Chương 14: Meeting the family

Vanessa Diary log #11 I am still thinking of the first time we talked. I looked into his crystal, red eyes dilating in the bright sunlight. The long-haired Duke towered over me. His sharp nose pointed down, and his scruffy beard made him look more like a beast. His presence was imposing as he strode on the snow, as lithe as a cat yet heavy like a relaxed bear. But those eyes… They sucked me in with every glance. His voice rumbled through my chest, enveloping me with a comfortable warmth I had never felt before.

He was a gentleman despite his uncouthness. He was funny, too. The Duke Plonk, Plonk, Plonk, Plonk, Plonk,"Brother… TARION!" Joshua beamed with a smile too much like my father. Wearing his red Elizabethan jacket and hose, his white ruff around his neck bounced as he ran towards me. I put my hand to his chest; his reach couldn't mine. I peeked at his hue.

"Why didn't you fight?" He looked at me, totally perplexed.

"Huh? We have just met after a long-""Why. didn't. you. fight?"

"Come on, brother…" Joshua noticed my men staring. My duchess watched with questioning eyes. I went closer to him, looking from above at his swoop of red hair.

"A third circle hiding in a carriage as his men fight..."

"Hiding!? How dare you insinuate that-""That you are a coward? I am not insinuating, brother; I am stating an immutable fact, you idiot!" Mouth screwed in anger, tears welled up in Joshua's eyes. Those red eyes that are too much like my father's. He stammered, trying to say something stupid.

"Wipe your tears. Many months have passed since your 19th birthday. You can't sob at the smallest scolding." His tear-tinged eyes became angrier as he dried them on his gold-embroidered jacket sleeve.

"How d-d-are you c-condescend to me. G-g-g-gain at a little health y-y-y-you think you're a big man now-" I stared directly at him; my large hands landed on his slight shoulders.

"This jacket, how much gold did it cost to tailor? How much tax went into buying the jewellery you wear? How much of a peasant's wage went into the carriage you hid in? We are not normal nobles. We are Greystone. Our wealth comes at a cost—a high but valiant cost. To fight. For our land, for our people." I pat Joshua on the shoulder.

"You will earn your keep from now on, brother." I flared my hue with control you could not dare attempt. I felt him shrivel in my hands "Understand?"

"Y-yes, Tari… Yes, your grace." My brother's ruby eyes looked down to the floor.

"But untill then. Stories of your travels need to be told. Or sung with ale." I gave my half-brother a smirk, and his eye lit up like a child. T hey looked at me as they used to, before my circles shattered, with admiration.

"Can I say," Joshua studied me closely, "Look how much you changed, Tarion! Lands above, look at you! You could be taller than father ever was! And what you did out here…" he looked at a corpse I cut in half.

"How!? It has been a single month!" I brought him in, giving him a tight bear hug to shut him up.

"As I said, stories to be told. Welcome back." Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Very glad to be back," Joshua hugged back.

"I had the travelling sickness too many times for my liking." I hope I can change you. Killing you would be very annoying. Our brotherly embrace ended, and I saw older officers gathering as if they were on break. They saw how to treat the former betting horse, realising things will permanently change from now on. They saw the carnage I wrought here with concerned faces. I can't wait to see your reaction to my work in the city.

"What is the commotion? You're holding us back!" a creaky old voice wailed. Lands above, give me the strength to not kill her where she stands. Huh? Chatty today, aren't you? Don't worry, mate, I will keep her safe." I must make it back to my castle before I die from the cold. Giant fellow, can you help my carriage..." An older lady wearing a thick grey coat looked me up and down with scorn colder than the snow beneath my feet. Gold and diamonds hung from her thin neck. Rubies and diamonds adorned her red hair.

A slim, grey-haired servant dressed like Charles stood close to her. She quivered as if she had seen a ghost. Well, she was expecting one.

"Is that you…? You look well..." said with disappointment The bitch. My stepmother. Gwen Greystone. OH! They didn't tell her I was getting better, did they? Great! Such a reward to see such a wretched face so twisted. I bowed slightly, "Dowager," and switched my attention to my brother.

"Did you happen to make my wife uncomfortable during the journey?"

"Of course I didn't! I was the perfect gentleman as always." Joshua smirked, hands on his hips. I sighed and turned to Vanessa.

"I am sorry. I will make sure he never bothers you again."

"What do you mean-" I pinched his lips with my left hand. Better.

"He was no trouble, your grace." Her eyes betrayed her glee at my brother being bullied.

"No need to lie for the boy. He is kind of a prick. We all know." Joshua mumbled within my fingers. Vanessa chuckled, then immediately hid her laugh. Her voice is honey to the ears; if I hear her more, I will become addicted to the sweetness. You're gonna divorce her. A fan hit my fingers.

"Let my son go from your bloody grasp!" said a furious Dowager Duchess. I let Joshua's lips go with a laugh and caught Kurt walking with two first circles beside him"Captain." Kurt ran to me.

"Grace."

"Bodies?"

"Sorted, prepared."

"How many?"

"Twelve, guard. Two civilians."

"Fuck me…" I turned around, projecting my voice wide.

"Everyone. In your carriages. On to your horses. We ride for the city!" Every guard shouted, "YES, YOUR GRACE!" and left to complete my order.

"Hold on, boy, we were talking!" I glared at the old bitch. So easy to snap. A single finger could blow a hole through her head.

"Didn't you want to leave?"

"HOW DARE YOU?" I saw my brother shake from her voice. Looking away, he held himself, self-soothing I pointed to her red, gold-embossed carriage.

"Your Duke orders you. INSIDE." She trembled in anger, unable to contain her childish rage. Davis, my former butler, held her arm and escorted her back. Any time he could have come out. A fourth circle would have been great help.

"That means you too," I said to my brother, and he timidly walked with his mother. His eyes lurched at me.

"Scrap that. You. Walk."

"Seriously?!" my brother cried. I stood silent.

"Fuck you, Tarion." My brother said, a small smile hidden as he joined the rest of my men. Family, huh? A small finger touched my sword hand. Vanessa smiled. Pushing her golden curls from her face, she squeezed my hand.

"Thank you. For saving my life." It was worth it. The blood. The sweat. The killing. To hear those words, to hear those words. To see Jen beside her. It was worth it. I put my hand over hers.

"Thank you for staying down." Hands parted away, and I already missed her warmth.

"And it's Tarion. Formalities are for my subjects." I must ignore this stupid feeling before it hurts my weak heart. I can do this. I will help you be with your true love, Saintess.

"MEN! LET'S MOVE IT!"