novelraw Chapter 18 : Sister's Teasing
Chapter 18 : Sister's Teasing
Elara came home from the academy for a short break, clattering into the house with her practice sword still strapped to her back.
She barely greeted Father before rushing straight into the nursery. “Where’s my baby brother?!”
The maids nearly tripped over themselves as they pointed. The crib was in the corner, and I was standing beside it, puffing my chest proudly.
I had just managed to rock the baby back to sleep, humming off-key, when Elara burst in like a storm.
Her eyes softened instantly. She leaned over the crib, smiling so wide her cheeks must’ve hurt. “Oh… he’s so tiny.”
Then her gaze shifted to me. “And you—what are you doing, Rooga? Acting like a papa already?”
I pouted, crossing my little arms. “Big… brother.”
Elara laughed so hard she nearly fell onto the crib. “Hah! You’re three years old and already scolding me with that serious face.”
I stomped my foot. “Protect!”
She blinked. For a moment, her teasing smile faltered. Then she knelt beside me, placing a hand on my head.
“You really mean it, don’t you?” she said softly. “You’re already thinking like that.”
I nodded firmly. The HUD flickered faintly:
[Protective Instinct – Strengthened.]
[Bond: Sister (reinforced).]
Elara’s eyes shimmered with pride.
She pulled me into a hug, pressing her forehead against mine. “Then I’ll protect him too. And you. That’s a promise.”
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The baby stirred, letting out a tiny cry. We both froze, then scrambled.
I wiggled the crib. “Tower go boom!”
Elara made silly sword poses, whispering, “Look at me, the scary knight!”
The baby hiccupped… then giggled.
Elara and I looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
For a little while, it felt like the world outside didn’t exist. Just us. Just family.
Elara cornered me in the courtyard the day before she was due to return to the academy.
“Rooga,” she said, crouching down so her sharp eyes met mine, “show me your magic.”
I blinked, chewing on a piece of bread. “…Magic?”
“Yes! The academy kids keep saying I’m lying, that my little brother can’t possibly use spells at your age. But I know you can. So prove it to me. Just once.”
Before I could answer, Mama appeared at the doorway, arms folded over her belly, gaze sharp. “Elara.”
Elara flinched but stood her ground. “Please, Mama! I just want to see. I won’t tell anyone, I swear. Just once!”
Selene’s lips pressed into a thin line.
She stepped forward, her hand resting protectively on my shoulder. “Do you understand what you’re asking? If anyone outside this family learns the truth, Rooga won’t be safe. They’ll drag him from us and twist his gift into a weapon.”
Elara’s fists clenched. “I’m his sister. Don’t you trust me?”
The tension hung thick. Then Selene sighed, closing her eyes. “…Fine. But only once. And only because you are his sister.”
She turned to me. “Rooga, just a little. Nothing more.”
I nodded, lifting my tiny hand. Mana thrummed through me.
A sharp spark of light snapped from my palm—Violent Spark, crackling loud enough to make Elara flinch. Then, with my other hand, I let a faint frost spread across my fingers—Cold Touch, frost blooming against the warm summer air.
Elara gasped, eyes wide. “By the gods… you really can.”
She grabbed my hands, staring at the spark fading from one, the frost clinging to the other. Her face glowed with pride and awe. “You’re incredible, Rooga! You’re—”
“Enough!”
Selene’s voice cracked like a whip. She pulled me gently behind her, her eyes blazing at Elara.
“You will tell no one. Do you understand me? Not your classmates, not your teachers, not even your friends. If you breathe a word outside these walls, you won’t just endanger Rooga—you’ll doom our whole family.”
Elara’s excitement faltered. She bit her lip, but then she nodded fiercely. “I promise, Mama. I swear on my sword, I’ll never tell anyone.”
Selene’s gaze softened, but only slightly. “Good. Then keep that promise, for your brother’s sake.”
I peeked from behind her, sparks still tingling at my fingertips. Elara caught my eye, and despite her solemn oath, she winked at me.
A secret, shared only between us.
And for the first time, I felt like Elara and I weren’t just siblings. We were co-conspirators.