Not Giving Into Fate

38- Late Night Drunks

I couldn't sleep which wasn't new. What was new was the feeling of not wanting to do anything. I didn't want to work on the upcoming papers to sign for the duchy, I didn't want to do paperwork that a Master had to do, I didn't want to research the curse. I didn't want to do anything I normally did to fill the night.

I sat in my bed, a book to read which lay unread next to me. I sigh, staring at the ceiling and decided I need to take a walk. I slip on a robe and wrap myself. A night guard stood at attention down my hall. I told him not to follow me and continue to wander the grand estate.

I didn't know where I wanted to go. I had no plans of my destination, but I guess my feet had a location they wanted to go to. I wandered out into the greenhouse, a greenhouse my mother had made for herself. I take a deep breath and step inside.

The humid air surrounded me, a feeling and smell I associate with my mom. I look around at the familiar flora, the ones my mom had imported from around the world. Most of these flowers were exotic and needed special care. We hired an Elementalist from the Tower to watch over these.

I continue the path and freeze when I see two figures. My father and brother stand at the table my mom often ate at. This was her spot, this was her place. Why was my father here?

I didn't hear their conversation, but my father turned and looked at me. He ignored me, storming past me to walk out of this greenhouse. I frown, unsure of what occurred. Obviously the two had a fight, and I can deduce it stemmed from our unwanted guest.

"Elric," I call out and walk to him. He fumes in front of me. I reach out and hold his arms. "What happened? Why was he here?"

"I... We got into another argument. I banned him from our mother's greenhouse." Elric tells me.

My frown deepens. "Wh- ban? You banned our father?" This doesn't make sense. While Elric will be the new Duke, he can't ban the current Duke from anything he owns. I take a deep breath and nod, knowing that if I speak of this, it won't end well either.

"He abandoned our mother, he wasn't here when she died. He admitted to me he was with his mistress when we lost her. He can't be allowed to enter her greenhouse, neither can his bastard." Elric huffs.

"You did the right thing... why are you up?" I ask him, changing the conversation. I take his hand and lead him to our mother's table.

He lets out a low chuckle. "Why are you up? You have your party today." I let go of him and take a seat. There are four chairs in this table. I settle on the cushion I made when I was young. It was a pattern of the clouds in the sky. I recall my mother showing me how to make this. I had also made my father's an emerald green, the color of our duchy. I don't remember him ever sitting on it.

"Well," I start. "I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to do paperwork or read or sleep. I was just... consumed with the thoughts of our mother and came down here." I tell him. "Would you like a drink? I can conjure us some coffee, tea, or wine."

"I need some whiskey." Elric admits. I smile and snap my fingers and a bottle and two cups stand before us. I grab the bottle and pour Elric a glass before serving myself. I set the whiskey on the table, the table we once drank sweet juice and teas on.

I watch as he quickly chugs down the drink before pouring himself another glass. I take a sip, thinking of what to say. "Brother... earlier you had mentioned your will to be the new Duke. Do you plan to take over?"

I'm curious to hear of his answer. In the past, he had never really expressed his desire to take over the Duchy until the war where he had gone partially blind. After his minor defeat in battle, he turned to his duties and started to properly take over our land. But during this time, he had distanced himself from Father and I, devoting his time to being Captain.