Hero's Dead Brother

14. The Game

When I was home, I immediately excused myself despite Greg's concerned look and ran to my room. Even if I wasn't in my pyjamas, I went into my bed, hugged the cushion and wrapped myself in the sheets. Sorry, Swingler! I'll get changed later.

When I was finally in my cocon, I started the exercise I was very used to.

I rocked back and forth and breathed deeply. 'Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out'. Once I calmed down, I left out a sigh.

I had become way too fragile for my own good. Spending six years in this wonderful family had made me unused to fear and my surviving instincts had numbed. I have to work on myself.

I decided to train my body starting from tomorrow and my face. I had to be able to bear with a lot of stress without fainting like a fragile idiot and be able to easily fake emotions. It can't go on like this! Today I put my brother at risk because of my weakness.

I then went out of bed, changed my clothes and went to sleep. 'Starting from today, childhood is over. We had enough fun already'.

As I was deep in my thoughts, someone entered the room. I heard very light footsteps as if the person wanted to hide their existence from this world and instantly recognized them.

I sat up. "Caleb?"

"Um... I just... I'm sorry. Ah, emm... t-the Young Duke a-asked me to spend so-some time... with you... be-before you g-go to bed... but." Her face was glued to the floor and looked panicked. "I am v-very s... sorry, Sir".

She bowed violently and I had pity for her poor back before she turned to go very fast. 'Dammit I scared the kid again!'

"Do you like chess?" Was the first thing I could think about.

She suddenly stopped and turned around. She shook her head violently. Come on! You're gonna break your cervical if you keep doing this! 

I smiled and pointed at the chess game on my table. I knew that Caleb was a good player. Not only in chess but despite her innocent looks, she was a very calculating person. She was the mastermind behind Kevin's schemes.

I invited her to sit and started organizing the desk. Then I made the first move and waited for her. It was awkward in the room for way too long before I realized that she was taking too much time for just a first move. Then it hit me! Caleb was taught to play by Kevin!

"Hehe I'll first explain the rules".

That day was the only day of my life when I was able to win against the little genius! Once we played a few times and she learnt the rules and once I told her that I wouldn't be mad if she won, I got annihilated over and over again.

Despite my muscles burning from faking a smile, I was scared. Once I got destroyed enough for my own inexistant pride, "you're very good at this, Caleb! Hehe. I'll go to sleep now". I went straight to my bed way too shattered for more formalities and lied down in grief. But I heard very hesitant, tiny steps walking away and I sat up again.

"Wanna sleep in my bed?"

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The next morning, I woke up to see Swingler's happy face, way too happy for my fragile heart. I love Swingler a lot. He's such a good butler and human being in general. I could feel that he sensed better than anyone my mood swings despite my fake facade but never showed it. He was such a genuinely caring person! Why have I not heard of him from the book?

Maybe he was hired for the youngest master but since he passed away, he had to quit. Maids and butlers are assigned individually in this world and they serve one master for their entire lives. Changing the master is taboo in this world. I'm happy that he can keep using his skills.

I then turned my attention to what was preventing me from sitting up like usual and turned to the child that was hugging me like a cushion.

I'm blessed. Such an innocent face! I'll protect her at any cost! She'll never go back to those bastards!

"Wakey-wakey!" I said smiling less like a robot now that my facial muscles had rested.

She forced a fake smile back and we got up.

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Caleb's PV

As I opened my eyes from the deepest sleep I had for a long time, I was met with his smiling face. At least, it didn't look as fake as yesterday.

I faked a happy face and smiled as I released him from my grasp. That's what you wanted, right? A cute puppy. I see clearly in your game.

'Now what's he gonna do? He thinks that he has my trust since I felt comfortable sleeping next to him so he must start to show his real colours.'

'You think you got my trust and just when you'll fully gain it, you're gonna break it right? Well I'll pretend to be hurt and you'll get what you wanted.'

He kept his fake smile and jumped out of bed and politely asked his butler to help him get ready. 'What nobleman is so polite to their butler? You really try hard to impress me, you vicious bastard'.

'And when you get bored of me, you'll throw me away. At least, I'll be able to get some food and sleep out of this'.

"Caleb, this maid will help you get ready too". Stop with that smile already. It makes me sick.

"Ye... yes. T-thank you"

It's so annoying to pretend to be this helpless puppy. But I'll play your game. 'You're just a rich guy raised with a silver spoon that wants to feel superior. Don't pretend like you like me'.

Now that I destroyed him in the game we played yesterday he must have an inferiority complex. It's gonna burst out soon so I'll be prepared.

I could've easily pretended to be an idiot and loose to avoid consequences but he saw straight through me and said 'it's ok if you win, you know?'. Sly bastard. It would hurt my pride to loose after that so I'll just take whatever the consequences.

When we ate together with his family, I ingurgitated as much food as I could take and the three of us headed to the garden. We played until his brother had to go to class and then he said "let's go to the library".

He took a book called 'Power Revelation' and walked to me.

What are you planning to do?