The chamber was warm, filled with the golden light of the setting sun filtering through the tall windows. Alpheo, now properly dressed in a deep blue tunic embroidered with silver thread, knelt down with a bright, boyish grin on his face. His hands clapped together in loud, enthusiastic bursts as he laughed, the sound echoing richly through the chamber.
Before him, the tiny figure of Basil crawled with determined wobbles across the thick carpet, his little hands and knees patting the ground with stubborn rhythm. His soft hair, the same dark shade as his father's, was a ruffled crown atop his round head. His chubby cheeks flushed with the effort, his eyes — wide, bright, and gleaming with curiosity — fixed squarely on his target
"That's it, my brave little knight!" Alpheo praised, "Come on, Basil! Show your old man how strong you are!"
