Ethereal - 𝔈𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 : Severing ties lead to deeper obsession
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   Arkian walks back inside the Decroix manor and was greeted by his second eldest brother, Alessio. It seems he was waiting for him there.

"Commander Alessio?" Ark asked slightly confused, after all for him it was confusing to see even one of his older brothers much less seek him out.

Alessio can feel himself being called by Ark by his title, if felt insulting hearing it from Ark's mouth, "'Commander Alessio?' What happened to 'Brother Lessi?' is that anyway to call your own brother?" Alessio snarkly remarked before feeling guilty about his comment.

Shit shit shit shit, you're a fucking idiot! why did you say that?!

Arkian just blink softly as he was slightly confused by what Alessio had said, didn't he always hate that Ark calls him 'Brother Lessi', he was always punished by Alessio if he ever did.

'if you call me Brother Lessi one more time, I'll lock you in the stables!!'

Not that it matters, even if he calls them big brother, he only have one big brother in his heart.

"My apologies Brother Lessi...." Ark corrected himself softly which make Alessio heart slightly swell in pride.

"Well, I want to know how was your meeting with the crowned prince?" Alessio changed the topic quickly which makes Ark slightly irritated by the reminder of Helios....

Horrible, A narcissistic jerk, two faced asshole. Arkian said deep inside his heart but instead he said, "It went well I guess...."

As much Ark want to complain, he has no right to do it and beside he doesn't trust his two brothers not to tell the crowned prince.

Alessio look at Ark not really buying his statement but didn't comment on it, "did he do something that made you uncomfortable?"

Arkian look at him slightly hesitant before answering, "no, no he didn't....he just kissed my forehead...."

When Alessio heard this, he felt like his vein was popping out from how frustrated he is, that bastard dare to kiss Ark's forehead,"ah...I see....a kiss in the forehead huh?....."

Ark look at Alessio hesitating if he should tell Alessio that Helios what he wanted to say, "yeah....I guess...."

Ark then build up his courage to tell Alessio, "I did tell him that I want to break the engagement—" , Ark was then interrupted by Alessio's excitement.

"You did?! That's great, don't worry we'll find another suitable partner for you!" Alessio was glad, Ark was able to break off the engagement, that bastard of a prince doesn't deserve his baby brother.

Ark was hesitant before cutting off Alessio, "actually....I wasn't successful in breaking off the engagement....he didn't say yes...."

Alessio smile stiffened slightly, "I see......well that's no good, don't worry me and Lucius will find a way for you—"

Ark was looking at him slightly more hesitant, "um....I.....I'm actually thinking of leaving the ducal....in 3 months....."

Silence

Alessio was processing what Ark said before he asked again, "what? What the hell do you mean leaving?". Alessio was confused at what Ark had said, didn't they give everything to him? Although he have every right to leave them, that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

Ark was quite nervous telling Alessio about his departure afterall between his two older brothers, Alessio was the more ruthless than Lucius.

Ark remembered one time that Alessio had left him in the middle of the woods because he was too 'annoying' and Ark came back bruised and scratched. He had a fever the following day and had to be bedridden for a week.

Back to the present, Ark look at Alessio as he took a shaky sigh before speaking again, "I...I think I overstayed here in the ducal.....and since I'm a little older now, maybe I should leave now and find my real pare—"

"No." Alessio stated sharply and coldly

Ark was flabbergasted as his sentence was cut off by Alessio, "N-no? I...I was just saying, I wasn't asking for permission."

Alessio look at Ark and sigh softly as he put his hand over Ark's shoulder, "do you think we're short on money?"

Ark blink softly as he look at Alessio blankly, "eh? Ah no—".

Alessio continued his rant and refused to listen to Ark's nonsense, "or perhaps the allowance we gave isn't enough? Don't worry, I'll tell Lucius to add more, if isn't enough, I'll even give you a private property. It's enough right?".

Alessio can't let Ark leave, both him and Lucius haven't even reconcile nor asked for Ark's forgiveness. Ark leaving isn't an option nor a solution to anything. Ark belongs inside the Decroix estate only and nowhere else.

Alessio only patted Ark's hair and ruffles it gently, "don't worry now, you weren't overstaying here. Mother and Father had taken you and as your older brother, it is my responsibility to raise you."

Ark was shell shock understandable as both Alessio and Lucius hated him to the bone since there were young and now Alessio is stating that it's their 'responsibility?' what the heck is wrong with them?

Ark tried to explain again to Alessio, "But brother Lessi, isn't me leaving good? You don't have to worry about me and I won't be invading you—"

Alessio cut him Ark again as he smiled softly, "You aren't invading, Ark and besides you're now a Decroix and we stick together as brothers, although we haven't treated you right before, we are now changing our ways and repenting. We should forget the past now, okay?"

Ark was now standing still quietly listening as Alessio's word sink in. Forget the past? Forget all their abused towards him and his death? Do they think he's stupid?

They might be a fool if they thought he would forget what they did to him.

Alessio had accepted Ark's silent as yes and pat his head one last time before leaving happily as Ark was left behind standing there, he clenched his fist as he gritted his teeth muttering a single hated word.

"Bastard."

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Author's note:
      Hey guys, sorry if the chapter's upload is very slow, I'm now having a writer's block along with being busy with college and family problems.

   I'll try to update as much but I'm glad you all read and supported my work although it was actually meant for me. Thanks again for reading~