Eve lay in her crib, her wide, innocent eyes absorbing the world around her. The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Despite the beauty, Eve felt a profound loneliness. The walls were adorned with tapestries and paintings, gifts from well-wishers and nobles, yet they offered little comfort. She reached out, her tiny fingers brushing against the soft fabric of her blanket, seeking the warmth and comfort that eluded her.

The strange murmurs of the servants were incomprehensible to Eve, but she sensed the unease in their voices. Their movements were mechanical, efficient, and indifferent, like clockwork soldiers tending to a duty rather than a child. They kept her clean and fed, but their touch lacked warmth. She noticed how they softened only for her brothers, Eric and Aldric, their voices becoming kinder and their smiles genuine. Even at her young age, Eve could feel the difference, the way the servants’ eyes avoided hers and their hands moved quickly, as if eager to finish their tasks and leave her presence.

Eve’s crib was positioned near a window, where she could see the garden outside. The vibrant colors of the flowers contrasted with the dull routine of her days. Despite the beauty, the garden felt distant, like a picture in a book she couldn't reach. She listened to the rustling leaves and distant bird songs, finding a small measure of comfort in these natural sounds. The garden was a world she longed to explore, a place where she imagined finding the warmth and love she yearned for.

A soft creak of the door caught her attention. Eric, with his large, curious eyes, peeked into the room. He glanced around, ensuring no servants were nearby. His heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had heard the whispers about his sister, but his young mind couldn't grasp the weight of their words. To him, Eve was simply his sister, someone to love and protect.

With a determined breath, Eric tiptoed into the room, his small feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet. He approached the crib, his sense of wonder growing with each step. Peeking over the edge, he saw Eve staring back at him, her eyes wide and filled with curiosity. Her gaze seemed to reach into his heart, filling him with an overwhelming sense of love and responsibility.

For a moment, the two siblings simply gazed at each other. Eric felt a strange but powerful feeling of love and protection swell within him. He knew, instinctively, that he wanted to be there for his sister, to make her smile and feel safe. He reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around a small wooden soldier he had brought with him. It wasn’t anything special, just a toy he had on him at the time.

With a shy smile, Eric pulled out the soldier. "Hi, Eve," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. "I brought you something."

He carefully placed the wooden soldier into the crib. Eve's tiny hands reached out, her fingers wrapping around the toy with fascination. She looked up at Eric, her expression one of pure delight. Her giggles filled the room, a sound that seemed to chase away the shadows and fill the space with light.

Eric's heart soared. He didn't understand everything that was happening around him, but in that moment, he knew that he had made his sister happy. And that was enough. He sat beside the crib, watching Eve play with the soldier, her laughter echoing in his ears like the sweetest music.

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As he watched Eve, Eric promised himself that he would always find a way to bring her joy, no matter what the whispers said. He stayed by her side for a while, sharing in the simple happiness of their shared moment, before quietly slipping out of the room, leaving behind a piece of his heart with his beloved sister.

Unbeknownst to Eric, Aldric had been watching from the shadows of the hallway. His heart ached with a mix of jealousy and confusion. He saw these interactions between Eric and Eve as a betrayal, feeling as though his brother was being taken away from him. The sight of Eric smiling at Eve, of him giving her a toy, stirred a tumultuous mix of emotions within Aldric.

The whispers of doubt from the church and the servants echoed in his mind, feeding his insecurities. They spoke of Eve's difference, of a potential danger she posed. Aldric couldn't help but let these words influence his feelings. The church’s warnings about Eve played on a loop in his mind, each repetition making the doubts grow stronger.

As the next King, Aldric placed a lot of stress on himself to be perfect. He felt responsible for protecting Eric from any potential danger, even if that danger might come from their own sister. The weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, knowing that his journey to accept Eve would be long and difficult. He wanted to be a good king, a strong leader, and he feared that any misstep, any weakness, could lead to disaster.

Later that day, Aldric confronted Eric. "Why did you visit her?" he demanded, his voice cool and measured, trying to mask the storm of emotions raging inside him.

Eric frowned, his temper flaring. "She's our sister, Aldric. She needs us."

Aldric's eyes narrowed, his tone remaining calm. "She doesn't need us. She's different, you know that. Everyone says so. Why can't you see it?"

Eric's face flushed with anger. "I don't care what they say. Eve is our sister, and I'm going to be there for her. Mother would have wanted that."

Aldric's expression hardened, the conflict within him growing stronger. He turned away, unable to find the words to express his confusion and jealousy. As he walked away, he vowed to himself to keep a closer watch on Eve, his mind torn between love for his siblings and the growing doubt planted by those around him.

As the days passed, Aldric continued to watch from the shadows, his feelings of jealousy and doubt gnawing at him. He saw how Eric continued to visit Eve, bringing her small gifts and sharing moments of joy with her. Each time he witnessed these interactions, the conflict within him deepened. He wanted to love Eve, to see her as his sister, but the whispers of doubt were always there, whispering in the back of his mind.

Eve, oblivious to the turmoil surrounding her, continued to find joy in her brother's visits. Each time Eric slipped into her room, her face would light up with happiness. The wooden soldier became one of her most cherished possessions, a symbol of the bond she shared with Eric.

Aldric's resolve to keep a closer watch on Eve grew stronger. He felt the need to protect his family, to ensure that nothing and no one could harm them. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was the one in need of protection, that his heart was vulnerable to the very doubts he tried to guard against.

In the quiet moments, when he was alone with his thoughts, Aldric would question himself. He would wonder if the church and the servants were right, if Eve truly was a danger. But then he would remember the way Eric smiled at her, the way Eve's laughter filled the room, and he would feel a pang of guilt for doubting her.

Aldric knew that his journey to accept Eve would not be easy, that it would take time and understanding. He hoped that one day, he could look at her without the shadows of doubt clouding his heart, that he could see her as his sister, just as Eric did.

Until that day came, Aldric would continue to watch, to protect, and to struggle with the conflicting emotions that threatened to tear him apart. He would do his best to be the leader his family needed, even if it meant facing his own fears and doubts head-on.

The burden of his responsibilities pressed heavily upon him, but Aldric was determined to carry it. For his family, for his kingdom, and for himself.