The heavy wooden doors creaked as the second figure stepped into the light, drawing all attention.
At first glance, he looked exactly like James, same same pretty face, same piercing eyes but this version was different. His hair was spiked up wildly, streaked with faint silver strands. Multiple piercings lined his ears, and a jagged one curved through his brow. His clothes were loose, unbuttoned at the collar, and far from the pristine uniform of a noble butler, instead, he looked more like a street brawler or a rebel. His hands were stuffed casually in his pockets, and he stood like someone who didn't care what the world thought.
He looked up with a smirk.
"My name is Rowdy," he said, voice rough like gravel, "Don't compare me to that weakling James. I'm his older twin but I'm leagues above him."
The words hit Sam like a knife. Her face faltered, sadness washing over her expression. Joshua caught it immediately. His heart tightened.
Then, without thinking, Joshua's body moved on its own.
He rushed forward, cast and all, grabbing Rowdy by the collar and slamming him against the stone wall. His eyes glowed an intense green, the fury boiling from within.
"How dare you speak about James like that? Apologize!" he growled, his voice trembling with rage.
But Rowdy didn't flinch.
Hands still in his pockets, Rowdy yawned, unimpressed. Then, in one swift motion, he raised his leg and kicked Joshua directly on his injured leg.
Joshua gasped in pain and crumpled to the ground. And his crutches fell next to him.
Rowdy walked over slowly, his hands never leaving his pockets. He placed one foot on Joshua's cast-covered arm and pressed down.
Joshua winced and clenched his teeth.
"You should wait till you've healed before picking fights you can't win," Rowdy said coldly and then pressed harder.
Joshua screamed.
Captain Percival watched silently, arms crossed, his face unreadable, though there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes as he glanced at Joshua.
Rowdy was about to press even harder when a sharp smack echoed through the hallway.
Sam had slapped him.
Rowdy's head turned slightly from the impact, and his red eyes slowly met hers.
"That's enough," Sam said, voice trembling but resolute. "Stop being a bully."
Rowdy blinked, surprised. Then he relaxed, his posture loosening. He removed one hand from his pocket and reached out, gently brushing his fingers against Sam's cheek. The gesture was unexpectedly soft and the resemblance to James made Sam's face flush.
(So this was your girl, little bro… She's a cutie.) Rowdy thought, before pulling his hand back and turning away.
He walked off, whistling nonchalantly.
"Where are you going?" Percival asked. "Sam can show you around."
"No need, Captain Percival," Rowdy replied without looking back. "I like finding my own way."
Joshua, still on the floor, winced as he slowly stood up. "How do you know who Captain Percival is? That's suspicious."
Rowdy paused mid-step and smirked over his shoulder. "Even a fool knows the great Captain Percival. His name is known far and wide."
With that, he vanished around the corner.
Captain Percival's arms were folded tightly. "I like that kid. You could learn a thing or two from him."
Joshua scowled, rubbing his injured arm. "Well, I don't."
As Rowdy's footsteps faded, Sam continued staring in his direction. Her eyes shimmered, not with fear or sadness, but something more complicated. Joshua saw it.
(She seems happy… That's good. She hasn't been well. But… she shouldn't put too much hope in that guy.)
Joshua sighed and turned around. "I'm heading back to bed."
"Sam," Percival said, "could you show Emelia to the maids' quarters?"
Sam nodded without a word. Emelia gave a polite bow and followed her down the corridor.
Later that day, Rowdy stood in silence at the edge of the Royal Kaizer's private graveyard.
A cold wind rustled the trees. Rowdy's head was lowered as he stared at the grave bearing the name.
James von Blackthorn
He said nothing for a long time.
Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees before the stone, his body heavy with grief.
(I thought you'd be safe here, little bro… I sent you away to protect you. Everything that was happening back home, all the threats, the politics... I figured this noble house would be a sanctuary… But I was a fool.)
His fists clenched tightly as his forehead pressed against the cold gravestone.
(If I had kept you close, if I had just defied Father, maybe I could've protected you… Maybe you'd still be here. You must've felt so betrayed, so alone…)
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he began to cry, silently, bitterly, holding onto the gravestone like it was the last piece of his brother left in the world.
Far off, through a window in the hallway, Joshua saw him.
He paused, watching Rowdy silently from a distance.
(He's not a bad guy after all…) Joshua thought. Then turned away, limping down the corridor on his crutches.
Memories swirled in Rowdy's mind.
He saw himself and James running through the palace gardens as children, laughing. He saw the day James was sent away, and how Rowdy had bowed before their father, begging for permission to follow.
He remembered the cold stare from the king, the disdain he held for James, the way he called him a burden. But Rowdy had been furious. For once, his anger broke through to the old man. The king allowed him to go, not out of mercy, but because he saw Rowdy's rage and determination… and hoped he'd become a stronger heir through revenge.
Rowdy stood up slowly, wiping his face.
He placed a hand gently on the top of the gravestone.
(I'm sorry, brother… for not being there when you needed me most. But I swear, everyone who made you suffer… will suffer a hundred times more.)
His eyes glowed a deep, bloody red.
And this time, the rage didn't fade.