Several years had passed since the banquet, and life at the Varnhart estate had returned to its quiet, rigid routine. Orion, now nine years old, had grown in stature, his once small frame stretching out with youthful energy. He spent his days running through the vast gardens, his laughter echoing through the corridors as he played among the flowers and trees that dotted the expansive grounds of the estate. Despite the quiet isolation he lived in, he was still a bright child, full of joy and wonder at the world around him.
One particularly warm afternoon, Orion found himself once again in the garden, the place where he could escape the confines of the servants' quarters and breathe freely. He loved the garden's tranquility, the colors of the flowers, the buzzing of the bees, and the rustling of the leaves as the wind passed through the trees. It was his sanctuary, his one place where he could almost forget his reality, if only for a little while.
But today, as he darted through the rows of roses and ran past the fountain, something felt different. The air was thick with tension, a strange energy that seemed to swirl around him. He paused, his small hands brushing the petals of a nearby plant as he turned his head to the side. There, near the large marble bench, stood a figure.
It was Cassian.
Orion froze, his heart skipping a beat. He had seen his eldest sibling from afar, often hearing the whispers of his achievements, his genius, his grace. Cassian was the crown jewel of the Varnhart family, the one everyone looked to with admiration. He had silver hair, golden eyes, and a presence that commanded respect even at such a young age. But now, seeing him up close, Orion couldn't help but feel the weight of his sibling's disdain hanging heavily in the air.
Cassian's sharp gaze met his, and Orion felt his stomach twist. He had no idea why, but the eldest Varnhart sibling never seemed to like him. Perhaps it was the years of neglect, the constant reminders that Orion didn't belong, but today, as he stood in the garden facing Cassian, the coldness in his older brother's eyes was unmistakable.
Cassian took a slow step toward him, his gaze unwavering, his expression unreadable but filled with quiet judgment. Orion swallowed nervously, suddenly feeling small and insignificant under the intensity of his brother's stare.
"What are you doing here?" Cassian asked, his voice calm but laced with contempt. There was no warmth in his tone, no interest in conversation. Just the harsh reality that Orion was nothing more than a nuisance in his eyes.
Orion hesitated. He wasn't used to speaking to his siblings, especially not to Cassian. He had always been told to stay away, to remain invisible. And yet, here he was, caught in the garden, face to face with someone who could end his existence with a word. He didn't dare speak, not wanting to give his brother any more reason to dismiss him.
Cassian's lips curled into a sneer, the expression clearly one of disdain. "Pathetic," he muttered, barely audible, but the venom in his words stung. "What are you doing here, in my space? Do you not know your place?"
Orion's heart sank at the harshness of his words. He had always known that he wasn't like the others, that he would never be seen as one of them. But hearing it spoken aloud, seeing the blatant contempt in Cassian's golden eyes, was another reminder of just how out of place he was.
He backed away slightly, his feet shuffling in the grass, unsure of how to respond. His fingers tightened around a flower he had been holding, the delicate petals now crushed in his grasp.
Cassian stepped closer, his presence looming over Orion like a shadow. "You're nothing but a stain, a mistake that should have never been made," he said coldly, his gaze never leaving Orion's face. "You should know by now that you're not wanted here."
Orion felt a wave of shame wash over him, the words cutting deeper than he had expected. It wasn't the first time he had been reminded of his place in the world—the son of a maid, born into a family that saw him as little more than an inconvenience. But hearing it from Cassian, the one who should have been a brother to him, hurt more than anything.
He lowered his gaze, his face burning with humiliation. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to intrude."
Cassian let out a dismissive scoff, turning his back on Orion without another word. "Just stay out of my way," he muttered, his voice harsh but indifferent. "You're not worth my time."
As Cassian walked away, leaving Orion standing alone in the garden, the younger boy's heart ached with the realization of how much he truly didn't belong. He had long suspected it, but now, more than ever, it was clear. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he longed for affection, he would always be nothing more than a mistake in their eyes.
With a heavy heart, Orion turned and fled back into the quiet solitude of the servants' quarters, the weight of his brother's disdain still heavy on his chest.