Chapter Four

Kalin and Radley just rested where they were for several minutes as they both calmed down. Being with each other was soothing, and soon Kalin was relaxing against his friend.

"Did the Bunch go?" he finally asked.

"Yeah, they went off to pack," Radley said. "I've still gotta make omelettes for them too."

Kalin sighed. "You should go do that," he said. "I still need to call Yusei."

"Are you sure you want to right now?" Radley asked. "He'll probably be worried about you maybe believing this stuff and he'll want to try to convince you not to. That might just add more pressure and stress."

"I know," Kalin said. "But he still deserves to know, especially when we're going to the villa for the day. He should know where we are."

Radley sighed now. "Yeah, that's true." He got up. "Okay, I'm going to the kitchen. I'll just make the omelettes here instead of at the diner."

"Do we have enough eggs for that?" Kalin grunted.

"I think so." Radley smirked. "I keep a lot on hand for days like this."

Kalin smirked too. "I'll come help in a few minutes."

Radley patted his shoulder. "Cool."

Kalin sighed to himself after Radley left the room. It was a frustrating position, really. He wanted to call and talk to Yusei and run this all past him, yet he was pretty sure he knew how it would go. Radley's concerns were legitimate; Yusei would be worried for Kalin to believe a legend like this, and when they were both struggling with their feelings as it was, was that really what he needed right now?

Kalin frowned. The last thing he wanted was for this to possibly drive a wedge between them. He never wanted anything to do that again, ever. But . . . was the way to not allow a wedge to tell him . . . or not to tell him?

He groaned and reached for the phone. If they were talking, it was highly unlikely he would feel right about trying to keep it from Yusei. It was too big.

Yusei was wide-awake and smiled at Kalin as he answered the phone. "Hey, Kalin," he greeted. "What's up?"

Kalin smiled back. It was always so good to see him. "Hello, Yusei. I was just calling to let you know we're going on a day trip to the Ramon villa. We'll probably be back tonight."

"Just a day trip?" Yusei blinked. "That's unusual, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. We need to . . . see some things Radley's grandmother has." Kalin hesitated, then took the plunge. "Apparently there's a family legend about two princes who were best friends and died saving the world. They were promised a second chance in a time when they could live happy together, even though they would have to fight the evil again. A lot of Radley's family believes it's us. Radley's grandmother believed it and did everything she could to stop it from happening, including keeping us apart as kids." Anger filled his voice. "She saw I looked like one of the princes and that was why she was so adamant about Radley staying away from me."

"What?! That's outrageous!" Now Yusei was furious too.

"Yeah." Kalin's eyes flashed. "Radley looks like the other prince. I wonder if that was why she was so bent out of shape about him growing his hair out."

"She sounds like the type who'd be that superstitious. How's Radley taking it?"

Kalin sighed. "Neither of us are sure how to take it," he said honestly. "The evidence for us being the princes is pretty strong, but Radley especially doesn't want to believe it."

Yusei frowned. "Do you want to?"

"I don't know," Kalin said. "I wasn't that bothered at first except for not liking the thought of us dying in the past, but then I started wondering if the legend is accurate to what really happened. What if the prince who looks like me made a pact with the evil being and that led to Radley's . . . I mean, the other prince's death?" His voice pulled taut from his distress.

"Kalin." Yusei sounded and looked concerned. "You know I don't go on reincarnation. But even if I did, that was another life. You're just you now. You don't need to worry what might have happened back then."

"Only now that the thoughts have come to me, I'm going to have a hard time shaking them," Kalin said. He sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I can't stand to think I might have betrayed loved ones in two lifetimes!"

"You only betrayed me because you thought I'd betrayed you," Yusei said. "It was a sad, sick misunderstanding."

"And these princes are from kingdoms locked in a cold war," Kalin said. "I could have easily thought Radley betrayed me for some reason!"

"You're going to drive yourself nuts if you dwell on thoughts like that," Yusei said. "I know Radley wouldn't want you to."

"I know that too," Kalin said. "But I don't know how to turn them off."

Yusei sighed sadly. It wasn't likely to be something Kalin could discuss with a therapist either. He didn't want to bear his soul to a stranger, and Yusei couldn't blame him for that. And reincarnation was a matter some therapists might not treat the way Kalin would want.

"Does Radley know you're upset about this?" he finally asked.

"Yeah. After we went on about it for a few minutes, he snapped and yelled." Kalin looked away. "He doesn't do that in general. Only I have ever brought him to that point."

"Was he mad at you?" Yusei queried. Under the circumstances, he couldn't quite believe that.

"No," Kalin confirmed. "He was upset that I was putting myself down about something that might not even have happened."

"That's good advice," Yusei said. "You don't know what's real at this point. Maybe you'll never know about this. There's no sense getting upset about something you just might have done."

"Since when do I believe in sense?" Kalin said dryly. "That's kind of the opposite of me."

"Kalin . . ." Yusei sighed. "Well, just let me know how things go, okay?"

"I will," Kalin promised. "Maybe I can call from the villa and show you the paintings."

"I'd be interested in seeing them," Yusei said. "Just try not to get too wrapped up in thinking you were one of those princes."

"I know," Kalin said, but didn't affirm that he would try.

Yusei noticed, and inwardly sighed. "Be careful," he said. "You're still trying to figure out how to navigate this life. You don't need more stress."

"Yeah. Well, thanks, Yusei. Your concern means a lot." Kalin moved to hang up, but paused. "How are you, by the way?"

"I'm fine," Yusei assured him. "Things have been good here with Bruno. He's remembering more each day."

"That's wonderful," Kalin said sincerely.

"It really is," Yusei said. "I'm glad he's coming back."

"So am I. You both deserve that," Kalin said. He hung up in better spirits and headed to the kitchen to help Radley.

His friend looked up and smiled at him. "How was it?"

"Yusei was concerned, but supportive," Kalin said. He smiled. "And he says Bruno is remembering a lot more."

"Wonderful!" Radley set the latest omelettes on plates. "I've let the Bunch know to start coming over here for the omelettes. They're on their way with bells on." He chuckled.

"Of course they are," Kalin smirked.

"So, you seem to be feeling better," Radley noted.

"A lot better, anyway," Kalin said. "It was good to talk to Yusei. I'm glad he didn't try harder to convince me not to believe in this." He washed his hands and moved to help Radley with making the remaining omelettes.

"So am I. You don't need to be pulled in even more directions," Radley said.

"I still wonder if he and our other close loved ones were also part of the legend," Kalin said.

"Well . . . maybe we'll find out," Radley said. "There could be paintings showing them too."

"That would be surreal," Kalin grunted.

"More surreal than what we're already dealing with?" Radley said dryly.

Kalin sighed. "It's just . . . the more people who turn up as part of it, the more it will seem undeniable that something truly is going on," he explained.

Radley looked down. "Yes, you're right."

"And it's strange to think of all of us living back then . . . although it would certainly be a powerful way to make it clear we're all important to each other." Kalin stared off at the wall.

"It sounds like a cartoon show where that sort of thing happens," Radley said. "They're all together in the present, and then they go into the past and see everyone's there just like in the present." He looked away too. "Only in this past, you and I were the heroes instead of Team 5Ds."

"I wish I knew if I truly was a hero and not a villain," Kalin said quietly.

"I plan to prove it to you," Radley said.

"How?" Kalin retorted.

Radley sighed. "Maybe something at the villa will help. I wonder how far back in the past these guys lived, anyway. Grandmama said the legend's been written up since before the 18th Century, but the clothes the princes wear look like something from around that era or later."

Kalin shrugged. "For all we know, maybe it's a fairytale land that was more progressive than anything around it."

That brought a laugh. "Well, that makes just as much sense as anything else."

Kalin smirked a bit. "Maybe more sense compared to some of what we had in the past."

The door flew open and the Bunch trooped back inside, all eager for omelettes.

"This is so cool!" Scotch gushed. "It smells so amazing in here! You make the best food, Radley!" He grabbed a plate with omelette.

"You do," Kalin said with a fond, genuine smile.

Radley had to smile. "I do my best."

After everyone enjoyed the delicious omelettes and finished packing, the private jet soon arrived to take them all to the villa. They climbed aboard, all wondering what would be in store for them there. Would they learn anything helpful? Would Radley's grandmother still try to keep things from him? Would she not be happy that so many lower-class people would be there? Their past visits had been fine, but that had been before this legend information had come forth. Apparently that stress had triggered her darker thoughts and feelings to come to the forefront again.

The ride was short and uneventful and Emilio was waiting at the landing strip when the jet touched down. He beamed brightly as the door opened. "Radley!" He was right there ready to hug him when the passengers started to descend the steps.

Radley smiled and caught the child in his arms. "Hey," he smiled. "I've missed you! How have things been here?"

"Not as fun without you," Emilio exclaimed, hugging his older brother close. "Are you staying a long time?!"

"I'm afraid this is just a short visit," Radley said gently. "We'll need to get back soon."

"No!" Emilio pouted and snuggled close.

Radley gave him a sympathetic look. "Did Grandma tell you why we came?"

"She said you'd tell me the way you wanted to," Emilio said in confusion.

"Okay then." Radley exchanged a look with Kalin. "Let's go inside and we'll talk about it."

"It's not something you can say out here?" Emilio frowned. "It must be bad."

Radley chuckled. The mind of a child. "We're not quite sure what it is," he admitted. "We just found out about a legend the family has of two best friends from rival kingdoms who died saving the world from something bad. God granted them the rare gift of a second chance at life in another lifetime, when they might be able to find more peace. Our family believes Kalin and I are those guys."

Emilio's eyes went wide. "Really?!"

"You like that idea, huh?" Radley mused.

"It sounds really neat!" Emilio exclaimed.

"We don't know what to think of the idea of having lived before," Radley said. "But the thought of having been friends in multiple lifetimes . . . yeah, we like that a lot." He smiled.

Lucia was waiting for them when they got to the door. "Radley. Kalin." She nodded to them, and to the Bunch. "I trust you've told Emilio why you're here."

"Well, we got as far as telling the legend," Radley said. "Not so much why we're here."

Lucia nodded. "They're here to see the paintings and other artifacts I have about the legend," she said.

Emilio stared at her. "Can I see too?!"

From Lucia's expression, it was an expected request. "Now that you know, you might as well," she said in resignation.

After greeting the rest of the family, Radley's group went upstairs and into Lucia's room. Radley couldn't help but look around in curious fascination. He had never been allowed in her room as a child. It was beautiful, decorated in traditional Spanish colors and designs right down to the patterns and hues on the bedspread.

Lucia went right to the back wall and pressed a light sconce. When she turned it left, the wall slid open and a light automatically came on. Paintings lined both walls of the hidden room.

"This is what I have," she said matter-of-factly. "I do not know what the paintings mean, only that yes, the princes do bear an uncanny resemblance to you and Kalin. You can surely see why I didn't want you getting foolish ideas."

Radley slowly went into the room, looking at each painting in turn. There were depictions of life in the court, of the dance where the princes had met, portraits of each, and various scenes of them talking and enjoying life together. The ones showing their deaths he did not linger on, instead turning his attention back to a portrait of Prince Kalin. He looked so identical to Radley's dear friend that he was thoroughly taken aback. He ran his hand down the wall next to the portrait. "Kalin," he whispered.

Kalin, meanwhile, was fixated on looking at the images of death. He didn't want to, and yet he couldn't make himself look away. One showed their families mourning and holding them, while another depicted them laying on the marble floor, weakly grasping hands as their final act. He let out a shaking breath.

Scotch tried to steer Kalin away. "Let's look at something else," he said. "There's lots of happier ones!"

"But everything led to this," Kalin said sorrowfully. "Their happiness was cut short."

"If they were us, then we have another chance now," Radley said. "If they weren't, well . . . they were together in death and in Heaven and have been together all this time. Maybe they've been having a happier time than we have sometimes."

Kalin grunted. That was a logical way to look at it. One painting even showed them traveling a beam of light to Heaven, with angels welcoming them on their way.

"You still think there's a chance they're not us?" he said at last.

"Of course," Radley said. "It's still what I want most to believe. It would be happier all around."

Kalin looked away. That was true, he supposed. He just wasn't sure he could have the same confidence that it wasn't them.

"Of course they were not you," Lucia insisted. "But you're swiftly becoming caught up in all this nonsense, aren't you?"

"It's kinda hard not to think about it at least a little," Radley said. "Even though I don't want to. And you must feel the same if you're really worried about the evil coming back, Grandma."

She huffed and looked away. "The evil could return and then mistake the two of you for them and come after you," she explained.

Radley winced. "Yeah, you're right. And even if that doesn't happen, I guess we'll have to fight it if it comes back."

She looked back. "There is no reason why you should have to! It isn't your problem. Let someone else deal with it!"

"I'd love to! But if it really is the evil that hurt our families so much, it kind of is our problem!" Radley retorted.

"All of this is nonsense!" she ranted. "Your place should have been taking over the family business, not fighting evil or getting money from a mine! You shouldn't have ever met Kalin!"

"Yeah, I know. You tried to make sure I wouldn't." Radley couldn't keep the bitterness and hurt out of his voice. "I'll have to be grateful you disowned me, since it led to finding first the Bunch and then Kalin."

"I could have grown up with all of this." Kalin sounded bitter too. "I could have been happy instead of being beaten every day by an alcoholic father too drunk to even bother to fix meals. I didn't meet Yusei and the others until I was older. I could have been raised with Radley in the meantime!"

Radley looked slightly concerned. In the past, Kalin had mused that he probably still would have cracked by growing up under Lucia's thumb. But the more they both thought about the situation today, the more they grew furious at the unfairness of Kalin having been kept away because of superstitions and fears over a legend. Kalin sounded like he could be close to snapping. Radley did not want to see that.

"There was no need for a sibling as long as Radley was going to be the heir," Lucia said. "If we had decided to grant his wish for one, we certainly wouldn't have chosen a penniless waif. We would have found an orphan with class and breeding and high social standing."

Kalin swore at her. "Radley always deserved better than you. That he kept his true self in spite of you is a miracle."

"That he stayed as good as he did despite knowing you and hearing your uncouth mouth is a miracle," Lucia returned. "Emilio, do not repeat what that man just said!"

Emilio just stood by, awkward and uncomfortable.

"Hey hey hey!" Radley swiftly got in between Kalin and Lucia. "I know we're all upset. I'm upset too. I already broke and lashed out once today. I don't wanna do it again. Maybe you guys need a little space right now."

"Or a lot of space," Virgil said in disgust.

"I will leave. I do not care to look at these paintings any more." Lucia brushed past them and headed for the door. "You may take photographs of them or do whatever else you like. Just please do not discuss the legend with me again."

"Okay," Radley sighed. "Just tell us this, Grandma. Is everything relating to the legend in here?"

"All that I have, yes," Lucia said. "There is more at my grandparents' villa in Spain. You may wish to go there as well."

"Thanks," Radley said.

They all waited until she left before speaking again.

"What a shrew," Virgil muttered.

"Hey!" Emilio protested. But then he sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry about what she said, though. . . ."

". . . She was right about one thing," Kalin conceded. "I should have watched my language when you were here." He tiredly passed a hand over his eyes.

Radley laid a hand on his shoulder. "Let's finish going over these. We should probably take pictures of all of them and study them more at home."

Kalin nodded, taking out his phone in resignation. "I'd thought of letting Yusei see the paintings too, but maybe it would be better just to show him the pictures later," he mused. "I don't want to stay here longer than necessary."

"Yeah, Grandma will probably be mad the rest of the day," Emilio scowled. "But I wish you guys could stay. . . ."

Radley hugged him close. "I do too, but I think we'd better go back home and give her and Kalin both a chance to cool down. Maybe we can get together under better circumstances next time."

"I guess. . . ." Emilio threw his arms around Radley's waist.

"Let's get the pictures and then maybe we can do something fun before we go back," Radley suggested.

Emilio finally brightened at that. "Yeah!"

Kalin had to smile too. Watching Radley interact with his little brother was always sweet. That was one upside of coming here, at least.

". . . Hey, look at this!" Scotch suddenly exclaimed.

"What is it?" Radley walked over, only to stop short in disbelief.

Scotch was pointing at a painting of a group of townspeople standing protectively in front of Ramon's and Prince Kalin's bodies and glowering defiantly at something not visible in the painting. "They look like us!" he cried.