Gwendal von Walde awoke to the smell of fresh flowers and diluted brine. Wolfram. Inhaling the faint scent, he sat up and lightly shook the boy clinging tight to his waist. "Wake up, you have duty –", he started, stopping himself as his youngest brother rubbed his reddened eyes.
"I want to stay here." Wolfram von Bielefeld pulled his knees up and buried his head in his arms, "I don't want to go back to Yuur – Blood Pledge Castle."
Gwendal reached for the comforter and wrapped it around Wolfram's shoulders. "You rode all the way here in the middle of the night."
Wolfram looked up and bit his lip. "I'm not allowed to visit you?" Sounding a little embarrassed, he added in a small voice, "I missed you."
A smile tugged at Gwendal's lips. "It has been years since you have come into my room at night."
"I know I'm a child, Brother, I –" Wolfram lowered his head again.
"Came here to be reminded?" Gwendal said softly, getting up to pull the curtains back from the window.
"You said you didn't mind." Wolfram could only muster a mumble now.
Gwendal leaned down to kiss the top of Wolfram's head, "I do not."
