Snow-Covered Forest
There was still time before the sky fully darkened. As the firewood Rowen had gathered dwindled and the embers weakened, Lucius added a fresh armful, invigorating the flames. Crackle, crackle. A faint smile tugged at his lips, satisfied with how vigorously the fire blazed.
His mind was still a whirlwind. Watching the bonfire roar innocently, oblivious to everything, gradually eased his heart a little.
"Rowen."
"Yeah."
"Thank you."
Rowen tilted his head at the sudden words. Lucius was still a novelty to him. He'd seen the heir of the Dragnik family in his past life, and though he'd encountered the emperor before, this was his first time seeing one of his descendants up close. Lucius felt the same, especially since Rowen was a boy his own age.
He remembered what Kadan had said.
"I have no siblings."
"I know."
"No friends, either."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
Lucius gave an awkward laugh. No matter how he looked at him, Rowen didn't resemble Kadan. But his aura unmistakably screamed Valenos blood.
"I lost my mother and father. You're in the same boat, but... I lost mine even younger."
"You're talking about former Emperor Ludric, right?"
"I know better than anyone what it means to a child when their parents abandon them."
"My father didn't abandon us."
"Yeah, I know. I was the one who tried to stop him from staying in the Pentagon."
Lucius's old-soul speech was still hard to get used to—like a child belatedly mimicking his early-deceased father. Rowen pitied him, and at the same time, felt a kinship. In his past life, he'd taken up the holy sword out of vengeance. Why the holy sword for revenge? Because it was his father's only keepsake. He'd had no choice but to follow suit. He'd first stained his hands with blood alongside crude swordsmanship learned by eye. Rian's past was dark.
"I had a dream."
"...A dream?"
"Kadan asked me to look after you kids."
Rowen shot back quickly.
"Just a bullshit dream. Dad's not so weak he'd show up in one."
"I'd like to believe that, but that inexplicable statue was too... "
"He didn't die."
Rowen's irritation flared at those words. He knew better than anyone the odds of his father being dead. For him to appear in Lucius's dream? It was as good as a death sentence to anyone watching. Rowen had dreams too. Long ago, when he was younger than now, a dream of his past-life father dying. Not long after, Kadan stayed in the Pentagon, and only Lucius arrived in Snowfall. He knew it. He was just lashing out like a kid throwing a tantrum, insisting his dad wasn't dead. He'd aged plenty. But what did age matter? Losing parents was hard to bear, even for the long-lived. Rowen was sixteen, but adding his past life put him well over a hundred. Those blessed by the gods lived eternally, untouched by age or illness. Rowen was different—living a second life. A bizarre, cursed fate. The life of Rian Rose and the life of Rowen. Rowen was the illegitimate son of the Valenos family, born out of wedlock, denied a family name. In his first life, he'd lost his father young. He'd loved the fairy tales his father read to him—books holding stories of a father he could no longer see up close. In his second life, he lost his father again. Kadan had him shouting out of wedlock with a mother he never knew. Born illegitimate, but raised equally with the others. He read books too. Most kids got stories from their parents—he knew that. But Kadan read The Tale of the Five Heroes. A story containing his own life, memories with comrades, tragedy. Edited somewhat, but filled with their bonds and Rian's unfulfilled wishes. Two fathers. They resembled each other. If his reincarnation was fate's doing, then their similarity to his past-life father was fate too. Then was their deaths fated as well? Fuck that fate—shove it. Who wouldn't rage at enduring this fucking pain twice?
"...Sorry. Didn't mean to piss you off."
"I'm not pissed. Just... a bit fucking annoyed, that's all."
"Same difference."
"Wasn't trying to play word games."
Lucius sat naturally beside Rowen, who subtly shifted away in the cramped space.
"Don't pull away."
"It was just tight."
"Kadan asked me to look after you all."
"...I heard you the first time."
"Yeah. So don't treat me like such a burden."
Lucius had felt excluded for nearly a week. The others were family, bound as the Valenos household. He had no intention of wedging in—that was natural.
"Like Cain and Miyabi said, I'm the coward who abandoned Kadan and ran."
"You know it well."
"Hahaha. Not taking my side today, huh."
"It's the truth, isn't it?"
Rowen eyed Lucius's pure-white sword, Rosmerta. He'd known it well since his past life, seen it closer than anyone. He didn't know how it ended up in imperial hands, but its endurance over a millennium was impressive. Maybe a replica. It never surpassed the time-transcending speed he'd witnessed before when Lucius wielded it. That's why Lucius rubbed him wrong. After a week of observation, Rowen's impression was simple: 'Lightweight.' His movements were feather-light. Perfect for Rosmerta's master. And that irked him.
"Can't figure out why you just stood there holding Rosmerta."
"What?"
"I hear that sword boosts the user's speed even further."
"You know about it?"
"Better than anyone. That's why I'm saying this."
Why?
"With a sword of swiftness like that, you could've escaped the Pentagon with my father."
"That's...!"
Lucius wasn't a fool. Not a genius either, but smarter than average. Still, Rowen's point hit like a blow to the back of the head.
"Wasn't blaming you."
"No. Blame me instead."
"What good would that do? Bring back our dead dad?"
"No, but..."
"Not blaming His Majesty. Just saying that's what I'd have done."
Rowen was frustrated. But Lucius was still a kid. Sixteen at most, same age, but souls carried different weights. Scolding him didn't sit right with Rowen the adult. He wanted to teach reality instead. The dead don't return. In battle, one mistake dooms ten and spells defeat. Only the sharp-minded and skilled survive. Lucius's face fell, conflicted. He'd shared the dream hoping to bond. A first for him—feeling isolated, aware of being the outsider. So he'd approached Rowen, thinking the bastard might relate. But instead of hope, he got reality-daggers. A heavy feeling settled. He almost wished for tears.
"I get that Dad showed up in your dream."
"...It's not bullshit."
"I know. Earlier I was just... a bit hurt."
"Good."
"But that doesn't mean I want to be friends."
"I see..."
"No need to keep this vibe forever, though."
Lucius looked up. Rowen smiled faintly. Both carried tangled hearts, allowing them to face each other.
"They say men bond through fights."
"Never heard that. Sorry—first time hearing tales from outside the castle."
"You know it now, since I just told you."
"So?"
Rowen removed his glove and extended his right hand for a shake.
"We'll be together awhile. This awkwardness bugs me."
"Then..."
"Not sure if that counted as a fight. Don't want to punch. Let's call it even."
Lucius grasped Rowen's hand. An ordinary shake, but laden with meaning.
"Don't like you, but don't hate you."
"Guess I'll work to grow on you."
*
To open up to Lucius, they talked at length. The sun set, and Karin fought sleep with wide, drowsy eyes. Rowen smiled at his little sister. Purely adorable. Only half-blood, but undeniably his sister—proven by her snow-white hair.
"Bedtime. Go on."
"Just a bit more...!"
"No. His Majesty's tired, and Mother's already asleep."
"Mom sleeps a ton anyway. And he's tired 'cause you were being a jerk, Oppa."
"Was not."
"Was too! I heard everything. Dad dying sucks, but it's not that guy's fault—I get that much."
Karin sensed it. Honestly, Rowen had been a bit pathetic earlier. Vent all his anger, then ask for a handshake to make up? Not cool at all. She admired him, but couldn't hide thinking he was childish.
"You're childish."
"Am not."
"Then play a little more."
"No. I'm beat."
Karin nagged until Rowen agreed to spar. It'd been ages since he held a sword, and a chance to shake off the regret of leaving her out of the wolf hunt. Sleeping now felt wasteful. All day, no one played with her. Mom stayed gloomy, second bro was a rice-guzzling slob. 'What a pathetic brother!' She knew things were serious, but she was a kid—prime playtime age. So she pestered her sole playmate, Rowen. She'd overheard his talk with Lucius. Not too complex for her. Lucius wanted to bond through chat, but poked Rowen's wound. Hurt, Rowen lashed out, blaming others. He'd defended Lucius against Cain's grudges, but without Cain, he flipped. Honestly, kinda lame.
"So one more time."
"Ugh..."
"Don't wanna think you're lame anymore, Oppa."
Arahan, watching the spar, sneered. Downing booze to fight the cold had gone to her head.
"Young master was always lame."
"Shut it, Arahan."
How dare a maid mouth off to her charge? Arahan was drunk.
"Heh heh..."
Oh, giggling now. Hiccuping too. Bad shape. Rowen thought he needed to knock her out fast. Instinctively. Or something might happen... that vibe.
"Karin, that's enough."
"Not too late yet."
"I'm wiped. Might lose at this rate."
"Great for me."
He glanced around. Sure enough! Arahan shot a serpentine glare, latching on.
"Losing to the young miss, young master? Whining about condition like a sorry sight?"
"Not."
"Heard you say it to the young miss. Who knew you weren't cool."
His sanity frayed. Hell on both sides. One slip, and they'd pounce.
"Karin, what're you even saying?"
"Nothing! Just told her how you threw a fit then begged for a handshake."
"Never did."
"Lame, Oppa."
"Lame, young master."
"Aaaah!"
Rowen bolted. Far enough the two demons couldn't follow. Couldn't admit it was pure embarrassment. Yeah, Lucius pissed him off. But did he look like a try-hard nerd acting cool? 'Me, lame?' Rowen couldn't sleep.