Morgan wasn’t having a good day. Things weren’t going wrong with Emmer but the opposite.
Because they came from the same mould, Morgan expected his brother to be awkward around their relatives. Instead, Emmer’s more social personality made its magic and in about three days he had adapted magnificently to Onder.
Maybe a bit too much for his liking.
His brother and his soldiers took the watchtower for their quarters, unknowingly depriving Morgan of his favourite place in Onder.
Emmer’s avid general knowledge made him easy to discuss with Seras and Sigmund about topics Morgan couldn’t even begin to understand.
He was also on friendly terms with Bertrand. Both of them were better than Morgan with the bow but lost against him while sparring with swords. Those facts had helped them to become closer.
All the workers of the castle saw Emmer with good eyes, too.
In the end, Cailin was the only person who didn’t like Emmer, and sadly, she was mad with Morgan after being told of his eventual departure. Letting her know about it from someone else had been a big mistake.
The worst part is that Morgan knew his relatives weren’t leaving him behind or replacing him. It was just natural they would like Emmer better than him, but he still felt wronged for some stupid reason. So he was in his bedroom, feeling miserable.
Someone knocked on his door. He thought about ignoring it but couldn’t. “Who is it?”
“It’s me,” said Cailin. “Can I enter?”
Morgan felt surprised. Despite how kind and gentle she was, Cailin could really hold a grudge.
Not wanting to make the situation worse, he stood up quickly and opened the door. “Cailin,” he murmured, unsure about what to say.
Before he could, the girl hugged him. “Sorry for being mad at you…”
Unaccustomed to hugs, he took a moment to awkwardly return it. “Sorry for not telling you about me leaving. I knew it was going to make you angry but couldn’t bring myself to tell you myself. I was a coward.”
“Don’t insult yourself.” Cailin backed up and stared at him. “You really don’t want to leave, do you? Then, can’t you stay?”
He grimaced and patted her head gently. “Sometimes we are forced to do things we don’t want to do.”
She looked at the ground. “I hate him,” she mumbled.
“E-eh?” Morgan had never heard her expressing hate for anyone before.
“Emmer. It’s his fault! You were happy until he arrived, and now he wants to take you away.”
“No.” He shook his head. “It was my father who decided I had to return. Just as uncle Sigmund and aunt Seras take decisions for Bertrand and you, even if those decisions bother you. That’s what parents do.” She pouted as if wanting to say it wasn’t the same. “And about Emmer, he did nothing wrong. The fault is mine.”
“How?”
Thinking about the answer made his stomach churn but he had to say it. He couldn’t lie to her again.
“Because looking at Emmer reminds me I’m the younger sibling. The less smart and charming one. Practically all I do, he can do it two times better.” Cailin was silent. He sighed. “Don’t you feel like that sometimes too, Cailin? When Bertrand does something amazing you can’t do and you feel bad about it, even though you should feel proud of him. And realizing that only makes you feel even worse.”
“You are jealous,” she said, putting in a single sentence what it had been so difficult for him to convey.
He looked away in shame. “Yeah, I guess I am.” Because Emmer was always the one being complimented and set as an example. Meanwhile, he was always treated with indifference in the best of cases.
“You shouldn’t… I don’t think what you said is true. You are a lot nicer and kinder than Emmer.” The girl smiled encouragingly. “Even when we are troublesome, you always watch out for Bertrand and me. And you are also amazing at fighting, just like those knights and warriors in my stories!
“No matter what, you’ll always be my favourite cousin, Morg!” The girl hugged him again, taking the chance to put a beaded necklace around his neck. “This is for you!”
“Are you sure?” The necklace was hers. A gift from Sigmund that she loved.
“I do.” She smiled affectionately. ”Keep it so you can remind us if you really leave.”
His hand closed around the dark blue gem in the front, feeling its warmth.
“Thanks, Cai.”
At least I can beat Emmer where it matters, he thought.
Morgan’s sword training had reduced considerably in the last few days.
He had expected the opposite. To have the chance to spar with the soldiers who came with Emmer. He wanted to practice with new opponents, being already at the same level -if not best- than most soldiers around. However, considering Onder was a small and pacific place, saying that wasn’t much.
Unfortunately, the soldiers had appropriated the training grounds as soon as they found them, making clear Morgan’s presence wasn’t welcome. And with that, he meant specifically the same red knight from before.
In consequence, the only thing Morgan could do was to look at them from afar. His attention inevitably focused on the unpleasant knight. Despite his awful attitude, Morgan couldn’t deny the man’s skill.
The red knight’s hits were strong, of the kind that left bruises without much effort. And while his technique was simple, it didn’t leave a single opening nor wasted movements. Each one had a reason to be.
Expectably, he swept the ground with each of his sparring opponents.
“They are good, right?” said Emmer.
Morgan flinched. “Y-yes. They seem a lot better than the soldiers here.”
“Oh, so you are analyzing them.”
“You could say that.”
I’m just looking because I can’t do anything else at the moment.
Emmer followed his gaze and his affable smile disappeared. “Oh. Sir Ivonn is causing you problems.”
“The knight in red armour?”
“Yes, that’s Sir Ivonn Sol. He is one of the most loyal men of our father.”
“It doesn’t sound familiar.” In other words, the knight had no excuse for his undisguised hostility,
“He was knighted little after you left. Sir Ivonn is a capable knight who always does what he must. But he sins of over-cautiousness. And sadly, he is not a people’s person.”
“I noticed.” We can’t be in the same room without him glaring at me for some unknown reason, he would have liked to add, but it felt like a wrong thing to say out loud.
“I guess Basthed child or not, I’m a stranger to him.” Morgan recognized. ”So I can’t blame him for being wary. I’m also extremely careful while dealing with people I don’t know.” It didn’t make the situation less awkward, though.
“Exactly. Don’t take it personally, brother. He is the commander of the small company that came with me, so his duties are heavy.” Emmer patted him on his back.
Morgan looked at him. “Could I make you a question?” Emmer nodded. “Did Father tell you anything about me?”
“What do you mean?” Emmer said in a confused tone.
“Why does he want me to return…?”
“You read his letter, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“Is it that hard to believe that Father simply wants you back?”
It was, but Morgan didn’t answer.
“Do you know how much he compares us?” said Emmer.
“I do.” Morgan smiled in self-deprecation.
“No. I mean, the other way. He compares me to you. Once you left, he started doing it over and over. Mother too. They care about you more than you think, brother. Even if they never showed it openly.”
Morgan looked at Emmer, wanting to believe his words, and what he saw surprised him. For once, Emmer’s facade seemed to be slipping. He was telling the truth, which conflicted Morgan even more than he already was.
“That’s the reason they wanted you to grow up far away from Rover. So you could be your own man… But believe me, they love you too, Morgan.” Suddenly, Emmer’s gaze darkened, focusing past him. “We should continue this discussion another day.”
“O-oh. Alright.” He said, reluctantly.
Despite wanting the conversation to continue, Morgan needed a moment to collect himself. Emmer’s words had affected him greatly.
“Well, see you later, then, brother.” Emmer left.
Once calm enough, Morgan committed the mistake of looking over his shoulders.
Ivonn was glaring in his direction.
