1.7

The carriage parked in the garden in front of the mansion. The coachman quickly got down from the front and opened the door, allowing the outside view to be seen by the people inside the vehicle. Brandon was the first to leave and soon after was James, who jumped from where he was to the floor without tripping, worrying his mother. The countess was last and she rested her hand elegantly on Brandon's to go downstairs.

The three knights stood in a line and bowed with the descent of the lady of the house. A custom of the Yulard empire that meant doing the job, respecting the noble and waiting for new orders. It was unknown who started the custom, which is practically a code of conduct, but is largely carried out by the orders of nobles. She glanced at the trio before speaking.

"Thank you for your services. You are cleared."

"Yes ma'am." They shook their heads and withdrew.

Brandon took one look at the knights on their way and turned to follow Countess Miller and James toward the house. He could see some servants coming towards him and passing by to go to the carriage and get the shopping bags they had made. There were a few bags, but luckily they weren't that heavy and they didn't buy as many things.

The Countess Miller walked with one of her hands passing through her middle finger, wearing a simple ring, a piece of jewelry, obtained by James at one of the stalls. He had managed to prove that he would give her something too. And even though she said it was okay not to have won anything, the ring she was given made her feel good as it was something her son gave her.

Brandon could see how happy the lady was and how bright James' face was, as if he had won something valuable. The redhead believed that he was glad he left, even after he came back. The corners of his lips lifted in a slight smile. It was a nice outing for him too.

"Madam, you have returned. A letter has arrived addressed to you."

As soon as the countess opened the door and entered, a man with blond hair with white strands appeared wearing a black uniform. He was the longtime house butler, and a friend of the owners. The man greeted her, ducking his head as he approached her.

"Is it urgent, Kevin?"

"I don't think so. The delivery guy didn't report anything."

"Then leave it on my desk, I'll read it after I rest."

Kevin nodded and bowed to James as well and then left to go about his other errands. But before they could move properly around the house, a voice was heard on the stairs.

"Mother!"

Phillip was descending the carpeted stairs and his black eyes were focused on her before they landed on Brandon with a fox in his arms and his footsteps stopped just before he approached. He had heard from a servant that she had returned, and he had seen the carriage approaching through the window, so he wanted to ask her about something.

"Mom, I heard you hit the streets today."

"Yea."

She replied, surprised that he had come to her as soon as she got home. It wasn't like her son to act like that, so there was curiosity in the woman's brown eyes.

"Haven't you thought of taking my fiancée along too? She doesn't know anything around here yet." he asked, his eyes focused on her.

The countess struggled not to frown at her son's tone and rude speech. Brandon was staring at him and James was expressing his displeasure for his brother with his face.

"No, I didn't." He said it clearly. "And it was an outing between me, James and Brandon."

The two were surprised at their names being said. Phillip looked at them both and asked his mother.

"You three?"

"Yes, it was previously agreed upon." She answered.

"And also, wouldn't your fiancée have to rest for a few days? She arrived yesterday and already wants to walk around the city? As far as I know, the journey from the Torzik kingdom to here is not something easy and quick, I believe that resting would be right for you."

"I just thought it would have been better for her to have gone out with someone she knew."

"Then go during the day, tomorrow maybe. The streets remain the same even after three years, I believe you'll know where to find yourself, especially with the knights accompanying you."

"It's all right." He shook his head and looked at Brandon. "Tomorrow I'll go with her to the shopping street and you, Brandon, will accompany me."

Brandon tensed, his body rigid, but he didn't show it and stared into the other's dark eyes. However, realizing what he heard, he quickly forced himself to relax.

"Sorry, young master. But I can't accompany you."

The three of them listened to that with equal reactions, everyone was surprised by what Brandon said. More precisely, by the title he used to speak with Phillip.

Young master.

He hadn't referred to any of the earl's and countess's three children in that way since he was around twelve, when he'd grown more comfortable with them. The fact that he said that, albeit in a polite tone, meant that something was wrong.

The countess and James were flabbergasted by this, her mostly.

The cool air she saw in Brandon, though his face showed politeness, was something she didn't think she'd see in him. And James had never seen the redhead talk like that, always calling him by name. Although the servants called him "young master", the only one who didn't was Brandon, even though he was employed. It made them more intimate and made him feel closer to him.

But no one was more surprised than Phillip.

"W-what?" His eyes widened and the surprise was such that he even stuttered. However, Brandon ignored it and flashed a professional smile.

"I said I can't." he repeated. "I am under the direct orders of the Count and Countess, and I cannot abandon my work. Isn't that right, ma'am?"

The countess shook her head, waking up from her stupor. Brandon's words were correct, the only ones who could command him were them, as he is the earl's aide and an escort to her when she asked.

"That's true."

Phillip hearing this couldn't say anything. Brandon had a smile on his face and looked at Phillip.

"I hope you understand, young master. My lady, may I go?" He asked the countess and she agreed.

"Excuse me."

He bowed and withdrew. The trio looking at him and then facing each other. James looked at them one last time and ran to follow Brandon, he wanted to keep talking and didn't want to see his mother and brother arguing as it would only sour his good mood.

The countess stared at her son. The man in front of her was no longer a teenager and was larger than the image of three years ago. However, instead of progressing, his education seems to have been regressed.

"As Brandon told you, only your father and I can commandeer it, so don't try that again. I believe the one who has to accompany you and your fiancée on your way out is her personal maid." Her voice was steady, which caught Phillip's attention, who was still looking where Brandon had gone.

"And check that tone of yours to talk to me. You seem to have forgotten how to talk to your mother during your time away from home."

She finished saying it and walked out of there to her room, leaving Phillip behind.

*

Brandon walked and behind him came quick footsteps that echoed on the floor down the hall. In his arms was the stuffed fox that James had given him and a cold look of silent anger was on his face.

'How can he say that to me?'

He couldn't believe Phillip had done that to him. Ordering him to accompany them on an outing to introduce the city, which would certainly result in a date, and having to put up with seeing them being romantic with each other. Where would he, an ex-lover who only knew he was one yesterday, want to see the person he likes in a loving relationship with another and acting all in love? Wouldn't that be hell for you? A torture? Surely he, Brandon, wouldn't like it.

Did Phillip have any shame on his face? He's increasingly looking like he doesn't.

'I'm grieving over the situation and he says it without hesitation. I feel like I'm the only one going through what I shouldn't. He wasn't even considerate in letting me know and I had to find out that way. I didn't even have time to get used to it…'

Her frustration that had been eased a bit last night was returning, as was the anger and feeling of sadness. Fervor coursed through his veins and a redness was starting to show on his face. If he could, he'd like to get a lot of explaining away, as well as throwing curses at him for putting him through this.

James, behind Brandon, was looking at the older man curious about the visible part of his head being red. The redhead walked into his room and James stood in the doorway, watching Brandon put the plushie on the table and sit down with his face closed. A bit cautious, he entered and approached.

"Brother, are you mad at Phillip?"

Brandon didn't know that James was behind him, more precisely he had forgotten that fact. Then, he was surprised by the voice that called to him in front of him. The brown eyes were on him with curiosity, he wanted to know why his brother was like that, to the point of turning red. And that was obvious to Brandon, so much so that he broke into a soft smile.

"Is nothing."

The redhead waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't important. James didn't believe it at all, but he didn't ask. There was nothing to be gained if the person didn't want to tell, and Brandon was decisive when he didn't.

"So what will the name be?" James asked, changing the subject. He took the orange fox in his hands and turned to Brandon. His hands sank into the soft fur.

"Hm, I don't know yet. Want to name it?"

"I can?"

"Yes, you did it." The brown eyes turned to the object in hand.

The hair dyed orange all over his body and the white bridges on the ears that went down to the nose. It was a beautiful stuffed fox, but it was noticeable that it was second-hand. James stared at her for a while and made his suggestion as he turned to the redhead.

"How about Sun?"

"It's a good name."

Brandon nodded, seeing he gave it that name because of the color, even though it's not yellow. It was also better than her poor naming sense, so it was good enough. James smiled at Brandon's speech and turned to the Sun. He was glad his name was accepted.

"Do you think we can go out like this again?" the boy asked.

The times James had today were good, although the trying on a good amount of clothes was a little uncomfortable for him. But remembering the accolades he got, it was a good thing, so it was still a win for him, even if he had to go through it all over again.

His expectation that his mother would allow him to leave again and not stay in that mansion all the time was something that was starting to grow. Now that the war is over, there's not much reason for him to stay inside the house straight away. Magic classes were nice, but there wasn't much to do at home.

The most that was entertainment for him was the magic he performed and the conversations with Brandon, who wasn't always available, only that at some point he felt like a routine. Brandon knew that. There were many times that James asked to go out, but few times he actually did, and always for some important event or date. So, they haven't had a day like this, where they've gone out just to have fun. So today was like a cool breeze for the boy who could only see the walls of the house.

"Yes, I think so. You enjoyed the ride as much as you did." Brandon smiled sincerely. Claire really enjoyed going out and having fun with her son and him.

"Then don't worry, soon you can leave. I'm sure."

And it was true, the nobles' social season, now that the war is over, will take place without the tension that there always was about impending danger. And since James is old enough to participate in such events, so will he.

In previous years, the earl went alone, as he did not want his wife to go. If something like an enemy attack were to come by surprise, even if they weren't close to the borders, she should be there to take care of James and the territory, because he knows she's capable. James just looked at him, shaking his head at the words. He placed the fox on the table again and walked over to Brandon, surprising him by hugging him.

"Why are you hugging me?"

"Just… I felt like I should."

Brandon felt awkward about that. He wasn't used to receiving hugs anymore, as the only one who hugged him was his mother, so the feeling of having someone hugging him was somewhat nostalgic. The feel of her short arms hugging him and the act of someone doing that to him were comforting. Brandon was pretending to be fine for James, keeping up the facade better than the day before, but the earlier occurrence didn't help him.

He was sad, maybe not like the day before, but he was. Seeing how Phillip cared about a little thing about his fiancée was heavy on him. Her heart ached and the smile she kept on her face was a little crooked at it, but he was doing his best.

'If you pretend it doesn't hurt, will it stop hurting?'

He didn't know the answer. He thought it was early for one yet, too. However, having someone hug him made him feel a little better and lighter. It reminded him of the times when the woman he loved most in the world was still alive.

"Thanks, James."

"No need to thank."

James backed away, smiling into the green eyes that watched him softly. The boy felt relief inside, for his brother's expression was better than before. Before hugging him, his face was down, even though a smile was showing. His eyes were sad and there was a sense of melancholy. The nonchalant look Brandon put on wasn't there. In fact, it was trying to be rebuilt, but it couldn't.

Even so, he was still trying his best for him. So all he wanted was to give her a hug. And he did. Brandon deserved good things and the best there could be. Seeing him sad, even a little, was something that saddened him. So, when he saw that a simple act could improve his appearance, taking some of that melancholy that existed, it was something gratifying. The redhead's face was bright, though it had dark elements.

Just before he left, he was still the same. James looked at him to make sure he was the same way. However, when he left, the soft smile that existed turned into something straight. His lips quivered and his eyes filled. Drops of water fell down her cheeks and his hand tried to wipe them away. There was no noise, apart from the silent crying he carried out.

The feelings felt, right after the anger of that moment, were brought to the surface. If James hadn't said anything, maybe he would have cried in front of her without her realizing it. Brandon was sure as soon as he saw him standing there. He wasn't ready to see him. At that moment, he didn't think at first, but his heart raced and his breath was almost caught. He was doing his best to hold his own at the moment, as James and the Countess Miller were there, but somehow he managed to control himself and not show what lay beneath his cold, professional smile.

And now that he was alone, he could cry a little and stop being strong, at least for a while.