Is it alright to let memories fade?

Is it alright to embrace the act of forgiveness?

Is it alright to love once more?

As I search for answers, sometimes I can't help but fear falling and drowning in your gaze.

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"Are we there yet?" A boy of 13 years of age inquired, his voice tinged with a mixture of impatience and trepidation. He sat in a small, weathered carriage, the wood creaking softly as it journeyed onward, drawn by a snow-white horse.

The carriage was on a trip, on a journey to a certain place in the Cryilld Kingdom. A place the boy's blue eyes have never seen before.

A place he didn't want to go too. A place that stirred a silent dread within his heart.

"Don't worry, Master Lucas. We'll be there soon." Reassured an older man named Walter, his voice gentle and composed. He was a servant with kind demeanor.

Lucas sighed, a weariness settling over him like a shroud. The boy was exhausted. It has been another long day in this long journey.

If there was any glimmer of solace, it was that today will surely be the last one on this journey. Lucas wasn't a fan of sitting in one place for too long, he couldn't wait to get off this carriage.

The old man's voice broke the silence, tinged with a touch of sorrow. "I fear your father, Duke Aldridge, won't be there to greet you. He is a very busy man. But don't worry, other family members will be there to welcome you."

Lucas mused silently, a bitter smile ghosting his lips.

My father and other family members, huh? How funny. In my mind, the only family member I ever had was my dear mother.

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And then, it came into view: the magnificent estate of Duke Aldridge Lucian von Devereaux, located in the town of Bellacrest. The mansion stood like a grand sentinel amidst sprawling, manicured gardens and towering ancient oaks. It looked as imposing as it looked grand.

Lucas's mouth fell open in awe. He had never beheld anything so grand, so opulent, especially not in the humble village he came from.

Is this place really...real? I can't believe it.

The mansion was a sprawling marvel of architectural grandeur, its tall, ornate windows glinting in the late afternoon sun, and its stone walls adorned with ivy that climbed like nature's embroidery.

As the carriage passed through the grand wrought-iron gates, the servant Walter turned to Lucas, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and reverence.

"This, Master Lucas, is Devereaux Hall," he said, gesturing with a sweep of his hand. "Built over three centuries ago, it has stood as a beacon of your family's legacy. Every stone, every archway tells a story. The gardens you see have been cultivated by generations, and the great hall inside has hosted countless gatherings of nobles and dignitaries from around the Kingdom."

Lucas gazed in wonder as they approached the entrance, where intricate carvings adorned the massive oak doors, each panel a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The servant continued, his voice softening.

"I know this must be very overwhelming, but try your best to accept that this place will be your home from now on."

Home? This place is going to be my home? The Devereaux Hall?

As they drew closer, Lucas couldn't help but feel a pang of both anticipation and apprehension. The mansion was a world apart from everything he had known.

He was feeling some excitement, sure, but his heart was mostly full of sadness.

The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Devereaux Hall. The sheer magnitude of the mansion was even more overwhelming up close.

As he stepped out of the carriage, the crunch of gravel beneath his feet was the only sound in the profound stillness of the estate. Walter followed him out of the carriage.

"Welcome to your new home, Master Lucas." Walter said softly, his voice tinged with a note of compassion.

Lucas felt as if his breath was caught in his throat. The boy never imagined such a place could exist, let alone that it could be his home.

"W-Walter, this is...- Hm?!" Before he could finish speaking, a sudden embrace from behind startled him, pulling him from his awe. He tensed, spinning around to face his unexpected assailant, only to find himself staring into the bright, mischievous eyes of a boy not much younger than himself.

It took Lucas a minute to process what happened.

"Huh?! Who are you?" Lucas demanded, a mix of confusion and annoyance coloring his voice.

"M-Master!" Walter spoke, but this time looking at the younger boy.

The boy, with a wide grin and blond hair similar to Lucas, released him and took a step back. "I'm Elliot!" He declared with a big smile and cheerfulness that seemed out of place in the solemn surroundings. "I've been waiting for you!"

"Waiting for me? Why?" Lucas was confused.

Walter stepped in to clarify things, "Master Lucas, this young boy here is master Elliot, your...Younger brother."

Lucas blinked, struggling to process this new information. He knew his father had a family, and yet actually meeting them in person was still very shocking.

So, this is my brother? My younger brother?

"So you ARE older than me! How old are you? I'm 12! And is your name Lucas?" Elliot fired off questions, his face alight with eager curiosity. His green eyes sparkled as they looked at Lucas.

"Y-Yes, nice to meet you, I guess." Lucas muttered, unsure of what else to say. How does one greet a sibling they've never known of? He wasn't sure.

Before he could dwell on his conflicted feelings, a soft voice called out from the entrance of the mansion. "Elliot, give him some space. You're overwhelming him."

Lucas turned to see a beautiful young girl descending the marble steps, her movements graceful and poised. She appeared to be about 15 years old, with a calm demeanor and an air of authority. Her blonde hair was neatly braided, and she wore a simple, elegant dress that spoke of both nobility and practicality.

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She's beautiful...

Lucas was lost for words for a second. He had never seen a girl like her before. She was even more beautiful up-close, Lucas also found she smelled nice.

"I'm Isabella." she introduced herself as she reached them. "Your...older sister." Her smile was warm but reserved. "It's good to meet you."

"I-It's nice to meet you too." he replied, his voice almost a whisper. "I'm Lucas."

Lucas couldn't help but blush, he didn't expect her to stand this close to him, let alone for her to be his sister.

Behind Isabella, a maid approached, her movements brisk and efficient. She was a young woman, perhaps in her early 20s, with a kind face and eyes that sparkled with intelligence. She curtsied politely before speaking.

"Welcome to Devereaux Hall, Master Lucas." She said with a hint of a smile. "I'm Clarisse, and I've been assigned to assist you during your stay here. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Lucas nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden flurry of introductions. "Thank you, um...Clarisse." He managed to say, his voice barely steady. The reality of his new life settling in with an almost physical presence.

"I hope it wasn't a hard journey here to Bellacrest." Isabella spoke, her voice as gentle as her eyes.

Lucas, still feeling the weight of the long trip, replied honestly, "I’d be lying if I said it was an easy one."

"Where did you come from? What is your hometown like?" Elliot, brimming with curiosity, seized the moment to ask more questions. His eyes sparkled with eager anticipation, a dozen other questions dancing on the tip of his tongue.

Lucas's face fell. He didn't answer. How could he, as after all his hometown was nothing like Bellacrest. It's only a very small village. It was almost embarrassing to compare the two.

You can't compare the two. My village is... nothing compared to this place.

Sensing his discomfort, Isabella gently chastised Elliot. "I told you not to overwhelm him, Elliot. He must be exhausted." She turned to Walter and Clarisse, her tone kind but firm. "Please, show him to his room. He needs to rest."

"Why of course, Lady Isabella!" Walter nodded as he grabbed Lucas's bag. "Please follow me, Master Lucas."

"...Okay. Coming." Lucas replied, following the older man inside the mansion called Devereaux Hall, with Clarisse close behind.

Elliot, watching them disappear into the house, noticed the single bag in Walter's hand. "Just one bag? How did he fit all his things in one bag?" He asked, genuinely puzzled.

Isabella sighed, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "Elliot, you really shouldn’t say everything that comes to your mind."

Elliot, ever cheerful, laughed softly. "Haha, sorry, dear sister!" Standing on his toes, he planted a quick, affectionate kiss on Isabella’s cheek before dashing into the mansion.

"Elliot! Gosh, that boy." Isabella muttered, shaking her head with a blend of affection and mild frustration as she watched him disappear.

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As Lucas followed Walter and Clarisse through the grand entrance of Devereaux Hall, the world seemed to close in around him by how overwhelming it was. The mansion’s interior was a spectacle in itself, a labyrinth of high ceilings adorned with intricate moldings, and walls lined with rich tapestries and portraits of stern-faced ancestors who seemed to watch his every step.

Walter led the way with a steady gait, his posture straight and confident as he carried Lucas's bag. Clarisse walked beside Lucas, her steps quiet and graceful, offering him a reassuring smile whenever their eyes met.

"Welcome to Devereaux Hall, Master Lucas," Clarisse said softly, her voice carrying a soothing note. "You'll love it here, I'm sure."

I'm not sure about that.

Lucas glanced around, trying to take in everything at once—the polished marble floors, the grand staircase with its intricately wrought iron railing, the chandeliers that hung like glittering constellations above their heads.

Going from his small rundown house in his village to this was a large change, to say the least.

Why does a home need to be this big anyway?!

"This is the main foyer." Walter explained as they moved through the vast space. "From here, you can access most parts of the mansion. The drawing rooms are to your left, the dining hall straight ahead, and the library is on the second floor."

"A... library?" Lucas asked, confusion coloring his voice. He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.

"A library is a place where countless books on various subjects are kept, Master Lucas," Clarisse explained gently, masking her surprise that she had to define something so basic. "You can visit it whenever you’re in the mood to read."

Lucas couldn't be blamed. His village was a poor, impoverished one. The concept of a library didn't exist there. Not that it stopped him from feeling embarrassed for already needing someone to explain something to him he didn't understand.

He did understand one thing though, the sheer scale of Devereaux Hall was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

They ascended the staircase, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished steps. As they reached the second floor, Walter led Lucas down a long corridor lined with more portraits and ornate sconces that cast a warm, golden glow.

"Your room is just ahead, Master Lucas." Walter said, pausing before a large, intricately carved wooden door. He turned the brass handle and pushed the door open, revealing Lucas's new quarters.

The room was spacious and elegant, far beyond anything Lucas had ever imagined. A large canopy bed stood against one wall, its plush coverings invitingly turned down. Heavy drapes framed tall windows that overlooked the expansive gardens below.

An ornate fireplace dominated one corner, flanked by a pair of comfortable-looking armchairs. There was a writing desk by the window, and a wardrobe that likely held clothes far finer than anything he had ever seen, let alone owned.

"This will be your room." Clarisse said, stepping inside and glancing around with a smile. "We’ve tried to make it as comfortable as possible for you."

Lucas walked in slowly, his hand trailing along the polished surface of the writing desk. Everything here was so different, so foreign. He turned back to Walter and Clarisse, feeling a pang of unease despite the room’s undeniable beauty.

"Are you....sure? Are you sure this room is for me? For someone like me?"

Walter and Clarisse glanced at each other for a second.

"Of course it is, Master Lucas. You are the son of a Duke, after all." Walter responded.

Son? I'm his bastard son! It's not the same!

"T-thank you." Lucas said quietly, unsure of what else to say. His mind was racing all over the place. "It’s... incredible."

Walter placed Lucas’s bag gently on the bed. "We’ll leave you to rest now, Master Lucas." he said kindly. "If you need anything, just ring the bell by the door."

"Yes, please make yourself at home." Clarisse added with a warm smile. "Dinner will be served in a few hours. I’ll come to fetch you when it’s ready. Feel free to take a nap if you desire."

With a final nod, they both left the room, closing the door softly behind them.

Lucas stood alone in the center of the room, the silence settling around him. His heart was heavy. He moved to the window, looking out over the manicured gardens, their beauty tinged with a sense of melancholy.

If only Mother could have seen this place...

His heart ached with the weight of her absence. She had always dreamed of giving him a life beyond their small village, but now, standing in this grand room, he wished she could be here with him, to share in the marvel and to make this place feel like home.

To Lucas, he had no idea how he could even begin to think of this place as home without her in it.

A tear slid down his cheek, quickly wiped away as he tried to push back the sadness. The emptiness inside him remained, a void that the grandeur of Devereaux Hall could not fill.

You’d had loved this place, Mother...Especially the gardens.

He wandered to the bed and sat down, the plush mattress sinking slightly under his weight. The room was beautiful, no doubt, but it was also a stark reminder of everything he had lost.

"I'm tired...Maybe I'll take a quick nap after all."

Lucas lay back on the bed, sinking into the soft pillows that cradled his weary body.

As he stared at the ornate ceiling, his thoughts drifted to the siblings he had met today-his half-siblings. He still finds it hard to wrap his head around the idea that they are his siblings. After growing up 13 years thinking of himself as an only child, it was hard on him to accept the idea he has siblings his age all of the sudden.

Elliot seems full of energy, and Isabella is a beauty. I wonder what....he looks like.

Sure I was terrified of meeting them. I had no idea who my family would even turn out to be, but...I was most scared of meeting him, my father, whoever he is.

I'm so conflicted.

I'm sad I couldn't get to meet him today, but I'm also relieved.

I want to see him, but I also don't want to see him.

I'd rather not see him.

I don't want too....But I kind of do.

Just who are you, father? And why did you suddenly acknowledge me? Your bastard son?

The questions hung heavy in the silence of the room, unanswered. Exhausted, Lucas closed his eyes, the weight of the day finally pulling him into sleep. As his consciousness faded, the image of his mother’s gentle face lingered in his mind.