Guess what time it is? New chapter time! Hope you all enjoy this!
The rain fell heavy and Tino stared at the open ground with a casket inside of it. His vision blurred with tears as he heard the local priest recite a prayer that he hardly paid any attention too. He could feel his father lean against him in his Sunday best and an umbrella in one hand, but he didn't look up at him. They had hardly said a word to one another when they saw each this morning. Behind him Berwald and Mathias stood, Berwald insisted on holding an umbrella over him and Tino since they arrived. Mathias even held another umbrella that covered him along with Lukas and Emil. But Tino's mind felt numb and he could feel Lukas grasping his hand tightly.
"Amen," the priest said.
"Amen," he whispered along with the group of people surrounding the casket. His hand had finally gone numb, it was sweaty and it felt gross, but he didn't dare move it away from Lukas. He glanced over at his cousin who sat there with a completely blank stare looking at the ground. His knuckles were white while he held Tino's hand, but his other hand was gently stroking Emil's back. Emil was curled up on his lap, crying his heart out and clinging to Lukas. His tiny frame shaking from his sobs and from the cold.
Tino glanced away, there was nothing he could say or do to make them feel better. That crushed him more than anything. The crowd of people began to give their condolences to Elo who stood right by the priest. Much like Lukas, his facial expression was completely absent. He looked like he was in shock, they all were.
It was the very next day after Tino had visited his aunt in over two weeks. Tino had gone with Mathias back to the market and was going to go to Lukas' house to see his aunt again. He had even taken little Hana along for Emil to play with. But, once they got to the local market, a florist who Mathias seemed to be well acquainted with told them the news. His aunt had passed away sometime that night, the local doctor going over early that morning to declare the time she had died.
He just kept asking himself how this could have happened. How could she have been so healthy the day before and then just suddenly pass. It made no sense to him at all, and the more he thought about it the more his frustration grew.
He was jerked from his thoughts when he felt Lukas let go of his hand. "Can you take care of him?" Lukas asked picking up Emil and setting him on Tino's lap. Emil didn't protest and neither did Tino as he watched Lukas walk off in the rain away from the crowd. He slowly rubbed Emil's back and hummed softly while rocking his body slowly.
"I'll go after him," he heard his father say. He looked at him and nodded watching him walk after Lukas with an umbrella.
Berwald watched as well and then moved beside Tino, he didn't want him or Emil to get wet. Although his shoulder was soaking, he didn't mind.
He wanted to make Tino feel better, but he didn't exactly know how. He could see his aura with dark navy blue splattered all across it. Streaks of a rustic orange that collided against it and dots of smokey gray filled his vision. It had been these dark colors that Berwald has seen from Tino for the past few days ever since he found out about his aunt. Berwald did his best to cheer him up, every now and then a light lemon yellow would pop up, but it was quickly overshadowed minutes later.
He glanced over at him as he watched put Emil to sleep, but the tears wouldn't stop as they dripped down onto his clothes. He switched the umbrella to the other hand and hesitantly placed his hand at the top of Tino's back. Mimicking what he was doing to Emil in hopes it would have the same calming effect on him.
Tino glanced up at him, surprised by the gesture and Berwald was looking down at him, as if he tried giving him a comforting smile. He felt Berwald slowly run his hand up and down his back, and it only brought more tears to his eyes.
Berwald quickly retracted his hand, but soft spots of a honey orange popped up in his aura. He saw that it had comforted Tino, if only slightly. He put his hand gently back and rubbed Tino's back more, but he was happy it worked.
Tino leaned into Berwald and that's when he realized how much he needed just one comforting touch. Of course he didn't expect it to come from Berwald, but it was more than enough for him. He sniffled and hugged Emil tighter in his arms allowing him to close his eyes that were beginning to sting from all the crying.
Berwald stopped rubbing his back wrapping his arm around Tino, he could see he needed the comforting. He wanted to be the one to provide it, no matter how small the gesture would be.
Tino stirred the soup that slowly simmered over the stove. He glanced back seeing his uncle Elo playing with Emil on the floor. His dad sitting beside Lukas across from Mathias and Berwald. They were playing a game of cards and there was silence throughout the house other than Emil's quiet giggling and the sound of blocks skidding across the floor. He covered the pot of soup once more, but just as he was about to start on some coffee there was a knock on the door. He glanced at his uncle who just seemed to glance at the door and not really move towards it. "I got it," Tino said.
For him it was understandable that his uncle was tired, everyone seemed to be. Since the burial people have been flowing in and out with small gifts such as flowers or small amounts of food. He walked over opening the door forcing a smile, "Hello," he said but was surprised to see one of the servants from the mansion.
"I'm sorry to show up so suddenly," the servant whom Tino knew as Hugo. He was wearing a light coat but looked like it had been soaked through. His nose and ears were red from the arriving cold. "I've come looking for Duke Oxenstierna." Hugo kept his head down as if slightly bowing toward Tino.
"Of course, come in," he said and Hugo glanced up at him a bit cautiously. "Don't be shy, you must be cold," Tino smiled warmly at him.
Mathias glanced over to see Hugo and raised an eyebrow standing up to go and greet him. "Hugo, what brings you all the way out here?"
"Sorry, but a letter arrived for Duke Oxenstierna," he said and pulled out an envelope from his coat. Tino had shut the door and was surprised the letter itself hadn't gotten wet. "It arrived about an hour ago, I thought maybe it would be important for the Duke to see it now."
Mathias took hold of the envelope looking it over. It had Berwald's name nicely written on the front and when he turned it around a crimson red wax stamp. In the center was a large cursive 'O' with what seemed like three claw marks going through it, and a small crown set atop of it. He looked at Hugo, "You did excellent by bringing this to us right away."
Hugo smiled and Tino cleared his throat. "Why don't you stay with us? It's pouring outside and we have soup on the stove."
"Thank you, but I really must be heading back," he said bowing toward Mathias and then towards Tino.
Tino watched as he stumbled back outside into the rain and then looked back at Mathias who seemed to have his eyes glued on the envelope. He knew Berwald got all sorts of mail, but it was usually strictly business and never had such a fancy seal over it. Mathias tucked it into his shirt and smiled at Tino who looked at him curiously. He decided not to ask any questions and returned to the table.
Mathias glanced at him then outside the window with the heavy pouring rain. "Everything alright?" he turned to see Berwald standing beside him and he was slightly startled. He glanced away taking out the envelope once again handing it to him.
Berwald looked over the pale colored paper with the seal. He knew the seal all too well and he carefully opened it sliding his fingers across the seal. He pulled out a soft rose colored piece of paper. He slowly opened up looking over the black ink.
"My dearest Berwald,
It has come to our attention that you have married just last week. We are greatly distressed that we were not told. Therefore, we will be taking a lovely trip to the black forest to go see you and your new wife. By the time you read this we will be well on our way.
Much love, your mother, Lovisa."
Berwald read over the letter a few more times then looked at Mathias. He wanted to crumble the blasted paper and burn it. "What does it say?" Mathias asked after a few moments.
"It's them. They are coming to visit," Berwald muttered.
"Who is?" Tino asked as the two of them were slightly startled to see Tino standing beside them. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but dinner is ready."
"Right," Mathias said and smiled at him before excusing himself and headed for the table.
"Is everything okay?" Tino asked looking up at Berwald then at the envelope in his hand. "Are you okay?" he asked and gingerly touched Berwald's arm without much thought.
Berwald glanced briefly at Tino's hand, and he couldn't lie to himself that it made his heart beat a little faster. "Everything is...fine," he said softly not sure how to put the words. "My family sent me a letter saying they are coming to visit."
"Your family?" Tino asked. He had never really wondered about Berwald's family except for the pictures that decorated the mansion walls. "That's great to hear." Tino smiled.
Berwald didn't say anything, and cleared his throat changing subject. "We should go and eat before it gets cold." TIno nodded and kept his gaze on him for a few more moments before returning to the kitchen where everyone had taken a seat and began eating. Berwald took a deep breath trying to keep his temper down. How on earth would his family have found out? There was no way anyone from this small village would even have the resources to find out who he was related to. Much less even bother sending them any information. For now, he decided to worry about it later as he slipped the paper back inside the envelope and tucked it away.
"I'll come back soon, I promise," Tino whispered hugging Lukas tightly.
"You better." Lukas let go of him with a half-smile on his face. He watched Tino climb into the carriage followed by Berwald. "Hey." Berwald paused and then glanced back at Lukas. "Take care of him."
Berwald stared for a bit longer and then nodded his head with a small grunt before climbing into the carriage as well and closing the door. Mathias drove the carriage back to the mansion and Berwald sat quietly watching Tino who watched the small town go by. He wanted to ask if he was okay, but of course he knew the answer. He wanted to say something, anything really to make him feel better. But the words wouldn't come out.
"Your family," Tino began and Berwald tensed a bit sitting up a bit straighter. "When will they be here?"
"Most likely in the next few days," Berwald replied and he glanced away from Tino who had now turned to focus on him. "There's nothing to worry about."
Tino stared a bit longer before he chuckled. Berwald looked over at him wondering if he had said something amusing or if his facial expression was. "Of course there is something to worry about silly," Tino said.
"What would that be?" Berwald asked shifting a bit in his seat. If Tino was uneasy about something he wanted to help him in any way possible, at least that was his plan.
"I want them to like me," Tino said and he looked down at his lap. "I know it's not always easy to get along with family. And...I don't know why you didn't invite them to the wedding, but I still want them to like me."
Berwald sat back in his seat, his eyes fixated on Tino. Is that what he was worried about? Being liked? He thought the idea was absurd, how could anyone not like Tino. He was a beautiful person inside and out and he opened his mouth to say something, but Tino looked up right at him a shy smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up…"
"It's fine," Berwald said quickly, but Tino looked back outside the window. He sighed out taking off his glasses to clean them quietly.
"Master Berwald," he heard Mathias say from outside the carriage. "Shall I inform the rest of their servants to get the house ready for the guests?"
"Yes. That sounds like a good idea." As much as he hated to admit, if his parents were going to come over and visit he might as well have a half-decent house in order for them to stay in. Or else he would never hear the end of it. "Make sure their rooms are close to the dining room, and that the garden looks especially presentable."
"The garden?" Tino asked.
"My mother likes to spend time in the garden," Berwald replied.
"Oh," Tino smiled a bit as the last few houses past by the carriage. He liked to spend time in the garden too, and since he knew Berwald's mother did it made him feel a little more comfortable.
They arrived back at the mansion just as the last few streaks of light poked it way through the forest. The black forest was just as scary as night and Tino made his way inside where the servants greeted him. He noticed that Mathias wasted no time in gathering the entire household and telling them the news.
Berwald and Tino stood off to the side watching as the meeting continued. "Berwald," Tino said as quietly as he could as not to disturb the meeting, "Why didn't you invite your family to the wedding?"
Berwald didn't look at Tino, he just kept his eyes focused on the staff in front of him. "It's complicated," Berwald replied after a few moments.
"Oh." Mathias clapped his hands loudly startling Tino.
"If everyone understands than we should get done what we can tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day and let's do our best!" The staff agreed with some clapping before they all separated to do their assigned tasks.
"I think I'm going to go to bed," Tino said looking up at Berwald.
"Do you want anything before you go? Some tea maybe?" Berwald asked wondering if maybe he had said something wrong about his family. Tino shook his head and said his goodnight as he walked upstairs to his bedroom. Berwald stared after him seeing the dark colors of his aura and he sighed out.
"He's just grieving." He turned to see Mathias smiling at him. "There is nothing you can really do to help." Berwald looked back at the staircase, Tino now out of sight. He knew Mathias was right, but he wished he wasn't. "More importantly," Mathias began, "We have to figure out who informed your parents."
"I can only think of one person who would even have the resources to figure out where they were." Berwald began to walk to his study, his jaw clenched a bit just thinking about it.
"I don't think Lord Bisok would bother with something this elaborate." Mathias followed him to his study. "Even if he did what motive would he have?"
Berwald opened the door to his study trying not to break the handle as Mathias made the point. He had already burned the moon roses that Tino grew. What else did he want? He walked toward his desk and sighed out as Mathias closed the door behind them. "Maybe he just wants to break the marriage apart."
"For Oleo?"
"Who else?"
"That still doesn't make sense. He gets nothing from Tino marrying Oleo." Mathias watched Berwald pace back and forth in front of his desk. He shifted a bit uncomfortably and sighed out, "Whatever the reason is, I'm sure we'll figure it out.
Berwald could feel his knuckles turning white and he bit the inside of his lip. "I hope so."
Hope you all enjoyed! If you liked it or if you didn't please leave a review! Thanks!