Summary: Duke Barma gives Break a heartless guilt trip about what happened to Reim at Oz's coming of age ceremony. Just a quick vignette I had to get out of my system. Sorry it's depressing!
Words: 344
Rating: G
Writer's Note: Thanks to total_alias for beta reviewing. I'm very happy this story got jossed by Chapter 56!
(Guilt Trip)
"It seems that I was careless to entrust my servant to you," said Duke Rufus Barma. He looked down his nose at Xerxes Break, who stood with his hands on his cane, blind eye staring straight ahead.
The duke continued, "Reim Lunettes insisted on going to the coming of age ceremony of Oz Vessalius. He said it was to collect information and try to find the sealing stone, but ultimately…" he paused and waved his fan, "…I know that his real motive was to help you."
He collapsed his fan and jabbed Break in the chest with it.
"You."
Break's breath caught in his throat, and he rubbed the spot where he'd been poked.
The duke continued, "Reim spoke of you often. He was inordinately concerned with your welfare, and I dare say he went out of his way to be helpful to you on a number of occasions."
Duke Barma splayed out his fan and looked toward the window, his brow furrowed.
"Much to my chagrin I was never able to learn why he felt so strongly about you."
The white-haired man's face twitched and a lump formed in his throat.
"He made up excuses to visit you, shirked his own duties in order to perform some of yours, and defended you as if you were someone who was deserving of it."
Break squeezed his eyes shut and hid his quivering lip with the back of his hand.
"And now, Reim Lunettes – my servant - is dead," stated Duke Barma coldly, turning to face the other man. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Break felt the tears welling up behind his eyelashes. He lowered his head and tried to hide his face behind his bangs, but it was no use.
"I beg your pardon," he choked out, as a tear fell down his cheek. "I am so sorry for the loss of your…servant." He wiped his cheek with his sleeve and gripped his cane tightly, trying to steady himself. "As for me…I'm simply…" his voice raised its pitch and he sobbed, "…grieving a friend."
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END