Chapter 15: Toska

"Your grace," the soldier greeted.

"Is Evyterr still not here?" Raffael asked, looking at the bustling crowd, assuming that Evyterr would be one of the people passing by.

"Young master is on his way, your grace."

Raffael is visibly worried. He knows Evyterr is no longer a child; he has servants and soldiers with him. It's just that he feels a little different about today; something bad is going to happen, or so he hopes not.

Raffael waited; looking still at the crowd. When moments passed he finally saw Evyterr amongst the crowd.

'He's fine, good.' Raffael thought, relieved.

Raffael stared at Evyterr making out of the crowd, he was about to greet him when he saw something in the crowd.

Wearing a black cloak with a cardinal red robe; a crest of a crescent moon as the body of a spider lily was clinging around it, in the middle of the robe.

They were behind Evyterr. Raffael's eyes widened, swallowed not by fear but vexation. Driven by perturbation for Evyterr's safety and rage at the threats they could implant in this country.

Raffael knew them. 'Those people shouldn't be here!'

Raffael could not move with all the thoughts in his messed up mind, being worried sick about Evyterr, and the cloaked men.

He only glimpses them for a moment and like dust they disappear from the crowd faster than a blink of an eye.

They were not revolutionary armies or mercenaries. They came from underground; a place where no light can invade.

Raffael remained lost yet still displayed a calm face, or so he thought he could.

His rigid face he tried to compose was shattered down by Evyterr.

Evyterr walked past him without a word or even batting an eye on him as if he was nothing like dust, no--he was even worse than that; Evyterr to him was nothing like a cloud of dust but a non-existent human being.

Having his existence has no value to Evyterr was unbearably excruciating. Raffael's eyes sank, and he gripped his hands into a fist, trying to harden his face, to cope with the pain.

'I wasn't able to talk to him' Raffael said in his mind. After the incident on the cliff, he didn't have a chance to talk to him even up to this day. He's been keeping to himself what the doctor advised them not to stress him too much and what Percival warned him.

Evyterr's carriage left as soon as Evyterr entered inside. It also leaves Raffael alone in the streets.

Raffael stared at Evyterr's carriage slowly disappearing from his horizon until it was no more. He didn't move his eyes away from the road where Evyterr left.

The cold breeze brushes Raffael's soft and silky hair; a small sad smile appears on his stiff face.

"This is enough."

Raffael loosened his hands. A soldier came and greeted him.

"Your carriage is rea--your grace! Your hands! It's bleedi--!"

"Leave it, we have to go. We need to catch up Evyterr's carriage." Raffael coldly replies.

"Y-yes, your-r grace," the soldier ran and got his work done.

Raffael stared at the blood escaping from his hands. The wounds in his hands don't hurt, he thought, as he gently caresses the bracelet hanging on his wrist.

***

Raffael's carriage arrived immediately yet he paid no attention to it.

"Your grace," a soldier called his attention. "The carriage is ready." He spoke.

Raffael turned to face the amendable soldier and turned again from the road where Evyterr left.

"Get me a horse," Raffael ordered. The soldier was struck confused. Why would his master ride a horse rather than a more comfortable carriage?

Even though the soldier was puzzled, he still followed his master's order. Getting a fine white horse, he gave it to his master.

Raffael rode the horse as soon as it arrived. The beautiful horse was fairly obedient much to Raffael's interest. He doesn't use horses outside the mansion's vicinity because the horses they mainly take care of are well-trained and submissive.

"Follow me as soon as possible. Take the carriage with you."

The soldiers on the line submissively bowed. "Yes, sir!"

Adrenaline wears on Raffael. He knew something was wrong. The uneasiness he felt was something he shouldn't ignore!

He rode the horse at a fast speed. His pretty and vivacious yet harsh and gelid eyes almost glowed like a murderous predator hunting in the middle of nightfall. Any mortal would run away just from a glance.

Raffael was certain that someone was following them--no, it was only Evyterr.

'They dared? Following us like a rotten rat?' Raffael hissed.

The road was dark and creepy. Why the hell did they take this road? Raffael thought, squinting his eyes in distress.

When we were about the take a right turn he heard an ear-splitting shriek, a woman's voice. It came from the pathway opposite to his.

Immediately, he headed to where it came from. What welcomed him was a group of people surrounding Evyterr's carriage, the soldiers formed a circle around protecting Evyterr while the few servants near the carriage were instinctively protecting it allowing no one to pass.

They were soldiers and servants on the ground, wounded or beaten down.

"Don't go outside, young master, please! It's dangerous!" The maid, Ceras, pleads. Evyterr already opened the door. When he was about to open the door a knife came flying on his face. He was able to dodge the incoming attack but in return received a small scratch in his cheeks.

"Young master!" The servants loudly screech.

Raffael on the scene saw what happened. His veins already popping in his head, visibly trying not to destroy the whole area. Quickly, he pulled the horse leash and headed towards the cloaked men, the very men he saw before in the plaza lurking behind Evyterr.

He gripped his hand and released it. A crystal formed with many pointy edges.

"Glaze," Raffael whispered.

The magic was chanted. It dissolved into small broken glasses. Sharp edges of the crystalline suddenly rose from the ground attacking the group of men. They were unable to comprehend after the crystalline pierced their body, like a meat on the stick the crystalline needle-like edges create a hole in their body.

They fell from the ground, dead or agonizing in pain.

Raffael wasted no more seconds. A second wave is incoming.

He concentrated all his magic on his finger to create a small ball of water. When the water was big like a teardrop, he flipped his hand downwards and the teardrop fell on the ground.

As it fell on the ground it moved like a single drop of water would make layers of tide. Another chant was escaped.

"Azure."

The cloaked men on the ground, devastated and terrified heard what Raffael chanted. There was no second as it happened. It happened right before he spoke the word. They disappeared leaving only the trails of their blood on the ground. As if they got swallowed whole by the ground.

Raffael's water magic, Azure. This magic expels any living thing within the proximity of his magic. His water magic allows him to absorb every water substance present on the target only leaving a bullet of water and evaporating.

The alternative to his magic, Ashur, is only applied to non-living things. If that magic was activated any non-living things would melt into water.

Meanwhile, the opposite of that magic is, Aquarius. The magic will create or turn back anything his magic Ashur melted as long as it is non-living. It doesn't apply to his water magic, Azure. The magic doesn't interpose the laws of life and rotten.

Unless it is a cursed magic.

Raffael gets off the horse and walks straight to Evyterr. He saw blood falling on his cheeks. His porcelain and pale cheeks were tainted with blood.

Raffael's eyes grew colder. He's afraid to approach Evyterr, he might get anxious.

When Raffael saw the soldiers together with the carriage coming. He ceases all his excuses in his mind.

With a composed face he faced Evyterr. He kneeled but his actions made Evyterr flinched.

"Please, let me carry you." Raffael's hoarse voice was pleading.

"No! I'm fine!" Evyterr, meanwhile, sternly opposed him, glaring. He strained his foot after the shock from the attack earlier. He was about to avoid it but the sudden strain on his foot made him delay to dodge.

"Evyterr, please, you can't walk. I--"

"I said I'm fine!" Evyterr cut him off.

Raffael helplessly sighed. Evyterr won't listen to him. He tried to reach his hands to wipe off the blood in his cheeks but when he saw how Evyterr didn't like it, he weakly retreated.

"Evyterr, let me aid you. This will be the last time you see me. Please, just this time. Let me carry you back to my carriage."

Raffael softened his voice.

"I promise I will bring you back home."

***

I don't know what swayed me upon letting Raffael carry me back to his carriage. I was refusing him to touch me let alone carry me.

When I woke up I was already in my room, already dressed in my nightgown. It's already morning. Did I faint?

Again?

Just how weak am I? That was just a stroll on the plaza and......!

The attack?! What was that?!

I'm trying to recall my memories. I was already on the carriage, ready to go back when it suddenly stopped after turning to the right road of the intersection. The horses were whining and scared. So as the soldiers outside; the servants accompanying me inside also went outside to check what was happening.

Screams after screams are what I'm hearing inside the carriage. It took me to the conclusion that we are under attack.

My servants were yelling at me not to go outside but it was too late, I opened the door. The next thing happened, there was a knife that was aiming at my face. I dodged but it got my foot strained.

At that moment there was a blue light illuminated through the presence of the dark. In a single glimpse, everything went silent like rain after the storm. It was too fast to process, Raffael was here and the cloaked men suddenly fell on their knees and disappeared, leaving only the strain of blood on the solid soil.

"Young master," a voice echoed. It was Theseus. Oh, how long have I not seen him? Was it yesterday?

"You slept two whole days, young master. Your throat must be sore." Theseus poured me a glass of water and gave it to me. I drank it until it was empty. I slept two whole days?!

I thought what happened was just yesterday. Why is this body too weak? I've been only sleeping and sleeping!

What happened after that then? I did safely get home but what happened to other servants and soldiers? Were they fine?

I barely remember anything after I argued with Raffael.

I didn't know Theseus was still staring at me. Though he was looking at me silently there was something that lingers in his eyes. It changed.

Don't tell me he's getting worried. Worried for me after all of this happened and before? That hurts. Why? Only now?

"Master Raffael has long gone to attend something important, young master. He might not come back for months, he tasked me to keep looking after you in his absence. Meanwhile, Master Raffaelo went to the marquis's estate for a meeting. Lastly, his grace has not yet come back."

I didn't show any interest in what Theseus said, he also seemed to notice it. His face showed restraint, but I saw his eyes softened.

"Young master," He knelt to the bedside. I was confused looking at him yet I remained silent.

He was quiet as he took my hand. Wait, what is he doing?

Those rosy, soft, and pump-naked lips touched the back of my hands.

W-wait!

"I have been ignorant all this time. Please forgive this lowly servant of yours, master, for being unaware of your situation until now."

Theseus, what are you doing?! How I wish I could yell that if not for the strange and sudden action I'm receiving from him.

This time, he looked straight back at me, holding still my hands close to his lips.

"I pledge myself to be chary and attentive from now, my lord."

I quickly retreated my hands away from him even if I had used force to do so.

"Insolence!" I shouted back at him. I still felt my hands trembling from panic.

"You have no right to touch me!"

What is going on?! Raffael, this whole damn family, and him?! I can tell they are changing, changing not for good! This is not supposed to happen! It's not following according to the novel already!

My face darkened. I have to do something! Or else I won't survive.

"I will retreat, you master. Call me when we need an aid. Your breakfast will be brought later. Please, rest as much as you need." With that, he bowed and exited.

Why is everyone changing? Even Theseus, and.....the dukedom.

***

It was the night two days ago when the dukedom saw Raffael carry Evyterr in his arms. The soldiers were behind them and some of the injured servants were with Evyterr.

Raffael has an intimidating and cold look painted on his face. All the servants of the dukedom were afraid to meet his eyes or get in his way.

The dukedom was in disarray when they saw that their young masters came back, one was unconscious, and one was in a bloodbath. The servants were in chaos from that scene, all were trying to assist and help them from the situation they were in.

Good thing there were several healers from the dukedom who were able to treat those who were in serious injuries.

Raffael was walking to the stairs, holding the unconscious Evyterr as carefully as he could. Above the stairs there stands a familiar figure.

Raffaelo, his older brother. Together with him was their head butler.

"Brother," Raffael said.

"I heard what happened. Look after yourself, I'll be taking him." Raffaelo was walking towards Raffael and took Evyterr to him. Raffaelo saw Evyterr's peaceful face and something stirred upon him.

"Yes, brother." Raffael meekly replied.

"Let me aid you, my lord." The head butler offered. Raffael nodded and they walked away.

Raffaelo walked into the hallway, creating no sound and gently treating the boy as a fragile glass.

As he approaches the door to Evyterr's room, he uses his air abilities to open the door without touching it. He entered the room, there were no lights, and the moonlight was the only luminance that brought light to the chamber.

Raffaelo's pyrokinesis lit the candles in the room as soon as he walked towards Evyterr's bed. Softly, as he put Evyterr down to the bed and called some servants to change Evyterr into his night wear.

Just like his brother, Raffael, he also wields two abilities. Air and ferokenesis, which was opposite to his brother's.

The servants excused themselves after they took care of Evyterr. Raffaelo entered and sat at the bedside, staring down at Evyterr's sleeping face.

Later on, his brother came, and he went to the opposite side of the bed. "I apologize, brother. I never thought there were so many of them after I eradicated the first assault." Raffael said, looking guilty as he spoke.

"You did your best protecting him. I just can't believe they came back after what we did to irradiate them. Father  will get mad about this. Not only did they hurt him before but they dared to come back. Maybe they have forgotten how horrendous this family is that made them visited hell so early. We ought to make them remember that again. Nothing will happen again, just like before." Raffaelo's serious eyes made the fire burn wildly.

"I heard from Casimir you're going to Ignalia?" Raffaelo asked.

"Yes, by tomorrow."

"So soon? I see. I guess you won't be here in Agnes Festival."

"I'll be away for a long time, brother. I.....this is the best for now. I'll bring more souvenirs from our mother's hometown."

"As you should." They both fell into silence after the short conversation.

Until Raffaelo broke the silence, "We should go." He said. Raffael stands up in response.

Raffaelo planted a soft butterfly kiss on the back of Evyterr's palm down to his fingers and retreated. Meanwhile, Raffael fixed the blanket to cover Evyterr's body up to his shoulders.

A snap from Raffaelo was heard and all the candle's fury hushed away. The door was closed as soon as they walked out.

The two went back to their chambers, leaving the peaceful young man sleeping.

The night was like any other night passing by. For some it was just that, but for the children of Glastieve, it was a plague. A plague of unwanted lament from the past besieged by the burden of responsibility and the cost of sacrifice.

Ah, what a duty of being a Glastieve.

***

Evy, dearest, how about we prepare for the Agnes Festival, hm? We'll visit a lot of food stalls! We're also gonna try riding a flying horse!

How about it, love?! Getting excited?!

Getting an update, are we?

For those who haven't noticed yet, I have changed Raffaelo's abilities from pyrokinesis, it was originally ferokinesis.

Hello, Descendants! I hope you all doing well so far. I'm really busy these days, all the school stuff and life.

And I'm not really good at explaining stuff like the fight scene in Raffael's scene, excuse me for that(⁠;⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

It's a short author's note, don't worry(⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

We'll discuss a lot next time! Bye-bye!

Lovelots(⁠~⁠￣⁠³⁠￣⁠)⁠~