The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the palace grounds. Lilian strolled aimlessly, her thoughts drifting back to her brothers. She had spent time with Sebastian and Dorian recently, but Nathaniel had always been elusive, engrossed in his sword training. It suddenly struck her how little she knew about her ten-year-old brother, only two years older than herself.

Determined to change that, Lilian decided to seek him out. She knew where to find him—the practice grounds. Nathaniel was always there, honing his skills with relentless dedication. Her steps quickened as she approached the training area, her heart pounding with anticipation.

As she rounded the corner, Lilian’s breath caught in her throat. There, sprawled on the ground, was Nathaniel, a look of frustration etched on his young face. Standing over him was Rylan, his expression smug and confident. Lilian’s eyes narrowed as she took in the scene.

“Rylan, what are you doing?” she demanded, her voice sharp.

Rylan looked up, his face breaking into a charming smile. “Lilian! I was just giving Nathaniel some pointers.”

Ignoring Rylan’s smile, Lilian rushed to Nathaniel’s side. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Nathaniel, clearly embarrassed by his situation, shoved her aside. “I’m fine, Lilian. I don’t need your help.”

Lilian’s heart ached at his rejection, but she refused to be deterred. “Nathaniel, it’s okay to need help sometimes. You’re doing great. Let’s practice together. I think you’re really cool.”

Nathaniel’s eyes softened slightly, though he tried to hide it. “You really think so?”

“Absolutely!” Lilian replied, her smile bright and sincere. “I’d love to learn from you.”

Rylan, who had been watching the exchange with growing jealousy, stepped forward. “If you want to practice with Nathaniel, you’ll need to learn proper form,” he said, his voice tinged with irritation.

Before Lilian could respond, Rylan shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. “Here, you’ll need this,” he said, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his face flushed.

Lilian stared after him, a mix of confusion and amusement on her face. “Well, that was… something,” she muttered, slipping into the jacket. It was much too big for her, and she couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous she looked.

Nathaniel, seeing her struggle with the oversized jacket, finally cracked a smile. “You look like a turtle,” he teased.

Lilian laughed, the tension between them easing. “Thanks, Nathaniel. Now, show me how to hold this thing,” she said, picking up a practice sword.

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Nathaniel’s eyes sparkled with pride as he began to instruct her. “Okay, first, you need to hold it like this,” he said, adjusting her grip. “And keep your feet like this.”

Lilian followed his instructions, her movements clumsy but determined. She swung the sword awkwardly, nearly losing her balance. Nathaniel caught her arm, steadying her. “Not bad for a beginner,” he said, his tone encouraging.

They spent the next hour practicing together, Nathaniel’s confidence growing with each passing moment. Lilian’s enthusiasm was infectious, and soon they were both laughing and joking as they trained. She could see the bond between them strengthening, and it filled her with a warm sense of satisfaction.

At one point, Nathaniel demonstrated a particularly tricky move, his sword slicing through the air with precision. Lilian clapped her hands in admiration. “That was amazing, Nathaniel! You’re like a real knight!”

Nathaniel’s cheeks turned pink at the compliment. “Thanks, Lilian. You’re not too bad yourself.”

They continued practicing, the sun sinking lower in the sky. Rylan watched from a distance, his jealousy giving way to a reluctant admiration for their growing bond. He couldn’t deny the special connection Lilian had with her brothers, and it only made his feelings for her more complicated.

As the day drew to a close, Lilian and Nathaniel finally called it a day. They were both exhausted but happy, their faces flushed with exertion. Lilian threw an arm around Nathaniel’s shoulders, pulling him into a playful hug. “Thanks for today, Nathaniel. I had so much fun.”

Nathaniel grinned, his earlier embarrassment forgotten. “Me too, Lilian. Let’s do this again sometime.”

Rylan, who had been hovering nearby, approached them. “You both did great today,” he said, his voice sincere. “I’m impressed.”

Lilian smiled at him, her heart light. “Thanks, Rylan. And thanks for the jacket. It really helped.”

Rylan’s face turned crimson, and he mumbled something under his breath before quickly walking away. Lilian watched him go, a smile tugging at her lips. “He’s something else, isn’t he?” she said to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel nodded, his eyes twinkling. “Yeah, but he’s not so bad.”

They made their way back to the palace, their bond stronger than ever. Lilian felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing she had taken the first step towards building a closer relationship with her brother. She couldn’t wait to see what the future held for them.

As they entered the palace, Celeste appeared, her black fur gleaming in the fading light. “Did you have a good time?” the dragon asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Lilian nodded, scooping Celeste into her arms. “It was great, Celeste. Nathaniel is an amazing teacher.”

Nathaniel chuckled, his earlier shyness replaced with a newfound confidence. “And Lilian is a quick learner.”

They headed to the dining hall for dinner, their hearts light and their spirits high. As they sat down to eat, Lilian couldn’t help but feel grateful for the day’s events. She had not only grown closer to Nathaniel but had also managed to bring a smile to his face.

Their father, the Duke, noticed the change in their demeanor and smiled. “It looks like you two had a productive day,” he remarked, his voice warm.

Lilian and Nathaniel exchanged a glance, their smiles widening. “Yes, Father. It was a wonderful day,” Lilian replied, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

As they enjoyed their meal, the palace seemed a little brighter, the bonds of family growing stronger with each passing moment. Lilian knew that there would be more challenges ahead, but with her brothers by her side and the love of her family, she felt ready to face anything.

And as the evening drew to a close, Lilian fell asleep with a smile on her face, Celeste curled up beside her. She dreamed of future adventures and the many happy moments yet to come, her heart filled with hope and joy.