Daminas stopped abrutly before he could hug Xanxier and his leg hit the chair making him recoil in pain, he rubbed his leg vigorously, straightening up before bowing to Xanxier. He raised his head blinking back tears to see Xanxier wasn't looking at him and still gazing at the distance
"Your Majesty?" He approached carefully.
Vane stood up slowly and walked up to the bed, he couldn't prevent his mouth from curling up into a genuine and a gentle smile which made him grin from ear to ear. "Brother you are awake."
Seeing that Xanxier was still staring at the distance, they turned but they were the only ones in the room. Vane got worried at the way Xanxier didn't acknowledge them and his heart started to pound, he was ready to shake him awake when Xanxier opened his mouth.
"Take that out." Xanxier said dryly. "The flower vase."
A lone ceramic flower vase was on the table with jasmine flower in it beside the empty jug. Vane looked a bit confused but Daminas quickly moved to take the vase out.
Vane blocked Xanxier's view forcing him to turn his head to look at him. "Brother." He said quietly, his eyes beseeching. Maybe it was the alcohol starting to kick in but he was feeling emotional and relieved he also wanted to hug Xanxier but he could only stand there and watch him.
Xanxier blinked and closed his eyes ignoring Vane that was acting like a puppy demanding for attention. He was feeling so weak,tired and he wanted to cry so badly.
"Brother." Vane looked a bit hurt since Xanxier wasn't interested in talking to him. He didn't ask what day it was, didn't ask which room he was or why he was in bed which concludes that he remembered all that took place few days ago.
The door opened and Daminas slipped in, he lingered on the door not wanting to interrupt them.
"Brother." Vane repeated and pat his shoulders to force Xanxier to give him the attention he demanded.
"Why are you still here." Xanxier opened his eyes to see Vane looking dejected. "In Autumnshell." He added to make himself clear.
"Because am your brother and I won't abandon you." Vane blurted out stamping his feet on the floor. He was old but acting spoilt was his expertise and he could always blame the alcohol.
Xanxier closed his eyes which made Vane's heart dropped. He wasn't going to be ignored. He was not a child anymore and this time he would not leave Xanxier alone.
"Please talk to me." He didn't know where the tears came from but they started flowing down his face as he felt his heart squeezing in pain, taking his seat to have a closer look at Xanxier. It was clearly not normal that Xanxier slept like a log for three days without moving, It made him understood that even though Xanxier's face was impassive and looked peaceful as he slept doesn't mean he wasn't in pain or having a nightmare.
"I... almost..." Xanxier voice broke and he opened his eyes to see Vane in tears which made him shut his eyes trying to prevent the tears that welled up his eyes from escaping but his eyes felt so hot and stings which made the tears escaped sliding down the corner of his eyes.
Seeing this Vane quickly moved forward and wiped it off with trembling hands not caring about his own tears that was blurring his vision.
"I almost killed you." Xanxier chocked out as Vane wiped more tears with his hands.
"I know but I want to know everything about you, what happened to you and I want to stay and help you." Vane said firmly, his voice carrying his utmost sincerity.
"Vane are you not scared." Xanxier opened his eyes, his glassy eyes filled with tears sliding down which made Vane quickly wiped it off to prevent it from getting to Xanxier's ear.
"No I am not, you are my only brother and it took me so long to realised I have to be here to protect you." Vane said looking so concerned at Xanxier and he reached for his hands under the blanket. Vane was easy to read like a book and he could never hide how he felt especially when he was drunk. When he was small he would throw a tantrum whenever he was displeased while Xanxier watches and never complain.
As Vane got older he tried to stop and act rigid but anyone could tell what he was thinking.
Seeing the sincerity in his voice and his breath that stinks of alcohol fanning across him face, his eyes dilated showing he was heavily drunk as he clutched Xanxier's hands, squeezing it like he doesn't want to let go. Xanxier felt his heart breaking and he couldn't take it anymore. He burst into tears and cried. Wailing loudly in agony and Vane quickly pulled him slowly into a sitting position hugging his limp body finally fulfilling his wish to hug Xanxier one day and they wail together.
Daminas knew he shouldn't be listening but he was still on guard against Vane and he had to prevent Vane from taking advantage of Xanxier and removing his veil. Seeing this view of two brothers hugging and crying made a tear escaped his eye and he stepped out giving them some privacy.
It hurt, his heart hurt so bad as Xanxier cried hugging Vane more tightly which Vane returned. Xanxier doesn't have any family with him except his uncle, his uncle's wife and daughters. Xanxier tried to be strong, acting alone with the company of his trusted officials that only obey and respect him. He doesn't know if they love him or if they would cry sincerely or miss him if he dies one day.
After all what Vane did, he was still his only brother and it didn't justify his action of losing control almost killing him because of the national treasury when they had more than enough in the safe. He knew Vane was stupid and doesn't have a spine to take the throne but he was hurt when he saw the letter and it resulted into violence making him relapse once again like he did fifteen years ago. They cried untill they had no more tears to shead and Xanxier drew back weakly from him.
"I do not want the throne I only want to swindle Krista into marry me." Vane tried to clear the misunderstanding up as he tucked Xanxier back to bed.
"She is not a good woman for you. Do you know why I didn't accept her proposal?" Xanxier's throat was feeling dry but it had been long since he was able to hold a conversation with his brother.
Vane nodded. "I know but am just hopelessly foolishly in love with her but." He reached under the blanket to take Xanxier's hand again. "I will throw it away, I sent words to cart the golds back and I think I deserves better than her."
Xanxier lifted his other hand weakly to pat Vane's head. "Yes you do, you will get someone better after you get rid of that mustache." He suggested.
"But they said its makes me more handsome." Vane complained.
"They lied." Xanxier smiled withdrawing his hand.
Vane grinned, his tears already dried. "Do you know I always come to Redroses villa when I use to visit the palace from Trenor but I was sad when I didn't see you."
"Why are you telling me this?" Xanxier frowned. He didn't expect their discussion to divert.
Vane laughed loudly. "Maybe because am drunk." He smirked. "But why do you start using your veil? why didn't you see me or come to pay a visit to Trenor?" He spouted and hiccups.
Xanxier closed his eyes withdrawing his hands from Vane showing he wasn't interested in having that discussion with him. "I am tired Vane, you should go to sleep. Call Daminas for me." He suggested since Vane looked tired and was also drunk.
Vane nodded and hiccups standing to his feet. "Goodnight brother, I will bring Daminas." He pulled the blanket to his neck.
Xanxier watched him go as he staggered almost hitting the table which made Xanxier smile. Checking his veil, it was already wet and sticky with tears. He could tell he already slept for days and he had a lot of catching up to do.