1 Despair

The Darkest Son

Western Europe, 2020

A small sized Town, the center of attention for the whole world for fragrances and eau de parfum, Grasse.

Big Merchant families that made their fortune here were high in numbers and quite affluent.

On the periphery of the town, flower fields characterize the country side, glued together with military precision column after column.

On one of the Lavender fields worked a Caucasian youth in his 20s, with a tall growth, wide frame, tanned, average face. What would shock most who looked at this youth was the fiery glint in his Eyes.

Guillaume de Besançon Young Master of one of the affluent families of Grasse. He and his twin brother represented the next generation of masters of the Besançon family. His father Jean de Besançon rescued the family from collapse with his nose and extreme Talent in perfume making.

But contrary to expectations Guillaume was neither talented with his nose nor by sampling fragrances, his brother on the other hand was hailed as the next family head and inheritor of his father's talents.

Guillaume's talent on the other hand lay with plants, the fields that he oversees bring the biggest yields and strongest essences. Reserved for his brothers' samples and experiments.

But since he couldn't present any other talent of worth to the family, be it business understanding or engineering, neither his father nor his mother placed much importance on this youth, the only affectionate person was his brother Daniel, that got his back and protected him from bullying.

As the sun set Guillaume made his way back to the family compound with the lavender yield of the day on his back.

As he entered the main gate what greeted him was a silent courtyard, no person present. A scene out of the ordinary since the Besançon family employed lackeys and employees in the hundreds. Splitting the plant residue and the essence oil was much work and mid-August was the busiest season as lavender was ready to harvest.

As Guillaume deposited his basket the head butler Françis approached him,

"2nd young master, please make your way to your fathers office, he awaits you."

"Thank you Françis, I'll quickly freshen up and make my way to him" Guillaume responded.

"Family head specially pointed out for you to go directly to him when you return."

Guillaume could make out a faint tremble in the butler's voice.

It had to be noted that even though Guillaume was a young master, since his family didn't back him no one was forced to give him face, it was only since his younger brother made a name for himself and pointed out that Guillaume had to be similarly treated as him did the family and the lackeys give Guillaume some face and where respectful to him.

As Guillaume was simple minded, he didn't give much importance on the family's lack in respect for him, and just did his work and minding his own business.

As Guillaume made his way to the study of his father, a creepy feeling made his way to his heart, every room was devoid of life, no servants, no worker simply deserted.

As he arrived before the study, he already heard his father's voice,

"Enter!"

"Yes, Family Head" was all Guillaume could get out.

The air in the study was suffocating and the tension could be cut.

A grim expression could be seen on his father's face.

"Guillaume, the Family ran in some troubles. It concerns the future of the whole household."

Fear crept up in Guillaume's heart. The gloomy expression of his father made his heart beat faster.

"To resolve this issue your help is of utmost importance and essential."

Guillaume was shocked. Since when was his help needed? But as he remembered his brothers face he didn't hesitate.

"Everything for the family, patriarch."

A glint could be seen in his father's eyes and a mocking smile cropped up his lips

"It is good that at least filial piety is one of your talents."

After a small pause his father continued with a heavy tone.

"Your brother is sick Guillaume, we got word of the doctors that his organs are failing. And the time left for him is limited to a few days."

Guillaume was shocked, where was this coming from? His twin brother who was always looking out for him, the only person that showed him "love" in this cold place was dying? The organs failing? That's no issue that arises from one day to the other. A hunch formed in Guillaume's mind and he decided to test his father.

"What is expected?"

Before his Father could respond, the door to the study opened. 4 Burly men entered followed by a youth in his 20s in luxury clothes and a slim frame. His younger twin brother arrived.

Guillaume felt odd, wasn't his brother sick? what is he doing here? Shouldn't he get treatment?

"Hello Brother, don't mind me just continue your discussion."

Why was his brother's otherwise so melodious voice now distant and cold, so arrogant?

Guillaume looked blankly at his father.

"Every member of our family has a task in our household, be it the maidservants, the lackeys or the staff members. Of course you know that Guillaume, but the issue now is that your worth to the family lies not in skills. As a son of the Besançon family the burden that lays on your, and your brothers, shoulders is definitely greater. So different approaches have to be taken."

"What do you mean father?"

"One life for another Guillaume, we need you to save Daniel."

As his father finished, he commanded the 4 burly men behind Guillaume with his eyes, restraining him.

"What? You can't do that! I always showed respect to the family, what have I done to deserve this? Call mother, does she know about this?"

Guillaume was unwilling, desperately struggling to free himself from the vice like grip of the burly men, calling out to his mother.

A cold voice suddenly could be heard.

"Guillaume, you should feel honored, your life for mine, save a genius with your puny existence, at least a part of could will know greatness, hahaha ."

"What?"

Guillaume stared blankly, was this his brothers voice?

"Did you think we didn't know about my illness? The cancer that slowly eats its way through my body? We only waited for the best opportunity."

Daniel continued hatefully.

"You are the only one that can save me, did you think I got your back for nothing? Protected you through all your mishaps? At least you got some 20 good years, living how you wanted and wasting your time on the fields, that's the repayment I owe you for saving me. But I got to say I will miss the essences from your flower fields."

"Take him away."

The 4 burly men acted in unison, furthermore fixing Guillaume in their grip, and taking him away.

His father looked on coldly and said,

"This is your fate, just accept it."

Guillaume didn't react anymore; he was raised as spare part for his brother.

The little love and recognition that he got, was also a lie. He didn't find the strength anymore to fight back.

As Guillaume was brought away, the study was only left with Jean and Daniel.

"Don't worry Father, we have to be cold blooded if we want our family to continue flourish. And as Guillaume said, everything for the family." Daniel said.

"That's not what I worry about, I made this household what it is today so don't you think I don't know what cold blooded means; I just fear that this sin will weigh on our shoulders for the rest of our life. You can leave know, prepare everything for the transplantations and make haste."

Daniel shrugged and left the study.

Guillaume was brought to the basement were a group of 20 people in white Coats waited for him, it seemed that everything was planned long before hand as the doctors and assitants were already fully prepared.

He was fixed on a table with handcuffs and the anesthetist prepared to send him on his way.

Suddenly the door to the room opened and an elegant woman in her 40s walked over, his mother, giving off a feeling of melancholy and tristesse.

"Guillaume don't misunderstand as my son and as fruit of my body I feel sad"

"But you can only blame yourself for your lack in talents, and skills. If you could have at least some business affinities, me and your father wouldn't have been forced to do this. Please forgive us. I hope that in the afterlife you will have a family that is worthy of you and your goodwill, goodbye my son." She said, a lonely tear rolling down her cheek.

Guillaume griped the handcuffs in unwillingness he couldn't fathom the long handed plan of his family and especially the ruthlessness, sacrificing one son for another this cold heartedness was beyond compare.

Despair could be seen in Guillaume's eyes as the anesthetist put the mask on his face, but the fiery glint in his eyes never extinguished.

"If a god exist, please allow me my vengeance" Guillaume thought indignantly as his vision got blurry.