Chapter 171: Don't Worry, Mommy

Chapter 171: Don't Worry, Mommy

She nearly whipped her head back to look at her brother. Toris mouth opened just a bit as Kasen slid a single sheet of paper across the table.

He just straight up went and ordered him to do it. Kasey...you are amazing.

She mentally praised her brother as Montans face paled. His wide eyes looked across at Kasen with a mixture of panic and surprise.

How did you know...? He turned his head towards Tori.

My sister was curious about the charms you made for His Highness Prince Gideon and sought counsel with me, Kasen replied smoothly. He was well prepared for this. She mentioned that youd made such charms for others, and the day the ovens for the baking club broke during the Spring Festival, there was a faint trace of your energy signature coming from her. At first, she wasnt using it, then the senior admonished her, and the charm was activated.

Montans wide eyes couldnt be taken from Kasen. His mouth dropped and he gaped. You felt my charm?

Kasen raised a brow. Did you think that the only thing a master charm user can do is write complex charms? He looked at Tori. Tori, do crystal users feel crystal energy?

Tori nodded. If you are familiar enough with another user, you can also single out and trace the energy of that other user. She looked at Montan and her eyes narrowed a bit. That was how we found you and the others last summer.

Kasen looked back at Montan with a serious expression. He extended his hand and quietly tapped the paper between them. Make the charm exactly as you made it for the Baroness.

Montan hesitated, but he reached out for some ink and a brush. Tori took a step closer and craned her neck to watch him write.

There was a general method that charms users followed when making a charm. It was almost a ritual to prepare the paper and write. Montan was quick with light, but meticulous brushwork. Tori could see a thin sheen of sweat across his forehead and considering that the operations tent had air conditioning, it wasnt because he was hot.

Kasen watched him carefully. When Kasen wrote a charm, it was also written quickly, but it reminded Tori of a doctor writing a prescription.

After a few minutes, Montan lifted his brush of the paper and studied the charm, as if looking for any mistakes. Then he put the brush down and pushed the paper forward.

Kasen reached for it and turned it towards him. Tori watched Montan watch her brother and seemed to grip the table with is fingers in anticipation of what Kasen would say.

Do you write reusable charms often? The ones with the condition to charge when not in use? Kasen asked without looking up from the charm.

Montan shook his head. No, this was the first time I wrote it. Kasens blue eyes lifted and looked over the paper. Montan sat up straight and leaned forward. Its true! My mother said never to use conditionals to recharge and reuse the charm because then the customer wont buy more!

Tori squinted as Montan blurted it out. Kasen lowered the paper on to the table. So, youve never used it on any other charms?

Montan shook his head. No.

Then why did you use it for this one?

Montan lowered his eyes and flushed. I wanted to help Alessa, and this made the most sense. Alessa isnt from Horizon. What if she needs to use it if Im not there? She doesnt know anyone else who can make charms. And if she did, she cannot afford more.

Kasens unsettling gaze never left him. Charms that have conditions to recharge and be reused are extremely rare for the main reason that they are illegal.

Montans head snapped up. The color seemed to drain from his face. Even Toris eyes widened a bit. Shed never considered it because it was drilled into her head that charms were one time use.

Why are they illegal? she asked, looking at her brother.

Charms deteriorate over time, even if they were never used. A new charm that is exactly the same as an older one will work smoother than the older one. Just like anything that is reused, it can get worn and when a charm is worn, it eventually breaks down and malfunctions. Charms that are recharged for reuse can eventually either stop recharging, burn itself out, or become unable to stop uncontrolled charging.

Kasens words made Toris blood cold. Charms that recharge regain their energy from the person using it. Kasen nodded. Then...if its not controlled and the charm is constantly taking out energy from the user, is it possible to weaken the user?

It very much weakens the user. Their body is unable to create enough energy fast enough and so, it starts to cannibalize itself.

Toris arms fell to her sides, and she stared at her brother. It...starves?

A scraping sound filled the tent room as Montan shot up from his seat and scraped the chair legs against the ground. His shaken body took a step back. Alessa still wears-

Sit down, Kasen told him in a firm voice. His eyes were a bit narrow and the playful look in them that Tori was familiar with was gone.

I have to tell her to take it off-

Shes not going to die. Its likely to be caught and stopped by a healthy adult. The process will take longer as the body is healthy. All theyd need to do is rip the charm and recover like one would from any other temporary illness, Kasen told them. But for small children, the sick, and elderly, depending on the charm, it could take as little as a few days. Well, the reason it became illegal in the first place was that people were using them to kill elders for inheritance under the guise of a health charm.

Tori shut her eyes and drew her lips inward to bite them. Montans trembling hand grasped the back of the seat to steady himself before slowly returning.

I...I didnt know that.

There are many laws regarding charms and while the production and sales do not seem heavily regulated, it is because they have long been forced into a specific format that has been approved for sales and use, Kasen told them. He leaned back against his seat. Soleil is a several thousand-year-old empire. Things have been shaped for its benefit and survival, but as a consequence, things have been lost that may have been useful.

Tori lowered her eyes. The combination of crystals and charms, which she was so fascinated with and often teased about, was a lost art according to Master Ramos. If less and less people practiced it, of course it would die out one day.

Why havent you gone over these laws on charms with me? Tori asked her brother.

Kasen smiled softly at her. You dont need to worry about them.

Toris eyes crinkled up. She wasnt sure if he meant it was because she wouldnt break any laws with what she was doing or if meant that even if she did break the law, it would be fine. She honestly couldnt tell and was worried it was the latter. Kasey, I know you love me, but I, too, need boundaries.

Kasen reached up and squeezed her chin affectionately. I am going to have a talk with young Mr. Alvere here. It may take some time.

Youre not hungry? she asked. She was hesitant to leave despite her brothers obvious hint. The talk just started, and she was already engaged in the topic.

We will be done by lunch, Kasen told her. He glanced towards the exit. Go and check on Fifi. Robi is very measured, but Fifi.... His smile seemed to warm up. Fifi was like you when you were little.

The brief image of Fiona wildly swinging a dagger to hit pinecones flashed in her mind. It was cute when it was Fiona, but when she thought of little Victoria doing that, it was embarrassing. Her cheeks reddened and she gave him a nod.

Ill come get you for lunch if youre not out by then, she said as she turned around and slipped out.

She took two steps when a sharp pain sliced through her head. She grabbed on to the nearest table and leaned forward, pressing her lips together to keep from crying out. She recognized the quick pain immediately and it faded quickly, leaving her with a memory.

A tween Kasen was trying to calm her down as she held a stick in her hand. She swung it around at a target dummy, but it wasnt a cut that she was used to. She was beating the target dummy like a piata and in the background, teenage Sebastian was laughing with tears in his eyes as he proclaimed she was so cute.

Victoria, calm down! Youre putting too much energy into it-ow! Be careful! In the memory, Kasen had tried to grab her stick to stop her.

Sebastian had eventually walked out from under the tree and swiped her stick from her hands, almost lifting her off her feet if she didnt let go. Victoria, its okay to take it slowly. Not everyone is good at sword immediately.

No, I can do it! Victorias childish little voice had piped.

But in the end, little Victoria had hated that she was not good immediately like she heard her brothers had been, grew impatient, and quit. She had run to her room, cried for two days, and announced that she didnt want to learn any weapons.

So as not to embarrass herself, she had said she wanted to do noble lady things, like dancing, for which she actually had a slight gift. She then made a point to disdain anything related to the martial arts.

Huh... Tori said to herself as she left the operations tent. She learned something new. The game made her believe that Victoria just wanted to be a lady who was worthy of standing with her prince, but she simply gave up and pretended she didnt want to learn the sword because she was bad at it. Her reason for wanting to learn was to be like her brothers. Wait, did Victoria have a sort of brother idolization thing going, as well? Then again, they are pretty great.

Tori. Piers was waiting for her outside the tent.

I thought you went to rest?

I slept on the way here.

...to ignore your brother? Piers eyes shifted to the side. Tori shook her head. Im going to the beach. Change into your swim outfit and come with me.

Piers nodded and followed her to where their tents were located. When she came out in a custom made cover up robe and holding some towels, Piers stepped forward to carry them for her. She was a bit hesitant. Half-dressed Piers was always a treat, and she wasnt ashamed to think it.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Still, she handed over the towels and discussed what shed just learned from Kasen with him. He also told her the same thing her brother did: she didnt need to worry about the laws on charms.

When she got to the beach, she found that the children had congregated at the deck for snacks. They were wet and wrapped in towels with hoods that Tori had made for the children of guests. The canvas-colored poncho-like towels had the Lions Gate logo embroidered over the left chest.

After Tori joined them for a snack, she joined them in the water. As time passed, she began to notice that Axton hadnt come out to join them. Gideon and Fabian had come out to swim to the cedar platform, but Axton remained missing.

Piers seemed to notice her constantly turning back to the beach and looking towards the path. Are you looking for your brothers? He was lying on a lounge chair under an umbrella. Sir Dobcheck was adjusting the crystals above him to cool him.

Axton, Tori said as she knelt beside Fiona, who was digging up sand and putting it into a bucket. Hed usually follow you.

And now it will be the last, Kasen said in a dull voice. Just keep working hard to have a relationship with your brother. Ask yourself: what would Kasen de Guevera do?

Tori gave her brother a strange look. He had every right to be confident, but to this extent?

I understand, Senior.

Good. Kasen finally nodded with approval. He push his chair back and stood up. Tori, you may need to be the one to be firm with Montan. He is too fragile and anything negative from Axton could break him.

Tori nodded. Okay.

Kasen stood in front of Piers. And you....

I will also show Axton how to be an older brother, Senior, Piers said. Kasen sneered.

No. Just give Axton time off every now and then for his brother. Kasen took his sisters hand and led her out of the meeting room. Ive seen you and the second prince. There is no need for a second version of that.

Piers looked at Axton as Axton stood up. Gideon is not Montan. Montan will be more measured.

Gideon used to watch you study in the library from outside a window, Axton said with a pained expression. I dont want that, either.

The four of them walked out of the operations tent and headed back to the Promenade. As they reached the restaurant, Tori noticed that Montan wasnt amongst the many guests or their party in one corner. She was about to follow Kasen in, when she noticed Axton had lingered at the entrance and seemed to scan the crowd again.

Piers remained with him. I told Dobchek to let him see what food was there. He is likely wandering the Promenade. He looked at Axton for a second. I will go with you to look for him.

Axton looked at him with surprise, but Tori felt her heart warm up. No matter how much Piers dragged Axton, no one knew Axton better and would step in to help him immediately like Piers.

Lets go, then. Axton didnt reject him at all. There was no need; he knew Piers sincerity. The two turned around and headed across the plaza. Tori thought for a moment, then decided to follow. She trailed behind them a few steps and noticed they slowed to wait for her. As she found her space between them, Axton ruffled her head. You dont have to come. Go and eat with the others.

What are you talking about? Im here for market research. I just want to see what newcomers to my village like to eat, Tori said in as arrogant a voice as she could manage. Axton smiled softly.

Thank you, Tori.

They headed down one side of the Promenade, as a row in the center, past the plaza divided the walkway. One side faced the shops, the other faced the water. They walked closest to the shops first and would turn around at the end to walk back on the side facing the water.

There were plenty of guests there, as it was open to all for the Spring Festival. Once the festival was over, it was once more a closed settlement. Some guest had already extended their stays and got their reservations, as Tori found out when she arrived.

It was loud between the chattering people, the water against the embankment, and the sound of staff as they worked.

They neared the part of the Promenade that turned, and Tori caught a glimpse of a movement in one of the gaps between snack shops. She turned her head instinctively and caught a glimpse of blue.

Wait. She stopped and turned around, walking closer to the entrance of the alley. She heard the yelling almost at once.

She wasnt paying attention to Piers.

Nor was she paying attention to Axton. Her mind barely had time to grasp the situation as she watched the grown man knock a small, paper plate of funnel cake from a young mans hand, then raise his fist towards the young man as the young man lifted his arms to cover his head.

She felt a breeze sweep by her and heard a furious voice.

Axton filled her sights at once. Dont touch him, you bastard!

Winter, 16 Years Earlier - Sun Garden, Alvere Duchy

Hes so tiny....

Thats because hes a baby. The thin woman standing by the floor to ceiling window cradled the infant with the faint strands of dark hair on his head as she slowly walked back and forth.

A little boy trailed behind her, looking up eagerly to try to get a better look at the bundle. Why is he peeling?

His mother let out a low and warm chuckle. Hes growing.

Oh...I thought he was hurt. He barely saw the fleeting look of pain that crossed the lovely womans face. Can I hold him?

Didnt you just hold him?

I want to hold him again.

All right. Sit down. The boy scrambled to the large, overstuffed plush green chair and moved the pillows around him the way his mother taught him. He tried not to jump with excitement as his mother bent down to put the baby in his chubby arms. Careful...watch his head.

His face flushed as he looked down at the baby with curled little fists. This was a good baby. He didnt cry, like Piers brother. That baby was whiny. No wonder Piers didnt want to hold him, even after he told him that babies were soft and warm.

Hi, little baby.... he said in a soft voice. Its me again.

Do you like your brother? his mother asked. He looked up and beamed.

I like him.

Despite his mothers smile, there was some sadness in her face. Thats good.... Her blue-gray eyes flickered to the closed double doors of her chambers. There were several big knights outside the door and thanks to them, it had been quiet recently.

He remembered when a woman arrived to deliver his brother and his father seemed to go mad. His mother sent him to his room and in the silence, he could only sit and play with his toys. Sometime that night, his mother came holding a little bundle and with tears in her eyes, and told him that he had a brother.

At first, he didnt think it was a good thing, as his mother looked so sad. He remembered when they went to see Piers brother, she was incredibly happy. Babies were supposed to be a good thing. His mother had straightened up and the pain and sadness in her face was replaced with a hopeful smile.

In a dry, cracked voice, his mother had told him that he had a new brother and that they would be taking care of him.

The baby didnt have a name, so as he and his mother had sat on the bed with the baby in her arms, they brainstormed names.

He had picked Montan because the baby came from the mountains.

Now, he held Montan in his arms and tried to rock him the way he saw his mother doing. I wonder if you will look like me when you get big. Mommy, will he look like me?

Duchess Alveres face was paler than normal, and she seemed to force a smile. Perhaps he will....

There was a loud crash outside the doors and his mother tensed as she looked over. Muffled yelling could be heard, and the Duchess swept across the room to her desk, her hunter green robe almost flying behind her like a cape draped over her slim frame. She opened a gilded box and took out a piece of paper before slapping it against the wall. The muffled noises went silent.

He looked at her, a bit curious and worried. Is Daddy angry? His father had been raging for days and hed never seen him like this. It was the first time hed been scared to approach him.

The Duchess swallowed hard. Your father...isnt feeling well, she said carefully. Something happened and.... She paused and seemed to have trouble finding the right words. Her eyes reddened. Hes sick.

His eyes widened and he subconsciously tightened his grip around his new baby brother. Hes sick? Is he going to get better?

I dont know, she said, helpless. For the time being, you and Montan should stay away from him. Especially your brother.

His small brows knit together. Why? Is he going to get us sick?

He cant control himself right now and he could accidentally hurt you and Montan, his mother said as she knelt down beside him and stroked his curly hair. He doesnt mean to hurt you or Montan, but he cant control himself.

His eyes crinkled up. Whats making him sick? Can you fix it?

His mothers lips trembled. I.... A thud sounded against the door and his mother frowned as she looked past the chair and towards the door once more. A determined look filled her face. Darling, you are still young, but you have to remember my words in case something happens.

In case what happens?

If I am...unable to act...as the Duchess, his mother said with a forced smile. She looked down at the little boy in his arms. Montan is your younger brother. You are a big brother now and thats an important role, like being a duke. He nodded his head, though didnt fully comprehend. You must grow up strong and study hard.

He nodded his head. I know, Mommy! I will be Duke Alvere one day. I have responsibles for our land. Protect Alvere!

She nodded her head as her eyes watered. Her smile was pained, but her steady voice was still melodic and almost sounded as if she were blessing him. Yes, you have responsibilities. To our land and our people...and your brother. He is small and innocent. Your father is sick, and you cant depend on him.

Axton smiled wide. Dont worry, Mommy. I will also protect Montan.