Purest Blue

Dawn broke softly, unable to pierce the warmth of the room. Noah stirred under his duvet, stretching slowly as the sun's first rays filtered in. He paused, waiting—almost instinctively—for the moment the curtains would part.

It happened at 6:45 AM sharp.

Alisa stood at the window, brushing her hair with one hand and smiling as the curtain rod clicked lightly. She wore her pale sky-blue blouse once more, the ribboned cuff gently fluttering as she beckoned him.

"Good morning, dear," she whispered.

"Good morning," Noah answered, blinking into the light, comforted by the softness of her tone.

Breakfast Rituals

Downstairs, the estate felt like its own organism—breathing, immaculate, ordered. Alisa moved through it with quiet purpose. Noah found perfect breakfast waiting, as always:

A bowl of parfait with berries arranged in a careful gradient

A ginger-honey tea, warm and faintly spicy

Two egg-white pancakes sprinkled with cinnamon

Alisa poured his tea before he even noticed, her movements light and graceful.

"You looked tired yesterday," she said. "Ginger will help." Her voice was kind, but beneath it lay something precise—an unsaid layer of instruction.

Noah smiled, feeling the truth of her care more than her control. "Thank you."

School Departures

Outside, the Everhart limousine—a quiet, shimmering silver—waited.

Alisa brushed his hair, hands steady and cool.

"Be kind today," she said softly.

"No gossip," he confirmed.

She nodded. "Kindness first."

They stepped into the car, and Noah found himself already living by rules he didn't realize existed.

Unseen Barriers

At school, Alisa's influence followed.

When a classmate chatted with him about weekend plans he'd never considered, Noah hesitated mid-sentence. His phone—tethered to her parameters—broadcast a soft vibration as a reminder.

He veered back to conversation safe and included in "Approved Topics: School, Books, Everhart Family Affairs."

No one noticed the shift except him. He didn't mind. Everything felt easier in the channel she guided him into.

The Study Room

That evening, Alisa escorted Noah to the private study with sunlight dwindling in the garden behind them.

"You've done well with your friends list," she noted, eyes bright. "Now, let's discuss passions."

She handed him a leather-bound notebook, pages blank but for one line:

"What is your goal this year, and how can I help?"

He paused, pen hovering.

Alisa's presence was calm, a silent invitation to pour his thoughts onto the page. When he wrote about his desire to join the school choir—which he only recently found himself drawn to—her face softened.

"A choir? Wonderful," she said, voice like velvet. "Music is a pure expression of heart."

She pressed his hand. "Let's find you the best coach."

Inside, Noah felt a swell of gratitude. Another path purposefully planted.

Bedtime: Complete Closure

The evening bathed in candlelight. Alisa tucked him into bed, smoothing the blankets with tender care.

"Keep your window open if you like," she said. "Fresh air is good."

He nodded.

She kissed his forehead.

"Sleep well," she murmured.

Noah drifted into dreams knowing unpredictability was miles away—his world carefully bound in love.

Alisa closed the door later that night with a faint sigh of satisfaction. Cameras caught his final exhale and signs of peaceful sleep. In her watch room, the graphs showed perfect stability—moods calm, vitals steady, curiosity present but within safe parameters.

She traced her fingertip over a quiet corner of the screen: his dreams.

Her smile was unreadable—but unwavering.

Because keeping his world pure meant shaping everything around him.

Even the night.

[End Chapter nine]