuffed animals as if conducting a grand festival.Aryan built orderly towers, pausing sometimes to watch how the sunlight warmed his reflection on the windowpane.
At one year and six months, their half-formed words rang through the room like soft bells.
Aditya: "Butterfai!"Sasi: "Fwowers."Aryan: "A-yan," spoken with proud clarity.
Later, Elaria carried them into the garden.
Wrapped in shawls, the boys stepped into winter sunlight—three little flames lighting the cold air. Frost dusted the rose petals. Jasmine vines breathed sweetness into the breeze. Fountains murmured in the distance, like soft instruments greeting the day.
Each boy revealed his nature instantly.
Sasi gasped softly and chased butterflies with tender joy.Aditya seized a stick and swung it like a warrior battling unseen foes.Aryan knelt near jasmine flowers, brushing each petal with respectful curiosity.
From behind, Achintya whispered, "So different… yet they complete one another."
Behind a rose bush, the boys found a tiny pond.
They leaned closer, breath held in unison.
A frog jumped.
Three screams erupted.Three tiny bodies sprinted in three directions.Three maids panicked.One grandfather laughed so hard he nearly lost his balance.
In the chaos, Sasi tripped. Aryan fell onto him. Aditya toppled dramatically over both. Their giggles rose like music.
Achintya lifted each child carefully. They rewarded him with treasures:
Aditya offered a leaf—bold and proud.Sasi placed a flower petal in his hand—soft and sweet.Aryan handed him a wooden block—silent and meaningful.
"Ahh," the old man whispered, eyes warm, "my little stars… you brighten everything."
The day calmed as afternoon settled.
The boys wandered through frost-touched roses.Aditya puffed clouds of frost with dramatic flair.Sasi clapped at each snowy burst.Aryan traced petal edges as if memorizing each curve.
Soon, drowsiness embraced them.
Elaria gathered the sleepy trio, their tiny hands tucked beneath her shawl. Aditya yawned like a lion cub. Sasi blinked slowly. Aryan rested his head on her shoulder, peaceful as quiet water.
Tea time brought warm spiced milk and soft biscuits.
Aditya stole a biscuit when no one looked.Sasi offered one to his grandfather.Aryan dipped his slowly, observing its softening surface.
Evening arrived quietly.
The garden glowed amber.Shadows lengthened softly.Winter wind hummed through jasmine vines.
On a blanket, the boys leaned into one another—Aditya on Sasi, Sasi on Aryan, Aryan holding both with instinctive tenderness.
Eventually, they were carried inside and dressed in cloud-soft pajamas. Sleep tugged at them like a gentle tide.
They lay in their cradle exactly as they always did:
Aditya sprawled confidently in the middle.Sasi curled beside him like a warm petal.Aryan placed an arm over both, calm, protective, whole.
Duke Varesh walked into the nursery quietly.
Lantern light brushed over the sleeping forms. His stern features shimmered into softness. He knelt, kissed each forehead, and whispered with reverence,
"Sleep well, my stars."
The room fell still.The warmth of the day lingered like a quiet echo.Vyomtara Manor exhaled a long, gentle breath.
And in the soft cradle of night, love rested—deep, warm, and endless.