The pebble located in the corner of a cobblestone path was trodden down its usual place. It found itself kicked even further by him. Hyde Falcon was reluctant on his way home… or rather the Village Head’s home.

“What did I even do wrong? I asked a question, that’s it.” He grumbled to himself, “Stupid Rhine.” He kicked the rock further, flinging it into the air.

“Ow!”

A sharp yelp had Hyde turning to the source. James Oakley, or more called Jamie was plopped on the grass and clutching his head. Oops, “Are you alright?”

“Waah, I didn’t know you hated me so much. I’m telling you on Tom or Cedric.” The young man whined and rubbed his head.

“Geez, it was an accident. I’m sorry, alright?”

“Hah, it got you scared, eh?” Jamie chuckled.

“Scared of what?” Hyde rolled his eyes. “Scared by Tom or Cedric—you’re ridiculous. Frank would intimidate me but not them. Why are you even… just nevermind?”

“Aww, are you and Tom quarreling?”

“Why would we quarrel? It’s not like he’s being awfully too chummy with my sister.”

“So you’re jealous.”

“…you’re ridiculous.”

“Hmm, a sister-con at its finest.” Jamie nodded his head, as if everything made perfect sense. “Well, I can’t give you advice so my apologies.”

“I didn’t ask for some advice,” Hyde crossed his arms. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay. It seems like you’re perfectly fine enough to crack jokes.”

“I’m good, thanks for asking.” the young man grinned and fell back on the grass, unfurling and stretching his body like a cat. “It’s peaceful here isn’t it? I almost don’t want to leave.” he let out a contented sigh, his gaze on the blue sky. “I didn’t get the chance to get enough sleep, it’s a perfect time for a nap, eh?”

Hyde scratched his cheek, giving a brief glance around their surroundings. The coolness of the forest provided a relaxing atmosphere compared to their barracks for sure. Feeling the corner of his lips curl up, his gaze settled back to Jamie. The boy already dozed off in the grass. He rolled his eyes. “That happened too quick. I wonder where the others are?”

. . .

“Hyde!”

The young noble jostled a wave, already on his way back to Sir Fletcher’s home. Cedric and Frank jogged up to him. When he had encountered the other soldiers earlier, they weren’t in their armor. Instead, both were clad in white shirts and loose pants. Regardless of the cool attire, sweat sheened on them.

“Good morning?” He tilted his head a bit. Where was…?

“Good morning… have you seen Tom and Jamie? The Captain has been instructing us to keep up with our routines.” Cedric asked with a sheepish smile.

“Those two are slacking off as usual,” Frank shook his head with a good-natured smile.

“… well, I saw Jamie napping outside the village.” Hyde rubbed the back of his neck, “I don’t know where Tom is though.” Whether that was a curse or a blessing, he wasn’t sure.

Cedric inclined his head, “Ah thank you, we’ll get go—”

“Hey, mind if I ask you something Cedric?” The words were already out of his lips before he could even process them.

“Uh-” The young man blinked, no doubt caught in surprise as well.

“I’ll go pick up Jamie and meet you back here,” Frank decided, already jogging towards the gate’s entrance. Hyde watched Frank disappear, half-wishing that the man didn’t leave them so soon.

“So… Sir Hyde?”

“Ah yes, my question, right?” Hyde tried not to wince, “You have siblings, right? Lots of them?”

Cedric chuckled lightly, “Well, it wouldn’t be the first time somebody called my father a breeder. But yes, I do have several siblings, are you looking for more recruits? Or a maiden?”

“Uh…no.” Breeder. It was such a strange word that put him off. He didn’t expect such a term to come out from Cedric’s mouth but, “What do you do when you have an argument with your sibling?”

The soldier’s expression softened for a moment. “Not getting along with your sister? That sounds rough.”

Hyde sighed, “Well, it’s not like we’re close nowadays, but I kind of made her upset without meaning to.” his companion simply nodded, a silent beckon to continue. “…and it’s not like I care about her getting married or not. Or whether she becomes close with you guys, it’s supposed to be great right? And I… I’m stupid, maybe, it’s her life right? What would you do if your sibling got upset?”

“Me?” Cedric mulled over the question, “I’d probably grovel and beg for forgiveness? Not sure if that’s applicable to you.”

Hyde tried not to choke, “What?”

A look of mirth lit his companion’s eyes as Cedric laughed. “I really think you should apologize if you feel bad. But I think you’re concerned about your sister’s well being.” the young man cleared his throat. “Frankly , if your sister really is to wed someone in Zourian. It would be disastrous to have an intimate relationship with someone else. That pertains both politically and emotionally distraught for the people involved.”

It wasn’t what he wanted to hear; it meant that his harsh words earlier had a point in them. “I still should apologize though right?”

“Well, as long as you don’t retract your own statement?” Cedric paused, “You were well-intentioned, just… straightforward perhaps? I’m sure she’ll understand once she considers the situation.”

“Alright, thank you for your advice. I’ll… get going now. Good luck with finding Tom.”

. . .

Returning to the cottage, Reuben’s daughter opened the door for him. “Papa went to a meeting, Mama is out to talk with neighbors and your friend went out too. There’s still breakfast at the table.” She said those words so firmly and adult-like.

“Thanks, uh, Rose.” Hyde walked back inside the house, seeing that there was ample breakfast for him and Rhine. “So…” He gazed at the bare walls—no painting or caricature to talk about—some misshapen shelves. “You tend to stay home alone?” He wanted to slap his face, he couldn’t even talk with a little girl.

“You don’t have to talk to me if you don’t want to,” Rose walked to a corner of the living room, tugging a huge woven basket out he hadn’t noticed at first.

Hyde cringed and approached her. “Need any help?” He didn’t know if her outspoken nature was a thing of children or the lack of discipline by her parents.

“I can do it.” and with a final tug, she brought the basket into the centre of the room.

“What’s in there?” Hyde raised a brow, somehow the girl reminded her of Rhine. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

She pouted, “I don’t get why you’re being too nosy.”

Yeah, she was definitely a little Rhine. “I was curious, do you have toys in there? Or books? You guys don’t study or attend classes?”

“We’re not rich like you…but if you have to know,” lifting the lid of the basket, she pulled out a block. “Ta da.” She tossed it at him.

“… it’s wood.” Hyde noted, feeling the rough texture “—h-hey, hey! What’s with the knife?!” Hyde lurched back as she pulled out a large knife.

“You’re such a big baby.” The young child walked over to the table and moved the dishes away, and planted the knife on the table. “It’s called wood carving.”

“Uh… does your father let you play with knives?”

A stare was the child’s reply. “Anyway, if you look inside the basket, you’ll see some of my works.”

Following the child’s suggestion, lest she throws a tantrum… Hyde meekly approached the basket and peeked inside. It was filled with a trove of familiar creatures, a wooden duck, a sleek horse and even a face of a pudgy pig. He picked one up, admiring its handicraft. “These are pretty cool! You made all of these? The pig is detailed too, funny nose.”

“I didn’t do any pig… that’s Garret.”

“Oh.” He burst into laughter, placing the pig-Garret back into the basket. “I can see the resemblance, you’re pretty handy with this, huh? I know some folks who’d like caricatures like this one—and is this your best work?” Hyde reached for the wooden object smoother and more detailed than the rest. It was a dragon, complete with etched scales.

“…no.”

“Oh, so your father made this? That’s nice.” He nodded to himself, before looking back at the girl hunched over the table. She seemed completely absorbed with her work. “So what are you making?” Placing the dragon back with the rest of the caricatures, he drew close to Rose.

“I’m making a flower, give it to your sister.” The young girl focused on her work, taking out large portions of the chunk of wood. It was probably the stem.

“Why?”

She tore back towards him, her lips curled down into a frown. “You could be like my dum dum brother. It’s saying you’re sorry!” Her gaze was sharp and cut at him.

He winced, “Oh, yeah… she’d like that flower.”

“Do you even really want to say sorry?”

Hyde sighed, even a little girl could read him now. “I don’t know… maybe I should. It’s the right and proper thing to do? But I guess it’s just hard to say I’m wrong, please forgive me.”

“See? It wasn’t that hard.” Rose brushed her nose, “All you have to say is sorry, and then things could go back to the way things were. Give me a minute.” The young girl resumed to cutting.

He scratched his head, at least he knew what direction he should be taking. Apologizing. It made sense, even if he didn’t want to say it. But how long will Rhine and that soldier be out… and what was that guy’s name again?

The door swerved open, “Hyde?”

Glancing back, he knew he had his hopes too high up. It wasn’t his sister at all. It was the culprit himself… Tom. The man made his way into the house hastily, shutting the door. “You’ve got to hide me.”

“Why?” he asked and turned his back away from his friend. “Hey Rose, can’t you kick this guy out?”

Rose briefly glanced back at Tom and then Hyde, before shaking her head. “I’m not getting involved in this, don’t disturb me.”

“Now that’s harsh.” Tom managed a laugh.

“You’re skipping out training again.” Hyde shook his head, picking up a loaf of bread from the table and tossing a look at the intruder. “I don’t think it’ll be fair if I helped you out when I ratted out Jamie who was taking a cat nap.”

“Well the guy’s not growing taller anytime soon.” the soldier replied with a shrug.

Hyde kept his face blank, although he’d imagined how Jamie would have reacted to that. ‘You’re so mean Tom!’

“Ai, ai… you’re really mad at me, aren’t you?” Tom rested his face on his hand. “Come on, why don’t we make up now? I’ll give you a head pat or treat you to a meal.”

“Don’t play around with me like that.” Hyde bit into the bread and wished he had drunk a glass of milk earlier. “I’d rather shove this rapier up your—”

“Easy now, there’s a kid around. I expected too much from you.” Tom chuckled, stepping closer to them with a grin. “I have an idea, why don’t we have an archery contest.I’ll let you win so you’ll feel good about yourself?”

Hyde scoffed and crossed his arms, “I’d win even if you tried your hardest, and don’t eye the cheese like that. That’s Rhine’s when she comes back.”

“Oh right, Rhine—don’t give me a look like that, were you terrified of me being close with your sister?”

“Don’t be so full of yourself,” Hyde swallowed his food, “I’m concerned because I already told you that she’s getting married!”

Tom shook his head, “Ah, I didn’t really know you’d be such an overprotective brother.”

. . .

It was in this hour that she and Liam took their walk back to the Village Head’s home. The young soldier had accepted her desire for friendship, but at the moment, they still felt like strangers. Craning her head a bit, their gaze met, and he instantly averted it away. Rhine tried not to sigh, her brother certainly had his charm to make people feel comfortable around him. Still, it made her cheeks warm up. She had made a friend on her own.

In another area of the village, one could hear a young man yelling as he was carried like a log. “I don’t wanna goooo!” Jamie thumped his fists against Frank’s back, “Hyde is such a traitor, wah… ugh, I’m still too tired.” He lowered his head and resumed his nap.

“Ah, glad that’s over with.” Cedric rubbed his ears, “He can scream like a girl sometimes.”

“Mhmm,” Frank nodded, his gaze looking around their vicinity. The villagers mostly ignored them, which was a relief. It was better for them to be inconspicuous as they made their way to the village square.

“Captain’s going to be upset since Tom slacked off again,” Cedric shook his head, albeit with a smile. “He could have been better suited off as an assassin or anything than a soldier, don’t you think?”

“Probably, but he’ll have to show up as we’re leaving today.”

“Indeed, it seems our Captain is already discussing it with Sir Gus.” Cedric nodded towards the two men talking in the distance.

“Ah, he seems like a respectable and reasonable guy. It’s no wonder that Marquess Falcon had him as a butler.”

“Usually, one would choose a more experienced butler over a young one.” Cedric shrugged, “I can’t help but wonder about his credentials or family…but that’s just me thinking too much.”

Frank paused, “Perhaps you are, but that is something to mull over with now that you mentioned it. He must be highly skilled.”

“Well the man was tasked to take care of Hyde and Lady Rhine, so no doubt he is a competent one.” Cedric moved closer to his companion, and flicked the slumbering boy’s nose. “Quit pretending to be asleep, we’re here.”

“Snoreee…”

“Ah, did he literally just say snore?”

“Well, I could always just toss him into a pig pen.”

“I’m up! I’m up!” Jamie scrambled down from Frank, and stretched his arms. “Man, that was a refreshing nap, I think I can do a hundred laps! You want to spar Ceddie? How about you Frank? Maybe a little arm wrestling?”

The two soldiers glanced at each other before breaking into laughter. One soldier approached the trio, “Ah you’ve found the squirt, I need you two to find-“

“We couldn’t find Tom, sir.”

“The other boy! What’s-his-name. He’s one of your peers that’s missing too. Quiet lad, dark hair? Mind looking for him?”

. . .

Numerous agendas are all coming to play.

At least to those who could see the bird’s eye’s view, it was almost theatrical—if one knew what that meant. Here was a brother unsure how to deal with a squabble. A sister who wants people to skedaddle. Two or three soldiers on the hunt. A soldier accompanying a lady feeling triumphant.

But more or less, it was simply another day.