Taka holds Killian's hand as they walk down the hall. 

His eyes wander around in amazement.

A portrait of a woman wearing a silly hat.

A statue of a man’s face.

Windows that line the wall.

His pace slows with every new thing he notices.

Killian can't help but smile at the boy’s fascination.

Rowan watches fondly from behind. 

“... Pretty.” Taka says quietly.

…

After a slow walk, they reach the kitchen.

“Good morning, Your Majesty.” The staff say in unison.

Killian raises a hand. “Don’t mind us. Are there any desserts prepared?”

…

The head chef walks forward with a full tray of sweets.

He kneels, holding the tray in front of Taka.

Taka's eyes dart across it, unable to settle on just one dessert. 

“What is that one?” he points

“That one is called a brownie.” 

Killian picks it up and hands it to Taka.

Taka takes it, lifting it to his nose before taking a small bite.

Killian waits patiently for his judgement. 

…

Taka tilts his head toward him with excitement. “This is better than the cookies!” 

Killian’s expression softens, kneeling down to wipe a speck of chocolate off of his nose.

“Good.” He stands. “Have these sent to Captain Rowan’s office.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The chef bows and turns, walking back to the kitchen.

“Anywhere else you want to visit?” 

Taka takes another bite of his sweet treat. 

He looks up at Killian. “The flowers outside?”

“We can do that.”

Killian leads Taka out the door and into the garden.

Taka hardly knows where to look.

A ladybug sits on a leaf.

Butterflies swim in the air.

The grass dances in the wind.

“...Pretty…” He murmurs.

Rowan laughs quietly to himself.

“Would you like to play?” Killian asks.

Taka looks up at him with big eyes. “Can I?”

He nods, letting go of his hand.

…

Taka first runs up to a blue flower nearby.

He pokes it, feels it, smells it, then admires it for a moment before moving onto the next flower.

Every new thing, he studies and memorizes.

Killian and Rowan watch from a distance, both wearing smiles.

“You’d never guess it, looking at him.” Killian’s shoulders relax.

Rowan chuckles. “He acts like a normal child…”

Killian glances at Rowan. “What are you going to do with him?”

Both of their smiles slowly fade.

“That’s the problem… isn’t it…”

…

Neither of them notice Taka gently lifting a ladybug onto his fingertip.