Chapter 4: Sisters
The grand chamber door swung open with a melodic creak, flooding the room with golden sunlight that seemed to dance across the polished stone floor. Eren, nestled in Princess Elysia's arms, blinked against the sudden brightness, his infant eyes still struggling to focus on details beyond blurry outlines and vibrant colors.
"They're here," Elysia whispered, her lips brushing against his forehead. Her arms tightened protectively around his swaddled form as she rose from her carved chair. "Remember what I told the attendants—the child is delicate and must not be overwhelmed."
Before Eren could process her words, a flurry of movement and excited voices filled the chamber. Three figures burst through the doorway, their movements too quick and graceful to be entirely human. Like Elysia, they moved with an ethereal lightness that defied gravity.
"Mother! Let us see! Please, let us see our new sibling!" The voices overlapped in a chorus of musical tones, each distinct yet harmonizing perfectly with the others.
Elysia laughed softly, the sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Patience, my daughters. Come forward one at a time. Lyra first, as is proper."
The tallest of the three approached, and Eren felt himself being studied by intense silver eyes. This sister—Lyra—wore her hair in an intricate crown of braids, adorned with what appeared to be actual stars, tiny points of light woven into her midnight-blue tresses. Her face was angular, her features sharp yet harmonious, and her pointed ears extended further than Elysia's, decorated with delicate silver chains.
"My little elf," Lyra breathed, her voice catching with emotion as she extended a slender finger to touch Eren's cheek. "So perfect. So tiny."
Elves,' the word resonated through Eren's confused mind. 'I'm an elf? Elves are real here?'
"May I hold her?" Lyra asked, already extending her arms.
Her?' Eren's thoughts spun in confusion. 'Did she just say "her"?'
Before he could make sense of this, he felt himself being transferred to new arms. Lyra held him with practiced ease, cradling him close to her ample bosom, the warmth of her body enveloping him.