Chapter 5: First Step
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."