"My, my! Look at my adorable little rays of sunshine~"

A young woman, who doesn't appear to be in her thirties but in her twenties, kept squeezing their round soft cheeks and squealing in happiness. She wore a dark tux with a light long-sleeved shirt and long black trousers that weren't suited for the chilling weather. She looked at her young two children who were wearing a fluffy coat that was too big for them.

She couldn't help but inwardly sigh in regret for not taking them earlier if she knew her break was this long. The twins' cheeks got even redder at the duchess's pinching with the addition of the cold. Edwin tried to struggle out of her grasp as he gasped.

"M-momma, I will go with Brother Maverick!"

Edwin successfully broke free from the duchess and ran toward Maverick, grabbing his free hand by reflex having the other startled by his touch. It was only for a second before he awkwardly held Edwin's hand gently and looked away.

Linda stared at her brother with a betrayed expression but felt joy in being showered with love in the duchess's arms. She glanced at Maverick then turned towards Edwin and smirked.

"Okay, dear. But if you want to go with Momma, I'm open any time!"

Maverick felt saddened at her disinterest and gazed at his shuffling feet. He had always wondered why his mother kept looking at him that way after his father disappeared. He felt envy tingling in his chest as he continued to watch his younger siblings.

He didn't like the twins because ever since she had them, she didn't give him much attention like in the past. He didn't even know if they were his siblings or not.

Edwin nodded at the duchess and smiled cheerfully. Although he was holding a time bomb, he felt grateful for her pampering and concern way. Linda nudged the duchess's tux gently and stared at her curiously.

"Where are we going, Momma?"

Looking at her beloved and only daughter tilting her head, she couldn't help but rub her cheeks against hers and replied.

"Since Momma won't be able to be with you on your birthday, Momma decided to go to the capital for a few days!"

""Waah—!!""

The twins' eyes sparkled at her answer, they had never actually been to a city with a castle nearby. Maverick couldn't help but feel the same excitement. Edwin shook Maverick's hand eagerly as he asked.

"Brother, Brother! Have you gone to the capital before?"

Looking at Maverick's wide eyes, he felt embarrassed at his childish action that somehow showed and let go of his hand, fidgeting his fingers in nervousness.

'Ack! I'm overreacting due to being excited over the fact me not the oldest anymore!!'

Linda giggled at her twin's panic attack but stopped and stared in shock at Maverick's move.

He took Edwin's hand back and held on to it!

While Linda's mouth gaped at the scene she just witnessed, Edwin was more shocked and horrified. His heartbeat sped up and his stomach cranked from nervousness. Seeing them holding hands, the duchess looked at them lovingly for a while then turned around towards the carriages.

"Edwin, Maverick. We need to get going now."

She suddenly halted and gazed at her eldest son solemnly.

"Don't let him out of your sight."

"Yes, Mother."

He obeyed his mother, feeling a slight tingle of pain in his chest. The young knight's eyes followed his master's back with mixed emotions. Out of everyone, he can only trust himself to keep his young master safe other than the aide who was ordered to stay back at the mansion.

———

As they seated themselves in the warm carriage, the twins found out it takes them at least 5 days until they reach the capital with no stops. But knowing the duchess, they are sure they would take breaks for them and the arrival will be extended.

They tried to convince the duchess that they would immediately inform her if they needed one, which gained them a difficult time until she finally agreed but continued nagging them about having a break if they felt even a tinge of discomfort.

They nonetheless obeyed knowing their duchess's worrying nature that might cause an incident if anything were to happen to them. All this was somehow from Edwin's and Linda's memories of the few years of their lives which remain a mystery to them.

———

Time went by as the duchess, Rebekah Bernstein, continuously asked them if they were uncomfortable. Linda felt happy about her concern and went into her embrace reassuring her that they were fine.

Edwin looked at his sister enviously but let her get what she wanted. He didn't dare to admit he was also carving for parental love as they grew up under the wings of their aunt who was a part of the military.

He looked up and stared at Maverick who was silently gazing out the window. He doesn't know why but he had a feeling in his guts that he was feeling uncomfortable despite his calm appearance. Edwin tugged his jacket's sleeve and stared at him in concern.

"Brother?"

Even though he doesn't want to be involved much with this person who will kill them, he is still a child who needs attention. Right?

Maverick turned to face his younger brother's bothersome starry gaze and turned his head back.

"What?"

Edwin stared at Linda and Rebekah who were playing with each other and looked back at him. He suddenly gained an idea so they could pass their bored time until their arrival.

"Let's play something like Momma and Linda!"

He giggled, showing him his two raised fingers with the left and a fist with his right hand.

Maverick was reddened speechless at Edwin's unknown approach and strange posture. He was sure the twins didn't have any interest in him like himself. But for them to be full of energy was quite understandable.

Mother would always play with them when she was free and if she wasn't around, they would lock themselves in their room, play around in the garden, or go to the library doing who-knows-what.

He always thought children their age would run and make trouble as they played but he guessed not all are alike so he avoided contact with them.

'Just what exactly does he want?'

After thinking for a moment he decided to play along with him. He was bored out of his mind but decided not to show it as he noticed Rebekah was busy playing with his sister. Without looking at him, he asked calmly.

"What do you want to play?"

Surprised at his nonchalant reply, he felt energetic at succeeding in gaining Maverick's attention but quickly calmed his heart down, replying happily.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors!"

Maverick turned his head at him in puzzlement.

"Rock, paper, scissors?"

"Oop—"

In realization, Edwin inwardly facepalmed and explained how the game goes every time you lose you slap the other person's hand as punishment. He seemed shocked at the violence involved in the game which made him somewhat amused. Edwin giggled and instructed him.

"We hold each other's hands like this."

He held Maverick's left hand with his right hand and raised his left hand in front of him.

"Your freehand would be used for the game as you pick either rock, paper, or scissors. And with the same freehand, you slap the loser's backhand as well."

He smiled at him cheekily. Looking at Edwin's mischievous grin, he couldn't help but rethink his decision.

'I guess I could just follow his words if it is just a light slap...'

He still didn't like the idea even if it was small violence, he wasn't the type to do that to his family members for no reason.

 

 

AKS