Chapter 417: Ending a Cycle
WINTER was a spoiled child.
He knew that all too well.
In fact, there was even a point in his life when he hated Julian.
I’ll admit it— back then, I didn’t even consider him as my brother.
At the time, he already knew that he was cruel for having such thoughts.
But now that he had met the Julian of the past in real life, he couldn’t help but realize how selfish he truly was.
Maybe unconsciously, I do want my parents’ sole love and attention.
And the Julian of this world picked that up.
No wonder my brother snapped at me.
Winter would acknowledge that...
... but he also had to admit that his father played a big part on Julian’s insecurity and loneliness.
"Julian is more of a Moonchester than I am. Whenever I look at him, I see my brother in him. And that makes me want to hate Julian. But I don’t want to feel that way towards my own son, so I decided to just avoid him as much as possible."
Haaah.
Winter was disappointed after hearing those words from his father.
If Mommy were here, she would have divorced Daddy on the spot— and I wouldn’t have stopped her.
Winter’s heart hurt for Julian even more.
My poor brother...
"To be honest, I feel closer to you," his father said softly while looking at Winter with warm eyes. "I don’t know why, but I see my wife in you, child."
Haaah.
Winter couldn’t believe it.
Now I understand why Brother Julian hated me in the past— I deserve all that hate.
This craziness had to end.
"Child, are you alright?"
"No, I’m not alright, my lord," Winter said, his voice cracking a little. "My lord, I’ll attend the king’s banquet."
Then I’ll kill Aku Moonchester— this madness has to end no matter what.
"Child, calm down."
Hmm?
Winter was surprised when his father suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders while telling him to calm down.
I’m calm, though?
"Your bloodlust is leaking, child."
What?
Winter shook his head politely. "That’s not true, my lord."
His father looked at him straight in the eye. "You hate the king."
Oh.
It was either Winter was being too obvious, or his father just had sharp senses.
To be honest, he was always careful when Aku Moonchester was in the picture.
However, he couldn’t help but lower his guard when he was with his father.
"No, don’t answer my question," his father said sternly, squeezing his shoulders. "However, if you can’t control your hostility towards the king, then I won’t bring you to the banquet."
"But you already agreed to bring me to the banquet, my lord," Winter whined lightly. "No takebacks."
"Your speaking strangely again."
I knew I should have shut my mouth.
"Give me a reason why I should bring you there," his father said sternly. "I can’t bring you there when I know that you hate the king. Based on your actions, I won’t be surprised if you suddenly attacked him."
Haaah.
Why is Daddy so sharp?
Now Winter had to lie again.
"My lord..."
"I’m listening."
"I will always be on your side," Winter said, and then he tried to be vague. "Even if the king you serve stabs you in the back, I’ll take your side even if it means being a traitor of this nation."
He knew he had said too much.
And, to be honest, it didn’t make much sense to him.
However, his father’s pale face let him know that he got the message clearly.
"Child, don’t ever speak of this to anyone— not a single soul must know," his father said, letting go of his shoulders. "And even if I do get stabbed in a literal sense, don’t you dare save me. If you do, I’ll kill you myself. I’d rather you die at my hands instead of the hands of a killer."
Oh.
So, Daddy is worried about me instead of his fate.
"Are you not going to ask me more questions, my lord?"
"Like what?"
"Like questions about the woman I’ve seen in my visions."
Winter knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help but bring it up.
I want Daddy to remember Mommy more vividly— it might help him resist whatever brainwashing Aku Moonchester has done to him in this timeline.
"Child, just go to sleep."
"But..."
"You almost died when you talked about her last time," his father said gently. "You can’t talk about her, can you?"
Ah, yes.
My father is truly special.
Winter accepted his defeat that night and just shut his mouth.
***
THE PLAN was to leave a pot of a pretty plant in front of Julian’s room.
Actually, Winter didn’t know what kind of plant it was.
He just picked it up from the garden because it looked pretty.
And Brother Julian enjoys looking at pretty plants and flowers.
Hence, he left that pot as a way to cheer up his brother.
Winter was about to leave after that, but...
"Come here."
Oh, no.
He got caught.
Since Julian already told him to come in, he did as he was told.
Winter entered the young master’s room carefully.
Thankfully, there were no servants in there.
But I can tell that there are shadow knights hiding around us.
Not within earshot, fortunately.
"Winter, I’d like to apologize for the way I behaved last night," Julian said. His voice was warm, but his eyes were cold. It was as if he was forcing himself to be kind and understanding even if he didn’t want to. "I was just feeling unwell."
Haaah.
Winter could tell that Julian was falling into depression again.
And, so...
"Young lord, I like you."
"Huh?"
"I like you more than I like your father," Winter said firmly and sincerely. "If I were going to steal someone’s affection, it would be yours. I want you to spoil me and treat me like your precious younger brother, after all."
Julian looked confused by Winter’s ’confession’ at first, and then he suddenly burst out laughing. "Winter, how can I hate you when you’re this adorable?"
***
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