Hello babes, here is another chapter. This one is really kind of long not really, but I really do hope you all enjoy.

"I'll be back," Lukas called out as he picked up the basket by the door. He glanced back toward the kitchen where Elo and Emil sat finishing up their breakfast. "Make sure he gets to school on time," he adds.

"Yes sir," Elo said waving at his eldest son with a bit of porridge dripping from the side of his mouth.

Lukas sighed out, but walked out feeling the soft smile on his lips. He walked down the steps and onto the dirt road. It was early morning, but already the town was bustling and the smell of breads from the bakery was a welcoming wake up call.

He headed down the dirt path toward his uncle's house. It had been a while since they seen him, and he was sure without Tino there he probably wasn't eating the best food. His uncle couldn't cook to save his life, it was no wonder why Tino learned to cook and became to good at it. Lukas chuckled to himself, he remembered first learning to cook with his mom. He also remembered nearly burning down the house a few times in the process.

His nose began to sting as his feet stopped in the middle of the dirt road, and he inhaled deeply closing his eyes. He could hear roosters making their morning calls. The wind soft and nipping his cheeks. He pressed his face into the knitted scarf some and exhaled. He missed his mom, there hadn't been a day where he hasn't thought about her. He opened his eyes trying to blink away the tears with his breathing becoming shaky for only a second. "Get yourself together," he whispered loudly before continuing on his walk and rubbing his eyes..

After a few minutes he could see the small slanted cottage come into view. The vines that were once decorated the fence were gone, most burned to a crisp in the fire, and whatever was left died only a few days later. There was no longer a white fence now, it was burnt black and in some places was completely burnt to a crisp or missing. He tried to ignore it as he walked up to the door and knocked a few times. "Uncle Taisto!"

He took a step back waiting patiently in the cold, and looked around at the dying grass around the house. The house never did feel the same since Tino left and as he looked away ready to knock again he heard something fall inside. "Uncle?" he called out knocking a few more times. "It's me, Lukas."

"Come in! Come in!" he heard his uncle say on the other side of the door. He opened the door a bit cautiously, but immediately felt the warmth of the fire and he removed his scarf closing the door behind him. "Just who I was expecting!" Taisto said fumbling on setting a bowl down.

"Expecting?" Lukas asked raising an eyebrow. This wasn't a planned trip that was for sure, he had just decided to come by last night. He barely even just told his father he was coming as he was leaving the house.

"Yep!" Taisto said and turned away from him fumbling with something on the stove. "Why don't you sit down and have some breakfast with me?"

Lukas walked over toward the kitchen setting the basket down and peered down into the bowl. He had to admit it smelled amazing in the home, "Is Tino here?" he asked glancing around for any sign of his cousin.

"Huh? No, of course not." Taisto chuckled looking at the basket and quickly changing the subject. "What's in there?" he asked as he lifted the cloth up and could see the fresh bread inside.

"Bread…" Lukas muttered eyeing his uncle carefully then picked up the bowl. He smelled it, and it smelled sweet, not burnt. Even had with a few berries atop for garnish. "Who made this?" he asked.

"I did!" Taisto gleamed and covered the bread back up taking it over by the stove to stay warm. "Lucky for me I don't have to go to the market, I really wanted to go and get some bread too."

"Uncle."

"I have to tell you I've had a lot of practice since Tino's been gone. Really incredible what you learn in order to take care of yourself."

"Uncle."

"I think my porridge is now at least passible. It doesn't smell like I scraped it out of some burnt pot or anything now. I think Tino would be proud…"

"Uncle who else is here?"

Taisto paused holding the loaf of bread in his hand and then glanced up at Lukas before looking down at the bread. His large hands softly pressing into it, the crust of the bread cracking beneath the pressure. "You were always super observant…" he muttered as his hands fell to his side and he set the loaf back onto the counter.

Lukas stared at him not saying a word but he heard a soft creak behind him. He looked back to see Mathias. He furrowed his eyebrows, "What are you doing here? You told me you were leaving town?" Mathias smiled a bit at him and looked down at the floor, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.. "What the hell is going on here?" Lukas asked looking back at his uncle.

Both Mathias and Taisto exchanged glanced, "It's a long story," Taisto muttered.

Lukas stood there for a few moments before turning to Mathias, "Are you seeing my uncle?"

"What?" Mathias and Taisto said at the same time clearly blindsided by the question.

"Are. You. Seeing my uncle?" He repeated the question his jaw clenching as his confusion slowly turned to anger.

"No! No! This is not that kind of story!" Mathias stepped forward as Lukas glared at him, he quickly stepped right back. "I swear, this isn't that kind of thing."

"Yeah, no," Taisto added laughing a bit in relief.

Lukas pulled out the chair from the table and sat down crossing his arms. "I have time," he muttered. Mathias looks at him then back at Taisto who shrugged with raised eyebrows. "It means you better explain to me why you're standing in my uncle's kitchen half naked when you told me you were going away for business."

Mathias glanced down at himself realizing that indeed, he was not wearing a shirt. Mathias pressed his lips in a firm line before looking at Lukas and pulling out the chair beside him. "Okay," he said fidgeting with his fingers. "You...well...it's complicated," he said slowly and kept staring between Lukas and the floor. "But, please, don't hate me."

"I can't promise." Lukas muttered looking at Mathias' face, he looked afraid but Lukas cleared his throat trying to ignore it. "Explain."

The clinking of silverware filled the large dining room as no one spoke a word. Tino glanced over at Berwald who hadn't spoken a word other to him when he said good morning. "Today is such a lovely day, much warmer than yesterday," Lovisa said not glancing up from her plate. No body agreed or disagreed with her, and she cleared her throat once more. "Tino, you're from the town close by aren't you?"

"Ah, yes," Tino whispered and looked up from his plate that he hardly touched. He wasn't very hungry when he awoke, but he knew better than to not eat.

"Oh perfect!" Lovisa said with a large smile. "Why don't we go into town today? You and I?"

"Oh...um yes. Yes, that sounds nice…" Tino forced a smile. He didn't want to be rude and tell her no, but he also didn't know how to feel about spending time with her alone.

"I don't think he's feeling well from yesterday," Berwald spoke up. "He really isn't in any condition to be leaving the house."

"Well it's either that, or the two of us will be here alone while you, your father, and your brother go out hunting." Lovisa sighed out and her smile dropped a little.

"Hunting?" Berwald repeated.

"Oh? Your father didn't tell you?" Lovisa asked glancing over at Erik who didn't bother looking up.

"I thought it would be obvious, it's what we've always done," Erik said and then looked over at Berwald. "Don't tell me you rather not?"

Berwald didn't answer as Rasmus piped up, "Come on Berwald, it'll be just like old times! How long has it been since you hunted, huh?"

"I much rather stay here and look after Tino," Berwald said sitting back in his chair and his fingers tapping on the table. He looked between his three family members, not sure what they were up too. It had to be something, although his family was notorious to act as if nothing has happened.

"Don't be silly," Lovisa said and looked toward Tino. "I have this lovely recipe for a tea to cheer you right up! You'll be good as new!"

Berwald opened his mouth to object, but Tino quickly spoke. "Th-thank you… I really do appreciate the offer." He looked over at Berwald who was staring at him his fingers paused along the edge of the blackwood table. "I...um, well you should go." Tino said. "I feel better, really I do. You don't have to worry, besides if it's something you do often with your family don't let me stop you."

"Excellent!" Lovisa said clasping her hands together quickly. "I'll go make the tea this very second," Lovisa said getting up from the table and heading toward the kitchen.

Berwald jumped slightly at the sound, as he was so focused on Tino's words. He could see his aura, it was still a soft grey from him feeling a little sickly. But his words were genuine, and the soft colors of his aura never dimmed as he spoke.

Erik nodded his head, "Right then, I'll see you boys in a bit." He excused himself as well and stood up taking a pipe out from his pocket as he headed outside into the garden. He was followed by Rasmus who took a pipe out of his own, a nasty habit that Berwald was never to fond of.

"You...really don't have to worry about me," Tino spoke after a few moments of silence between them. He looked over at Berwald who was glancing at him from above his glasses. The usual menacing stare seemed to be smoothed over with concern. "I'll be fine, I promise."

"It's not you I'm more or less worried about now," Berwald replied taking a deep breath. "After last night…"

"Please," Tino said quickly. "Words were said last night… I'm sure your mother was just thinking and looking out for you. It's what mothers do, right?"

Berwald was silent staring at Tino and then pushed his glasses up looking away from him. He could see the soft blue well up in the corner of Tino's aura,it only made him feel guilty. "If anything happens, please tell me as soon as you return."

"Of course," Tino said and cleared his throat. "I'm...gonna go and get ready." He excused himself from the table as well and quickly retreated to his room without another word. Berwald watched him leave the room and he sighed out wondering how things were ever going to work out between them.

He wondered if Tino ever felt trapped here, as it was he hardly seemed to be go out of the castle to go and see his family. Ever since his aunt died he noticed Tino had been staying more and more inside the castle, but he wondered if he himself had anything to do with it.

"Berwald," he heard and he glanced up to see Rasmus looking at him. "I came to apologize, for yesterday." Berwald raised an eyebrow seeing a servant begin to clear the table. "It was wrong of me to become so aggressive and challenge you in your home." There was silence between them and Rasmus was looking down at the large black wood table before clearing his throat. "I also...um apologize for mocking your wife."

Berwald stood up fixing the cuffs of his shirt, "Don't do it again," he muttered and then walked out of the dining room without another word.

"Tino you look…" Lovisa's eyebrows were raised and she smiled slightly. "Common…" she finished.

"Ah, well…" Tino chuckled and rubbed his arm looking away from her. "This is um...all I have."

"What?" Lovisa eyes widened and she put her hand over her chest looking exasperated. . "Berwald hasn't bought you a single outfit?"

"I-It's not like that!" Tino said quickly raising his hands in defense. He certainly didn't want to give her the wrong impression about her son. "He's just been so busy, and I don't really wear such clothes…"

"Still," she sighed out and sighed out after closing her eyes for a moment. "You seem to be Eriks size, perhaps a bit smaller. No matter!" she said and took his arm, "Come along. You're of a higher class my love, you should dress like it."

Tino wanted to protest of course, what did it even mean? Dressing like a higher class? To dress like Bisok and Oleo? His nose scrunched up in distaste, why would he want to dress like them? But, before he knew it he was standing in front of a mirror wearing clothes that were being hemmed slightly by a young woman who he knew as Elizabeta. "Are you sure the Duke won't mind?" he asked quickly looking over at Lovisa.

"Of course not, these were just some extra clothes I made sure he brought. Just in case," she hummed as she fanned herself and looked him up and down. "My, I do have to say you look marvelous in these clothes."

Tino winced a bit when he felt a prick on the side of his leg, "I'm sorry," the woman said quickly looking up at Tino.

"It's fine," Tino said with a smile. "You're doing a really good job by the way," he added.

"I do have to say she is," Lovisa hummed leaning down and watching Elizabeta closely. "Where did you learn such skills?"

"Thank you Duchess, but my mother taught me." Elizabeta replied before finishing the final touch and snipping off the string.

"Your mother certainly has skill, I would have thought you were an apprentice of some sort in the capital," Lovisa stood back up and stepped back looking at Tino once over again. "Now, you look like you're married to a Duke."

As they headed downstairs Tino listened to Lovisa chatter on about the city she lived in and how it was bustling with life, there seemed to be no time to rest, "Sounds stressful," Tino commented.

"It can be," Lovisa sighed out. "Which is why I enjoy coming to the countryside. Everything is so peaceful and there is hardly a thing to worry about here." Tino only nodded agreeing with her, even if it was far from the truth.

"Oh, are you all already going out as well?" Lovisa asked as Tino glanced up to see the three men standing at the doorway.

"Yes," Erik replied looking over Tino who looked down. He wasn't sure how he was going to explain why he was wearing the Duke's clothing, nor he care to even utter a word toward him.

"Well, please do be careful and don't do anything to rash. Remember, this is still the black forest," Lovisa hummed although she noticed Berwald eyeing Tino. "Do you like it? It was just some extra clothes your father brought, I thought since your wife here is married to a Duke, he might as well dress like it."

Berwald glanced at Lovisa and then glanced over at Tino who forced a smile toward his father. "I...um hope you don't mind," Tino said.

"Not at all," Erik replied waving his hand. "Well, we'll be heading out now. We'll be back in time for lunch."

"Of course, have fun. Come on Tino, the carriage is waiting for us." She walked past the three of them and TIno quickly followed after her not making eye contact with any of the three men that towered over him. They quickly hopped inside one of the luxurious carriages that they had brought while coming over. Lovisa waved out at the three of them, as did Tino as the carriage that then pulled away from the mansion. Lovisa kept waving at them until they were outside of the gates. "Oh gosh, this is so exciting!" Lovisa said clasping her hands together.

Tino smiled looking out into the black forest, he often saw shadows to say the least but he was sure they were either his imagination or actual creatures whom lived there. He turned to look at Lovisa who was smiling watching the forest pass as well, but her hair had fallen back and now revealed the mark on her neck. It didn't look infected, but he was sure it must be painful for her. "You want to know, don't you?" Lovisa spoke gently and she looked over meeting his eyes. "About the mark?"

"I...I didn't mean to stare," Tino said quickly.

"It's fine, I'm used to it now." Her smile was genuine and soft as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Well, to begin, with it's the family crest."

"The what?'

"The family crest," Lovisa repeated. "It's um, well it's like our symbol of power." Tino furrowed his eyebrows. "I wasn't born into the family, so I had to be marked. Erik did this to me." Tino gasped a little louder than he liked too and Lovisa quickly raised her hands, "No, I promise you he didn't do it to hurt me." Lovisa was now the one to look confused and she set her hands down on her lap, "Hasn't…Berwald done the same to you?"

"No," Tino said softly and touched his neck. "I don't understand why…"

"Well i suppose you wouldn't unless you know the family story," she sighed out and moved her hair to cover her neck. "Well, to begin with those who are born with at least one parent part of our family will naturally bear the crest. At least, they should." Her voice hushed a bit before she cleared her throat. "Only the elite know of us. Our names have been around for nearly two centuries. We are one of two families that work for the King of this land, and many other Kings."

"The King?" Tino repeated and felt a tightening feeling in his stomach.

"Yes, we're the ones really pulling the strings behind the scene. The Kings are just our - they're puppets." She forced a smile looking down at her dress trying to smooth out the little wrinkles. "What I'm saying...is that we hold more power than any monarch in this world. With Rasmus marrying the archduchess of the Emperor of the East, then we will be able to control the entire Eastern trade."

"That's why he's marrying her?"

"Not the only reason," Lovisa said quickly. "My Rasmus is not a heartless killer his father tried to make him. He's been putting off this marriage for years trying to win her heart over, and he finally has." She smiled proudly but it quickly faded. "There's a story they tell us when we enter the family, and I suppose it's up to me to tell you." Tino shifted uncomfortably in his seat not sure he wanted to hear it. "Two centuries ago one of their great ancestors was cursed by a witch. He was cursed to look like a beast, and if he did not learn to love then he will forever be cursed to remain a beast.

He surprisingly went to go consult another more powerful witch. A Dark Witch. For the witch that had cursed him was a Witch that casted White magic. He did not see his form as a curse, he saw it as a blessing in disguise. He knew that if had a witch to help him, in his cursed form he could truly become something. The Witch agreed to help him, of course, and made it so that he could be able to shift forms freely. It left a mark on him. It wasn't an easy task, and at the time the man was just a commoner, nothing more than a simple farmer. The Witch did expect payment, but she also had fallen in love with him. As payment he was to marry her.

He agreed, but not long after they got married the King at the time condemned anyone who was not of elite status to no longer use magic. Many gave it up willingly, but she did not. She was hunted, and killed like an animal." Tino winced a bit just thinking about it and forced himself to look outside the window. "She did leave him a child, a single son. He vowed to get vengeance, so he did everything he could to conceal his son from the world. He taught his son to read and write, but as he got older he soon realized what had happened. His son possessed dark magic, along with the mark of the beast."

Lovisa had fallen silent and Tino looked over at her, "What happened...to his son?"

"His son faked being someone he wasn't. Got the daughter of the current King at the time to fall in love with him. He got her pregnant and marked her. Of course the King was so outraged, but he couldn't kill his only daughter. A weakness both the son and his father knew. So the King hid her away, faking her death. That is the beginning of this family."

Tino is speechless, but before he could say anything bright sunlight streamed into the carriage. He looked out the window to see that they were no longer in the black forest and he felt like he couldn't breathe. With as warm as the sun was he felt shivers go up and down his arms.

"It's certainly a lovely view," Lovisa hummed looking outside. There was silence between the two of them and she took a deep breath before exhaling. "The mark doesn't hurt, if that's what you're wondering."

Tino was not wondering that at all, but it was good to know. "Then what is it for?" he asked.

"It's to make sure the child comes out bearing the mark," she turned to Tino. Her eyes glossed over and her pale skin looking ghostly white in the light. The very look of her was something he could only imagine in a painting. She was a sad angel. "I love Erik, with all my heart," she whispered. "My children are not bad people, no matter what they've done." She looked away quickly and Tino did as well to give her little privacy he could.

Tino was speechless of course, he didn't question much about what Berwald did in his past. He found it hard to breathe after a few seconds, just what kind of things has Berwald done? Should he be worried for his safety? His eyes went wide as the last thought crossed his mind. How could he think so badly of Berwald? He has done nothing to harm him since they've been together. It was just as Lovisa said, no matter what they've done in their past for whatever reason they've grown up. They've changed. Berwald isn't a bad person.

The carriage bounced a bit as they were reaching the middle of the small village. Lovisa eyes went wide as she watched everyone move around, although either secretly or openly gawking at the carriage. "Oh wow, it's just a beautiful as I pictured it."

Tino glanced over at her and smiled softly. In all honesty, he could see she wanted the best for her children. She really was the type of mother Tino thought his own mother would be. "Should we get down then?" Tino asked.

"Of course!" she smiled and knocked at the top of the carriage. "Stop please!" she nearly jumped out of the carriage before it had came to a complete halt. "Oh Tino look!" she squeaked like a child in a candy shop. She instantly went across to a stall that was selling cloth for clothes. Tino followed after her and recognized nearly everybody as they stared at them.

"Hello Martha," he said to the older lady behind the stall who wore a grey dress with small patches down onto them. One of them literally a little push bed where a bunch of small needles stuck out. The woman looked up from working on what looked like a piece of baby clothing and her brown and streaked gray hair fell to the side of her face.

"Why hello Tino!" she smiled and walked around hugging him. "My look at you, I haven't seen you since the wedding." She looked over his clothes, clearly in awe as she rubbed her fingers over the cloth. "My, must be good to be married well off now," she whispered looking at him then at the woman who was searching through the pile of cloths. "Who is she if I might ask?"

"Ah, Lovisa," he called and she glanced over with a smile. "Martha this is Lovisa, my mother in law, Duchess Lovisa Oxenstierna ."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Dutchess," Martha said and bowed slightly to her.

"The pleasure is all mine," Lovisa said. "You have such beautiful cloth, do you hand make it?"

"Every single fiber," the older woman boasted with a proud smile. The edges of her eyes crinkling as she moved over to the stall to show off more of the cloth. By the end of it she nearly bought half of the stall and Martha thanked her over and over.

Tino helps her put the large cloths in the carriage. "Her daughter just gave birth to her second child," he hummed.

"Really?" Lovisa said glancing over at the woman who was wiping tears from her eyes. "Is that why she is crying?"

Tino stared at the carriage for a little bit longer and shook his head. "Her daughters husband died when the mine collapsed. He was taking care of her and Martha, along with their own kid."

"Oh my," Lovisa whispered. "Is that the same mine where Berwald saved your father?" Tino nodded and Lovisa was silent looking at all the cloth she had bought.

"Why don't we go eat some Kuu's?" Tino suggested hoping to stray away from the topic.

"Kuu's?" Lovisa looked over at him a bit confused. "What are those?"

"You've never had them before?" Tino asked his mouth hanging slightly open.

Lovisa shook her head and he instantly pulled away from the carriage. "Come here, there's a bakery around the corner that has some of the best in town. Of course nobody can beat the Kuu's my aunt made." She laughed a bit as they entered the small bakery that instantly filled their noses with crispy aromas of both the sweet and savory. "Two Kuu's!" he shouted toward the baker who waved at him.

"I still have no idea what they are," she said with a small laugh.

"Right," Tino chuckled. "There's this old wives tale about a white rose called a Moon Rose, it's supposed to be able to heal anything and break even the worst of curses. Kuu's are basically shaped like white roses. White bread filled with cream and topped off with sugar that melts in your mouth. It's delicious."

"Moon Rose?" Lovisa asked her carefree smile turning into curiosity. "The town believes in them?"

"Well, not exactly," Tino shrugged. "I had a whole garden of them."

"You did?" Lovisa turned away from him and glanced around the bakery. It was just them two inside while the calm but bustling village life continued outside. "What happened to them?"

"They…" Tino fell silent and looked at the ground quietly. "They died, I guess I didn't have the special touch," he chuckled awkwardly.

"Ah," Lovisa hummed just as the man walked over holding two pieces of bread that were indeed shaped like roses about to bloom. "It's so beautiful I don't think I want to eat it," she laughed but Tino took a large bite out of his.

"You're going to want to, trust me," he said covering his mouth so no crumbs fell out. He watched as Lovisa took a small dainty bite out of hers, carefully savoring the flavor before quickly taking another bite out of it. "You like it?" Tino chuckled once he swallowed.

"This is amazing," she said between bites. "We have to take some to the others." Tino agreed ordering a few more. She quickly wiped her mouth with the napkin before clearing her throat clearly embarrassed. "Um, didn't you say you grew up here?"

"Oh, yeah. I live just outside of the village on the other side. We can go if you like, I'm sure my dad would be excited to meet you."

She nodded just as the small door opened and they glanced over. Tino instantly took a step back, the small hairs on the back of his neck raised up as he watched both Lord Bisok and Oleo walk in. "Ah, Dutchess Oxenstierna, what a pleasant surprise. Can't say I thought of running into you here."

"You must be Lord Bisok," Lovisa said looking over the large man.

"I see my reputation exceeds me," he chuckled extending his hand.

"I simply like to know the people wherever I go," she said not taking his hand nor looking at it. Bisok smile dims a bit as he drops his hand and Tino moves to somewhat hide behind Lovisa.

"Well, since you all are in town will you grace me with your presence for dinner?"

Tino tensed up looking at Bisok, but realized that Oleo was aso staring at him intently. He just wanted to leave and he scratched the inside of his arm to distract himself. "Dinner?" Lovisa hummed and glanced back at Tino. "I think that would be a splendid idea, don't you?"

"If you would like to go," Tino forced a smile.

"Of course you're invited too," Bisok added. "You and your...new husband that is."

Tino wanted to decline, but Lovisa had already agreed. "Tonight then?" she hummed and Bisok nodded. "Lovely."

"Tino," he heard and glanced back to see a bag full of Kuu's being handed to him. He took them from the baker. "Now, if you excuse us we have to look around a bit longer before we have to get back in time for lunch. I'll be sure to tell my husband."

"I look forward to it," Lord Bisok said as Lovisa and Tino walked past them without another word.

They walk out onto the crowded streets and Tino looked down at his arm, his nose scrunching up. He scratched himself to much now having small pieces of skin missing and blood seeping through. He covered it the best he could and looked over at Lovisa who was glancing around the town square and sighed out. "Well, let's go back to the mansion. I'm sure Erik would love to hear of this little "run in"."

Tino raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say another word as they both got back into the carriage and headed back toward the mansion. He glanced out the window to see Lord Bisok and Oleo walking idly beside the carriage as it pulled away. He quickly leaned back hiding his face and looking down at his lap.

"You're home early," Lovisa said as she walked inside seeing Erik passing by.

"Yes, well there wasn't much out today. We caught a boar however, they're cooking it as we speak." He was fixing the cuffs to his shirt and didn't bother looking up, only when Lovisa walked over to him and kissed his cheek Tino noticed the small smile exchanged between them. "How was the village?"

"Wonderful," Lovisa smiled and waved Tino over. "He took me to a small bakery where they have something called Kuu's! They are simply delicious."

"Really?" Erik hummed looking at the bag in Tino's hand. "Well why don't we try them?"

"Not until you've eaten your lunch," she hummed, promptly taking the bag from Tino as Erik pursed his lips into a pout. "I also bought quite a bit of cloth to take home. Perhaps turn some of it into a dress for Rasmus' new wife..."

Tino stopped listening to the conversation as he turned his head seeing Berwald walk in. He had a loose fitting shirt on and he walked over to Tino. His menacing glare didn't scare Tino, which struck him as odd. It was more comforting to see it than anything else. "How was the trip?" Berwald asked.

"Wonderful," Lovisa replied and retold the story of the Kuu's.

Tino noticed Berwald absently placed a hand in the middle of his back. He wasn't startled or even uncomfortable with it, instead he leaned a bit closer to him just as Lovisa was raising the bag of sweet bread. "Don't tell me you've lived here for this long and not tried one?" Lovisa asked with a disappointed expression.

"I don't get out much," Berwald replied and his mother sighed out dramatically.

"Well, we'll have some after lunch," she hummed and walked toward the dining room where the table was already being set up.

Berwald glanced over at Tino, he wondered why there was a soft orange shade. He felt his jaw clench and unclench wondering what his mother could have possibly told Tino this time. "Berwald?" Tino said softly. Berwald blinked a few times realizing he had been staring at Tino all this time without saying a word.

"Sorry," Berwald whispered and quickly moved his arm away.

"It's fine," Tino glanced away toward the tile floor before meeting Berwald's eyes again. "It was a nice trip, truthfully. Your mother seemed much more excited than me," he chuckled.

"Are you two just going to stand there flirting? Or join us for lunch?" Rasmus asked from the entryway to the dining room. Berwald shot him a glance but Rasmus only chuckled raising a glass that was full of wine before walking off to his seat.

Tino could feel his cheeks heat up, was this flirting? He didn't think he was very good at it then. He reached out wrapping his hand around Berwald's arm which he could see caught Berwald by surprise. Tino didn't say anything, he didn't have to. Berwald nodded quietly and he swore he could see the faintest smile on his face as they walked toward the dining room.

"Finally, now that everyone's here I have lovely news," Lovisa hummed as a large boar was being placed on the table. Tino stared at the apple in it's jaws and he found it a bit amusing. "We ran into Lord Bisok in town today, and he's invited us over for dinner."

"Dinner?" Erik was the first to comment as he took a sip of wine from his glass. "How charming."

Lovisa just smiled and turned eagerly toward Berwald. "You will be joining us won't you?"

"I don't know," Berwald asked and glanced at Tino who was looking at the cooked boar trying to distract himself from the conversation.

"Oh nonsense, the Lord insisted Tino and you go."

"I think it's a splendid idea," Rasmus spoke up. "I've heard quite a few things about this Lord."

"He isn't someone who I particularly would like to spend an evening of dinner with," Berwald said cutting to the chase. He didn't want to go, not only to keep Tino far away as possible from him, but because he genuinely didn't like him.

"I wonder why," Erik hummed as he and Berwald exchanged glances.

"No harm in just being nice," Lovisa said and thanked the servant that served her some pork. "Besides, you say you don't get out much. This will be good for you. Right, Tino?"

Tino glanced over at Lovisa as she smiled softly and Tino nodded quietly. He barely realized his hand had been scratching his arm again, "Yes… I...um well we should go," Tino forced another smile looking toward Berwald.

"We really don't have too," Berwald said.

"He said you should, so let's not argue," Lovisa interrupted.

Berwald didn't take his eyes off of Tino noticing the faint orange color become brighter. "It's fine, really," Tino said. He noticed Tino's arm moving and then met his eyes once more.

Tino forced himself to stop and cleared his throat turning back toward the food. "Let's eat."

Berwald didn't say another word as he glanced down at the black boar meat before him stabbing his fork through it and eating it without another word.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Wow, a lot of stuff going on and thanks so much for supporting me through all of this. It really means the world to me. Please leave a review or comment what you did and what you didn't like about it. Thanks so much!