Chapter 4

As the last bite disappeared into his mouth, the tray levitated and vanished, leaving Kaiser reclining on his bed, lost in contemplation. Thoughts swirled, as he recalled the events of the day. All the mysteries occured today left him confused, each revelation a puzzle piece demanding attention.

Lying back on the pillows, he pondered how to address his issues. The uncertainty of the future clawed at him, urging him to seek answers, yet leaving him tangled in a web of confusion, as the future was undeniable constantly changing.

Just as his thoughts began to settle, the door creaked open with a hushed squeak. Gellert, tiptoed into the room, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Kaiser, how are you feeling?" Gellert whispered, trying to maintain secrecy.

Kaiser smiled softly, propping himself up on the pillows. "I'm much better, Gellert. Thank you."

Excitement danced in Gellert's eyes. "Can we play together tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course," Kaiser replied warmly, glad for the distraction his brother's company provided.

But Gellert's enthusiasm overlooked discretion. Forgetting to leave quietly, he stopped before shutting the door, glancing back mischievously at Kaiser. With a playful expression, he made a face, then abruptly slammed the door shut before sprinting back to his room.

Kaiser chuckled softly, shaking his head at his brother's spontaneous antics. With a resigned smile, he settled deeper into his bed, letting the serenity of the night soothe his thoughts. As the tranquility of sleep beckoned, he drifted off, leaving the day's mysteries behind, at least for the moment.

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As the days folded into months, Kaiser devoted himself to rigorous physical training, that he had constructed himself, in the Grindelwald Manor's expansive garden. Laps around the carefully manicured paths, lifting hefty rocks to build muscle, and countless push-ups filled his routine.

Despite his relentless efforts, progress was slow, leaving him both frustrated and determined to push further.

The thought of wielding a weapon intrigued him, yet Stefan's unwavering decree against it until he turned ten baffled Kaiser. His reasoning was sound—he wanted Kaiser to understand the responsibility and wield a weapon only when he was ready.

"I'd prefer to be ready," Kaiser murmured under his breath, the discomfort of potential vulnerability lingering. The thought of being unarmed in case he lost his wand unsettled him, particularly given the weighty responsibility looming over his future.

With each stride around the garden, his thoughts wandered. His seventh birthday loomed, a milestone that held not only the joy of celebration but also the promise of receiving his wand.

"Almost there," he murmured, his breath coming in rapid puffs as he completed another lap. The passage of time seemed both fleeting and significant, drawing closer to the day that would mark a pivotal moment in his life.

His anticipation surged at the realization that he and Gellert would be presented with their wands as birthday gifts. The prospect sent a thrill through him, tinged with curiosity about the unique core and wood that would choose him.

Completing his workout, he brushed sweat from his brow, thoughts briefly drifting to the upcoming celebrations. Yet, an unexpected urge to find his brother surfaced, a mischievous impulse to tease him as he often would at this hour.

"Edno!" Kaiser called out to the house-elf, summoning the creature. "Could you please apparate me to where Gellert is?"

With a crackling sound, Edno appeared, bowing slightly. "Of course, Master Kaiser."

In an instant, they vanished from the garden, leaving behind the quietude of the sprawling estate, destined for wherever Gellert awaited.

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As Kaiser apparated, the surroundings shifted abruptly, transporting him to one of the many abandoned storage rooms in the manor's basement. It was a dim, cluttered space, filled with discarded odds and ends, a repository of forgotten items.

As he scanned the cluttered room, he detected faint rustling amidst the heaps of discarded objects. Without a second thought, he stealthily approached the source of the noise, his steps muffled against the debris-strewn floor.

A figure, with short, pale white hair, was engrossed in rummaging through the rubbish, searching for something amidst the discarded items. Kaiser's hand reached out, snatching the person from behind, causing Gellert to jump in shock, his cry of surprise echoing off the grimy walls.

"M-Merlin's beard, Kaiser! Don't scare me like that!" Gellert scolded, his voice a mix of surprise and indignation. He muttered a string of childish curses, recovering from the unexpected fright.

Kaiser raised an eyebrow, still holding onto Gellert's shoulder. "What are you doing down here?" he asked, trying to mask his amusement.

The sudden question seemed to startle Gellert out of his shock. He blinked, momentarily forgetting the scare. With an excited gleam in his eyes, he eagerly pointed to a pile of discarded toys scattered among the trash.

"Look! I found these," Gellert exclaimed, his previous fright seemingly forgotten in the thrill of his discovery.