THE WINCHESTER FAMILY is a noble family with a rank of marquis, who's lived longer than the Grimes Empire. Despite their long history, they remained humble, which was also the root of love, envy and hate from the people and different aristocrat families. The family produced many loyal and strong knights, many intelligent scholars, and many successful merchant. And so far, the family's riches can now be on par with a grand duke's.
Its 67th generation was not an exception, although there is something about this generation. Not only is the head of the family from the 66th generation, Marquis Winchester, exceptionally talented but his three sons and three daughters were brilliant as well. They were far superior, even than the Imperial prince and princess. The Winchester Marquisate's fame grew even outside of the empire.
During this fame, the seventh child of Winchester Family was born and unfortunately, the Marchioness didn't survive after the delivery and died on the birth of her last son. Unlike any other noble families, the Marquis and his children swore to treasure the last child.
They named him Dwayne. Dwayne Winchester.
About four years have passed, and an unfortunate news befall upon the family. The reason why their youngest, Dwayne, often gets asthma attacks, cold and fever, and would even throw up blood, is that he has gained a strange illness. His body has been weak, and now harbored an unknown illness that even doctors don't know the cure of.
Thus, the family doctor suggested a long-term solution. The youngest is to be locked up inside a clean and high tower, good for his condition and health. He is to be surrounded by nature and clean air. And the marquis didn't waste time.
He ordered his servants to clean up the hidden tower that was built by the first generation Winchester Family. It contained thousands of educational and fiction books that was owned by the earlier generations. It's basically the hidden library. On top of that tall and dark tower, was a greenhouse built from long ago that the marchioness used to take care of along with her maids.
They placed a king-sized bed, a couch, chairs and tables along with a small kitchen. Dwayne was confined inside, although he wasn't practically feeling lonely. He had books to keep him company and a nanny, named Clementine, to cook him meals along with the family doctor, Doc. Pablo, for Dwayne's daily checkups. His father visits him twice a week along with his older siblings. When the children aged eighteen, they were to admit in the academy, and despite that, they were still able to visit Dwayne once a month.
Knowing that confining himself in the tower would improve his health, Dwayne diligently took proper rest and did not exert his physical activities too much. Other than checkups and meals, he would read books all day. As bookshelves were plastered on the walls of the cylinder-shaped tower, there was no specific floor but there were staircases that lead to all of them, and there's also quite a number of them.
Dwayne could only walk down the nearest bookshelves from the greenhouse as his stamina could never make it to the ground floor. Visits from his family were the ones he looked forward to the most. Five years passed, Dwayne turned nine years old and the gift he received from his fourth older sibling and second eldest sister, Maize, was probably the most unforgettable.
"This is... medicine pills?" The young Dwayne muttered his confusion and surprise as he opened the box that Maize gave him. Their siblings surprisingly glanced at Maize who wore an excited and happy smile. Dwayne looked up to his older sister in pure awe. Since she's been taking notes in his checkups, Dwayne knows what these capsules meant.
"Yes, it's a medicine I made especially for you and your body. It may not fully cure your unknown illness, but taking a pill could help you regain your strength and stamina. Since you have an incredibly low stamina and immune system, add the fact that your body is physically weak, by regularly taking a pill for a day in one to two years, you could reach the ground floor and might even get to play outside." Maize explained with a small smile on her face.
That alone gave the other siblings a bright smile on their faces, the father and the family doctor were especially surprised and proud. To think that she has been working on this medicine for years now, and finally completed it!
"As expected of a Winchester child." The oldest and first son, Morado commented with a proud grin. Although he helped a little with the medicine, it was all thanks Maize's effort that they were able to make the medicine a complete success just for this day.
"This means we can even go to the resort with Dwayne now!" The second child and second son, Hunter cheered.
"And we can even dance and sing and paint and write and-" The third child and the first daughter, Iris cheered as well, but was unfortunately cut off by Maize.
"Don't be too excited, Sister Iris! I just said that he can build enough stamina to go outside, not that he's fully healed to the point that he can dance with you! Only Slate can match your energy and stamina, and he's knight in training! The same goes for you, Brother Hunter!" Maize exclaimed at the two energetic fools.
"She's not wrong you know?" The fifth child and third son, Slate agreed with his older sister. Hunter and Iris were in the most stressing departments in the academy, and they're currently on the top of their class, even the oldest and Maize can't match their energy at times, as they are night owls. Hunter and Iris pout like the brats that they are, only to be comforted by the oldest with head pats.
"So this is why you wanted to be the last to give the present, Sister Maize." The sixth child and third daughter, Linnea commented with smile, Maize winked at her.
"Save the best for last, right?" She stated, making the younger chuckle. She thought that her cake would be the best gift out of everything, but she still lost huh.
"Sister May." They all turned to the birthday boy as he called his gift giver. They all saw the tears forming and trailing down his cheeks. He was so happy but he couldn't find himself to smile back at her, he looked down hugging the small box that contained the glass container with the pills inside.
His tears didn't stop from falling. "T-Thank you. Thank you so much, Sister." His emotions were overflowing so much that he stammered. His siblings walked over to his bed, were he was resting, and hugged him. The father simply watched his children with a small smile.
'Our sons and daughters are treating him well, my wife. Please guide all seven of them like you've always done', he thought as he stood there, savoring these little moments.
After a while, Dwayne finally calm down a little.
"Now that there's a chance for you to enter the academy, which department would you take, Dwayne?" Morado brought up, and all the other siblings glanced at Dwayne as they were curious and excited of his answer. "But of course, I already know you're way more interested in science and engineering than any other, but what are your second options if ever?" The eldest continued with a visible smug smile plastered on his face.
All the other siblings glanced back at him and raised a brow.
"Oh, please, Older Brother. Everyone knows that business is best. Just think about all the money Dwayne could earn! He's a future merchant, like me! I tell you!" Hunter flipped his long ponytail as he faced his youngest brother with sparkling eyes. "Right, Dwayne?"
"Ah, no." Iris rejected and pushed her older brother's face away. "Remember that art is better in many ways than all those boring departments. I mean, have you seen this adorable yet handsome face?" She stated and pointed at the youngest's face. "All beautiful faces belong to the art department. If Dwayne took an acting or dancing career, he could surpass me!" She exclaimed, proud and somehow insulting.
Maize smiled. "Medicine would be best suited for Dwayne, he's our soft little boy after all. Not only can he help himself, but he could also help others. Don't force him into such stressing departments such as science and engineering, business, and arts." She stated, not faltering despite talking to her older sibling. Slate blankly stared at her.
"You say that as if medicine isn't as stressing as all the others. Oh, now that I think of it, you admired science and engineering as well because Brother Mora would show you his potions and everything else. Are you saying that was a phony admiration?" Slate stated.
"Of course not, they are basically the same, the only difference between them is their chances of dangers. So you can say that science and engineering, which has alchemy, is dangerous for our precious youngest over here." Maize pointed out. Linnea giggles.
"Oh, if you worry about safety that much, then Dwayne should take culinary instead. Other than knives and fire, there's nothing else that could threaten his life. Plus I'm sure that was actually his first choice and not science and engineering." Linnea stated as if pointing arrows at her oldest brother, Mora raised a brow at provocation. The elders watched them in disbelief and silence.
Dwayne here, Dwayne there. The siblings dote on him more than their father ever did, it gets tiring at times, but it still makes Dwayne happy to know that his siblings love and care for him so much. But before anything gets worse, Dwayne the youngest spoke.
"I like all six of them, and I can see myself taking them." Dwayne trailed off and beamed a small smile. "But I plan on taking the knight department, I don't want to be the weak link of the family, just because of my body." He added.
"What?!" All his siblings, excluding Slate, exclaimed in surprise. Even the marquis, the nanny and the family doctor were in awe of his answer. Slate rolled his eyes at their dramatic reaction.
"Stop overreacting, he stated his reason and it's not that shocking. If he has that much determination to be strong, then he'll see this through himself. Don't spoil him too much." Slate said and walked to his younger brother, placing a hand on his head and patting it lightly.
"When I graduate from the academy, I'll train you into the best knight myself. So you better be in tip top shape and take your medicine regularly." He said and smiled, Dwayne chuckled and nodded back at him. The others watched them, close to crying as they were not chosen by their youngest. However, they were glad to see their youngest smiling brighter than before.
They, too, were excited to see how he will grow and experience the outside world.
Most of the day were spent with them telling each other stories and anecdotes, but at the end of the day, they had to leave for their respective works and for the academy. Dwayne waved them all goodbye with a big smile on his face, even though it was a little lonely, he had a smile on his face as he slept that day.