Appetency

THIRTEEN

Laurent doesn't know what happened to Orion even when he asked Seamus what he did.

Well, it's not like he's that worried about the guy. He's got a halo over him anyways, so Laurent shouldn't care.

As of now, he's sitting next to his brother, who's still checking him all over. He was already checked by the family doctors a few times by Seamus' demand, but it doesn't seem to satisfy him.

Though Seamus was still angry. He looks at the cuts on Laurent's hands and wanted to curse.

"I'm okay, Seamus."

"No, this shouldn't have even happened in the first place. Had I known you'd be in danger, I wouldn't have allowed you to go no matter what. Even Orion wasn't good enough to protect you."

Seamus grasps his hands, holding onto them firmly.

"I-If I had come with you instead, or if I wasn't so busy and kept you company-"

"What can you do? What's done is done," Laurent scoffs. "You're looking down on me, aren't you? You always think that I can't handle anything. I bet you're even laughing at me-"

"I wouldn't! Laurent, you don't understand just how scared I was when I heard what happened. You didn't come back for so long, and I wasn't even home! W-What am I supposed to do if you were severely hurt?"

Seamus brings Laurent's hands up to his face, burying himself there and teared up.

"I'm sorry... I know you don't like me, and I know you're scared of me, but I can't help it! It's not my fault I was born like this!"

"Seamus?"

"You're always scared of me," Seamus stammers, almost breaking down. "I don't want to be like this... I don't even know what to do. I tried being the brother you wanted, but it's too hard... I'm just so scared. You don't even want me around."

Laurent stays rooted to his seat, not expecting this from Seamus.

All this time, Laurent was just afraid of him? That's why he didn't like him?

He never questioned as to why the OG Laurent disliked his older brother, and he figured it was because Seamus didn't approve of his relationships with any of the love interests. Especially with Valentino.

He had a feeling that Seamus was just protective, but he didn't know his brother was actually scared of how Laurent perceived him.

And it was all because of how Seamus was born strong.

Thinking about it, the common people and the rest of the nobles were wary and afraid of the emperor and Grand Duke Valentino. Not just because of their background, but because of the strengths they possessed.

Even Orion hadn't been spared from the same treatment. Just because he became a holy knight doesn't mean that people didn't fear his abilities.

And naturally, Laurent was the same as everyone else. His brother was no exception.

It makes Laurent lower his gaze to Seamus' shaking form, still muttering out apologies and how clueless he was in how to take better care of his younger brother.

Seamus loved Laurent too much. It's almost sad to see.

In the end, he reached over to hug Seamus.

The old Laurent would never do this. He doubts he ever did even before he was trapped in this shitty game, so the relationship between him and Seamus wasn't good at all.

But he just couldn't help but take pity on Seamus.

"What are you crying about?" Laurent sighs. "I'm right here in front of you. I'm fine, and you will be, too."