Sal opened a door to reveal a young man lying on the wooden four post bed. He was curled up, back turned to her but the length of his limbs was undeniable. He looked so tall. He was sleeping yet he seemed as if that was his only chance of doing so. He was thin. Oleon?

Sal sauntered up to his side to see his brows furrowed even in his sleep. He looked so different from the little boy she knew. At instinct, Sal glanced up the door to assure that Ren stayed there before remembering that he locked the door to keep her presence a secret. Sal was now alone with her brother. Would he even recognize her? Would he despise her for showing up? How many years has he grown, leaving her behind?

She tried to pinch his cheek before skipping off. It must be appropriate to open the windows. Despite hating the intense sunlight, she pulled open the capiz windows of the room. There was an annoyed groan before one can see Oleon turning to the opposite side of the bed. His sister took small steps beside him pointing her finger at his cheek. He turned again only for Sal's small, pale finger to poke at his cheek. She let out a small smile as she waited for a wave of recognition to come over her brother.

His eyes only widened in confusion before softening into a hard look. It must have been useless of her to even show up. Three soft knocks came at the door. Duren's signal. Sal made a small bow before going until a large, bony hand held her wrist. Oleon held him by the wrist. Upon quick realization, he withdrew his hand before turning his head against her.

" Please, do not make me leave, " He said shakily.

Sal stood stiff. Was there anything to reply? She ran out of words. It was as if any reply would be met with condescension but she willed to respond. She nodded.

" Oleon, mi Oleon." She whispered as she sat on the bed. He looked so tired and worn of this world.

" Kome va?" she asked in Caligarian.

His brows furrowed and he sat on the bed. " Only Papa speaks that tongue. The University wants us to speak in Halbioni. " He remarked.

She remained silent at this. The roll of Caligarian words seemed so natural. The outside world even rejects her Signor's preferred speak. There was a certain grit in his monotone voice as he mentioned the university. " Is the University a big place?"

He shook his head then his gaze wandered at the window outside away from her reach. He was looking at the mango tree. This little boy used to be a hysteric mess whenever Sal was on top of the tree. Was the memory still with him?

" It looked so frail now" He muttered.

" We can go outside to climb that tree again, like before."

He smiled ruefully and handed a small letter to Sal.

Three loud knocks.

" The Signor is here." It was a servant's hasty voice from outside announcing the presence of the visitor who marched inside even before he finished his words. It was a man, tall , dignified, and stern. His steps were a monotone cadence. His gaze was a path that will never cross with Sal's.

Oleon made a quick bow and an attempt to stand from his bed despite his state. Two servants beside the old man followed suit. At instinct, Sal bowed too, as she was supposed to do. The man stood tall and the room was filled with silence. Footsteps. As the Signor paced nearer the boy, Sal stood still and watched as Oleon’s eyes sparked with what seemed like hope. The Signor put a hand on his arm and on his forehead.

“ If you have the strength to sit up, you might as well be strong enough to leave and go back to the University.”

She can see Oleon bowing his head.

“ Men of old face battle and plagues, you. Youth, the only job required of you is to sit and there you mangle it like feeble, fainting girls.”

Sal kept her feet planted on the floor and bowed her head, as if doing so would keep her away from his notice. Now, that her veil is off her head.

“ What will people tell of the Cuorre heir? You want them to think of you, weak? Someone who makes excuses to avoid his duty?”

“ No,” Oleon whispered. “ I’m sorry.”

“Then, prove it.”

Sal is aghast. This boy, no, this young boy of fourteen was almost shaking. He bowed his head and Sal could swear that he was not well.

" The family is rightly ashamed of your incompetence." His tone was hard and emphatic but it almost dissolves into a whisper. Sal was almost frozen in her place with a storm brewing on her chest. She tilted her head to glance at Oleon as the Signor's words cut him deep. He barely even spoke after that but Sal cannot bear to look at anything else but his cane that stood there like a sword poised to strike.

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Sal lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. Turbulent waters fighting another storm." Why do you say those words?"

Graying hair pushed to neatly away from a face whose features surprisingly seemed weak for a voice that contained harshness. For a moment, Sal saw the Signor's steps waver as he held onto his cane. He glanced at his side for a few moments and then he looked at her. Sal was exposed." Out with this stranger." His voice was low, calm.

The servants opened the door and Duren was clearly waiting outside. She knows he’s tried. He was not out of earshot and it was bothering to know that he heard everything. He should not have seen this nor Oleon too. Sal did as she was told. As she was ushered with the lady to her room, Sal peeked at the letter Oleon handed her. The University was rejecting him.

***

The sun already bid its goodbye and the shadows danced in the moonlight,

flitting its way toward the window of Sal's room. The night was silent. So are the days. She cannot sleep. She sat on her desk and began writing under the pale light

... requests your good office that my son should be excused from his studies...

No. The Signor will never mention those words. He is the image of dignity and honor and for that reason he will not give himself to such intimacies. She crumpled the paper and wrote another.

.... requests your good office that Napoleon Felix Cuore be excused from his studies...

It was done in full knowledge that the words written in the letter will never be uttered by the Signor. He is always distant, the scorching cold sun. He never looked at her.

Sal's hand trembled. It was the last step, putting the Signor's signature.

Strange. It was wrong. Voices of old men quarreling. Shadows dancing in the day.

She shook her head to ward off the images. At a wild stroke, it was finished. With slow, steady steps, she took towards the door to leave the letter in the tray.

Will it be found? Delivered? Ah, Choices are only for the blessed, for the brave.

A week passed without anything strange happening. It was like the days that came before. Stay in the room. Keep the windows closed. Do not make any noise. The days went on as usual except the Mercantile visits became fewer and far in between.

Three loud knocks. Sal breathed a whisper. Again, another knock. She walked with slow steps as the knocks became louder.

The door bolted open and a long wooden cane whipped at her cheek. It was the Signor. No. It was the father. His stare stung harder than the pain in her cheek. It was during these times that she can really see how he looked like. His steps were heavy and all she could hear is the sound of the cane hitting the wooden floor. He did not need any other way to greet her as he held a small letter in his hand.

“What did you do?” he said. It was low, whispered. He was shaking the letter in his hand.

Sal bowed her head, the pain in her cheek stinging harder. Oleon was not welll, so she had to help him. Sal glanced at the man for a second. It is not that she cannot answer but explanations have always been futile. Respect your elders. Do not talk back. They know what’s right. She was only a girl.

"Interfering in a man's business is never your right. He had a path set for him and you do not aid him in his folly. A man’s business is left to a man alone." Words went out of gritted teeth.

" I am duly sorry. "

Yet, no apology was meant. The words seemed, empty. Only, she could think of was the sting in her face. The Signor never looked at her in the eye. Yet alone, recognize her without a veil. It was different from the way Ren would gaze at her, how he knew her presence in a beat. She thought of her lady's words from years ago. You cannot offend someone who does not value you.

"Disgraceful.”

He paused. Sal dared not to look up. There was an audible sound of teeth gritting.

"I will not let you continue shaming the Cuore name."

She can only see the floor as she kept her head bowed to avoid his stare.

There will be no feeling, no sorrow. Wood met wood as the Signor tapped his cane and turned.

"The good lord Lidelse must be informed that there will be no wedding to take place. His nephew, Duren Leaugood Lidelse, will be very relieved."

Everything dissolved into a blur. A storm has taken away everything. She bit her lip to prevent a sound from escaping.

" You don't deserve to be my child." He whispered as he left the room.