The sweet scent of summer permeated the air of the Eastern Courtyard, enveloping the planned celebrations with a sense of warmth and excitement. Gabriel found his little sister, Sarah, a beacon of youthful vibrancy against the backdrop of their grand home.

His heart swelled with affection as he ruffled her golden curls, his voice a soft murmur in the afternoon breeze, "I've missed you."

Sarah, mimicking the stern look of an aged governess, crossed her arms in feigned indignation. "It's been more than a week," she said. The attempt at solemnity, however, failed to hide the twinkle in her eyes, causing Gabriel to surrender to a hearty laughter.

In a sudden, affectionate motion, he enveloped her into a bear hug. She reciprocated the gesture, her small fingers unintentionally pressing into his healing wounds. As she abruptly pulled away, a look of horror replaced her mirth, "Ew, get off me!" Yet her protest was betrayed by the smile she tried to suppress.

Her innocent concern bloomed as she tilted her head, peering up at him, "You feeling better?"

He responded with a playful grimace. "You have no idea," he dramatized, his voice full of mock exhaustion. "I was sneezing and coughing nonstop." A pause punctuated his words before he theatrically mimicked a loud sneeze, causing Sarah to jump backwards.

He couldn't resist his triumph. "Got you!" he crowed, his tongue jokingly poking out.

Her voice, a blend of mock protest and lingering laughter, filled the air. "That was mean!"

"Well, what else are big brothers for?" He winked at her, earning an eye roll in response.

Then, as if struck by a sudden memory, her fingers fumbled in her pockets, her face lighting up in anticipation. "Look what Pa got me." Her small voice imbued with pride. The silver brooch she unveiled glistened in the sunlight, its embedded sapphires rivalling the azure sky. "Isn’t it nice?" Her eyes searched his.

A lump formed in his throat as he studied the beautiful ornament, a poignant symbol of the king’s absent affection for him. "It's very nice,” he replied, his voice thick with unspoken emotion.

Perplexed by his tone, Sarah tilted her head slightly, her small brow furrowed. The momentary confusion was replaced by a spark of excitement as she bounced on her heels, "What did you get me?"

In response, his lips curled into a cryptic smile. "Who said I got you anything?"

With hands on her hips as she scanned him up and down. "Wait till Mother arrives," he promised, unable to resist her theatrics.

His gaze wandered towards the entrance of the courtyard, just in time to see their mother approaching. Her face was illuminated with joy, her steps exuding grace and poise. She was a radiant vision, her festive attire complementing her elegance. She held aloft a tantalizing chocolate cake, its rich scent wafting through the air, making Gabriel's stomach rumble in anticipation.

Following closely behind was Lovren, Jessinta, and their mother, Lady Anna, a striking woman about a decade older than his mother. She was the mirror from which Jessinta had inherited her mesmerizing allure. A blush rose to his cheeks as he acknowledged the striking resemblance.

In a chorus of harmonious greetings, each person wished Sarah, “Happy Name Day, Princess.” Lovren’s mischievous grin was the only break in the formal decorum as he offered an exaggerated bow.

Lady Anna, her brows creased in concern, addressed Gabriel, "How are you?"

"I'm well, my lady. My 'sickness' is gone," he emphasized the word sickness, trusting she'd understand the coded message. She glanced at Sarah before nodding in understanding. It was crucial to protect Sarah from the harsh truths surrounding his recent wounds. His sister adored the king, and though Gabriel harbored a deep-seated resentment for the man, he didn't want to rob Sarah of his affection.

As Lady Anna rejoined her children, Gabriel’s mother approached, her eyes clouded with unspoken guilt.

“I’ve been a little distant, I’m sorry,” her voice barely a whisper.

Feeling the pain in her voice, Gabriel comforted her. “I understand. It wouldn’t have been easy for you to see me like that.” He gestured vaguely at his own form, referring to the aftermath of his impulsive stupidity.

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A painful silence hung between them before she continued “Still,” she paused, “You and your sister are my greatest joy, I couldn’t bare to see you so hurt. I failed you.” She bowed her head and he saw tears well up in her emerald eyes.

Her vulnerability left him wordless. It was a side of his mother he'd seldom seen. Rallying his emotions, he reassured her, "You didn’t fail me, Ma. I failed you."

The raw honesty of his words seemed to break a dam within her. She pulled him into a tender embrace. Her affection making him forget the pain that lingered. Gabriel found solace in the warmth of her hold, his physical discomfort fading in her comforting presence.

Pulling back, she brushed her fingers lightly on his chin tilting his face upwards. Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. “We have yet to hear anything about the warband, it can only mean that nothing tragic has transpired. We can expect them back in a week, so allow yourself some peace.” The burden of worry seemed to lighten within him, and with a deep, relieving breath, he accepted her comforting words.

“No matter what you do in this life, you will never have failed me,” she said, her voice firm with conviction. She tucked a stray lock of his hair behind his ear, her tender touch erasing the tension between them. "Come, let’s join in the celebration."

The group all engaged in pleasant chatter, reminiscing about Sarah's past name days, her cheeks flushing pink as she bashfully looked away.

Attired in their formal wear, servants commenced the serving of the meal. Among them was the blonde lady whom Gabriel had crossed paths with earlier en route to his father's quarters. Her previous air of consternation had given way to a radiant smile that brought added luminance to the courtyard bathed in sunlight. As she moved around the table, setting down plates and silverware, she meticulously positioned a decorative knife on a crystalline plate adjacent to the cake. Gabriel observed as she kindled the single candle perched on the cake and the grin on her lips as Sarah gasped in joy. But her happiness was momentarily eclipsed by a serious frown when her gaze met his mother's, before she withdrew from the courtyard. He noticed how she purposefully avoided meeting his eyes.

Gabriel was jolted away from his pondering by his mother's voice. "Make a wish, sweetheart," she encouraged, gesturing towards the cake.

Sarah glanced down, her face screwing up in concentration as she decided on her wish. And then, her eyes lit up, and she extinguished the candle with a single blow.

"What was your wish?" Jessinta asked with interest.

Gabriel interjected, "You're not supposed to reveal your wish."

Jessinta gave him a playful glare and mouthed "boring" at him.

"I wished I could have a Name Day party with the whole family together," Sarah confessed, her innocent sincerity making Gabriel's heart ache. For a brief moment, he almost wished the same, but the bitter memory of his brother's harsh laughter and his father's cruelty quashed that thought. He was relieved they weren't partaking in this year's celebration.

After they sung a round of "Happy Name Day," they each had a slice of the delicious cake. Before long, it was time for the gifts. Sarah's small fingers clutched the edge of her seat in anticipation.

Lovren led the way, presenting Sarah with a petite, meticulously crafted doll adorned with golden hair. Even though she was maturing beyond the age for dolls, she received the gift with an appreciative smile. Jessinta presented a set of drawing pencils and a thick sketchbook, knowing her love for art. Lady Anna's offering was a refined locket, and his mother presented a bracelet embedded with sapphires that matched the brooch gifted by the king. As Sarah received each gift, she embraced the giver, her smile blooming wide enough to light up her entire face.

Then it was Gabriel's turn. He inhaled deeply, drawing a slightly worn book from his pocket. "Here," his voice filled with a touch of nostalgia. "This is for you."

Sarah accepted the book with wide eyes, her fingers tracing the embossed title. "The Sea of Stars?" she read out loud, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

He nodded, a fond smile spreading across his face. "Yes, it's one of my favorite stories, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did."

“What’s it about?” she asked.

Gabriel leaned back, priming himself to encapsulate the tale. "It revolves around a man, a modest fisherman named Orion, dwelling in a seaside village under a sky teeming with luminous stars. One day, a star descends from the sky into the sea, and Orion discovers it while fishing. The star wasn't merely a fiery orb, but a stunning woman named Celeste. She was one of Victra’s chosen ones, who had lost her way and yearned to return home."

As Gabriel elaborated, Sarah's leaned forward on her chair. "Orion and Celeste strike up an unlikely friendship. Gradually, he reintroduces her to the beauty and simplicity of human existence that she had long forgotten, while she regales him with tales of cosmic dances and the boundless universe."

"And what happens next?" she prodded when he paused. "Well," he said, leaning in closer, "Orion comes to the realization that despite his burgeoning love for Celeste, her rightful place was amongst the stars. So, he constructs a ship, not for seafaring but for voyaging across the heavens. He braves storms, combats monsters, and even defies time to guide her home."

He caught Jessinta's surprised glance and in an attempt to divert attention from her reaction, quipped, “Well, you've given away the whole plot now.” Prompting a burst of laughter from the entire group.

“I can’t wait to read it”, Sarah said.

Circumventing Jessinta’s comment, Gabriel added "And I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it." He paused, seeing the fascination and emotion mirrored in Sarah's eyes. "This tale taught me that true love is selfless, it implies doing what's best for the other person, even if it brings you pain. Like Orion, we need the bravery to do what's right, especially when it's the most difficult."

The magic of the story now passed onto another, much like a page turned in their own narrative, the tale of a brother and sister navigating their personal 'Sea of Stars.'