Althea ran through the castle hallway, a huge grin on her face. The little taps of her feet echoed throughout the empty stairwells as she made her way up towards the infirmary. Her younger brother was just born! She couldn't wait to see him and to eventually play with him. When she saw her father standing outside the infirmary, she shouted, "Pa!" before jumping onto his back.

Feeling the damp shirt that clung onto his sticky back, she yelped. "Ew! You're all sticky!"

"You're finally here, sweetie. Your mother just gave birth. I was helping her. That's why I'm all sweaty." He said, slowly putting her on her own two feet again.

"Where are they? Can I see him? Please daddy!" She pleaded, looking up at him.

"Sure sweetheart. But remember, be quiet. Mother is tired, and the baby may get agitated."

Althea nodded, a smile plastered on her face.

Her father led her into the room and brought her next to the bed her mother was laying on. Small beads of sweat littered her face, and yet a small smile still graced her face. Althea's father brushed some stray hairs away from her mother's face, giving her a peck on the forehead.

"I'll go grab Alan, dear. Keep her entertained." He quickly went into the conjoined room, leaving the mother-daughter duo to have a chat.

Althea looked at her mother with wide eyes. "His name is Alan?"

"Yes, sweetie. Come here." She patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Althea to sit next to her. "Still remember the belly bump I had last time?" Althea nodded, snuggling next to her. "Feel it, my dear. It's gone now."

Placing a hand on the now flat stomach, Althea giggled. "What happened to it?"

"It's right here, sweetheart," Her father whispered, a tiny bundle in his arms.

"Alan was your belly?" Althea copied her father, whispering with a confused look on her face.

"He was inside my belly," Her mother said, leaning forward to scoop the bundle out of his arms.

Althea almost squealed but remembered her parents' words. Dropping her voice, she said, "Can I hold him? Please momma."

"Sure. You're a big girl now, so make sure you don't drop him, okay sweetie?"

"Yes, momma!" She stuck out her hands, allowing her mother to gently place Alan in her arms.

She looked at the infant in her arms. His eyes opened, revealing big brown eyes. She cooed, giggling at the baby in her arms. Alan stared at her for a brief second before gurgling in happiness.

Althea brought him closer, hugging him close. "I'll protect you, no matter what happens."

She lifted her head up, looking at the two adult figures that were staring at the two of them.

"You're all grown-up now, huh? You're a big sister now. Better take good care of him." Her father said, patting Althea on the head.

She nodded frantically, grinning widely at her parents. She handed Alan to her father, who brought him to the room he came from.

She slowly crawled out of bed, giving her mother a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, momma."

"See you, sweetie."

---

Althea left the infirmary, a big smile on her lips. She slowly made her way to her room, located near the back of the castle, right next to the dandelion field. She changed out of her dress and into some casual clothing, grabbing a blanket as well as some painting materials, and made her way down the staircase.

She weaved through the different rooms with a sense of familiarity. It was her home, after all. Having lived here for her whole entire life, she had memorised the place easily and knew every single passageway as well as the secret corridors like the back of her hand.

She slithered out of the back door, making her way to the middle of the field. She sat down on the blanket, laying everything out. Laying on her stomach, she started painting the scene in front of her.

Many hours passed as Althea slowly brought the painting in front of her to life. She didn't mind sitting there, or lying down, in her case, and spending long hours painting a scene that will be captured forever. After all, she enjoyed painting with every fibre of her body.

Once she was satisfied with her artwork, she slowly packed up her stuff as she enjoyed the night sky and the light breeze, before she headed into her room to retire for the night. After all, she couldn't wait for the next day to arrive where she could once again meet her little brother.

Althea slid back into her room, placing the painting on the floor so that she could hang it up the next day. She changed into her sleepwear before climbing into bed, a smile on her face as she awaited the next day.