Alexander

Alexander Doug was genuinely puzzled when he heard about the visitor.

While he maintained proper social graces, he knew full well he wasn't exactly a popular figure. The entire town of Valra murmured disapproval at Alexander's cold treatment of his younger brother. While tradition dictated the eldest son inherited all property, it was customary—indeed, a gentleman's unwritten rule—for the heir to assist his siblings.

Alexander, however, proved utterly callous. He banished his younger brother from the estate, reportedly giving him a mere five pounds for settlement money and not even allowing him to take all his belongings. When that poor boy was driven away, he had neither horse nor carriage, carrying only a solitary small suitcase as he wandered bewildered out of Valra.

Ironically, though young Lance rarely appeared, he was a child whose very appearance evoked pity. The image of him leaving Doug's estate, bewildered and on the verge of tears, was whispered about privately for years afterward.

Even the people of Valra had forgotten how close the brothers had been in childhood. Young Alexander would always lead his little brother by the hand on walks through the gardens, while their father, Lord Doug, watched nearby. Though the family lacked a mother, their bond remained strong. Old Doug raised both sons to be lively and charming, never remarrying.

But after Mr. Tangjue Doug returned from Black Swan Castle with his children, everything at the Doug residence began to shift. After young Lance recovered from his fever, it was said his frail constitution worsened, and he rarely appeared in public thereafter.

Old Doug still took them out occasionally, sometimes venturing far from home. Most estate affairs were entrusted to the butler, and the family lived in secrecy until Old Doug's passing. When Alexander took over the estate, the Doug household retained this same atmosphere.

Thus, when Alexander entered the social season, though he behaved normally, the local young ladies refused to accept his invitations. They perceived him as unapproachable—his naturally stern and sharp features made even the slightest frown seem like he was plotting some scheme. Coupled with the harsh tale of his expulsion of his own younger brother, families of comparable standing simply wouldn't consider marrying their daughters to him.

Alexander himself seemed unconcerned. He diligently tended his lands daily, adhering to a routine of reading and hunting in the mountains. He possessed his own forest cabin and prized steed, lavishing substantial income on these pursuits each year. He appeared utterly disinterested in what was arguably his foremost duty—such as adding a young master to the Doug family.

Alexander's behavior only deepened the rift between him and the townspeople. They maintained only superficial relations. Aside from the tax collector who visited annually, Alexander had virtually no other visitors throughout the year.

"A visitor? I've already paid my taxes for the year!" Alexander exclaimed in surprise to his personal valet upon hearing of the arrival.

"Sir, it is your own brother, Mr. Lance," Alexander's valet, who had grown up with him and vaguely understood the rift between the brothers, whispered softly into his ear. "Mr. Lance says he misses you terribly."

"Oh? He's still alive?!" Alexander snorted coldly, hatred flashing in his eyes. "The Doug family has supported him for ten years... He killed my brother, and now he wants something from me?!"

"...Sir, what do you intend to do?" The valet waited for Alexander's decision.

"Go see him!" Alexander rose to his feet and instructed his valet, "Dan, where is my guest?"

Dan murmured softly, "Arranged in the courtyard garden."

"That's a fitting place." Alexander shook his head slightly, murmuring, "Dan... you remember it was Lance's favorite spot, don't you?"

Dan dared not speak. Of course he knew. This beautiful estate had stood for over three hundred years. Generations of Doug family patriarchs had grown up here. Young Alexander had once led little Lance by the hand on adventures through every corner. Back then, when Lance heard his father say that when he grew up and left the estate, he would build him a new house, the boy had burst into tears on the spot.

"I don't want to leave my brother and Papa..." Little Lance hadn't even heard the rest of his father's words. He just cried and cried, sobbing until he hiccupped that night. Only when Alexander promised him that the beautiful colonnaded garden would always belong to him... did Little Lance slowly stop crying.

Few knew of this story. Dan couldn't understand why the brothers grew apart. He only sensed his master wasn't happy. After falling out with Little Lance, the cheerful Alexander vanished. He seemed to carry unseen pain, as if consumed by a raging fire.

So Dan settled the guest in the colonnaded garden, hoping the familiar surroundings might ease the brothers' emotions and stir memories of happier times—after all, Alexander didn't know that Dan had witnessed Mr. Lance's grand return. He rode in a carriage carved with the Black Duke's crest, a tall, lacquered and gilded carriage adorned with lavish trimmings, accompanied by a personal valet who followed with utmost reverence... ...plus a squadron of mounted knights for protection, all mounted and radiating an aura of solemn, formidable authority.

In recent years, young Mr. Lance had clearly risen to prominence. His parting with Alexander years ago had been far from amicable. Dan arranged this meeting hoping the two might mend their rift, partly because he sensed Mr. Lance had likely become someone even his own master dared not provoke.

Worried, he followed Alexander, who was suppressing his anger, out of the study. From a distance, Alexander glimpsed a tuft of golden hair through the glass. Only then did Alexander notice the imposing entourage accompanying him—Tang Feiliu had spent his most crucial formative years in the modern era, so some details escaped his understanding. But Alexander grasped it instantly: this impostor brother of his had clearly made something of himself. He’d likely returned seeking revenge.

The personal valet by his side was clearly not from an ordinary background. His demeanor and etiquette were flawless, showing he had received rigorous training from childhood. The way he bent to pour coffee was textbook perfection for any servant. His formal attire, though modern in style, was impeccably tailored, appearing more luxurious and refined than the garments of gentlemen from ordinary households. Dan had mentioned they were accompanied by eight knights, who were currently resting elsewhere on the estate... But even setting aside these details, Alexander stepped inside and saw the coat hanging by the door. As if to ensure no one missed it, the outer layer bore a golden thread embroidery of a serpent coiled upon thorns.

This was no ordinary pattern—it was the emblem of the Black Duke. Across all his lands, no one dared to imitate it.

As Alexander stepped inside, he saw his younger brother rise with a mix of shyness and delight on his face. Before Alexander could study his brother closely, his eyes were met with the Black Duke's emblem everywhere—nobles typically embroidered patterns on their coats, primarily on formal attire, as embroidery for solemn occasions. This served to express their family's prestige and lineage, flaunting their power and wealth.

In short, such embroidery was commonplace. Noblewomen attending formal events might even adorn their gowns not only with their husband's coat of arms but also with their own family crest.

But... Alexander looked at young Lance before him. For Lance to wear this was highly unusual!

First, despite the current extravagant fashions, nobles loved embroidering their crests but rarely ventured into new styles of clothing. Even when they did, it was mostly on outer garments, with small insignia being the norm. After all, modern clothing emphasized simplicity and clean lines.

Secondly, wearing garments bearing noble crests carried profound implications. Crests weren't mere adornments—they were stark symbols of authority and intimidation. Only members of the family were permitted to wear such attire; anyone else risked being accused of usurpation, potentially facing execution.

...Alexander felt a jolt of shock. Looking at his younger brother, he was even more astonished—as if fearing anyone might be blind and fail to see the full-back coat of arms pattern, his brother had embroidered various coats of arms, large and small, everywhere: from the shirt's lapel, to the neatly tied bow tie and lace, all the way to the cuffs and the rolled-up edges of his trousers.

Of course, these patterns were far more understated than the coat. The gold thread and camel-colored modern blazer complemented each other perfectly, echoing Lance's hair color. The ensemble radiated an air of noble elegance, commanding such reverence that one dared not profane it—neither spiritually nor through the intimidation of power.

"Brother, brother, it's Lance!" While Alexander continued his silent appraisal, Tang Feiliu couldn't hold back. The moment he saw Alexander, the unease in his heart completely vanished. His heart truly settled in that instant. Without any pretense, he reached out and threw his arms around his brother.

Those childhood years, in this familiar place, before the one he loved most, finally took root and blossomed in his heart like wildflowers covering the mountains and valleys.

"Brother... I missed you so much." Tang Feiliu didn't know why, but tears streamed down his face. He murmured softly into Alexander's frozen ear, "...I miss Dad and Mom too, both the ones over there and the ones here. I miss you, and I miss my friends... Brother, my heart hurts so much..."

Tang Feiliu was still whining when Alexander slowly pushed him away. Alexander's face was so dark it could have dripped water. He whispered, "How many times have I told you? I am not your brother! No matter what you came back to do, unless I die, you will never achieve your wish!"

Tang Feiliu froze, suddenly recalling what Lance had said in his dream. It dawned on him—in his excitement, he'd forgotten the most crucial matter. Turning to Ivana with reddened eyes, he said, "Ivana, could you step out for a moment? I need to discuss something private with my brother."

Ivans bowed and quietly withdrew. Tang Feiliu looked at Dan. Alexander remained silent, so Lance had to speak up softly, "Brother, you promised me back then—I'd always be the master of this little house. Here, everyone must obey my commands."

"What did you say?!" Alexander's eyes widened, his entire body stiffening as if struck by lightning!

This was a childhood anecdote between Lance and him, from before they went to the Black Swan!

Tang Feiliu blinked, tears mingling with a smile. "Brother, send Dan out first. Also... is Aunt Tess still here? I'd like some of her homemade milk curds."

"Dan, step outside first." Alexander fixed Tang Feiliu with a piercing stare as he ordered Dan. The moment Dan exited, Alexander roared, "Where did you dig up information about my brother?! You monster! What did you do to him? Where is he?!"

His eyes instantly reddened as he roared. Clearly, this matter had tormented him for over a decade, becoming a demon within his heart.

He hated the demon before him. He knew this wasn't his real brother. Even on his deathbed, their father had worried about that younger son possessed by a demon... This stranger, Lance—the demon wearing Lance's skin—had been the Doug family's nightmare for half their lives.

Tang Feiliu had intended to play coy, but seeing Alexander's state, he dared not delay. Standing where he was, he began to speak: "Brother, it's me! I'm back! I'm the real Lance!"

"You're Lance?!" Alexander snorted coldly, fixing Tang Feiliu with a stare. "Fine. Looks like you've heard quite a few rumors out there. Well, let's see—you claim to be Lance. Where's your proof?"

Tang Feiliu's mind raced.

His mind was flooded with memories of their childhood games.

"...During summer, we played in the back mountains. I was afraid of the stream, so you carried me across the river..." Tang Feiliu said.

"The whole family knows about that," Alexander said, his expression tinged with mockery.

"But no one knows that you weren't covered in mud from falling. After we crossed the stream, before we got home, a wild dog chased me. I was scared and started crying. You ran after it to scare it off, but you rolled down the hill yourself..." Tang Feiliu smiled as he spoke, but his eyes were slightly moist.

"...That wasn't exactly a secret either." The mockery faded slightly from Alexander's face, only to harden again instantly.

"When you were little, you had a crush on Jane next door. You told me you wanted to marry her, but then she pushed me away that day, so you decided not to marry her..."

"You loved the milk curds Aunt Tess made, but you pretended to love meat because you thought milk curds were for little kids..."

"You snuck me into Dad's gun collection to play, and we broke one of the guns... We hung it back up, and luckily Dad never noticed. One of his collectibles is actually snapped clean in two now..."

"When I found out I'd have to leave the estate someday, you whispered to me in secret that even after I got married, I could stay here. You promised you'd never kick me out. Dad never knew about that..."

Tang Feiliu spoke slowly, tears spilling uncontrollably down his cheeks. He looked at Alexander, his nose red from crying, and choked out, "I'm sorry, Brother... After I woke up from Black Swan Castle, I ended up in a strange place. I didn't know... I didn't know you were looking for me. I forgot about you and Dad... I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Waaah..." "

Tang Feiliu wept uncontrollably.

As the past slowly unfolded through his words, Tang Feiliu felt the weight of longing settle over him. Watching the man before him, whose expression gradually shifted to one of utter disbelief, he wept uncontrollably. Guilt and anguish overwhelmed him. His sobs came in sharp, ragged bursts as he said painfully, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Alexander stared at his brother in disbelief. His voice trembled as he tried to sound cold, but his words betrayed him. He whispered, "...That's not enough... What else do you remember... Do you remember the study?"

Tang Feiliu stared blankly at Alexander. The study?!

Then, in the next moment, something clicked. He looked at Alexander and asked softly, tentatively, "...Is it the pocket money you hid behind the third shelf in the study? Or the things you hid in your little study..." Tang Feiliu felt awkward, his voice slightly hesitant. "The 'adult stuff' you hid? Or... the pinecones you always stashed inside the study desk? Or... the time you said you caught the maid and butler kissing in the study?"

"Good heavens... you're Lance! My little brother!" Alexander embraced his brother passionately. After a long moment, he suddenly whispered, "...I only meant for you to tell me about the pocket money!"

"...Alright, I'm really sorry, big brother." Tang Feiliu hugged his brother, laughing and crying at the same time.

After over a decade apart, both were utterly overwhelmed with emotion.

They had so much to say, yet as they gazed at each other, they found themselves speechless with emotion.

Author's Note:

Thank you all for giving me strength through the storm. I'll keep pushing forward—it's about time we celebrate.