NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Making of an Heir
Valemont Estate, Boston - December 1975
The pre-dawn silence of the Valemont estate was broken only by the soft whistling of thrown needles cutting through air. In the mansion's private dojo, five-year-old Caspian moved through an advanced kata, his small form flowing like water as Walter observed from the corner.
"Again," Walter instructed, his voice carrying both authority and patience. "Mind your center of gravity."
Caspian repeated the movement, this time activating his Emperor Eye. The world crystallized into perfect clarity, allowing him to see the minute imbalance in his stance. He adjusted, completing the sequence with pristine precision.
"Better," Walter nodded. "Though most impressive is how you maintain the appearance of normal childhood exhaustion while your breathing remains controlled."
Indeed, Caspian had learned quickly to display appropriate signs of fatigue after training sessions. It wouldn't do for anyone outside their inner circle to notice a five-year-old with exceptional stamina.
"A Valemont must always be aware of appearances," Caspian quoted one of his mother's frequent lessons.
---
Later that morning, Caspian sat in his father's private study, working through advanced calculus problems while Tobias reviewed blueprints at his desk. The room smelled of leather-bound books and coffee, with morning sunlight streaming through tall windows.
"Father," Caspian spoke up, turning his paper to show a completed proof. "I believe I've found an alternative solution."
Tobias examined the work, his eyes lighting up with genuine interest. "Fascinating approach. You've simplified the standard method by at least three steps." He made a few notations. "Howard's boy Tony shows similar intuitive leaps in mathematics. You'll likely have some interesting discussions when you meet at Phillips Academy."
Caspian nodded, carefully maintaining his expression. Through his new memories, he knew the Stark and Valemont families had a long-standing friendship, though tinged with technical rivalry between the patriarchs.
---
The afternoon found him in his mother's private office, a sacred space few were allowed to enter. Carrie sat behind her desk, reviewing intelligence reports while Caspian worked on a puzzle she'd given him - a complex cipher that would have challenged most adults.
"What do you observe?" Carrie asked without looking up from her papers.
"The cipher appears straightforward initially," Caspian replied, his young voice thoughtful. "But there's an elegant complexity beneath. Like A.T.L.A.S. itself - presenting one face to the world while maintaining deeper layers."
This earned him a slight smile from his mother. Her presence still amazed him - Carrie Mathison, the brilliant and complicated CIA officer he'd watched in another life, now his mother and director of an organization he was still learning about.
"Good. In our work, perception is often as important as reality." She set down her papers, fixing him with her penetrating gaze. "Now, tell me what else you've noticed in this room in the past seventeen minutes."
Caspian straightened, engaging his Emperor Eye to recall every detail perfectly. "The shadow patterns have shifted 2.3 degrees, suggesting it's now 2:17 PM. You've reviewed twelve documents, but lingered on the third and ninth for 47 and 32 seconds respectively, indicating potential concerns. Walter has passed the door twice, his footsteps slightly heavier the second time, possibly carrying afternoon tea. And you've checked your secure phone four times, though it hasn't buzzed - waiting for news from the Berlin operation you mentioned at breakfast."
Carrie's expression remained neutral, but he caught the slight crinkle near her eyes that indicated approval. "Acceptable. Tomorrow we'll work on catching the details I deliberately altered to test you."
---
Evening brought what appeared to be simple family dinner, but like everything in the Valemont household, served multiple purposes. Tonight's lesson focused on European dining etiquette, essential for future social navigation.
"Howard Stark is hosting a gathering next week," Tobias mentioned, perfectly executing the continental style of dining. "He's quite eager to share some developments from our joint research project."
"And to show off young Tony's latest invention, no doubt," Carrie added, her tone carrying subtle amusement. As Director of A.T.L.A.S., she was well aware of the friendly competition between the families' prodigies.
"The boy did create an impressive circuit board," Tobias acknowledged. "Though I suspect our Caspian might have some surprises of his own to share."
---
The day ended as it began, with training. This time in the mansion's shadowed gardens, where Walter taught him the art of moving unseen.
"Shadows are not meant for hiding, young master," Walter instructed. "They are meant for dwelling. There is a crucial difference."
Caspian absorbed this wisdom while practicing the technique of becoming one with darkness - a skill that merged naturally with Ninjak's abilities. His small size was actually an advantage here, making it easier to move undetected.
Later, in his bedroom, Caspian reflected on the day while preparing for sleep. His new life was an intricate balance of many elements: physical training, intellectual development, strategic thinking, and maintaining the perfect facade of a precocious but not impossible child.
Walter appeared silently with his evening tea - a special blend the butler insisted would help integrate his abilities while sleeping.
"Rest well, young master," Walter said. "Tomorrow brings new lessons."
As Caspian drifted off to sleep, his mind categorized everything he'd learned that day. His knowledge of the MCU's future events was useful, but it was his daily experiences here - learning from Walter's martial wisdom, his father's brilliant mind, and his mother's strategic genius - that would shape him into whoever he was meant to become.