Chapter 5

I don't know if I should be sorry for updating so quickly? This is just one I'm doing for fun and I really want to be able to post whenever I want. I hate waiting.

Matthias woke up sometime early. It was still dark outside and he could see his breath. He could even feel the chill today and the windows had frosted over. He wondered if Lukas could feel how cold it was, too. He had only given him a thin blanket and he was concerned.

He didn't want to call on any of his maids or servants. He knew they were asleep and he figured it would be easier to bring the blankets to his room himself. He walked down to their supply room, pulled a few blankets off of the walls, and made his way to Lukas' room.

Lukas woke up early and sat up. The fire in the hearth had nearly gone out and the candle he had lit before falling asleep was about half the size it was and dripping off onto the rug. He crawled out of bed and picked it up, making his way downstairs to the room where the butler had said there was an unlocked window he could escape from.

Sure enough, the window was there and just big enough that he could escape through it. He stood on a barrel and shoved the window open with all of his strength, shivering at the cool gush of wind that hit his face.

He remembered that he'd left his cloak up in his bedroom and hopped off of the barrel. He ran up to his room, holding his candle tightly in his hand. Some wax got onto the floor, but he ignored it.

The only bad thing about moving so quickly was that he really couldn't see more than a foot, maybe two in front of himself. Finally, he got to his floor and moved quicker, but was suddenly knocked back.

He gasped as the breath was knocked out of him. "Ah! What?"

His candle had fallen and gone out, but still there was a light above him. He scooted back a bit as a candle was brought up to his face. He could faintly see Matthias, and the realization hit him hard.

He scooted back more, scraping his hands against the floor. He was speechless.

"What are you doing, Lukas?"

Matthias' voice was lower than it normally was and had a soft rumble. He was trying to stay quiet, but was also incredibly tired still. Nonetheless, it made Lukas shiver more.

"I was j-just—"

"Just?"

Lukas stopped, only letting out a small squeak, finding himself at a loss for words. He and Matthias stared at each other for a moment before the taller man extended a hand.

Lukas hesitated before grabbing onto it. The minute he did, Matthias pulled him up and put a hand on his shoulder. At first, Lukas thought he was going to scold him, but he began walking him back to his room. He stayed silent the entire time.

Once they were in the room, Matthias said, "I brought you more blankets. The cold front is worse than I expected." He then glanced at the dying fire and said, "If you'll excuse me for a moment."

Lukas sat down, his body relaxing. He had been so afraid and now he was just exhausted from the rush of adrenaline dying down.

After a few minutes, Matthias came back with a stack of wood. Lukas looked over curiously and watched him place the logs in the fireplace. It was strange to see him on his knees working at something like a fire.

"Why not have your servants revive the fire?"

Matthias didn't turn around, but Lukas could hear him chuckling softly. "They are asleep. I was awake."

This was very surprising to the other. Matthias seemed like the type who hadn't lifted a finger since the day he was born. "That's kind of you to do for them," Lukas said.

"They do it for me every day," he replied as he managed to grow the fire further until it was crackling and flickering wildly. He wiped his hands off and stood, looking back at Lukas, who was wrapping the blankets around himself like a cocoon.

He gave a very faint smile and turned to go.

"Matthias . . . "

". . . Yes?"

Lukas curled up into a ball, deciding that he could stay for just one more night.

"Goodnight."

Matthias nodded, muttered, "Sleep well," and left.

When Lukas woke up, there was a bowl of porridge sitting on a tray next to his bed and a cup of milk. He picked the tray up eagerly and looked around, pleased to see that the day was at least somewhat sunny.

As soon as he ate, he got up and walked down to the main hall, looking around for anyone. Surprisingly, he was stopped by the maid.

"Sir, it is my instruction to let you know that your wardrobe will be stocked with clothes this evening."

He gave her a faint smile and nodded, then continued to look around. He walked over to the door and pulled on the handle. He didn't know what he expected. It was still locked. He looked out the window longingly.

He couldn't go outside through the unlocked window because there were too many maids in there during the day. He'd surely be caught. So he continued looking out of the window, placing a hand on one of the panes.

"What are you thinking?"

Lukas turned to see Matthias standing behind him. He cleared his throat, pointed outside, and said, "The weather isn't as cold today."

Matthias knew how hard it could be to stay locked up in the castle all the time, and he pitied Lukas. "Perhaps I could take you outside. You must promise not to leave my sight, though."

Every servant in the hall turned and stared at him. The young master hadn't gone out in months, nor had he expressed the desire to.

Lukas hesitated before nodding. A maid brought him down his cloak and his boots. He put both on, then waited at the door while Matthias got ready. Once he came down, the butler unlocked the door and they walked outside.

The fresh air felt absolutely wonderful. Even Matthias couldn't deny that. Lukas began to walk off, but Matthias grabbed his wrist and gestured for him to hold onto his arm, which he reluctantly did.

"There is a garden in the back of the castle. Come."

Lukas mumbled, "Do I have a choice?"

Matthias almost shot him a look, but when he looked down at him, he was wearing a small smile and had a content look on his face, and he didn't dare ruin that.

Half of the garden was dying at this time of year, but even with half of the plants being in poor shape, it was the nicest garden Lukas had seen, and he wanted to touch ever plant, which he did with the gentlest touch, Matthias noticed.

"What is this?" He would ask over and over, pointing to plants that not even Matthias could name. Even when he didn't know the name, he would give an answer just to please him, and when he repeated the made up words under his breath, it made him smile a little.

The best part was that whenever Lukas saw something that truly made him excited, he would squeeze his arm. He didn't show his excitement much besides that. That was the only way of telling. He most likely didn't even realize it was something he was doing.

Without warning, Lukas turned to face Matthias and said, "When will I be allowed to leave?"

This caught the taller man off guard. He had thought he wouldn't have to answer any more of these questions, but apparently he was wrong.

Normally he would have lied, but something compelled him to tell the truth this time.

"By Spring, I can assure you."

Lukas gasped and immediately pulled away. "Spring?" That was over half a year that he was to be trapped in the castle. "But Alexander will come back for me!"

Matthias didn't believe this. He was sure that his brother would not be returning. His grandfather was old enough to know of the castle and he most likely told his grandson. He wouldn't return after that. Nobody would.

Of course he knew what they said in the village. That he was mad and that all of the parties in the castle, servants and noblemen alike, were malevolent.

The concept that there were multiple noblemen in the castle definitely wasn't true. It was just him and his surplus of servants.

Either way, Matthias didn't want to crush Lukas' spirits, so he said, "And if he does, then I don't know if I'll be able to stop him."

The reply seemed to make Lukas relax and he grabbed onto the others arm again. They continued through the garden, both looking around, occasionally commenting on things.

As they continued, Lukas started to hear something. He thought it might have just been the wind whistling in his ears, but as they walked on, it became clearer. It was an odd kind of squeak. Not so much like a mouse, but similar.

"What is that?"

Matthias walked behind one of the trees and nodded at a bunny that had been caught in a trap. Luckily, it was a cage and the bunny was still alive.

"A rabbit," he replied.

Lukas knelt down immediately and looked at it in its little cage. "It's still a baby. What are you going to do with it?"

Matthias picked up the cage, stared at the animal, and sighed. "It's too small for anything useful. Perhaps just release it."

"There is red on its coat," Lukas said, opening the cage and taking the bunny out to look at it. "There is a thorn in his foot."

Lukas tried to pull the thorn out, but the bunny let out a shrill squeak and he stopped, shaking his head. "He is hurt. I don't think it would be best if I took the thorn out."

"Put it down. Let it fend for itself."

"What?"

"This is not your job, Lukas. Put it down and whatever will happen will happen."

Lukas backed away, holding onto the bunny protectively. "He could die."

"We all pass. Even the rabbit."

"No." Lukas pet the bunny's ears while it continued to squeak.

Matthias couldn't believe it, but he was giving in. He took the bunny from Lukas, put it back in the cage, and offered his arm again. "Then it is yours to care for. I don't want to see any sadness when it dies."

Charles set his tray down and poured his master a cup of tea. "Young master, I heard squeaking coming from the boys room. Would you care to explain?"

Matthias shot him a glare and sipped his tea. "I do not. I am sure you already know. You just enjoy patronizing me."

The butler smiled faintly at that and stood at the man's side. "The more this little game of yours continues, the harder it will be."

"Little game? You imply that my actions bring me some sort of great amusement."

"Do they not?"

"I would not call it amusement, Charles."

"Would you call it joy, sir?"

The butler earned himself another glare, but Matthias didn't deny it. There was silence between the two before Charles gathered dirty teacups onto his tray, a knowing look on his face.

"Is there something more you wish to say, Charles?"

"Not one thing, sir," he replied, his little smile growing. The other just shook his head, knowing how cryptic his butler could be at times.

"It is going to be okay," Lukas whispered as he stroked the bunny, trying once again to remove the thorn from its foot. The sounds it made were so sad and he felt terrible.

"We will do it on three," he began. "One . . . Two . . . "

There was a knock on his door and he sighed in relief. "Yes?"

Without answering, Matthias came in. He took one look at the bunny and raised an eyebrow.

"The thorn is still in the rabbit's foot."

The smaller man mumbled, setting the bunny on the bed. "I can't."

Matthias walked over, picked the animal up in one hand, and removed the thorn in one swift pull. The bunny let out the shrillest shriek yet, but then grew quiet.

Although the thorn was out now, Lukas was furious. "You hurt him!"

The other scoffed at that. "I've hurt him? I removed the cause of his pain. The wound can now heal." He pet the bunny like Lukas had been doing before and called for a maid, who brought a little strip of fabric. With the fabric, he gently wrapped up its leg, while Lukas just watched.

"He is nearly frightened to death. Sit by the fire and pet him."

Lukas nodded, doing as he was told. The bunny did seem better, now that he was holding it, and he looked at Matthias with a small, appreciative smile.

"Matthias! See what I have found?"

Matthias grinned as he took the small animal. It was a bunny. It shivered in his hand and he began to console it, petting it gently.

"I think it is alright to keep. What say you?"

"You will not tell mother?"

"My lips are sealed."

A few days later, Matthias heard crying outside of his door. He peeked out and saw a small hand holding out the bunny that had now grown cold and hard. "H-He has passed!"

"Ah, do not cry! We all pass. Even those of us who are little rabbits. But he moves on to paradise! So wipe away your tears. We will wrap him and bury him."

The boy wiped his tears and hugged Matthias tightly, bunny still clutched in his hand.

"Thank you," he muttered. "Thank you, thank you."