7 Chapter 7: Aurelion

Aurelion stepped out from behind the larkspurs and calmly approached the pavilion. His face is cold and aloof like usual, but Neo knew where to spot to tell if he was nervous. He had spent many years observing this younger brother of his and he would be ashamed if he knew nothing about the little punk.

Ever since he was small, the brat would sometimes pick at his thumb with his index finger whenever he's nervous.

Neo saw this exact motion as Aurelion drew closer and smiled helplessly. It doesn't matter if he shoved a sword into his chest. In the end, the brat is still a brat.

Neo swirled his teacup around and took a sip.

Mm, Rainier definitely brewed this one.

"Did you need something from me?"

Aurelion had only sat down on the opposite chair inside the pavilion when Nazareth asked him this question.

No, he did not need anything. He wants to leave, dammit!

He blames his predicament on that Benedick ingrate.

Aurelion thought back to the bastard and his mood darkened.

Neo's inquiries were met with silence, but it didn't surprise him in the lease. Aurelion has always been like this. Constantly brooding-like face and all. Even Neo wasn't blind to this behavior when he had been Nazareth.

Seeing that his brother wasn't going to answer him, obviously by the look he was giving him, Neo can only sigh helplessly and gestures for Rainier to serve his brother a cup of tea.

Aurelion believed that this scummy troublemaker was making fun of him. That amused look in his eyes and that mock sigh right there was very telling.

In truth, that was exactly what Neo was doing. Besides feeling somewhat amused, having had seen his brother hide behind those larkspur stalks, he was every bit delighted as Aurelion initially assumed.

With a little smile, he pushed the second cake he was about to eat over to the punk and grabbed the third and last cake from the tea cart. He didn't like strawberries anyway.

Aurelion's head snaps up to look at him directly, a flash of surprise clear in his eyes.

Sapphire meets vermillion, and they stay that way for a few seconds.

However, Neo is the first to look away, his focus on the rim of his teacup. It's really awkward, you know? In two years, this little brat will be his downfall.

Vermillion eyes that were once filled with malice have turned into jewels. This time, he'll make up for what he has done. Aurelion doesn't need to look behind his shoulders anymore. Guinivere will be safe. And Sutton can enjoy a normal school life at the academy. No one will die.

"Since you're here you might as well join me for tea."

Neo offered, his lips forming into a genuine smile. Two pairs of eyes turned crescent, and a never-before-seen expression fully formed on the oldest child of the Odum family.

Aurelion sat stiffly, seemingly unable to comprehend his brother's behavior. This can't be another ploy against his life, right? He has never seen that smile before. Sure, he had seen Nazareth with the little smirks and cruel smiles, even some that scrunched up his face and were full of teeth, but never an expression like that.

He silently accepted the cup, but he didn't take the cake. As much as he trusted Rainier, the same cannot be said about Nazareth. For all he knows, the other could have added something into the cake.

He looked down at the cup and took a sip with thought.

The taste of Ceylon invaded his sense and he was almost confused, having expected earl grey.

Neo continued speaking. "Apologies for the lack of cream and sugar. I prefer my drinks straight."

Which he did. Nazareth didn't like cream and sugar, Neo didn't like cream and sugar, and now, he still doesn't like cream and sugar. He fed his bitterness with more bitterness, and now he doesn't deserve anything except for bitterness.

He did not mind Aurelion's blatant distrust and was undisturbed by his appearance. He actually commends the brat for being so uptight and cautious. He knows he was distrust-worthy. Hmm, by this time, Aurelion should have experienced a total of thirty attempts on his life by his past self. He took a glimpse at the cold face across from him. Strong kid.

Aurelion took glances at Nazareth, observing him secretly under the guise of drinking his tea. Nazareth had started reading a book and paid no mind to him. Every so often, this older brother would habitually stop to eat his cake or drink some tea, before going back to reading, completely dismissing his presence.

By the time Rainier had to refill their cups, Aurelion had enough of this silence. This interaction with his brother was far too peaceful and drew suspicion.

"You should rein in that fool from the Benedick family, lest he offends the wrong people."

Neo's movements ceased.

It was Aurelion's turn to swirl his cup in a casual manner, his attitude reflecting an indifferent facade.

"That swine can barely hold his tongue. The meeting with the crown prince was a disaster and he not only shamed himself, but he dared drag me into his little ploys." He sneers.

Neo closed the book down and raised his head, giving his brother his full attention.

Ah, he forgot about the Benedick family.

At this time, he still has connections with them.

Marquis of Benedick had three sons from three different women. The main wife, a second wife, and a mistress from the red light district.

The first son, the son of the main wife, had a fever during his childhood and simply passed away. The second son, the son of the mistress, was accidentally killed a few years ago during the annual royal hunt. The third son, son of the second wife, grew up and became a debauched heir.

Neo had used this son and heir for his own gain and brought misfortune upon that house.

The son, Royce Benedick, was an idiot, sure, but an awfully loyal lackey. As the youngest of his brothers, he grew up without expecting the title of Marquis and enjoyed his days as a third son. After the death of Tobias Benedick, the previous heir apparent, he took on the title without any preparation.

Knowing this, Nazareth had approached him and used him to torment Sutton and scheme against his younger brother.

When his brother and his friends found evidence of the boy's schemes, Nazareth had pushed him and his family toward ruins to save himself.

The boy didn't live very long after that. Nazareth heard the news of his death a month after the Benedick Household collapsed. Apparently, some of the families who the Benedicks oppressed wanted revenge. The boy was tossed into the sea after being placed inside a luggage trunk and drowned.

So young, he had a whole life ahead of him. Despite what he did--and really, Neo was at fault for his death--didn't deserve such a gruesome ending.

He wonders what the boy is doing now. At this time, he hasn't ordered him to scheme against Aurelion. It was only during their third-year--when Sutton came to the academy--that he directed the other against his brother and his group of friends.

Royce had been so naive and unaware of the cruel world, he happily built a world of debauchery and false-happiness to ignore the sufferings of the people in his family's fief. Most likely, he is having fun, drinking with the rest of the debauch sons of noble families.

A fond and helpless appeared on Neo's face. That idiot didn't know how to talk to a noble, he was barely taught any proprieties. He held no expectations and accepted the fact that he will someday be moved to a villa by the coast and live out his days with the money brought in by a few shops and restaurants. He was satisfied with his life, and Nazareth ruined him.

Aurelion saw the smile on his brother's face and mistaken it for sarcasm. He gritted his teeth but maintained his mask of indifference. What else can he expect from this brother of his? Maybe an insult at best.

After reminiscing for a few more seconds, Neo spoke, his tone; quiet and demure, and very different yet similar to the way he spoke as Nazareth.

"As you say, he is a fool." He agrees with a nod, resting his fingers at the rim of his cup, playing with the edges lightly. "However, do not forget that he lacked the luxury of being trained for the heir position since childhood." Unlike his brother, unlike yourself, was left unspoken, but the implication was there. "He is not prepared to fill his brother's position, and perhaps he will never be like Tobias Royce. But at the very least, you should give him some time."

Neo wanted to push Royce to Aurelion's side. Aurelion will be a more positive influence on him than he ever was. The boy can be safe, and perhaps be an even better Marquis than his father. If he became one of Aurelion's people, he will certainly live longer.

As he thought of this plan, Neo completely forgot about Aurelion, his mind calculating the different methods to get Royce to join his brother's group.

Aurelion has gone speechless. Is this really his brother? What happened to him? Is he dying? Is that why he's acting like this? So many questions, all left unanswered.

In the end, Aurelion is only fifteen. Sensible and still susceptible to outside influences, he hasn't understood the meaning of life just yet.

Ah, this ice cube brat.

Neo thinks, secretly taking a glimpse of his brother over the rim of his cup.

Having already drunk two cups of tea and finished two slices of cake, the youth stands up and tucks his book away.

"Aurelion."

The boy raises his head to look at him.

Neo peers at him with an indescribable emotion behind his eyes. The vermillion eyes seemingly lighten to a sunset hue, Aurelion notices. Is it the lighting, perhaps…?

"About Royce Benedick, despite our association, do bear in mind that I do not have the reins to that boy. If you think he is trash, then I won't change your mind on him."

Aurelion: …

No, I never thought that he was trash. Those are your words, brother…

Neo doesn't seem to notice the expression on Aurelion's face and continues to speak.

"You should go teach him a lesson on noble airs if it bothers you so much." And maybe make friends with him.

With nothing else left to say, Neo didn't want to hold more of Aurelion's time.

"If that is all, I shall now leave. Please see your way out of the garden yourself. Let's go, Rainier."

He stepped down the stairs of the pavilion and left for his bedroom. Behind him, Rainier followed closely with the tea cart. Ah, he actually acted like a somewhat competent elder sibling for once. Neo patted himself on the back for this.

Staring at the retreating figure of his brother, Aurelion sat there inside the pavilion, looking quite dumbfounded. What in the world just happened? He looked at Rainier, and as if he could sense his gaze, the servant's head turned to his line of sight. The boy wanted answers. As quickly as possible.

By the time Neo and Rainier had long disappeared from his line of sight, Aurelion found himself alone.

The cake left by Neo was still in front of him, lying there innocently, looking every bit scrumptious and dainty.

Should he…?

After having a mental debate with himself, Aurelion reluctantly grabbed his fork.

Scooping a piece into his mouth, the taste of strawberries invaded his senses.

Aurelion looks down at the cake, his mind in disarray whilst his cold gaze pierced the piece of desert.

He took another bite.

It's good.