Marks of the New Era

Chapter 6.4

"Tai" Haru stated "Is this what happened during those months you were locked in your room?"

"...yes"

"Why didn't you tell us?" He glanced towards his siblings, he expected them to be disappointed but they weren't, they just looked extremely sad.

"You were all so young" He started while looking at the window "I didn't want to burden any of you with my issues when you were struggling with your own, and besides, I didn't want any of you to see me in my worst moment, but I didn't realize that I was failing in my role as the older brother because I was neglecting all of you by locking myself"

The siblings looked at each other's before Takevu walked towards him, putting her hands on his shoulders she said "Tai, you're not a burden, you never were, we understand that, as the oldest brother, you feel the responsibility of being the strong one of the family, the one we all look for support, even more now that we are at war and you're the main commander"

"..."

Hiroshi continued "We understand that by being the future king you feel that you can't express yourself so freely, that you constantly think you might disappoint the people or the council and that you fear letting out your feelings will make someone take advantage of you"

"..."

Then Haru said "But a lot of times you forget that you can count on us too, blood related or not, we're your family, we'll never judge you if you have trouble expressing your thoughts or if you're looking for someone you can be vulnerable with"

"..."

"Tai" He looked at his twin "You have gone through a lot of difficult moments in your life and it's alright if you want to be in your comfort zone to think, however, you must know that you're never alone, when you decide to walk through obstacles, we'll walk alongside you and if you fall, we'll make sure to get you back up, as long as you trust in us"

They were all smiling at him, something he didn't expect, but it felt so comforting.

"You never walk alone"

Tai immediately walked forward and hugged his family, for the first time in a long time, he felt the guilt he had been carrying for so long getting off his shoulders, he felt relieved, at peace and free.

"Thank you, you don't know how much I needed to hear those words"

He finally felt his long-time scar starting to heal, although it would still take time to fully close, with the support of his siblings he had the confidence that, eventually, he will be able to accept what happened in the past.

It took him a long time to realize, but now here, surrounded by people he loved, he was able to understand what their mother had once told him.

It was true, he was never alone.