Here is another chapter. So I wrote this one, and then I told myself i would edit it in the morning... That was about a week ago. Oops.
BUT I finally got back to it, so here you go!
Enjoy
The cold air was already setting in and Tino could feel it, even with a light coat on. "Dinner will be served in a moment," he heard someone say, but he didn't look back to see who it was as he gazed outside. The large windows showed a few servants setting up a table underneath the gazebo for them to have dinner. Although for him, it was already too cold to even consider eating outside.
"You're cold?" Lovisa asked Tino jumped not having heard her walk up to him. Her thin blond hair curled slightly as it was only half up. Her icy blue eyes studied Tino intently, her emerald green dress is a great contrast to her eyes.
"Ah, yes, it's already going to be winter here." Tino glanced back outside and his eyes lingered to the area where his roses once were. Now the area was filled with newly planted black bushes.
"My, you certainly have lived in the south all your life haven't you?" Lovisa asked with a small chuckle.
Before Tino could answer the two large French doors that led outside opened. "Dinner is served," a man said and stepped outside as they all shuffled toward the Gazebo.
"Oh, Erik look!" Lovisa excitedly pointed at the dinner table. "It looks just like I remembered," she smiled and Erik nodded without saying a word. Tino glanced back to see Berwald right behind him. Although there was no clear expression on his face, he didn't seem unhappy to having dinner with his family. But, he also didn't look happy.
Berwald took a seat at the head of the table and Tino took the one to his left. He watched as Lovisa took a seat across from him, Erik sitting beside her. Then beside him, Rasmus sat with a sly smile. "My, I'm honored to be sitting by you."
Tino just shifted a bit and dinner was being served. "My, Berwald you've done such a wonderful job in preserving this place." Berwald didn't say a thing as he started to eat as soon as his plate was put down. Lovisa cleared her throat picking up her fork and knife, "I can't begin to tell you how delighted I am that you've already married," Lovisa sighed out reaching and touching Berwald's arm for a brief moment. "Your brother is going to marry an Archduchess, her grandfather is an emperor from one of the Eastern Kingdoms."
Rasmus chuckled, "You make it sound like a big deal."
"Well of course it is!" Lovisa smiled. "With marrying her, so much more trade can open up with the East, just as the King desired." Erik hummed in approval and Tino watched the conversation without saying a word. He didn't understand the point of arranged marriages, even if he did find himself in a sort. "So, Tino, why don't you tell me about your family?" Lovisa asked glancing over at him before she decided to eat her own dinner, but her eyes never left him.
"My family?" Tino repeated looking at her as she bit down on a piece of meat. Berwald glanced over him, he could see the sudden shift in his aura. And, he knew if he saw it his mother would be able to see it as well. He was becoming nervous and Berwald glanced over at his mother as she nodded. "Well, my mother died when I was born. My dad has been raising me the best he can, but for most of his life he's been minor…"
"A minor?" Lovisa asked and Tino nodded looking up at her. Her eyebrows furrowed as she set her silverware down, and now exchanged glances with Erik. "I'm not sure I understand. I was under the impression that you were the son of Bisok, the only Lord in the town."
Tino sat back in his chair and his lips parted before he had to cover his mouth. He felt the overwhelming urge to laugh. Him? The son of that monster. She furrowed her eyebrows more and turned to Berwald who had no concern over the news. Tino managed to stifle his laugh, but he couldn't hold back his smile. "You...you thought I was the son of Lord Bisok?"
"Of course I did," Lovisa said turning toward Berwald, her hands now in fists and her eyes narrowed. "What are you thinking? Does this boy even have any elite blood in him?"
"Not as far as I know," Berwald replied wiping his mouth with his napkin. He looked at his mother who now seemed infuriated.
Tino's smile slowly fell, "I don't understand…"
"Of course you wouldn't," Erik said looking at Berwald disapprovingly.
"You realize how hard it is to be with a man, to begin with?" Lovisa continued as she sat back in her seat and crossed her arms. Her pale cheeks becoming flushed and she just stared at her food. "It's hard enough for a man to get pregnant, but a non-elite?! What were you thinking?"
Berwald sat back in his own seat looking over at his parents, without hesitation, he reached across the table holding Tino's hand. "I chose to marry him. That's all that matters to me."
Tino's lips fell open again, he wanted to say something but so many things were running through his head. Why was there talk about pregnancy? He knew men could conceive, but only if magic was involved. Did the really think he was going to conceive? There was no way, right? He couldn't he possessed no magic. He felt like the words were jumbled in his head, and he didn't pay attention until someone spoke.
"However do you expect to gain an heir?" Erik asked breaking the silence. "If he can't produce one, then you won't have one to succeed you. How will you carry on the family crest?"
"I think that is of less importance to me," Berwald replied.
"You can't really expect this to work between you and a commoner? I mean can he even read and write?" Lovisa scoffed now gazing back at Tino. Tino tensed up, he felt like her eyes, but they weren't burning him. No, he felt colder. He felt like winter itself had settled into his bones. "Honestly, whatever farm you found him on he's probably better left on…"
"That's enough." Berwald's voice boomed throughout the entire courtyard and even Tino jumped at the ferocity of it. Tino looked over at him hesitantly, Berwald's eyes closed for a moment, and he took a deep breath, his shoulder slumping to a more relaxed position. "I will not have you speak badly of my wife in such way," Berwald said barely above a whisper. His eyes looked up to his mother who quickly glanced down at her food. Tino sighed out, not even realizing he had been holding his breath.
Tino glanced at her, then at Berwald who slowly retreated his hand from his as he continued to eat his dinner. Tino quickly took his hand off the table and set it on his lap, he was sure his food was getting cold, but he didn't feel like eating much anymore.
"Ah!" Rasmus said clapping his hands loudly. "Mother remember when we used to spend all our summers here? It was hot, but it was always so beautiful don't you think?" Lovisa glanced over at him with a half-hearted smile and nodded. "Berwald, do you remember all those summers we used to stay out in the sun wrestling? Man, those were some good times." Berwald just grunted not bothering to look up, but Rasmus chuckled, "Say, why don't we have a little wrestling match?"
Berwald looked up from his food this time, Rasmus had a large grin on his face, but he could see right through it. "Come on, you aren't going to back out now are you?" Rasmus asked chuckling as he scooted his chair away from the table and his body motioned for the open space before them. Clearly, Rasmus was upset, and Berwald sighed out ready to decline before his father spoke.
"Perhaps you should," Erik spoke from across the table as he took a sip of wine from his glass. "Who knows how rusty you've gotten? Staying out here in the countryside is fine, but without the use of your powers you might have grown weak."
Berwald didn't have any room to wiggle out of this now. "Fine." Tino watched him, he wanted to protest of course. Especially since this wasn't exactly the best time to wrestle. They were in the middle of dinner after all, or maybe since the atmosphere seemed to have disappeared. He watched Berwald get up and begin to undress, Tino's eyes widened for a moment and he looked away only to realize Rasmus was doing the same thing. He looked down at his lap instead and he could hear Rasmus chuckle.
"Your wife is too modest," Rasmus chuckled. Berwald glanced over at him then at Tino but didn't make a comment as he walked away from the table and into the open grassy area just outside of the gazebo.
"Move our chairs over there," Lovisa said pointing to a servant and got up from her seat as a few of the servants moved their chairs to sit just outside of the gazebo. Tino reluctantly moved as well, although he offered to move his own chair he got desperate looks from the servants. He didn't understand, but his seat was placed right next to Lovisa and he took a seat. He couldn't help but feel nervous, and when he glanced at Lovisa she had a small smile spread across her lips. He looked away from her, and at the brothers who were circling one another.
"When was the last time you wrestled someone?" Rasmus asked with a taunting laugh. "You seem to be out of practice by the way you cross your feet." Berwald didn't respond, although it clearly annoyed Rasmus and he took a step forward gripping Berwald's neck.
Berwald quickly gripped Rasmus' inner forearm breaking the grip as he took a step back. He was mildly alarmed at how much stronger his brother had gotten since the last time they've come into contact.
Rasmus could see the shock in his aura and he snickered. "You aren't that shocked, are you? Honestly, this is hardly a fair fight it seems." He stepped forward once more this time gripping underneath Berwald's forearm and to pull him down and grab his head in a headlock.
Tino tensed a bit, it didn't look comfortable position to be in, to say the least. He also couldn't help having the bad feeling begin to settle in his stomach.
Berwald managed to get out of his grip, his face already slightly red and he could hear himself breathe a little heavier. Tino leaned forward in his seat a bit, his stomach felt like it was turning and his head began to pulse with a dull ache.
"Come now Berwald, you're already breathing like that?" Rasmus chuckled as Berwald this time lurched forward. This time able to go under and pick up Rasmus by both legs and slamming him down onto the black grass. He could hear Rasmus gasp for breath underneath him, but if he felt the slightest sympathy for his brother, he knew he would regret it.
Berwald kept his body over his brothers as he tried to get him to submit into a pin. However, when their eyes met he could see they were no longer the usual gray that he saw them be. They were a dark purple and Rasmus smiled a bit pushing him off.
Berwald quickly moved away from him as Rasmus tried to grip at him again. "I would say that's hardly fair," Berwald muttered as he stood up.
"Since when did we ever wrestle fair?" Rasmus chuckled. Rasmus moved forward once more this time locking their arms together as Berwald tried to break loose. "How dare you speak to mother that way," he heard Rasmus whisper in his ear. At the same time, the color of his aura was consumed by a dark purple aura. "And of all things...you married a peasant."
Berwald growled lowly, "Don't test me, Rasmus."
He heard Rasmus chuckle in his ear, "So he's just your bed warmer then?"
Berwald heard enough, and he lowered his body enough to get to Rasmus' legs once more. He slammed Rasmus down and he could feel his own body become consumed by the same purple-black aura.
Tino watched the whole thing through hazy eyes, he felt himself tipping a bit but did his best to stay upright. His stomach was hurting more by the second and he gripped it with a small whimper escaping his lips.
Lovisa glanced over to see Tino swaying. "Tino? Are you alright?" she asked turning toward him hearing her son's snarling in the background. She put a hand on his shoulder her eyebrows furrowing, "Tino?"
He slowly turned to her, he swore there were two...no three of her. Her icy eyes didn't seem angry however, they seemed just as gentle as when he first laid eyes on her. When did that happen? He nodded quietly, and then everything went black.
Lovisa gasped trying to grip Tino's sleeve and arm as he fell forward from the chair. "Somebody do something!" Lovisa shouted as she stood up in her chair, followed by Erik.
Berwald squinted a bit to see more clearly, but there was no mistaking the short blonde hair that laid against the black grass. He quickly untangled himself from his brother going over. "What happened?" he asked pushing aside a few of the servants that had already encircled him.
"He just passed out," Lovisa replied looking up at Berwald. She looked at Erik, the two of them exchanging glances.
Berwald kneeled down beside Tino, his face was flushed and he had droplets of sweat along his forehead. He gently scooped him up in his arms as gingerly as possible. He could hear Tino softly whimper. "Get some medicine," Berwald muttered toward one of the servants who nodded and went inside of ahead of him. Without another word Berwald briskly walked inside carrying Tino to his room.
The three of them watched, then exchanged glances.
When Tino became conscious, the first thing he felt was the soft bedding underneath him, but it didn't smell like his bed. His eyes slowly opened and everything was fuzzy at first before they began to focus. He could see a dim light coming from a candle beside the bed. He looked around before he realized Berwald was sitting beside the bed. A book opened on his lap as he seemed to be absorbed in it.
Tino wanted to say something, but his throat felt dry. "Hnn…" he managed to make the small noise that was enough to catch Berwald's attention.
Berwald closed the book quickly and sets it on the nightstand. He leans forward moving the few hairs from Tino's face. His fingers lingered a bit tracing them down Tino's cheek. Tino stared at him for a few moments before he opened his mouth once more, but his throat felt dry and his hand gently went up to his throat as he tried to clear it. Berwald then glanced back and grabbed the glass of water on the table and handed it to Tino. Tino took a few sips before handing it back and he cleared his throat a few more times, "What….happened?" he whispered. He winced at the sound of his voice, he sounded like he was dying.
"You...you passed out," Berwald replied. He didn't what else to tell him since he had been wrestling Rasmus up until that moment. "How do you feel? What happened?"
"I'm...not sure," Tino whispered and shifted in bed trying to sit up.
"Please, rest," Berwald placing his hand on his shoulder and Tino glanced over at him. Berwald retracted his hand quickly, "Please, you need rest." Tino slowly sunk back down into the sheets and stared at the large ceiling above. This clearly was Berwald's room, and he had never been in it until now. Space wise, it wasn't much different, but the decor was drastically different. "Can you tell me what happened?" Berwald asked breaking his train of observation.
Tino looked over at him and then furrowed his eyebrows trying to remember. "I just...became dizzy. I wasn't sure how it happened, but when you two began to wrestle…" He sounded crazy. He must be crazy. He chuckled to himself but stared up at the ceiling once more, "It was like...this energy. It was overwhelming."
"Energy?" Berwald repeated and Tino nodded glancing over at him.
"You must think I'm crazy."
"No," Berwald shook his head. "Do you mind...if I ask about your mother?"
"My mother?" Tino didn't understand how this would help, but he cleared his throat once more. "She died...giving birth to me. I don't know much about her other than a notebook she wrote me."
"She wrote you a notebook?"
"Yeah," Tino smiled softly thinking about the contents of the pages. "It's a book about certain lessons in life.
"So your mother knew how to read and write?"
"Yeah, she taught my dad who taught me." Berwald glanced away remembering his mother's comments earlier. "She was apparently of a higher class or something," he muttered but his head began to hurt again. He closed his eyes and sighed out placing his hand on his forehead. "My dad doesn't talk about her much, or where she was from. I just know when she decided to marry my father, she was shunned from her family." Berwald nods quietly and Tino opened an eye to glance over at him. "Why did you bring her up?"
"I just have a thought," he muttered. Before Tino could ask what it was there was a knock on the door. He winced at the sound but watched as Berwald got up to go and answer it. He watched Berwald only open it slightly, but the same painful feeling in his stomach came back. He turned over on his side away from the light curling up slightly.
He could only hear soft murmurs coming from the door unable to distinguish the voices and what they were saying. He whined a little more having more pain go through his body until he eventually forced himself to go back to sleep.
Berwald closed the door quietly and sighed out, he walked back over to the bed. "Tino…" but he had already fallen asleep. He sighed out and took a seat beside the bed once more picking up the book.
The notebook was old, and he ran his fingers over it. He had found it left on one of the chairs in the library, he figured it belonged to Tino since he saw it with him often. It clearly had been read over and over again with some pages folded at the edges to keep the place. He looked over at Tino opening the book and looking down at it. He silently apologized to Tino, but he needed to understand.
I apologize that it's so short, but I didn't want to add more on. If you like it or if you didn't, please leave a review! Thank you!