The sun's first rays poured through the window, gently hitting my face with their warmth. Despite the soft light on my skin, I stayed completely still, dead asleep. I could feel drool dripping from the corner of my mouth as I lay there, like some kid who didn't know anything but comfort. I shifted a little, turning onto my side so the sun could warm my back instead, my gentle snoring filling the room.
A small hand reached out toward me, touching my cheek and playfully pinching it. Selene, my new little sister, giggled softly as she kept pinching my cheeks, fascinated by how soft they felt. "Big brother, your cheeks are so smooth! Smoother than mine!" she said in this high-pitched, innocent voice.
Ray was standing beside the bed with a smile, nodding. "Let me see." He leaned closer, curiosity bright in his eyes. I was still caught up in peaceful sleep, totally unaware of their playful invasion.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I was actually at peace, my face softened by sleep instead of carrying the weight of the world. All those months of hardship, days without rest, constantly struggling to survive that stuff had left its marks. But now, in the warmth of the sun and the safety of my new family, I found something that had been missing: real rest.
Ray couldn't resist his curiosity and reached out to gently touch my cheek. His fingers lingered on my soft skin, surprised by how smooth it was. "Whoa," he whispered, "it's like I'm touching animal fur."
Selene got excited by Ray's words and eagerly kept exploring, touching my face with more intensity.
Suddenly, my eyes flickered open, and I felt the pressure on my chest and the gentle pinches on my cheeks. A sharp, cold voice cut through the morning warmth. "What?"
I looked around groggily, my usual detached expression slowly replacing the serenity of sleep. My eyes focused on the girl sitting on me, and it hit me suddenly. "Without even thinking, I've slipped back into my usual self " i said to myself
Trying to bury the coldness inside, I forced a smile and said, "Oh, my cute little sister, what are you doing here?"
For a moment, the room went quiet. Selene blinked up at me before bursting into laughter. "Look, big bro! He said I'm cute! Don't you think I'm cute too?"
Ray, standing nearby, smiled warmly. "Yeah, you're very cute, my lady."
I let out a deep breath, my eyes shifting toward Ray and Selene. "Humans... they get so easily pleased by compliments. It's not that I think they're stupid, but I can't help wondering... am I the idiot for thinking I'm above them?
For a brief moment, I felt disconnected from them, but i knew the king and his family was just acting like how I was acting in one day they can't accept me as there child nor i but before that thought could settle, Ray's voice broke through my thinking.
"Rudra, how about a walk in the garden?" Ray suggested, his tone light.
I was still half-dazed from sleep and squinted. "Give me a sec."
Ray was already lifting Selene off my chest. "I'll wait outside. Come when you're ready."
"But I wanna play with big bro!" Selene protested, her voice filled with genuine excitement.
Ray's smile was patient. "Big bro will play with you another time. He needs to get cleaned up."
As Ray carried Selene out of the room, I stayed quiet, watching them disappear down the hall. When they were out of sight, I sighed deeply. "Another day, another round of meaningless small talk." The weight of being around others, always having to engage in pleasantries, drained me, but I knew I couldn't let it show.
Standing up, I moved toward the mirror. For the first time in what felt like forever, I saw my reflection clearly a reflection I hadn't seen in over a year. My face had returned to normal, unmarked. "Ha, what's with my face?" I muttered, surprised at how well I'd rested. "Did I really rest that well?" I noticed the drool at the corner of my mouth. *I'm not used to this. Rest was a luxury on the streets. Even getting an hour of sleep was a blessing. The food I ate was nothing but scraps. But after just one night of sleep... this much recovery? It's almost like I've been reborn.
I wiped my face and stared at myself, thinking about my next steps. I was ready to face the world again, to act like the normal kid everyone thought I was.
Stepping outside, I found Ray waiting by the door. As soon as my foot hit the threshold, Ray suddenly jumped in front of me with a grin.
I reacted instinctively, my eyes widening in mock fear. "Are you trying to kill me or what? Just because I took a place in your family?"
Ray chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "I tried to do it quietly, but you didn't die. Guess I'll have to push you off into the garden to finish the job."
I let out an exaggerated sigh, putting my hand on my chest in mock distress. "That broke my heart into pieces. I was happy to have a brother, and then I find out he's trying to kill me."
Ray's face twisted into a mock-serious expression. "What can I do? I can't have you in the race for the next crown prince."
I wasn't fazed and raised an eyebrow. "Me? I don't plan to sit on some chair for the rest of my life, staring out windows."
Ray blinked, his playful tone disappearing. "Why's that?"
I kept my voice calm but firm. "I don't like doing things for others just because they expect it. I don't give a damn about the chair or the title."
Ray looked at me for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. "You sound different sometimes. It's like there's another side of you when you talk like that..."
I paused, a fleeting thought crossing my mind. "Is it necessary for me to act like my usual self? Maybe they need to understand why I'm here, why I'm not interested in their world of titles and expectations."
After a moment, I nodded slightly. "Maybe it's just how I am. But I'm not here for that damn chair."
Ray seemed to process my words before giving a small, understanding nod. "Let's go to the garden. The morning view is always nice here."
As we walked toward the garden, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Rudra, Ray, where are you guys going?"
It was Riven, my new big brother. I turned to greet him with a smile. "Ray was gonna show me the garden."
A mischievous smile appeared on Riven's face. "Come with me. I'll show you around."
Before either Ray or I could protest, Riven dragged us through the castle. We ended up at this large, open area with white walls gleaming in the sunlight. Several sections of the grounds were set aside for different types of training: sword practice, sparring, archery, and even magic. As I looked around, I noticed how carefully the space had been arranged.
Riven, clearly pleased with himself, grinned. "Rudra, you said you wanted to learn how to fight with weapons, right? Why don't we practice for a bit? I'm no expert, but I know a little about all kinds of weapons."
I realized Riven wasn't gonna let me back out, so I just nodded. "I'll do my best."
Ray stepped in before things could go further. "Big bro, don't you think he needs some rest?"
Riven's tone shifted to something more serious. "Don't you know what's coming next month? If he gets chosen, he'll need to be prepared for what's coming. This isn't just about learning for fun."
I was confused and asked, "What are you two talking about?"
Ray and Riven exchanged a glance before turning to me. "We'll explain later. For now, just know we'll help you through it."