The royal nursery glowed with soft amber light as morning sunbeams filtered through gossamer curtains. Princess Elysia stood at the threshold, her emerald eyes fixed on her youngest child with a mixture of wonder and affection. Eren, barely eight months old—far too young by elven standards—was pulling himself up on the edge of his cradle, tiny fingers gripping the silver-inlaid wood with surprising strength.
'That's right,' Eren thought, his adult consciousness still trapped in this infant body. 'These little legs need to start working. Can't spend my whole new life being carried around.'
"That's... impressive," Sorrel murmured from behind her mother. The third princess had developed a habit of observing her little sibling when she thought no one was watching. "Most children don't attempt standing until at least fourteen months."
Elysia's lips curved into a soft smile. "Each child develops differently."
Sorrel stepped forward, crouching beside the cradle, her forest-green eyes shining with delight. "Of course. But still, it's amazing to see."
Before Elysia could respond, Eren let go of the cradle's edge. For one breathless moment, he swayed precariously, arms outstretched for balance. Then, with determination etched across his infant features, he took one wobbly step forward. Then another. And another.
'Balance is different in this tiny body,' Eren realized. 'But muscle memory doesn't lie. I was a decent athlete in my previous life. Some things just stick with you.'
"By the seven moons," Sorrel whispered, her usual composure cracking into a beaming grin. "Mother, she's walking! Actually walking!"
Elysia moved swiftly into the room, kneeling down with arms extended. "Come to me, little star," she called softly, her voice warm with pride. "Come to mama."
Eren's face lit up with recognition, his movements becoming more confident as he tottered toward Elysia. 'She's proud of me,' he noted. 'Good. That's all I need her to see.'
Just as he reached her, his legs wobbled, and he tumbled forward. Elysia caught him effortlessly, lifting him into a warm embrace. "You clever little one," she whispered against his soft hair. "Always in such a hurry."
'Not hurrying,' Eren thought wryly. 'Just trying to regain some dignity. Do you know how frustrating it is to have the mind of an adult but be treated like an infant? Though I have to admit, the cuddles aren't bad.'
Sorrel laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of silver hair behind her ear. "You're going to be unstoppable at this rate," she teased, gently stroking Eren's tiny fingers. "I can already tell you're going to be the most adventurous of us all."
Elysia's expression softened further. "Perhaps," she mused. "But for now, she's still my little star."
Before Sorrel could respond, Lyra burst into the nursery, her silver-adorned hair catching the light as she moved.
"There you are!" she exclaimed. "The council representative has arrived early, and she's asking for you specifically, Mother." Her eyes fell on Eren, and her expression brightened. "How's my little warrior today?"
As if in response, Eren reached toward Lyra with grabbing hands, bouncing eagerly in Elysia's arms. 'Lyra's the fun one,' he thought. 'Always talking about weapons and combat. My kind of sister.'
"Here," Elysia said, transferring Eren to Lyra's waiting embrace. "Watch her closely. She's full of surprises today."
Lyra's face lit up as she settled Eren against her hip. "What kind of surprises?"
"Your baby sister took her first steps," Sorrel said, her tone full of admiration.
"What? Already?" Lyra's eyes widened with delight. "That's incredible! She'll be a warrior princess yet!" She bounced Eren gently, earning a giggle from the child. "Did you hear that? You're going to be strong like your big sister Lyra, aren't you?"
'I was benching 225 in my past life,' Eren thought with inward amusement. 'Give me a few years, sis, and we'll see who's the strong one.'
Eren's tiny hand reached up to touch one of the star-gems woven into Lyra's elaborate braids, his eyes tracking the sparkle with fascination.
"I must attend to the council representative," Elysia said, smoothing her flowing robes. "Lyra, would you mind watching your sister for a while?"
"Of course not," Lyra replied, already completely absorbed in making faces at Eren. "We'll have a wonderful time, won't we, little star?"
As Elysia departed, Sorrel lingered at the doorway, watching as Lyra spun around the nursery with Eren in her arms.
"You know," she said, her voice light, "I think Eren's going to be the most remarkable of us all."
Lyra grinned. "Oh, I already know that. But tell me, what gave it away? The standing? The walking? Or that cheeky little grin?"
Sorrel chuckled. "All of it." She stepped closer, gently running a finger over Eren's chubby cheek. "I've never seen a baby so eager to explore the world. It makes me excited to see who she'll become."
'At least someone's not overthinking it,' Eren thought, relieved. 'I'd rather have a sister who's cheering for me than one who's suspicious.'
Lyra playfully tossed Eren in the air, catching him with ease as he squealed in delight. "She's going to be unstoppable," she said proudly. "And I'm going to be right there, training her to be the strongest of us all."
"Don't push her too hard," Sorrel teased. "She's still a baby, you know."
Lyra scoffed. "Maybe in age. But in spirit? She's already a warrior."
Sorrel smiled, watching as Eren clung to Lyra's tunic, his sapphire eyes shining with laughter. "Then I'll just have to make sure she has fun along the way."
Eren looked between them, content in Lyra's arms. 'A warrior and a protector,' he mused. 'Not a bad pair of sisters to have.'
For now, at least, all was well.