CHAPTER 117: A TALK BETWEEN BROTHERS

The falling snow that melted in your face, the ever white snow that filled the lands, and the cold that stuck to one’s skin. To most, the North was a snowy abyss where you could die at any given moment.

Aside from the snow-biting cold, there were numerous monsters, barbarian tribes, and, not to mention, the occasional skirmishes against other countries.

Yet to Lucen and the others, this place was home. It didn’t take long for their group to once again see the high walls of Ironhold.

They had finally returned from the Capital to their home. Seeing the high walls and even facing those monsters before arriving here felt better than those irritating talks with other nobles.

It had only been a couple of months since they left Ironhold, but it felt so much longer. When they entered through the gates, Lucen saw Vahn alongside his younger brother Cael. Behind the two were his subordinates from Thornefang.

The second Lucen and Vardon exited the carriage, Cael unconsciously ran towards the two. Yet when he arrived in front of his brother and Father, he hesitated a bit. He then looked up with eyes full of resolve, like he was going to war.

The six-year-old Cael, who usually had an expressionless face, was showing more emotion now than ever before.

"Welcome back."

The two simple words stunned both father and brother. Vardon’s expression hardened back into its usual stoicism after only a heartbeat. But Lucen lingered in shock a few moments longer before breaking into a wide, genuine smile.

"We’re back, Cael."

Vahn inclined his head slightly, his voice carrying a rare softness.

"The young master has been eagerly awaiting your return. We had heard many stories about you, young lord."

Lucen blinked, catching the shift in title. A quiet flicker of pride rose in his chest, though he kept his smile casual as he turned to his younger brother.

"Hoh, is that so? Do you want to hear more stories about what happened in the Capital, Cael?"

Lucen suddenly asked Cael, who was looking at his older brother. Cael hesitated, lips parting and closing, then gave a small, firm nod.

"Good. Then let’s go. Vahn, can you prepare some snacks and drinks for us?"

"As you wish, young lord. Shall I send them to your room?"

Lucen placed a hand on Cael’s shoulder and grinned.

"Yes, my room will do just fine. Come on, Cael."

For a boy who almost never showed emotion, Cael’s eyes lit up ever so slightly, enough to warm the cold northern air around them.

***

In Lucen’s room, he and his younger brother were eating snacks and drinking hot tea while Vahn stood behind them.

Lucen told Cael about how he became the underground arena champion. Of course, he did not tell it in a way that would make him look better in front of his younger brother. In fact, he told it as it was, that he simply won because of the many restrictions Faust had placed on himself.

"Faust Kriegerisch," Vahn mumbled to himself.

"Do you know him?" Lucen asked.

"Yes, young lord. He arrived here in Norvaegard when I was young. He was a true monster. He defeated many warriors and mages. They used weapons, their aura mantles, and powerful spells, yet not one could do any damage to him. With nothing but his fists, he used no aura or spell, and he defeated everyone."

When Lucen heard Vahn’s memory of Faust, Lucen was a little surprised. He already knew that Faust was an incredibly powerful fighter, in-game and in reality, but he did not expect that Faust had more backstory in Norvaegard than what he already knew.

After that brief side-track, Lucen continued telling Cael about what he was doing in the Capital. He told about what happened in the Third Prince’s birthday party, of course, he did not tell the part where he and Vardon met the King.

When Lucen told the part about the Tower Masters giving their gifts, Cael’s usual blank gaze sharpened, his small hands tightening around his teacup. Lucen noticed and tilted his head.

"Are you interested in magic?"

"... A little..." Cael’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, as though he feared being judged. His ears reddened slightly.

Lucen chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his brother’s hair. "There’s no need to be embarrassed about that. I think anyone would be curious about magic, especially the kind the Tower Masters wield."

Lucen then continued his story, telling Cael about the people he met, like Lysette Crowlorne, Evander Judicar, Mireya Aeromont, and Elyra Runescar.

Vahn’s lips curved into the faintest smile.

"Hoh, it would seem the young lord is quite popular. I wonder if you’re interested in making one of those ladies your future wife."

Lucen nearly spat out the pie in his mouth. He coughed and thumped his chest, glaring at the butler. Even in his past life, he was unmarried. After coughing a bit, Lucen replied.

"W-Wife?! W-What are you saying? Isn’t that way too far off for me? I’m still so young!"

When Vahn heard Lucen’s reply, he tilted his head in confusion. He was genuinely puzzled by Lucen’s reaction.

"Young? You’re already thirteen, young lord. Your Father married at sixteen, and that was already considered late. Even your friend Evander Judicar already has a fiancée. I believe your Father, the Duke, is already looking for a suitable wife for you."

Lucen froze for a second. He already felt his head aching as he rubbed the temples of his forehead.

He already knew that this was normal in this world, but with his past life’s memories conflicting with his current memories, he did not know what to think.

’Okay, I’m Lucen Thornehart, and I did experience those twelve years without my past life memories, but now that I have them... Does that mean whoever I marry, I’ll be treated like a ..."

He strangled the thought before it finished.

’No, no, no, no, that can’t be it, right?... I’m the only one who knows about the past life memories. No one can judge me. Also, it’s not like I have a choice either. Besides, as Father’s heir, I’m expected to produce a future heir... There’s also the fact that this body is truly that of a teenager... I don’t even remember what age I was when I died. Most of my main memories in my past life are around my teenage years and early twenties.’

Lucen, with his conflicting medieval upbringing and his modern sensibilities, were clashing, making his head hurt quite a bit. In his past life, marriage was something far away, a milestone one could choose when ready. Here, it was a duty, an expectation, a political contract.

’AAARRGGHH!!! Whatever! It doesn’t matter anymore, whatever will be, will be. Let’s just stop thinking about it for now.’

Cael, who had been quietly nibbling on a cookie, blinked and said in his flat voice. "Big brother would make a good husband." Despite not knowing much about being a husband or wife or the inner conflict Lucen was having, Cael spoke so innocently.

"Enough! Let’s stop talking about this. Okay?!"

Cael simply went back to eating, unbothered.

Lucen buried his face in his teacup, trying to drown his embarrassment in hot steam. Vahn, meanwhile, found himself fighting the urge to laugh.

Ever since that illness, Vahn sometimes wondered if Lucen had cast off his youth entirely, but seeing him like this was nice. It made Vahn think that even with everything he had done, the young lord Lucen was still a youngster after all.

After calming himself down, Lucen continued his story and told them about the duel with Reginald Vermont. How he easily won and got a sponsorship to make the script he wrote into a play.

"The Man of a Thousand Quests." Cael suddenly blurted out the name of the play.

"The young master was very interested to see the play the young lord created. Unfortunately, the theater group here in Ironhold could not play it."

"That’s not a problem. If Cael wants to see The Man of a Thousand Quests, I will personally make sure he sees it. I will talk with the theater group later."

The second he heard what his big brother said, Cael’s expressionless face had his eyes nearly glittering with excitement, but he, like their Father Vardon, was able to quickly control it and return to a neutral expression.

"... Is that not too much trouble, Big Brother?"

Seeing Cael’s reaction made Lucen chuckle as he patted his younger brother’s face. "It’s no trouble at all. I want everyone in Ironhold to see The Man of a Thousand Quests."

"... Thank you, Big Brother."

"Heh, no need to thank me. I’m happy that you want to see the play I wrote."

After that, Lucen continued telling stories about what happened in Caelhart, about the people he met, and the things he saw. Their conversation lasted the whole afternoon and lasted until evening.

The night deepened, and Lucen was still talking when he noticed Cael fighting to keep his eyes open. His little brother’s usual composure was slipping, replaced by a drowsy honesty.

"... Big Brother, can I sleep here with you?"

Lucen couldn’t believe his ears; his younger brother was acting so cute today. "Sure, you can sleep with me."

Lucen glanced at the boy beside him. The Cael he knew was usually a statue, his face a mirror of their father’s discipline; there was also the fact that he himself had pushed Cael away before.

This was the child who would later grow up to become one of the main companions of the hero Alexander, a person who sacrificed everything, wanting to prove that he was worthy of the name Thornehart.

But now, with his guard lowered, he looked like what he truly was, a child, small shoulders rising and falling with each sleepy breath.

Lucen adjusted the blanket over him carefully, not wanting to wake him. For all the blood, steel, and duty that defined the Thornehart name, this was the moment Lucen wanted to hold onto: the simple warmth of his little brother trusting him enough to sleep at his side.