Nolan stood outside the study for a long time.
The door was closed.The guards were gone—dismissed earlier, as they always were at this hour.
He shifted on his feet, fingers clenched at his sides.
Mother had once told him that if something felt wrong, he shouldn't carry it alone.
So he knocked.
"Come in," the Duke's voice replied, calm and even.
Nolan pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The Duke looked up from his desk, surprise flickering briefly across his expression before it disappeared.
"Nolan?" he asked. "Is something wrong?"
Nolan swallowed. "I… wanted to talk to you."
The Duke set his pen down.He did not stand.He did not rush.
"Sit," he said gently, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Nolan climbed onto it, his feet dangling above the floor. The room felt larger than usual—too quiet.
For a moment, he didn't know where to start.
"It's about Ariya," he said finally.
The Duke's posture didn't change, but his attention sharpened.
"She was playing," Nolan continued, voice low. "With the blocks. Lilian was there too."
He hesitated.
"Something happened."
The Duke waited.
"The blocks moved," Nolan said. "Not like falling. Like… they shook."
His fingers tightened in his lap.
"And her bracelet," he added softly. "It glowed. Just a little."
Silence settled between them.
The Duke leaned back slowly, eyes closing for a brief moment before opening again.
"You did the right thing by coming to me," he said at last.
Nolan looked up. "Is Ariya sick?"
The Duke shook his head. "No."
"Then…" Nolan hesitated. "Is she in danger?"
That question mattered.
The Duke studied his son—really studied him—and saw not fear, but resolve.
"Yes," he said quietly. "Which is why you must be careful."
Nolan didn't flinch.
"I won't tell anyone," he said immediately. "I promise."
"I know," the Duke replied.
He stood and placed a hand briefly on Nolan's shoulder.
"You love your sister," he said. "That is good. But from now on, if you see anything strange—anything that worries you—you come to me. Only me."
Nolan nodded.
Then, after a moment, he spoke again—voice small, but steady.
"I'll protect her," he said. "I won't let anything happen to Ariya. Even if I don't understand it… even if no one else sees it."
The Duke's hand tightened slightly on his shoulder.
"Very well," he said. "Then I will trust you."
Nolan nodded once more.
He might be small.He might only be four.
But as he left the study, his mind was clear.
Ariya was his responsibility.
And this time, he would not look away.