Chapter 9: Dinner with family
The grand dining hall of the House of Moonlight glowed with the soft light of a thousand floating crystals, casting gentle illumination across the polished silver table. Eren sat in an ornate high chair, specially crafted to accommodate his still-small frame. At nearly eighteen months old, he was increasingly frustrated by the physical limitations of his body, but tonight presented a rare opportunity—the first family dinner he'd been deemed old enough to attend.
'Finally,' he thought, watching the elaborate preparations. 'A chance to observe them all together, to understand the dynamics at play.'
Elysia entered first, her flowing robes of midnight blue catching the light as she moved. Since their private conversation about his speech development, she had been even more protective, limiting his exposure to those outside the immediate family.
"Are you ready, my little star?" she asked, adjusting his formal attire—a miniature version of traditional elven formal wear, though tailored for a "princess" with delicate silver embroidery that made his skin crawl with discomfort.
"Yes, Mother," he replied simply, his voice growing stronger with daily practice.
Elysia smiled, though concern lingered in her eyes. "Remember what we discussed. Simple words only, when others are present. Your sisters know of your... advanced abilities, but the servants need not be informed."
'Because the servants report to the Council,' Eren thought, having pieced together the political structure of the palace through careful observation. 'And the Council fears anything they don't understand.'
The doors opened again, and Lyra strode in, her warrior's posture unmistakable despite her elegant attire. As the oldest sister and commander of the Moonlight Guard, she carried herself with disciplined grace, her silver eyes scanning the room automatically for threats.
"Mother," she nodded respectfully to Elysia before turning to Eren. "And little sister. I hear you've been making quite the impression with your speech."