“Who can tell me the name of the first king of the Virden’s lineage?” Charles’s questions with his cold and authoritarian voice tone.

“Damien Virden,” before Julius was able to speak Cedric quickly interrupted him.

“That’s correct, and who can tell me what his first royal decree was?” his eyes glare at my older brother, waiting for his reply.

My hands kept on scribbling through the sheets as Charles's words reached my ears. He questioned and I wrote, my brothers replied, and I continued to move my fingers quickly, in a pitiful attempt to record everything that was being taught.

Suddenly a loud sound is heard, and my body gets startled. Slowly, I lift my head and notice a thick book standing right in front of me as the professor’s frosty eyes glared down.

“Answer my question Layton,” I could feel my hands beginning to tremble as all the attention in the room was now focused on me.

“C-Can you repeat the q-question…?” my mind wanted to ask him cleanly, but it seemed as if my body had different plans.

“You are supposed to pay attention in my class,” his presence was overwhelming as if he was ready to bite my head off at any moment, “Who was the queen of Damien Virden?”

“Ariana Virden,” I replied while looking down, unsure of my answer. I feel the heavy book touch my head and immediately stare at Charles who was carrying a proud smile.

“Indeed, it was,” he then walked to the center of the room and began explaining the first measures implemented by the Virden’s, including the ones that have been altered or forgotten over the years.

‘I… Got it right…!?’ I could feel my heartbeat fast as my cheeks became flushed. For once, I thought I had done something I could be proud of.

“What are you smiling for?” as I was leaving the room, Julius stops in front of me, preventing me to walk further, “You are still completely useless.”

‘I know that…’ without wanting to provoke him I avert my eyes and don’t answer his comments.

“You’re not going to answer? Ah! Typical! You can’t even beat a seven-year-old kid,” my eyes widen in shock at his remark before feeling his hand beat my head strongly, “You’re a disgrace.”

“Lord Julius, the Marquess is calling for you,” a butler intervenes, and I see them both leave.

‘Of course… I can’t even be better than Cedric…’ no matter how hard I tried, my younger brother far surpassed my skills.

If he was given a book, he would read it in less than a day and he could quickly memorize the information inside it. On the other hand, I couldn’t even recall the subjects that were taught the day before.

We were opposites and received extremely different treatments from everyone.

As I walk through the long halls, decorated with expensive wine-colored carpets and golden chandeliers, I overhear some of the maids gossiping.

“I heard that the Marquess is going to make Cedric the heir,” a young yet tall woman said as her arms were holding several bedsheets.

“Yes, I heard it too! He’s been doing great in his studies, surpassing his older brothers when they were at his age…” the other one, an older but smaller woman replies.

“What about Lord Layton?” the third one, that was holding a tray with several teacups in her hand, continues.

“That one has been counted out ever since he was born…” the older maid lets out a sigh, almost as if pitying my situation.

“Indeed, the Marquess hasn’t even hanged his portrait! The head butler told me it is hidden away in the basement,” they all let out a chuckle.

Without wanting to hear another word I swiftly turn and head towards my room.

These behaviors were not something new. I’ve heard them speak ill about me more times than I can count, and they are not the only ones. Every servant beside Diane sees me with low regard since I am only a Verne by name, wielding no real power.

‘The lucky boy,’ is what they call me. Being born with several flaws and not having any good attributes would have me killed or abused if I lived within the citizens who were poor and greedy. Luckily, I have my family's name that can save me from this terrible fate.

“I never chose this…!” I throw my body onto the bed and grab my pillow strongly, “How can they say I am lucky when…!”

These people know nothing. They think that being born with a golden spoon is the peak of luck but, in reality, they are the ones who are free from all the pressure and responsibility that comes with it.

“Are you alright young master?” Diane walks inside the room with some food before placing it on the table.

I softly nod my head on the pillow and, a couple of seconds later, feel a weight on the bed. My attention then shifts to the woman sitting at the end of the furniture, wearing a kind smile on her face.

“How about some delicacies from the west?” she lets out a chuckle before removing a small bar of chocolate from her pockets.

“That’s not from the west,” I frown as my hands begin cutting the chocolate into little pieces.

“Well, it is from the west side of the kitchen!” we both began laughing cheerfully.

✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽

「 Several days later 」

“Young master!” Diane opens the door abruptly, startling me. She leans her body forward, placing her weight on her legs, “The Marquess…!”

“Calm down,” I approach her as she tried to catch her breath.

“The Marquess has summoned you to the study room…!” my eyes widen in surprise at her words.

It wasn’t unusual for father to call for my brothers, but this was the first time he ever summoned me.

‘I thought he didn’t care…?’ I didn’t know what he wanted but part of me was overjoyed.

“We have to hurry!” she quickly straightens her body and heads to the dark wooden closet, before searching for the perfect attire to dress me in.

Finally, she picks a green handmade suit that had been gifted by some Earls, making me blend in with the trees standing outside the window. It was clear that the attire wasn’t anywhere near being neat but it was the best that I had.

“Come, we must hurry,” she places some water on my hair to remove the overwhelming volume of my curls.

The door opens and we both head towards the Marquess’s study room.

Two butlers were waiting outside the door, and I quickly understood I hadn’t been the only one summoned by father. I could feel the nerves flow within my veins as my hands trembled slightly.

“Layton is here milord,” Diane declares loudly right before the large wooden door is opened showing the extremely large and luxurious area.

A big chandelier was standing in the center of the room, illuminating it with its golden rays. The floor was covered in a bright red carpet and, all around, there were expensive paintings and sculptures exposed just to display the wealth of the family. On the other hand, there were several books placed in numerous bookshelves with glass doors, preventing them from decaying so easily.

Father was sitting on his divan while scribbling on some papers while my brothers were both standing right next to me. Diane closes the door behind us, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

‘This is it…’ I didn’t know what he wanted from me, I didn’t know why he summoned me, I didn’t know anything, and this overgrowing ignorance just made my anxiety rise.

“Now that you’re all here, I will go straight to the point,” his attention was still fixated on the books as he kept on writing with his quill, “There will be a royal ball in the palace in a couple of days, you are all coming with me.”

“A royal ball?” Cedric’s eyes widen in excitement. Contrary to Julius, my younger brother had never been to a ball due to his young age, but he was about to have an opportunity.

“What is the occasion father?” Julius bows his torso slightly making the Marquess’s eyes glance at him for a moment.

“The Princess’s birth,” his hands interlock their fingers as he answers coldly, “A tailor will come later today to make your suits, you may go.”

“Thank you, father,” we all answer in unison and bow down before leaving the room.

✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽

「 Some hours later 」

“Lord Layton?” a man in his sixties with a large white beard and several wrinkles on his coffee-colored skin spoke my name.

I had been watching him ever since he entered the room. In his head a large light brown hat was decorated with several colorful feathers and his attire was nothing more than an extremely extravagant suit in brown: white vertical lines followed his whole outfit as if it were the edges of a painting while his shirt was of a pure pearl white. His shoes were as colorful as the snow, contrasting with the dark colors of the suit.

His aura exuded brilliance and confidence as if he was the greatest man alive, displaying what I wanted but could never have. For a moment, I found myself tasting the flavor of envy of this foreigner man.

Julius and Cedric were both sitting on separated divans, glancing at each other from time to time. My older brother had already taken his measurements but, even then, he remained in the room.

“Are you deaf?” my older brother speaks obnoxiously loudly, disrespecting me in front of everyone inside.

“I-I’m here,” feeling the nerves on the brink of exploding, my body defends itself and I begin to stutter, unsure of what to say.

“Stand here please,” the old man points to a large circle standing in front of a mirror with some extra height with his light brown walking stick. His accent was something I had never heard before as if he was from a different country or realm.

As I obey his commands, he begins to walk around me, observing me carefully while his apprentices took my measurements.

“Yes, I can already see it,” suddenly the man speaks loudly and one of the maids he had brought quickly hands him a book and a quill. His hand begins to stroll around the sheet almost as if he was creating pure magic, “Magnifique!”

A large smile appeared from under his messy beard as the maids around clapped, showering him with their praise and, as the tailor was the focus of my attention, I feel something sting my leg.

“Ah!” I look down and see Julius grinning widely, in his hands' several needles rested. As I was trying to understand the situation, he begins stinging me repeatedly with the small pointy objects, making my body twist and groans leave my body.

“What do you think you are doing!?” the man beats with his walking stick on the floor while glaring at Julius intensely, “Remove him at once!”

“You dare!?” Julius's eyes widen in surprise as the old tailor apprentices grab him and take him out of the room.

‘What did just…?’ I couldn’t believe my eyes. No one besides our professor Charles dared to disrespect Julius but, even then, this tailor’s actions were completely extreme, as if he didn’t care about the repercussion of his decision.

“T-Thank…” as I was about to speak, he interrupts me like he wasn’t even listening to me in the first place.

“That brat… Dared to play with such expensive items…!” the maids quickly store the needles that had been scattered all over the floor.

A feeling of stupidity overthrew my other emotions as I realize how naive I had been. I genuinely thought that this charismatic man had displayed his worry towards me due to my brother’s indecent behavior.

“Cedric Verne,” his voice quickly speaks his name, warning me to leave.

Quietly, I head towards the door as I felt the bottom muscles of my leg contract with strong pain from the repeated penetrations.

“How was it?” Diane’s warm smile appears as she sees me coming out of the room. Seeing my expression, she immediately comprehended that something was wrong, “Is everything alright?”

I shook my head but grabbed her skirt simultaneously. Knowing me, she swiftly followed my lead.

“How could something like this happen!?” her voice echoes through the room as she brings my trousers upwards, revealing the blood in my leg, born from my brother’s actions.

“Ah!” I gasp as I feel the warm wet towel touch my body, cleaning up my wounds.

“That little…! I swear… One day I will deal with Julius myself!” Diane kept on muttering things to herself repeatedly as if she was placing a curse on someone. I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle at her insults.

“Diane… How is it? Outside, that is?” this question kept on coming back, over and over again.

I knew the stories about her hometown, how the people were filled with happiness and life, but I wanted to know more.

In some books, I read that there was something called “ocean”, something big as a whole continent but it was only made of water. In some loose sheets, I learned that there was a big lake in the northern part of Ashen, a lake that was filled with so many different things, too many different things.

‘I want to see it…’ my deepest wish was to leave. I already knew that I wasn’t wanted here and even if I lived here, I was nothing more but a shadow, following the footsteps of my brothers due to my own ignorance.

I didn’t want that life.

“Well, I haven’t traveled much but I’ve gone to the capital once or twice,” she kindly smiles while applying some ointment on my leg.

“Tell me more,” my interest peaks as her words became as sweet as chocolate.

“It was as if the Gods had gone there themselves! There are so many people and so many things to see!” her voice usual pitch was higher as her excitement grew.

Diane kept on telling me about her experience at the capital, she told me how the merchants shower us with their fresh products, how the artist perform on the streets, and how the people talk loudly with their smiles and joy.

“I wish I could see it too…” a feeling of sadness overcomes my curiosity. My father was extremely strict and didn’t allow these types of entertainment.

“Then let’s make a promise! I will take you there one day!” she stretches her pinky finger.

“Alright!” I do the same and our fingers connect, giving birth to a future promise, eager to be completed.

✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽

「 A couple of days later 」

“Earl Statton! What a surprise seeing you here,” father smiles respectfully, hiding his disgust for the man standing in front of him.

We were currently at the palace, celebrating the princess’s birth. Since it is a grand event, the ballroom is filled with nobles and aristocrats who forcefully lock away their true intentions.

The gorgeous wooden floor had a thin layer of shine that stood out with the light from the chandeliers. The walls, made from marble contrasted the several golden adornments imbued in them while the tables served a generous amount of food and delicacies from the royal chef.

“Marquess! I wouldn’t miss a chance to greet the newborn princess,” the man, in his early fifties replies. His sun-kissed hair was pushed back as his blue eyes sparkled with the room's illumination. His pale lips were hidden under a thick mustache that matched his hair tone, “Are these the young lords?”

“Yes, these are my children,” father pats Julius on his back, warning him to present himself.

“Hello sir, I am Julius Verne,” he politely bows down before adjusting his ruffled light green suit.

“I am Layton Verne… sir,” I follow his lead.

“And I’m Cedric Verne sir,” as expected, my younger brother swiftly mimics Julius’s gestures perfectly.

“They appear to be wonderful young men,” Earl Statton says with a sarcastic tone before grabbing this new opportunity, “This is my daughter, Holly.”

A young girl with beautiful golden curls appears from behind the Earl unsure, like a small, scared little rabbit.

“I’m Holly Statton, it is a pleasure to meet you, my lords,” she grabs the hems of her skirt and bends her knees slightly as if she was nothing more than a porcelain doll.

“It is a pleasure Lady Holly,” Julius immediately intervenes, and I notice Cedric’s fists clench in frustration.

“I think we should let the young generation socialize, wouldn’t you agree Marquess?” seeing the interest in my brother’s eyes he quickly takes the initiative.

‘What a charismatic man…’ I couldn’t help but find this side of him extremely attractive.

“Indeed,” we all bow down and begin to approach one of the tables, “I hear your business is flourishing quite nicely…”

‘Is he going to discuss business… even here?’ I overheard father’s next sentence, but I couldn’t understand anything he said afterward since the noise in the ballroom became louder.

“So, Lady Statton, is this your first ball?” Julius gains the reins on the conversation as I begin to eat some of the food on the table.

“I’m afraid so…” her voice was low, and her body appeared to be insecure regarding her surroundings as if she was nothing more than an innocent girl that feared the unknown.

“And what are your hobbies, my lady?” Cedric intervenes, displaying his rebellion against his older brother’s dominance.

They continued talking for hours while trying to gain Holly’s favor. In her eyes, she might have thought that the two Verne’s were fighting for her attention, but the reality was nowhere near as charming.

‘This is a test…’ I was sure that father intended to see how far their social skills went: how they could create bonds and gather people around them. Holly was just the first bump in the road.

“Announcing the entrance of His Royal Highness Prince Blake and His Royal Highness Prince Donovan,” two young boys appear at the top of the stairs. One had hair like the flames of pure fire and looked extremely irrational while the other one was as refined as a piece of copper.

Several moments later the same voice is heard.

“Announcing the entrance of His Majesty, King Julius II and Her Majesty, Queen Vivian alongside Her Royal Highness Princess Arielle,” just like one of his children, the man standing had red-vivid hair alongside a thick mustache. The Queen, on the other hand, had beautiful caramel hair that flew over her shoulders.

The ballroom was quiet as they walk slowly towards their thrones. I glance over at my siblings who looked at the princes with mixed feelings, floating from desire to disdain. Holly, much to my surprise, looked extremely interested in the blood-haired prince.

Some hours pass and finally father approaches us.

“It’s our turn to greet his majesty, behave yourselves,” the Marquess declared before leading the way.

“Glory upon the royal family who guides and provides, Marquess James Verne greets His Majesty the King,” we kneel on the floor and, after several minutes we were finally ordered to rise.

“Your children have grown quite a lot Marquess,” Queen Vivian comments while her light blue eyes pierced my heart coldly.

“Thank you, your highness, I am sure that Princess Arielle will be as graceful as you,” father bows down his torso slightly.

We approach the small baby crib decorated with gold and several precious jewels, where a hairless, blue-eyed baby rested. Father begins to say a prayer and we mimic his gestures swiftly.

“Please accept this humble gift your majesty,” one of the servants approaches with a big box, “These silks will make the finest dresses for the princess.”

“Thank you, Marquess,” the King’s deep voice is heard, and father smiles politely.