In the darkness and depth of the night, not everyone slept.
Among those people were William and Dickon Dustin, the twins and Earls of Southern Ireland.
Time passed for them, lost in an infinite limbo between three and four in the morning and nothing more.
Their room, as always was shared by both brothers, who in their eighteen years of life had never been used to being two different people.
They were born together, in their childhood they had played together and had been educated by the same tutors, they participated in dances together and sometimes the girls they slept with were the same.
They were the same in every way, fire coloured wavy red hair, hazel brown eyes and pale freckled faces.
But it did not seem that their excessive similarity disturbed them. They were used to it and on the other hand for everyone they were "the Dustin twins" and this was enough for both.
Anyway, in order not to create confusion, since their childhood their precious jackets had been sewn with small and white letters adjacent to their chest, a W for William and a D for Dickon.
In any case, the twins were now in a complicated situation, it never happened to them, despite their similarity they were now with completely conflicting ideas.
The room, obscured by the cold darkness of the night, showed no other light than that of the oil lamp placed neatly on the half-bedside table.
Leaning against the right wall was William's bed. The young man placed his back against the back of his bed and took advantage of the good night to make the blade of his dagger finer and sharper.
On the left wall was Dickon's bed, he was also placed with his back against the wall and his legs crossed on his bed, entrusting all his worries to the darkness of the night and observing his brother's every movement with concern.
As William looked up and noticed the unwanted attention of his brother he stopped rubbing the long blade against the small suitable stone and began to look his twin in the eyes.
-What do you want? - asked William lowering the dagger to his sight -you are pale and look at me as if you were seeing a ghost, what's gotten into you?! -
At those words Dickon decided to turn his gaze away from his brother's face and look into the trembling fire of the oil lamp.
-It's just...nothing...- the one admitted lying for fear of the other -I'm just thinking ...- he finally ended throwing his body in a lying position on his mattress.
-I know this critical look, don't lie to me Dickon...- William said finally placing the dagger next to him on the covers of the soft and comfortable bed.
-Don't talk like that, I didn't say anything- his brother asked forgiveness by covering his face with soft and lined felt cushions that were there on the bed.
-You didn't say anything but I saw how you looked at me...you were afraid brother, afraid of me, of what I am, of yourself- William said getting up athletically from the bed and fiddling between his fingers with the blade of the dagger.
- Stop this nonsense! I didn't say or think anything bad - Dickon protested at this point, leaving his bed too and threateningly going against his own twin.
-If you really want to know the truth...- Dickon started to speak again -dear brother, I'm ashamed! Yes I'm ashamed of looking the same as a person who like a mad dog barks his problems at others- he admitted, aiming for the first time with courage his finger against his twin.
William smiled, it was a bitter smile which illuminated by the dull light seemed even more cruel.
- So I was right in the end - he said - you are afraid and ashamed of me, of looking like me and you have never said anything...if you want to know, dear Dickon, do not think it is easy for me to be your twin- retorted the other, this once seriously intending to leave a painful mark on his brother.
-Do you think it is easy for me not to be able to have a character, a personal identity by possessing the exact same appearance as you? Do you think it's easy for me to always have to live like "one of the Dustin twins" that people don't even remember the name of?-.
At those words Dickon was sadly struck, he had never thought about this, about the fact that his brother was not really happy to be his twin, but rather not to bear that feeling.
Such a thought had never even crossed his mind.
On the other hand, they were identical twins, they shared the same identical genetics, they had the same appearance and had grown up the same, how could they now find themselves having completely different characters?
-Time ago you promised me you would never leave me ...- Dickon commented, turning away his gaze -that even after the wedding, after our children, we would always remain "the Dustin twins". Do you say then...was that all a lie too? - Dickon asked looking back at his brother's eyes, despite having his own full of tears.
At those words it seemed William was particularly impressed, so much that he remained with his lips parted as a sign of surprise and brought his brown eyes to observe the dagger, it's silver blade.
He knew Dickon was his brother and he loved him but he had a decision to make, which would require a long road of sacrifices.
-Listen to me brother- he began by snorting the other -we have now arrived at a crossroads where each of us must make his own choice, ally with Isabelle or fight against her- William concluded handing the dagger handle to his brother and with two fingers holding the blade.
-I have already made my decision, I will support Isabelle, even at the cost of my life, if that can lead me to revenge- William admitted to these words, leaving the handle of the dagger in the hand of his twin -now the choice is yours Dickon...- concluded the brother observing the wet eyes of the other.
Dickon wiped away his tears slowly and looked intently at the handle of the dagger.
-It makes no sense to me- he said to his brother -it no longer makes sense to fight alongside a cruel girl, who in her life has done nothing but damage others - and so saying he dropped the dagger from his own hands, making it hit the marble floor.
-I'm sorry William but I can not support you in this and at the same time I can not forbid you to make your own choices- Dickon said so returning this time with almost maniacal decision to observe his brother's gaze.
-I understand...- the other admitted taking up his dagger from the ground -I trusted your common sense, brother, but now I'm sure you don't have any at all ...- William finished talking, shaking his head slightly.
-What do you intend to do? - Dickon asked blocking the twin with an arm and at the same time returning to look into his dark and deep eyes.
-I'm going away from here, from this room and I'm getting ready for my destiny to come- William ended up explaining abruptly as he got out of his brother's grip -from now on I will be William Dustin, I will have my own character and personality, the time of the "Dustin twins" is now finished- admitted the one leaving the room and slamming the door.
Dickon remained inside, he stared at the wooden door that had recently closed.
He watched it with tears in his eyes: all his life his brother and him had been like one person, he was his only hope in this hard life.
But now that he was left alone he had to get used to being another person, to no longer have any hope in the forgiveness of his twin.
He stood there, motionless, in the dark of the night.