Chapter 6: The Capital: Close Brothers

As the most powerful and influential person in the empire, it is impossible that Marquis Alfred is the only visitor to Yaris's lounge.

Knowing this well, after Alfred left, Yaris signaled his foster brother, the Paladin Mikael, to stand at the door of the lounge to stop the nobles who wanted to visit him. Then he sat sideways next to Lucien, looking at him tenderly and apologetically.

"I'm so sorry... I didn't expect Edmund to... first use his imperial authority to appoint his trusted aide as the dean of the Royal Academy, and then find excuses to force you to return to the academy to complete your studies... He knew you hated studying, and especially the rigid curriculum of the Royal Academy... But you're still healthy... and can't use my weakness as an excuse to refuse to live on campus like I did back then..."

"But don't worry. More than half of the professors at the Royal Academy were once my teachers. They won't allow the new dean appointed by Edmund to embarrass you. I will also visit you at the academy every two weeks..."

When he was talking excitedly, Jarris put his arm around Lucien's shoulders and touched his brother's forehead with his smooth white cheek.

"I'm sorry... I'm truly sorry... Just now in the audience hall, I should have fought for you more resolutely... Thinking that because of my concession, you'd be forced to walk into the Imperial Academy like a lamb to the slaughterhouse to receive the political and military education you hate, my heart aches..."

"No... Brother, after all this, I no longer detest politics and military affairs as much as I did before. I'm willing to return to the Imperial Academy to complete my studies... if doing so... can help share some of your burden..."

Xiao Yun tried to look as awkward and hesitant as possible so as not to arouse Yaris's suspicion.

"You...what did you say?"

Yaris looked at his brother in disbelief: "You want to share the burden for me?"

"Yes... I want to... I want to share some of the burden with my brother..."

Xiao Yun stammered, "You've always protected me so well. Now, I... I'm an adult, and I should take on my responsibilities... my own responsibilities..."

"you mean--"

"I finally understand what to do. I won't use freedom as an excuse to escape anymore."

Xiao Yun looked up and looked into Yaris's deep eyes.

Lucien's voice flowed through his heart like the tide on a full-moon night.

(Brother, do you know? In my eyes, you are perfect, an ideal, the embodiment of dreams, the tenderness of a mother, the kindness of a father, the beauty of a fairy, the omnipotence of a god... To me, you are everything...)

"Brother, what happened today has made me hate the Holy Family even more. I also hate the hypocritical court. I hate that just because I have the so-called sacred blue blood, I have to be placed with high expectations from a young age, have my personal will and feelings ignored by everyone around me, and live a hopeless life like a puppet, used as a tool to pass on the sacred bloodline. But -"

(Whenever you look at me with disappointment, my heart almost stops beating... But... no matter how hard I try, I can't be a good brother who can satisfy my brother...)

"But I'm even more ashamed of myself for hiding behind you for the past ten years, and even running away like a coward!"

(I can only choose to run away, using music and freedom as excuses... I just... I just don't want to see disappointment in your eyes anymore... Brother... Brother... How I wish I could wake up and become another person, a perfect brother who satisfies you in every way...)

"Since you've accepted this fate, I'm also... I'm also willing... willing to temporarily give up my freedom... As long as you're still alive, I'll never run away. I'll stay here with you, always... always by your side..."

"Thank you, I'm very happy... I'm really happy..."

He raised his chin slightly, and his lips, soft as petals, left a gentle kiss on his brother's forehead.

"I know you don't like bloodshed and killing, so, regarding military matters, you only need to learn the art of war, how to mobilize troops, and manage logistics. Leave the killing on the battlefield to the knights and mercenaries. I believe the armor of the Knight Commander will suit you very well."

"Uh-huh……"

Xiao Yun agreed absentmindedly, his nostrils filled with the unique sweet and slightly seductive scent of Bishaluya emanating from Yaris.

The ripples named Lucien surged in his heart again.

(I've idolized my brother since I was little. My every move, including the way I speak, how I walk, and the way I dress, all mimic his. Unfortunately, my hair is my mother's brown, curly hair. No matter what I do, I can't get the same dark, straight hair as my brother's...)

"...When you obtain the title and fiefdom, I will persuade the Priests to hand over the command of the Knights of the Holy Land of Denos to you...Over the years, I have been alone. Now that I have your company, I think we can go further..."

(I often get distracted when my brother is talking because I'm too engrossed in his perfection... Every time I see him, the same question always arises in my mind: Are he and I really half-brothers? Are we really related by blood? He looks like he's made of a completely different substance...)

"Lucien, we are brothers of the same blood... You and I share the same fate. It is wonderful to have you by my side."

(If one day, my brother no longer calls my name, no longer acknowledges me as his brother, no longer looks at my face, no longer lives with me... I would rather die before that happens... escape before such a terrible future happens...)

"In this world, you are the only one who will never betray my dearest flesh and blood. You are the only one I can trust and love without hesitation..."

(So… what happened four years ago? Was it out of hatred… or was it because I couldn’t bear my brother’s disappointed look… that I ran away from home…?)

"—You're distracted again."

"Ah? No—I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"It doesn't matter."

Yaris said happily.

At this moment, he was immersed in the kindness and warmth that Lucien actively displayed. Not only was there no trace of gloom on his face, but his eyes also sparkled with a rare dreamy light, and he looked unusually radiant.

"Your Highness—"

Mikael, who had been ordered to guard the lounge door, walked in, knelt on one knee, and reported to his host, who was in a good mood because of his mutual understanding with his brother, "I apologize for interrupting your conversation with Prince Lucien's brother. Grand Duchess Anna's lady-in-waiting is outside the door."

"Mother's messenger?"

"Yes."

"Hasn't she always hated the extravagance of the imperial palace and preferred the sacred elegance of the Holy Land of Dinos?"

"Queen Mother Catherine asked her to come here, saying that..."

Mikael glanced at Lucien and whispered, "For...something."

"I see."

Yaris spoke softly and let go of Lucien. In just a moment, his originally enthusiastic face had lost all its color and became like a pale and ethereal beautiful ghost. His eyes were also shrouded in a complexity that Xiao Yun could not understand.

"Lucien, I'm so sorry that you have to go back to Silver Moon Palace alone today... Mikael, use my carriage to take Lucien back."

"Yes, sir."

Mikael bowed, stepped forward, and extended his hand: "Master Lucien, please—"

Xiao Yun glanced at Yaris and stood up.

Two attendants immediately came forward with a robe and a cloak and put them on Xiao Yun.

More servants surrounded Yaris, styling his hair and changing his accessories.

…

…

It takes about an hour by carriage from the Imperial Palace to the Silver Moon Palace.

Xiao Yun, who was unable to get used to the ostentatious display, fidgeted restlessly in the gorgeous carriage, his eyes quickly falling on Mikael, who was escorting him back to the Silver Moon Palace.

Feeling Lucien's gaze, Mikael, who was nearly two meters tall, turned his head and frowned: "Mr. Lucien, what are you looking at again?"

"……No."

"Then why are you staring at me?"

"Even if I didn't lose my memory, we haven't seen each other for four years. After such a long time...it's inevitable that you'll feel both familiar and unfamiliar...Do you have a similar feeling?"

Xiao Yun tried to speak as lightly as possible to avoid being noticed by Mikael in any unnatural way.

"Um."

Mikael nodded. "I do sometimes feel that Master Lucien is very strange now, like someone I don't know at all."

“…”

"But you are of the Holy Family. The entire Western Continent knows that no matter how absurd or bizarre something is, as long as it happens to someone from the Holy Family, it is reasonable and normal. His Highness also said that you have the ability to retrace souls."

"Marina and I aren't particularly bright, and we rarely consider matters that are too complex for us. For me personally, being loyal to His Highness, fulfilling His Highness's orders, and making His Highness happy are all that matters."

The handsome, tall, but extremely pedantic paladin added.

Xiao Yun nodded thoughtfully.

"What can I do to make my brother happy?"

"If it were you in the past, I would have said something like 'As long as you don't do anything that upset His Highness, he will be in a good mood,' but you now..."

Mikael lowered his voice, "For some reason, I have developed some strange expectations about you now... I feel that you may be able to make His Highness feel true warmth..."

(warmth……)

My heartstrings trembled inexplicably.

"As everyone knows, His Highness was handed over to Madam Rowling at birth. Although our mother has always taken good care of His Highness, and He has always been surrounded by servants and friends, we are not His Highness's true family after all. No matter how close we are, there is still a gap..."

Mikael sighed in annoyance.

"After the previous generation passed away, Her Highness the Grand Duchess originally wanted to leave the young master in the Maga territory, but Her Highness insisted on bringing the young master to live with her in the Silver Moon Palace. He is too lonely, he needs a real family, even if this family member once took his father away... I'm sorry, I lost control of my emotions and said something very rude to the young master... Please..."

"What you said is true, why should I be angry?"

"ah?"

Mikael was stunned.