The morning sun streamed through the palace windows as Lilian sat at her desk, pondering her next move. After spending time with her friends, she realized that she needed to focus on something equally important: her family. Her three older brothers had always been distant, pushing her away whenever she tried to connect with them. But Lilian was determined to change that.

She decided to start with her first oldest brother, Sebastian. Sebastian had always been a bit of a loner, preferring the company of his books and experiments to socializing. Recently, he had been showing signs of illness, and Lilian saw this as an opportunity to reach out to him.

First, she decided to bake brownies, hoping that a homemade treat would be a good icebreaker. She spent the morning in the palace kitchen, trying her best to follow the recipe. However, cooking was not one of Lilian’s strengths.

“Celeste, do you think these look right?” Lilian asked, peering at the tray of dark, slightly charred brownies.

Celeste, in her sleek black cat form, hopped onto the counter and sniffed the brownies. “Well, they’re… unique.”

Lilian sighed. “I was hoping for delicious, not unique.”

Undeterred, Lilian placed the brownies on a plate and headed to Sebastian’s study. She knocked on the door and waited, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. After a few moments, the door creaked open, and Sebastian peered out, his eyes wary.

“Lilian? What is it?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

“I made you some brownies,” Lilian said, holding out the plate with a hopeful smile. “I thought you might like a treat while you work.”

Sebastian eyed the brownies suspiciously. “Did you make these yourself?”

Lilian nodded. “Yes, I did. I know they might not look perfect, but I wanted to do something nice for you.”

He hesitated, then took one of the brownies. He took a cautious bite and immediately grimaced. “These are… very crunchy.”

Lilian winced. “I guess I’m not much of a baker. I’m sorry, Sebastian. I just wanted to spend some time with you.”

Sebastian softened at her sincerity. “It’s alright, Lilian. The thought means more to me than the brownies themselves.”

Feeling slightly encouraged, Lilian decided to change tactics. “Would you like to take a walk with me? I could use some fresh air, and maybe we could talk.”

Sebastian looked like he was about to decline, but then he nodded. “Alright. A walk might do me some good.”

As they strolled through the palace gardens, Lilian pointed out various flowers and herbs she had been learning about. “I read about these herbs that can be used to make a healing potion. I thought it might help you feel better.”

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Sebastian’s interest was piqued. “A healing potion, you say? That sounds intriguing.”

They walked further, collecting herbs and chatting about their interests. Sebastian shared some of his recent experiments, and Lilian listened with genuine curiosity, asking questions and showing enthusiasm.

Celeste trotted alongside them, occasionally meowing as if to contribute to the conversation. Her presence added a touch of humor to the outing, especially when she tried to chase a butterfly and ended up tangled in a flower bed.

“Celeste, you’re a cat, not a gardener!” Lilian laughed, helping her dragon untangle from the flowers.

By the time they returned to the palace, Lilian felt a small but significant connection forming with Sebastian. She carefully prepared the healing potion with the herbs they had gathered, following the instructions from her book.

Later that evening, she brought the potion to Sebastian’s room. “Here you go. I hope this helps you feel better.”

Sebastian took the potion, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Thank you, Lilian. I appreciate your efforts.”

As she left his room, Lilian felt a sense of accomplishment. It was a small step, but it was a step towards building a relationship with her brother. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she was determined to keep trying.

Back in her room, Celeste curled up on her bed, purring contentedly. “You did well today, Lilian.”

Lilian smiled, stroking Celeste’s fur. “Thanks, Celeste. It’s a start, and that’s all that matters.”

As Lilian made her way back to her room, her thoughts were filled with the small progress she had made with Sebastian. She knew it was only a beginning, but it was more than she had hoped for. Lost in her thoughts, she almost bumped into someone in the hallway.

“Sorry, I—” she began, then looked up to see her father, Duke Alistair.

The Duke, usually imposing with his stern demeanor, looked down at her, his expression unreadable. Lilian hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage.

“Dad,” she said softly, the word feeling strange yet comforting on her tongue. “I didn’t see you there.”

Duke Alistair’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, Lilian thought she saw them glisten with unshed tears. He quickly composed himself, clearing his throat.

“Lilian,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “It’s quite alright. Carry on.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his strides quickening as he went. Lilian stood there, puzzled and slightly worried.

Celeste, in her cat form, rubbed against her leg, sensing her confusion. “What’s troubling you, Lilian?”

Lilian sighed, scratching Celeste behind the ears. “I called him ‘Dad,’ and he just walked away. Do you think I upset him?”

Celeste looked up at her with wise, golden eyes. “Not necessarily. People sometimes react in ways that aren’t immediately clear. Give him some time.”

Lilian nodded, though she still felt a pang of guilt. She continued her walk, hoping that she hadn’t hurt her father’s feelings. She had no way of knowing that Duke Alistair, as he retreated to his study, was filled with an unfamiliar warmth. The simple word “Dad” had touched a part of his heart he thought long dormant.

Back in her room, Lilian busied herself with arranging the herbs they had collected. She worked meticulously, her mind occupied with thoughts of her father and her brothers. Celeste leapt onto the table, watching her work with interest.

“You’re doing great, Lilian,” Celeste purred. “These small steps will make a big difference.”

Lilian smiled at her dragon companion. “I hope so, Celeste. I just want us to be a real family.”

The rest of the evening passed in a mix of quiet reflection and careful potion-making. Lilian’s clumsiness led to a few spills and missteps, but Celeste’s presence and occasional humorous commentary kept her spirits high.

As she finished the last of her preparations, Lilian felt a sense of accomplishment. She had taken meaningful steps toward building connections with her family, and she was determined to keep moving forward, no matter how challenging it might be.

With Celeste curled up beside her, Lilian drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with hopes of a closer, happier family. Little did she know that her father, in his own room, was thinking about her too, feeling a flicker of happiness he hadn’t felt in years.