Grief

Chapter 11

A servant walks Zeala to her room and the room quickly clears out as everyone finishes their breakfast. Sozec sits at the dining table with Vincent across the way from him. Past Sozec, the dining room door remains cracked open and Vincent catches a glance of someone running past the door only for the door to open slightly more moments later.

Someone's watching us.

"You haven't eat-" Vincent begins.

"Do you love her?" Sozec asks staring at his plate.

Just yesterday, Vincent had regarded the operation as a plan but today he seemed to have fallen for his sister. It didn't anger Sozec that he had feelings for her, at least that's what he told himself as he attempted to read Vincent's aura.

"Very much so, she's been a comfort to me since her arrival and I to her," Vincent says.

"Is that why you're so eager to marry her?" Sozec asks sorrowfully.

"It is," Vincent states confused by the sudden questions.

Vincent takes a deep breath and then begins tapping on the table. His demeanor changes entirely as he does so.

Sozec.

"Why are you worried?" Sozec asks suddenly alarmed. Vincent's aura slowly oozes from his body catching Sozec by surprise. 

"You haven't eaten Sozec and you seemed sick earlier. Are you not feeling well?" Vincent asks.

"I'm fine."

"You said this last time too. I won't be as lenient as before if I find that you've lied again," Vincent says making his way around the table to Sozec.

"Wait Vincent," Sozec says standing from his seat. "You have no reason to run if you've done nothing wrong," Vincent says slowly approaching Sozec.

Sozec begins running around the table, Vincent chasing after him as he does.

"Stop running, I'm only trying to help," Vincent says playfully.

"No, you'll stop me from dancing again," Sozec whines as he rounds the corner of the table.

"No, I won't," Vincent says carefully approaching Sozec who stands leaning on the table lost in thought.

Vincent rushes up to him grabbing his arm causing Sozec to slip as he attempts to evade him. Vincent puts an arm around Sozec's waist and grabs his hand as he falls hoisting him back upright.

"A fine knight indeed," Sozec comments as Vincent helps him up. Vincent tightens his grip on Sozec's waist and places his other hand on his forehead.

"You seem fine," Vincent says.

"I told you that already," Sozec says mesmerized by Vincent. He hadn't noticed before the way that his eyes sparkled when he looked at him in concern. Vincent's pale skin contrasted his own dark brown skin and his hands were large yet warm and comforting.

Sozec grabs Vincent's hand and intertwines it in his own. Vincent's face is as red as a tomato as he does so. His eyes flutter before he turns away.

I think I know this emotion. Is it, not the emotion displayed in Father's aura whenever Mother walks into a room? This is how Vincent held my sister's hand earlier; It feels nice.

Sozec attempts to read Vincent's emotions to no avail. He's closed himself off again.

"What are you doing, Sozec?" Vincent whispers still turned away.

"I don't know," Sozec admits.

Just as Sozec lets Vincent's hand go Vincent wraps both arms around Sozec.