A Promise to Protect  

As the evening sun cast long shadows through the tall windows and from the balcony of Kaelan's room, painting the walls with soft, golden light, Kaelan sat on the edge of his bed. He had showered and changed into fresh clothes, but his bruised body still ached. Despite this, he felt a sense of calm amidst the warmth of the fading day. The original Kaelan had no medicine in his room that he could use. 

He wore a simple white shirt that draped loosely over his frame. The fabric was soft against his skin, allowing for easy movement. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing his forearms and giving him a relaxed vibe. The collar hung open, adding to his casual look.

His white pants matched the shirt in both color and comfort. They were slightly loose at the waist, tapering down in a straight cut that fell gently to his ankles. The lightweight material moved easily with him, providing a sense of ease as he shifted positions.

The pure white of his clothing gleamed softly in the golden light, creating a striking contrast with the deeper shadows in the room. This simple yet elegant outfit reflected a quiet resilience, allowing Kaelan to find solace in the evening's embrace despite the aches he bore. 

A soft knock sounded on the door before it opened. "Good evening, young Master Kaelan," Nathaniel greeted, his voice calm and reassuring as he stepped inside. A figure followed but remained in the background.

Kaelan turned to look at Nathaniel. His silver hair and kind black eyes were a familiar and comforting presence in the original Kaelan's memories. Ethan remembered from the book that Nathaniel was the only one who had survived alongside the original Kaelan. But even Nathaniel had eventually succumbed to an illness spread by a group of wizards who sought to destroy the world and create a new one, after Kaelan became the duke.

"This is Dr. Elyndra," Nathaniel said, as the figure stepped forward. Kaelan saw a tall woman with warm, forest green eyes. Her hair, a bright shade of green, was neatly tied into a bun, and she wore a clean white doctor's coat that showed her profession. 

"Hello, Kaelan," she said softly, her voice gentle, like a breeze through the trees. "I'm here to help you heal." As she got closer, Kaelan felt a wave of magic touch his skin, warm and comforting. In that moment, it was like a curtain lifted, revealing her true form. She still had the same vibrant green hair and warm green eyes, but her ears had transformed, becoming long and pointed, marking her as an elf. Kaelan blinked, feeling a mix of wonder and disbelief. It was his first time seeing an elf in real life, and it left him amazed. 

"Now, let's take a look at those injuries," Dr. Elyndra said, standing by Kaelan, who sat on the edge of his bed. She gestured for him to lift his shirt, her expression filled with gentle concern. As he complied, she leaned in, carefully examining the bruises along his ribs.

With gentle hands, she applied a soothing balm, and Kaelan felt a warm sensation spread over the painful areas. The pain quickly faded, and he knew it wasn't just the medicine because medicine couldn't work that fast. It was because of the elf, a being known for their strong connection to nature and their powerful healing magic. She was using her magic either within the medicine or directly on him.

After a moment, Dr. Elyndra stepped back, a satisfied smile on her lips. "There. You should feel much better now. Just remember to rest and let your body heal," she said, her eyes radiating kindness.

Kaelan lowered his shirt, adjusting it back into place. He glanced at Dr. Elyndra and nodded. "Thank you," he said with a soft smile. Her expression froze for a moment, as if surprised by his sincerity. Then, she smiled back, and a quiet connection passed between them.

Turning to Nathaniel, she said, "He'll be fine."

"Thank you, Elyndra," Nathaniel replied, his voice filled with gratitude. As she stepped outside, Nathaniel stayed behind. Kaelan looked at him, confused. 

"I'm sorry, young Master Kaelan. If only I had noticed what was happening," Nathaniel said, his voice low and filled with regret as he bowed his head. Kaelan realized that the butler had seen everything, and if Nathaniel knew, then the Duke must have known as well. Had the Duke called a doctor for him?

"It's alright, Nathaniel," Kaelan said softly, trying to ease the older man's worries. "I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be a burden to the Duke."

Kaelan watched as Nathaniel's expression grew serious before he could say anything. Suddenly, the door opened, and the Duke, Duchess, Cedric, and Lily entered the room.

"You are never a burden to me," the Duke said as he walked closer to Kaelan. He then patted Kaelan on the head. Ethan froze at the gesture, which reminded him of his father.

The Duchess sat next to Kaelan on the bed, placing her soft hands on his shoulders. "We love you, Kaelan. You are part of this family. You are not only the Duke's son but also my son, even if we don't share blood."

Cedric moved closer, with Lily trailing behind. "If anyone bullies you again, let us know! I swear I'll break their bones!" Cedric declared with anger. Kaelan froze at his words but nodded slowly, sensing echoes of his cousin Jayden in Cedric's fierce protectiveness. 

The Duke nodded. "Not only will we break them, but they will regret being born."

"Control yourselves, you two," the Duchess sighed. The pair managed to calm down.

"Does it hurt, brother Kaelan?" Lily asked.

"I'm fine," Kaelan replied. As he looked at them and then at Nathaniel, who was smiling at him, he began to realize that this family loved the original Kaelan, but he had never known. It was never mentioned in the book since the story was told from Kaelan's point of view.

"Thank you," Kaelan whispered, looking at them.

The Duke smiled warmly. "You don't have to thank us, Kaelan. We're here for you," he said as he patted Kaelan's head one more time.

"You should rest now. When dinner is ready, we'll call you," the Duchess said as she stood up to leave.

"Yeah, take it easy, Kaelan," Cedric added.

"I'll see you at dinner, brother," Lily chimed in.

As they started to leave the room, Nathaniel turned back one last time. "If you need anything, just call for me," he said softly before closing the door behind him.

Kaelan let out a sigh of relief and moved to lay on the bed. Ethan, now in Kaelan's body, sensed the deep love the original Kaelan had for this family, despite the pain he had experienced. He never held the Winchester family responsible for his hardships. Instead, he felt grateful for their acceptance, especially considering what his mother had done to the Duke. 

Ethan's heart sank as he recalled the chilling fate that awaited the Winchester family. According to the book, a group of wizards would launch a brutal attack during the emperor's banquet, held in celebration of the youngest princess's birthday. The Winchester family would sacrifice themselves trying to protect Kaelan, who lacked both magic and the ability to fight. 

Sitting up in bed, determination surged through him. "I must save them," he thought, the weight of the situation settling in. "And I must save myself." In the story, the original Kaelan died after saving the world, becoming the tragic hero. But Ethan had no desire to meet that same fate. 

As his thoughts raced, he remembered that the wizards' first target wasn't the banquet, it was the elves' village. However, the exact date of the attack hadn't been mentioned in the book. 

"What should I do?" he muttered as he lay back, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Without knowing the timing of the attack, he felt powerless. If he warned them too soon, no one would take him seriously. But if he waited too long, both the village and the elves race would be lost.