Here's another chapter, hope you all enjoy this one.

There was silence in the carriage as they rode back. The black forest passed through the windows of the carriage that Tino looked out of. His father held his hand, but he didn't look at him, nor at Berwald who sat across from them. He could swear he saw eyes glanced at the carriage as they rode by, but he thought the tart drink from earlier was getting to him. He leaned his head back away from the window and closed his eyes.

In his mind he could see his garden, the beautiful roses that shined at night. That gave him peace of mind and comforted him at his darkest times. He could see his aunt showing him the small rose for the first time, and even helping him plant it in his garden. The memories danced across his mind, but it was all brought back by a jolt of the carriage stopping. Berwald glanced out, they weren't near Tino's house and he watched as Berwald opened the door and step out. He leaned forward to glance out the window again and there was the mayor.

"What is going on?" Berwald asked.

"We tried everything," the mayor said and glanced past Berwald to see Tino. He didn't keep his gaze there for long as he looked back at Berwald. "We managed to save the small cottage, but the garden…"

Berwald felt his jaw clench and he cleared his throat. "Do we have any idea who could have done this?'

The mayor shook his head, but his eyes told a different story. The mayor looked down at the dirt, the cane he leaned on looked old and that it was going to break at any moment. Berwald put a hand on his shoulder and the mayor looked up at him. "Thank you. You did what you could." He nodded his head at the mayor then climbed back into the carriage.

Tino watched as Berwald did and he looked back outside, the people of the small town gathering around the mayor. Their eyes locked once more and Tino could feel the tears rushing to his eyes as he tore his gaze away. He looked at Berwald while squeezing his father's hand, "What...what did he say?'

"They did what they could," Berwald replied looking at Tino.

Tino could feel his heart drop to his stomach, and he put a hand there without thinking. What was he going to see? Was his childhood home burned down? Was his garden okay? He glanced over at his father that looked down at his lap, he looked dazed as if trying to grasp the reality of this situation. Tino felt his bottom lip tremble, he wasn't sure he was ready to see what had truly happened.

The carriage pulled forward again.

Berwald watched as they reached the edge of the town and then just a few minutes later they reached the small home. His eyes glanced over, he could see the fire had consumed a lot of the house, the air thick with burnt wood and dead plants. From the side, he could see the two large birds swoop down and land close to the home. He opened the door and stepped out, and even in the bright sunny day, he could see the devastating remains of the home that seemed to dim the sunlight around.

The entire garden was burned to a crisp, it looked like not a single plant was alive. The house was black and it creaked as if ready to fall over at any second. He stepped closer and could see the front door, it had been broken into pieces, torn off its hinges. There was red writing all over the walls, and he only hoped that it was from mashed berries.

Berwald was pulled from his thoughts when he heard the scream from behind him. He turned quickly towards Tino that covered his mouth. Tears streaming down his face and his father holding him trying to keep him from falling. Taisto was crying just as hard, but he looked down avoiding the gaze of his son. Tino cried harder hugging his father and hiding his face in his shoulder,

Taisto looked up at the sky, from a day that was filled with so much celebration to this. He didn't even try to hold back his tears as they rushed down his face. Tino heaved into his shoulder as he hugged him as tightly as he could. Why would something like this happen? What had he done to deserve this? Thoughts ran across his mind, but nothing made sense to him anymore.

Berwald looked away, he couldn't stand to see the sight. The two large birds shifted forms once more, "We're sorry," Ludwig said.

"You came to tell me," Berwald muttered, but he couldn't tear his gaze away from the destroyed home. "Did you see anything else? Anyone?"

They both shook their heads and Gilbert stepped closer to him. "I wouldn't let them go inside if i was you," he whispered. "We can smell the flesh of something dead inside."

"Thank you," Berwald said and Gilbert nodded. The two brothers glanced at one another before shifting and taking off. Berwald cleared his throat looking at Taisto who could barely keep eye contact. "I'm going to take a look inside, to make sure it's safe," he said quietly. "I'll retrieve anything that I can."

"I can do that," Taisto whispered.

"Please, let me," Berwald said quickly. Taisto kept the gaze for a few moments and he pressed his lips together in a firm line. He nodded and Berwald walked off into the burned and crumbling home.

Taisto watched the Duke disappear into the home and he helped Tino sit down. "Why...why would anybody do this?' Tino asked quietly. He was hugging himself and looking down at the dirt, no longer caring about his white suit.

"I don't know," he whispered and rubbed Tino's back. "But I know they won't get away with this."

Tino hiccuped a bit and wiped at his eyes just as they heard another carriage pulling up. They both glanced over and Tino's stomach dropped. He knew that carriage all to well and he quickly scrambled up to his feet. His father standing in front of him as the door opened and out stepped Bisok and Oleo. "My, my, my," Bisok said and then whistled looking at the damaged home. "What happened here? Little house fire?"

Oleo glanced over the ruins of the house, he didn't have any expression on his face. "What are you doing here?" Taisto asked.

"Where are your manners?" Bisok's voice lowered a bit as he walked over with a gold encrusted cane by his side. "We simply came to congratulate you on your decision. As poor as it was." He raised the cane that pointed toward the home, "And with every decision comes consequence."

There was a moment of silence before Tino stepped up from behind his father. "You did this...you...you destroyed our home?"

"I never said such a thing," Bisok chuckled. "However, I told you. Every choice does have a consequence."

"How could you?!" Tino snapped and stepped forward before Taisto gripped his arms to pull him back. "How could you do this to us?!"

"Tino! Tino stop it!" his father roughly pushed him back nearly making Tino fall to the ground. He looked at his father then at the two other men.

"How could we what?" Bisok chuckled. "I heard of the fire this morning, I was still at home with my wife comforting my son," he said and gestured towards Oleo who glanced away.

Tino wanted to scream. He wanted to jump up and bash the man's face in. Everything his father worked for, everything he had created. It was all gone. He stepped closer, but his father partially stepping in front of him as if knowing what he was thinking. "Is there a problem?' the four of them turned to see Berwald walking out of the house that creaked out in the silence.

"No problem at all," Bisok said and then stepped toward the home right in front of Berwald. "I was just giving my condolences seeing the state their house is in."

"I'm sure you were," Berwald glanced over at Tino, his aura a mixture of deep reds and purples. He could hear the shouting outside but was too busy getting rid of the dead animal.

"Yes, and I was simply telling them how every decision has a consequence," he smiled.

"Indeed it does." Berwald clapped his hands together wiping off any excess dirt and then cleared his throat. "I was never fond of games as a child. Then again...the games I played weren't for children." His glasses fell slightly from his eyes and he stared at Bisok. His eyes having gone nearly black with golden slits down the middle. "I do believe you'll do everything in your power to find out who did this, yes?"

Bisok had lost all color in his face, he was shaking where he stood his knuckles white from gripping the cane to hard. "O-of course...Duke…" he barely managed to whisper out.

Berwald pushed his glasses up and nodded glancing back at the home then over at Oleo. Oleo had stepped back as soon as they made eye contact before turning around quickly and heading back to his carriage. Bisok bowed to Berwald and seemed to be a rush as he also bowed to Tino and Taisto before he stumbled into the carriage as well.

"What...just happened?" Taisto asked.

Tino was in awe as well, but he pushed it aside looking at Berwald. "Why did you let them leave? You know they did this, don't you?"

"It wouldn't solve anything," Berwald replied. "The damage on the house isn't too great, it looks like I can fix it quite easily. However the garden…"

Tino glanced down at the sand, "I-It's fine…" he said after a few moments. He looked up with a forced smile. "I mean, it was pretty big and since I won't be living here...a-anymore...:" his voice broke at the end of the sentence. Taisto quickly pulling his son into a hug as he cried into his shoulder. Berwald looked away before walking over to the carriage.

"I think I should stay here," Taisto said. "To make sure nothing else happens."

"N-no...if you stay here what if...what if they try something else? But you're inside this time?" Tino quickly gripped his father's arm.

"I don't believe they will," Berwald said as he took his glasses off and rubbed them clean with a piece of linen he pulled from his pocket.

"Then I'll stay too!" Tino said quickly.

"No," Taisto looked at Tino who stood still. "You will be much safer with the Duke."

"B-but…"

"We're not arguing about this," Taisto said and turned to Berwald. "Please, take good care of my son."

Berwald nodded, "I will. Before I go I can fix the house as well."

Taisto shook his head, "I'll see what I can fix on my own. For now you still have guests at your home. It would be best to hurry back."

"Of course," Berwald said and placed a hand on Tino's back who looked at his father worriedly. Without another word he turned and headed back inside the carriage, Berwald following him. The door closed and the last thing he saw was Taisto's back, shaking as he sobbed.

Returning to the grand estate Mathias greeted them. The majority of the guests having gone early having heard the news. However, Lukas was still there and was standing outside with Mathias as the carriage pulled up. Tino walked out first and then looked at Lukas before hugging him. "Those bastards, I know they did this," Lukas muttered.

"They even showed up to the house," Tino said hiding his face slightly in his shoulder.

"Why? So they could mock you?" Lukas spat venom in his words and usually, Tino would have the nerve to tell him to calm down. However, today was different. His heart felt like a glass vase that was smashed against the wall.

"You should get back home," Tino whispered pulling away. "I'm sure aunt Helina isn't feeling well."

"Don't go saying such nonsense," Tino turned to see her shakily walking down the stairs holding onto Elo. She coughed a bit, and even with her rosy cheeks, she gave a bright smile. "I'm sorry to hear what happened, dear."

"It's fine, really," Tino whispered as she reached the last step and hugged him. "You should get back home before it becomes too dark."

"The carriage is already waiting," Mathias said with a small bow.

"Thank you," Helina said and pressed a tender kiss to Tino's forehead and then glanced at Berwald who had been off to the side watching the scene. "Please, take care of my nephew. He is like a son to me," she covered her mouth coughing. Berwald nodded and then Helina took Emil by the hand, as he had been hiding behind her the entire time, and walked up into the carriage.

Lukas was the last one to get in, but he hesitated looking over at his cousin. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?" he asked and glanced over at Berwald.

"I promise I'll be fine," he said although his shaky voice gave him away. "Just...just look after my dad, okay? Please make sure nothing bad happens to him…"

"I promise," Lukas said before hugging Tino and climbing into the carriage. He watched as the door closed and the carriage pulled away.

Once inside Tino heard little feet scurrying across the floor until the white fluffy dog came into view. "Hey there," he smiled leaning down and picking up the small dog.

Berwald glanced at Mathias who motioned him to do something. Berwald panicked a bit, he was never good with comforting people. He just stood there and then awkwardly walked over to Tino who held the small dog who was now licking his face.

"Um...are you hungry?" Berwald asked. He could practically hear Mathias screaming at him with his mind.

"N-no...no I'm fine. Just tired," Tino replied without looking up.

"I can show you to your room then," Berwald said.

"My room?" he asked now looking up at the Duke. He wasn't expecting that, he assumed since they were now officially married they would share the same bed. Although part of him was relieved this wasn't the case, another part of him wondered why that was.

"Yes," Berwald said before clearing his throat. "I mean, to make you feel comfortable. You can have your own room...until you're...ready."

Tino wanted to question what he meant by 'ready', but he nodded deciding against it. Berwald glanced at Mathias who seemed more than happy with the little progress he made as he led Tino up the stairs toward his bedroom.

"It's actually conjoined bedrooms," Berwald said as he opened the door. Tino stepped in and was taken back by how big it was. A large bed in the middle of the room with extraordinary paintings all around and even a small table with two chairs beside a window that led out to a balcony. Berwald pointed at another large door off to the left of them, "Over there is my room. Just in case you need something you can always knock."

Tino stepped into the room and looked around at everything, it was certainly more than he's ever had. "Are you sure, this okay?" he asked looking at Berwald. Berwald nodded as little Hanatamago jumped from Tino's arms and onto the floor quickly smelling around. Tino smiled and Berwald stared at him fondly for a second, he was so happy to see a small smile on his face after a long day. He nodded and turned to walk out of the room, "Ah, Duke O-Oxenstierna," he said as quickly as he could without messing up the pronunciation.

"Berwald is fine."

"Right, um...Berwald," he said and then cleared his throat. "Thank you, for everything."

Berwald nodded before walking out and closing the door behind him. His face was hot and for a moment he wondered if it was okay for Tino to be thanking him. Afterall, shouldn't he be thanking Tino for giving him a chance? For actually going through with this?

"You just going to stand there?" Mathias asked pulling Berwald from his thoughts.

"Sorry," he muttered and walked toward his room.

"What are you going to do now?" Mathias asked.

"What do you mean?"

"About the moon roses?" he glanced over at Tino's door making sure to keep his voice low. "Without them all of this seems...worthless."

Berwald knew where Matthias was heading with this, "If he grew them once I'm sure he can do it again."

"But out here in the black forest?"

"What were the odds of him growing them in the first place?" Mathias nodded and then looked away. He knew Berwald was right, "For tonight make sure all his things are taken to him. I'm sure he just as exhausted as I am."

"Of course," Mathias said and bowed towards him before walking off. Berwald walked into his room and could hear small barking on the other side, he smiled hearing Tino giggle.

Hope you all enjoyed this, I know it was a bit short. Please leave a review if you liked it, thanks!