Brogress (1)

The sun is just beginning to set as Baron Armstrong drags his son through the street. Neither have spoken a word since leaving Nick's residence. The only thing Kyle can think about is how hard he's going to get beat when they get home.

As they approach the front door, Eric slows down. He stops in front of the door but doesn't open it. Kyle looks up at his father whose eyes are swimming with emotion, an expression he's never had before. His father had always been stern, strict, and imperturbable. Even when facing the Count he never wavers. But here he is, lost in thought.

Somehow it will be Kyle's fault, he's sure of it. Whenever something goes wrong he always bears the blame. His father says he needs to lead the family and can't make any mistakes. Sometimes it feels like Eric is just looking for an excuse to strike him.

These memories make Kyle tense up as he stands silently by the door. Any second now a hand will fall from the sky and smack him, but it doesn't come.

When Kyle looks back up at his father, he sees a smile. When was the last time his father smiled? A chill runs down Kyle's spine. He watches in horror as his father's smile grows wider and then begins chuckling. The chuckling grows into a peal of uproarious laughter. Eric bends over and grabs his sides as he struggles to contain himself.

Once the Baron finally settles down, he turns to his son.

"That's quite the friend you made."

"He's not my friend," Kyle says, turning his head away. Eric gazes at his son for a moment in silence. The impulse to strike his stupid child rises but he pushes it down.

"Do you understand what just happened back there?" Eric asks as he leans down.

"What?"

"That kid was able to gain leverage over me during a conversation and use that as blackmail. How many times have you seen something like that from anyone, let alone a ten-year-old."

"What?"

"Did you tell him about that?"

"What?"

"How did he know about your bruises?!" Eric roars as he lifts his son's robe. A series of deep purple bruises cover Kyle's stomach and thighs.

"What?"

"Are you not listening?! Can you hear what I'm saying or are you just stupid?! Answer me!" Eric shouts as he grabs his son and raises one hand in the air. He hesitates when he sees the look of terror in his son's eyes.

[Shit.]

A flurry of anger and guilt rises through the Baron as he looks down at his only child. Kyle is failing to hold back his tears while covering his head with his free arm.

Eric takes a deep breath and runs the conversation with Nick through his head again.

[I've grown too used to telling people what to do. If one of my servants doesn't follow orders then I can just fire them but that's not the case here. Kyle's watching everything I do, I need to lead by example.]

"Kyle." The small black-haired boy looks up when he hears his father's calm voice. "I understand that you may not like Nick, but I have a feeling it would do you well to befriend him. He threatened me just to protect you. That's not how most people would act in that situation. Maybe he's just crazy but I haven't been run around like that in decades so I don't think that's the case. At the end of the day, it's your decision. I just want you to put more thought into who you choose to associate with. That little gang of thugs you have won't be there to help you when you need them most."

Kyle stops crying and looks up at his father with wide eyes. Eric smiles and kneels down to his son's level.

"No matter what you may think, I just want what's best for you. Now, Let's go inside and get you washed up. Okay?"

"Okay," Kyle says quietly. Eric opens the door and steps inside. For the first time in years, The mansion doesn't feel so suffocating for the noble family.

...

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!!"

Things were not so calm back at Nick's house. As soon as Baron Armstrong left, Vincent began screaming at the top of his lungs.

"He's a noble and you threatened him? Are you out of your mind? What if he arrests us? We could all be thrown in jail for lese majeste!"

[This is getting annoying.]

I can't help but grimace at the situation. While the situation has likely resolved itself, as Eric didn't make a move when he had the chance, Vincent is still fearing the worst.

I stand up to leave when Carroll walks in with the tea.

"I'm sure Nick was just doing what he thought was right." She says without looking at me. I appreciate the help but she seems oddly standoffish.

"Oh, he was just doing what he thought was right? I'm sure that thought will keep us warm while we rot in prison!"

"Dear, what's done is done. We have to make the best of what we have." Carroll pours her husband a cup of tea and hands him a small pastry. Vincent grumbles a bit more before indulging himself.

"As for you." Carroll turns to me as she continues. "I know you were just trying to help that boy but you need to think about your own safety. Antagonizing nobles will only cause you grief."

"I understand."

"I don't think you do but there's nothing to be done at the moment. Why don't you head back to your room while I talk to your father? Dinner will be ready here shortly."

I make my way back to the kid's room and lay on the bed. My mind is racing and every muscle in my body is sore.

{Was all that necessary?}

[What do you mean?]

{Mom and Dad looked really worried.}

[I guess I should apologize. I didn't mean to worry them but I felt like I had to say something.]

{Kyle looked really sad.}

[Yeah, you're lucky you've got good parents. We should do something to make it up to them.]

{Like what?}

[Do you have any money? Maybe we could buy them a gift.]

{That's a great idea!}

[Good, then we'll do that tomorrow.]