Four years. Four years in this body, and already, life had become… boring and interesting at the same time. Boring because I can't do most of the things I should do for the future and for becoming stronger. I can't go anywhere outside the castle, I can't search for treasures that the future heroes will claim. But being a child is not bad either. All I do is run through the castle, play pranks, and cause problems for everybody like a normal child. What can I say? I don't have anything else to spend my time on other than that. Sure, I can train, but my full potential for growth begins at age ten. Until then, all I can do is just develop my sword skills and learn academics.
I stretched my small arms above my head, yawned, and rolled off the oversized crib mattress. My eyes, look more bright for four years old, scanned the nursery. Tutors were arriving soon—probably to lecture me on letters or arithmetic, or worse, proper etiquette.
I tiptoed past the first stack of blocks, deliberately nudging one so it teetered precariously and fell with a satisfying crash. A small, victorious grin crossed my face. Ah, the thrill of tiny chaos. Being a child is awasome.
General POV
Duchess Selara Ravenorentered the nursery with a cup of warm tea. She paused when she noticed a toppled tower of blocks and Kael crouched with a triumphant expression.
"Kael," she said, amusement in her voice. "Were you… playing again?"
Kael froze, as if caught—but only for a moment.
Of course I was. What else is life for? That is what you do as a child.
"I… um… the tower fell on its own," I offered, voice innocent in its delivery. Mother's eyes twinkled. She wasn't fooled. But she didn't scold.
"Hmm," Selara murmured, setting the tea aside. "Very well. But perhaps you can help me rebuild it later."
Excellent. I considered that a temporary truce. For now, my mischief remained unpunished.
Kael's POV
The castle was my playground. Every corridor, every hidden alcove, every shadowed stairwell was a place to explore.
Today's plan: sneak past Master Joren, my tutor in etiquette and basic sword practice, and hide in the east wing's storage chamber. He'd probably be tracking me like I was some tiny criminal mastermind. Little did he know—he was correct.
I crept toward the door, fingers clutching the edge of my cloak, eyes scanning for movement. The servant in the hallway yawned and turned away. Perfect. No witnesses.
Step one: distraction.
I picked up a small feather from the nursery floor and flung it across the hall. It floated lazily, tickling the air, before landing on the floor with a faint poof. Master Joren's head snapped toward the sound. Bingo.
I darted. Sprinting on short legs is slow, but agility counts. By the time he reached the hallway, I had vanished into the east wing—a favorite hiding spot I'd discovered months ago. Boxes, crates, old furniture—perfect for a four-year-old with imagination and patience.
I pressed myself behind a stack of old tapestry rolls, heart racing with the thrill of near capture.
This is better than any storybook in the library.
General POV
By mid-morning, Kael had already accomplished the first of several small rebellions. He had:
Liberated three inkpots and scattered them in a trail leading into a broom closet.
Hopped across the balcony railing (with careful calculation) and landed safely on a pile of enchanted cushions.
Convincingly tricked Master Joren into chasing shadows and ignoring the real him.
Selara and Darian observed from afar, well aware of their son's mischiefs but allowing him a degree of freedom.
"He's learning a lot of pranks than expected," Selara whispered to Darian, her golden hair catching the light. "And he enjoys it too much."
Darian's jaw tightened. "Yes… but every clever game is also practice... "
Kael's POV
The real fun, of course, came in sword practice. Wooden swords lay on a low rack within my reach. Four years old, but stronger than most children, I had already developed a decent swing—quick, precise, and deadly in my imagination.
Master Joren tried to teach me proper form, which I followed… sometimes. Other times, I improvised. Duck, swing, lunge, tiptoe behind him—it was all part of the game of life. If life was going to throw monsters and demons at me someday, I needed reflexes.
Yes… yes… just a little more swing… perfect.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my triumph. I froze mid-step, ducking behind a curtain. Selara's voice followed.
"Kael, lunch is ready. And do try to come out… you can't hide forever."
Hah. They think I can't hide forever. Patience, little body… patience.
General POV
By the afternoon, the castle echoed with Kael's laughter—chasing shadows, dodging caretakers, swinging sticks like swords, and occasionally toppling small piles of neatly stacked objects. His violet eyes gleamed with cleverness, but there was also a spark of something darker: a caution beyond his years.
Even as he played, he remembered: there were people watching. Always. The nobles, the servants, the distant courtiers—Kael knew they assessed, judged, and measured him constantly. And he tried to act more like any four years old.
Kael's POV
By late afternoon, boredom struck. Tutors were relentless, and even Mother's words couldn't distract me now. I decided on a bold move: the grand hall.
The hall was enormous, filled with paintings, statues, and magical wards. Perfect for hiding. I dodged a patrol of guards with a roll under a silk tablecloth. Past the edge of the banquet table, I found a small alcove behind a tapestry depicting the Battle of Valtherion. A perfect vantage point to survey anyone approaching.
Observation point. Check. Escape routes. Check. Potential play targets… ah, yes.
I spotted a group of servants chatting idly near the kitchens. Small chuckle. A flick of my cloak, and a carefully placed feather from earlier caused a mild commotion—chasing them back and forth like tiny pawns on a board.
All in a day's work.
General POV
Evening approached, and the tutors finally managed to corral Kael into a semblance of order. Dinner was served in the family dining hall, a smaller, more private chamber. Selara fussed over small details, making sure Kael's plate was filled with nourishing food—soft meats, enchanted vegetables, warm bread. Darian watched quietly.
Kael, meanwhile, stared at his food with a mixture of boredom. Playing with food like it was a game, everything to escape boredoom.
After dinner, the family retired to the library, one of Kael's favorite places. He loved books—maps, histories.
"You are learning too quickly," Selara whispered, brushing his hair from his forehead. "The world will be ready for you. But are you ready for it?"
Kael blinked slowly, considering. Ready? Perhaps. Stronger than before. Smarter than before. And certainly more cautious than anyone suspects.
Darian's voice broke in, deep and even to praise Kael in front of himself: "He is already more than what he appears, child with wisdom far beyond his age."
Kael, curled in a corner with a half-finished book and a playful grin. The world was dangerous, and full of intrigue—and I had already begun training to survive it.
Tomorrow, I thought, I will climb the tower. I will outsmart the tutors again. And I will practice with the sword until my arms ache. Because the world doesn't wait…
And with that thought, Kael finally allowed sleep to claim him, his eyes fluttering closed, mind still racing with schemes.
General POV
At night. The castle had finally gone quiet.
Kael was asleep—curled beneath a mountain of blankets, one arm dangling off the side of the bed, Selara stood beside him for a long moment, brushing a fingertip across his soft hair, her expression peaceful… but her eyes troubled.
Darian waited at the doorway.
When she joined him in the hallway, he closed the door with a soft, muted thud. Together, they walked through the dimly lit corridor, torches flickering as if sensing the tension in the air.
Private Chamber
Selara lowered herself into a padded chair, smoothing her gown with slow precision. Darian remained standing for a moment, jaw tight, arms crossed behind his back. The moonlight slipping through the balcony window cast a pale glow across them both.
Selara exhaled first."He was watching Kael again today."
Darian's eyes sharpened instantly."The spy?"
She nodded slowly."Yes. The same one. He was disguised as a new servant—barely twenty summers. Harmless on the surface. But his gaze… too obsewant. When Kael climbed the balcony rail…"
She swallowed."…the man moved closer. As if waiting for him to slip."
A tense silence. Then—
Darian:"The message he carried told us enough. Poisoned dagger, coded instructions… and that crest hidden in his boot."
Selara closed her eyes briefly."House Vaelis."
Darian nodded once."They move too soon. Kael is only four."
Selara:"He is four… and already someone wants him dead. Darian… why? A child? What threat could he pose now?"
Darian paced, boots quiet but heavy in the silence.
Darian:"Because they fear what he will become. They fear us. A duchy that grows stronger, an heir with the talent already showing great future."His voice tightened."They see a future where Kael surpasses them all."
Selara, voice icy:"They tried to kill my son."
Her fingers trembled once—only once—before she stilled them.Darian stepped closer, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
Darian:"He is safe. We intercepted the assassin before he reached the nursery."His voice darkened."The spy will not trouble us again."
Selara met his eyes."But others will come."
Darian:"Yes. And the next ones will be smarter."
She swallowed hard, worry flickering in her usually calm expression."Kael is clever… but he is still a child. We cannot let him wander the castle freely anymore."
Darian's refusal was immediate."No."
Selara blinked."No?"
Darian:"He learns through experience. Through freedom. If we cage him now, we dim the very instincts that might one day save his life."
Selara hesitated—but she knew he was right.
Selara:"Then what do we do?"
Darian:"We protect him from the shadows. Quietly. Invisible to him."
He leaned closer.
Darian:"I've already assigned three hidden blades outside his chambers. And the east wing now has doubled patrols. No visitor will enter the inner castle without my permission."
Selara nodded slowly, relief touching her features, though her voice remained tight.
Selara:"And House Vaelis?"
A dangerous glint sparked in Darian's eyes."I will send them a message. Not with words."
Selara's lips tightened into a thin line.Not mercy—agreement.