CHAPTER 7.1 The Land of Heart
"Brother, are you sure this is safe? You do know that we are not allowed to leave the palace without Mother and Father's permission." Said the paled-looking little boy. He looks worried and keeps an eye out for people who might recognize them.
"Aizen, of course, it's safe. Why would I let my weak brother be in a dangerous place? Besides, if you just stayed in the palace all your life, you never know what wonders it is outside." From birth, his little brother has been weak and has always been sheltered by their parents. Unlike him, the older brother was born strong and active. Their parents have no worries about the older brother because they know he is not as weak as the younger one.
"But, Mother and Father will punish us if they find out about this."
"They will not punish you, and I can assure you that. They will punish me instead, but that's okay. My little brother needs some adventures, then you only read books and walk around the palace all day long." During his sword practice, he always sees Aizen reading a book or visiting him, but that is all about it. He can see in Aizen's eyes that he also wants to do things that he wasn't allowed to do because of his weak body.
Since then, the older brother has always been planning on letting Aizen see what is outside the palace walls. Even if it is just a little thing, he wants Aizen to experience it, especially since his birthday is coming up. This is the older brother's way of giving him a gift.
"But I don't want that to happen to you. I remember last time Father basically threw you out in the Dark Forest." Remembering that, the older brother only shuddered at the thought that it might happen again, but he would risk it. This is his birthday gift for his brother, and he won't let such thoughts stop him from letting his little brother have a wonderful experience.
"Aizen, even if Father does that again, I will survive. You know how strong I am. Those monsters are nothing against me. Now, come on! The festival will only last until midnight, and we must hurry."
Upon arriving at their destination, Aizen looked around and was mesmerized by all the lights and the decorations the people of the Land of Hearth had put effort to. He heard stories of what was happening during the festival, but he never expected it to be this beautiful.
"Happy birthday, Aizen. This is an early birthday gift from me. I hope this is for your liking." The older brother smiled brightly at him. Looking around once more and looking back to his older brother, Aizen teared up. This is the best birthday gift he has ever received.
All his life, he thought he wouldn't be able to experience outside the palace because of his weak body. He had come to terms with that and accepted his faith that he would die inside the palace without experiencing anything. He never even dreamed of any of this happening. Aizen is glad to have an older brother like him in his life.
"Thank you, brother Thorn. This is the best birthday gift ever."
"You are welcoming. Now, we are not just going to stand here and do nothing, and we have to explore, eat a lot of food that they have, and maybe play some games!" Thorn excitedly said.
Thorn and Aizen had so much fun exploring all the activities that the festival had to offer until they heard a loud sound coming from the palace. Aizen looks at his brother with a worried expression.
"Looks like they found out we're not around the palace anymore," Thorn said calmly. He is not even concerned that all the people around the palace are looking all over for them.
"Don't they only blare that sound when a child of the Hasha family has gone missing?"
"Yeah, I'm guessing the first son slipped out again. The young lord never learned his lesson. Probably this time, the Lord might send the Young Lord for a month in the Dark Forest." Listening to that, Thorn only laughed. He is used to people talking like that about him, and he finds it amusing that they are not even surprised that this is happening again, but this time it's not only him who snuck out of the palace.
Once people find that out, they will be in shock. They know that the number one thing the Hasha family is most worried about is the second son, who is born weak.
While imagining the reaction these might have when they see him with his little brother, someone in front of them gasped and yelled, "First Lord, why would take the second lord out?! He might injure himself." That exaggerated yell caused a lot of people to turn their attention in their direction.
"Damn, I thought this hood would be enough to cover our faces. I'm sorry, Aizen looks like I have to carry you all the way to my hiding place while running. These people will catch us in no time." Without waiting for Aizen to say a word, Thorn carried his brother like a princess and started running while the guards who had just arrived ran after them.
"Lord Thorn, please stop!"