It's been far too long hasn't it? I'm most of you thought I've given up on this piece, but I assure you I haven't. I simply haven't had the time is all. Now I do, but I'm not sure for how long. Until then, I will update as much as possible.

Enjoy.

The silence is suffocating and Tino sighed out looking down at his morning breakfast. The clanking of Berwald's fork hits his ears and he glances overseeing Berwald immersed in another letter he received yesterday. "So," he began and saw Berwald slightly turn his head toward him but kept his eyes on the paper, "What are they like?"

"Who?"

"Your family." Tino watched as Berwald blinked a few times and sighed out setting the letter aside.

"They're family," he replied as he filled his mouth with another bite of eggs.

Tino frowned slightly sitting back in his chair and biting his inner lip. Since yesterday he could see that Berwald irritation grew knowing his family was coming. He wanted to know why. Were they bad people? Or just annoying? "Are...you happy they're coming?"

"I'm being polite and letting them stay here."

Tino leaned on his hand that rested on the table and poked at his eggs. "You don't seem to like them." His eyes wandered up to gaze at Berwald again, and he jumped slightly to see that Berwald was staring right back at him. He immediately sat up in his seat.

Berwald glanced away, "We're not very close is all." He wiped his face with his napkin before setting it over his unfinished meal. He stood up picking up the letter, "If you need me I'll be in my study."

"Okay," Tino said watching him walk off and then looked down at his lap. He hadn't meant to get Berwald upset, and he pushed himself away from the table deciding to go and see the garden.

He could see through the large french doors that Mathias was standing outside with a few other servants who were trimming and cleaning up the garden. He made his way outside walking up right beside Mathias who was overlooking what he assumed was a plan. "You're remodeling the garden?"

"Yes. Berwald has requested we clean it up for his mother." Mathias flipped the paper over and held it up looking out toward the garden with it.

"That's...awfully nice of him." Tino smiled clasping his hands behind his back. Maybe he didn't dislike them as much as he acted.

"Well if it doesn't look like the way it used to be, he would never hear the end of it from his mother."

"Oh," Tino pressed his lips in a firm line. He didn't understand the concept of not liking one's family. He had always been close to his, although it wasn't unheard of to hear families fighting about small things around the town.

"By the way, about your um...roses," Mathias said glancing over to the small bunch of roses dying near the gate. "Do you mind if we remove them?"

"Ah, no. I don't think they'll make it through the winter anyhow." Tino replied and then looked over as Mathias nodded his head and he watched one of the gardeners rip the roses from the ground. He winced a bit and glanced away from it looking over the rest of the garden. They trimmed the hedges of black bushes that decorated the large fence, along with what looked like a gazebo being refurbished "The plant my aunt gave me is growing well inside, I think once winter passes I will replant it."

Mathias nods before rolling up the piece of paper. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

"Yes," Tino turned to him and cleared his throat. "So...how is his family?"

Mathias didn't look at him and visibly stiffened a bit at the question. "His family? What do you mean?" Mathias asked as he quickly unrolled the piece of paper once more.

"I tried asking Berwald earlier," Tino confessed with a guilty smile. "I just wanted to know...he seems so upset that they're coming to visit. I… I don't want to judge them is all."

Mathias scoffed but quickly cleared his throat glancing over at Tino. "The Master wishes for you not to worry. They will only be staying for a few days and nothing more."

"Yes, but…" Tino continued and sighed out. "Surely they're good people. I mean Berwald is a good person so surely the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"I'm sure it just depends on how big the hill is," Mathias replies.

Tino furrowed his eyebrows but decided it didn't mean much. "Then, what do they do? Do they own a business?"

Mathias chuckled uncomfortably, "I'm sure the matter would bore you…"

"Mathias please," Tino said gripping Mathias sleeve. "I'm married to him, shouldn't I at least know something about him? I feel like I know nothing."

Mathias stared at him for a few moments before sighing out and turning the paper once more. He pretended to be occupied by it, 'They specialize in shipping. They own many ships and even some ports along both the western and eastern coast. Although they own all the ports in the north."

"Ah, so they just ship goods?" Tino asked smiling softly. That wasn't so bad, he didn't know why Mathias was so hesitant about it. He removed his hand and nodded thanking Mathias for seeing as he was clearly uncomfortable talking about it.

Mathias nodded, "If you'll excuse me," he whispered and then walked off toward the gardeners.

Tino watched him and his smile slowly faded, he still felt nervous about meeting his family and he sighed out softly. He made his way inside where little Hana barked and wagged her tail. He picked her up petting her softly while she licked his face, "I'm fine. Don't worry. Just a little nervous is all."

He looked out into the garden and bit his lip before making his way toward the library.

"He's leaving?" Tino asked quickly looking across the table and seeing Mathias standing there, although no emotion was visible on his face.

"Only for a few days," Berwald said wiping his mouth with his napkin.

"But what about your family?" Tino asked and sat back in his chair. He felt his appetite go away now that he knew Mathias was leaving. He hoped to rely on Mathias for some support while Berwald's family was there since Berwald would be too busy entertaining them.

"Pressing business matters," Berwald said as if he had rehearsed the line a thousand times. "There is nothing that I can do since I'll be busy here."

"Right," Tino whispered looking down at his lap and at the white napkin that covered it.

Berwald glanced over at him and then glanced at Mathias questioningly. Why was Tino so bothered by this? Mathias shrugged slightly but nodded his head toward him as to press Tino about the issue. Berwald cleared his throat and shifted in his seat a bit, "Does...does that make you unhappy?"

"No, I understand," Tino said not looking up but picking up his fork and digging into the fried potatoes.

Berwald looked down at his plate and moved around some of the food as if looking for an answer. "Did you want him to stay?"

Tino looked over at him, with his lips slightly forming a smile. "To be honest, I'm just a bit nervous."

"Nervous?"

"Yes, to meet your family. I mean...what if they don't like me?" Tino's smile faded and he looked down at his plate. His stomach felt like it was turning and he could feel his lips tremble.

"It doesn't matter what they think," Berwald was quick to reply. "They are only here for a few days and I'm sure we won't see them for a while afterward."

Tino wanted to ask why. Why did he seem so irritated that they were coming to visit? Why did he want them gone as quickly as possible? And why did this business suddenly have to come up now? He decided against asking any of those questions and inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling. "Of course, I just...I know you're going to be busy entertaining your family. I just hoped that maybe...maybe if I got too nervous or something I could turn to Mathias for help."

"I didn't realize you were so nervous." Berwald looked at Tino who was trying to blink away tears. He wanted to comfort Tino in some way, but he was just as nervous to make any sort of move. "If you feel too uncomfortable in any situation then please just tell me."

Tino nodded quickly and wiped at his eyes and pretended to yawn. "Of course," he whispered and set his napkin aside neatly folded up. "I...I think I'll be retiring early." He got up from the table and said goodnight before heading out of the dining room.

Once the dining room door closed Mathias walked over to clear his place. "Well, that could have gone better."

Berwald sighed out putting his face in his hands and dragging them down in frustration. "I don't know what to do Mathias."

"Well, if I may suggest, simply try to make him as comfortable as possible."

"With them, it will nearly be impossible," Berwald clasped his hands together and leaned his forehead against them. "I know them too well."

"Just try to make the best of it. Remember they'll only be here for a few days, and I'll return as soon as they're gone." Mathias reached across to clear his plate as well. "The days will pass quickly. Now, if you excuse me I have to go and pack."

Berwald sighed out but nodded sitting back in his chair.

Tino stands outside beside Berwald and a few servants just as he can see two large carriages pulling up. Led by completely black stallions he wondered just how rich was his family, but the thought quickly went away when the carriages stopped right in front of them. He watched the coachman of the first carriage get off and open the door extending his hand as a woman stepped out.

The woman held an umbrella and tilted it back to show herself to them. Her eyes were icy blue with her hair thick and straight as could be falling along her shoulders. "Oh Berwald!" she said nearly yelling and quickly rushed forward to hug him.

"Mother," Berwald said and hugged her back. Compared to Berwald she looked fragile and looked like if Berwald hugged her too tightly she would be snapped in two.

"How I've missed you!" she said and handed her umbrella to a servant before taking Berwald face in her hands and kissing both his cheeks.

"Dear, that's quite enough," Tino heard and looked over as two other men had stepped out of the carriage. The man who spoke was blonde with streaks of gray in his hair combed to the side, but the tips of his hair seem to curl. He had large broad shoulders with gray eyes that glanced at Tino dismissively.

"Your father is in one of his moods again," the woman spoke catching Tino's attention.

Berwald cleared his throat, ignoring her last comment, and reached for Tino's hand. "This is my wife, Tino."

Tino blinked a few times and smiled timidly at the straightforward introduction. "Hello," he said with a slight nod toward Berwald's mother.

"Why hello there!" she smiled going over and suddenly pulling Tino into a hug. She pulled away looking over Tino and moving some hair from his face. "Why, I do say my son surely has his taste." She chuckled looking over at Berwald who glanced away. "I'm Dutchess Lovisa Oxenstierna, Berwald's mother."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Tino said with a soft smile.

"The pleasure is mine," she said and clasped her hands together quickly turning toward the others. Tino noticed her hair move from her shoulder and he saw a large mark on her neck. It looked like three large gashes with a burnt skin around it and he looked away quickly so he didn't offend her by staring.

"I'm Duke Erik Oxenstierna of Skönhetsland," he extended his hand toward Tino who shook it firmly.

Although Tino didn't know much about the ranking in nobility, he knew enough and was slightly confused at the moment. "If you don't mind me asking, how is that you and your son are Dukes? I thought the title was passed down?"

Lovisa glanced at him and then at Berwald before chuckling softly. "My dear, both Rasmus and Berwald have been deemed Dukedom for life by the King himself."

"A very proud title we both hold dearly," the other man said that caused Tino to look over at him as he now stood in front of Berwald. He extended his arm wrapping it around Berwald's shoulder and pulling him close. Berwald visibly tensed at the action before trying to pull away even though the other kept a firm grip. Tino realized they were both the same height and nearly looked identical if it weren't for Rasmus' shoulder length curly hair and his gray eyes just like his father. "The king himself proclaimed us Dukes for life at the mere age of fifteen!"

Surely, you've told your wife the tales," Erik said looking over at his eldest son who said nothing but untangled himself from his brother. He turned to Tino, "They were granted Dukedom because of their help during the Great Northern War, although I don't suppose here in the south you care much about it."

"I suppose not," Tino whispered and looked over at Berwald who wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I'm sure you're exhausted from your trip," Berwald began, "The servants will show you to your rooms."

"Lovely!" Lovisa hummed as she wrapped her arm around Erik's and they followed the servants inside. "How I did miss this summer home," she could be heard saying as she walked inside.

"Forgive me," Tino heard and looked over to see Rasmus standing far too close for comfort. "I'm Berwald's younger brother, Rasmus, it's a pleasure to meet such a beauty as yourself." He took Tino's hand and kissed it gently with a flashing smirk then walked past him inside.

Tino stood there a few moments staring at his hand then glancing back at Berwald. "Are you alright?" Berwald asked him once he was sure everyone was inside.

"Of course," Tino replied with a small smile. "They aren't nearly as intimidating as I thought." Berwald only made a noise and stepped a bit closer to Tino taking his hand and examining it. He didn't understand why and glanced up at Berwald who seemed genuinely concerned. Or...perhaps jealous?

"My brother can be unpleasant at times, I'll make sure he won't do it again." He let go of Tino's hand and pushed his glasses to his face before clearing his throat. "Shall we go inside?"

"Oh, y-yes," Tino said as Berwald offered his arm and he took it. He felt his face flushed a bit feeling his stomach knot up. Berwald, jealous over a little kiss on the hand? It was cute.

Although, now he had many questions. What was the mark on Lovisa's neck? What was the Great North War? He doesn't ever remember hearing about such a thing as a child. He also wondered what kind of thing Berwald must have done to help with the war effort. Surely if his father is Duke of Skönhetsland, which is located in the north, it must have been a war close to home. He didn't know when the proper time would be to ask such questions, so he decided to keep quiet until the opportunity arose. "I'm sure we won't be seeing them until dinner," Berwald said as he stopped in front of the grand staircase. "Care to join me in the library?"

Tino's questions quickly left his mind as he agreed happily and followed Berwald to the library. He didn't expect the offer and smiled to himself, perhaps Berwald was beginning to feel a little more comfortable around him.

Although this is a Beauty and the Beast AU, you can tell I have veered far off course from the original tale. Which to me, I feel is much better than sticking to the same old story and retelling it as is. Anywho, I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you really liked it leave a review, and if you didn't tell me why. Thanks and hope you have a goodnight.