Chapter 59: Wrapping up 1

The corridors of the mansion were lively, the maids engaged in hectic work, while the guards patrolled the perimeters of the mansion. Leo walks along, his eyes tired and baggy from Columbina's endless preaching of efficiency, which still echoed in his mind like an unyielding mantra.

He hadn't slept properly that night. As he reached their room, he collapsed onto the bed, the weight of his exhaustion pulling him into the dark void of sleep almost instantly.

A noise stirred him awake, groggy and disoriented, he stood up and reached for the window. Outside, the sun sets with a golden glow as the sky grows darker. In the garden where beautiful, well-kept flowers could be seen, Leon swung his sword, each swing mannered and practiced.

Leo rubbed his eyes, still caught between sleep and wakefulness. The blanket of snow illuminated by the sun's golden rays caught his attention, pulling him back from his half-conscious state. I overslept. Deciding to go out and have some snacks, Leo ventured toward the kitchen where the cooks scurried to make food for the masters of the house.

Leo tugs the sleeves of the kitchen manager. "Can I get some snacks? It'd be great if you could get some for Leon, too."

The head chef turned around and gave him a warm smile. "Oh, young master, Of course, of course!" he reached for the oven and took out a tray of newly baked cookies. "Let me wrap them up real quick, then we will send them to you young master."

He nodded, ready to leave, but then paused. "I'd be in the garden with Leon!" he shouted.

In the garden, Leon swung his sword with force. The young kid was covered with sweat and his breath ragged from exhaustion.

Leo arrived and sat on a bench behind him in silence. He watched his brother complete multiple sets of swings, mesmerized and envious of his brother's stamina.

Leon dropped his sword, his breath ragged as he slumped to his feet kneeling on the ground. 

"You look tired," Leo mused.

Surprised by the sudden voice, Leon jumped to his feet and pointed his sword forward. He frowned, annoyance building in his chest. "How long have you been there!" he shouted.

"Since earlier," Leo flatly replied.

He heaved a tired sigh. He used his sword as support. "You should have said something," he looked at Leo accusingly. "gave me a scare."

Leo shrugged and tapped the empty space beside him, inviting Leon to sit. Leon slowly sat down, sweat falling from his skin. The smell of oil drifted across Leo's face, he pulled out a handkerchief and covered his face. "You stink!" he shouted.

A confused look appeared across Leon's face. "Eh?" he smelled himself. "I smell the same though?" he reasoned.

"You don't go take a shower or I'm taking your part of dinner." Leo threatened.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Leon rebuked. 

Leo rolled his eyes in annoyance."I don't know if your sense of smell is broken, or your brain is broken for thinking that." Leo accused. He gave his handkerchief to Leon, stood up, and searched for the nearest maid. 

"But everyone in Lord Capitano's unit smells like these when they're done training!" he reasoned.

Leo stopped and held his head with his right arm. The feeling of the need to defend his point nagged at his mind, yet inside, he knew he was hasty to accuse Leon. Right, I forgot he trained with them, are they even that smelly?

A maid passed by which caught his vision. He called out and asked to have Leon showered and dressed.

Moments passed by and the curtain of nightfall came. The hectic day ended and only the night's rest remained as the twins waited for dinner to be served. The sound of the crisp burning wood in the fireplace filled the room as the chandelier's flickering light illuminated the fancy table.

Leo sat on the chair opposite Leon as he read a book titled "Rex Incognito Vol. 1" The book contains the story of a young woman, the owner of the Xigu Antiques, as she meets a young man with expertise besting those of veterans in appraisal.

In preparation for his travel, Leo read multiple books of similar themes from Liyue. Each ranges from the mundane, the current popular, and those of ancient origins.

Leon looked at him, his gaze piercing from boredom and restlessness creeping in. "You're back to your books again," he remarked.

Leo gave him a glance, his eyes instantly going back to the book. Leon tapped the table as his legs moved in frantically. Impatience finally took hold of him as he transferred beside Leo."What are you reading?" he asked, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Rex incognito, it's a book from Liyue," he answered.

"And what's the story?" Leon asked.

"About a girl meeting a man with immense knowledge." he flatly answered.

"And?" he continued.

"That's it."

Leon grumbled, his eyes rolling. "That's boring!"

Annoyance slowly filled Leo, and his eyes twitched. He had a choice, to ignore Leon and continue reading until the food was served, or make something to avert his attention away from him, and he chose the former.

Leon continued grumbling, and finally, his impatience took hold of him once more. "Why do I have such a boring brother!" he screamed.

Leo sighed, as his patience ran out. "Why do I have such a stupid brother." he calmly said as he looked at Leon with piercing gaze. 

The two locked eyes, both laced with hostility. Suddenly, the doors opened and a series of food was served on the table. The maids looked at them in curiosity.

"Is it just me or did the young masters have a fight?" a maid whispered.

"I think they did," another one mused. "they usually talk to each other, but now..."

Leo's eyes twitched as he overheard. It was not even his fault, Leon just suddenly complained then he got swept up by the moment and let his emotions take hold of him.

The dinner ended with both parties unable to look into each other's eyes. The twins went to bed without a word to each other as their pride wouldn't let them.

Dumbass.

A surging feeling escapes from his soul. A burning sensation filled his stomach as the memories of that night returned. The screams of people as gunfires were shot from behind, the panic that filled the subway, and the feeling of parts of his soul, being ripped away from him.

He woke up drenched in sweat, his vision blurring as he struggled to calm the surge of panic rising within him." Why did I have that dream now?! It's been years, and I don't know if these memories are even mine!

He swallowed hard, exhaling slowly. Relax, it's a dream, it already happened, and you're safe now. 

As his vision returned to normal, his eyes widened as his field of vision distorted. In there emerged towering ruins of buildings of modern civilization. Ruins upon ruins of skyscrapers, houses, roads, and dead dry bodies met his sight. The smell of rot and rust filled his nostrils as the black stars above shone dimly.

***

A/N: 3 more chapters then I'll take a short break. I'll be back after the finish of the Lantern Rite story.

Also, how is this format? Better? I'm still learning how to do 3rd person.