ARRYN: Brother of the Capture Target (BL)

Chapter 7

Inside the carriage, Arryn took a deep breath, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Slowly, he reached for the door handle, his fingers trembling slightly before he finally pushed it open.

The creaking sound of the door opening caught the attention of the surrounding crowd. All eyes turned towards the carriage, and a hushed silence fell over the onlookers. Gasps of astonishment escaped their lips as they laid eyes upon the figure emerging from within.

A man of ethereal beauty stepped out, his presence commanding attention. His silky, short, slightly curled white hair framed a small face adorned with striking features. His gray-mist eyes held an enigmatic allure, captivating those who dared to meet his gaze. Red lips, like petals of a rose, added a touch of sensuality to his visage, while a pointed nose and a beauty mark beneath his lips enhanced his charm.

The collective thought echoed in the minds of the spectators, their words swallowed by the weight of his mesmerizing appearance. The atmosphere was thick with awe and wonder, as if a spell had been cast upon them all.

Arryn felt a surge of emotions welling up inside him, but he tightly gripped the picnic basket in his hands, willing himself to remain composed. He knew that this was not the time for sentimental outbursts. With every step he took, he held back the tide of overwhelming feelings, determined to face his brother with strength and grace.

As Saskia caught sight of his older brother stepping out of the carriage, his eyes widened in disbelief. The expression of surprise on his face quickly transformed into one of pure joy. It was as if a light had suddenly illuminated his entire being, washing away any doubts or fears that lingered within him.

The sight of his older brother, appearing before him like a long-lost dream come true, struck Saskia with a force akin to a thunderbolt. The world around him seemed to fade into the background as he locked eyes with the familiar face he had yearned to see for so long. It was a moment frozen in time, where reality and fantasy intertwined, and the sheer intensity of the moment held them all captive.

No, nothing had changed about his older brother. He was as captivating and enchanting as Saskia remembered him to be. From the time they were mere children of seven and ten, his older brother had possessed a rare beauty that had always drawn attention. It was a beauty that seemed to defy time itself, transcending generations as if woven into the very fabric of their ancestry. He had inherited the remarkable looks of their great-great-grandmother, Vestin, whose beauty had been renowned throughout their lineage.

Saskia's heart sank as the reality of the situation dawned on him. His older brother had come here not for a joyous reunion, but for his duty. The weight of disappointment threatened to cloud his expression, but then Iko, his loyal friend, stepped up behind him and gestured towards Arryn with a knowing smile.

"Don't wear that miserable face, Saskia, you fool. Can't you see that your older brother came here specifically for you?" Iko's words penetrated Saskia's despondency, filling him with a renewed sense of happiness. His eyes brightened as he caught sight of the picnic basket his brother held, a beacon of delight.

Iko shook his head, his smile growing wider. He marveled at how easily Saskia's emotions played across his face, like an open book ready to be read. The servants, witnessing their young master's elated expression, couldn't help but mirror his joy. They silently thanked the oldest young master, hailing him as their guardian angel in their thoughts.

"Now, now, young Evanov, let the happiness flow through you. Your wicked big brother would surely punish us if he saw you unhappy. It's clear as day that your big brother deeply cares for you," Grand Duke Iscal declared, his words causing a stir among the onlookers. Their astonishment filled the air, except for the old woman and the Prime Minister seated on the other side.

It seemed that they were accustomed to hearing such words from the old man. The prince, sitting beside the old lady, couldn't tear his eyes away from the man who approached them. There was an undeniable curiosity in his gaze, as if he beheld a figure of fascination and intrigue.

The young prince couldn't tear his eyes away from the man before him, captivated by his enchanting presence. He saw in him a reflection of something lost, a connection to a distant past. It was as if the stories his grandmother had shared had come to life before his very eyes, evoking a bittersweet longing within him.

Beside him, the old woman's chuckle held a touch of melancholy, as if reminiscing about times long gone. Her gaze shifted to her other grandson, who carried the weight of duty on his shoulders while stealing glimpses at the approaching man. In her whisper, carried by the wind, there lingered a tinge of sadness.

"He bears a striking resemblance to you, dear brother Vestin," she murmured, her voice tinged with wistfulness. It was a delicate acknowledgment of a shared heritage, an unspoken reminder of the family's fragmented past.

"Indeed, there's no need to doubt why your brother is here. And let me dispel any negative thoughts from your mind. I'll have you know that your older brother never accepts any task assigned by my grandfather. They are sworn enemies," Iko exclaimed, his laughter echoing through the air. The others present finally understood the deep-rooted animosity that existed between the newly assigned Grand Duke Iscal and the retired Grand Duke, etched upon their faces whenever the topic of their two sons and grandsons arose.

Iko's smile widened mischievously as he playfully smacked Saskia's head, a familiar camaraderie between the two friends. Saskia winced, feeling the sting from Iko's blow. Despite the pain, he knew it was a testament to Iko's skill as a swordsman.

However, the jovial atmosphere suddenly turned frigid, as if a chilling breeze swept through the area. Iko's gaze shifted towards his grandfather, who wore a devious grin while pointing ahead.

Iko was taken aback as he found himself face to face with his friend's older brother. Arryn assertively placed the picnic basket on their table, his piercing glare directed coldly at Iko, causing his legs to tremble involuntarily.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister and his son, who had observed Arryn's arrival with awe, were now further impressed by his captivating beauty. They struggled to find the right words to describe him, silently observing his intense gaze as he glared at the young lad. It became evident to them why the rumors surrounding the eldest Evanov were so exaggerated. The tales they had heard were indeed true, and Arryn's presence seemed to validate every one of them.

The young man with maroon-colored hair had a sparkle of admiration in his eyes, as did the two individuals seated beside him, and even the person sitting on the opposite side. He had only come to this table to greet his friend, as his own family couldn't be present. His father was preoccupied with preparations for the upcoming war, while his mother was busy providing aid to those affected by the recent bombing near the border. As for his brother, he was currently on a demon-hunting mission with his squad, promising to join him once their assignment was complete.

Little did he expect to encounter the man whom he admired so greatly, apart from his parents and brother. The eldest Evanov held a special place in his heart, as they were squadmates with his brother. Whenever his brother returned home, he would often find a bag filled with potions. Out of sheer curiosity, he once sneaked into his brother's room and tasted one of the potions.

To his surprise, it was incredibly delicious. Never before had he encountered a potion with such an enjoyable taste, not to mention its remarkable effects. Accidentally, his eyes fell upon a small piece of paper affixed to the bag, and he couldn't help but read its contents.

'The potions I've been giving you since last week are now on the house, my advance birthday gift to you. And these potions are specially made for your younger brother, since his birthday is just two days away. I put extra effort into making them taste better, you know, because kids can be picky when it comes to bitter potions. I mean, seriously, those old hags need to step up their game. I could surpass them in no time'

Meanwhile, Iko, still trembling with fear, looked desperately at his friend for assistance. But his hopes were quickly dashed as he saw the joyous expression on Saskia's face, a clear indication that his friend was relishing in the protective stance his older brother had taken. It was in that moment that Iko silently cursed Saskia in his mind, regretting his own ingratitude towards a friend who had offered him solace, while now facing the imminent threat posed by a person who could easily bring him to his knees.