Lucas's POV

During the same day Isabella was out on her errand in Bellacrest, Lucas was having his lesson with Count Alistair.

To the Count's dismay, Lucas's mind was too occupied to focus. He gazed out the window instead of paying attention to the Count.

"Master Lucas, if there is something SO much more important than our lesson, don't let me get in the way!" Alistair spoke as he adjusted his glasses, clearly irritated.

"O-Oh! I'm sorry!" Lucas apologized, turning his gaze onto Alistair. "It's just...."

"Just what? Speak up."

How do I even word this?

"It's about Leopold. I can't seem to get him out of my mind." Lucas admitted, though feeling a little hesitant.

"Leopold Augustus von Devereaux... Your cousin." Alistair nodded as he spoke. "I've encountered him few times in Devereaux Hall since he arrived."

"Well, I run into him everyday! Everyday he eats meals with us, and I can't help but feel like he's always lookin at me, judging me. He makes me so uncomfortable." Lucas found it hard to stop talking. He knew it was a little rude to speak poorly of his own cousin, but he couldn't help it.

I wish he wasn't here. I don't like him. I don't like how he looks down on Elliot and I, and I hate the way he looks at Isabella...

Count Alistair sighed. "I suppose it would be more surprising if the two of you got along."

"I wish we weren't related! How is he even related to me exactly?" Lucas asked, hoping the Count would provide some clarity.

If his last name is von Devereaux, then he has to be related to me through father's side of the family, right?

"He's the son of your late uncle, Maximilian Alrim von Devereaux." Alistair answered simply. Lucas was taken aback, learning about a family member who had passed away was not something he was accustomed to.

"My uncle? I had an uncle who died?" Lucas spoke, feeling a little puzzled.

"Yes, Maximilian Alrim von Devereaux." The Count continued to explain, though he looked unhappy the topic shifted from their lesson. "He was the older brother of your father, his grace Duke Aldridge Lucian von Devereaux."

So even my father had a brother...

"...How did he die?" Lucas asked, hesitant to do so once again.

"He died 16 years ago, fighting in the civil war. His wife was still pregnant with master Leopold. He never got to see his son."

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Count Alistair didn't want to talk about the von Devereaux family matters anymore, and went back to their lesson. Lucas tried his best to focus and keep his mind off his family until the lesson was over.

On his way back to his room, he allowed his thoughts to take over again.

His father died in the civil war, I wonder how Leopold felt? I wonder how it feels to never meet your father? I suppose I know that feeling, though the difference is that my father is alive... And I most likely will meet him anytime now, even if I don't wish too.

Lucas felt a little bad for Leopold, but he still didn't like him. As he was lost in his thoughts, someone suddenly embraced him from behind.

"H-Huh?!" Lucas quickly turned his head to see who is it. "Oh... It's you, Elliot."

"Did I scare you? Haha!" Elliot laughed.

"You did! Lucas replied, shaking off his somber thoughts. "What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for your lesson to be finally over, of course!" Elliot said with a grin. “Let’s go outside. It’s such a nice day, and I’ve been cooped up inside all morning!"

"Oh? Are you feeling bored again?"

"Yes! Isabella is out on some errand, and mother is busy!" Elliot explained as he freed Lucas from his embrace.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Typical Elliot, I hope you never change.

Lucas smiled, feeling his spirits lift. "Alright, let’s go."

The two boys made their way to the gardens, where the sun cast a warm glow over the lush greenery. They ran through the flower beds, chasing each other and laughing, the tension from earlier fading away.

"Catch me if you can!" Elliot shouted, darting behind a tall rose bush.

"Oh, you're on!" Lucas responded, sprinting after him.

The garden was their playground, and for a while, for a minute in time, they forgot about the complexities of their lives.

Lucas ran after Elliot, his laughter blending with the rustling leaves and chirping birds. Elliot was quick and nimble, darting around like a butterfly, his movements graceful and light.

Elliot, you're like a butterfly, always out of reach but so beautiful to watch.

Lucas tried to match Elliot’s pace, weaving through the rose bushes and overgrown hedges, his heart pounding with the thrill of the chase.

"Almost got you!" Lucas called out, his fingers brushing the edge of Elliot’s shirt.

"Not yet!" Elliot laughed, spinning around and darting off in another direction, his laughter echoing through the garden.

You're like a butterfly, Elliot, my little butterfly. You can always put a smile on my face, do you know that?

Lucas pushed himself harder, his determination growing. The sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, creating a magical atmosphere around them. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, adding to the enchantment of the moment.

With one final burst of speed, Lucas lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Elliot in a triumphant hug. They both tumbled to the ground, laughing and breathless.

"Alright, alright, you got me!" Elliot conceded, still laughing. "You’re pretty fast, Lucas."

"You’re faster." Lucas replied, his heart full of warmth.

They lay on the grass, staring up at the sky, their laughter fading into comfortable silence. The clouds drifted lazily overhead, and the world seemed to pause, allowing them to savor this perfect moment.

"Lucas..." Elliot said softly, turning his head to look at his brother. "I'm really glad you're here, you have no idea... You see, I think my biggest fear in life is being alone, I don't think I'd be able to handle it."

Elliot... Where is this coming from?

"I'm glad I'm here too now, and don't worry, I won't be going anywhere!" Lucas spoke, also turning his gaze towards Elliot. "So you can put your fears of being alone behind."

"Truly? Do you really mean it?" Elliot asked, his green eyes searching Lucas's face with earnestness.

Lucas could see the genuine worry in Elliot's eyes, and he reached out, squeezing his brother's hand reassuringly. "I mean it, Elliot. We'll always have each other."

Just promise me you won't ever go away either, Elliot. You're like a butterfly, near and radiant, yet always at risk of fluttering out of reach.

Elliot's face brightened with a relieved smile, and he squeezed Lucas's hand back. "T-Thank you, Lucas! That means a lot to me."

Lucas smiled back. He didn't know it, but his smile really did warm Elliot's heart.

"Oh, and don't mention to mother that I've played around today, alright? She really doesn't want me pushing myself these days, haha."

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Later that day, as Lucas was heading to the library, the book 'Tears of Layla' in his hand, he encountered none other than Duchess Seraphina. He wanted to spend some of his free time reading this book, but running into the Duchess put him out of the mood.

"...H-Hello, your grace." He greeted, though she didn't look so impressed.

He hadn’t had much time to think about the Duchess in the past few days, thanks to Leopold’s presence. But now, as he stood beside her, he remembered the questions that had been plaguing him.

"A book by Ajlos Beregi? I didn't expect someone with your background to be interested in such a work." she remarked, barely acknowledging Lucas's presence.

So what? If one grew up in a small village, they can't be into poetry?

Lucas didn't voice these thoughts, however. He instead had another question on his mind, though he wasn't sure how to voice it.

Lucas hesitated, then took a deep breath. He knew he might not get another chance to talk with her one on one like this. "Duchess Seraphina, how do you know about my mother?"

The Duchess’s expression darkened. "That is not something you need to concern yourself with."

"...But I want to know."" Lucas insisted. "Please, tell me. Who was she to you? How would someone like you know about mother?"

It makes me feel uneasy to think there is a side to my own mother that I don't know about.

"How I know of her? You silly boy, have you forgotten that your existence means she slept with my husband? How would I not know of her?" Seraphina's voice was sharp with irritation.

Lucas bristled at the Duchess's tone, but he knew what she spoke had to be true. His mother, as much as he hates to think about it, did sleep with the Duke, his father.

"But is that all there is to it?" Lucas asked once more, determined to uncover the full truth.

For a moment, the Duchess looked almost pained. "Your late mother, Iliana, she was my…" She stopped herself, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"...Your what? What is she to you?!" Lucas raised his voice, his heart beating faster and faster.

What am I to you?!

"...Control yourself! Who do you think you're speaking too?!" The Duchess snapped, her composure cracking. "You have no right to demand answers from me!"

"But I deserve to know!" Lucas insisted, his voice trembling with frustration. "You owe me that much!"

"You deserve NOTHING!! I owe you nothing!" Seraphina retorted, her voice cutting through the air. "You are nothing but a reminder of betrayal and pain! I can't stand to look at you!"

The harsh words stung Lucas, leaving him speechless with a lump in his throat.

"...You are better off not knowing, anyway." With saying that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Lucas standing there, his questions unanswered and his heart heavy with confusion and hurt.

As the Duchess's figure disappeared down the corridor, Lucas felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. The truth remained just out of reach, and the mysteries of his mother's past continued to haunt him.

There was a lot he still needs to learn, both about his family, and himself. He was sure of that.