Lucian stood still, staring at his big brother—Leo—looking strong and fine, like yesterday's rough fight never happened. More than that, his body was different: once thin and weak, now full of hard muscle, like a fighter. And when Leo said 'little brother, it hit Lucian hard—something he never thought Leonhardt would call him.
Leo saw the surprise on Lucian's face—and his butler's too—grabbing a towel and wiping sweat off his neck, crimson eyes shining with a small, playful grin. "Why the funny face?" he asked.
Lucian's words shook a little. "You're exercising? I saw you get hurt badly yesterday."
Leo laughed, a low, happy sound, tossing the towel away. "Just little bruises. I'm good—better than good. But I can't leave until the main healer permit."
Liana's cheeks went red, and she hurried over, holding his shirt tight. "Young Master, put this on! You can't stay like that!" she said, half mad, half shy.
Leo smiled, pulling the shirt on easily, letting it fit over his strong chest.
He walked to Lucian, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Let's sit and talk," he said, going to the bed and dropping down with a thud, legs stretched out. Lucian waited a second, then sat on a stool close by, hands fidgeting.
Leo looked at him, his eyes soft but strong, thinking of old memories—Leonhardt's memories. There wasn't real hate there, just a quiet anger. When Lucian got his resonance weapon, everyone turned to him, cheering loud, and forgot Leonhardt, even making fun of him. That's what changed him back then.
Lucian didn't know what to say. "I… brought you some things," he said quiet, nodding to the butler. Liana took the basket—full of shiny apples, a jar of honey, a little wooden horse by Vivien, and a soft blue scarf—and put it on the table.
Leo leaned in, hands on his knees, looking big and steady. "How you doing?" he asked, voice clear.
Lucian stopped, not sure. "I'm… okay," he said, looking down.
Leo tilted his head. "And home? Everyone good?"
"Mother and Father are fine," Lucian said, feeling easier. "They were so worried and relived when they heard you're safe."
Leo's grin got sharp, like he knew more. "Really?" he said, a little laugh in his voice, like he saw something funny.
Lucian's face lit up, remembering. "Vivien was super happy you're okay." He waved to the butler, who gave him a folded letter. "She wrote this for you," Lucian said, handing it over.
Leo took it, touching the paper soft, and a real, warm smile came out—kind and gentle. "Little Vivien," he said low, voice full of care. "I miss our little sister. I'll write her back—promise." He tucked the letter in his pocket.
Lucian blinked, his mind reeling. The man before him—Leo—felt like a stranger, his calm warmth a stark contrast to the bitter, furious brother etched into Lucian's memory. Is this really Leonhardt? he thought, doubt swirling. Can someone change this much? There was one sure way to test it.
"Big brother," Lucian began, voice slow and cautious, "your fight yesterday—it was unreal. That move… I've never seen anything like it." He tensed, waiting. "Big brother" had always been a spark to Leonhardt's rage, a trigger for snarls and glares.
But Leo just gave a small, steady smile, nodding. "Thanks," he said, voice low and real. "Took a lot of sweat to pull it off." No anger, just quiet pride.
Lucian's chest tightened. He's different—truly different.
Lucian leaned forward, his heart thudding as he pressed on. "Big brother… what happened in the forest? Were there really bandits?" His voice carried a quiet weight, chasing the truth.
Leo's eyes sharpened, glinting with thought. "You took the same path, didn't you?" he asked, tone casual but tinged with something deeper.
"Yeah," Lucian nodded, watching him closely.
Leo's red gaze flicked to the butler, standing stiff behind Lucian, and lingered there, suspicion glinting like a blade. "See any bandits on your way?" he asked, voice smooth but heavy, eyes locked on the man.
Lucian shook his head. "No, none. And when Father heard you got attacked, he sent soldiers to wipe out every bandit in that forest. But they vanished—but they found signs someone had already killed them."
Leo's brow arched, real surprise flashing across his face, breaking his cool front. "Gone, huh? Guess someone took 'em out—someone good," he said, his tone low and curious. He glanced at the butler again, a quick, hard look that made the man twitch.
"Well," he went on, voice steady and deliberate,"Bandits hit us—small bunch, but they are strong enough to kill our soldiers fast." His tone stayed steady, but his eyes hinted at more, flicking to the butler like he knew something Lucian didn't. "Liana and I got out. Spent a week lost in the woods—hiding, fighting, 'til we made it back."
Lucian's throat tightened, relief flooding him as he looked at his brother—alive, strong, different. "I'm so glad," he said, voice trembling with quiet joy. "Really glad you're okay, big brother—and that you've changed." His eyes shone, a weight lifting as he saw the brother he'd longed for, not the one he'd feared.
Leo's smile softened, genuine warmth breaking through his sharp edges. He reached out, resting a firm, steady hand on Lucian's shoulder. "You're in Gold Class, huh?" he asked.
"Yeah," Lucian said, sitting taller, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Leo's grip tightened slightly, his smirk fading into something serious, protective. "Good. Keep your eyes open out there. Anything you need—anything—I've got you." His words weren't just a promise; they carried a quiet duty, a choice Leo had made. Leonhardt's old mistakes—resentment, distance—and he wanted to fix them, to be the brother Lucian deserved now.
---
Later, as Lucian walked back toward the dorm buildings, Liana stood by the window, her brown gaze following his figure as he disappeared into the distance. Leo sat on the bed, the letter from Vivien in his hands, his crimson eyes scanning the neat, childlike script with a rare gentleness.
"Do you think Young Master Lucian was involved in what happened?" Liana asked carefully, her voice breaking the quiet.
Leo didn't look up from the letter. His tone remained calm, but there was an edge of certainty in his words. "No. Lucian's too innocent for that. It's her doing."
"Her?" she asked, frowning slightly.
He finally set the letter down, his gaze distant but sharp. "Duchess Maria—my stepmother," he said, his voice cool and even. "Also Lucian's attendant! He's a spy. She sent him to keep an eye on me. I hinted him that I know its not attack rather assassination "
"Should we inform the Duke about this?" She asked in concern.
Leo shook his head, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "No need. I'll handle it myself. Besides… she's not working alone. There's a bigger hand in this, and I need to know whose."
He glanced down at the letter again, his smile softening as he ran his fingers over the paper. "Look at this," he said, holding it up for Liana. "Vivien's writing is incredible. Can you believe she's only six?"
Liana's lips curved into a small smile. "She's impressive, Young Master."
"Prepare to send my reply," he said, leaning back with a faint sigh. "It's about time I wrote back to her."