151 The Great Warriors Aren't Made Overnight

BACK IN THE WOODS in AUTHOR'S POV

It's early morn and the entire sky is in dark blue. The silence have started to waver, as the croaks of the crows fill the atmosphere. The wind howls absurdly, as the leaves flew in spiral. With a bird pecking on his cheek, Stellan stirred awake from his short sleep. When he opened his eyes, the fire was completely gone with only its smoke and ash remained. He then turned his gaze to Helena, who's peacefully in slumber under his thick coat.

Nothing flourished last night with her. In perfect timing, Andrew woke up in the middle of his sleep and spoiled his most awaited moment. Garnering all the good lines to confess what he feels, Stellan's tongue rolled back in his throat and half-heartedly decided to just sleep on it after Andrew interrupted the two. With the man of the hour in his mind, Stellan averted his eyes to where Andrew rests. Hence, the rebel was not where he was supposed to be.

Stellan sprung from the ground and looked around for Andrew. A feeling of alertness and vigilance ignited in his chest due to the rebel's disappearance. Then, he took his sword along with a surmise that can possibly be true. Deep down, he knew he can't trust Andrew not only just because he is a rebel, but also, he's his brother. He felt stiff when he found Helena with him, more so hearing all of Evandrus' misleading sentiments. "What is he up to?", he uttered while he looked around. Stellan searched for the shady rebel hoping he's not planning anything dangerous with Helena. Not now.

Stellan knew from the very beginning that he's father was once married with a commoner before meeting her mother, Duchess Lucia. It was no secret that the Lord's affair with the commoner bore a son, months older than him. Politically, the imperial palace insisted on strengthening its concentration of power by making deals with Hesam. However, they needed a stronger form of contract so they insisted marriage between Lord Nero and Duchess Lucia. Lord Nero was forced to divorce his pregnant wife, Evangeline, that time and decided to marry the Duchess with specific terms. One, keep Evangeline close as a head maiden in Hesam, and two, his unborn son shouldn't be neglected with his rights as his son while he portray the role of a legitimate son of Lord Nero and Duchess Lucia to avoid scandals. Everyone agreed. Despite feeling insulted and in disapproval, Duchess Lucia kept a blind eye and kept her elegance throughout their political marriage even after her son was born. She only had a few conditions throughout the marriage, Duchess Lucia shall only focus on her son and the management of Hesam household, without the need of fulfilling her marital obligations. They both agreed.

Growing up, Stellan and Evandrus were different in all sorts of things. Stellan was quite and meek, similar to his mother who only say a few but dominating words. While Evandrus was jolly and socially confident, who could easily grow in the hearts of all the people whom he meets. That way, Lord Nero have always been fond of Evandrus, the favored son who was provisioned with several helpers to assist him, private lessons from well renowned tutors and trendy exclusive clothing only for Evandrus. However, Evandrus' charisma wasn't enough to get his believed to be mother Duchess Lucia's attention. 

The Duchess personally attended to Stellan's needs to preserve the aristocracy of his highborn son. Stellan never complained. He saw it an opportunity to keep away from the eyes of his father whom he thought never sees him the way he look at Evandrus. He grew up receiving a cold shoulder rather than a warm hug from his father. The two boys didn't had competition at first. In fact, Stellan was delighted enough to have an older brother in Evandrus who was always bright as the day. Hence, they never really bonded too much for the head maiden, Evangeline, would be upset when they do.

At age seven, the two young boys started to be engaged in knight training and sword fighting. Duke Nero became too pressured when the powers of a paladin arose in Beorg Mountains - none other than the clever boy, Alesso, who's almost the same age of his sons. At first, it started with only intense trainings at the break of early dawn to sunset. Eventually, the drills became more physical and exhausting that it was too overbearing for boys of such young age. Severe punishments were naturally given. One time, the boys were too consumed that they had to sneak out and hide for fresh air. They were both astounded to find out Evandrus heals faster that Stellan who's wounds are still fresh even after two ndays. It was all fun when Duke Nero suddenly appeared and growled at the boys who were procrastinating. Evandrus pointed his finger at Stellan, blaming him for insisting to skip the trainings. Before Stellan could explain, he have already been slapped across his face and was ordered to receive ten lashes on his back for disobeying the Duke. Evandrus was sent to his room for rest, leaving Stellan screaming in pain from the lashes.

The next day, Evandrus felt sorry for Stellan and gave him an apple for an apology. Stellan accepted it wholeheartedly, and even told his brother that he's glad he had the lashes all to himself. Evandrus wouldn't be able to handle it anyway. Moments later, the rain started to pour. The duke ordered to postpone the training for Evandrus, however, he insisted for Stellan to continue his training even under the cold rain despite having unhealed lash wounds on his back. The Duchess protested, but the Duke strongly refused. "Great warriors aren't made overnight, and a little rain won't hurt", he simply said as the lightning flash across the sky. Feeling sorry, the Hesam knights could hardly watch Stellan in turmoil. They were forbidden to join him or even lift his tangled feet when tired. After almost half a day, Stellan rested under a tree and took out the apple Evandrus gave him. When he took a bite, it was only then he realized that it was rotten.