Kael approached Alex's courtyard with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation. The events of the Tea Party still lingered in his mind—the insults, the silent tension, and Alex's calm restraint. He had decided that if he wanted to survive in this world of nobles, he needed guidance. And Alex… well, Alex had shown him a path, though it wasn't the one he expected.
"Are you sure about this?" Kael muttered to himself, taking a deep breath. He stepped inside, the courtyard bathed in the warm afternoon sun.
Alex looked up from the small practice mat where he was meditating, his posture straight, hands lightly resting on his knees. "Ah," he said casually, "come in. I've been expecting you… sort of."
Kael's eyes widened slightly. There was no judgment in Alex's tone, no condescension—just calm acceptance. He stepped forward, and Alex gestured toward a bench. "Sit here for a moment. We'll start slowly."
The lesson began with subtle exercises in etiquette, posture, and expression. Alex observed Kael closely, correcting a stiff wrist here, a downcast gaze there. "Not every battle needs a sword or a fist," Alex explained gently. "Some fights… some victories… are won with words. With presence. With control of yourself."
Kael frowned. "Words?" he asked. "I don't… I don't know if I can—"
"You can," Alex interrupted softly, leaning forward. "You just need practice. Every action, every gesture, every glance has power. And if you learn to wield it, you'll never have to fight recklessly."
The hours passed, sunlight dipping lower as they worked on conversation, observation, and subtle influence. Kael began to notice a rhythm in Alex's guidance—a way to project strength without aggression, a method to make people listen without raising a hand. Slowly, the boy's pride shifted from frustration to determination.
Just as the lesson was nearing its close, soft laughter drifted from the courtyard gate. A small figure came running across the cobblestones, hair bouncing with every step.
"Hey, you little gremlin!" Alex called, kneeling slightly as he smiled at the child. "How were your lessons today?"
Four-year-old Louis giggled and ran straight into Alex's arms, wrapping his tiny arms around him. Kael stepped back, observing silently, his eyes tracking the ease and warmth in Alex's movements—the gentle way he tousled Louis's hair, the playful grin he wore.
Alex glanced down at Louis, then casually nodded toward Kael. "That's my little brother," he said lightly, as if mentioning it in passing. Louis tugged at his sleeve, chattering happily, and Alex laughed.
Kael's gaze lingered. In the quiet moments between the playful exchanges, he could see how Alex cared, how natural and comfortable he was around family. Without a word about trust or responsibility, Kael felt a subtle understanding: this boy, Alex, could be someone to watch, someone worth learning from.
As the sun began to dip behind the mansion, Kael stood a little straighter, absorbing the lesson and the quiet demonstration of guidance Alex had offered. The seed was planted. He would return, learn more, and perhaps, in time, become someone strong enough to stand beside Alex—not just as a follower, but as a true ally.
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Author's Note:
Today, we see the beginning of mentorship. Alex guides Kael not with force, but with wisdom, showing him the power of words, presence, and subtlety. And sometimes, the smallest moments—a laugh, a playful gesture—can speak louder than explicit lessons. Kael's first step toward growth begins quietly, in the courtyard, under the warm sunlight.
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy following these subtle yet important steps in Alex's journey. 🥰