Red Star and Dead Star [3]

"Is it really alright for me to go before Julius?" June dragged his feet hesitantly as he followed along behind the old Housekeeper to the Ceremonial Hall.

Supposedly, it was the older of the two, Julius, who would Awaken under the guide of the Oracle firs but, due to the incident that had happened, they had to let June go ahead.

"We have no choice, young lord. One cannot undergo the ceremony whilst unconscious after all." Madam Jacqueline Baudelaire, the housekeeper for the Glasphire manor, answered. She had been serving in the manor for over forty years already and had watch both the Duke and the Duke's children grow up.

Even the maids here grew under her tutelage.

Although she had no children of her own, watching all these children turn into adults under her eyes made her feel as though she were an old mother.

Honestly, aside from the initial novelty and excitement, it was actually more tiring than anything.

Try having to explain the difference between a wet cloth and a dust cloth to a gal who hasn't done a smidgen of housework in her entire life. You'd be cranky too.

She couldn't help but answer with coldness and sarcasm to everyone.

"I wonder if Julius is doing well. I mean, it's Julius after all so he should be alright. Isn't that right, Mrs. Baudelaire?" June smiled at the Housekeeper innocently but somehow, there was sadness and guilt hidden in his eyes that the housekeeper failed to notice.

Except for this one. This must be protected at all costs.

"I'm sure he is doing well, young lord." Mrs. Baudelaire answered softly as they arrived in front of a heavy set of doors. "Even the healer said so himself. He just needs to get some rest."

The heavy doors were slowly pushed open, revealing a dark interior.

...

"This is a rare occasion, June. Didn't you always want to meet other nobles? Now's your chance. Aren't you gonna play with them?"

When I opened my eyes, I had already switched to another memory. This time though, June looked exactly the same as when I saw him from beneath the glass surface.

"But you're not going, right, Julius? If you're not going, then I won't either." In a secluded greenhouse surrounded by glass, Julius sat on a tea table with his twin brother as he read a book.

It must be a memory from same day.

"Suit yourself." Julius shrugged as he pretended to read his book but, his eyes were still discretely watching his brother who kept wriggling in his seat and eyeing the other children in the other room through the glass.

Feeling amused, Julius put his book down. "...You, know, if you really want to, you can go. Since I can watch you from here."

"Really, Julius? I can really go?" June asked hesitantly but there was an excited gleam in his eyes. "But, it wouldn't be fun without you!"

That little liar. He obviously wants to play with other children but still takes time to flatter his brother.

It was obvious from Julius's little chuckle that he also knew of this. "I just said you could so just go."

"I- I'll come back here often though." With a bright smile on his face, June stood up, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Okay. Have fun." Julius smiled and lightly waved off his brother, watching his twin's reflection on the glass as he zoomed away.

Curiously enough, the servant who was supposed to be guarding behind June followed for a while but, turned to walk to another direction suddenly. Though it seemed like no one else noticed this.

It feels strange.

Picking up his book, Julius once again resumed reading as the maidservant waiting on him took the empty tea set, bowed, and headed off, presumably to refill the tea.

It the midst of winter, the outside world was filled with crystalline snow but, inside the greenhouse was still warm as flowers in various shades of red bloomed splendidly. It was quiet, calm, and peaceful.

But, unfortunately, that peace was destined to be broken shortly.

In a pavilion overlooking a lake near the greenhouse, three boys were having a casual conversation with each other when June, who was just about to return to the greenhouse with a small tray of cakes, knocked into the corner of a table.

"Ah!" Falling to his knees, the tray with the cakes and his favorite toy crashed to the floor, drawing the attention of the three boys to him.

"Hey, are you alright?" The nearest boy strode to him and stretched out his hand, offering to help June up to which, June gratefully accepted.

"Thank you. I'm fine but-" June sadly looked at the ultimately ruined sweets scattered on the ground around him. He was supposed to bring them back to Julius so they can share them together but, everytime he wanted to do something, it all ends up in disappointment.

In the end, all he did was cause trouble for his brother again.

"What's this? A doll? What's a doll doing here?"

Rapidly turning his head around, he saw a boy who might be a few years older than him holding a familiar-looking stuffed doll in his hand.

Instantly, all the color from June's face drained away.

"That's mine!"