1.6 A Mother's Embrace

"Quit it with your worry. I'll send a letter to the High Priest." Those were his older brother's words before they stood in silence on the dark hallway, basked in darkness and humming cicadas, waiting for a certain brother.

There was no need for a conversation to know what both of them had in mind. Nero was acting like his younger self; like when he was six years old— before the curse.

There was no cheerfulness but the subdued personality was there. Although his eyes were nothing of the bright forest they once were, he looked at them with a gaze they, deep down, yearned; the eyes that shone without contempt.

The two brothers perked up at the sound of footsteps.

"Thanks for waiting."

Simone, for the nth time, felt shocked to the core. He seriously needs to visit the family royal doctor because he sure as hell didn't just hear the Nero Lanchaster thank him, for a trivial matter even! Simone, having gained back rationality, feigned a cough before rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. He might as well poke fun while the cursed child was acting like that.

"Don't tell me you forgot the way?"

Nero faced him and Simone still could not believe how natural those innocent stares were.

"Well, I did shut myself off for years." That sentence gave another round of silence as tension rose.

But then, the placid disposition was broken off by the emergence of a low gargle. Simone and Calix blinked as a red hue slowly dusted the tip of Nero's ears.

They blinked again, realizing that his stomach growled.

Simone, expressive as ever, let out what was probably the loudest laugh he had done in his entire life. He held his stomach as he cackled, his finger pointing at Nero who was now looking away in embarrassment. Calix on the side hid his chuckle with his knuckles.

Simone wheezed and wiped a tear away. "Feeling hungry brother?" he chafed.

Nero glared at him and oh, what a sight. The youngest opened his mouth to retaliate but a loud gasp whisked the bright atmosphere away. In unison, the three brothers faced where the sound came from.

At the end of the hall, they saw the duchess. Mirae had tears trickling down from her hazel eyes, her mouth agape as she stared at the child she thought she would never see again.

"Mother-" Simone started off.

"Nero!" Mirae sobbed then ran.

"Your Highness!" The servants who aided her called out in horror, near to pulling her back if it was not for 'his' presence. Heartbeat rang in their ears when the duchess crossed the distance and wrapped her arms around the cursed child. The servants' sweat dropped at the sight.

"My son!" The duchess wept on Nero's chest, her tears stained his black long-sleeved shirt.

Raena Cailer, lady-in-waiting of the second duchess, mustered all of her courage to step forward. No matter how scared she was, she had a duty to fulfill even if that meant overcoming her fears just to keep the lady she serves safe.

As she took her steps, she eyed the two lords of the estate hoping that they would step in too but the two quietly looked. Raena furrowed her brows when Lord Simone let out a taunting smirk.

'You're on your own' he mouthed.

Scandalized, Raena thought that it was directed to the duchess but when she turned her head, she saw that it was for the cursed lord, Nero Lanchaster, who stood still as the duchess hugged him. The forgotten lord was glaring at Lord Simone and Lord Calix.

When his eyes moved to hers, Raena froze. She felt like a prey watched upon her predator, no choice but to stay still, wishing to not be devoured. When crimson stares left her, she inhaled, only realizing that she was holding her breath.

Raena looked back at the lords and wondered why they looked so amused. Even the heir, known for his seriousness, was struggling to stifle his grin.

"Nero, my son," Duchess Mirae sobbed once again.

Raena, along with the other servants, watched as the thin white brows of Lord Nero deepened and how his slightly chapped lips pursed. The hall was eerily quiet as it has been for a decade.

Raena did not feel embarrassed when her whimper was heard once Lord Nero moved his arms. The court lady along with the other servants dreaded for what was to come. They waited. Raena closed her eyes in horror.

"Stop-" Their breaths hitched at the low hoarse voice. "-crying," a pause. "Please."

Their eyes widened. The two lords' expressions softened. Mirae, on the other hand, felt like she was dreaming.

Raena opened her eyes to see the arms of the youngest lord cradling the duchess as if he was consoling her. It looked awkward; the placement of his hands looked as if he was hesitant to touch the duchess but it was also very gentle, as if he feared the duchess would break like fragile glass with his one touch.

His brows were furrowed and his lips pursed, but it wasn't because of repulsion, it was of reluctance; like he needed permission to hold his own mother. The youngest lord then leaned to rest his forehead on the top of the duchess' hair as he lifted his right arm to softly pat the back of the duchess' head. With his vision covered, Nero could not see the tears that threatened to fall from the people around him.

He was unaware of how their hearts clenched at the touching display, their expression of sorrowful relief. Although at the back of their heads furiously knocked the High Priest's words, they felt happy, so glad to see their duchess reunited with his youngest son. At last, they were complete again.

The sigh of the wind cradled a low gargle, the sound so loud in the quiet hall. Nero suddenly nuzzled his face into his mother's head, completely hiding his face. Duchess Mirae let out a squeak of surprise but then smiled and tightened her embrace. Lord Simone barked out harsh laughter while Lord Calix chuckled.

The heir then walked to the two who were cuddling.

"Mother, you need to let go. The— our youngest is hungry."

"Oh my!" Duchess Mirae exclaimed and separated herself from the hug but still held her son by the elbows. Her eyes were red but at least, her waterworks ended. She caressed the youngest lord who kept his head down as her words struggled to keep up with her thoughts.

"Then we should get going! We're eating at the pavilion today– oh right– I should prepare your favorite. Raena–"

"Yes, Your Highness. The chef has been ordered." The court lady replied with a warm smile after she signaled one of the maids that were with her.

"Thank you, Raena," the duchess smiled back but was quick to divert her attention to the youngest lord again. "Come now, a growing child like you should not be starving."

"Indeed," Simone spoke with a grin. Lord Nero then lifted his head as they could finally see his flushed face. He glared at the second lord which earned him another round of raucous laughter.