Prologue:0
"leap into the arms of death and hope fate takes pity on us all "
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The church hymns played behind as I stepped outside. As so to fit the occasion the sky mourned along with us raining heavily the lower steps of the church drenched in rain, I sat down on the stair case where the rain had not fallen. The events of the day had not settled in yet and my brain had barely settled.
He's dead.
"Are you crying?" A soft voice broke my train of thought I looked up at the sound,it was duchess Mariana,she was wearing a very long black dress that clung to her figure with a dark blue scarf draped loosely around her shoulder and red eyeliner that made her fatigued eyes look sharp,almost as if she had cried and attempted to cover it up.
"No I am not crying, it's a bit of a surprise to see you here Duchess."
I stand up and lower my head a bit to not show her my exhaustion I could tell she was pitying me.
"Why, Theo was a friend of mine and my co worker,as one of the 7 wouldn't I be here?"
She wasn't wrong they did all attend, I look up at her the grey sky making everything seem dull the only splash of colour was her eyeliner it contrasted the monochrome state of our surroundings. she looked back at me her expression filled with sadness as she sighed then she and gently patted my shoulder I could feel the warmth from her finger tips it almost made me tear up but I held back.
"I'm sorry for your loss"
She was close friends with my brother, he was a social butterfly,you couldn't find a reason to dislike him. you can tell he was loved dearly even as the funeral was coming to an end I could here people crying, people we both knew, people only he knew even people he didn't know at all. They were all mourning for him.
"I'll take my leave now, take care Noe."
She turned around as she stepped into the rain I could see a red streak dripping down her face as the rain grew stronger, a servant rushing to her with an umbrella escorting her out. I decided to head inside after standing there for a moment watching the duchess leave, most people had left by the time I headed back in and more went as I walked inside. The hymns had stopped and the only sounds were the rain and the sound of crying. The few that remained inside were his children they huddled closely around his casket as my mother stood by their side muttering words of comfort to them. As I approached they all turned their heads.
When my mother saw me she walked up to me and pulled me to the side. "Noe, I know you're dealing with a lot right now with becoming the new house head and everything but could you take these children in"
She looked at me her eyes fatigued and dull,she did just lose her precious son after all.
"You want me to take them in? Why can't someone else?" I didn't want to take his children I didn't dislike them but I was never on good terms with my brother.
"These children aren't old enough to live by themselves and I can't trust anyone else just do me this one favour"
I couldn't say no to her because who knows what could happen to those children with anyone from this family but I couldn't just take those children.
"Why can't you, you loved Theo and his children so much. Theo would want you to-"
My mother glared at me and spoke her tone a bit angry
"Theo is gone and I don't want to be near anything that reminds me of him it's just to much"
She teared up a bit I held back the urge to role my eyes
"Just do this one thing you never do anything for me so at least do it for your brother."
I paused at her words. I would have said no to her under most circumstances but the weight of her words were heavy and the look on her face, one I hadn't seen in a long time. I couldn't say no.
"Fine I'll take them but I'm not doing this for you."
I muttered,after I said those words my mother's eyes looked a bit more relaxed then she patted my back and started to walk away.
"I have to finish up a few things, take the children to your manor."
Before I could reply she was already out the door, not even a thank you why did I expect anything more from her out of all people. I turn around to the children they look at me as I approach them, there were 3 of them the youngest girl Eva was crying still clinging on to the younger brother Ethan,he was holding back his tears. The oldest brother, Luca was the only one out of the 3 not crying though it looked like he had cried earlier his eyes were puffy.
"Uncle are we going home now?"
Luca came up to me his white hair looked bright contrasting the black he was wearing.
"Yes, you 3 go ahead without me one of the servants will take you to the manor"
Luca nodded and took his siblings along with his outside. I was the only one left in the room
I walk up to my brothers casket the only sounds being my footsteps as the rain had stopped earlier. I looked down at him, my Brother. the warmth he gave out during his time, its is gone. all that remained was his cold pale face framed by the black he was wearing this was the first time I'd seen him in all black it was a colour he hated and rarely wore, he was right; it didn't suit him at all. I took a flower out of my front pocket and place it on top of him. "Rest well Theo" I whispered in a shaky voice before turning around and walking away.
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Prologue END