Glimmer of joy.

Kael sat on his bed, the window beside him fogged up from the cold. His pale hand traced absentminded patterns on the glass as he gazed outside, watching the steady drizzle that painted the streets. Each time he heard a knock of a customer at their door, his heart leapt, only to sink back when it was just another local coming to purchase fruits or herbs from his mother.

Amara moved with practiced ease, her worn apron tied around her waist as she greeted another customer. Though her shop in the town square was closed to care for her son, her loyal patrons didn't seem to mind walking to their home to get what they needed. She handed over a small bag of herbs and exchanged a few kind words before closing the door.

Kael watched this quietly, the ache in his chest more than just the lingering illness. He shifted his gaze back to the rain-slicked streets, hoping for a familiar face from school, anyone who might have cared to check on him. Perhaps even the princess. But the road remained empty, the faint echoes of laughter and life far removed from his little world.

Amara noticed his distracted state, the way his fingers fidgeted with the edge of the blanket draped over his lap. She sighed softly, wiping her hands on her apron before sitting on the edge of his bed.

"You keep looking out there as if someone's coming," she said gently, her voice warm but firm. "But no one will come, Kael."

He turned to her, his dark eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and sadness. "Why wouldn't they? I've spent months at that place. I thought at least..." His voice trailed off, the unspoken words lingering heavily in the room.

Amara shook her head, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "You haven't made friends, Kael. Not real ones. And honestly, I'm not surprised."

Kael winced at her bluntness but didn't look away. "Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because I warned you about people," Amara said, her tone laced with a mixture of love and exasperation. "You've been cautious, just....like I taught you. And those boys, Alden and his lot, have spread their lies about you. They've painted you as a bully, and people love stories like that. It gives them someone to point at to blame."

Kael looked down at his hands, the faint bruises from his last encounter with Alden still visible. "I didn't do anything to them," he muttered. "Why do they hate me?"

Amara reached out, gently lifting his chin so he'd meet her eyes. "People often fear what they don't understand. You're different, Kael. You're quiet, you're focused, and you don't bend to their nonsense. That makes you a threat in their eyes."

He sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "It just... hurts. To feel so alone."

Amara's expression softened, and she smoothed a stray lock of hair from his face. "You're not alone. You have me, Kael. And sometimes, that's enough. The right people will come into your life when the time is right. Don't rush it."

Kael nodded slowly, though his heart still felt heavy. He cast one last glance out the window, the rain still falling in a steady rhythm. He hoped she was right that one day, someone would see him for who he truly was, and not the image painted by others. 

That day passed and next morning Kael was well enough to visit school again. He stood at the door of his small home, fidgeting nervously as he tucked the fruit into his pockets.

He felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty, wondering if this small gesture might be enough to break through the walls he had built around himself. His mother, always observant, noticed the subtle movements and raised an eyebrow.

"A gift for who?" Amara asked, her voice warm but teasing.

Kael straightened up, trying to look casual, though the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed him. "A way to make friends," he replied with a grin, holding up the apples in his pocket like a shield.

Amara chuckled softly, her eyes softening with affection. "Well, if that's what you think you need, go ahead. But remember, Kael, real friends won't expect gifts. They'll want to know the real you."

Kael nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure he believed her. But he was determined to try.

With a quick wave, he left for school, clutching the apples tightly in his coat pocket.

At school, the atmosphere felt the same as always—tense, filled with whispering boys and the usual tension of competition. As Kael walked toward the entrance, he noticed the same boys who had made his life difficult. They were waiting for him, blocking his path with smirks on their faces.

"We were waiting for you," Alden sneered, stepping forward with his usual arrogance. "What's this? You think you can just stay home and relax while we're here working? The lazy student trying to buy his way in?"

Before Kael could reply, one of the boys shoved him, causing him to stumble backward. The apples fell out of his pockets, rolling across the dirt path. A few of the boys laughed, and Kael's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He tried to gather the apples quickly, but it was no use. His heart was already disappointed.

But before the situation could get worse, a beautiful carriage pulled up to the school entrance, its ornate design gleaming even in the dreary morning light. The guard in front opened the door, and from inside, the princess stepped out. Her presence seemed to halt the boys in their tracks.

As the carriage rolled to a stop, one of Kael's apples was crushed under the wheels, while the rest scattered across the ground. The princess glanced down, her expression hardening as she observed the scene.

Without a word, she stepped forward, eyes narrowing at the boys who had caused the trouble. Kael, still crouched on the ground, looked up in surprise, his heart skipping a beat when he saw her gaze. But then, her eyes softened, and she smiled at him. A soft, reassuring smile.

With a flick of her wrist, she motioned for him to follow her, stepping past the boys without a second glance. "Come on, Kael," she said, her voice warm and inviting, her gaze not once leaving him.

The boys, stunned and clearly upset at being ignored, could only watch as the princess led Kael away. Kael's heart raced, not just from the unexpected turn of events, but from the realization that she—the princess—had spoken to him, had noticed him in the crowd. And somehow, this small gesture made him feel like he had just taken a step toward something new.

For the first time in a long while, Kael felt a glimmer of joy at school.