Twin Bond (ii)

Ethan looked shocked at first, then he sighed, his usual composure slipping further.

"Yes," he admitted begrudgingly. "But don't tell anyone. She specifically asked me not to, especially Father."

Adrian frowned deeply, his thoughts spiraling. "Vivian's in Altona? Isn't she supposed to be with Magda in the Western vassals? And Micheal—he ran north recently. Don't tell me... Vivian, Magda, and Micheal are all in the North?"

As he spoke, a realization dawned on Adrian, the pieces of Ethan's unease clicking into place.

His twin wasn't just protecting himself; he was shouldering the safety of three people who, in Adrian's mind, each posed a unique challenge.

Magda, a fragile mage, had almost died during the red fog and red sky.

Micheal, though physically capable, struggled with a congenital heart disease that limited his endurance and practical knowledge, and had never ventured far from the comforts of the South.

And then there was Vivian—the reckless warrior who always seemed to drag Ethan into dangerous situations, someone for whom Ethan wouldn't think twice before throwing his life away.

Unbeknownst to Adrian, his siblings were having a family reunion in Altona.

He almost felt jealous for a moment there.

Adrian studied Ethan's face, noting the exhaustion etched into his features and the way his shoulders remained tense, even as he tried to deflect.

"Ethan," Adrian pressed, "are you really okay? Taking care of all of them... it's too much."

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line, his usual composure beginning to fray. "I said I'm fine," he repeated, his voice clipped.

"Fine?" Adrian countered, his frustration bubbling over. "Ethan, Vivian is strong, but she's reckless. How many times has she needed you to bail her out of trouble? And how many of your military accolades are because you had to do something outrageous to save her in the heat of battle?"

Ethan's expression faltered, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his stoic mask.

"Vivian can handle herself," he said weakly, his words lacking conviction. Afterall, it seems like I'm the actual threat that Vivian faced.

Adrian shook his head. "I admire Vivian. I really do. But you're dealing with her recklessness, Micheal's helplessness, and Magda's fragility all at once. Even you can't handle all that on your own."

Ethan gave a small nod, his shoulders tense. "The Duke is helping, and—"

Adrian cut him off, his tone sharp but laced with concern. "Ethan, tell me the truth. Please."

Ethan hesitated, his usual stoic demeanor faltering.

"It's Vivian," he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

He stopped, his jaw tightening as if the words physically hurt to say. "Before Flora's wedding... something happened to her."

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his concern deepening. "What do you mean, Ethan? What happened to Vivian?"

Ethan exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"She was... assaulted," he said finally, his voice cracking slightly.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening as though forcing himself to continue. "I was drunk, Adrian. You know how I... forget things when I'm sober again. I can't remember what happened that night."

Adrian's heart sank, the weight of his brother's admission hitting him hard. Putting the statements in the same line felt like he was deciphering some cryptic code.

Flora's wedding... Vivian... assaulted... Ethan drunk... forget.

The words seem to be mocking his comprehension skills.

For a brief moment, Adrian's thoughts distracted him—Flora is married? The realization struck him sharply, but he quickly shook it off, forcing himself to refocus on Ethan's words.

"And it seems like I was the one who did it," Ethan finished, his voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it aloud made it all the more real.

Adrian's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing as Ethan's words confirmed his suspicions. "What? Ethan, are you sure?"

Ethan nodded, his voice trembling. "How many men in this empire can give aura burns to someone like Vivian? How many of them were in Altona that night?"

Adrian felt a wave of desperation and pity for his brother.

"Ethan, you have to talk to her. You need to apologize, but..." He hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I don't even know if that would make a difference. To a woman, her pride is everything, and you may have robbed her of that. An apology might not be enough."

Ethan shook his head, his gaze dropping to the floor. "She hasn't mentioned it. It's been a week, Adrian."

"She pretends as if nothing is wrong, she was even my companion to Flora's wedding....," Ethan paused. "Yet, I seem no different than a mosquito in the camp to her..."

Adrian leaned forward, his voice firm but filled with urgency. "That's worse. If she's pretending nothing happened, she might think you used her as a substitute for Flora. You need to make this right before her feelings for you cool completely."

Ethan's stoic demeanor cracked further as he whispered, "Vivian isn't anyone's stand-in. She's perfect on her own. She's..."

He trailed off, unable to finish. Damn it, I have not told Adrian about my feelings for Vivian.

Adrian softened, his tone turning gentle. "I believe you, Ethan. But you need to tell her that. She deserves to hear it from you."

"But we are not like that!" Ethan tried to refute, a bit too eager for himself.

"Come on Ethan, everyone in our graduating class knows you like Vivian," Adrian ran his hand through his hair. His twin can be frustrating at times.

"What do you mean?" Ethan looked shocked.

"Well, for starters you almost seem to pick a fight with every guy who had a beef with Vivian," Adrian said trying to help Ethan remember.

"Well, I do that for Micheal too. Don't forget Vivian is our distant cousin!" Ethan tried to defend himself weakly.

"But I don't remember you ever searching for Micheal when you are drunk," Adrian said without making eye contact. May the truth set you free brother.

"You owe her honesty Ethan," Adrian's words voiced Ethan's thoughts.

Ethan hesitated again, his reluctance palpable. "I... I don't know how to face her. I don't even know what to say."

Adrian gave him a sad smile. "Just be honest. Vivian is strong, but she's reckless. She's always needed you to bail her out in battle, and you've always had each other's backs."

He paused, his tone softening. "And Ethan, I know Vivian feels something for you too. And now, with this life-or-death battle coming, you don't want this hanging over you both. Make amends, Ethan. You owe her—and yourself—that much."

Ethan looked away, his internal struggle evident. Just as Adrian was about to press further, a voice called for Ethan in the background.

His Commander's mask slipped back into place as he straightened. "I have to go. The command tent needs me."

Adrian nodded, his worry still etched into his face. "Take care of yourself, Ethan. And talk to Vivian. Promise me."

Ethan paused, his expression softening for a brief moment. "I will. And Adrian... thank you."

The screen went dark, leaving Adrian with a heavy heart and a growing determination to stand by his brother, no matter what lay ahead.

For a moment, he found it ironic that he and Ethan, identical twins, had managed to make such similar mistakes within the same span of time.

A sardonic smile tugged at his lips as he considered the cruelty of fate, binding them not just by blood but also by shared missteps and struggles.