Chapter 63: Dearest Brother...

Three weeks later…

It was a cozy afternoon. Echt's warm sunlight seeped through the window fervently, casting a pleasant glow across the entire Adlerian household. In the living room, Jacek and Treyton immersed themselves in a chess game.

Treyton ran his big hands through his hair for a billionth time since the start of the game. The frequency of his actions resulted in his completely disheveled appearance. With a stern expression, he sat at the edge of his chair and studied the board with great concentration. Occasionally, his eyes would narrow and his brows furrow as he deliberated over his next move.

Jacek, on the other hand leaned back in his chair, he was evidently very relaxed and unfazed in the slightest. He wore a sly grin as he stared at Treyton who hesitated numerous times to make his next move.

A soothingly soft clicking sound spread through the entire living room as Treyton and Jacek played the chess pieces.

"It surprises me that I corner you effortlessly, even when I am going so easy on you. Should I help with your next move, friend?" Jacek teased.

For his unwanted remarks, he received a deathly glare from the irked Treyton. Out of pure vexation, he tried to make a move after a lengthy time of contemplation, only to be cruelly confronted by his opponent's chess piece. Jacek snickered at his evil, clearly satisfied with the torment he was putting Treyton through.

It was a peaceful afternoon, if Jacek's vileness was overlooked. The air was filled with the scent of freshly brewed lavender tea as well as soft giggles and chatter from the other side of the room.

At the other end of the room, not too far from where Treyton and Jacek sat, Mrs. Adlerian was patiently seated as Yuki put her hair into neat braids. With deft movements, the dutiful daughter wove her mother's healthy hair into intricate patterns.

"Your brother seems to be having the time of his life, don't you think?" Mrs. Adlerian commented with a chuckle as she observed her thrilled son.

"He hardly has any characteristics he can use to compete against Sir Athaulfe, I am not surprised he is so excited he can finally beat him at something," Yuki responded with an audible laugh.

When the men heard the pleasant but rare laughter, they both turned to look at the mother and daughter pair. Jacek frowned as a thought came to mind.

"You two are not bad-mouthing me, are you?" Jacek shouted from across the room.

"Oh, please! Do you think the universe evolves around you?" Mrs. Adlerian snapped back in annoyance.

"Just admit you were gossiping about me! I know you were!" Jacek fumed.

"Ha! Know your worth and know peace. You are too haughty for someone your size!"

"Mother!?" Yuki exclaimed in shock and amusement.

"What? Am I wrong? Isn't he too prideful for someone who can be blown away by any wind?" Mrs. Adlerian retorted without remorse.

"Mother, please!" Yuki whispered pleadingly.

Jacek's mouth hung ajar at his mother's outrageous comment towards him, her son. His eyes slowly narrowed as his mind swayed towards the idea that he may not be his mother's son despite their uncanny resemblance. His wild imagination was, however, interrupted by Treyton's sudden mocking laughter. Jacek threw a sharp glare at him.

"Let us continue our game," Jacek announced in her malicious tone.

"No, thank you. I surrender. You win!" Treyton said with a condescending grin while putting his hands up in the air to affirm the sincerity of his words.

As if giving up midgame wasn't bad enough, Treyton got to his feet and walked off, leaving Jacek at a complete loss for words.

The men's action caused both Yuki and her mother to burst into laughter.

"Yuki!" Jacek scolded when he noticed Yuki laughing.

"Sorry, Jacek, I promise I am not laughing at you," she pleaded in an exaggerated, courteous manner.

Too defeated to fight back, Jacek rose and marched to his room. He could still hear the laughter of his mother and sister behind him, which pushed his buttons even further.

…

The evening of that day, a sulking Jacek sat in bed while reading a large, worn-out book. The frequent grumblings from his stomach made it hard for him to concentrate or even relax. Because he was angry at everyone in the house, he refused dinner and had but an apple instead. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, they say. Jacek doubted the truth in that adage.

All of a sudden, a sumptuous aroma filled his nasal senses. Was it beef sauce? And rice? And sausages too? Jacek's nose distinctly made out all the scent that lingered in the air. Just as he was satiating his hunger with the heavenly fragrances, he heard a soft knock on the door.

"Go away! I said I am not eating anything tonight!" Jacek uttered words that did not reach his stomach.

"It is my bedtime, Jacek," Yuki replied in a calm tone.

Her response not only throw Jacek off-guard, it also embarrassed him greatly that he had sounded so spoilt when no one even cared about his tantrums. He bit his lips hard before turning to look at the clock.

It was 8 pm. It was Yuki's bedtime. Three weeks had passed since she suddenly wanted to sleep with him instead of their mother. She had confided in him about the fact that she felt safer sleeping by his side than by their mother's. He could not refuse his beloved sister, considering the unpleasant intrusion of the unidentified person some time ago. The least he could offer was his presence if that would put her at ease, even if just a little bit. However, he was still disappointed in her betrayal.

After much thought, Jacek got out of bed and went over to unlock the door for Yuki. He did not open the door for her to enter as he usually did, instead, he just walked off as he was unwilling to see the traitor's face. When he went back to his bed, he immediately buried his face in the book he was barely reading before.

"The book is upside down," Yuki stated after entering the room with a tray of food in hand.

If he were as fair as his sister, the embarrassment Jacek felt in that moment would have turned him bright red. With the stubbornness of a bull, Jacek maintained the position of the book shamelessly.

Yuki giggled at her brother's childishness. Then slowly, she set the food down and sat by his side on the bed. She reached for the book and took it from him with his resistance. Afterwards, she pinched his chin gently and raised his face in other to meet his gaze.

"This ungrateful sister is sorry for not taking your side when the whole world was fighting against you. She is repentant. She promises to remain a devout sister from henceforth. So, dearest brother, can you please eat for this unworthy sister?"

Jacek glared at Yuki with a repulsive expression and tapped her little hand that held his face.

"Mother is a bad company for you!"

"I agree with my brother!"

"You better not learn from her."

"Aye, dearest brother. I shall heed your kind words of advice," Yuki responded playfully.

"I am being serious, Yuki! Stop joking!"

"Yes, yes…will you please eat now?"

"You act out of character a lot these days. Do you even realize it?" Jacek said as he shifted and sat up in a way that he was now facing his meal.

"You think so?" Yuki asked, her expression passive and vague.

"I know so. I didn't want to bring it up, but are you okay?" Jacek turned his attention from the food to Yuki. He appeared as serious as his tone when he spoke.

Yuki smiled superficially while staring back at her brother. Then, without hurry, she allowed her eyes to wander from his face to his neck. The light in her eyes flickered inconspicuously. On Jacek's frail-looking neck now prominently sat a pair of deep and well-defined bite marks. At the sour sight, she tore her eyes from his neck back to his stern face.

"My world is changing. I need to enjoy this simple life before it passes away. Please bear with me, dearest brother."