Almost two days had gone by since Asher had fallen deep into sleep. Archer and Pithos both knew that the young boy desperately needed that sleep in order to get back all of the mental energy he had wasted when he was trapped inside his subconsciousness merging his soul with another's. Other than these two, nobody else in the estate knew why Asher hasn't gone out of his room since early yesterday.
Kio, who heard the rumors from a few knights that Asher had yet to make an appearance had immediately departed from his usual training to find him. The knights that had been left behind stared in surprise at Kio's back as he walked away. It seems that he truly cares for his younger brother, contrary to what Ian had been spouting throughout the years.
The steps Kio took was etched into his memory. Walking through countless corridors and many unused rooms, he sighed. The last time the pair of brothers saw each other, Kio had completely blown Asher off. It wasn't even the younger one's fault. He was just incredibly overwhelmed at the small changes that had presented themselves in Asher. All of them being good. So, what exactly caused him to become so overwhelmed?
Well, it's obvious. He is one of the reasons why Asher had become the reclusive child he was. Kio wasn't by Asher's side when he needed him the most. And now, Asher had undergone a huge transformation, and Kio wasn't a part of that. He wasn't the person who helped Asher change for the better.
Sighing once more, Kio shook his head and increased his pace. He doesn't know why, but he felt that something major was just about to happen. Something that will not only change his life, but also change the way he perceives himself and his opinions. But this was all just a feeling. Something like that wouldn't happen, right?
"Kio, where are you going?"
Kio flinched as he noticed whom the cold and sharp voice belonged to. Hesitantly turning around, he saw his father cross his arms while inspecting him. An unpleasant expression found its way to Alejandro's face as he stared at Kio still in his training clothes.
Just like Kio, Alejandro was also sporting some loose-fitting training clothes. His short, black hair was damp with sweat. He narrowed his cold, dark blue eyes towards Kio, making the teenaged boy tense up.
"You haven't answered my question."
Feeling as if he was going against a slumbering beast, Kio proceeded carefully, "I was going to visit Asher. I heard that nobody has seen him since early yesterday. He didn't eat breakfast nor lunch today."
"So? That is no reason to forget about your daily training," said Alejandro, his eyes only reflecting disappointment. Seeing this, Kio tightly clenched his fists to the point of almost drawing blood.
So? So?! Was that all he had to say?! A measly so?! His youngest son hasn't left his room in two days and that was all he had to say?! Tsk, his father was indeed a cruel beast. What parent wouldn't worry about his child when he doesn't come out of his room for two straight days? The only thing that beast of a father felt over this situation was disappointment; he was disappointed over the fact that Kio left halfway through his training. There was no worry nor care in his eyes.
Many people have regarded this side of Alejandro as him being aloof. They even compared his younger brother with his father, saying that both of them share that same characteristic and others as well. Well, they couldn't be more wrong.
Alejandro has always been a reliable man. Both to his family and his people. He always displayed how strong he was by showing others that he could do things himself; that he could carry all of the family's burdens. Not to mention that he was also extremely organized, unlike Kio's wild mother. Unfortunately, his father was also very irritable and ignorant. Asher, on the other hand, was a ball of sunshine. Asher was understanding and empathetic. He was also very curious and honest, almost to the point of being blunt. Finally, his younger brother has always been extremely disorganized, almost to the point where Zara was on the verge of breaking down. Kio couldn't see how others would compare his wholesome brother to an ignorant fool.
The only attributes that Kio agrees that Alejandro and Asher have in common are their cold, dark blue eyes (he has yet to see the change in Asher's eyes) and the same straight, dark hair. Still, it wasn't something that made Asher look completely like his father. Asher had a red streak of hair and a thin body, both courtesy of their mother Nikola. Alejandro, on the other hand, had always been a big and strong child.
Kio shook with emotions that he couldn't even begin to understand. Was it anger? Excitement? Fear? Despite these emotions, there was one thing that Kio deeply understood. He promised himself that he wouldn't let anyone walk all over him, his brother, and the bond that they shared. What type of person would he be if he broke the first promise he made to himself and Asher after his incredible change in attitude?
"I-I've been training more these last f-few days. Today, I trained for over an hour. I believe that I can take a b-break to visit my brother," said Kio, his voice breaking in nervousness. After stating his opinion, Kio felt relieved and genuinely smiled. When was the last time he felt this light-hearted?
Compared to Kio's cheerful state, Alejandro felt a storm brewing. Since when did his middle child speak to him this way. As his father, he deserved some respect!
Alejandro took a few long strides towards Kio before tightly grabbing his arm and forcefully pulling him towards him.
"Listen here, Kio. I am your father. And as your father, I deserve some decent fucking respect. Do you understand?"
His voice was cold. His voice was ruthless. This was something Kio was experiencing for the first time. Is this what happens when one speaks his mind?
Kio wanted to shake him off and yell out how, as his son and a person, he also deserves some respect. He wanted to stress how he doesn't believe that he should respect someone that doesn't respect him, but he swallowed the words down and lowered his head. What else could he do? He tried. He tried speaking his mind, speaking his heart.
Besides, there really was no way he could respond at the moment. If he were to speak up, his voice would only give away the fact that he was both scared and desperate; definitely not the best combination there is. The only thing he could do was keep quiet and swallow down the words he so desperately wanted to shout out.
Seeing as he lowered his head in defeat, Alejandro hmphed and squeezed his arm one last time before walking away.
"Go back to your training."
Kio nodded feeling defeated. Was there really no way he could visit Asher right now? His eyes wistfully stared down the corridor. Just a few more corridors and he would've been able to reach Asher's room. Sighing, Kio shook his head and touched the place where his father had grabbed him and slightly flinched. He could already feel the bruise forming. Thankfully, he had worn a long-sleeved shirt today, so the bruise wouldn't be noticeable.
He sent one last glance to the corridor before walking away feeling both defeated and determined. Who would've thought that his previous feeling had been correct? Next time, he won't allow himself to suffer another unjust defeat.
As Kio left, Pithos shook his head. He had been sunbathing by the window before Kio arrived. He witnessed everything that had just happened; from the smile that Kio displayed once saying his true thoughts to the way Alejandro forcefully grabbed him in response. Shaking his head, Pithos couldn't help but curse Alejandro in his head. Because of his ignorant ways, he had caused Kio and Asher much pain. He was erasing their individuality and shackling them into what he wished for them.
On the other side of the estate stood Nikola. Her unruly scarlet hair caressed her face as tears escaped from her dimmed emerald eyes. Archer stood beside her as she wept and held Asher's wooden box containing various letters.
Yesterday, right after putting Asher to bed, Archer immediately went to find Nikola, Asher's wooden box in hand. Despite him wanting to read the letters and find out for himself if Asher was involved with the dark group his master has been hunting, he remembered the promise Nikola had once stated.
"Upon seeing the note, I can't claim that my son is innocent without any concrete indication that he is indeed not associated with the spy. So, Sir Archer, please tell Lord Zacharia about the note. Also, relay your master the following message."
"This note can and will become an important factor in this investigation. As the head of the Pierce family, I can confidently say that my son has some type of connection with the spy. However, as a mother that knows her son like the back of her hand, I cannot accept such cruel fate. You will give me three days to prove his innocence. That is all."
When Archer saw the conviction in Nikola's eyes he couldn't dare say no. He had agreed to her request. The very next day, Archer had left the estate to inform Master Zacharia of everything that had transpired. Zacharia was moved by Nikola's motherly love. Doubled by the fact that he respected her greatly, he granted her a full week to find information about her son's innocence.
Having been given the green light, Nikola had immediately started investigating. She went through the records of who entered the estate and for what reason and compared the handwriting of the letter with the handwriting of anyone and everyone who has entered the estate. Most importantly, she investigated Asher's whereabouts during the last couple of months and analyzed his mannerisms during that time. All of this information was gathered thanks to Nikola's elite guards.
With all of this information Nikola was able to come to the conclusion that, instead of working with them, he had been trying his best to avoid them. The handwriting that was on the letter coincidentally matched with one of the other noble's handwriting. He was once seen speaking to Asher and trying to convince him of something. However, Asher had run away. During the next encounters with this noble, Asher was seen hiding from that man.
With this information, Nikola had a good chance of proving her son's innocence. However, she knew; she knew that this wouldn't be enough to completely prove his innocence, especially if she was going to try and persuade Lord Zacharia. This is where Archer and the wooden box comes in.
The letters had been written with clear intentions: to reminisce, to let go, and inform. Nikola had read all of these letters. From the ones addressed to her to the ones addressed to the other members of her family. Needless to say, she was both shocked and deeply hurt.
"You said that Asher asked you to take you to Lord Zacharia?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Good," said Nikola as she fanned her face. "My son is smart, so he must've figured out what was happening. I'll be going with you to guard Asher and prove his innocence."
Nikola smiled happily, her emerald eyes regaining their brilliance. Finally, some good news for once!
Archer nodded at her request and began walking away. He had to prepare Asher for the journey ahead.
"Hey, Archer."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Thank you for bringing this to me instead of my incompetent husband. Also," Nikola smiled once more. The brilliance of her smile was enough to make Archer squint his eyes. "Please, call me Nikola."
Before Archer could politely refuse, Nikola had already walked away. One of her elite guards appeared beside her and began relaying information about an incident regarding her middle child and her husband.
This conversation was of no importance to Archer, so he turned around and walked away. He walked towards the direction of Asher's room while thinking deeply about the Nikola's words.
Indeed, he couldn't imagine himself giving Alejandro such important information. If anything, Alejandro would be the last person he would count on. The way he treated Asher made him believe that he would immediately burn all of the evidence and convict him of working with the enemy. However, he wasn't entirely sure of this. There was also the fact that Zacharia respected Nikola because of how she treated him when they were speaking with the king, so the mother of three was obviously his first and only choice in who to give this crucial information.
Reaching Asher's room, Archer knocked on the door and asked if he could be let in. After receiving a faint "Yes," Archer entered the room and immediately went to pick up a still drowsy Asher.
"Archer! It's still way too early," Asher whined while struggling to flee. The butler snickered at the poor attempt of an escape and went directly into the bathroom. The sight of the bathtub caused Asher to groan while still holding onto Archer.
"Can we skip the morning bath? All I've done is sleep, so I'm totally clean!"
Unfortunately for Asher, Archer was a responsible butler. He was tossed into the bathtub after it was filled with warm water. The small boy tsked in protest but still proceeded to relax and close his eyes.
"Doesn't Young Master Asher believe that he has been sleeping too much lately?"
"Not really," said Asher with a shrug, not catching onto the hidden meaning. "I want to be fully rested as I meet your master."
Archer sighed in defeat. He had been hoping that Asher would forget all about his master. Since he remembered, Archer had to accompany him to meet Zacharia. The good thing is that they are much closer to finding information about the dark group.
"Of course, Young Master Asher. Her Grace will also accompany you."
"Mother will be coming?" Asher asked in surprise before remembering how much that wild woman loved to spoil him. Thinking about this, Asher couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
"I suppose she has her own mission."
"She does. A mission quite similar to yours, in fact," Archer wrapped Asher with a towel before heading out of the bathroom. He rummaged through his closet before pulling out some exquisite yet uncomfortable looking clothes.
"How so?"
"You are both going to prove your innocence, Young Master Asher. In this household, your mother is your biggest ally."