Today was Sen's and his two older brothers' birthday. They hadn't seen each other in several years. Appearing before them after so much time was terrifying.

When Sen received another invitation to a banquet in honor of their celebration, he was certain he wouldn't go anywhere, but his emotions took over.

For about twenty minutes, Sen stood in front of the entrance to the palace, hesitating to go inside. The palace belonged to his brother Yan, who, without exaggeration, earned millions.

– "Where are you?" – a message came to his phone from their mutual friend August.

– "At the main entrance," – Sen replied.

– "I'll be there in a moment."

– "Okay."

Upstairs, where the lights were on, cheerful music could be heard. It was starting to get dark outside. The clouds had covered the sky since morning. The cold November wind was aggressively tousling Sen's bleached hair. Perhaps he should have worn his winter coat today.

Sen had been consumed by worry all day. Whether it was the excitement for the upcoming celebration and the imminent reunion with his family, or if autumn had such an effect on him.

– Sen! – he turned around and saw August running down the stairs.

– August! – he rushed into his arms.

– We thought you wouldn't come again.

– To be honest, I thought the same, – said Sen and was met with a dissatisfied look.

– You wrote to us so rarely, and we actually missed you!

– I'm sorry, I had things to do, and I missed you too.

– Alright, let's go inside, we've been waiting for you, – said August, grabbing Sen's hand.

Columns, walls adorned with gold, high white ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and enormous vases with dried flowers flashed in front of Sen. Yan had certainly risen up in the world to be able to move the family into such a lavish mansion.

A lot of water had flowed under the bridge since those carefree days when they last saw each other. And perhaps soon they would have to pay for the choices made in the past.

August led Sen through the corridors almost running. His light ginger hair glimmered gold in the yellow light of the wall lamps. And the mustard yellow suit with elements of Victorian style suited him perfectly. As long as Sen had known August, he had always loved shades of yellow.

They approached the heavy doors leading to the hall where the festive evening was taking place.

– Are you ready to meet them? – August asked.

– August... – Sen hesitated.

– Yes?

– I'm scared. We haven't seen each other in so long, what if they...

– Everything will be fine, Sen. I can't express in words how much we missed you, – August hugged him again. Sen would be lying if he said he didn't miss those hugs. – But disappearing for several years and not telling us anything - it's not good.

– I'm sorry.

– We'll have that conversation later. Today is your birthday.

– Just a moment, – August went inside and came out a second later with Verо́nic.

– You really came! I can't believe my eyes! – Veronic rushed to hug Sen.

Veronic was their old good friend.

– I decided, – August began, – that you can't just appear in front of everyone after all these years. Let your entrance be spectacular! – His eyes sparkled mischievously. – There will be a waltz now, and you two will appear beautifully. I hope you haven't forgotten how to dance?

– I haven't forgotten a thing.

– That's great!

Veronic was dressed in a white suit with a scarlet shirt matching his eyes. The color scheme really suited Veronic, especially in combination with his long snowy white hair, gathered into a low ponytail. Only a few strands harmoniously framed his face.

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Sen, on the other hand, dressed in a red velvet tailcoat, under which he wore a vest of the same color and a white blouse with a ruffled jabot.

– The music has started, – August said. – I'm going to Yan. Come out, we're waiting for you.

August had prepared well, for when Sen and Veronic entered the hall, the lights were turned off. Their path was illuminated by a single massive chandelier from the ceiling. The androgynes parted before them, allowing them to take center of the hall. The air carried the scent of expensive perfume, food, and something else. Something familiar. "Is he looking at me now?"

Freezing in an elegant pose as the last notes of the waltz played, Sen heard numerous applause and admiring exclamations. The performance was impressive.

– You dance beautifully, – Veronic said.

– Thank you, so do you.

– But for now, I have to step away, – he said, blending into the crowd.

The sudden blast of light disoriented Sen. Unfamiliar androgynes swarmed around, greeting and congratulating him. Sen nodded politely and thanked them, searching for August or someone familiar with his gaze. He wasn't mentally prepared for such attention; he wanted to escape and hide from everyone.

Someone grabbed him by the hand. Sen looked up and met familiar gray eyes. His heart skipped a beat, his breath caught, and words got stuck in his throat.

Black frock coat, long chestnut hair, gray eyes fixed on him in despair. There was no doubt left.

The androgyne pulled Sen out of the crowd. They went through a door hidden behind a curtain in the wall. Behind them, August and Yan slipped by unnoticed. The androgyne leading him turned around and hugged him tightly, burying their face in his shoulder. Sen's heart pounded like crazy.

– I missed you so much, – Arthur whispered through tears, pressing their face against Sen's neck.

– Me too, – Sen cried.

Tears flowed from his eyes as soon as Sen heard the familiar smell. Sen held onto Arthur's back as if this was their last meeting. It felt like they hadn't seen each other in an eternity.

– Welcome home, Sen, – Yan said.

– Shall we go to the hall? – August suggested. – They are celebrating your birthday there.

Loud music played in the background, as some guests danced while others sat at the tables, indulging in exquisite desserts and drinks. Conversations filled the air with liveliness. The venue was crowded, and it made Sen uncomfortable. He could constantly feel the gaze of strangers upon him. He had to come to terms with it since he was one of the reasons for the celebration. However, Sen was confident that none of the attendees knew about the local millionaire's other twin brother.

– Our table is over there, – Arthur took Sen by the arm, ensuring he wouldn't get lost in the crowd.

The four of them settled around a round table covered with a white tablecloth, elegantly adorned with lilac eustomas and a silver vase of desserts in the center.

– So, care to share where you've been all these years? – Yan inquired, taking a glass of beverage from a passing waiter.

– I think that conversation is better suited for a calmer setting, – Sen replied.

Not only the guests, but also Arthur, Yan, and August studied Sen with curiosity. Understandably so, they hadn't seen each other in a long time.

– Alright, you can tell us later. But tell me, how are you enjoying the festivities? – Arthur asked, sensing Sen's unease.

– It's more grandiose than I expected, – Sen said.

Veronic and А́lis approached their table.

– The guests are curious about the third brother. We've been bombarded with questions, – Alis whispered leaning towards the group.

– Indeed, we should make an announcement about it, – Arthur mused.

Arthur, Yan, and Sen climbed a few steps leading to the second floor. The music faded, and all eyes turned to the brothers. In Sen's absence, Yan had become a well-known and wealthy persona, so the news of the third Laube brother had caused quite a stir.

– As the head of the Laube family, – Arthur began his speech, – I would like to officially introduce you to our third brother - Sen Laube. Due to the tragic circumstances after his birth, we didn't grow up together, but we managed to reunite. Now, I hope, – Arthur looked at Sen, – we will never be apart again.

The hall erupted in applause. Sen desperately wanted to believe his brother's words.

– Shall we dance? – Arthur extended his hand towards him.

For a moment, Sen hesitated at the suddenness of the request.

– You danced with Veronic, but you don’t want to dance with your own brother?

– I want, – Sen said, placing his palm in Arthur's hand.

As soon as they caught the rhythm of three quarters, their bodies naturally began to move in sync with the music. Sen and Arthur had danced the waltz countless times in their lives, but this time felt different. They gazed into each other's eyes, unable to get enough of the sight. There was so much they wanted to say, yet they remained silent. The melody spun them around the ballroom. Sen wished the music would never end. But everything has its end.

– Let's go to the table, there are your favorite desserts with strawberries and cream, – Arthur said, taking Sen's hand.

Sen hadn't felt this happy in a long time.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his chest. The world around him froze. Sen bowed his head and saw a steel blade protruding from his own body. In a moment that seemed endlessly long, Sen's life flashed before his eyes. The blade was quickly pulled out. His vision darkened, the ground shifted beneath his feet, but Arthur managed to catch him.

Sen could hear the frightened screams and cries of the guests. He could hear Arthur calling for him. He could hear August dispersing the onlookers, and Yan attempting to provide him with first aid. The pain was unbearable. He longed to take a breath, but couldn't.

For a brief moment, his gaze cleared, and Sen saw Arthur's tear-stained face. He wanted to say that everything was okay, so that Arthur wouldn't cry. But he couldn't utter a sound. Sen could only reach out his hand to touch him cheek, which Arthur immediately grabbed and pressed against his own face.

Sen knew that sooner or later the past would catch up to him and seek its revenge. He tried to accept his impending end. He convinced himself that he had lived a good, albeit short, life. A life that had moments of happiness. But all of that lost its meaning the moment he saw his brother's tear-filled eyes. Sen wanted to live and see the smile on Arthur's face.

Sen felt life fading from his body. Sounds turned into a buzz, then into ringing, and eventually into silence. His eyes stopped seeing again, and this time forever.