True Beginning (3)

So, I'd finally succeeded in creating my business. Now it was time to put all that hard work to use. I needed to find an information guild. It was time for me to understand the exact extent of my family's evil greed.

Which meant it was also time to inform Ymir and Mary of my plan.

Damien already knew, but I was nervous to tell the others. Especially Mary. Would she come to resent me for putting her family, including her mother, in jail? Would she fight against me? Would we no longer be as close as we were?

I had to stop myself from thinking on the matter much longer. I knew I was being hasty. It was better to talk to Mary first, and hear directly from her how she felt on the matter. I was going to stay true to my promise, and not make assumptions without solid reasoning.

This family had not been kind to Mary either, it was unlikely she cared for them very much.

I asked the servants to bring Mary and Ymir to me. They were in my chambers only moments later. They always seemed so happy when I called. It made me feel bad for the heavy topic I was preparing to drop on their heads.

"Ymir, Mary," I began, unsure how to really broach the subject, "There is something important I must tell you."

Ymir looked up from his tea, and Mary's eyes swept over me as if to read any intentions from my body language. She must have figured something out too, because her expression turned serious.

"What is it, brother?" she asked.

"Well, to tell you the truth… you both know my intention to become Duke, but there is another goal I've yet to mention. It's a big undertaking, and I'll need all the support I can get. But I'm unsure if you'll be willing to follow me down this path."

My eyes darted around nervously, as my most trusted companions began to frown.

"Isani," Ymir looked almost mad.

I gulped. I knew it, they would hate me for this.

"You really don't know anything do you?" Ymir laughed.

What?

"Nope, he is clueless Ymir, right down to the bones," Mary just shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

"What are you two talking about?" I asked, even more nervous than before.

Damien too, was giggling in his seat.

"Isani," Mary turned to me. It was weird to hear her call me by my name and not brother. "If you knew a thing about how much Ymir and I love you, you wouldn't be so concerned about asking for our help."

"Yeah," Ymir looked at me like someone might look at a lost puppy, "It doesn't matter what you decide to do, Isani. You're our brother. We'd follow you anywhere."

I was flustered, "Even… even so! Just because we're family, that doesn't mean you can't lead lives of your own! Don't you have things you want to do? What if my plans get in the way of that?"

Mary thought for a moment, "While it's true I'd love to continue studying alchemy under Ymir, it's also a fact you mean more to me than anyone in the world brother. When I was ignored and neglected by the rest of our family, you took me under your wing. It was from that moment onward I decided to do everything in my power to help you succeed in life. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. And I know you'd never ask me to do anything you thought I couldn't handle."

Mary grinned at me, her eyes bending like crescent moons.

"I am in complete agreement with Mary," this time Ymir perked up, "Where would I be today if you hadn't taken me out of the slums, Isani? How could I turn away from helping you, when I wouldn't even have the ability to pursue my dreams without your existence? It doesn't matter what you've decided, we'll be there for you."

I was overwhelmed. I'd really never experienced this kind of unconditional love, and I didn't know how to react or what to say. How could these people be so kind?

"Thank you," was all I managed to get out.

They all just nodded their heads in understanding.

"Alright then, tell us what is so important to you," Mary insisted.

"Okay," I paused for a moment, just to make sure they wouldn't back out on their word, then dropped the bomb, "I don't just want to become Duke. I want to change the very fabric of this empire's existence."

"Excuse me? What do you mean by that?" Ymir was looking at me strangely.

"I mean, I want to change the way things work. I want a reform of the government and it's laws."

"But that would mean challenging the imperial family…?" Mary looked horrified.

"Yes. I am aware. But I realized something after growing close to you two."

Their expressions both softened as I continued my explanation.

"Originally, I wanted to become Duke so I wouldn't have to work, and I could just live my life doing whatever I pleased, enjoying the benefits of a golden spoon."

"Golden spoon?"

"Doesn't matter. Anyway, things changed when you two came into my life. I started to feel like I was responsible for something greater than myself. I felt like it wasn't just my own happiness I needed to protect, but yours too. And because of that, I feel I need to do everything in my power to make your lives better. And coincidentally, I happen to have a lot of power," I smirked at the end.

"Well yes, but I still don't quite understand," Mary's eyebrows were practically knotted, "What do you want to change?"

"Well for one, I want women to be able to inherit titles," I started.

In all honesty, I wished I could eliminate the class system all together. But I knew that was even more unrealistic than demolishing the patriarchy. The people of this world weren't advanced enough to even consider what life could be like without a sovereign ruler.

Mary just blinked at me, so I continued on.

"Well, you know, I just find it unfair. Women are just as capable of leading as men, and they are just as intelligent. I think the empire would benefit a lot from having women in positions of power. And then there's alchemy," I changed my attention to Ymir. "I don't want people to view it as a useless art anymore. The public's sentiment has already started to change a little bit after the success of our business. But I want to eliminate entirely the struggles you alchemists experience in your everyday lives."

My found siblings were awestruck. They seemed unable to respond to my ideas, and I almost regretted bringing them up. Perhaps they were too far fetched after all. But then Mary ran up to me and hugged me harder than she'd ever hugged me before, and she burst into tears.

"Oh big brother!" She sobbed, "I love you!"

Ymir too, was balling his eyes out, but was trying harder to conceal his emotions.

I smiled softly. All I wanted for these two was happiness. I would give them anything at the drop of a hat.

"Master, we are all lucky to have you." Damien chimed in, looking at me with such devotion in his eyes, I almost felt bad.

I wasn't as great as they claimed, but I would gladly accept their love, if all three were willing to give it.

Once everybody had calmed down, I asked again.

"So, will you help me?"

There was a long pause and then, "YES!"

Then I stopped, "But Mary, I almost forgot to mention. In order for me to become Duke, and then continue on to change the empire's laws, I will have to uncover the corruption of all the nobles. That includes our family. Will you… be okay? With me arresting everyone?"

Mary turned serious again for a moment, "I have to be honest Isani, I don't hate anyone in our family. I just don't have it in me."

I nodded my head in understanding.

"But I'm also not so dumb as to turn a blind eye to their wrong doings. If they have done something worthy of punishment, then they should receive that punishment gracefully. I will be okay."

We looked at each other and slowly smiled. With that, everything was resolved.

The four of us spent the rest of the day talking and laughing about anything and everything in our lives. Our bond grew stronger than ever that day, and I could feel the intertwining of our fates as it was engraved on my soul.

Mary. Ymir. And Damien.

These people were my family. And I was never going to give them up.