"Hey, little brother," Leo said, voice light but full of quiet pride, "you’re walking without a crutch now?"
Lucian lifted his leg a bit, grinning wide, bold despite a slight shake in his stance. "Almost healed," he said, voice full of determination. "I’m working to get my strength back fast. I can’t let you carry all the burdens alone, brother."
Leo’s chuckle was warm, a spark of care in his eyes as he playfully nudged Lucian’s shoulder. "Big words for a kid," he teased, then softened, smile real.
"Happy birthday, Lucian."
Lucian’s grin grew, eyes shining with thanks. "Thanks, brother."
The brothers stood in the quiet hallway, heavy with unsaid words, and a momentary awkward silence between them. Lucian’s face shifted, uncertain, then brightened with a hopeful idea. "How about that girl and Vivien join us for tea?"
Leo’s laughter was soft, easy, a rare sound echoing down the hall. "Alright, let’s go." They started walking, boots tapping lightly, but Leo caught the slight limp in Lucian’s step, the hidden wince.
Without a word, he reached out, taking Lucian’s hand and draping his arm over his shoulder, steadying him with a gentle but strong grip. Lucian’s cheeks flushed, voice rising in protest. "I don’t need—"
"Shut up and walk with me, little brother," Leo cut in, tone firm but kind, a grin on his lips.
Lucian’s fight faded, a shy smile spreading as he leaned into Leo’s help, their steps falling into a quiet rhythm. But his voice grew soft, unsure, a hint of guilt creeping in. "Brother... why didn’t you ever say anything about... Mother?" His words shook, raw and heavy. "She tried to kill you, manipulated us all for what she thought was our future. Yet you stayed calm, never lashed out. Why?"
Leo’s gaze stayed forward, face blank. "What could I say, Lucian? Tell you that your mother, who loves you more than life itself, who’d die for you without a second thought, tried to eliminate me for what she believed was your sake?" His
Lucian’s breath caught, young face crumpling with guilt, tears welling. "We stole everything from you," he whispered, voice breaking. "Your place, your peace, your life. And after you grew strong, you could’ve hated us, but you didn’t. You risked everything to save Vivien, faced horrors I can’t even imagine. A ’thank you’ isn’t enough, brother. That’s why... that’s why I’m training to get more stronger. So you can lean on me, even a little, when things weigh you down."
Leo’s steps slowed, heart tightening at Lucian’s words. He stopped, turning to face his brother, and tapped Lucian’s back just hard enough to make him yelp, a playful grin breaking the heavy mood.
"Where’s a kid like you learning to talk like that?" he teased, voice warm, though his red eyes shimmered with quiet pride.
Lucian’s cheeks reddened, voice earnest, almost upset. "It’s from the heart, brother!"
Leo’s laughter rang out, full and real, catching curious looks from maids and servants passing by, their soft whispers happy at the brothers’ bond. He ruffled Lucian’s hair, tone curious, still teasing. "You sure about pushing your banquet back four days?"
Lucian nodded, grin back, playful and bright. "We couldn’t plan anything with you and Vivien gone. Now everything’s set. Father’s got something big planned for it, and I’m ready."
"Sounds like a big surprise."
They reached a sunny room at the hallway’s end. Inside, Vivien and Lysa sat on a soft velvet rug, Vivien, giggled as she dangled a ribbon just out of Nimbus’s reach, the shadow panther sprawled, purring lazily, tail flicking in fake annoyance at her endless energy. Lysa, quieter, held a small plush toy, eyes sparkling with fragile joy.
Duchess Maria sat in a fancy chair nearby, hands folded tightly, gaze soft as she watched the girls.
As Leo and Lucian entered, Maria’s eyes flicked up, catching Leo like a shock. Her face tensed, a fresh wound from the memory of her tearful apology in the courtyard. With her heart entangled with fear and shame, she hurried to her feet, smoothing her silk dress with unsteady hands as she moved toward the door, prepared to pass silently.
But she was stopped by Leo’s voice. "Duchess."
Maria froze and slowly turned, her eyes wide with surprise and a tinge of fear as they met Leo’s crimson gaze. His expression was blank but not icy as he stood calmly.
He stood relaxed, one arm still holding Lucian, expression blank but not cold. "We’re having tea," he said, voice steady, a small invitation in his calm. "Care to join us?"
Maria’s lips quivered, one tear falling as she stood frozen, the burden of her errors pitting against the possibility of repairing what she’d destroyed. Leo’s eyes locked onto hers, not forgiving, not yet, but open—a door slightly ajar for her to walk through.
In the capital of the Valenwood Kingdom, deep inside the Dark Guild’s main base, in a shadowy meeting room. Two figures sat across from each other at a worn wooden table.
Erisval, Pillar of Chaos, sat perfectly still, wearing emotionless red face mask.
Across from him was Zorath, the main founder of the Dark Guild in this country, his lower face hidden by a jagged metal mask, his hooded cloak covering him in darkness, only his sharp, gleaming eyes visible.
Erisval slid a portrait across the table, the paper crinkling under his gloved fingers. The image showed a young man. "You guys must know this kid," Erisval said, voice calm, a low rumble that seemed to shake the stone.
Zorath’s eyes flicked to the portrait, his masked jaw tightening as he recognized the face. He muttered, voice low and bitter, "Leonhardt Caulem, son of Duke Alric Caulem."
Erisval leaned back, red mask tilting slightly, voice steady but pushing. "Then you must have known what he did for you?"
Zorath’s eyes flashed, anger breaking his calm, voice sharp with fury. "He destroyed one of the base entirely, people stopped trusting the guild."
"Want to get revenge?"
When Zorath heard the offer, his body tensed and his eyes widened, shock piercing his rage. The heavy iron door creaked open before he could respond, and a new figure, disguised in plain, dark robes, entered.
Disguised, his sharp features hidden by the shadow of the hood, Prince Cassian held up an apologetic hand. "I apologize for being late for the meeting."