6.

"–brother. Wake up, brother."

August frowns, stirring as he tries to sit as stiff as he is. When he pries open his eyes, it takes him a moment to recognise where he's lying and the short, low-sounding whinny he's hearing. Turning his head away from the warm sunlight, stabbing his eyes through the open barn doors, the redhead yawns and leans further into a haybale. August blinks at Marcel, muddy in his riding gear, and Rèmy equally muddy behind him. The teen moves closer to him, kneeling and fixing his sleep-mussed hair with a frown between his dark eyebrows.

"It's past noon, and you must leave for the assembly soon. I asked for you once I returned with Rèmy. You are not fine, brother. Please do not deny this. You continue to sleep poorly. Will you not permit me to go in your stead? For today?"

"...No," August leans forward when Marcel finishes picking out the strands of hay in his hair, "I am thankful for your concerns. However, I would prefer to attend together for your first time than to send you alone."

"Truly?" Marcel gapes, blinking slowly, his hands still slightly outstretched in the air. The persistent feeling of inadequacy in his chest fades, and the teenager beams, tanned cheeks flushed exuberantly. "Thank you!"

August huffs warmly and glances behind Marcel to the energetic, chestnut steed. "I assume he is very pleased with your state," he says, turning away from Rèmy to snort at the mild annoyance crossing Marcel's face.

"Incredibly pleased," Marcel mumbles, gazing down at his caked outfit and boots. With a sigh, his lips curl slightly down, looking up at August. "I wasn't this messy as a child, was I?"

August shakes his head. Stray strands of hair fall on his ticklish nose, and he tucks them behind his ear haphazardly. His dark brown eyes crinkle in delight.

"No, however, you were as stinky. Your flatulence rendered me nauseous and on the verge of passing out some days."

"Brother!"

August snickers at the teen's mortified exclamations, laughing harder the more he flounders.

(Another week, and Cecilia and Nathan will duel each other in the Great Colosseum for the first time, once again.)