Another story: Arthur's Arc #4

The quietness is suffocating.

"Arthur?" The beautiful woman called her eldest son's name, her gaze never straying from Arthur's face before doing the same to her other son. "Julien?"

As if realizing something, they suddenly look at each other with disgust, fingers pointing at one another, and simultaneously say, "He started it first, mother!"

"No, you started it first!" Julien refuted immediately.

"No, it's you!" Arthur refused to admit defeat either. He tossed the pot back to Julien. "You're the one pointing that dangerous weapon toward me!"

(A/N: Pot=Blame)

"I will not point this sword at you if not because you're the one who makes Seiran cry!" Julien retorted. He tried harder to justify his action. "I'm only upholding justice for my sister!"

"I'm not the one who makes her cry, idiot! Seiran cries because of something else."

"Bullshit! Seiran is not a crybaby! She will not cry for no reason, especially not because of a mere nightmare!" Julien gave him a stinky eye. As if he believes his reasoning!

"You...!" Arthur's vein on the forehead bulged out. Ugh!

"She can even watch a horror movie alone and fight terrifying creatures from the underworld without flinching! You must be the one who hurt her!" Not giving his elder brother any chance to recover, Julien immediately interrupted Arthur's words.

Arthur wanted to refute that sentence, but he soon realized the eligibility behind Julien's random reasoning.

Despite looking naive and gullible, his sister is indeed headstrong and fearless. Nothing can faze her, not even the Emperor, who is known as a ruthless man.

Who will believe such a lie that she cries because of a nightmare? Anyone else might fall for it, but their family will not.

"That...!" Arthur looked at the little girl. Their eyes met each other, and somehow, he felt guilty. Her eyes are transparent and crystal clear, without the slightest ripples. These eyes seemed to put pressure on him. It is as if she can see through his heart.

Ashamedly, Arthur is the one who averted his gaze first because of his guilty conscience. He didn't realize the light within Seiran's eyes dimmed out because he was looking elsewhere. Arthur suddenly felt the hands around his waist slowly loosening their grips. "Seiran?"

Seiran gave him a cold glance before she ran outside.

Arthur is stupified. What kind of look is that? Why did she look at him as if seeing a stranger? It can't be. No way. Does she know that he is not her real brother?!

Then, could it be this girl cried so miserably in the first place due to him?

Arthur: Shocked.jpg.

She had discovered his secret! Oh my god!

How can she be so perceptive?! Sure he is a bad liar and a no-good actor, but...! What a shame! He cannot even trick a little girl, so how can he fulfill his mission?

Wait, that's not the point. Since when did the little girl realize it? It can't be from the very beginning, Right?

Arthur looked at the door with a despairing look. I hope she will reconsider her decision and never say a word about this matter to anyone. Although, that might be impossible.

"See that, mother? I told you already that my elder brother is the one who bullied Seiran! She cried because of him!" Julien tugged his mother's sleeve and boldly took this chance to slander his brother, hoping to whitewash himself from any blame.

Arthur glared at the boy, wishing to strangle him. His fingers feel so itchy.

"It's all big brother Arthur's fault. I'm only defending Seiran, Mother." Julien does not care about his brother's angry look and still actively pushes the blame onto him. "I would never use my sword inside the house without reason. I swear!"

Arthur gnashed his teeth and roared inwardly, "Please stop trying to pour dirty water on me, brat!"

"So, mother..." Julien tries to act coquettishly, wanting to flatter her. He even gives her his most obedience-look, eyes full of sincerity, as he hopes his mother to brush aside his wrong deed. "Can you take no notice of my fault for using my sword inside the house?"

"..." Liliane let out a soft chuckle so suddenly.

Her laugh is pleasant to hear, but the boys get goosebumps instead.

An ominous feeling keeps bugging them, warning them of their impending doom.

"Boys," Liliane tucked her curls behind her ear, pleasantly throwing a sentence that made the boys feel despair. "Cook your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the rest of the day."

"Pardon?" Arthur is flabbergasted, while Julien seems to have received a devastating blow.

"Oh, you cannot buy them, neither can you ask the servant to prepare for you." Liliane pondered before adding, "Don't bother asking your father for help. He will not help you, not under my eyes."

"Mother..." Julien choked on his saliva.

Cook? Funny. He never holds a frying pan or pot in his life, and yet, how could his mother expect him to cook? Will the food be edible enough for him to eat? That's not possible.

If Arthur could hear his thought, he would probably agree with Julien's statement. He was a wild and unruly teenager who preferably ate takeout food than cooked for himself.

The only edible thing he can cook is only instant noodles because they only require hot water and pre-made seasoning! Other than that, nothing!

"I only prepare food for obedient children. For those who are not worthy, why should I bother with them?" Liliane says in a matter-of-fact tone. She pats her children's backs as she tries to encourage them. "Good luck."

Liliane swagger as she leaves the bedroom in a good mood.

Arthur&Julien: "......"

------

Mini Theater.

The forest behind the mansion.

Liliane kicked the boys out of the house as they tried to stealth the food. The punishment increase. From only one day to two days because of their failed endeavor.

Arthur: Brat, you go and fetch the firewood. I will hunt.

Julien: (Looked at him with displeasure) Why me? It should be you! I will hunt wild animals instead of you.

Arthur: Heh, can you catch them bare-handed?

Their mother confiscated their weapons, and it is forbidden to use magic within the compound.

Julien: (Looked at his elder brother with disdain) Of course, I can.

Arthur: (Not willing to fight anymore with the boy, he decided to be the big man with a big heart and reluctantly agreed) We meet here again in fifteen minutes.

Julien: Fifteen minutes? Who needs that long time to hunt? Ten is enough. (Said arrogantly)

Arthur: Whatever.

+++ 15 Minutes later.

Arthur was the one who finished his task first. Seeing that Julien is still out there, hunting for their food, he decides to make a bonfire and boil water.

30 Minutes Later.

The water had long boiled, and the fire, which initially burned very vigorously, had slowly faded out. Even so, the silhouette of the boy is nowhere in sight.

Arthur: (Stomach grumbling nonstop) I'm gonna kill that brat!

To be continued.