Now Damien had never been scolded by anyone, well the credit of course went to his status as an orphan. Hurrah to all of that— But in front of Lady Cecil who was weaker than anyone present in the room, he dared not to raise his head much less open his mouth and retort back.
Maybe this was the legendary fear of a mother that everyone spoke of, so like a trembling fowl, he stood in front of Lady Cecil who despite being a kind-faced and weak woman looked very much like a furious man-eating shark.
"I understand that you two are upset but this is not how I raised you two to —cough, cough..behave," said Lady Cecil sounding both disappointed and furious. "Henry, you should never in any circumstances raise your hand on your elder brother. No matter what he had done, you ought to show some respect to your elder brother."
"What kind of ugly—cough —words did you say to your elder brother?"
"I apologise, mother," said Henry with his head lowered and expression downcast looking very much like a child who was caught stealing a candy.
Lady Cecil then turned to look at Damien and in the same reproachful voice continued, "You too Damien. I understand that what your brother said to you has caused you to be upset and angry, but really —since when did you start to avenge the smallest mistake? You should never use your anger to govern your actions."
"From where did you learn to use such spiteful words to make your siblings feel like lesser beings?"
Damien flushed as he too lowered his head and apologised, "I am sorry."
Lady Cecil continued staring at her two sons with anger. She sighed and then said, "This is what Emiliano had always wanted, Dami, Henry. He deliberately set us all up because he wants you two to fight and kill each other. Don't do what he expects from you two —I hope that you two will be each other's support and not the cause of death."
Neither Damien nor Henry retorted Lady Cecil who was once again looking frailer than ever as if she was going to breathe her last at any moment.
She glanced at Damien who seemed frustrated and annoyed before saying, "Let's try what Dami suggested. I will take the concoction of Kineclove from today onwards. It's better to use a herb that is easily available in the market than wasting expensive medicine that is not doing any good.."
He turned and looked at Damien before saying in a cold voice, "I haven't quite forgotten how you begged to be taken back to the Royal Court nor have I forgotten how you have forgotten your own family for the sake of your obsession to return in glory."
"Forgive me for not believing your half-hearted words."
After speaking he turned on his feet and left without letting Damien have a chance to speak.
Damien scowled at the back of the boy and snorted before muttering angrily, "Acting all tough now that Mother can't hear you. If you had the guts, you should have said these things in front of her."
He deliberately spoke loudly because he wanted Henry to hear it, and given that his neck was bright red he must have heard it.
Slightly satisfied with his small act of revenge, Damien turned on his feet as well. He noticed that Priscilla wanted to say something to him, he waited but she only opened her mouth twice before hesitating and then turned quiet once again.
Seeing her hesitant attitude, he knew that she too wanted to say the same thing as Henry.
As Damien had no desire to say something rude to Priscilla, he picked up his pace and left the hall. It felt simply delightful to be treated with so much trust!
"It seems like your siblings believe that you have finally lost your remaining marbles, Lord Damien," commented Xavier as the two of them stepped out of the manor.
Damien choked on air before sputtering, "Well thanks for that well put remark, genius."
"You are most welcome, Lord Damien. You know I exist to serve you after all."